Asked by: Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made with the European Union on mutual recognition of professional qualifications; and how recently they have held discussions on this matter.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government aims to strengthen arrangements on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications with the European Union. The regulatory environment for skills and professionals was on the agenda at the UK EU Trade Specialised Committee on Services, Investment and Digital Trade on 24 October 2024. The UK’s approach to the recognition of professional qualifications was discussed under that agenda item. The Government is engaging with businesses to understand views on recognition of professional qualifications between the UK and EU and looks forward to discussions with the EU in due course.
Asked by: Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the European Commission on what action it is taking against member states who have failed to issue, in a timely fashion or at all, necessary documentation to UK citizens residing in the EU.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government engages with the European Commission and Member States on a range of issues relating to the rights of British nationals in the EU, including the issuing of documentation to UK citizens residing in the EU. We have consistently raised, both bilaterally with individual Member States and with the European Commission, the need to improve the speed at which documentation is issued in certain Member States. We also raise this issue through the structures created under the Withdrawal Agreement, such as the Specialised Committee on Citizens' Rights. We will raise this issue again at the upcoming Specialised Committee on Citizens' Rights on 14 November.
Asked by: Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what infringement proceedings against the United Kingdom by the European Commission are ongoing in respect of citizens’ rights and freedom of movement; and whether they intend to report to Parliament on these proceedings, and if so, how.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
There are currently no infringement cases against the UK before the Court of Justice of the European Union.
In 2020, the European Commission launched infringement case INFR (2020)2202 against the UK. The case concerns the implementation of aspects of the Free Movement Directive into UK law while the UK was an EU Member State and during the transition period.
The proceedings are ongoing, and on 25 October, the UK Government responded to a Reasoned Opinion which had been issued by the European Commission on 25 July.
There are no immediate plans to report to Parliament on these proceedings but this will be kept under review.
Asked by: Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of people potentially or actually affected by the decision to amend Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules to include the provision that where a person has been granted limited leave to enter or remain the Secretary of State may extend that limited leave regardless of whether the person has made a valid application for such an extension.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The EU Settlement Scheme, contained in Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules, has provided 5.7 million people with the immigration status they need to continue living in the UK. This includes 1.8 million people who have obtained a grant of pre-settled status (five years’ limited leave to enter or remain).
Since September 2023, we have been extending the pre-settled status of those approaching its expiry date if they have not yet obtained settled status (indefinite leave to enter or remain). This ensures that no pre-settled status holder loses their rights in the UK for failing to make a second application to the scheme.
Asked by: Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the European Union on (1) sand-eel fishing, and (2) bottom trawling.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The European Union (EU) has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation agreement (TCA). The dispute proceedings are confidential therefore there is little more I can say at this time.
Asked by: Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 31 July (HL154), why they have not appointed a Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief; and whether they will set out a timetable for doing so.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government will continue to champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. Envoy roles will be decided upon in due course. We cannot comment on timelines for individual appointments. In the meantime, we continue to use the strength of our global diplomatic network, including dedicated staff within the FCDO, to promote and protect FoRB around the world.
Asked by: Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 29 October (HL1459), which international counterparts they have recently had discussions with regarding their work on conversion practices.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Officials have liaised with a range of international counterparts in relation to conversion practices policy. The Government will continue to engage with a range of other jurisdictions as well as domestic stakeholders, as policy in this area develops. We are committed to listening to all viewpoints and concerns with respect.
Asked by: Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Ireland about potential returns from that country of irregular migrants to the United Kingdom.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Following our departure from the EU, the UK agreed to a reciprocal operational arrangement with Ireland which allows for the return and readmission of asylum seekers.
Asked by: Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 21 October (HL1232), why the number of foreign national offenders removed from the UK who have served a custodial sentence of at least 12 months is not separately available in Government statistics.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Since moving to a new caseworking system in October 2022, we are continually reviewing the quality and usefulness of HO management information data sourced from this new system, for use in Home Office internal policy-making and also for possible public release. Data relating to returns of foreign national offenders is of great public interest, and we are reviewing ways we can better meet the public need for information on this topic in future.
Asked by: Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the Care Quality Commission about discharging its obligations under section 46 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to update the health and social care sectors on how frequently it will assess the providers it regulates.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) was planning to publish information about their expectations of the frequency of future assessments in July 2024. Due to the timing of the review into the operational effectiveness of the CQC led by Dr Penny Dash, the CQC did not share this information as planned.
The interim findings of Dr Dash’s review, as well as the full and final report published on 15 October 2024, made clear recommendations on how the CQC needs to change its regulatory approach. The CQC has committed to making those changes.
The CQC will publish an update on how frequently it will be carrying out its future assessments in due course, in consultation with stakeholders and others, as outlined by Section 46 (7) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.