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1222725

registered interest
date	09/07/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Migrant Workers: Care Workers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend to respond to the concerns raised by the Cavendish Coalition, on behalf of UK health and social care groups, that their current immigration proposals would not allow enough overseas workers to be recruited for the care sector; and how they intend to address any shortfall of such workers in the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6655
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2020 answer text <p>The Government recognises the fantastic contribution made by those working in the social care sector and the need for roles in it to offer rewarding career opportunities. The independent Migration Advisory Committee has been very clear immigration is not the answer to the challenges faced in this sector, a view the Government shares.</p><p>The Minister for Future Borders and Immigration has met with the Cavendish Coalition to hear their thoughts about future immigration policy. In response he confirmed the Government would not be creating a migration route to allow some employers in the sector to permanently recruit at the legal minimum wage as an alternative to paying more competitive\rewarding salaries to their staff who undertake such valuable work supporting the most vulnerable.</p><p>He also outlined how the groups represented by the Cavendish Coalition should in the first instance seek to engage with the Department for Work &amp; Pensions about how they can work together to encourage more UK based jobseekers into rewarding careers in the Social Care Sector, rather than view immigration as the preferred option for addressing any shortfall in recruitment and as a way to ensure continued recruitment at the legal minimum wage. This is especially relevant when many UK based workers with the ability to make excellent social carer workers are looking for new employment due to the economic impact of Covid-19.</p><p>As we implement the new immigration system, we want employers to focus on investing in our domestic work force and offering rewarding packages to Social Care Workers, rather than view immigration as an alternative to doing this. In relation to roles within the sector where specific training is required the new skilled worker route will provide for a broader range of roles, including senior care workers to come to the UK.</p><p>The EU Settlement Scheme means all EU and EAA citizens, and their family members, currently working in social care can stay in the UK and we are encouraging them to do so.</p><p>The Government is supporting the Social Care sector in several ways, including through launching a national recruitment campaign and providing councils with access to an additional £1.5 billion for adults and children’s social care in 2020-21.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 30/07/2020 12:15:28 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1219732

registered interest
date	01/07/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Immigrants: Poverty
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 30 June (HL Deb, col 574), what assessment they have made of the impact of the “no recourse to public funds” policy on the prevalence of poverty among people without residential status and the dependence on charities for food, housing and survival.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6340
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2020 answer text <p>The NRPF policy is based on the principle that migrants coming to the UK are expected to maintain and support themselves and their families without posing a burden on the UK’s welfare system. Access to benefits and other publicly funded services reflects a migrant’s lawful status and the strength of their connections to the UK. That is why access to public funds is normally tied to indefinite leave to remain.</p><p>Those without lawful status in the UK are expected to take steps to resolve their situation, either by regularising their stay, or by leaving the UK. Help is available for people who wish to leave voluntarily. However, we recognise the unique challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic presents. That is why we have provided more than £3.2 billion of funding to local authorities in England and now a further £500 million to respond to spending pressures they are facing. The Government has also provided additional funding for the devolved administrations under the Barnett formula as part of the wider government response. Funding provided to local authorities under the Covid-19 emergency response will be paid through a grant that is not ring-fenced, recognising that local authorities are best placed to decide how this funding is spent.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities may provide basic safety net support, if it is established that there is a genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution, for example, where there are community care needs, migrants with serious health problems or family cases where the wellbeing of a child is in question.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Chancellor announced an additional £750m package of support for charities across the UK to ensure they can continue their vital work during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 15/07/2020 16:47:40 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1219733

registered interest
date	01/07/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 30 June (HL Deb, col 574), how many applications from asylum seekers for refugee status are currently being assessed; how long it takes on average to resolve each application; how many applicants are currently neither told that they will be (1) removed, or (2) allowed to stay; and what consideration they have given (a) to holding an amnesty to regularise the position of those who have been in the UK for more than five years without legal status, and (b) to the potential benefits of enabling such people to live, study, work, contribute, and pay taxes, in the UK.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6341
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office is unable to state how many applications from asylum seekers for refugee status are currently being assessed or how long it takes on average to resolve each application.</p><p>The Home Office does however publish data on the number of asylum applications awaiting an initial decision by duration. This data can be found at Asy_04, of the published Immigration Statistics March 2020 which indicate that, as at March 2020, the total number awaiting an initial decision was 51,906.</p><p>An extract from the published data can be found below showing the total numbers awaiting an initial decision broken down by more or less than 6 months.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>Mar 2020</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Awaiting initial decision</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>51,906</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Less than 6 months</p></td><td><p>20,390</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>More than 6 months</p></td><td><p>31,516</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>All asylum claimants are notified in writing of the outcome of the decision on their claim. If a claim is refused, a full explanation is provided of the reasons along with the relevant appeal rights, plus the necessary removal notice notifications advising them of their responsibility to leave the UK voluntarily and the consequences of them remaining in the UK illegally. Those applicants who are granted status are advised of their rights and benefits to which they are entitled to in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>There are no plans for the Government to hold an amnesty to regularise the position of those who have been in the UK for more than five years without legal status.</p><p> </p><p>The Immigration Rules already provide for undocumented migrants who are in the UK, who have not broken the law except for remaining here without lawful immigration status, to regularise their status. For those who do not meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules, there is provision for a grant of leave where there are exceptional circumstances or compelling compassionate grounds which would mean refusal would result in unjustifiably harsh consequences for the applicant.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to a fair and humane immigration policy which welcomes and celebrates people here lawfully, but which tackles immigration offending and protects tax-payer funded public services.</p><p> </p><p>In common with other comparable countries, the UK has in place a framework of laws, policies and administrative arrangements ensuring access to work, benefits and services is permitted only for those with the right to access them. It protects the taxpayer and is based on principles of fairness.</p><p> </p><p>It is expected that those who do not have a legal right to be in the UK should leave.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 15/07/2020 16:41:24 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1217762

registered interest
date	24/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Forced Labour: Uyghurs
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to ensure that companies found to have lied on their public declarations, made under the provisions of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, about the use of Uyghur slave labour in the manufacture of products or within supply chains, are (1) identified, and (2) held to account.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6105
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2020 answer text <p>Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires certain businesses with a turnover of £36m or more, equating to approximately 16,000 businesses, to report annually on the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.</p><p> </p><p>The prevalence of modern slavery and complexity of global supply chains means that it is highly unlikely that any company is immune from the risks of modern slavery. Section 54 therefore does not require organisations to certify that their supply chains are ‘slavery free’ or that the Government verifies the content of modern slavery statements. The Government encourages companies to report transparently about how they are mitigating modern slavery risks and to use their modern slavery statements to demonstrate year on year progress.</p><p> </p><p>The transparency legislation was designed to enable consumers, investors and civil society to scrutinise business action. To improve reporting quality, accountability and accessibility of statements, we are developing a government-run registry which will host modern slavery statements. We have also consulted on proposals to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act, increase transparency and improve compliance.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 09/07/2020 11:22:57 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1216500

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Terrorism: Recruitment
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to assess, and (2) to address, the risk of terror groups using the COVID-19 pandemic to recruit new members. [T]
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL5967
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2020 answer text <p>Public protection from the threat of terrorism remains a priority for the Government. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to remain vigilant of terrorists seeking to exploit the situation to further their aims. We know that people are spending more time online during this period and this can put them at greater risk of experiencing online harm. We have been working closely with technology companies, civil society and academia to understand and respond to the risks presented during this period. Although it is too early to confidently analyse patterns from this period, there is universal concern about keeping children safe online.</p><p>The Prevent Duty remains an essential tool for safeguarding individuals that are vulnerable to radicalisation, ensuring they can be offered support as early as possible. The Government is taking several measures to enhance existing capabilities to support vulnerable individuals, including:</p><p>- utilising long-standing, effective relationships with technology companies to understand any changes in terrorist use of their platform and ensure processes are in place to enable companies to respond quickly to any emerging threats;</p><p>- working with Five Eyes partners to develop a joint framework to assess the impact of Covid-19 on online terrorist activity;</p><p>- supporting our network of Prevent coordinators in the 44 Prevent Priority Areas to understand the impact Covid-19 is having, assisting them to adapt delivery utilising virtual technology where appropriate;</p><p>- working alongside our colleagues in the Department for Education and Counter-Terrorism Policing to promote digital safety guidance products. These have been distributed to Local Authority Prevent Leads, as well as other organisations. The guidance gives practical advice to ensure loved ones are safe online, including through signposting to Prevent services in case of radicalisation concerns; and</p><p>- continuing to hold Channel Panels throughout the period that pandemic restrictions have been imposed and delivering intervention sessions via telephone when possible, with the highest need cases still receiving face-to-face support.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 29/06/2020 14:35:47 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1216547

registered interest
date	22/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the challenges and barriers experienced by the UK in relation to measures to prevent female genital mutilation, including the use of protection orders to minimize the risk of exposure of women and girls at risk of mutilation when travelling outside the UK.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL5970
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2020 answer text <p>FGM is a crime and it is child abuse. We will not tolerate a practice that can cause extreme and lifelong physical and psychological suffering to women and girls.</p><p>The Government significantly strengthened the law in 2015 to improve protection for victims and those at risk, and to break down the barriers to prosecution. The Government has: introduced a new offence of failing to protect a girl from FGM; extended the reach of extra territorial offences; introduced lifelong anonymity for victims of FGM; introduced civil FGM Protection Orders (FGMPOs); and introduced a mandatory reporting duty for known cases in under 18s.</p><p>FGMPOs are being used to good effect, with 547 being granted since their introduction in 2015 to the end of December 2019.</p><p>In 2019, the Home Office held a series of roadshows across England and Wales to train professionals in the use of FGM and Forced Marriage Protection Orders. Around 1,300 professionals attended these events, which raised awareness of the scope and effectiveness of the orders and encouraged professionals to always consider them in any safeguarding plans.</p><p>We continue to provide free resources on FGM for frontline professionals, including: an online resource pack, e-learning, statutory multi-agency guidance and a range of communication materials.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 08/07/2020 11:23:29 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1196936

registered interest
date	18/05/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Slavery: Victim Support Schemes
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether all individuals currently in receipt of support, including outreach support, through the Victim Care Contract, will continue to receive financial and case work assistance for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL4646
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2020 answer text <p>The safety and security of those supported through the modern slavery Victim Care Contract (VCC) is a top priority for government.</p><p> </p><p>Potential victims within the VCC will continue to have access to support during the pandemic. We are continually reviewing how essential services can best be maintained and delivered to ensure victims receive, and have the means to access, the support they need at this time. We are providing support through virtual means as required and have introduced a new contactless payment card to ensure safe receipt of financial support.</p><p> </p><p>The Recovery Needs Assessment (RNA) informs tailored move on plans to help victims transition out of the VCC and back into the community where appropriate. The assessment considers the availability of alternative, and often more sustainable, support services and victims will only begin a move on process if it is suitable for them to do so, in line with their recovery needs.</p><p> </p><p>The policy change announced on 6 April mean individuals who are accommodated in the VCC, will have continued access to this accommodation until at least the 6 July 2020. The policy will be reviewed before the end of June in respect of the Government’s latest covid-19 advice. This change, alongside the existing support mechanisms within the contract will ensure that vulnerable individuals are not left without the support they need at this challenging time.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 02/06/2020 15:49:10 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1193376

registered interest
date	05/05/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Immigration: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow those with irregular migration status leave to remain in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL3916
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2020 answer text <p>The Immigration Rules already provide for undocumented migrants to regularise their status.</p><p>If appropriate in light of the situation in their country of origin, irregular migrants may claim asylum. The UK has a long and proud history of providing protection to those who need it and we will continue to uphold our obligations under the Refugee Convention during this time. Therefore, whilst ensuring that the Home Office is adhering to Public Health England’s advice in relation to the Covid-19 outbreak, decisions are continuing to be served on asylum claims on a case by case basis where there is sufficient evidence for us to make an accurate and well-informed decision in-line with published policy.</p><p>Even if an application is refused, measures we have implemented already guarantee that an individual can remain safely accommodated and be able to follow public health guidance, whilst maintaining access to financial support and healthcare until the end of June, and this will be kept under review.</p><p>There are no plans to provide temporary leave to remain to all asylum applicants or those with insecure status.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 22/05/2020 11:00:57 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1193377

registered interest
date	05/05/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Human Trafficking: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to identify and protect victims of human trafficking during the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL3917
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2020 answer text <p>Modern slavery is a harmful and hidden crime and its victims may be especially isolated and hidden from view during the coronavirus outbreak. We recognise that there are greater vulnerabilities for potential victims during COVID-19, as social distancing means there is a risk that they are not identified by First Responders and may find it harder to access support. That is why the Government has taken clear steps to address these risks and ensure that we continue to support some of the most vulnerable people in our society.</p><p>To ensure victims continue to feel supported and safe, we announced on 6 April 2020, that all individuals in accommodation provided by the government-funded specialist Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract, will not be required to move on from their accommodation for the next three months.</p><p>We have also secured £1.73 million of the funding for charities, announced by the Chancellor last month, to provide emergency support to victims of modern slavery who have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. This funding will assist individuals supported through the Victim Care Contract and will ensure victims are able to stay in government-funded safe accommodation, access financial assistance, access support services remotely, and make sure we manage additional demand on services during this period.</p><p>We have also produced guidance for both First Responders and frontline staff with advice on what to do if they encounter a potential victim of modern slavery while ensuring the safety of victims, First Responders and support staff and adhering to Public Health England guidance on social distancing and PPE where possible.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 14/05/2020 13:00:05 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1187331

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Uyghurs: China
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 18 March (HL2309), what action they will take against any company that has published an annual statement as required under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 but has been accused of profiting from Uyghur slave labour.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2793
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/04/2020 answer text <p>Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 made the UK the first country to require large businesses to report annually on steps taken to prevent modern slavery, including forced labour, in their operations and supply chains.</p><p>The Act does not require organisations to certify that their supply chains are slavery free but asks businesses to be transparent about their risks and measures taken to mitigate these. To improve reporting quality, we are developing a government-run registry of modern slavery statements to make it easier for consumers, investors and civil society to hold businesses to account. We have also consulted on proposals to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act and increase transparency and improve compliance.</p><p>The Government is aware of the risks of forced labour in Xinjiang impacting on supply chains of businesses with a footprint in the UK and is discussing this issue with businesses, as well as standard setting and industry bodies which bring together business and civil society organisations. The UK Government expressed its concerns about China’s systematic human rights violations in Xinjiang, including credible and growing reports of forced labour, during the recent UN Human Rights Council.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 06/04/2020 13:38:46 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool