To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Visas: Palestinians
Wednesday 27th March 2024

Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of calls for a Palestinian visa or Gaza family scheme to enable Palestinians in Gaza to be reunited with relatives in the UK and access temporary sanctuary.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The UK Government is monitoring the situation in Israel and Gaza closely to ensure that it is able to respond appropriately. UKVI is working closely with the FCDO in supporting family members of British nationals evacuated from Gaza who require a visa, signposting the necessary steps and expediting appointments at the Visa Application Centre.

British citizens and those with settled status in the UK, together with their foreign national dependants, (spouse, unmarried/civil partner, child under 18), may come to the UK provided that they have valid travel documents and existing permission to enter or remain in the UK; or are non-visa nationals. They must also pass appropriate security checks.

The Government allows individuals with protection status in the UK to sponsor their partner or children to stay with or join them here through our refugee family reunion policy, provided they formed part of the family unit before the sponsor fled their country of origin to seek protection.

There are additional safe and legal routes for people to come to the UK should they wish to join family members here, work or study. They would need to meet the requirements of the relevant Immigration Rule under which they were applying to qualify for a visa.


Written Question
Universal Credit
Wednesday 27th March 2024

Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the readiness criteria used for the managed migration to universal credit; and, if not, why.

Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Senior Responsible Owner for Universal Credit set out the criteria for the Public Accounts Committee at its hearing on March 11, 2024, Progress in implementing Universal Credit (HC 552) Question 26 committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/14467/pdf/

The formal assessments are published as part of the regular releases of Programme Board papers.


Scheduled Event - Tuesday 26th March
View Source
Lords - Oral questions - Main Chamber
Children living in relative poverty
MP: Baroness Lister of Burtersett
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 26 Mar 2024
Child Poverty

Speech Link

View all Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Child Poverty

Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 26 Mar 2024
Child Poverty

Speech Link

View all Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Child Poverty

Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 25 Mar 2024
Asylum Claims

Speech Link

View all Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Asylum Claims

Written Question
Rached Ghannouchi
Monday 25th March 2024

Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made any representations to the government of Tunisia concerning the case of Rached Ghannouchi, the former Speaker of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, who has been detained in Mornaguia civil prison since his arrest in April 2023.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We monitor the political and human rights situation in Tunisia closely. On 18 April 2023, I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] made clear the UK's view that the wave of arrests, including of Rached Ghannouchi and restrictions on political opposition in Tunisia were eroding the space for plurality. I reiterated this message during my meeting with the Tunisian Foreign Minister on 12 October 2023. The Association Council was also an opportunity for the UK to discuss the principles and benefits of an open and democratic society, of legitimate political opposition, the separation of powers, civil society and an inclusive political process.


Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 20 Mar 2024
Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill

Speech Link

View all Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill

Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 20 Mar 2024
Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill

Speech Link

View all Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill

Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 20 Mar 2024
Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill

Speech Link

View all Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill