Asked by: Simon Opher (Labour - Stroud)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of giving asylum seekers the right to work whilst their application is being processed.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
Asylum seekers who have had their claim outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own, can apply for permission to work. Those permitted to work are restricted to jobs on the Immigration Salary List. This list is based on expert advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee.
Whilst we keep all policies under review, there are no immediate plans to change the existing policy. It is important that we distinguish between individuals who need protection and those seeking to work here who can apply for a work visa under the Immigration Rules.
The Government is determined to restore order to the asylum system after it has been put under unprecedented pressure. We will ensure that the system operates fairly and with quicker processing of claims. This will see recognised refugees being able to work, whilst failed asylum seekers can be removed.
Asked by: Simon Opher (Labour - Stroud)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of finding alternative accommodation for the 88 asylum seekers due to be housed at Tricorn House in Stroud.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office has a statutory obligation to support and accommodate destitute asylum seekers whilst their asylum claims are considered.
We work with local authorities to ensure housing is procured in a fair and equitable manner across England, Scotland and Wales. For the safety and security of those we accommodate and our staff, the Home Office does not comment publicly on sites which may or may not be utilised to accommodate asylum seekers.
Asked by: Simon Opher (Labour - Stroud)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, by what criteria asylum seekers are housed in detention centres.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)
Asylum seekers may be detained for immigration purposes only in accordance with Home Office detention policy, as set out in the Detention General Instructions, the Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention guidance and the Detained Asylum Casework guidance.
There are various factors which influence a decision to detain, as set out in published policy. In asylum cases concerning Foreign National Offenders, there may be a higher risk of absconding and harm to the public on release and therefore it will normally be appropriate to detain as long as there is a realistic prospect of removal with a reasonable timescale.
Asked by: Simon Opher (Labour - Stroud)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of repealing the Illegal Migration Act 2023.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government has made clear the that the Migration and Economic Development (MEDP) Policy with Rwanda will end. We will bring forward a new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill as promised in the King’s Speech.
Asked by: Simon Opher (Labour - Stroud)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her planned timetable is for additional Police Community Support Officers being in post in Gloucestershire constabulary.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is committed to strengthening neighbourhood policing as part of its Safer Streets Mission, That is why we are working with policing to introduce a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, providing a more visible police presence in town centres, recruiting thousands of extra additional police officers, PCSOs and Special Constables, We will set out our plans for the Guarantee, and the recruitment of additional officers, shortly.
Asked by: Simon Opher (Labour - Stroud)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to house asylum seekers in Tricorn House in Stroud constituency.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)
For the safety and security of those we accommodate and our staff, the Home Office does not comment publicly on sites which may or may not be utilised to accommodate asylum seekers. Should a decision be made to use a site then the local MP will be notified in writing.
Asked by: Simon Opher (Labour - Stroud)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to review measures within the Public Order Act 2023 on restrictions to the right to protest.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
Post-legislative scrutiny of the Public Order Act 2023 will be conducted two years after royal assent.