Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label previous answer version answering member constituency answering member printed answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1714761

registered interest
date	29/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing time limits on asylum cases for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	24035
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2024 answer text <p>The Home Office takes our duty of care towards children and young people extremely seriously and we prioritise applications from children and young people.</p><p>The Home Office does not currently have a target time for processing applications for asylum, but is committed to ensuring claims are considered without unnecessary delay. We have already made progress in prioritising claims with acute vulnerability and those in receipt of the greatest level of support, including Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children.</p><p>Introducing a service standard for asylum claims is a complex consideration which needs to be balanced between the requirements of operational efficiency, the needs of service users and the integrity of asylum control measures, including the implementation of the Illegal Migration Act. A project to review these considerations, along with scope and potential implementation timescales, will be undertaken. Once the project is completed, a final decision will be taken on any potential asylum claim service standards.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 08/05/2024 15:26:31 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1714762

registered interest
date	29/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Migrants
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of No Recourse to Public Funds on people who are (a) destitute and (b) facing destitution.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	24036
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2024 answer text <p>The Home Office is committed to the continuous review of the NRPF policy and are engaging with public and private sector organisations on a regular basis to understand the impacts of the NRPF condition.</p><p>The Government published an overarching Equality Impact Assessment on the Compliant Environment measures, of which No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) is part; <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/compliant-environment-overarching-equality-impact-assessment/compliant-environment-overarching-equality-impact-assessment-accessible" target="_blank">Compliant environment: overarching equality impact assessment (accessible) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). </a></p><p>In general, temporary migrants are expected to support themselves and any accompanying family members in the UK without recourse to public funds. This is a well-established principle that protects taxpayer-funded public services from becoming overburdened.</p><p>Nonetheless, there are important safeguards in place for those in genuine need. Migrants with permission under the Family or Private Life routes, or the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) routes, can apply, for free, to have their NRPF condition lifted by making a ‘Change of Conditions’ application. An individual on these routes can apply to have their NRPF condition lifted if they are destitute or at risk of imminent destitution, if there are reasons relating to the welfare of a relevant child, or where they are facing exceptional circumstances affecting their income or expenditure.</p><p>For all other immigration routes (other than Family or Private Life, or the Hong Kong BN(O) routes), the general expectation is that they will return to their home country should they become unable to meet their essential living needs in the UK. If there are particularly compelling circumstances why leaving the UK is not possible, discretion can be used to consider if the circumstances justify access to public funds.</p><p>Local authorities may also provide basic safety net support, regardless of immigration status, if it is established either that there is a risk to the wellbeing of a child or there is a genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution: for example, where a person has community care needs or serious health problems. Support provided to a child by local authorities is not dependent on the immigration status of the child or their parent(s).</p><p>Migrants with NRPF who have paid the necessary National Insurance contributions or have relevant periods of employment or self-employment, can claim contributory benefits and statutory payments such as New Style Jobseekers Allowance, Statutory Sick Pay, and the State Pension.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 02/05/2024 13:33:09 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1685564

registered interest
date	29/01/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 11 January 2024 to Questions 8423 and 8424 on Asylum: Children, for what reason his Department is unable to provide the figures requested.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	11778
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2024 answer text <p>The specific data requested cannot be provided as it comes from live operational databases that have not been quality assured. Additionally, the Home Office does not hold the requested data in a reportable format.</p><p>There are currently no unaccompanied children in hotels. Of the 7 hotels which were operational in 2022, 6 of those were closed permanently on 30 November 2023 and the last remaining hotel will close on 31 January 2024.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 01/02/2024 12:13:20 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1680352

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many unaccompanied children seeking asylum have spent at least one night in hotel accommodation provided by the Home Office in the last 3 months.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	8423
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2024 answer text <p>The High Court has upheld that local authorities have a statutory duty to care for UASC. We have always maintained that the best place for unaccompanied children to be accommodated is within a local authority. The High Court recently noted that improvements, plus impressive collaboration between the Home Office and Kent County Council, has led to a significant fall in the number of lone children being accommodated in hotels.</p><p>Since 18 November 2023, the one remaining hotel in Kent has remained empty. Of the 7 hotels which were operational in 2022, 6 of those were closed permanently on 30 November 2023.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 8424 question first answered 11/01/2024 17:50:05 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1680353

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many unaccompanied children seeking asylum were placed in hotel accommodation by the Home Office in the last three months, broken down by number of nights spent in that accomodation.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	8424
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2024 answer text <p>The High Court has upheld that local authorities have a statutory duty to care for UASC. We have always maintained that the best place for unaccompanied children to be accommodated is within a local authority. The High Court recently noted that improvements, plus impressive collaboration between the Home Office and Kent County Council, has led to a significant fall in the number of lone children being accommodated in hotels.</p><p>Since 18 November 2023, the one remaining hotel in Kent has remained empty. Of the 7 hotels which were operational in 2022, 6 of those were closed permanently on 30 November 2023.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 8423 question first answered 11/01/2024 17:50:05 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1540860

registered interest
date	08/11/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Terminal Illnesses
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	"To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the provisions of the Social Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Act 2022 enabling people who are thought to be in the final year of their life to receive fast-tracked access to disability benefits such as Personal Independent Payments will come into effect.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	82293
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/11/2022 answer text <p>The Social Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill received Royal Assent on 25<sup>th</sup> October 2022 and the Government will implement it as soon as is practicable.</p><p>The Act will enable people who are thought to be in the final year of their life to get fast-tracked access to Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance (AA). Similar changes were made to the definition of end of life used in Universal Credit and Employment Support Allowance in April 2022.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 14/11/2022 14:49:38 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1535935

registered interest
date	25/10/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing a top-up payment to unpaid carers who are in receipt of Carer's Allowance, reflecting the supplementary and one-off payments received by unpaid carers in Scotland and Wales.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	71062
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2022 answer text <p>Carer’s Allowance is a devolved benefit under the Scotland Act 2016. The Scottish Government pays a Supplement to all its recipients, regardless of their means.</p><p> </p><p>The payment made by the Welsh Government was part of the discretionary local welfare support offered under the Government of Wales Act 2006. It, similarly, was made regardless of means.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Government takes a different approach and directs more of its financial support across Great Britain towards unpaid carers on the lowest incomes. For example, unpaid carers in receipt of Universal Credit can receive an additional £2,000 a year through the Carer Element, helping ensure this support goes to those most in need. The UK Government has therefore made no assessment relating to a top up payment to all recipients of Carer’s Allowance regardless of their means.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 71063 question first answered 01/11/2022 15:17:29 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1535937

registered interest
date	25/10/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Carers: Cost of Living
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the cost of providing a one-off top-up payment of £500 to unpaid carers, who are in receipt of Carer's Allowance, to support them through the cost-of-living crisis.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	71063
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2022 answer text <p>Carer’s Allowance is a devolved benefit under the Scotland Act 2016. The Scottish Government pays a Supplement to all its recipients, regardless of their means.</p><p> </p><p>The payment made by the Welsh Government was part of the discretionary local welfare support offered under the Government of Wales Act 2006. It, similarly, was made regardless of means.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Government takes a different approach and directs more of its financial support across Great Britain towards unpaid carers on the lowest incomes. For example, unpaid carers in receipt of Universal Credit can receive an additional £2,000 a year through the Carer Element, helping ensure this support goes to those most in need. The UK Government has therefore made no assessment relating to a top up payment to all recipients of Carer’s Allowance regardless of their means.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 71062 question first answered 01/11/2022 15:17:29 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1503666

registered interest
date	02/09/2022
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Migrant Workers: Agriculture
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to introduce visas for people seeking permanent entry-level roles in the (a) agricultural and (b) horticultural sectors.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	45228
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2022 answer text <p>A range of agricultural and horticultural occupations are already eligible for the Skilled Worker route including farmers, growers, market gardeners and poultry processors. However, the Government has no plans to introduce a general immigration route allowing recruitment at or near the minimum wage with relatively short or no work-based training requirements.</p><p> </p><p>Investment and development of the UK’s domestic labour force should take priority, rather than seeing cheaper migrant labour as the solution to recruitment difficulties. Those businesses facing recruitment issues should therefore engage with the Department for Work and Pensions in the first instance about the support they can provide.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 45819 question first answered 08/09/2022 08:51:08 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove previous answer version 17536 answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1504428

registered interest
date	02/09/2022
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Migrant Workers: Agriculture
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to include entry-level permanent roles in the (a) agricultural and (b) horticultural sectors in the points-based immigration system.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	45819
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2022 answer text <p>A range of agricultural and horticultural occupations are already eligible for the Skilled Worker route including farmers, growers, market gardeners and poultry processors. However, the Government has no plans to introduce a general immigration route allowing recruitment at or near the minimum wage with relatively short or no work-based training requirements.</p><p> </p><p>Investment and development of the UK’s domestic labour force should take priority, rather than seeing cheaper migrant labour as the solution to recruitment difficulties. Those businesses facing recruitment issues should therefore engage with the Department for Work and Pensions in the first instance about the support they can provide.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 45228 question first answered 08/09/2022 08:51:08 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove previous answer version 17537 answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham