Contributions
1,648 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)I just mention that we have the upcoming immigration White Paper, in which we will set out our approach to the immigration system and how to support it to be better controlled and…18 Mar 2025HANSARDDraft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill: Public ConsultationThis Government are committed to ensuring that equality and opportunity are at the heart of our programme for national renewal. Our plan for change sets out the ambitious—but…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)My hon. Friend highlights a crucial point about the importance of evidence-based policy and of good data, which was sorely lacking across the whole immigration system when we came…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)A number of the issues raised regarding these new clauses have already been debated in relation to other measures, so I will keep my remarks fairly brief on some of the additional…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)I find this a very interesting debate and an important one in a number of respects. New clause 38 would require a consultation on the Government’s approach to the exercise of…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Tenth sitting)I am pleased to speak on new clause 14. It is unclear whether its intention is to commission a review of the impact of setting a minimum wage for new entrants or for settled…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Ninth sitting)Thank you, Dame Siobhain. It is a pleasure to speak to these new clauses, and to acknowledge the genuine questions and important aspects that have been raised in the debate so…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Tenth sitting)I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in response to the debate on new clauses 5 and 13. I want to clarify a few points. There are already rules that can prevent those…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Tenth sitting)I thank the hon. Member for Woking for tabling new clause 16, which would exempt the NHS from paying the immigration skills charge when recruiting skilled workers. I recognise…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Tenth sitting)I will keep my remarks brief, because there is some overlap between this new clause and the debate we had on safe and legal routes. New clause 20 proposes a new humanitarian…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Ninth sitting)I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I would probably put it slightly differently. This is an example of where we are being fair and generous—going beyond what was technically…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Ninth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship today, Dame Siobhain, and to contribute to Bill Committee proceedings on this important piece of legislation. I will briefly state…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Ninth sitting)I beg to move amendment 22, in clause 55, page 56, line 28, after “39” insert “ and ( EU Settlement Scheme: rights of entry and residence etc )”. This amendment to the extent…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Ninth sitting)I turn first to new clause 31, which is on EU citizens’ rights. It will confirm in law what the UK has in practice sought to do since the EU settlement scheme was established: to…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Ninth sitting)I thank hon. Members for those comments. I can clarify the numbers that I have; if there is anything that we have not covered, I can make sure that Members are written to. I…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Ninth sitting)The hon. Lady asks a good question. The extra cohort is a minority in that. There are estimates. I am not sure whether I have here the estimate of the specific number of the extra…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Ninth sitting)I will just make this point first. In a sense, the new clause will have a very limited impact on access to benefits for those with pre-settled status, or limited leave, under the…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Ninth sitting)Indeed, it is important to have data that can inform policymaking and public debate. This is a separate matter to the one of those who come to work, settle and contribute to our…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Ninth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship for this important debate, Dame Siobhain. It is probably the fourth time we have discussed this matter. I want to acknowledge the…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Ninth sitting)The hon. Gentleman mentions the Fresh Talent scheme, which allowed graduates of Scottish universities to remain and work for two years after graduation without needing a…13 Mar 2025