Contributions
232 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsI would urge a meeting on Monday to go through the details of this, rather than trying to break it down in the glare of the public eye.25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsI take the lessons from the Windrush scandal extremely seriously. I meet the Windrush commissioner on a regular basis to ensure that we fix those wrongs, and that they never, ever…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsI thank my hon. Friend for that important point on babies. There is no exemption at this time; I am happy to meet and talk about that further. At the moment, the average…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsI find the framing of this absolutely absurd—it is nonsense. There have been years in planning from the officials and Ministers. As I said, this has been in the public domain for…25 Feb 2026HANSARDElectronic Travel AuthorisationToday marks a significant milestone in the transition to a fully digital immigration system with the UK moving to full enforcement of its digital “permission to travel”…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsWe cannot open ETAs to British citizens for the reasons I explained in my statement. The turnaround time on these applications is good; we are looking at within four weeks and, on…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsI thank the right hon. Member for his question about his three constituents. I will let him in on a little secret: perhaps that media coverage is a result of the Home Office’s…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsI thank my hon. Friend for her question; it is important, and well done to her for standing up so well for her constituents. Again, I ask that she drops into my session on…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsMy sympathy goes to my hon. Friend’s constituent. These changes make a more secure border. They mean that we can check whether foreign criminals are coming into the country, and…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsWe are modernising across the board. I will not make any new announcements in response to this urgent question, but the modernisation of the border includes digitisation, which…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsAgreement across the House on much of this is welcome, despite the mess that we inherited from the previous Government on immigration. On the question of consular services, yes,…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsMy suggestion at this point is that my hon. Friend’s constituents visit the Government website and call the support line to see what advice can be offered. I cannot go into…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsI reject some of the framing. This has been public knowledge since 2023, it has been on the Government website since 2024 and we have spent significant funds on media.…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsI thank the hon. Member for her response to my answer. I am clear that there has been no mishandling from the Home Office on this important issue. As I said in my speech, this has…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsI thank the hon. Member for his question. I will ignore the rant about Brexit—we are well past that. Whenever anyone in this House, in the Gallery or at home seeks to travel, the…25 Feb 2026HANSARD Electronic Travel Authorisation: Dual NationalsI thank the hon. Member for her urgent question. The introduction of electronic travel authorisations—ETAs, as they are known—is part of plans to modernise and digitise the UK’s…25 Feb 2026HANSARDDraft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2026I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I cannot set out the exact details right now, but I can say that this is to ensure that we are recouping the costs of individual routes…24 Feb 2026HANSARDUkraine Permission Extension Scheme: Further ExtensionThe Government remain steadfast in their support for the people of Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion. From the outset of the conflict, the Government…24 Feb 2026HANSARDDraft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2026I will first answer hon. Members’ questions. On how the funding is used, I am sure the hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford would not expect me to lay out today how the Home…24 Feb 2026HANSARDDraft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2026I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2026. It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mrs…24 Feb 2026