Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to resume the resettlement scheme for refugees.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
It is not currently possible to undertake resettlement activity due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we are working on detailed plans to recommence resettlement arrivals as soon as it is safe and operationally viable to do so.
The resumption of refugee resettlement arrivals, including community sponsorship, remains dependent on a number of factors including: the lifting of restrictions imposed by the governments of those countries and in the UK; the ability of our international partners to operate; the reopening of the UK’s visa application centres; local authority and central government capacity in light of COVID-19; and recovery of the asylum system from the impact of COVID-19.
We continue to closely monitor the situation and remain in regular dialogue with our international and domestic stakeholders.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the outcomes of the Leeds Red Light Zone review; what plans they have to encourage the application of similar managed approaches to sex work in other parts of the country; and what support they will offer to Leeds to strengthen and support implementation there.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Local areas and police forces are in the best position to identify and respond to issues around sex work and prostitution in their area. We know that issues around sex work and prostitution are complex, which can impact on individuals and communities in different ways. Police forces and others are able to adapt their approach to take account of these complexities and are supported in doing so by national NPCC guidance on sex work and prostitution.
Since 2016 we have provided over £2.5m of funding through the Tampon Tax Fund and VAWG Transformation Fund to specialist organisations and projects in a number of local areas supporting sex workers.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the capacity of UK Visa and Immigration services to process applications, following the suspension of the priority service and the closure of Sopra Steria and some VFS global visa application centres; what consideration they have given to the need to process applications from NHS staff before the suggested changeover date of 5 August; and when they expect a full service will resume.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
As UK Visas and Immigration begins to reopen its Visa Application Centres both in the UK and overseas, we are working closely with our partners to maximise the available capacity to service applicants in line with social distancing rules in each location.
For those applicants who are due to start work in the NHS but who are unable to make their application from overseas due to the temporary closure of the Visa Application Centres, they should contact the UKVI NHS Team by emailing UKVINHSTeam@homeoffice.gov.uk and the team will seek to assist them.
Applicants sponsored by the NHS who lodge an application in the UK under Tier 2 can begin work immediately while their application is under consideration.
The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the covid-19 outbreak, full details of which are published on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents. The department continues to monitor the situation closely and takes these exceptional circumstances into account.
These are unprecedented times and further adjustments may be made to requirements where necessary and appropriate, to ensure people are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to liaise with Manchester Police and the mayor of Greater Manchester to ensure that all possible action has been taken in the investigation of the death of Shukri Abdi.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The tragic death of Shukri Abdi is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment at this time. Our thoughts remain with her family and friends at this difficult time.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend (1) to reduce, (2) to waive, or (3) to eliminate, the minimum income requirement for UK citizens wishing to bring a foreign spouse or partner (and where relevant children) to the UK in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular for loss of income as a result of the lockdown to be accounted for in calculating the income requirement.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account.
To ensure a spouse or partner and relevant dependent children applying for entry clearance, leave to remain or indefinite leave are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control, for the purpose of the minimum income requirement:
The minimum income requirement can also be met in several ways in addition to or instead of income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account, together with cash savings.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 20 May (HL4160), whether a (1) breakfast of one slice of white bread with a small serving of butter and jam, and (2) dinner of chips, a slice of pizza without vegetables and a small serving of lettuce and half a tomato, reportedly served at Urban House Initial Accommodation Centre in Wakefield, meets the NHS Eatwell guidelines; and if so, what plans they have to review those guidelines.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government strongly refutes the inaccurate reporting in relation to the food available at Urban House in Wakefield and the Home Office is in regular dialogue with its service providers around the services provided in Initial Accommodation.
Residents at Urban House in Wakefield are provided with three meals a day and the menu in use has been approved by a dietician and aligns with the NHS Eatwell guidance. The menu presents a list of options from which residents can choose.
The menu has been checked to ensure it aligns with medical, cultural and religious requirements as is required under the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts. In addition to the main meals provided, additional food is available throughout the course of the day for the residents.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the availability of meals for those with specific diet requirements, in particular for those who (1) are pregnant, (2) have diabetes, and (3) have coeliac disease, at Urban House Initial Accommodation Centre in Wakefield; and what discussions they intend to have with that Centre about the provision of such meals.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government strongly refutes the inaccurate reporting in relation to the food available at Urban House in Wakefield and the Home Office is in regular dialogue with its service providers around the services provided in Initial Accommodation.
Residents at Urban House in Wakefield are provided with three meals a day and the menu in use has been approved by a dietician and aligns with the NHS Eatwell guidance. The menu presents a list of options from which residents can choose.
The menu has been checked to ensure it aligns with medical, cultural and religious requirements as is required under the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts. In addition to the main meals provided, additional food is available throughout the course of the day for the residents.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to undertake a programme to educate people about (1) the risks posed by, and (2) ways in which to prevent, wildfires, particularly those associated with barbecues.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
During the pandemic the Home Office has collaborated with the National Fire Chiefs Council through the Fire Kills campaign to raise awareness of pertinent fire safety messages. This has included messaging on outdoor and barbecue safety. Campaign material has been developed and made available online and to fire and rescue services to support local interventions.
The Department of Food and Rural Affairs has engaged with the National Park Authorities and has been analysing their wildfire preparations to understand National Park Authorities capacity for dealing with the current challenges. It will consider what further actions are needed and review the current guidance on handling of wildfire risks from portable barbecues.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to (1) maintain the extension of housing provision for newly recognised refugees to three months, introduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a permanent measure, and (2) ensure financial support for such refugees whilst they wait for receipt of Universal Credit payments.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
As part of the Government’s response to the pandemic, newly recognised refugees are not currently being asked to leave asylum accommodation. We will be reviewing the policy before the end of June, but there are no plans to make the arrangement permanent. When normal arrangements resume, the refugees will receive notice that they are no longer eligible to receive asylum support after a 28 days “grace period” and assisted to transition to mainstream benefits and housing services if they wish to apply for them.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, during the COVID-19 pandemic, they will suspend the return of refugees arriving on UK territory to northern France.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The UK does not return those refugees who have been granted refugee status in the UK to France or elsewhere. We do, however, return asylum seekers who are yet to have a decision on their asylum claim in the UK to ensure their claim is considered in the right place. This may be to France or other states who participate in the Dublin Regulation.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we continue to comply with the Dublin Regulation and remain committed to ensuring transfers continue to and from the UK. This is a fast-changing situation and we, along with other countries across Europe, will be subject to wider Government decisions and travel restrictions.