First elected: 7th June 2001
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Keep 5-year ILR terms to Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visas
Sign this petition Gov Responded - 11 Jul 2025 Debated on - 8 Sep 2025 View Pete Wishart's petition debate contributionsWe urge the Government to exempt BN(O) visa for Hongkongers from the proposed immigration reforms. We think the current ILR terms must remain unchanged:
1. Five years of UK residency
2. B1 level English proficiency
3. Passing the Life in the UK Test
Keep the 5-Year ILR pathway for existing Skilled Worker visa holders
Sign this petition Gov Responded - 17 Jun 2025 Debated on - 8 Sep 2025 View Pete Wishart's petition debate contributionsDo not apply the proposed 10-year ILR rule to existing Skilled Worker visa holders. Keep the 5-year ILR route for those already in the UK on this visa. Apply any changes only to new applicants from the date of implementation.
Apply for the UK to join the European Union as a full member as soon as possible
Gov Responded - 19 Nov 2024 Debated on - 24 Mar 2025 View Pete Wishart's petition debate contributionsI believe joining the EU would boost the economy, increase global influence, improve collaboration and provide stability & freedom. I believe that Brexit hasn't brought any tangible benefit and there is no future prospect of any, that the UK has changed its mind and that this should be recognised.
These initiatives were driven by Pete Wishart, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Pete Wishart has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Pete Wishart has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill To make provision for the House of Commons to nominate the Prime Minister and approve appointments to the Cabinet; to establish the office of Acting Prime Minister; and for connected purposes.
Child Poverty Strategy (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Kirsty Blackman (SNP)
Employment Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Steven Bonnar (SNP)
Energy Pricing (Off Gas Grid Households) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Drew Hendry (SNP)
Problem Drug Use Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tommy Sheppard (SNP)
Jet Skis (Licensing) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Hywel Williams (PC)
Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019
Sponsor - Greg Knight (Con)
Multi-employer Pension Schemes Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Alan Brown (SNP)
Banking and Post Office Services (Rural Areas and Small Communities) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Luke Graham (Con)
Armed Forces Representative Body Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Martin Docherty-Hughes (SNP)
Planning (Agent of Change) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Lord Spellar (Lab)
Events and Festivals (Control of Flares, Fireworks and Smoke Bombs Etc) Bill 2015-16
Sponsor - Nigel Adams (Con)
The terms of reference for the Prime Minister's Envoy for the Nations and Regions will be published online in the normal way, setting out the purpose, scope and remit of the role.
The terms of reference for the Prime Minister's Envoy for the Nations and Regions will be published online in the normal way, setting out the purpose, scope and remit of the role.
The terms of reference for the Prime Minister's Envoy for the Nations and Regions will be published online in the normal way, setting out the purpose, scope and remit of the role.
This Government is working collaboratively across departments to look at how best to help touring artists, and improve arrangements for musicians, performing artists and their support staff being able to tour across the EU.
We will engage with the new European Commission and EU Member States, seeking improved arrangements across the European continent without a return to free movement. Our priority remains ensuring that UK artists can continue to thrive on the global stage.
The Government’s Pension Credit awareness week of action, during which the DWP joined up with key stakeholder organisations such as Age UK, Citizens Advice, and local authorities to promote Pension Credit, was one part of the Department’s ongoing promotion of Pension Credit; it did not have its own separate funding allocation.
Employees of air ambulance charities and independent ambulance services are not eligible for the Ambulance Service (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal as they are not employed by the National Health Service or an NHS foundation trust. There are no current plans to extend the eligibility of the award.
The Government wants those eligible for Pension Credit but not currently claiming it to receive the benefits they are entitled to, including their Winter Fuel Payment. We will continue to maximise opportunities to promote Pension Credit – such as the recent Week of Action - and to raise awareness of its wider benefits and to encourage pensioners to apply.
In the five weeks following the Chancellor’s statement on 29 July we have seen a 115% increase in claims for Pension Credit, compared to the five weeks before. This is a welcome increase, but we must continue to raise awareness. We are now focusing on a paid media partnership and a national Pension Credit marketing campaign through to 21 December to maximise take-up.
Campaign activity is funded from DWP's budget. We will confirm department's control totals for 2024-25, and expenditure limits for 2025-26 alongside the Budget on 30 October.
The National Wealth Fund will improve our ability to mobilise private capital in the UK’s most important sectors and assets, supporting thousands of jobs across the country, and playing a central role in our industrial strategy. And it will generate a return for the taxpayer.
The National Wealth Fund will deliver for the entire United Kingdom. We have formally engaged devolved Governments for input on National Wealth Fund policy design.
To ensure investments can start immediately, the National Wealth Fund will deploy an additional £7.3bn of funding through the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB), to invest in the priority sectors set out in the Manifesto, such as automotive, steel, carbon capture and green hydrogen.
The UK Infrastructure Bank already has an active presence in Scotland and works with Scottish Government, local authorities, industry bodies and a wide range of project sponsors, investors and lenders.
Further detail will be set out ahead of the government’s International Investment Summit in October.
The National Wealth Fund will improve our ability to mobilise private capital in the UK’s most important sectors and assets, supporting thousands of jobs across the country, and playing a central role in our industrial strategy. And it will generate a return for the taxpayer.
The National Wealth Fund will deliver for the entire United Kingdom. We have formally engaged devolved Governments for input on National Wealth Fund policy design.
To ensure investments can start immediately, the National Wealth Fund will deploy an additional £7.3bn of funding through the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB), to invest in the priority sectors set out in the Manifesto, such as automotive, steel, carbon capture and green hydrogen.
The UK Infrastructure Bank already has an active presence in Scotland and works with Scottish Government, local authorities, industry bodies and a wide range of project sponsors, investors and lenders.
Further detail will be set out ahead of the government’s International Investment Summit in October.
The National Wealth Fund will improve our ability to mobilise private capital in the UK’s most important sectors and assets, supporting thousands of jobs across the country, and playing a central role in our industrial strategy. And it will generate a return for the taxpayer.
The National Wealth Fund will deliver for the entire United Kingdom. We have formally engaged devolved Governments for input on National Wealth Fund policy design.
To ensure investments can start immediately, the National Wealth Fund will deploy an additional £7.3bn of funding through the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB), to invest in the priority sectors set out in the Manifesto, such as automotive, steel, carbon capture and green hydrogen.
The UK Infrastructure Bank already has an active presence in Scotland and works with Scottish Government, local authorities, industry bodies and a wide range of project sponsors, investors and lenders.
Further detail will be set out ahead of the government’s International Investment Summit in October.
The National Wealth Fund will improve our ability to mobilise private capital in the UK’s most important sectors and assets, supporting thousands of jobs across the country, and playing a central role in our industrial strategy. And it will generate a return for the taxpayer.
The National Wealth Fund will deliver for the entire United Kingdom. We have formally engaged devolved Governments for input on National Wealth Fund policy design.
To ensure investments can start immediately, the National Wealth Fund will deploy an additional £7.3bn of funding through the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB), to invest in the priority sectors set out in the Manifesto, such as automotive, steel, carbon capture and green hydrogen.
The UK Infrastructure Bank already has an active presence in Scotland and works with Scottish Government, local authorities, industry bodies and a wide range of project sponsors, investors and lenders.
Further detail will be set out ahead of the government’s International Investment Summit in October.
The Home Office does not hold central data on the number of visits conducted by immigration officers in UK prisons.
However, as of 29 August 2025, there were 77 Immigration Officers employed by Foreign National Offender Returns Command. These officers are located within the Immigration Prison Team (IPT), which covers all prisons in the UK. Most of the IPT’s officers are based in prisons. Some are located in Home Office premises, from where they conduct prison visits.
The number of Immigration Officers embedded in a hub and the prisons they cover are:
Embedded Hub | Prisons Covered | Number of IOs (some of which will be part-time) |
HMPs Pentonville and The Mount | HMPs Pentonville & The Mount Feltham YOI HMP Ford HMP Lewes | 7 |
HMP The Verne | HMP The Verne HMP Ashfield HMP Bristol HMP Cardiff HMP Channings Wood HMP Eastwood Park HMP Erlestoke HMP Exeter HMP Guys Marsh HMP Leyhill HMP Parc HMP Swansea HMP Usk HMP Prescoed | 4 |
HMP Highpoint | HMP Highpoint HMP Bure HMP Chelmsford HMP Hollesley Bay HMP LIttlehey HMP Norwich HMP Peterborough (Female) HMP Warren Hill HMP Wayland HMP Whiteland | 5 |
HMP Hewell | HMP Hewell HMP Birmingham HMP Brinsford HMP Dovegate HMP Drake Hall HMP Featherstone HMP Foston Hall HMP Long Lartin HMP Oakwood HMP Onley HMP Rye Hill HMP Stafford HMP Stoke Heath HMP Sudbury HMP Swinfen Hall | 9 |
HMP Risley | HMP Risley HMP Altcourse HMP Berwyn HMP Buckley Hall HMP Forest Bank HMP Garth HMP Haverigg HMP Hindley HMP Kirkham HMP Lancaster Farms HMP Liverpool HMP Manchester HMP Preston HMP Styal HMP Thorn Cross HMP Wymott | 6 |
HMP Moorland | HMP Moorland HMP Fosse Way HMP Gartree HMP Hatfield HMP Hull HMP Humber HMP Leicester HMP Lindholme HMP Nottingham HMP Whatton HMP Ranby | 6 |
HMP Maidstone | HMP Maidstone HMP Cookham Wood HMP East Sutton Park HMP Elmley HMP Rochester HMP Standford Hill HMP Swaleside | 5 |
HMP Huntercombe | HMP Aylesbury HMP Bullingdon HMP Bedford HMP Five Wells HMP Grendon HMP Spring Hill HMP Woodhill | 5 |
HMP Wormwood Scrubs | HMP Wormwood Scrubs HMP Bronzefield HMP Winchester | 4 |
HMP Wandsworth | HMP Wandsworth HMP Brixton HMP Highdown | 4 |
HMP Morton Hall | HMP Morton Hall HMP Lincoln HMP Stocken HMP Lowdham Grange HMP North Sea Camp HMP Peterborough (Male) | 5 |
HMP Barlinnie | HMP Barlinnie HMP Addiewell HMP Castle HMP Huntly HMP Cornton Vale & YOI HMP Dumfries HMP Edinburgh HMP Glenochil HMP Greenock HMP Kilmarnock HMP Low Moss HMP Perth & YOI HMP Shotts HMP Stirling Polmont YOI N Ireland HMP Hydebank Wood HMP Maghaberry HMP Magilligan | 4 |
The Home Office does not hold central data on the number of visits conducted by immigration officers in UK prisons.
However, as of 29 August 2025, there were 77 Immigration Officers employed by Foreign National Offender Returns Command. These officers are located within the Immigration Prison Team (IPT), which covers all prisons in the UK. Most of the IPT’s officers are based in prisons. Some are located in Home Office premises, from where they conduct prison visits.
The number of Immigration Officers embedded in a hub and the prisons they cover are:
Embedded Hub | Prisons Covered | Number of IOs (some of which will be part-time) |
HMPs Pentonville and The Mount | HMPs Pentonville & The Mount Feltham YOI HMP Ford HMP Lewes | 7 |
HMP The Verne | HMP The Verne HMP Ashfield HMP Bristol HMP Cardiff HMP Channings Wood HMP Eastwood Park HMP Erlestoke HMP Exeter HMP Guys Marsh HMP Leyhill HMP Parc HMP Swansea HMP Usk HMP Prescoed | 4 |
HMP Highpoint | HMP Highpoint HMP Bure HMP Chelmsford HMP Hollesley Bay HMP LIttlehey HMP Norwich HMP Peterborough (Female) HMP Warren Hill HMP Wayland HMP Whiteland | 5 |
HMP Hewell | HMP Hewell HMP Birmingham HMP Brinsford HMP Dovegate HMP Drake Hall HMP Featherstone HMP Foston Hall HMP Long Lartin HMP Oakwood HMP Onley HMP Rye Hill HMP Stafford HMP Stoke Heath HMP Sudbury HMP Swinfen Hall | 9 |
HMP Risley | HMP Risley HMP Altcourse HMP Berwyn HMP Buckley Hall HMP Forest Bank HMP Garth HMP Haverigg HMP Hindley HMP Kirkham HMP Lancaster Farms HMP Liverpool HMP Manchester HMP Preston HMP Styal HMP Thorn Cross HMP Wymott | 6 |
HMP Moorland | HMP Moorland HMP Fosse Way HMP Gartree HMP Hatfield HMP Hull HMP Humber HMP Leicester HMP Lindholme HMP Nottingham HMP Whatton HMP Ranby | 6 |
HMP Maidstone | HMP Maidstone HMP Cookham Wood HMP East Sutton Park HMP Elmley HMP Rochester HMP Standford Hill HMP Swaleside | 5 |
HMP Huntercombe | HMP Aylesbury HMP Bullingdon HMP Bedford HMP Five Wells HMP Grendon HMP Spring Hill HMP Woodhill | 5 |
HMP Wormwood Scrubs | HMP Wormwood Scrubs HMP Bronzefield HMP Winchester | 4 |
HMP Wandsworth | HMP Wandsworth HMP Brixton HMP Highdown | 4 |
HMP Morton Hall | HMP Morton Hall HMP Lincoln HMP Stocken HMP Lowdham Grange HMP North Sea Camp HMP Peterborough (Male) | 5 |
HMP Barlinnie | HMP Barlinnie HMP Addiewell HMP Castle HMP Huntly HMP Cornton Vale & YOI HMP Dumfries HMP Edinburgh HMP Glenochil HMP Greenock HMP Kilmarnock HMP Low Moss HMP Perth & YOI HMP Shotts HMP Stirling Polmont YOI N Ireland HMP Hydebank Wood HMP Maghaberry HMP Magilligan | 4 |
The Home Office does not hold central data on the number of visits conducted by immigration officers in UK prisons.
However, as of 29 August 2025, there were 77 Immigration Officers employed by Foreign National Offender Returns Command. These officers are located within the Immigration Prison Team (IPT), which covers all prisons in the UK. Most of the IPT’s officers are based in prisons. Some are located in Home Office premises, from where they conduct prison visits.
The number of Immigration Officers embedded in a hub and the prisons they cover are:
Embedded Hub | Prisons Covered | Number of IOs (some of which will be part-time) |
HMPs Pentonville and The Mount | HMPs Pentonville & The Mount Feltham YOI HMP Ford HMP Lewes | 7 |
HMP The Verne | HMP The Verne HMP Ashfield HMP Bristol HMP Cardiff HMP Channings Wood HMP Eastwood Park HMP Erlestoke HMP Exeter HMP Guys Marsh HMP Leyhill HMP Parc HMP Swansea HMP Usk HMP Prescoed | 4 |
HMP Highpoint | HMP Highpoint HMP Bure HMP Chelmsford HMP Hollesley Bay HMP LIttlehey HMP Norwich HMP Peterborough (Female) HMP Warren Hill HMP Wayland HMP Whiteland | 5 |
HMP Hewell | HMP Hewell HMP Birmingham HMP Brinsford HMP Dovegate HMP Drake Hall HMP Featherstone HMP Foston Hall HMP Long Lartin HMP Oakwood HMP Onley HMP Rye Hill HMP Stafford HMP Stoke Heath HMP Sudbury HMP Swinfen Hall | 9 |
HMP Risley | HMP Risley HMP Altcourse HMP Berwyn HMP Buckley Hall HMP Forest Bank HMP Garth HMP Haverigg HMP Hindley HMP Kirkham HMP Lancaster Farms HMP Liverpool HMP Manchester HMP Preston HMP Styal HMP Thorn Cross HMP Wymott | 6 |
HMP Moorland | HMP Moorland HMP Fosse Way HMP Gartree HMP Hatfield HMP Hull HMP Humber HMP Leicester HMP Lindholme HMP Nottingham HMP Whatton HMP Ranby | 6 |
HMP Maidstone | HMP Maidstone HMP Cookham Wood HMP East Sutton Park HMP Elmley HMP Rochester HMP Standford Hill HMP Swaleside | 5 |
HMP Huntercombe | HMP Aylesbury HMP Bullingdon HMP Bedford HMP Five Wells HMP Grendon HMP Spring Hill HMP Woodhill | 5 |
HMP Wormwood Scrubs | HMP Wormwood Scrubs HMP Bronzefield HMP Winchester | 4 |
HMP Wandsworth | HMP Wandsworth HMP Brixton HMP Highdown | 4 |
HMP Morton Hall | HMP Morton Hall HMP Lincoln HMP Stocken HMP Lowdham Grange HMP North Sea Camp HMP Peterborough (Male) | 5 |
HMP Barlinnie | HMP Barlinnie HMP Addiewell HMP Castle HMP Huntly HMP Cornton Vale & YOI HMP Dumfries HMP Edinburgh HMP Glenochil HMP Greenock HMP Kilmarnock HMP Low Moss HMP Perth & YOI HMP Shotts HMP Stirling Polmont YOI N Ireland HMP Hydebank Wood HMP Maghaberry HMP Magilligan | 4 |
Section 80AA of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (as amended and inserted by section 59 of the Illegal Migration Act 2023) provides for a list of generally safe states for whom asylum and human rights claims would be declared inadmissible; Georgia was added to that list by regulations.
Our current assessment of the situation in Georgia is set out in the relevant Country Policy and Information Notes, which are available on the gov.uk website.
We will continue to monitor the situation, working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Should we consider that Georgia – or any other designated state – no longer meets the relevant criteria, we would ask Parliament to make the necessary amendments to the list.
No recent review of this report has taken place. However, the Government is committed to tackling irregular migration and strengthening border security. We are maximising efforts to establish a system that is better controlled and managed by increasing enforcement capabilities and returns, whilst operating a detention estate with appropriate safeguards in place.
The Home Office does not comment on service provider procurement exercises, which are commercially sensitive. However, contracts are published upon the Contracts Finder website, once awarded. The Home Office is committed to ensuring value for money on all IRC sites.
The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Amendment of List of Safe States) Regulations 2024 amended Section 80AA of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (as inserted by section 59 of the Illegal Migration Act 2023).
The provisions in the Illegal Migration Act 2023 that use the Section 80AA list are not yet commenced. Therefore, at present, S80AA has no effect in practice. The Government is considering all options relating to the Illegal Migration Act and its implementation, and will set out more details in due course.
Ten mortgage lenders (banks and building societies) have signed a joint statement confirming they will lend on properties in buildings before they have been remediated. Leaseholders should be able to re-mortgage their homes with one of these lenders, even before works have completed.
We will remain vigilant and continue to hold the ten major lenders to account following their commitment.
The UK Government’s priority is delivering for people in Scotland. The Scottish Government should be focussed on working collaboratively with us on our Plan for Change - to grow the economy, improve our public services, and put more money in people’s pockets. That is what people in Scotland want to see.