Contributions
2,215 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAsylum Seekers: SupportAs ever, my right hon. Friend is absolutely right. Those claiming asylum should do so in the first safe country they pass through, and France is demonstrably a safe country. The…19 Dec 2022HANSARDUkrainian Nationals: Visas and SupportI am in contact with a number of Ukrainian politicians who have raised exactly that point with me and, indeed, the issue of those serving in the Ukrainian armed forces who might…19 Dec 2022HANSARDImmigration Policies: Impact on ScotlandNo, I do not, because we want to ensure that deterrence is diffused throughout our asylum system. That means making the UK a significantly less attractive destination for asylum…19 Dec 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend and I have worked together with respect to some accommodation in her constituency. We have now implemented far better engagement criteria with the Home Office,…19 Dec 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am always happy to take up cases for right hon. and hon. Members. I would just say, however, that the Home Office’s standards for visa applications are now back in line with its…19 Dec 2022HANSARDAsylum Seekers: SupportAppropriate support is provided to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute while applications are outstanding. Asylum seekers have access to the NHS, and children in…19 Dec 2022HANSARDAsylum BacklogI do not recognise anything that the hon. Lady just said. The problem with the current system is that it is too complicated and too bureaucratic. We want to simplify that, speed…19 Dec 2022HANSARDAsylum BacklogLast week, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister set out our plan to re-engineer the process and hire more decision makers. It is about not just people and resource, but…19 Dec 2022HANSARDUkrainian Nationals: Visas and SupportApplications for the UK’s three bespoke Ukraine schemes are online, have no fee and no salary or language requirements. Nearly 150,000 visas have been issued to Ukrainians since…19 Dec 2022HANSARDImmigration Policies: Impact on ScotlandOur points-based system, with a wide range of eligible occupations spanning many economic sectors, works for the whole of the United Kingdom by welcoming people to fill skills…19 Dec 2022HANSARDAsylum BacklogLast week we set out plans to clear the initial decision backlog of asylum legacy cases by the end of next year. Over the summer and autumn, the Home Office reduced the number of…19 Dec 2022HANSARD Visa Processing TimesI do not have the exact criteria with me. I am happy to have a conversation with the hon. Lady to give her some further guidance, but it is fair to say that some of the cases that…14 Dec 2022HANSARD Visa Processing TimesWe do have targets for those claims. I have been happy to read some of the targets today. For each visa category, we set our own internal customer service target, and as Ministers…14 Dec 2022HANSARD Visa Processing TimesI will, but let me just finish the point. For spouses and partners looking for either leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain, the overall picture is much better. For leave…14 Dec 2022HANSARD Visa Processing TimesWithout repeating myself, I am happy to look into those cases. There is a conflict here between the standard practice and the cases the hon. Lady is raising. Again, that is not to…14 Dec 2022HANSARD Visa Processing TimesI will happily look into that. As I say, the overall standard is being met and indeed exceeded—that was not always the case, but it is where we are now—but my hon. Friend is…14 Dec 2022HANSARD Visa Processing TimesIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Gray. I am grateful to the hon. Member for North East Fife (Wendy Chamberlain) for securing the debate and to hon. Members…14 Dec 2022HANSARDModern Slavery Statutory GuidanceOn 10 February 2022 Lord Stewart of Dirleton KC updated the House of Lords that potential victims of modern slavery would be provided with at least a 45-day recovery period, or…13 Dec 2022HANSARD Seasonal Worker Visas: Sponsorship CertificatesThe scheme exists for exactly that purpose. At the danger of repeating myself, having a quota of 40,000 has proved to be approximately what the industry requires. The other thing…08 Dec 2022HANSARD Seasonal Worker Visas: Sponsorship CertificatesI will shortly be meeting representatives from the Northern Ireland fishing sector. I think the issue arose in a Westminster Hall debate that the hon. Lady organised, so if she…08 Dec 2022