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1183498

	registered interest
	date	09/03/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Biometrics
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of staff working at visa application centres, processing biometric data for applicants for UK visas, they directly employ.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL2401
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2020 answer text <ul><li>UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) runs different types of visas application centres in the UK and overseas. Over four 4 million visa and immigration applications each year (visit, work, study, family, other)</li></ul><p>are processed in these centres.</p><ul><li>The majority of application centres overseas are run by commercial suppliers (VFS Global and TLS Contact) who employ their</li></ul><p>own personnel. In the UK, Sopra Steria Ltd run application service points, again with their own employees. Biometric data of customers is taken by supplier staff.</p><ul><li>There are several locations in the UK - UKVI Service and Support Centres (SSCs) - in which biometrics are taken and which are staffed by UKVI directly-employed personnel.</li></ul> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 23/03/2020 17:25:21 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1183499

	registered interest
	date	09/03/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Biometrics
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether staff collecting biometric data from applicants for UK visas are involved in the decision-making process for awarding visas.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL2402
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2020 answer text <p>Staff employed by our suppliers who collect biometric data from applicants for UKVI are not involved in the visa decision making. Staff in the SSCs are directly UKVI employed and some are trained decision makers involved in the decision making process.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 23/03/2020 17:25:51 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1235952

	registered interest
	date	21/09/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Undocumented Migrants: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether migrants crossing the English Channel who are detained by the UK Border Agency receive a COVID-19 test.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL8346
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/10/2020 answer text <p>Since we introduced quarantine measures in June, those who have come to the UK in illegally facilitated crossings have been placed in facilities where they must self-isolate for 14 days, given we cannot be certain which countries they have travelled through.</p><p>Anyone who is symptomatic will be taken to designated accommodation and tested according to Public Health England guidance.</p><p>All immigration removal centres have communicable disease contingency plans, based on guidance by Public Health England (PHE). Measures such as protective shielding, improved hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are being used to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading to vulnerable groups in IRCs.</p><p>On 26 March the High Court ruled that the Home Office was taking sensible, precautionary measures in relation to COVID-19 and immigration detention.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 05/10/2020 14:37:05 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1205398

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Refugees: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their current policy on the resettlement of unaccompanied child refugees in the UK.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL5930
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2020 answer text <p>he Government is clear that protecting vulnerable children is a key priority.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2010, the UK has resettled over 29,500 of the world’s most vulnerable refugees, almost half of whom were children.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has also granted other forms of protection to more than 44,900 children in the same period, with 7,500 in the last year alone.</p><p> </p><p>Last year we welcomed over 3,000 UASCs – more than any other country in Europe.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, we have successfully completed the transfer of 478 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016.  Amongst some of the most vulnerable children in Europe seeking asylum, this important work has given them an opportunity to start a new life in the UK and builds on our proud history of offering protection to those who need it.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 30/06/2020 15:56:34 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1203109

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Refugees: Children
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the conditions for child refugees in Greece; what humanitarian and medical aid they have provided to those refugees; and what plans they have, if any, to allow them to come to the UK.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL5618
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government has previously raised concerns about the conditions in the migrant camps with the Greek Government and in light of our strong bilateral relationship will continue to do so when necessary. On 22 April the UK and Greece signed the UK-Greece Migration Action Plan, which aims to improve overall management of irregular migration in the Eastern Mediterranean (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/historic-uk-greece-migration-action-plan-signed).</p><p> </p><p>As part of this ongoing cooperation the UK will continue to provide further practical support when possible – this recently included the provision of over £500,000 for urgently needed humanitarian goods and in 2019 the UK helped finance the Metadrasi children’s shelter on Samos, which provides a safe place to stay and professional support to the most vulnerable unaccompanied children who arrive on Samos.</p><p> </p><p>Protecting vulnerable children remains a key priority of this Government and we have a proud record of doing so through our asylum system and our resettlement schemes.  The UK remains fully committed to meeting its obligations under the Dublin III Regulation, and unaccompanied children can continue to transfer to the UK from Greece under Dublin.  Despite covid-19 restrictions, the UK is ready to accept transfers under Dublin whenever Member States are in a position to make those arrangements. We recently worked closely with Greece to complete the transfer of vulnerable people, including unaccompanied children, on 11 May who were united with family members in the UK.  We continue to liaise with our counterparts in Member States on what actions can be taken during this period and to effect transfers as soon as it is safe and practical to do so</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 25/06/2020 08:05:51 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1227861

	registered interest
	date	23/07/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Forced Marriage
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government in how many cases the Forced Marriage Unit provided advice or support related to possible forced marriage (1) to a person aged under 16, (2) to a person aged between 16 and 18, and (3) to a person aged between 18 and 20, in (a) 2014, (b) 2015, (c) 2016, (d) 2017, (e) 2018, and (f) 2019.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL7246
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>Information on Forced Marriage Unit statistics, including age breakdowns, can be found at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/forced-marriage-unit-statistics. Providing the complete information requested would exceed the word limit for responses to written parliamentary questions so I have attached the following publication from the Forced Marriage Unit Statistics Unit.</p><p>I would also like to correct my response to the Lord Bishop’s question HL16427, from the 2017-19 session. This stated that in 2018 the Forced Marriage Unit gave advice or support related to a possible forced marriage in 1,764 cases via its public helpline and email inbox. The correct figure was 1,507.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 06/08/2020 15:31:17 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford attachment 1 file name Forced_Marriage_Unit_statistics_2019.pdf title Forced Marriage Stats - 2019
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1183467

	registered interest
	date	09/03/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Ministers of Religion
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the UK's points-based immigration system: policy statement, published on 19 February, what changes, if any, they plan to make to the existing Tier 2 Minister of Religion Category.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL2370
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2020 answer text <p>Under the current Immigration Rules, there are a range of routes for specialist occupations, including Ministers of Religion and temporary religious workers.</p><p>There are no current plans to change these routes, though from January 2021, these routes will be opened to EEA citizens.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 23/03/2020 17:23:24 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

1203112

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Windrush Compensation Scheme
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government, what assessment they have made of the efficiency of the rate of compensation payments to those affected by the Windrush Scandal; and what targets they have set for compensating the individuals involved.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL5621
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/08/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office is processing claims as quickly as possible, but all claims are different, and the time taken will depend on many factors, including the complexity of the case. Wherever possible, the Home Office makes interim payments on parts of the claim that are straightforward to determine, such as immigration fees, thereby speeding up the provision of compensation.</p><p> </p><p>The most recently published statistics on the payments made under the Windrush Compensation Scheme show a clear increasing trajectory of payments: £362,997 paid in the first 12 months of the scheme, of which £300,799 was paid in the most recent three months of that period. These are available to view on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/windrush-compensation-scheme-data-may-2020.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Secretary also announced on 15 July that over £1.5m has now been offered in compensation to claimants. Once the offers are accepted by the applicants, the payments will be made.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office does not disclose information about individual cases.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL5622 question first answered 26/08/2020 15:39:14 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

1203113

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Anthony Bryan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government why Anthony Bryan is yet to receive full compensation under the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL5622
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/08/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office is processing claims as quickly as possible, but all claims are different, and the time taken will depend on many factors, including the complexity of the case. Wherever possible, the Home Office makes interim payments on parts of the claim that are straightforward to determine, such as immigration fees, thereby speeding up the provision of compensation.</p><p> </p><p>The most recently published statistics on the payments made under the Windrush Compensation Scheme show a clear increasing trajectory of payments: £362,997 paid in the first 12 months of the scheme, of which £300,799 was paid in the most recent three months of that period. These are available to view on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/windrush-compensation-scheme-data-may-2020.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Secretary also announced on 15 July that over £1.5m has now been offered in compensation to claimants. Once the offers are accepted by the applicants, the payments will be made.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office does not disclose information about individual cases.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL5621 question first answered 26/08/2020 15:39:14 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

1203114

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Home Office: Staff
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what advice and training they have given to Home Office caseworkers about (1) the right of abode in the UK, and (2) the level of discretion that caseworkers can use when dealing with Commonwealth Citizens who have resided for a long time in the UK, but who do not have correct documentation.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL5623
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2020 answer text <p>Caseworkers considering right of abode applications are experienced and suitably trained.</p><p>In February 2020, as part of the reinspection report into failed right of abode applications, the Independent Chief Inspector for Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) reviewed current training packs and materials used to train Right of Abode (RoA) caseworkers. The report can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/865201/ICIBI_Failed_RIght_of_Abode_Web_version.pdf</p><p>Paragraph 3.20 on page 7 of the report in particular states “According to the evidence provided for this reinspection, the numbers of RoA applications received each year are small, around 1,200; the trend is downwards; the refusal rate is low, 10 to 12% in the last two business years; guidance and SOPs are up-to-date; and, caseworkers are experienced and appear genuinely committed to providing good customer service.”</p><p>Caseworkers have discretion when dealing with Commonwealth Citizens who have resided for a long time in the UK. The caseworker guidance can be found on gov.uk: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/807365/windrush-scheme-casework-guidance-v3.0-ext.pdf</p><p>Page 11 of the caseworker guidance states “You should recognise that people may not have documents that are over 30 years old and help people to build a picture of their life in the UK, using documentation and evidence provided, or that you can access through systems available to you, including through use of cross-departmental data sharing.”</p><p>Furthermore, the guidance is clear on page 13 that caseworkers “must take a rounded view where evidence is not provided that proves matters of fact and decide the case on balance of probability, taking into account the picture of life in the UK, evidence in the round and criminality.”</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL5624 question first answered 24/06/2020 16:55:59 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark