Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - Mid Sussex)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has secured reciprocity in the criteria for entitlement to Irish nationality for spouses of Irish citizens resident in the UK.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The criteria for determining who is entitled to Irish nationality is a matter for the Government of Ireland.
The close historic, social and cultural ties between the UK and Ireland have led to the creation of reciprocal rights for respective nationals when in the other state. Leaders in the UK and Ireland have confirmed their commitment to protecting these rights for British and Irish nationals which include the right to enter and remain, the right to work and to study and access to social welfare entitlements and benefits.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - Mid Sussex)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children have lost a parent to domestic violence in each of the last five years; and what steps have been taken to mitigate the effect of domestic violence on children.
Answered by Sarah Newton
The Home Office holds information on the number of domestic abuse-related incidents and offences recorded by the police in England and Wales. From this information it is not possible to tell how many children have lost a parent to domestic violence in the last five years however we recognise the devastating and lifelong impact that domestic abuse has on children who can carry the effect into adulthood. Since the last inspection, HMIC found that the police have improved their understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on children, and have increased their focus on the risk to children following a domestic abuse incident, resulting in a significant increase in referrals to social services.
In addition, this Government will bring forward a Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill which will protect and support victims including children. This will include the Conservative manifesto commitment to allow courts to hand down tougher sentences on abusers where their behaviour involves a child, reflecting the grievous and life-long impact that abuse can have on children.