Support for Migrant Victims Debate

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Department: Home Office

Support for Migrant Victims

Lord Kerr of Kinlochard Excerpts
Wednesday 12th July 2023

(1 year, 5 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Sharpe of Epsom Portrait Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con)
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Noble Lords can rest assured that I will take this back. However, I have heard in many debates in the House in recent weeks calls for more evidence. The fact is that we have evidence and we are considering it carefully. Noble Lords should applaud that.

Lord Kerr of Kinlochard Portrait Lord Kerr of Kinlochard (CB)
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There is a degree of urgency in this that the Minister is not acknowledging. We do not ratify Article 59 because it is still the Government’s policy that, other than those who benefit from the little pilot scheme, local authorities are not allowed to permit migrant women who are subject to domestic abuse to access shelters. This disgrace is going on and we should stop it as soon as possible.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom Portrait Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con)
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My Lords, I have just outlined some of the other options available to the migrant women the noble Lord describes. They are far from without support. As I have alluded to, there is also a migrant victims protocol detailing other aspects of the work being done that will be published towards the end of this year.