Contributions
2,215 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDraft Strikes (Minimum Service Levels: Border Security) Regulations 2023The hon. and learned Lady knows that article 11 is a qualified right. We strongly believe that, although there must be a right to strike, it must be balanced—qualified—by the need…27 Nov 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration: Small BoatsAll of us across the House abhor the deaths of individuals in the channel, and we are working closely with the French authorities to investigate the circumstances of those…27 Nov 2023HANSARDAsylum Seeker AccommodationMy right hon. Friend and I have discussed this many times, and I want to ensure that that particular hotel is closed as quickly as possible, because it is having such an impact on…27 Nov 2023HANSARDStudents: Temporary Visas for DependantsFirst, we believe that the level of legal migration into this country is far too high. That has very profound impacts on access to public services, the productivity of our…27 Nov 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration: Small BoatsWe do not encourage anyone, whatever their circumstances, to come across illegally in a small boat. That is a criminal offence and it should not be encouraged. We have supported…27 Nov 2023HANSARDDraft Strikes (Minimum Service Levels: Border Security) Regulations 2023First, I strongly refute what the hon. Gentleman has just described, which does a disservice to those members of the armed forces who served throughout the year and particularly…27 Nov 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend raises an important matter for his constituents. As they live in the local authority beside Heathrow airport, it is true that his constituents bear a particular…27 Nov 2023HANSARDStudents: Temporary Visas for DependantsI am very happy to look into the case with the hon. Lady. As a general rule, we believe migration should not be the first lever we pull in the event of humanitarian crises. We…27 Nov 2023HANSARDAsylum Seeker AccommodationWhen moving asylum seekers from one form of accommodation to another, we make provision to ensure that there is support for those with the most serious medical conditions, but it…27 Nov 2023HANSARDAsylum Seeker AccommodationNo, I completely disagree with the hon. Gentleman. It is extremely important that we reduce the pull factors to the United Kingdom. There are already plenty of reasons why…27 Nov 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am pleased to report to the hon. Lady that that part of our Visas and Immigration service is now operating within its service standard, so there is a good service being offered…27 Nov 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration: Small BoatsOnce again, we heard absolutely nothing from the Opposition about what they would actually do. The sad truth is that they have complete disdain for the British public. They do not…27 Nov 2023HANSARDStudents: Temporary Visas for DependantsThere are a number of routes in the immigration rules allowing dependants to join family members in the United Kingdom. Where possible, people seeking to flee conflict zones…27 Nov 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration: Small BoatsMy hon. Friend makes a strong point. While some of those coming here to claim asylum have genuine grounds for asylum, many are economic migrants making spurious claims to game the…27 Nov 2023HANSARDAsylum Seeker AccommodationFor the first time since the small boats crisis began, we are now closing asylum hotels, thanks to the good work done to reduce arrivals by more than a third; to the delivery of…27 Nov 2023HANSARDIllegal Migration: Small BoatsSo far this year, we have reduced the number of these dangerous, illegal and completely unnecessary crossings by more than a third compared with last year, despite increases of…27 Nov 2023HANSARDDraft Strikes (Minimum Service Levels: Border Security) Regulations 2023I will not give way to the hon. Gentleman. That is why we deployed members of the armed forces. We asked young men and women to give up their Christmas holidays, often on pay and…27 Nov 2023HANSARDDraft Strikes (Minimum Service Levels: Border Security) Regulations 2023We would not introduce the draft regulations if we believed that we were in contravention of our legal or international obligations. We do not believe that to be the case. It is…27 Nov 2023HANSARDDraft Strikes (Minimum Service Levels: Border Security) Regulations 2023If I can finish the point, I will come back to the hon. and learned Lady. Minimum service levels are a legitimate mechanism to implement necessary restrictions to balance the…27 Nov 2023HANSARDAsylum Seeker AccommodationWhen I first took this job, I was clear that the use of asylum hotels was completely unacceptable and that I would work with all in Government to ensure that we closed each and…27 Nov 2023