Lord Oates

The Government recognises that when implemented well and managed effectively, shared cycle schemes can have real benefits in terms of sustainable, efficient, and greener transport.

However, too often dockless cycles are parked obstructively on the pavement causing a serious safety hazard to disabled people.

Safety is the Department for Transport’s top priority, and we are carefully considering next steps to tackle these issues while reaping the benefits these schemes can bring.

There has been no estimate made of the financial savings to the United Kingdom when a fully trained healthcare worker is recruited from overseas to work in the National Health Service.

The UK greatly values the Commonwealth Secretariat's work on observation missions. The full report of the Commonwealth Observer Group to the 2023 Zimbabwe Harmonised elections has now been circulated to all members. It is for the Commonwealth Secretariat to decide when to publish the report publicly.

Exploitation of migrant care workers is completely unacceptable. Where exploitation does occur, we will take robust action.

Home Office and Department for Health and Social Care officials are working closely together, and with the Directors of Adult Social Services to support care workers who have been displaced as a result of sponsor licence revocations. An important part of this work includes finding the workers a suitable sponsor who can offer them long term secure employment. Care providers acting as sponsors for migrants in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission.

The Government will continue to keep under review what further action may be necessary to tackle exploitation, including removing non-compliant employers’ ability to bring overseas workers to the UK.

The Immigration Rules for Visitors set out that visitors must have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to their visit without working or accessing public funds. In assessing whether an applicant has sufficient funds, decision makers will consider the individual’s personal circumstances, including any evidence provided. There is also provision in the rules for an applicant’s travel, maintenance and accommodation to be provided by a third party.

The Visit Caseworker Guidance provides guidance to decision makers when assessing Visitor applications. Additional guidance for applicants is also available in the Supporting Documents guidance, which sets out suggested evidence required for the different types of visits including what types of financial documents applicants can present. These guidance documents are published on gov.uk

UK Visas and Immigration regularly reviews visit visa decisions as part of their overall decision quality approach. UKVI regularly undertakes decision maker training and refresher training courses, and uses lessons learned reviews to enhance and improve decision quality.