Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure that police budgets are adequate in the forthcoming comprehensive spending review.
Answered by Nick Hurd
We will always ensure that the police have the powers and resources needed to keep our citizens and communities safe.
The next Spending Review will set long term police budgets. The Home Office is grateful to the police for the good work they are doing to build the evidence base to support that work, and we will also want to see evidence that this year’s investment is being well spent. In addition to working together to understand demand, we will be working with the police to present an ambitious plan to drive improved efficiency, productivity and effectiveness through the next Spending Review period.
The Home Secretary has been clear that he will prioritise funding for the police at the next Spending Review.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will ensure that the UK Government fully funds police pension cost increases in (a) 2020 and (b) after.
Answered by Nick Hurd
In his Budget, the Chancellor committed to providing funding for the police in 2019/20 to cover additional pensions costs above the £165m which was expected at Budget 2016. The provisional police settlement announced specific pensions funding of £153m to cover the additional costs arising from both the police officer scheme and the police staff in the civil service pension scheme.
The Government is enabling an overall increase in funding of up to £970m in police funding including precept and national priorities. This pensions funding, taken together with the additional grant funding and local precept, provides sufficient means for the police to meet cost increases, while continuing to recruit and invest in the capabilities they need.
Cost pressures, including pensions, beyond 2019/20 will be considered as part of the next Spending Review where decisions on longer term police funding will be made in the round.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is taking steps to enable police forces in Wales to access funding from the apprenticeship levy; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nick Hurd
At a time when we are increasing investment in policing and the police are actively recruiting, the police constable degree apprenticeship is an important addition to the way forces recruit. It is also an attractive opportunity for people who want to earn while they learn in a valuable and exciting job.
That is why the Government stepped in earlier this year to provide £600k short-term funding to allow Welsh forces to proceed with recruiting and training new officers through this important route.
While this funding has helped Welsh forces to put provision in place during the current financial year, the UK Government clearly wants to ensure the best possible outcome for forces across England and Wales. We are working with our partners across Government, in the College of Policing, Welsh Government and Welsh forces to find a long-term solution to this issue.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she or officials of her Department have had regarding placing limitations on UK universities' ability to recruit international students to the UK.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
There is no cap on the number of genuine international students. All those students who have a sufficient level of English, funds to maintain themselves, relevant qualifications and a genuine intention to study can do so. The Government has no plans to change this.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the feasibility of extracting figures on the number of international students from overall migration numbers.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The independent Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for the net migration statistics.
In line with best international practice the ONS includes international students in net migration calculations. International students who stay for longer than 12 months, like other migrants, have an impact on communities, infrastructure and services while they are here.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many representations she has received from whom on placing limitations on UK universities' ability to bring international students to the UK.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Government engages with a wide variety of organisations, bodies and individuals to discuss all aspects of policy on international students
There is no limit to the number of genuine international students. The Government has no plans to change this.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2017 to Question 62976, on higher education standards, (a) how the current immigration rules for study migration differentiate by institution and (b) what criteria are used to define top universities.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The immigration rules for study migration currently differentiate between further education and higher education institutions in respect of the maximum permissible periods of study, whether students are permitted to work and, if so, for how many hours per week during term time and how institutions are allowed to assess the student’s competency in English.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister for Immigration of 23 January 2017, Official Report, column 15, what her Department's policy is on the number of international students who will be given leave to study at UK universities in each of the next five years.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
There is no limit to the number of genuine international students who can come to study in the United Kingdom. The Government has no plans to change this.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of Question 58064, on overseas students, what definition her Department uses to define (a) top universities and (b) best students.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The immigration rules for study migration currently differentiate by types of institution. We will be shortly consulting on how we could differentiate further to support the sector.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the Government's policy is on (a) reducing the level of migration to the UK and (b) caps related to international student recruitment.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Government is committed to bringing down net migration to sustainable levels.
There is no limit to the number of genuine international students who can come to study in the United Kingdom. There are no plans to change this.