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
tabling member	label

Search

1121484

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	British Nationality: Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the cost to local authorities of citizenship registration for children applying for British citizenship under the EU Settlement Scheme.
	tabling member constituency	South Shields
	tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
	uin	244120
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office has put in place a comprehensive vulnerability strategy to ensure that the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is accessible for all, including children in care.</p><p><br>The Home office has been engaging with relevant stakeholders such as the Department for Education, Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Children’s Services to assess the needs of this group and ensure they are supported.</p><p><br>For England, Scotland and Wales local authorities (LAs) and for Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) will have responsibility in ensuring that applications are made on behalf of all looked after children for whom they have full parental responsibility and who are EEA citizens or family members and to assist with accessing services with status once granted.</p><p>If the child is cared for under shared care provisions, then it is LAs and HSCTs responsibility to ensure that the child, and their carers, are aware of the need to make an application to the EUSS, signposting and pointing them to practical support where needed.</p><p>LAs and HSCTs also have continuing duties to support care leavers and therefore have the responsibility to identify those eligible to apply to EUSS and to ensure that they make an application. Making an application to EUSS for those who are eligible and to keep an adequate record of applications and status granted should form part of the necessary pathway planning for care leavers ordinarily carried out by LAs and HSCTs in the discharge of their duties.</p><p>A child does not require consent from an adult in order to apply and can make their own application. However, children who have failed to make an application by the deadline as a result of a parent or guardian having failed to submit an application on their behalf would meet the criteria for being permissible to submit a late application.</p><p>It is not possible to apply for British citizenship under the EUSS. There is no requirement for any local authority to make an application for British citizenship on behalf of a looked after child: EEA and Swiss children, and the non-EEA children of EEA and Swiss citizens, can obtain the status they need to remain in the UK by making a free application to the EUSS. As there is no need for LAs or HSCTs to make applications for citizenship there is no reason why any of the costs of doing so should be incurred, unless the LA or HSCT voluntarily chooses to do so.</p><p>Obtaining identity documents should be a familiar process for LAs and HSCT due to these documents being required in other circumstances.</p><p><br>The Home Office has introduced a range of support including up to £9 mil-lion grant funding for voluntary and community organisations, assisted digital support and support via the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre.</p><p><br>A New Burdens Assessment has also been produced in collaboration with key stakeholders representing local authorities and children’s social services to ensure they are funded to identify and support eligible EEA children and family members in care.</p><p><br>The EUSS has been designed to be streamlined and user-friendly, and the majority of applicants will be able to apply without the need for general advice from a lawyer on rights to enter or remain required as a result of the Bill.</p><p>As the scheme is free to apply and simple to navigate, it is not anticipated that applicants will need legal aid but it will be available to some particularly vulnerable individuals. Legislation will also be introduced to bring immigration matters for separated migrant children into the scope of legal aid, meaning this group will get support in securing their immigration rights. Legal aid may also be available through the Exceptional Case Funding scheme where a failure to provide legal aid would breach, or risk breaching, ECHR or enforceable EU law rights.</p><p>The Home Office has created and issued guidance about the EUSS to help LAs and HSCTs understand their responsibilities for supporting looked after children and care leavers and how to apply. The EUSS has been designed to be as simple as possible, but we have committed to working with applicants, and those supporting them, to ensure they obtain the status they need where required. The guidance is clear that where necessary, because of case complexity, or if there is any doubt about how to proceed, that the LA or HSCT may consider obtaining independent legal advice, in line with their own organisation’s processes and policies.</p><p><br>Some of the voluntary and community organisations who receive support from the grant funding will also be able to provide legal advice.</p><p>Swiss citizens continue to enjoy the same rights and status as EEA citizens while the UK remains a member of the EU. Like EEA citizens, they can protect those rights and obtain a permanent UK immigration status by applying to the EUSS by 31 December 2020.</p><p>In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal eligible EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members, resident in the UK by the date that the UK leaves the EU, will have until 31 December 2020 to make an application to the EUSS. However, the Government has confirmed that it will take a proportionate approach to those that miss the deadline and make provision for those with a good reason for missing it to apply later. A child whose parent or guardian fail to make an application on their behalf would meet this criteria.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 244111 244112 244113 244114 244115 244116 244117 244119 244121 question first answered 24/04/2019 12:05:59 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

1121458

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: EEA Nationals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to his Department’s document entitled EU Settlement Scheme: Looked After Children and Care Leavers. Local Authority and Health and Social Care Trusts Guidance, when applications are due under the scheme in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal; and what the status would be of children who are EEA citizens under care orders or care leavers in the event the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	South Shields
	tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
	uin	244112
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office has put in place a comprehensive vulnerability strategy to ensure that the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is accessible for all, including children in care.</p><p><br>The Home office has been engaging with relevant stakeholders such as the Department for Education, Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Children’s Services to assess the needs of this group and ensure they are supported.</p><p><br>For England, Scotland and Wales local authorities (LAs) and for Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) will have responsibility in ensuring that applications are made on behalf of all looked after children for whom they have full parental responsibility and who are EEA citizens or family members and to assist with accessing services with status once granted.</p><p>If the child is cared for under shared care provisions, then it is LAs and HSCTs responsibility to ensure that the child, and their carers, are aware of the need to make an application to the EUSS, signposting and pointing them to practical support where needed.</p><p>LAs and HSCTs also have continuing duties to support care leavers and therefore have the responsibility to identify those eligible to apply to EUSS and to ensure that they make an application. Making an application to EUSS for those who are eligible and to keep an adequate record of applications and status granted should form part of the necessary pathway planning for care leavers ordinarily carried out by LAs and HSCTs in the discharge of their duties.</p><p>A child does not require consent from an adult in order to apply and can make their own application. However, children who have failed to make an application by the deadline as a result of a parent or guardian having failed to submit an application on their behalf would meet the criteria for being permissible to submit a late application.</p><p>It is not possible to apply for British citizenship under the EUSS. There is no requirement for any local authority to make an application for British citizenship on behalf of a looked after child: EEA and Swiss children, and the non-EEA children of EEA and Swiss citizens, can obtain the status they need to remain in the UK by making a free application to the EUSS. As there is no need for LAs or HSCTs to make applications for citizenship there is no reason why any of the costs of doing so should be incurred, unless the LA or HSCT voluntarily chooses to do so.</p><p>Obtaining identity documents should be a familiar process for LAs and HSCT due to these documents being required in other circumstances.</p><p><br>The Home Office has introduced a range of support including up to £9 mil-lion grant funding for voluntary and community organisations, assisted digital support and support via the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre.</p><p><br>A New Burdens Assessment has also been produced in collaboration with key stakeholders representing local authorities and children’s social services to ensure they are funded to identify and support eligible EEA children and family members in care.</p><p><br>The EUSS has been designed to be streamlined and user-friendly, and the majority of applicants will be able to apply without the need for general advice from a lawyer on rights to enter or remain required as a result of the Bill.</p><p>As the scheme is free to apply and simple to navigate, it is not anticipated that applicants will need legal aid but it will be available to some particularly vulnerable individuals. Legislation will also be introduced to bring immigration matters for separated migrant children into the scope of legal aid, meaning this group will get support in securing their immigration rights. Legal aid may also be available through the Exceptional Case Funding scheme where a failure to provide legal aid would breach, or risk breaching, ECHR or enforceable EU law rights.</p><p>The Home Office has created and issued guidance about the EUSS to help LAs and HSCTs understand their responsibilities for supporting looked after children and care leavers and how to apply. The EUSS has been designed to be as simple as possible, but we have committed to working with applicants, and those supporting them, to ensure they obtain the status they need where required. The guidance is clear that where necessary, because of case complexity, or if there is any doubt about how to proceed, that the LA or HSCT may consider obtaining independent legal advice, in line with their own organisation’s processes and policies.</p><p><br>Some of the voluntary and community organisations who receive support from the grant funding will also be able to provide legal advice.</p><p>Swiss citizens continue to enjoy the same rights and status as EEA citizens while the UK remains a member of the EU. Like EEA citizens, they can protect those rights and obtain a permanent UK immigration status by applying to the EUSS by 31 December 2020.</p><p>In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal eligible EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members, resident in the UK by the date that the UK leaves the EU, will have until 31 December 2020 to make an application to the EUSS. However, the Government has confirmed that it will take a proportionate approach to those that miss the deadline and make provision for those with a good reason for missing it to apply later. A child whose parent or guardian fail to make an application on their behalf would meet this criteria.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 244111 244113 244114 244115 244116 244117 244119 244120 244121 question first answered 24/04/2019 12:05:59 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

1121457

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: EEA Nationals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what safeguards are in place for looked after children or care leavers who are EEA nationals where parents retain parental rights but do not exercise their parental rights to apply for their children’s leave under the EU Settlement Scheme.
	tabling member constituency	South Shields
	tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
	uin	244111
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office has put in place a comprehensive vulnerability strategy to ensure that the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is accessible for all, including children in care.</p><p><br>The Home office has been engaging with relevant stakeholders such as the Department for Education, Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Children’s Services to assess the needs of this group and ensure they are supported.</p><p><br>For England, Scotland and Wales local authorities (LAs) and for Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) will have responsibility in ensuring that applications are made on behalf of all looked after children for whom they have full parental responsibility and who are EEA citizens or family members and to assist with accessing services with status once granted.</p><p>If the child is cared for under shared care provisions, then it is LAs and HSCTs responsibility to ensure that the child, and their carers, are aware of the need to make an application to the EUSS, signposting and pointing them to practical support where needed.</p><p>LAs and HSCTs also have continuing duties to support care leavers and therefore have the responsibility to identify those eligible to apply to EUSS and to ensure that they make an application. Making an application to EUSS for those who are eligible and to keep an adequate record of applications and status granted should form part of the necessary pathway planning for care leavers ordinarily carried out by LAs and HSCTs in the discharge of their duties.</p><p>A child does not require consent from an adult in order to apply and can make their own application. However, children who have failed to make an application by the deadline as a result of a parent or guardian having failed to submit an application on their behalf would meet the criteria for being permissible to submit a late application.</p><p>It is not possible to apply for British citizenship under the EUSS. There is no requirement for any local authority to make an application for British citizenship on behalf of a looked after child: EEA and Swiss children, and the non-EEA children of EEA and Swiss citizens, can obtain the status they need to remain in the UK by making a free application to the EUSS. As there is no need for LAs or HSCTs to make applications for citizenship there is no reason why any of the costs of doing so should be incurred, unless the LA or HSCT voluntarily chooses to do so.</p><p>Obtaining identity documents should be a familiar process for LAs and HSCT due to these documents being required in other circumstances.</p><p><br>The Home Office has introduced a range of support including up to £9 mil-lion grant funding for voluntary and community organisations, assisted digital support and support via the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre.</p><p><br>A New Burdens Assessment has also been produced in collaboration with key stakeholders representing local authorities and children’s social services to ensure they are funded to identify and support eligible EEA children and family members in care.</p><p><br>The EUSS has been designed to be streamlined and user-friendly, and the majority of applicants will be able to apply without the need for general advice from a lawyer on rights to enter or remain required as a result of the Bill.</p><p>As the scheme is free to apply and simple to navigate, it is not anticipated that applicants will need legal aid but it will be available to some particularly vulnerable individuals. Legislation will also be introduced to bring immigration matters for separated migrant children into the scope of legal aid, meaning this group will get support in securing their immigration rights. Legal aid may also be available through the Exceptional Case Funding scheme where a failure to provide legal aid would breach, or risk breaching, ECHR or enforceable EU law rights.</p><p>The Home Office has created and issued guidance about the EUSS to help LAs and HSCTs understand their responsibilities for supporting looked after children and care leavers and how to apply. The EUSS has been designed to be as simple as possible, but we have committed to working with applicants, and those supporting them, to ensure they obtain the status they need where required. The guidance is clear that where necessary, because of case complexity, or if there is any doubt about how to proceed, that the LA or HSCT may consider obtaining independent legal advice, in line with their own organisation’s processes and policies.</p><p><br>Some of the voluntary and community organisations who receive support from the grant funding will also be able to provide legal advice.</p><p>Swiss citizens continue to enjoy the same rights and status as EEA citizens while the UK remains a member of the EU. Like EEA citizens, they can protect those rights and obtain a permanent UK immigration status by applying to the EUSS by 31 December 2020.</p><p>In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal eligible EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members, resident in the UK by the date that the UK leaves the EU, will have until 31 December 2020 to make an application to the EUSS. However, the Government has confirmed that it will take a proportionate approach to those that miss the deadline and make provision for those with a good reason for missing it to apply later. A child whose parent or guardian fail to make an application on their behalf would meet this criteria.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 244112 244113 244114 244115 244116 244117 244119 244120 244121 question first answered 24/04/2019 12:05:59 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

1121480

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: EU Nationals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who pays for ID that children might have to obtain to participate in the EU Settlement scheme for looked after children and care leavers.
	tabling member constituency	South Shields
	tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
	uin	244119
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office has put in place a comprehensive vulnerability strategy to ensure that the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is accessible for all, including children in care.</p><p><br>The Home office has been engaging with relevant stakeholders such as the Department for Education, Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Children’s Services to assess the needs of this group and ensure they are supported.</p><p><br>For England, Scotland and Wales local authorities (LAs) and for Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) will have responsibility in ensuring that applications are made on behalf of all looked after children for whom they have full parental responsibility and who are EEA citizens or family members and to assist with accessing services with status once granted.</p><p>If the child is cared for under shared care provisions, then it is LAs and HSCTs responsibility to ensure that the child, and their carers, are aware of the need to make an application to the EUSS, signposting and pointing them to practical support where needed.</p><p>LAs and HSCTs also have continuing duties to support care leavers and therefore have the responsibility to identify those eligible to apply to EUSS and to ensure that they make an application. Making an application to EUSS for those who are eligible and to keep an adequate record of applications and status granted should form part of the necessary pathway planning for care leavers ordinarily carried out by LAs and HSCTs in the discharge of their duties.</p><p>A child does not require consent from an adult in order to apply and can make their own application. However, children who have failed to make an application by the deadline as a result of a parent or guardian having failed to submit an application on their behalf would meet the criteria for being permissible to submit a late application.</p><p>It is not possible to apply for British citizenship under the EUSS. There is no requirement for any local authority to make an application for British citizenship on behalf of a looked after child: EEA and Swiss children, and the non-EEA children of EEA and Swiss citizens, can obtain the status they need to remain in the UK by making a free application to the EUSS. As there is no need for LAs or HSCTs to make applications for citizenship there is no reason why any of the costs of doing so should be incurred, unless the LA or HSCT voluntarily chooses to do so.</p><p>Obtaining identity documents should be a familiar process for LAs and HSCT due to these documents being required in other circumstances.</p><p><br>The Home Office has introduced a range of support including up to £9 mil-lion grant funding for voluntary and community organisations, assisted digital support and support via the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre.</p><p><br>A New Burdens Assessment has also been produced in collaboration with key stakeholders representing local authorities and children’s social services to ensure they are funded to identify and support eligible EEA children and family members in care.</p><p><br>The EUSS has been designed to be streamlined and user-friendly, and the majority of applicants will be able to apply without the need for general advice from a lawyer on rights to enter or remain required as a result of the Bill.</p><p>As the scheme is free to apply and simple to navigate, it is not anticipated that applicants will need legal aid but it will be available to some particularly vulnerable individuals. Legislation will also be introduced to bring immigration matters for separated migrant children into the scope of legal aid, meaning this group will get support in securing their immigration rights. Legal aid may also be available through the Exceptional Case Funding scheme where a failure to provide legal aid would breach, or risk breaching, ECHR or enforceable EU law rights.</p><p>The Home Office has created and issued guidance about the EUSS to help LAs and HSCTs understand their responsibilities for supporting looked after children and care leavers and how to apply. The EUSS has been designed to be as simple as possible, but we have committed to working with applicants, and those supporting them, to ensure they obtain the status they need where required. The guidance is clear that where necessary, because of case complexity, or if there is any doubt about how to proceed, that the LA or HSCT may consider obtaining independent legal advice, in line with their own organisation’s processes and policies.</p><p><br>Some of the voluntary and community organisations who receive support from the grant funding will also be able to provide legal advice.</p><p>Swiss citizens continue to enjoy the same rights and status as EEA citizens while the UK remains a member of the EU. Like EEA citizens, they can protect those rights and obtain a permanent UK immigration status by applying to the EUSS by 31 December 2020.</p><p>In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal eligible EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members, resident in the UK by the date that the UK leaves the EU, will have until 31 December 2020 to make an application to the EUSS. However, the Government has confirmed that it will take a proportionate approach to those that miss the deadline and make provision for those with a good reason for missing it to apply later. A child whose parent or guardian fail to make an application on their behalf would meet this criteria.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 244111 244112 244113 244114 244115 244116 244117 244120 244121 question first answered 24/04/2019 12:05:59 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

1121470

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: EU Nationals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the number of looked-after children and care leavers unable to complete an application under the EU Settlement Scheme.
	tabling member constituency	South Shields
	tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
	uin	244114
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office has put in place a comprehensive vulnerability strategy to ensure that the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is accessible for all, including children in care.</p><p><br>The Home office has been engaging with relevant stakeholders such as the Department for Education, Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Children’s Services to assess the needs of this group and ensure they are supported.</p><p><br>For England, Scotland and Wales local authorities (LAs) and for Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) will have responsibility in ensuring that applications are made on behalf of all looked after children for whom they have full parental responsibility and who are EEA citizens or family members and to assist with accessing services with status once granted.</p><p>If the child is cared for under shared care provisions, then it is LAs and HSCTs responsibility to ensure that the child, and their carers, are aware of the need to make an application to the EUSS, signposting and pointing them to practical support where needed.</p><p>LAs and HSCTs also have continuing duties to support care leavers and therefore have the responsibility to identify those eligible to apply to EUSS and to ensure that they make an application. Making an application to EUSS for those who are eligible and to keep an adequate record of applications and status granted should form part of the necessary pathway planning for care leavers ordinarily carried out by LAs and HSCTs in the discharge of their duties.</p><p>A child does not require consent from an adult in order to apply and can make their own application. However, children who have failed to make an application by the deadline as a result of a parent or guardian having failed to submit an application on their behalf would meet the criteria for being permissible to submit a late application.</p><p>It is not possible to apply for British citizenship under the EUSS. There is no requirement for any local authority to make an application for British citizenship on behalf of a looked after child: EEA and Swiss children, and the non-EEA children of EEA and Swiss citizens, can obtain the status they need to remain in the UK by making a free application to the EUSS. As there is no need for LAs or HSCTs to make applications for citizenship there is no reason why any of the costs of doing so should be incurred, unless the LA or HSCT voluntarily chooses to do so.</p><p>Obtaining identity documents should be a familiar process for LAs and HSCT due to these documents being required in other circumstances.</p><p><br>The Home Office has introduced a range of support including up to £9 mil-lion grant funding for voluntary and community organisations, assisted digital support and support via the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre.</p><p><br>A New Burdens Assessment has also been produced in collaboration with key stakeholders representing local authorities and children’s social services to ensure they are funded to identify and support eligible EEA children and family members in care.</p><p><br>The EUSS has been designed to be streamlined and user-friendly, and the majority of applicants will be able to apply without the need for general advice from a lawyer on rights to enter or remain required as a result of the Bill.</p><p>As the scheme is free to apply and simple to navigate, it is not anticipated that applicants will need legal aid but it will be available to some particularly vulnerable individuals. Legislation will also be introduced to bring immigration matters for separated migrant children into the scope of legal aid, meaning this group will get support in securing their immigration rights. Legal aid may also be available through the Exceptional Case Funding scheme where a failure to provide legal aid would breach, or risk breaching, ECHR or enforceable EU law rights.</p><p>The Home Office has created and issued guidance about the EUSS to help LAs and HSCTs understand their responsibilities for supporting looked after children and care leavers and how to apply. The EUSS has been designed to be as simple as possible, but we have committed to working with applicants, and those supporting them, to ensure they obtain the status they need where required. The guidance is clear that where necessary, because of case complexity, or if there is any doubt about how to proceed, that the LA or HSCT may consider obtaining independent legal advice, in line with their own organisation’s processes and policies.</p><p><br>Some of the voluntary and community organisations who receive support from the grant funding will also be able to provide legal advice.</p><p>Swiss citizens continue to enjoy the same rights and status as EEA citizens while the UK remains a member of the EU. Like EEA citizens, they can protect those rights and obtain a permanent UK immigration status by applying to the EUSS by 31 December 2020.</p><p>In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal eligible EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members, resident in the UK by the date that the UK leaves the EU, will have until 31 December 2020 to make an application to the EUSS. However, the Government has confirmed that it will take a proportionate approach to those that miss the deadline and make provision for those with a good reason for missing it to apply later. A child whose parent or guardian fail to make an application on their behalf would meet this criteria.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 244111 244112 244113 244115 244116 244117 244119 244120 244121 question first answered 24/04/2019 12:05:59 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

1121477

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: EU Nationals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of how much it will cost local authorities to implement his Department's document entitled EU Settlement Scheme: Looked After Children and Care Leavers. Local Authority and Health and Social Care Trusts Guidance.
	tabling member constituency	South Shields
	tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
	uin	244117
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office has put in place a comprehensive vulnerability strategy to ensure that the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is accessible for all, including children in care.</p><p><br>The Home office has been engaging with relevant stakeholders such as the Department for Education, Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Children’s Services to assess the needs of this group and ensure they are supported.</p><p><br>For England, Scotland and Wales local authorities (LAs) and for Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) will have responsibility in ensuring that applications are made on behalf of all looked after children for whom they have full parental responsibility and who are EEA citizens or family members and to assist with accessing services with status once granted.</p><p>If the child is cared for under shared care provisions, then it is LAs and HSCTs responsibility to ensure that the child, and their carers, are aware of the need to make an application to the EUSS, signposting and pointing them to practical support where needed.</p><p>LAs and HSCTs also have continuing duties to support care leavers and therefore have the responsibility to identify those eligible to apply to EUSS and to ensure that they make an application. Making an application to EUSS for those who are eligible and to keep an adequate record of applications and status granted should form part of the necessary pathway planning for care leavers ordinarily carried out by LAs and HSCTs in the discharge of their duties.</p><p>A child does not require consent from an adult in order to apply and can make their own application. However, children who have failed to make an application by the deadline as a result of a parent or guardian having failed to submit an application on their behalf would meet the criteria for being permissible to submit a late application.</p><p>It is not possible to apply for British citizenship under the EUSS. There is no requirement for any local authority to make an application for British citizenship on behalf of a looked after child: EEA and Swiss children, and the non-EEA children of EEA and Swiss citizens, can obtain the status they need to remain in the UK by making a free application to the EUSS. As there is no need for LAs or HSCTs to make applications for citizenship there is no reason why any of the costs of doing so should be incurred, unless the LA or HSCT voluntarily chooses to do so.</p><p>Obtaining identity documents should be a familiar process for LAs and HSCT due to these documents being required in other circumstances.</p><p><br>The Home Office has introduced a range of support including up to £9 mil-lion grant funding for voluntary and community organisations, assisted digital support and support via the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre.</p><p><br>A New Burdens Assessment has also been produced in collaboration with key stakeholders representing local authorities and children’s social services to ensure they are funded to identify and support eligible EEA children and family members in care.</p><p><br>The EUSS has been designed to be streamlined and user-friendly, and the majority of applicants will be able to apply without the need for general advice from a lawyer on rights to enter or remain required as a result of the Bill.</p><p>As the scheme is free to apply and simple to navigate, it is not anticipated that applicants will need legal aid but it will be available to some particularly vulnerable individuals. Legislation will also be introduced to bring immigration matters for separated migrant children into the scope of legal aid, meaning this group will get support in securing their immigration rights. Legal aid may also be available through the Exceptional Case Funding scheme where a failure to provide legal aid would breach, or risk breaching, ECHR or enforceable EU law rights.</p><p>The Home Office has created and issued guidance about the EUSS to help LAs and HSCTs understand their responsibilities for supporting looked after children and care leavers and how to apply. The EUSS has been designed to be as simple as possible, but we have committed to working with applicants, and those supporting them, to ensure they obtain the status they need where required. The guidance is clear that where necessary, because of case complexity, or if there is any doubt about how to proceed, that the LA or HSCT may consider obtaining independent legal advice, in line with their own organisation’s processes and policies.</p><p><br>Some of the voluntary and community organisations who receive support from the grant funding will also be able to provide legal advice.</p><p>Swiss citizens continue to enjoy the same rights and status as EEA citizens while the UK remains a member of the EU. Like EEA citizens, they can protect those rights and obtain a permanent UK immigration status by applying to the EUSS by 31 December 2020.</p><p>In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal eligible EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members, resident in the UK by the date that the UK leaves the EU, will have until 31 December 2020 to make an application to the EUSS. However, the Government has confirmed that it will take a proportionate approach to those that miss the deadline and make provision for those with a good reason for missing it to apply later. A child whose parent or guardian fail to make an application on their behalf would meet this criteria.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 244111 244112 244113 244114 244115 244116 244119 244120 244121 question first answered 24/04/2019 12:05:59 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

1121476

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: EU Nationals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much additional funding and support his Department has allocated to local authorities to implement the EU Settlement Scheme: Looked After Children and Care Leavers - Local Authority and Health and Social Care Trusts Guidance.
	tabling member constituency	South Shields
	tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
	uin	244116
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office has put in place a comprehensive vulnerability strategy to ensure that the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is accessible for all, including children in care.</p><p><br>The Home office has been engaging with relevant stakeholders such as the Department for Education, Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Children’s Services to assess the needs of this group and ensure they are supported.</p><p><br>For England, Scotland and Wales local authorities (LAs) and for Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) will have responsibility in ensuring that applications are made on behalf of all looked after children for whom they have full parental responsibility and who are EEA citizens or family members and to assist with accessing services with status once granted.</p><p>If the child is cared for under shared care provisions, then it is LAs and HSCTs responsibility to ensure that the child, and their carers, are aware of the need to make an application to the EUSS, signposting and pointing them to practical support where needed.</p><p>LAs and HSCTs also have continuing duties to support care leavers and therefore have the responsibility to identify those eligible to apply to EUSS and to ensure that they make an application. Making an application to EUSS for those who are eligible and to keep an adequate record of applications and status granted should form part of the necessary pathway planning for care leavers ordinarily carried out by LAs and HSCTs in the discharge of their duties.</p><p>A child does not require consent from an adult in order to apply and can make their own application. However, children who have failed to make an application by the deadline as a result of a parent or guardian having failed to submit an application on their behalf would meet the criteria for being permissible to submit a late application.</p><p>It is not possible to apply for British citizenship under the EUSS. There is no requirement for any local authority to make an application for British citizenship on behalf of a looked after child: EEA and Swiss children, and the non-EEA children of EEA and Swiss citizens, can obtain the status they need to remain in the UK by making a free application to the EUSS. As there is no need for LAs or HSCTs to make applications for citizenship there is no reason why any of the costs of doing so should be incurred, unless the LA or HSCT voluntarily chooses to do so.</p><p>Obtaining identity documents should be a familiar process for LAs and HSCT due to these documents being required in other circumstances.</p><p><br>The Home Office has introduced a range of support including up to £9 mil-lion grant funding for voluntary and community organisations, assisted digital support and support via the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre.</p><p><br>A New Burdens Assessment has also been produced in collaboration with key stakeholders representing local authorities and children’s social services to ensure they are funded to identify and support eligible EEA children and family members in care.</p><p><br>The EUSS has been designed to be streamlined and user-friendly, and the majority of applicants will be able to apply without the need for general advice from a lawyer on rights to enter or remain required as a result of the Bill.</p><p>As the scheme is free to apply and simple to navigate, it is not anticipated that applicants will need legal aid but it will be available to some particularly vulnerable individuals. Legislation will also be introduced to bring immigration matters for separated migrant children into the scope of legal aid, meaning this group will get support in securing their immigration rights. Legal aid may also be available through the Exceptional Case Funding scheme where a failure to provide legal aid would breach, or risk breaching, ECHR or enforceable EU law rights.</p><p>The Home Office has created and issued guidance about the EUSS to help LAs and HSCTs understand their responsibilities for supporting looked after children and care leavers and how to apply. The EUSS has been designed to be as simple as possible, but we have committed to working with applicants, and those supporting them, to ensure they obtain the status they need where required. The guidance is clear that where necessary, because of case complexity, or if there is any doubt about how to proceed, that the LA or HSCT may consider obtaining independent legal advice, in line with their own organisation’s processes and policies.</p><p><br>Some of the voluntary and community organisations who receive support from the grant funding will also be able to provide legal advice.</p><p>Swiss citizens continue to enjoy the same rights and status as EEA citizens while the UK remains a member of the EU. Like EEA citizens, they can protect those rights and obtain a permanent UK immigration status by applying to the EUSS by 31 December 2020.</p><p>In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal eligible EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members, resident in the UK by the date that the UK leaves the EU, will have until 31 December 2020 to make an application to the EUSS. However, the Government has confirmed that it will take a proportionate approach to those that miss the deadline and make provision for those with a good reason for missing it to apply later. A child whose parent or guardian fail to make an application on their behalf would meet this criteria.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 244111 244112 244113 244114 244115 244117 244119 244120 244121 question first answered 24/04/2019 12:05:59 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

1121471

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: EU Nationals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons his Department's document entitled EU Settlement Scheme: Looked After Children and Care Leavers - Local Authority and Health and Social Care Trusts Guidance, does not include information about the Legal Aid Agency’s ability to grant exceptional case funding; and what legal aid will be provided to the local authority and children under that scheme.
	tabling member constituency	South Shields
	tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
	uin	244115
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office has put in place a comprehensive vulnerability strategy to ensure that the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is accessible for all, including children in care.</p><p><br>The Home office has been engaging with relevant stakeholders such as the Department for Education, Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Children’s Services to assess the needs of this group and ensure they are supported.</p><p><br>For England, Scotland and Wales local authorities (LAs) and for Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) will have responsibility in ensuring that applications are made on behalf of all looked after children for whom they have full parental responsibility and who are EEA citizens or family members and to assist with accessing services with status once granted.</p><p>If the child is cared for under shared care provisions, then it is LAs and HSCTs responsibility to ensure that the child, and their carers, are aware of the need to make an application to the EUSS, signposting and pointing them to practical support where needed.</p><p>LAs and HSCTs also have continuing duties to support care leavers and therefore have the responsibility to identify those eligible to apply to EUSS and to ensure that they make an application. Making an application to EUSS for those who are eligible and to keep an adequate record of applications and status granted should form part of the necessary pathway planning for care leavers ordinarily carried out by LAs and HSCTs in the discharge of their duties.</p><p>A child does not require consent from an adult in order to apply and can make their own application. However, children who have failed to make an application by the deadline as a result of a parent or guardian having failed to submit an application on their behalf would meet the criteria for being permissible to submit a late application.</p><p>It is not possible to apply for British citizenship under the EUSS. There is no requirement for any local authority to make an application for British citizenship on behalf of a looked after child: EEA and Swiss children, and the non-EEA children of EEA and Swiss citizens, can obtain the status they need to remain in the UK by making a free application to the EUSS. As there is no need for LAs or HSCTs to make applications for citizenship there is no reason why any of the costs of doing so should be incurred, unless the LA or HSCT voluntarily chooses to do so.</p><p>Obtaining identity documents should be a familiar process for LAs and HSCT due to these documents being required in other circumstances.</p><p><br>The Home Office has introduced a range of support including up to £9 mil-lion grant funding for voluntary and community organisations, assisted digital support and support via the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre.</p><p><br>A New Burdens Assessment has also been produced in collaboration with key stakeholders representing local authorities and children’s social services to ensure they are funded to identify and support eligible EEA children and family members in care.</p><p><br>The EUSS has been designed to be streamlined and user-friendly, and the majority of applicants will be able to apply without the need for general advice from a lawyer on rights to enter or remain required as a result of the Bill.</p><p>As the scheme is free to apply and simple to navigate, it is not anticipated that applicants will need legal aid but it will be available to some particularly vulnerable individuals. Legislation will also be introduced to bring immigration matters for separated migrant children into the scope of legal aid, meaning this group will get support in securing their immigration rights. Legal aid may also be available through the Exceptional Case Funding scheme where a failure to provide legal aid would breach, or risk breaching, ECHR or enforceable EU law rights.</p><p>The Home Office has created and issued guidance about the EUSS to help LAs and HSCTs understand their responsibilities for supporting looked after children and care leavers and how to apply. The EUSS has been designed to be as simple as possible, but we have committed to working with applicants, and those supporting them, to ensure they obtain the status they need where required. The guidance is clear that where necessary, because of case complexity, or if there is any doubt about how to proceed, that the LA or HSCT may consider obtaining independent legal advice, in line with their own organisation’s processes and policies.</p><p><br>Some of the voluntary and community organisations who receive support from the grant funding will also be able to provide legal advice.</p><p>Swiss citizens continue to enjoy the same rights and status as EEA citizens while the UK remains a member of the EU. Like EEA citizens, they can protect those rights and obtain a permanent UK immigration status by applying to the EUSS by 31 December 2020.</p><p>In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal eligible EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members, resident in the UK by the date that the UK leaves the EU, will have until 31 December 2020 to make an application to the EUSS. However, the Government has confirmed that it will take a proportionate approach to those that miss the deadline and make provision for those with a good reason for missing it to apply later. A child whose parent or guardian fail to make an application on their behalf would meet this criteria.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 244111 244112 244113 244114 244116 244117 244119 244120 244121 question first answered 24/04/2019 12:05:59 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

1121485

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: Switzerland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the status of children who are Swiss nationals and either in care orders or are care leavers.
	tabling member constituency	South Shields
	tabling member printed	Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
	uin	244121
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office has put in place a comprehensive vulnerability strategy to ensure that the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is accessible for all, including children in care.</p><p><br>The Home office has been engaging with relevant stakeholders such as the Department for Education, Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Children’s Services to assess the needs of this group and ensure they are supported.</p><p><br>For England, Scotland and Wales local authorities (LAs) and for Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) will have responsibility in ensuring that applications are made on behalf of all looked after children for whom they have full parental responsibility and who are EEA citizens or family members and to assist with accessing services with status once granted.</p><p>If the child is cared for under shared care provisions, then it is LAs and HSCTs responsibility to ensure that the child, and their carers, are aware of the need to make an application to the EUSS, signposting and pointing them to practical support where needed.</p><p>LAs and HSCTs also have continuing duties to support care leavers and therefore have the responsibility to identify those eligible to apply to EUSS and to ensure that they make an application. Making an application to EUSS for those who are eligible and to keep an adequate record of applications and status granted should form part of the necessary pathway planning for care leavers ordinarily carried out by LAs and HSCTs in the discharge of their duties.</p><p>A child does not require consent from an adult in order to apply and can make their own application. However, children who have failed to make an application by the deadline as a result of a parent or guardian having failed to submit an application on their behalf would meet the criteria for being permissible to submit a late application.</p><p>It is not possible to apply for British citizenship under the EUSS. There is no requirement for any local authority to make an application for British citizenship on behalf of a looked after child: EEA and Swiss children, and the non-EEA children of EEA and Swiss citizens, can obtain the status they need to remain in the UK by making a free application to the EUSS. As there is no need for LAs or HSCTs to make applications for citizenship there is no reason why any of the costs of doing so should be incurred, unless the LA or HSCT voluntarily chooses to do so.</p><p>Obtaining identity documents should be a familiar process for LAs and HSCT due to these documents being required in other circumstances.</p><p><br>The Home Office has introduced a range of support including up to £9 mil-lion grant funding for voluntary and community organisations, assisted digital support and support via the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre.</p><p><br>A New Burdens Assessment has also been produced in collaboration with key stakeholders representing local authorities and children’s social services to ensure they are funded to identify and support eligible EEA children and family members in care.</p><p><br>The EUSS has been designed to be streamlined and user-friendly, and the majority of applicants will be able to apply without the need for general advice from a lawyer on rights to enter or remain required as a result of the Bill.</p><p>As the scheme is free to apply and simple to navigate, it is not anticipated that applicants will need legal aid but it will be available to some particularly vulnerable individuals. Legislation will also be introduced to bring immigration matters for separated migrant children into the scope of legal aid, meaning this group will get support in securing their immigration rights. Legal aid may also be available through the Exceptional Case Funding scheme where a failure to provide legal aid would breach, or risk breaching, ECHR or enforceable EU law rights.</p><p>The Home Office has created and issued guidance about the EUSS to help LAs and HSCTs understand their responsibilities for supporting looked after children and care leavers and how to apply. The EUSS has been designed to be as simple as possible, but we have committed to working with applicants, and those supporting them, to ensure they obtain the status they need where required. The guidance is clear that where necessary, because of case complexity, or if there is any doubt about how to proceed, that the LA or HSCT may consider obtaining independent legal advice, in line with their own organisation’s processes and policies.</p><p><br>Some of the voluntary and community organisations who receive support from the grant funding will also be able to provide legal advice.</p><p>Swiss citizens continue to enjoy the same rights and status as EEA citizens while the UK remains a member of the EU. Like EEA citizens, they can protect those rights and obtain a permanent UK immigration status by applying to the EUSS by 31 December 2020.</p><p>In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal eligible EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members, resident in the UK by the date that the UK leaves the EU, will have until 31 December 2020 to make an application to the EUSS. However, the Government has confirmed that it will take a proportionate approach to those that miss the deadline and make provision for those with a good reason for missing it to apply later. A child whose parent or guardian fail to make an application on their behalf would meet this criteria.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 244111 244112 244113 244114 244115 244116 244117 244119 244120 question first answered 24/04/2019 12:05:59 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4277 label Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck