Asked by: Zubir Ahmed (Labour - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made in the review of the visa brake on student visa applications from nationals of Afghanistan, Sudan, Myanmar and Cameroon; and whether any consideration is being given to the specific circumstances of women from Afghanistan in that review.
Answered by Mike Tapp
The visa brake is being kept under regular review. It is not intended to be permanent, and will be released once the government considers it appropriate to do so.
The government has no current plans to introduce any exceptions to the visa brake. However, the government has recently announced the development of new safe and legal routes to offer sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution from around the world. We will ensure that these routes will be sustainable, well-managed and in line with UK capacity to support new refugees. It is expected that the student refugee route will be open for applications from Autumn 2026, with the first students arriving in Autumn 2027.
Asked by: Zubir Ahmed (Labour - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing legislation to prevent the carrying of crossbows in public buildings, including hospitals and educational institutions.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
It is an offence in England and Wales, under section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953, for any person to have with them in a public place any article made, or adapted, for causing an injury to a person without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. The maximum penalty, on conviction or indictment, is four years in prison, a fine or both.
Asked by: Zubir Ahmed (Labour - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Human Rights report on Transnational Repression in the UK, and whether Sikh and Punjabi communities are explicitly reflected in transnational repression guidance and risk assessments.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government carefully considered the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ report on transnational repression (TNR) and responded formally on 30 October 2025.
The Government’s approach to TNR is designed to capture the full range of behaviours and victims, ensuring flexibility in responding to the threat and avoiding the risk of stigmatising communities. The Government agrees that the approach to TNR must remain responsive to the evolving nature of the threat and that it keeps this under regular review, informed by operational insights and ongoing engagement with civil society organisations and trusted networks.
GOV.UK guidance has recently been updated, alongside guidance issued by the National Security Protective Authority, providing practical advice for individuals who believe they may be at risk, including steps to help keep them safe both physically and online.