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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 29 Oct 2025
Asylum Seekers: MOD Housing

"This is a really difficult issue. The Minister spoke about people wanting to come to the UK because they had a dream. I want to be clear: I welcome people who want to come to the UK and live in a way that is reflective of our values, but so …..."
Sorcha Eastwood - View Speech

View all Sorcha Eastwood (APNI - Lagan Valley) contributions to the debate on: Asylum Seekers: MOD Housing

Division Vote (Commons)
29 Oct 2025 - European Convention on Human Rights (Withdrawal) - View Vote Context
Sorcha Eastwood (APNI) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Alliance No votes vs 0 Alliance Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 96 Noes - 154
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Oct 2025 - China Spying Case - View Vote Context
Sorcha Eastwood (APNI) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 1 Alliance Aye votes vs 0 Alliance No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 174 Noes - 327
Written Question
Prostate Cancer: Northern Ireland
Friday 24th October 2025

Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland executive on the potential introduction of a national screening programme for prostate cancer.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) advises ministers and the National Health Service in the four nations of the United Kingdom about all aspects of screening. The implementation of any UK NSC screening recommendation is a devolved matter.


Written Question
Armed Forces Covenant
Friday 24th October 2025

Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of extending the Armed Forces Covenant Duty on the work of his Department.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The extension of the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty will require the Cabinet Office to have due regard to the principles of the Covenant across a wide range of new policy areas. A full assessment of the impact of the extension on the Cabinet Office will take place once the necessary legislation is progressing through Parliament.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 22 Oct 2025
Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund

"I will try to get my words correct this time, Madam Deputy Speaker—the second time.

I simply want to say, Minister, that I really do believe that we in Northern Ireland have a huge role to play—not just in Northern Ireland, but across the UK—for many, many reasons. Other Members …..."

Sorcha Eastwood - View Speech

View all Sorcha Eastwood (APNI - Lagan Valley) contributions to the debate on: Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 22 Oct 2025
Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund

"You mentioned the sector’s relevance and benefit to the whole of the United Kingdom. Would you agree that Northern Ireland has a rich manufacturing and life sciences heritage and that we have a huge role to play?..."
Sorcha Eastwood - View Speech

View all Sorcha Eastwood (APNI - Lagan Valley) contributions to the debate on: Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 22 Oct 2025
Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund

"I apologise...."
Sorcha Eastwood - View Speech

View all Sorcha Eastwood (APNI - Lagan Valley) contributions to the debate on: Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund

Written Question
Childcare and Pre-school Education: Skilled Workers
Tuesday 21st October 2025

Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of Skilled Worker visa eligibility criteria for (a) childcare and (b) early years workers.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

On 12 May, the Government published our Immigration White Paper, outlining our future approach to legal migration routes. On 22 July the first phase of changes took effect, including raising the threshold for Skilled Worker visas to graduate level occupations. Nursery education teaching professionals meet this new threshold.

Other occupations in childcare and early years work are classed as medium skilled roles and are not on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) or Immigration Salary List (ISL). Therefore, new applicants from overseas are ineligible, and those in the UK on other visa routes will not be able to switch to the Skilled Worker route.

Those on Skilled Worker visas before 22 July 2025 and who need to extend their stay can continue to apply in medium skilled roles and will have to meet the salary requirements in place at the time they apply.

On 2 July we asked the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to advise on future salary requirements for Skilled Worker visas. We expect the MAC to respond around the end of the year.


Written Question
Childcare and Pre-school Education: Skilled Workers
Tuesday 21st October 2025

Asked by: Sorcha Eastwood (Alliance - Lagan Valley)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to review the adequacy of the (a) salary and (b) eligibility requirements for (i) childcare and (ii) early years workers under the Skilled Worker visa route.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

On 12 May, the Government published our Immigration White Paper, outlining our future approach to legal migration routes. On 22 July the first phase of changes took effect, including raising the threshold for Skilled Worker visas to graduate level occupations. Nursery education teaching professionals meet this new threshold.

Other occupations in childcare and early years work are classed as medium skilled roles and are not on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) or Immigration Salary List (ISL). Therefore, new applicants from overseas are ineligible, and those in the UK on other visa routes will not be able to switch to the Skilled Worker route.

Those on Skilled Worker visas before 22 July 2025 and who need to extend their stay can continue to apply in medium skilled roles and will have to meet the salary requirements in place at the time they apply.

On 2 July we asked the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to advise on future salary requirements for Skilled Worker visas. We expect the MAC to respond around the end of the year.