Contributions
2,121 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDImmigration SystemWe inherited an asylum system that was in complete chaos. That is why we are reducing the backlog, and why we have taken action to tackle instances of visa misuse. In a number of…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemThe approach that we set out in our manifesto, and that we have set out in this White Paper, is about how we properly control and manage the migration system so that it benefits…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemWe need to support social care and recognise the importance of that job. That means tackling the long-term recruitment issues here in the UK, not simply always thinking that we…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemMy hon. Friend is right; we need to end asylum hotels, which means that we have to clear the shocking backlog that the previous Government left us with—they just stopped taking…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemI draw my hon. Friend’s attention to the words in my statement: in recent years and through many generations, people have come to the UK, contributed to and built our communities,…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemThis Government have increased returns since the election; there have been 24,000 returns since the election. That includes an increase of more than 20% in failed asylum cases. It…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemI am not sure the right hon. Lady’s Front-Bench team can answer that question. We have made clear that net migration needs to reduce substantially. We had years of targets from…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemReturns dropped by around a third under the previous Conservative Government. I think that is very damaging; I think the rules should be respected and enforced. We have inherited…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemThis evening, Members will be able to vote for a border security Bill that includes counter-terrorism powers to tackle criminal smuggler gangs. When we hosted the Interpol…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemI must have missed a bit of the shadow Home Secretary’s response—the bit, maybe at the beginning, when he apologised to the House and the country for his party’s policies, which…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemAt the very beginning of my statement to this House, I talked about the importance of those who have come to work in our NHS, to serve in our armed forces, to work in…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemMy hon. Friend is right to say that the kind of exploitation that we have seen has been deeply damaging for people who have come to this country in good faith. Like him, I have…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemOn training, this Government are already going considerably further than the previous Government, who allowed training to be cut, including in adult education and adult skills, at…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemInternational students have brought huge benefits. They contribute by bringing investment, as well as skills and talent, and universities are important parts of local economies…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemWe want the settlement rules to be amended as swiftly as possible and to apply widely, but we will consult on the detail, and it is right that we do so. I say to the hon. Member…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemMy hon. Friend makes an important point. If the response to any labour or skills shortages is too often simply to turn to migration without addressing their causes—which might…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemMy hon. Friend is right to say that there are people working in all kinds of jobs across the country and contributing to our economy and to our communities who have travelled here…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemMy hon. Friend is right. British citizens have heritage from all over the world, and people came here as part of the Windrush generation. We will shortly appoint the Windrush…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemMy hon. Friend is right that international students make a huge contribution to our country and our economy and that universities are often very important to the local economy as…12 May 2025HANSARDImmigration SystemThe hon. Member makes an important point about the contribution made by those who saved lives and cared for our loved ones during the pandemic—one of our most difficult periods.…12 May 2025