Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent reports of xenophobic violence against migrants and refugees in South Africa; what discussions they have had with (1) the government of South Africa, and (2) regional partners regarding the protection of affected individuals; and what support they are providing through diplomatic or aid channels to promote the safety and rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the region.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The UK is closely monitoring developments regarding reports of violence and intimidation directed at migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa. We are concerned by any incidents of xenophobic violence and welcome the South African Government's public condemnation of attacks on foreign nationals and its commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect all those within its borders. We continue to engage with the South African Government and regional partners regarding these developments, including on public safety and human rights, as appropriate.
Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 25 June (HL859), whether information available to them enables them to determine whether a person claiming asylum in Northern Ireland has previously claimed asylum in Ireland; and, if so, what specific information-sharing mechanism or database provides that information.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We do not routinely share asylum information with Ireland, but as per the commitment made at the 2026 UK-Ireland Summit, between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, the UK and Ireland continue to work together, which includes expanding immigration data sharing and will include asylum seekers.
All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to establish their identity and to link it to their biometric details for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks - including war crimes, crimes against humanity and terrorism.
These checks are critical to the delivery of a safe and secure immigration system. These system and security database checks are completed during the asylum screening process and before a decision is made.
Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what information is available to them to determine whether a person claiming asylum in Northern Ireland has previously claimed asylum in Ireland.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The UK and Ireland work closely together to prevent abuse of our asylum systems from secondary movements between us, which includes appropriate information sharing.
As per the commitment made at the 2026 UK-Ireland Summit, between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, the UK and Ireland continue to work together, which includes expanding immigration data sharing.
All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to confirm their identity and to link it to their biometric details for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks.
These checks are critical to the delivery of a safe and secure immigration system. These system and security database checks are completed during the asylum screening process and before a decision is made.
Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions, if any, they have held with the European Union regarding United Kingdom participation in, or access to, the Eurodac database; and what is the scope and purpose of any such discussions.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We are committed to enhancing data exchange with the EU for border security and public safety purposes and continue to work closely with the European Commission to identify and pursue practical opportunities to achieve this outcome.
EU legislation underpinning Eurodac prohibits access by third countries and the UK has no direct or indirect access to information held in the Eurodac database through Europol.
Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any United Kingdom authority has access (1) directly or (2) indirectly through Europol, to information held in the Eurodac database.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We are committed to enhancing data exchange with the EU for border security and public safety purposes and continue to work closely with the European Commission to identify and pursue practical opportunities to achieve this outcome.
EU legislation underpinning Eurodac prohibits access by third countries and the UK has no direct or indirect access to information held in the Eurodac database through Europol.
Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of granting longer-term protection to displaced Ukrainians in the United Kingdom on their integration into society.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
From the outset, the Government has been clear that the Ukraine schemes are temporary in nature and do not provide a route to settlement. Time spent in the UK under the Ukraine schemes does not count towards the Long Residence route. This reflects the Ukrainian Government’s wishes for His Majesty’s Government to offer temporary sanctuary, due to the Ukrainian Government's strong desire for the eventual return of its citizens to Ukraine once it is safe to do so.
The Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK. The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty, including extending the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and widening the application window allowing applicants to secure their future in the UK with confidence and ease.
The Government is considering the future position - including the position of disabled and vulnerable Ukrainians - drawing on evidence from across government, academia, civil society and stakeholder engagement. The Government will respond in a responsible and considered manner and intends to make a further statement in due course.
Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that displaced Ukrainians in vulnerable circumstances, including elderly people, disabled people, and those undergoing medical treatment, are able to access future immigration pathways.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
From the outset, the Government has been clear that the Ukraine schemes are temporary in nature and do not provide a route to settlement. Time spent in the UK under the Ukraine schemes does not count towards the Long Residence route. This reflects the Ukrainian Government’s wishes for His Majesty’s Government to offer temporary sanctuary, due to the Ukrainian Government's strong desire for the eventual return of its citizens to Ukraine once it is safe to do so.
The Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK. The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty, including extending the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and widening the application window allowing applicants to secure their future in the UK with confidence and ease.
The Government is considering the future position - including the position of disabled and vulnerable Ukrainians - drawing on evidence from across government, academia, civil society and stakeholder engagement. The Government will respond in a responsible and considered manner and intends to make a further statement in due course.
Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether, and if so when, they intend to publish a long-term policy regarding displaced Ukrainians in the United Kingdom, to apply beyond the extension of the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
From the outset, the Government has been clear that the Ukraine schemes are temporary in nature and do not provide a route to settlement. Time spent in the UK under the Ukraine schemes does not count towards the Long Residence route. This reflects the Ukrainian Government’s wishes for His Majesty’s Government to offer temporary sanctuary, due to the Ukrainian Government's strong desire for the eventual return of its citizens to Ukraine once it is safe to do so.
The Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK. The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty, including extending the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and widening the application window allowing applicants to secure their future in the UK with confidence and ease.
The Government is considering the future position - including the position of disabled and vulnerable Ukrainians - drawing on evidence from across government, academia, civil society and stakeholder engagement. The Government will respond in a responsible and considered manner and intends to make a further statement in due course.
Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of (1) policing in respect of national security, and (2) community cohesion, measures in Northern Ireland as they relate to and support the integration of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants; and what steps they are taking to strengthen such measures where necessary.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Policing in Northern Ireland, apart from national security, is a devolved matter. In recognition of the security situation in Northern Ireland, the Government has increased the amount provided to the PSNI in Additional Security Funding to £37.8 million each financial year until 28/29.
Community cohesion in Northern Ireland is necessary for society to advance and thrive. This requires leadership from across society.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland meets regularly with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers to discuss a range of issues in Northern Ireland, including the improvement of community cohesion and the integration of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. Most recently, the Secretary of State met with Northern Ireland Party Leaders to discuss the shocking disorder of June 2026.
Asked by: Lord German (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they anticipate that the National River Walks will involve the creation of new (1) public rights of way, or (2) permissive access agreements.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This Government committed in its manifesto and the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 to create nine new National River Walks, one in each region of England, as part of our plans to improve responsible access to nature.
This Government will launch a competition to identify the next National River Walks later in 2026. The type of access created for each National River Walk will depend on the proposals brought forward by delivery partners. Further details on how applications will be assessed will be set out when the competition is launched.