Lord Reid of Cardowan

The government recognises that international students enrich university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with domestic students and become global ambassadors for the UK, as well as making a significant economic contribution to the higher education sector and the UK.

The UK has four universities in the top 10 globally and 15 in the top 100, and offers international students the opportunity to live and work in the UK on a graduate visa for two to three years after their studies come to an end.

In my right hon. Friend’s, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Written Ministerial Statement on 30 July, it was confirmed that the government has maintained the reduced salary thresholds on the Skilled Worker visa route. Reduced salary thresholds make it easier for employers to recruit new entrants to the labour market, such as international students, post-graduation, on a Skilled Worker visa.

The department fully expects the UK to remain a highly attractive study destination to international students.

The Government prioritises our National Security, currently spending more than £50 billion a year on defence.

Departmental expenditure limits for 2025-26 will be set alongside the Budget in October, which will also confirm control totals for 2024-25. A multi-year Spending Review, due to conclude in Spring 2025, will set Departmental expenditure limits for future years.

All asylum claims are given full and careful consideration so that we do not remove anyone who faces persecution or serious harm on return to their country of origin.

Claims are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations under the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The government is determined to restore order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly including reducing the cost to the taxpayer.

The Home Office continues to invest in a programme of transformation and business improvement initiatives to speed up and simplify decision making, reduce the time spent in the asylum system and decrease the number of people who are awaiting an interview or decision. This will enable us to maximise our capacity and progress cases in a more efficient and cost-effective way.

Across asylum decision making, we are continuing to increase the use of technology to improve screening so more information is captured as early as possible.

Since entering office we have already launched the Border Security Command, led by Martin Hewitt with up to £75 million in new investment to build capability, taking the fight to criminals in Europe and beyond and directly targeting the criminal gangs behind small boat crossings.

People who require, but do not have, leave to enter or remain in the UK are expected to leave the UK. If they fail to do so, the Home Office will enforce their removal with all the appropriate safeguards in place. We have launched a major returns and enforcement programme to increase these removals. The Home Office only enforces removal when it and the courts conclude that it is safe to do so, with a safe route of return.

This Government has an ongoing programme of work to monitor and evaluate the economic impacts of migration. Statistics, research and analysis published by the Home Office on migration can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-analysis-at-the-home-office

Further analysis on the contributions of immigrants to the UK are produced by the independent Migration Advisory Committee, including as part of their Annual Report (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/migration-advisory-committee-annual-report-2023/migration-advisory-committee-mac-annual-report-2023-accessible) and the by the OBR as part of the Economic and Fiscal outlook (Economic and fiscal outlook – March 2024 - Office for Budget Responsibility (obr.uk))

Our refugee family reunion policy is intended to allow those granted protection status in the UK to sponsor their partner or children to stay with or join them here, provided they formed part of the family unit before the sponsor fled their country of origin to seek protection. We recognise that children over 18 may not be living an independent life and can still be emotionally and financially dependent on their parents. In June 2022, we provided clarity through legislation on the types of scenarios which may justify a grant of leave for children who are over 18 within the rules. We made changes to the Rules and Guidance in June 2022 which now provides for children over 18 to reunite with their parents who have protection status in the UK, in exceptional circumstances.

Appendix CNP (Child Staying with or Joining a Non-Parent Relative) allows for a non-parent relative with protection status in the UK to sponsor a child to stay with or join them, where there are serious and compelling circumstances. This can be in situations where the child has no family other than the non-parent relative that could reasonably be expected to support or care for them.

Refugees can also sponsor adult dependent relatives living overseas within the immigration rules to join them where, due to age, illness, or disability, that person requires long-term personal care that can only be provided by relatives in the UK.

Where an application does not meet the eligibility requirements of the Immigration Rules, decision makers must consider whether there are any exceptional circumstances which would render a refusal a breach of Article 8 of European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Our policy also makes clear that there is discretion to grant visas outside the Immigration Rules, which caters for extended family members where there are compelling compassionate factors.

We will continue to keep all immigration routes under review.

An Impact Assessment was prepared to accompany the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill 2020 (available here: Impact assessments covering migration policy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)), which included an assessment of how Brexit might affect immigration volumes.

The Government also has an ongoing programme of work to monitor and evaluate the impacts of Government policies, including Brexit, on immigration. Statistics, research and analysis published by the Home Office on migration can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-analysis-at-the-home-office

All immigration routes are kept under review and any future policy changes will be announced to Parliament in due course.

I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave to the noble Lord Kempsall on 22 October 2024 in response to Question HL1397.

The UK Armed Forces strengthen partnerships through NATO and with Allies through industrial cooperation, and by training and exercising providing visible security assurance inside and outside of SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility. We support NATO broadening its global outreach to strengthen unity on key issues including support to Ukraine, deterring and defending against malign Russian hybrid activity, and capability collaboration.

We welcome NATO’s deepened cooperation with partners in the Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Global South. The attendance of the Indo-Pacific Four Defence Ministers at the Defence Ministerial Meeting was a clear demonstration of the interconnectedness of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the mental health and wellbeing of our Armed Forces personnel and veterans. The MOD works with stakeholders including the single Services and Defence Medical Services (DMS) to promote mental fitness, resilience and reduce stigma.

For those personnel requiring medical intervention the Defence Medical Services (DMS) provide a responsive, flexible, accessible and comprehensive treatment service. The DMS is reshaping mental health provision to reduce waiting lists, improve timelines for patient recovery and refocus on earlier intervention. This will provide a single point of access for specialist mental health networks allowing quicker access to initial assessment and earlier allocation to the right treatment pathway. DMS is increasing access to resources and online therapy to improve the care offered by GPs.

Several non-medical interventions across Defence complement medical services, including key MOD initiatives such as the Defence Senior Leaders Mental Fitness and Resilience course (SLMFR), HeadFIT and the Annual Mental Fitness Brief (AMFB). Additionally, each of the single Services provide through career mental health and stress management training.

NHS England has several bespoke services and initiatives to meet the needs of our Armed Forces community including Op COURAGE, the Veterans Mental Health, and Wellbeing Service, which provides an integrated mental health care pathway for veterans. Since its inception in April 2017, there have been over 38,500 referrals to Op COURAGE.

There are some veterans who prefer to access mainstream NHS services, for example NHS Talking Therapies. In addition to Op COURAGE services, between 1 April 2020 and 30 June 2024, 63,810 veterans have entered NHS Talking Therapy treatment services.

The Government launched the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) to ensure we have the military capabilities needed to protect the United Kingdom now and in the future. The SDR will consider all aspects of Defence, including opportunities for modernisation, transformation, and greater productivity through the rapid and consistent application of Digital Age technologies. The SDR will review current modernisation plans and make recommendations on where the UK should focus our investment in equipment and technology.

At the same time, we are continuing to deliver modernised equipment and technology for the Armed Forces, as shown by the recent arrival of more F-35 stealth aircraft into UK service, and the launch of the 6th of the Astute class of advanced Hunter-Killer submarines, HMS AGAMEMNON. We also continue to invest in cutting edge science, technology, and innovation shown through the department's core Science and Technology programme and the Innovation Fund.

All immigrants with valid status in the UK should be able to fully integrate into British life. Immigrants who come to the UK usually integrate on their own initiative; there is not a one size fits all approach to integration, but we provide specific help to certain cohorts. For example Ukrainians through the STEP programme which provides an intensive 12 week English language and employment support course to support better employment outcomes and economic independence. Other cohorts supported include Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) and Afghans arriving in the UK through relocation schemes.

Most refugees and those granted protection in the UK integrate successfully and become self-sufficient, providing for themselves and their families, and contributing to the economy, to support this we are working across Government and with local authorities to ensure they have access to the labour market, to mainstream benefits (where eligible) and services, and to mainstream English language provision to enable their integration.

Government policy places a key role in supporting thriving, cohesive and resilient communities. Work is now underway in my Department to develop a stronger approach to support our communities and to build resilience against the challenges they face.