Since the Autumn Budget 2024 DWP has committed to delivering gross savings of £14.6bn up to the end of 2030-31 from fraud, error and debt activity

In 2026, the Department has continued to strengthen its approach to tackling fraud and error across the welfare system through increased operational activity, the use of new powers, and targeted interventions to identify incorrect claims. These activities include:

- investments to deploy up to 3,000 additional staff within counter fraud teams,

- delivering the extension of Targeted Case Reviews (TCR) in Universal Credit to check accuracy of claims at risk of being incorrect,

- introducing Pension Credit Claim Reviews (PCCR) to check claims at risk of being incorrect,

- the implementation of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 (PAFER) which introduces new powers to better identify, prevent and deter fraud and error

- and continuing to seek prosecutions in the courts for those who commit benefit fraud.

Overall, levels of benefit fraud are the lowest since the pandemic and currently stand at 2.2%, compared to a peak of 3.0% in FYE 2022.

UKVI uses HMRC data as part of a broader intelligence driven compliance approach to help identify potential concerns about sponsor compliance. HMRC information provides an initial indicator of whether sponsored workers appear to be receiving the salary recorded on their Certificate of Sponsorship and helps target compliance resources towards cases that may require further examination.

Where concerns are identified, UKVI undertakes further investigation, which may include consideration of additional intelligence, engagement with partner agencies, requests for documentary evidence and, where appropriate, compliance visits or audits. We recognise that HMRC data has limitations and therefore potential discrepancies identified through HMRC checks are subject to manual assessment and further investigation before compliance action is considered.

Immigration Enforcement has Immigration Compliance and Enforcement teams across the UK that identify suspected breaches and take proportionate action. This activity supports both the detection of non-compliance and the deterrence of future breaches.

A combination of intelligence-led operations, data analysis, data sharing with relevant partners and compliance visits helps the Department identify visa holders who may have ceased to comply with the conditions of their leave. Where a breach is established, action may include curtailment of leave, removal from the UK or prosecution, where appropriate.

Sponsors have a responsibility as part of holding a licence to report changes of circumstances to the Home Office that may impact on the visa status. This includes, but is not limited to, ceasing to study and ceasing employment. If a sponsor is found not to be complying with their sponsorship duties in reporting relevant changes, we will take appropriate formal action up to and including removing their sponsor licence.

Details of the sponsorship duties are set out in our published guidance Sponsorship: guidance for employers and educators - GOV.UK

If an individual is found to have breached their conditions or has had their sponsorship withdrawn, the Home Office will take cancellation action in line with our published rules and guidance: Cancellation and curtailment of permission (accessible) - GOV.UK

UKVI uses HMRC data as part of a broader intelligence driven compliance approach to help identify potential concerns about sponsor compliance. HMRC information provides an initial indicator of whether sponsored workers appear to be receiving the salary recorded on their Certificate of Sponsorship and helps target compliance resources towards cases that may require further examination.

Where concerns are identified, UKVI undertakes further investigation, which may include consideration of additional intelligence, engagement with partner agencies, requests for documentary evidence and, where appropriate, compliance visits or audits. We recognise that HMRC data has limitations and therefore potential discrepancies identified through HMRC checks are subject to manual assessment and further investigation before compliance action is considered.

Immigration Enforcement has Immigration Compliance and Enforcement teams across the UK that identify suspected breaches and take proportionate action. This activity supports both the detection of non-compliance and the deterrence of future breaches.

A combination of intelligence-led operations, data analysis, data sharing with relevant partners and compliance visits helps the Department identify visa holders who may have ceased to comply with the conditions of their leave. Where a breach is established, action may include curtailment of leave, removal from the UK or prosecution, where appropriate.

Sponsors have a wider responsibility to ensure workers they sponsor comply with their immigration conditions. If UKVI become aware that a worker has not complied with the conditions (rules) of their permission to stay in the UK then UKVI can take compliance action which can include revocation of their sponsor licence. Guidance is available at Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 3: sponsor duties and compliance (accessible) - GOV.UK

No estimate of the proportion of visa holders whose whereabouts are easily identifiable is held.

All sponsors of migrants coming to the UK in order to work and study are required as part of their licensing arrangements to report to the Home Office on changes of circumstances of the migrants they are sponsoring.

The Home Office remains committed to making improvements where they can be achieved within existing resources. This includes a programme of continuous improvement in data management and caseworking platforms as part of the Home Office’s delivery of its digital immigration system. The introduction of eVisas and Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) means the Home Office knows more about everyone coming to the UK, improving data quality and enabling upstream interventions. As the Home Office moves to a fully digital system, eVisas will increasingly update in real time when status changes, automatically revoking access to work, benefits, housing, and services, unlike physical documents that can be misused after expiry. Immigration status information is available automatically through system-to-system checks with public authorities and government departments.

Alongside this, the Home Office is developing a new digital capability, to be implemented in 2026, to help determine whether individuals have complied, or are complying, with conditions on the time they may stay in the UK. This will also make it easier to share travel and immigration compliance data with caseworkers and downstream services for a variety of analytical and operational needs.

This information is not published and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

All asylum claims are considered on their individual merits, and decision makers assess the credibility and reliability of evidence submitted in support of a claim in accordance with published asylum guidance.

This information is not published and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

All asylum claims are considered on their individual merits, and decision makers assess the credibility and reliability of evidence submitted in support of a claim in accordance with published asylum guidance.

The Home Office is committed to ensuring that the asylum system is not open to abuse. It is the responsibility of everyone claiming asylum in the UK to co-operate with the Home Office and tell us the truth. It is a crime to make an asylum application that involves trying to deceive the Home Office. If anyone does this and is found guilty of it in a court, they may sentenced to a custodial sentence, after which they may be deported.

In March 2026, the Departmental Board confirmed the Home Office’s commitment to regular monitoring of performance and delivery through the Home Office Performance System. The Board forms the collective strategic leadership of the Home Office with a broad purpose to steer and scrutinise the department’s strategy, performance and capability.

Like any Government department, the Home Office uses a range of internal performance measures, planning assumptions and delivery mechanisms to manage resources and track progress against priorities. This information helps officials to understand demand, monitor operational performance and ensure we meet our legal and statutory responsibilities. These include a broad range of internal measures on the number of small boat crossings, asylum hotels, returns, and measures on keeping our borders secure and protecting the public.

Information on the operational performance of the immigration system can be ascertained from published records in the form of the Home Office’s Annual Reports, Migration Transparency data and Home Office Statistics These are publicly available on Gov.uk.

This information is not published and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

All asylum claims are considered on their individual merits, and decision makers assess the credibility and reliability of evidence submitted in support of a claim in accordance with published asylum guidance.

The information requested is not held in a reportable format and could only be obtained through examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.

However, the Home Office does publish data on the number of asylum claims awaiting an initial decision by duration. This data can be found at table Asy_D03 of the ‘Asylum and resettlement summary tables’ at: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

Additionally, data on the percentage of applications processed within six months is published in table ASY_01 of the ‘Immigration and Protection’ data in the Migration transparency data - GOV.UK.

We are committed to progressing asylum cases in an efficient and cost-effective way. Over 70% of asylum claims received during Q4 2025 (including grants and refusals) were decided within 6 months, the highest percentage in 11 years.

The information requested is not held in a reportable format and could only be obtained through examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.

However, the Home Office does publish data on the number of asylum claims awaiting an initial decision by duration. This data can be found at table Asy_D03 of the Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

Additionally, data on the percentage of applications processed within six months is published in table ASY_01 of the 'Immigration and Protection' data of the Migration transparency data - GOV.UK.

We are committed to progressing asylum cases in an efficient and cost-effective way. Over 70% of asylum claims received during Q4 2025 were decided within 6 months, the highest percentage in 11 years.

The information requested is not held in a reportable format and could only be obtained through examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.

The information requested is not held in a reportable format and could only be obtained through examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.

All asylum claims are considered on their individual merits, and decision makers assess the credibility and reliability of evidence submitted in support of a claim in accordance with published asylum guidance.

Decisions are not made based solely on a letter from judges or magistrates. Guidance states that caseworkers should consider “all the evidence” including the credibility of the claimant and the consistency of their statements.

All asylum claims are considered on their individual merits, and decision makers assess the credibility and reliability of evidence submitted in support of a claim in accordance with published asylum guidance.

In line with established case law and Home Office guidance, enquiries may be undertaken in limited circumstances to verify the authenticity of documents where appropriate. Consistent with established principles, it is for the claimant to demonstrate that evidence submitted in support of their claim can be relied upon. The reliability of evidence is assessed in the round and the weight attached to that evidence is a matter for the decision maker.

We do not routinely monitor those who are granted asylum or leave to remain but refugees, and those granted protection in the UK, have equitable access to the resources and support necessary to fully integrate into life here, achieve self-sufficiency, provide for themselves and their families, and contribute to the UK economy.

Integration outcomes of asylum refugees and refugees resettled under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and Vulnerable Children Resettlement Schemes is available on GOV.UK at: Refugee Integration Outcomes (RIO) Insights - GOV.UK. RIO aims to create a comprehensive dataset of refugee outcomes by linking Home Office data with administrative data from across government.

Under our new Core Protection model, we have moved away from the presumption of permanent protection, and instead will provide protection for the duration of need. Where a person no longer requires protection, including where their personal circumstances or a country situation has changed, they will be expected to return home.

Everyone is expected to abide by the law; this includes refugees and other foreign nationals. This Government is clear that those who commit serious crimes and pose a danger to the community and those who otherwise pose a threat to national security will have their refugee status revoked because they no longer deserve our protection and the generous benefits that come with such status. Instead, they will be removed from the UK at the earliest opportunity. Where evidence comes to light that demonstrates that a person obtained their protection status fraudulently, we will seek to revoke their status.

This information is not published and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

All asylum claims are considered on their individual merits, and decision makers assess the credibility and reliability of evidence submitted in support of a claim in accordance with published asylum guidance.

The Home Office is committed to ensuring that the asylum system is not open to abuse. It is the responsibility of everyone claiming asylum in the UK to co-operate with the Home Office and tell us the truth. It is a crime to make an asylum application that involves trying to deceive the Home Office. If anyone does this and is found guilty of it in a court, they may receive a custodial sentence after which they may be deported.

The June 2025 press release announced the department’s investment of over £1.6 million in an assistive technology lending library pilot through the ‘SEND and alternative provision change programme’. The press release referenced that the number of children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) had increased by 11% to 638,700, referring to the data from the 2024 to 2025 academic year.

For the same period, the number of EHCPs specifically for children under the age of 8 at the start of the academic year increased by 14%, rising to 124,148.

The government is committed to ensuring that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities receive appropriate support at the earliest opportunity, and that local authorities and education settings have the expertise and resources needed to meet their needs effectively. As part of this work, the pilot enabled up to 3,800 mainstream settings across 30 local authorities to borrow and trial assistive technology before making purchasing decisions.

All applicants seeking permission under the Student route must meet the English language requirements set out in the Immigration Rules. Applicants studying at degree level or above must demonstrate English language ability at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, while those studying below degree level must demonstrate ability at level B1. Higher education providers with a track record of compliance may assess the English language ability of applicants studying at degree level or above using a method they consider appropriate. The provider must record the method of assessment on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies and retain evidence of that assessment. UK Visas and Immigration may assess a sponsor’s arrangements for determining English language ability as part of its compliance activity, including during a compliance visit. Sponsors that are not permitted to assess English language ability must ensure that applicants provide evidence through one of the methods specified in the Immigration Rules, such as an approved Secure English Language Test. Individuals remain subject to review during the visa process and at the border, and may be refused entry where they do not meet the relevant requirements.

All applicants seeking permission under the Student route are required to satisfy the genuine student requirement set out in the Immigration Rules. UK Visas and Immigration considers each application on its individual merits and assesses all the information and evidence available. This may include the applicant’s immigration and education history, the relevance of the proposed course to their previous study and future plans, their knowledge of the course and sponsoring institution, their reasons for choosing to study in the UK, and their financial circumstances. Where further information is required, the applicant may be invited to attend a credibility interview. An application may be refused where the decision maker is not satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the applicant is a genuine student.

Student sponsors must maintain oversight of sponsored students throughout their studies and notify UK Visas and Immigration of reportable events relating to their students. These include non-enrolment, a failure to attend or engage, withdrawal from a course, and earlier-than-expected completion. Sponsors are assessed in the annual Basic Compliance Assessment on the rates of non-enrolment and course completion. If sponsorship is withdrawn or an individual no longer satisfies the Student route requirements, their permission may be cancelled in accordance with the Immigration Rules.

The Home Office can conduct both virtual audits and in-person visits (either announced or unannounced) of sponsors at any time to assess their compliance with their sponsorship duties. Sponsors are assessed annually against the Basic Compliance Assessment requirements of refusal rate, enrolment rate, and course completion rate. Sponsors must also request their allocation of sponsorship certificates annually, and the Home Office will take account of factors including the number of students currently studying at the institution, its student-to-teacher ratio, the number of full-time teaching staff and the capacity of its premises. These arrangements support oversight of the number of sponsored students and whether a sponsor can continue to meet its sponsorship duties

Education providers must hold a valid Student sponsor licence and meet the relevant educational oversight and immigration compliance requirements to sponsor international students. Student sponsors must also apply for a Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) each year to demonstrate that they continue to meet the required compliance standards. UK Visas and Immigration monitors sponsors through risk-based compliance activity and may take appropriate action where the required standards are not met or wider concerns are identified. Student route applications are considered on their individual merits against the Immigration Rules, including the requirement to demonstrate knowledge of English.

Student sponsors are required to monitor the academic engagement of sponsored students and report specified changes in their circumstances to UK Visas and Immigration, including where a student fails to enrol, ceases to study or sponsorship is withdrawn. Where an individual no longer meets the requirements of the Student route, the Home Office may cancel their permission in accordance with the Immigration Rules. Individuals must leave the UK before their permission expires, unless they have made a valid application for further permission to stay. Those who remain in the UK without permission are liable to enforcement action.