EU Migrants: National Insurance Numbers Debate

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Department: Home Office

EU Migrants: National Insurance Numbers

Diana Johnson Excerpts
Thursday 12th May 2016

(8 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Brokenshire Portrait James Brokenshire
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We do, in fact, exclude from the EU those who may be involved in criminality or terrorism, and the Prime Minister’s renegotiation has actually strengthened our ability to remove them. As for the annual passenger survey, the Office for National Statistics has made it very clear that it remains the best measure for determining net migration. The national insurance numbers do not provide such a measure. I am sure that the ONS, as an independent body, will continue to review the position and assess what improvement may be made, but today it has been specific in stating that the passenger survey is the most effective measure.

Diana Johnson Portrait Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)
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Can the Minister confirm that the number of Jobcentre Plus offices that are able to issue national insurance numbers has been reduced? I have been told of someone who applied in York, only to be told that they had to travel to Hull to get a national insurance number.

James Brokenshire Portrait James Brokenshire
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I will write to the hon. Lady, having consulted colleagues from the Department for Work and Pensions.