Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many teachers of modern foreign languages (MFL) have been recruited by maintained (1) secondary schools, and (2) primary schools, as a result of the inclusion of MFL teachers on the Shortage Occupation List announced on 4 March 2021.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department does not hold data on the number of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) secondary level teachers recruited as a result of the inclusion of MFL on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). Primary level MFL teachers are not included on the SOL.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the scoping review of issues and options for improving community languages translation and interpretation services in the NHS has been completed; and if not, when it is expected to be completed, and when the detailed terms of reference and timetable for this review will be published.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Team in NHS England are completing a scoping and options review of the most effective and appropriate national interventions to facilitate improvements in community language translation, and interpretation services, to meet the needs of communities; and support equitable access, experience, and outcomes for all.
The team are aiming to complete the scoping and options appraisal in November 2023 and to agree recommendations in March 2024. There has not been a decision regarding the publication of the terms of reference.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many Afghan interpreters who worked with the British armed forces in Afghanistan have to date been relocated to the UK under (1) ARAP, (2) the Intimidation Policy, (3) the Locally Employed Staff Ex-Gratia Scheme, and (4) any other relevant scheme; and in each case how many were relocated (a) directly from Afghanistan, and (b) from a third country.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme we have so far relocated an estimated 12,200 individuals - principal applicants and their family members - to the UK.
We have relocated an estimated 526 principal applicants under the Ex-Gratia Scheme (EGS) and four principal applicants under the Intimidation Policy (IIU). Due to data constraints, we are currently unable to provide figures for Ex Gratia and Intimidation Policy principals' family members.
We are also unable to break down figures for ARAP, EGS or IIU by job role and due to operational sensitivities, we cannot provide the requested information on locations.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many Afghan interpreters who worked with the British armed forces in Afghanistan who have applied to be relocated to the UK under (1) ARAP, (2) the Intimidation Policy, (3) the Locally Employed Staff Ex-Gratia Scheme and (4) any other relevant scheme are awaiting security clearance before travelling; and in each case how many have applied (a) directly from Afghanistan and (b) from a third country.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
We estimate that there are approximately 4,300 individuals (principal applicants plus family members) left to relocate to the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
In addition, we are supporting four individuals eligible under the Ex-Gratia Scheme (EGS) who are still actively wishing to take up their EGS offer to relocate to the UK.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what the average waiting time between application, being granted security clearance and entering the UK is for Afghan interpreters who worked with the British armed forces in Afghanistan.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
Since 2015, just over half a million people were offered safe and legal routes into the UK. This includes those from country-specific schemes from Hong Kong, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, in addition to global routes through the UNHCR and family reunion schemes.
There are a number of complex issues that can impact how swiftly individuals can relocate to the UK, and as such, individual timeframes for decisions can differ considerably. Government departments continue to work collaboratively in order to make casework decisions and ensure visas are issued as soon as is practicable, following appropriate checks including security.
More information on the number of grants of Indefinite Leave to Remain issued to Afghans resettling under the ARAP or ACRS can be viewed at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many Afghan interpreters who worked with the British armed forces in Afghanistan that have relocated to the UK have eligible family members remaining in Afghanistan awaiting security clearance; and if any, when they expect the security clearance process to be completed.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
Since the launch of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme in April 2021, we have received over 141,000 applications, and have relocated over 12,200 eligible individuals and their family members to safety in the UK. We are unable to breakdown our figures by specific job role.
We are committed to improving and speeding up processing times for family reunion applications. We prioritise all applications where the application has been made by an unaccompanied child, under the age of 18. We will also prioritise applications where there is an evidenced urgent or compelling reason.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the independent review of qualifications and experience required of spoken language interpreters in HM Courts and Tribunals Service will be completed; and when it will be published.
Answered by Lord Bellamy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The review of qualifications and experience has been completed by an independent expert. We are considering its findings as part of a wider review of service requirements currently being undertaken within the Ministry of Justice, which is helping inform the development of new tender specifications. This is a complex process and covers a wide range of agencies within MoJ. Because this is linked with the ongoing language services procurement and invitation to tender work it is unlikely anything will be published before 2024. We will, of course, publish the outcome of the review once it is complete.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the invitation to tender for the next contract to provide spoken word translation and interpretation services for HM Courts and Tribunals Service will be issued.
Answered by Lord Bellamy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Ministry of Justice’s invitation to tender for the new spoken word services contract is expected to be published in 2024. The MoJ is currently assessing requirements for the new contract, which are complex, as it supports multiple agencies within the department. Timescales for the tender publication will be refined after this.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve the supply chain of spoken word interpreters for HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
Answered by Lord Bellamy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Ministry of Justice and HMCTS engage regularly with commissioning bodies, educational institutions, and external stakeholder working groups, including language professional membership organisations, regarding the routes available to those wanting to become interpreters working within the justice system. We are also engaging with the market in advance of the upcoming tender for interpreter services.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in negotiations towards a Free Trade Agreement between the UK and Mexico.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Negotiations between the UK and Mexico have been positive so far, with a clear mutual intention to pursue a Free Trade Agreement which can complement and build on our new trade arrangements as members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. We have held three rounds of negotiations, with the latest taking place in May.
We look forward to concluding negotiations at the earliest opportunity. However, we want to make sure any new trade deal adds value to the UK economy and meets our trade policy objectives. We are prepared to take the time necessary to deliver that.