I am deeply concerned by reports of a breach of the data of applicants for ‘settled status’. There is very little confidence in the scheme and this will erode it further, so I have written to the Home Secretary asking him to explain how it happened and what he will now do to ensure it is not repeated. I also took the opportunity to reiterate my calls for him to review the arrangements in place to share the biometric data of applicants to the scheme with other public and private organisations and to ask if he will refer his department to the Information Commissioner. I intend to do just that if he fails to do so.