Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
This metadata information is provided by United Kingdom's authorities to ensure compliance with the requirements of Articles 5 and 7 of Regulation 862/2007 on Community Statistics on Migration and International Protection.
As required by Article 9 of the Regulation 862/2007, Member States must report to Eurostat on the data sources used, the reasons for the selection of these sources and the effects of the selected data on the quality of the statistics. Member States shall provide it with all the information necessary to evaluate the quality, comparability and completeness of the statistical information.
The reference terms for the assessment of quality compliance are provided by Eurostat in the EIL technical guidelines applied for 2014 reference period (See section 3.4 Statistical concepts and definitions from the EIL ESMS file).
2. General description of the statistical domain at national level
EIL National System (level of development, main changes that affected the system in the last years and further development)
These data are administrative counts of Home Office's casework processes, which are defined in UK legislation and are recorded under detailed categories on the Home Office’s administrative database. The database is continually being developed. The main changes to the statistics occurred in 2012, the Home Office revised the categories for those departing the UK to separately identify enforced removals and notified voluntary departures which were previously combined.
Legal national framework relevant for EIL statistics
Immigration Rules, which are laid before Parliament by the Home Secretary, govern the entry and refusal of entry of passengers into the UK, the conditions of stay in the UK, the variation of such conditions following entry, settlement and the deportation or removal of individuals.
Official Statistics are defined in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 as all those statistical outputs produced by central Government departments and agencies, by the Office for National Statistics, by the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, or by other Crown bodies. Official statistics include several categories of statistics produced by public bodies:
• 'National Statistics' - these are certified as compliant with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
• statistics produced by the GSS that are not 'National Statistics'
• statistics produced by Crown Bodies but not under the professional management of the GSS
• statistics produced by non-Crown Bodies included in secondary legislation
In the Immigration Statistics release, any data described as ‘Official Statistics’ are drawn from the Home Office’s administrative systems and have not necessarily been subject to the same detailed verification processes as those badged as National Statistics (NS). For example such figures may include:
(a) data produced internally for operational management purposes in the first instance, rather than produced solely for the published statistics;
(b) data added to the Home Office’s migration statistics publications after these were last designated as National Statistics and prior to re-designation as NS by the UK Statistics Authority.
Institutional infrastructure (list of the institutions involved in managing the EIL registers and the institutions involved in the production of the EIL statistics)
The UK's Migration Statistics are responsible for producing the EIL statistics.
General procedure for recording Non-EU citizens refused entry at the external borders
These data are administrative counts of Home Office's Border Force’s casework processes, which are defined in UK legislation and are recorded under detailed categories on the Home Office’s administrative database.
General procedure for recording Non-EU citizens found to be illegally present
The statistics on departures are extracted from the Home Office’s Case Information Database (CID). The data are derived from administrative information used for the processing of cases which are subject to removal action.
The data provided include persons served in a particular year with enforcement papers, persons served with a notice of intention to make a deportation order, persons identified under the Facilitated Return Scheme and persons identified as subject to automatic deportation. A proportion of these cases will since have been removed or departed voluntarily, may have appealed and thus be awaiting an outcome or may have successfully appealed against the serving of enforcement papers. The issue of a notice of intention to make a deportation order is the point at which a decision is made to pursue deportation. It is possible that such a decision can be overturned at a later date (for example if the subject is successful at appeal).
General procedure for recording Non-EU citizens ordered to leave
The statistics on departures are extracted from the Home Office’s Case Information Database (CID). The data are derived from administrative information used for the processing of cases which are subject to removal action.
The data provided include persons served in a particular year with enforcement papers, persons served with a notice of intention to make a deportation order, persons identified under the Facilitated Return Scheme and persons identified as subject to automatic deportation. A proportion of these cases will since have been removed or departed voluntarily, may have appealed and thus be awaiting an outcome or may have successfully appealed against the serving of enforcement papers. The issue of a notice of intention to make a deportation order is the point at which a decision is made to pursue deportation. It is possible that such a decision can be overturned at a later date (for example if the subject is successful at appeal).
General procedure for recording Non-EU citizens returned following an order to leave
The statistics on departures are extracted from the Home Office’s Case Information Database (CID). The data are derived from administrative information used for the processing of cases which are subject to removal action. Figures include enforced removals, cases refused entry at port and subsequently removed (including cases dealt with at juxtaposed controls), persons departing voluntarily after notifying the Home Office of their intention to leave prior to their departure, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes and persons who it has been established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities
3. Main problems that affect the quality of the data and what tables are concerned including the compliance status with the definitions from EIL Technical Guideline
(See metadata information including concepts and definitions from the EIL ESMS file)
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised in due course. On occasion, earlier data will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include:
late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced;
the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and
reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
2.2. Classification system
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
2.3. Coverage - sector
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
2.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
2.5. Statistical unit
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
2.6. Statistical population
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
2.7. Reference area
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
2.8. Coverage - Time
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
2.9. Base period
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
3.1. Source data
Presentation of the data source(s)/national registers
Third-country nationals refused at border
Case Information Database (CID)
Third country nationals found to be illegally present
CID
Third country nationals who are subject to an obligation to leave
CID
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals effectively returned to a third country by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of assistance received and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by type of agreement procedure and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by destination country and citizenship
CID
3.2. Frequency of data collection
Frequency of EIL data collection at national level
Frequency (Delete non-relevant atributes)
Third-country nationals refused at border
Annual /and Quarterly
Third-country nationals found to be illegally present
Annual /and Quarterly
Third-country nationals who are subject to an obligation to leave
Annual /and Quarterly
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals effectively returned to a third-country by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of assistance received and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third-country by type of agreement procedure and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third-country by destination country and citizenship
Annual /and Quarterly
3.3. Data collection
National systematic process of gathering data for official statistics.
Refused entry at border - These data are administrative counts of Home Office's Border Force’s casework processes, which are defined in UK legislation and are recorded under detailed categories on the Home Office’s administrative database; they do not require sampling processes or the compilation of the figures and hence have no associated sampling errors.
Left the territory - The statistics on departures are extracted from the Home Office’s Case Information Database (CID). The data are derived from administrative information used for the processing of cases which are subject to removal action.
3.4. Data validation
Description of the data validation system at national level
Refused entry at border - These data undergo a detailed reconciliation process (similar to "left the territory" process below); and are subject to internal data quality checks.
Left the territory - The Home Office statistics team (Migration Statistics) reconcile the removals and voluntary departures dataset with teams within the Home Office, by comparing a unique identifier from each removal in the Migration Statistics extract against record-level data provided by the Home Office. Where a removal is found in only one of the extracts, a number of data quality checks are carried out, including: that each asylum removal is correctly linked to an asylum case outcome on CID; and that the removal categories are consistent with Home Office data. The team in the Home Office are also asked to investigate the discrepancies using detailed sources on individual cases. A case is only included in the published tables if: it appears in both extracts; or it appears in one of the extracts and Migration Statistics team is happy that it is correctly recorded as a removal. For example, if the removal date indicated was before an application date for the same case, then further investigation would be undertaken. A cross-check of tables, to ensure consistent totals, is undertaken as part of the production process. Data are also checked for consistency against previous totals, and significant changes investigated with Home Office operational and policy teams.
Validation procedure
Applied
Checks of totals consistency
Yes
Checks of magnitude of changes over time
Yes
Using intervals of values for outliers/errors detection
No
Using visual validation (visual verification of the tables or the graph resulted)
Yes
Checking the data integrity over each processing step
Yes
Using special programs/software for data validation
Yes
Checking if the double counting cases are excluded
Yes
Checking the consistency between Y2 and Y3 datasets
Yes
Checking the consistency between “TCNs subjects to an obligation to leave” and “TCNs who actually left the territory”.
No
Checking the consistency between “TCNs who returned to a Third Country” and “TCNs who actually left the territory”.
Yes
Analyse the statistics reported by other countries
Yes
3.5. Data compilation
Estimations used: Details on the estimations done for EIL statistics (methodology applied and the concerned categories and tables)
The statistics are actual counts as recorded on the administrative and not estimations.
3.6. Adjustment
As the data matching for the other confirmed voluntary departures is undertaken retrospectively this means these figures are particularly subject to greater upward revision than would be the case for other categories of departure. In the light of the high use of retrospective data matching to check departures, figures are reviewed each quarter to decide whether they require revision. Figures for notified voluntary departures and other confirmed voluntary departures are revised for two consecutive quarters. Revised tables are sent to Eurostat within two weeks after the publication.
4.1. Quality assurance
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
4.2. Quality management - assessment
1. Description of the Quality management system at national level
Official Statistics are defined in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 as all those statistical outputs produced by central Government departments and agencies, by the Office for National Statistics, by the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, or by other Crown bodies. Official statistics include several categories of statistics produced by public bodies:
'National Statistics' - these are certified as compliant with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
statistics produced by the GSS that are not 'National Statistics'
statistics produced by Crown Bodies but not under the professional management of the GSS
statistics produced by non-Crown Bodies included in secondary legislation
In the Immigration Statistics release, any data described as ‘Official Statistics’ are drawn from the Home Office’s administrative systems and have not necessarily been subject to the same detailed verification processes as those badged as National Statistics (NS). For example such figures may include:
(a) data produced internally for operational management purposes in the first instance, rather than produced solely for the published statistics;
(b) data added to the Home Office’s migration statistics publications after these were last designated as National Statistics and prior to re-designation as NS by the UK Statistics Authority.
2. General Quality assessment (Delete non-relevant attributes: Good quality / Sufficient quality / Poor quality)
Details in case of sufficient quality / Poor quality
Topics
Output/Product Quality
Process Quality
Institutional Environment
Third-country nationals refused at border
Good quality
Good quality
Good quality
Third country nationals found to be illegally present
Sufficient quality
Good quality
Good quality
The figures provided do not constitute part of National Statistics and have not necessarily been subject to the same detailed verification processes as those badged as National Statistics.
Third country nationals who are subject to an obligation to leave
Sufficient quality
Good quality
Good quality
The figures provided do not constitute part of National Statistics and have not necessarily been subject to the same detailed verification processes as those badged as National Statistics.
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals effectively returned to a third country by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of assistance received and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by type of agreement procedure and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by destination country and citizenship
Good quality
Good quality
Good quality
Good quality (extensive quality) - covers all quality requirements, substantial quality checks are performed and a very good cooperation exists between institutions.
Sufficient quality (acceptable quality) - covers minimum requirements, but issues still exist and more information/validation is needed for a better quality assessment and acceptable cooperation issues exists.
Poor quality (inadequate quality) - the data do not meet the minimum requirements or there is not enough information for quality assessment and important cooperation issues exists.
5.1. Relevance - User Needs
1. General aspects
The statistics collected under the Regulation 862/2007 are widely used in official publications and by a wide range of users at national, European and International level.
Main users of EIL statistics at national level The EIL statistics produced are regularly used by UK governmental departments, academic researchers and civil society groups working on a wide range of topics including the integration of immigrants, the development and monitoring of national asylum and immigration procedures, and the projection of the future population and labour force.
Main users of EIL statistics at European and International level The main users of EIL statistics are Eurostat, DG Home Affairs, EASO and UK governmental departments. The statistics are used in several publications of the Commission, as well as in the preparation of regular reports, policy proposals and analysis. The statistics also provide an input to the EMN studies and reports that address specific issues of current policy importance.
2. EIL data publication at national level
Presentation of the EIL statistics published at national level
The Home Office publishes statistics at a national level on:
Passengers initially refused entry by country of nationality;
Removals and voluntary departures by type, citizenship, destination, age, sex, removals of foreign national offenders, enforced removals and voluntary departures by harm assessment category
Differences between the data provided to Eurostat and the data published at national level
Removals: the data published at national level includes multiple events rather than people; for example, if a person is removed from the UK, returns within the year and is then removed again would be counted twice in the national statistics.
The data published at national level includes removals to EU states (including Dublin cases).
5.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not applicable.
5.3. Completeness
Completeness of the data provided based on Articles 5 and 7 Regulation 862/2007 (mandatory data provision) and justification of the missing mandatory breakdowns and completeness of the data provided on voluntary basis.
Completeness of the data (Delete non-relevant attributes: Available / Not Available / Not applicable)
Categories
Availability
Details related to not applicable and not available selected cases
Third-country nationals refused at border
Citizenship categories
Available
Grounds of refusal categories
Available
Border categories (land, sea, air)
Available
Third country nationals found to be illegally present
Citizenship categories
Available
Age categories
Available
Sex categories
Available
Third country nationals who are subject to an obligation to leave
Citizenship categories
Available
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of return and citizenship
Not Available
The UK are investigating the feasibility of providing this information.
Citizenship categories
See above.
Third-country nationals effectively returned to a third country by type of return and citizenship
Citizenship categories
Available
Type of return categories
Not Available
The UK are investigating the feasibility of providing this information.
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of assistance received and citizenship
Citizenship categories
Not Available
Not applicable
Type of assistance received categories
Not Available
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by type of agreement procedure and citizenship
Citizenship categories
Not Available
Not Available
Type of agreement procedure categories
Not Available
Not Available
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by destination country and citizenship
Citizenship categories
Available
Destination Country categories
Available
5.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not applicable.
6.1. Accuracy - overall
1. Accuracy of the total provided for each dataset
The interval in which the real population could be comparing with the total provided 100% = high accuracy (total provided reflects the real measured population)
Details
Third-country nationals refused at border
100%
The statistics are actual counts as recorded on the administrative and not estimations
Third country nationals found to be illegally present
100%
The statistics are actual counts as recorded on the administrative and not estimations
Third country nationals who are subject to an obligation to leave
100%
The statistics are actual counts as recorded on the administrative and not estimations
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Third-country nationals effectively returned to a third country by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of assistance received and citizenship
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by type of agreement procedure and citizenship
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by destination country and citizenship
100%
The statistics are actual counts as recorded on the administrative and not estimations
2. Accuracy of the total provided for each category
(Delete non-relevant atributes for Accuracy issue: No / Yes; Overestimation / Underestimation and delete/change/adapt the text for impact percentage)
Accuracy issue
Description of the accuracy issue
Details about the impact on the statistics reported
Third-country nationals refused at border
Citizenship categories
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Grounds of refusal categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Border categories (land, sea, air)
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Third country nationals found to be illegally present
Citizenship categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Age categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Sex categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Third country nationals who are subject to an obligation to leave
Citizenship categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Citizenship categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Third-country nationals effectively returned to a third country by type of return and citizenship
Citizenship categories
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Type of return categories
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of assistance received and citizenship
Citizenship categories
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Type of assistance received categories
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by type of agreement procedure and citizenship
Citizenship categories
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Type of agreement procedure categories
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by destination country and citizenship
Citizenship categories
No
Destination Country categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
6.2. Sampling error
Procedures and classifications used in case of missing information (e.g. unknown citizenship, age, etc)
Unknown citizenship, age and gender is classified as unknown.
One person can be included more than once in the reference datasets
Share of "double counting" cases in the total for the datasets
Description of the non-compliance issue
Third country nationals refused at border
No
Third country nationals found to be illegally present
No
Third country nationals who are subject to an obligation to leave
No
Third country nationals effectively returned by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable
Not applicable.
Third-country nationals effectively returned to a third country by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable
Not applicable.
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of assistance received and citizenship
Not applicable
Not applicable.
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by type of agreement procedure and citizenship
Not applicable
Not applicable.
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by destination country and citizenship
No
6.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
6.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
6.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
6.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
6.3.4.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
6.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
6.4. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
6.5. Data revision - policy
Not applicable.
6.6. Data revision - practice
Details related to the data revision policy and expected revisions of the data sent to Eurostat
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
6.6.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
7.1. Timeliness
Not available.
7.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not available.
7.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not available.
7.2. Punctuality
Problems with data provision to Eurostat in due time and the impact of these problems on the data quality provided to Eurostat
The Home Office does not anticipate any problems with the transmission of future data returns. We will inform Eurostat immediately if this situation changes.
7.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not available.
8.1. Comparability - geographical
1. Provision of data using the Eurostat EIL Technical Guidelines and exceptions applied
The UK is unable to distinguish between persons identified as illegally present and those that are ordered to leave. Once a person is found to be illegally present in the country, he/she is served with enforcement papers and informed of the intention to remove. As such, the figures on persons found to be illegally present are the same as those who are subject to an obligation to leave.
2. Details on categories of Non-EU citizens difficult to be classified using the reference definitions from EIL technical guidelines and the categories excluded from these reasons (excluded from the statistics reported)
The UK is unable to distinguish between persons identified as illegally present and those that are ordered to leave. Once a person is found to be illegally present in the country, he/she is served with enforcement papers and informed of the intention to remove. As such, the figures on persons found to be illegally present are the same as those who are subject to an obligation to leave.
3. Description of records related to "Unknown" country of citizenship category
Unknown citizenship, age and gender is classified as unknown.
4. Description of records related to "Unknown" age category
Unknown citizenship, age and gender is classified as unknown.
5. Description of records related to "Unknown" sex category
Unknown citizenship, age and gender is classified as unknown.
6. Establishing the reported ground in case of “multiple grounds” for the same refusal and the impact on double counting of the person in the same dataset
Not applicable. Multiple grounds are not included and there is no impact of double counting.
7. Type of "external border" applicable
Land border, Sea border and Air border
8. The definition of “refused Non-EU citizens” applied
The Schengen Borders Code's refusal definition is applies for the Statistics reported to Eurostat
9. The correspondence between the national system of “grounds for refusal" classification and Schengen Borders Code classification.
A mapping procedure has been applied between the two classifications - national vs schengen border code.
10. The definition of “Non-EU citizens found to be illegally present” applied
The data provided include persons served with enforcement papers, persons served with a notice of intention to make a deportation order, persons identified under the Facilitated Return Scheme and persons identified as subject to automatic deportation. A proportion of these cases will since have been removed or departed voluntarily, may have appealed and thus be awaiting an outcome or may have successfully appealed against the serving of enforcement papers.
11. The definition of “Non-EU citizens ordered to leave” applied
The data provided include persons served with enforcement papers, persons served with a notice of intention to make a deportation order, persons identified under the Facilitated Return Scheme and persons identified as subject to automatic deportation. A proportion of these cases will since have been removed or departed voluntarily, may have appealed and thus be awaiting an outcome or may have successfully appealed against the serving of enforcement papers.
12. The definition of “Non-EU citizens returned following an order to leave” applied
The UK Home Office seeks to remove persons who do not have any legal right to stay in the United Kingdom. This includes persons who:
enter, or attempt to enter, the UK illegally (including persons entering clandestinely and by means of deception on-entry);
overstay their period of legal right to remain in the UK;
breach their conditions of leave;
are subject to deportation action; and
have been refused asylum.
Figures include enforced removals, cases refused entry at port and subsequently removed (including cases dealt with at juxtaposed controls), persons departing voluntarily after notifying the Home Office of their intention to leave prior to their departure, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes and persons who it has been established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
8.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
8.2. Comparability - over time
Methodological changes between the present reference year and previous year(s)
No changes have been made.
Justification of the important changes in figures reported for the present reference year and previous year(s)
Not applicable.
8.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
8.3. Coherence - cross domain
1. Links between the statistics on refused Non-EU citizens and the statistics on Non-EU citizens found to be illegally present.
Data on Non-EU citizens found to be illegally present is not a subset of Non-EU citizens refused. This is not cohort data.
2. Links between the statistics on Non-EU citizens found to be illegally present and the statistics on Non-EU citizens with obligation to leave.
The data provided is the same.
3. Coherence between the EIL statistics and Asylum statistics
EIL Statistics and Asylum Statistics are produced by the UK Home Office's Migration Statistics unit and undergo the same procedures.
4. Dublin cases included in EIL statistics and the impact on the totals provided
Dublin cases are excluded from the EIL statistics but included in the national statistics.
5. Inclusion of voluntary returned Non-EU citizens in the statistics on Non-EU citizens who actually left the territory
The UK includes voluntary returns within the data on non-EU citizens who actually left the territory.
Figures include enforced removals, cases refused entry at port and subsequently removed (including cases dealt with at juxtaposed controls), persons departing voluntarily after notifying the Home Office of their intention to leave prior to their departure, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes and persons who it has been established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
Links between the EIL statistics and Asylum statistics and details related to the asylum applicant(s) case(s) included in EIL statistics.
EIL Statistics and Asylum Statistics are produced by the UK's Migration Statistics unit and undergo the same procedures. The EIL statistics on those who have left the territory include people who have previously sought asylum.
8.4. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
8.5. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
8.6. Coherence - internal
1. Links and differences between the Non-EU citizens with obligation to leave and Non-EU citizens who actually left the territory
Data on Non-EU citizens who actually left the territory is not a subset of Non-EU citizens with obligation to leave. This is not cohort data. People who actually left the MS terrority in a year may not necessarily relate to those who are subject to an obligation to leave in the same year.
2. Links and differences between the Non-EU citizens who actually left the territory and Non-EU citizens who left the territory to a third country
Data on Non-EU citizens who left the territory to a third country is a subset of the data supplied for Non-EU citizens who actually left the territory.
9.1. Dissemination format - News release
The UK does not issue a news release for the data supplied to Eurostat. However, the UK does issue a statistical news release for the quarterly Immigration Statistics publication. Data submitted to Eurostat on refused entry at port and departures that have left the UK (by citizenship and destination) are a subset of the figures published in the quarterly release.
9.2. Dissemination format - Publications
The UK does not separately publish the data that is supplied to Eurostat. However, the UK does produce a quarterly Immigration Statistics publication. Data submitted to Eurostat on refused entry at port and departures that have left the UK (by citizenship and destination) are a subset of the figures published in the quarterly release.
9.3. Dissemination format - online database
Presentation of the National online national database for EIL data accessible to the public and the accessibility procedure
The UK references within the quarterly Immigration Statistics release that data are supplied to Eurostat.
The User Guide that accompanies the quarterly Immigration Statistics release is designed to be a useful reference guide with explanatory notes on the issues and classifications which are key to the production and presentation of the Home Office’s quarterly Immigration Statistics releases. The latest version is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/user-guide-to-home-office-immigration-statistics--9
9.7. Quality management - documentation
Presentation of the available quality management - documentation
The User Guide that accompanies the quarterly Immigration Statistics release is designed to be a useful reference guide with explanatory notes on the issues and classifications which are key to the production and presentation of the Home Office’s quarterly Immigration Statistics releases. The latest version is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/user-guide-to-home-office-immigration-statistics--9
9.7.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not applicable.
9.7.2. Metadata - consultations
Not available.
Not applicable.
11.1. Confidentiality - policy
Not applicable.
11.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Not applicable.
The following classification is used for data availability at Eurostat level:
The term "not applicable" relates to the categories of cases which do not exist in national legislation/administrative procedures and therefore such statistics cannot be issued.
The term "not available" relates to categories of data that exist in the national legal/administrative system but cannot be delivered under EIL data collection for various reasons (e.g. data cannot exist, data exist but are not collected, data are unreliable, etc.).
1. Introduction
This metadata information is provided by United Kingdom's authorities to ensure compliance with the requirements of Articles 5 and 7 of Regulation 862/2007 on Community Statistics on Migration and International Protection.
As required by Article 9 of the Regulation 862/2007, Member States must report to Eurostat on the data sources used, the reasons for the selection of these sources and the effects of the selected data on the quality of the statistics. Member States shall provide it with all the information necessary to evaluate the quality, comparability and completeness of the statistical information.
The reference terms for the assessment of quality compliance are provided by Eurostat in the EIL technical guidelines applied for 2014 reference period (See section 3.4 Statistical concepts and definitions from the EIL ESMS file).
2. General description of the statistical domain at national level
EIL National System (level of development, main changes that affected the system in the last years and further development)
These data are administrative counts of Home Office's casework processes, which are defined in UK legislation and are recorded under detailed categories on the Home Office’s administrative database. The database is continually being developed. The main changes to the statistics occurred in 2012, the Home Office revised the categories for those departing the UK to separately identify enforced removals and notified voluntary departures which were previously combined.
Legal national framework relevant for EIL statistics
Immigration Rules, which are laid before Parliament by the Home Secretary, govern the entry and refusal of entry of passengers into the UK, the conditions of stay in the UK, the variation of such conditions following entry, settlement and the deportation or removal of individuals.
Official Statistics are defined in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 as all those statistical outputs produced by central Government departments and agencies, by the Office for National Statistics, by the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, or by other Crown bodies. Official statistics include several categories of statistics produced by public bodies:
• 'National Statistics' - these are certified as compliant with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
• statistics produced by the GSS that are not 'National Statistics'
• statistics produced by Crown Bodies but not under the professional management of the GSS
• statistics produced by non-Crown Bodies included in secondary legislation
In the Immigration Statistics release, any data described as ‘Official Statistics’ are drawn from the Home Office’s administrative systems and have not necessarily been subject to the same detailed verification processes as those badged as National Statistics (NS). For example such figures may include:
(a) data produced internally for operational management purposes in the first instance, rather than produced solely for the published statistics;
(b) data added to the Home Office’s migration statistics publications after these were last designated as National Statistics and prior to re-designation as NS by the UK Statistics Authority.
Institutional infrastructure (list of the institutions involved in managing the EIL registers and the institutions involved in the production of the EIL statistics)
The UK's Migration Statistics are responsible for producing the EIL statistics.
General procedure for recording Non-EU citizens refused entry at the external borders
These data are administrative counts of Home Office's Border Force’s casework processes, which are defined in UK legislation and are recorded under detailed categories on the Home Office’s administrative database.
General procedure for recording Non-EU citizens found to be illegally present
The statistics on departures are extracted from the Home Office’s Case Information Database (CID). The data are derived from administrative information used for the processing of cases which are subject to removal action.
The data provided include persons served in a particular year with enforcement papers, persons served with a notice of intention to make a deportation order, persons identified under the Facilitated Return Scheme and persons identified as subject to automatic deportation. A proportion of these cases will since have been removed or departed voluntarily, may have appealed and thus be awaiting an outcome or may have successfully appealed against the serving of enforcement papers. The issue of a notice of intention to make a deportation order is the point at which a decision is made to pursue deportation. It is possible that such a decision can be overturned at a later date (for example if the subject is successful at appeal).
General procedure for recording Non-EU citizens ordered to leave
The statistics on departures are extracted from the Home Office’s Case Information Database (CID). The data are derived from administrative information used for the processing of cases which are subject to removal action.
The data provided include persons served in a particular year with enforcement papers, persons served with a notice of intention to make a deportation order, persons identified under the Facilitated Return Scheme and persons identified as subject to automatic deportation. A proportion of these cases will since have been removed or departed voluntarily, may have appealed and thus be awaiting an outcome or may have successfully appealed against the serving of enforcement papers. The issue of a notice of intention to make a deportation order is the point at which a decision is made to pursue deportation. It is possible that such a decision can be overturned at a later date (for example if the subject is successful at appeal).
General procedure for recording Non-EU citizens returned following an order to leave
The statistics on departures are extracted from the Home Office’s Case Information Database (CID). The data are derived from administrative information used for the processing of cases which are subject to removal action. Figures include enforced removals, cases refused entry at port and subsequently removed (including cases dealt with at juxtaposed controls), persons departing voluntarily after notifying the Home Office of their intention to leave prior to their departure, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes and persons who it has been established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities
3. Main problems that affect the quality of the data and what tables are concerned including the compliance status with the definitions from EIL Technical Guideline
(See metadata information including concepts and definitions from the EIL ESMS file)
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised in due course. On occasion, earlier data will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include:
late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced;
the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and
reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Not Applicable
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
Not available. New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0. Information (content) will be available after the next collection.
Not Applicable
1. Accuracy of the total provided for each dataset
The interval in which the real population could be comparing with the total provided 100% = high accuracy (total provided reflects the real measured population)
Details
Third-country nationals refused at border
100%
The statistics are actual counts as recorded on the administrative and not estimations
Third country nationals found to be illegally present
100%
The statistics are actual counts as recorded on the administrative and not estimations
Third country nationals who are subject to an obligation to leave
100%
The statistics are actual counts as recorded on the administrative and not estimations
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Third-country nationals effectively returned to a third country by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of assistance received and citizenship
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by type of agreement procedure and citizenship
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by destination country and citizenship
100%
The statistics are actual counts as recorded on the administrative and not estimations
2. Accuracy of the total provided for each category
(Delete non-relevant atributes for Accuracy issue: No / Yes; Overestimation / Underestimation and delete/change/adapt the text for impact percentage)
Accuracy issue
Description of the accuracy issue
Details about the impact on the statistics reported
Third-country nationals refused at border
Citizenship categories
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Grounds of refusal categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Border categories (land, sea, air)
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Third country nationals found to be illegally present
Citizenship categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Age categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Sex categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Third country nationals who are subject to an obligation to leave
Citizenship categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Citizenship categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Third-country nationals effectively returned to a third country by type of return and citizenship
Citizenship categories
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Type of return categories
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of assistance received and citizenship
Citizenship categories
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Type of assistance received categories
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by type of agreement procedure and citizenship
Citizenship categories
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Type of agreement procedure categories
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by destination country and citizenship
Citizenship categories
No
Destination Country categories
No
We anticipate that data for the latest full calendar year will be revised. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward; but the reasons for revisions are likely to include: late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced; the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, the identification of duplicates in the data; and reconciliations with alternative data sources which identify cases not yet included in the statistics.
Not Applicable
Estimations used: Details on the estimations done for EIL statistics (methodology applied and the concerned categories and tables)
The statistics are actual counts as recorded on the administrative and not estimations.
Presentation of the data source(s)/national registers
Third-country nationals refused at border
Case Information Database (CID)
Third country nationals found to be illegally present
CID
Third country nationals who are subject to an obligation to leave
CID
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals effectively returned to a third country by type of return and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals effectively returned by type of assistance received and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by type of agreement procedure and citizenship
Not applicable
Third-country nationals returned to a third country by destination country and citizenship
CID
Not Applicable
Not available.
1. Provision of data using the Eurostat EIL Technical Guidelines and exceptions applied
The UK is unable to distinguish between persons identified as illegally present and those that are ordered to leave. Once a person is found to be illegally present in the country, he/she is served with enforcement papers and informed of the intention to remove. As such, the figures on persons found to be illegally present are the same as those who are subject to an obligation to leave.
2. Details on categories of Non-EU citizens difficult to be classified using the reference definitions from EIL technical guidelines and the categories excluded from these reasons (excluded from the statistics reported)
The UK is unable to distinguish between persons identified as illegally present and those that are ordered to leave. Once a person is found to be illegally present in the country, he/she is served with enforcement papers and informed of the intention to remove. As such, the figures on persons found to be illegally present are the same as those who are subject to an obligation to leave.
3. Description of records related to "Unknown" country of citizenship category
Unknown citizenship, age and gender is classified as unknown.
4. Description of records related to "Unknown" age category
Unknown citizenship, age and gender is classified as unknown.
5. Description of records related to "Unknown" sex category
Unknown citizenship, age and gender is classified as unknown.
6. Establishing the reported ground in case of “multiple grounds” for the same refusal and the impact on double counting of the person in the same dataset
Not applicable. Multiple grounds are not included and there is no impact of double counting.
7. Type of "external border" applicable
Land border, Sea border and Air border
8. The definition of “refused Non-EU citizens” applied
The Schengen Borders Code's refusal definition is applies for the Statistics reported to Eurostat
9. The correspondence between the national system of “grounds for refusal" classification and Schengen Borders Code classification.
A mapping procedure has been applied between the two classifications - national vs schengen border code.
10. The definition of “Non-EU citizens found to be illegally present” applied
The data provided include persons served with enforcement papers, persons served with a notice of intention to make a deportation order, persons identified under the Facilitated Return Scheme and persons identified as subject to automatic deportation. A proportion of these cases will since have been removed or departed voluntarily, may have appealed and thus be awaiting an outcome or may have successfully appealed against the serving of enforcement papers.
11. The definition of “Non-EU citizens ordered to leave” applied
The data provided include persons served with enforcement papers, persons served with a notice of intention to make a deportation order, persons identified under the Facilitated Return Scheme and persons identified as subject to automatic deportation. A proportion of these cases will since have been removed or departed voluntarily, may have appealed and thus be awaiting an outcome or may have successfully appealed against the serving of enforcement papers.
12. The definition of “Non-EU citizens returned following an order to leave” applied
The UK Home Office seeks to remove persons who do not have any legal right to stay in the United Kingdom. This includes persons who:
enter, or attempt to enter, the UK illegally (including persons entering clandestinely and by means of deception on-entry);
overstay their period of legal right to remain in the UK;
breach their conditions of leave;
are subject to deportation action; and
have been refused asylum.
Figures include enforced removals, cases refused entry at port and subsequently removed (including cases dealt with at juxtaposed controls), persons departing voluntarily after notifying the Home Office of their intention to leave prior to their departure, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes and persons who it has been established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
Methodological changes between the present reference year and previous year(s)
No changes have been made.
Justification of the important changes in figures reported for the present reference year and previous year(s)
