Windrush Children (Immigration Status) Debate

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Department: Home Office

Windrush Children (Immigration Status)

Karen Buck Excerpts
Monday 16th April 2018

(6 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Amber Rudd Portrait Amber Rudd
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I thank my hon. Friend for giving me the opportunity to reinforce that point. We value immigrants in this country, and we value the contribution that the Windrush community has made. I will ensure, going forward, that that value is conveyed to them.

Karen Buck Portrait Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab)
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Is the Home Secretary aware that there is real fear spreading through some of our diverse communities? One impact of that is that people who are entirely legitimately entitled to make use of public services are being deterred from doing so. Will she be speaking to other departmental heads in order to ensure that the message goes out, particularly in respect of the health service, that nobody should avoid accessing services because they are frightened of what the “hostile environment” will do?

Amber Rudd Portrait Amber Rudd
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Of course I do not want people who have health issues not to be able to contact the national health service. One of the saddest things in some of these stories is hearing about people not being able to do that. That is one reason why I feel so much urgency in addressing this matter, so that such a thing happens to fewer people.