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1192234

registered interest
date	01/05/2020
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the number of UK citizens stranded abroad due to the covid-19 pandemic; and where those citizens are located.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Amy Callaghan
uin	42195
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2020 answer text <p>The welfare of British nationals remains our top priority, and we remain committed to ensuring that British travellers around the globe are able to return home. Since the outbreak in Wuhan, we estimate that over 1.3 million people have returned to the UK via commercial routes - the majority supported by our work with airlines and foreign governments to keep vital routes open. We have now brought back more than 25,000 people on 123 flights organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 24 different countries and territories.</p><p>We are aware that the number of British nationals remaining overseas is now in the low tens of thousands and our effort is focused on supporting their return as quickly and safely as possible. Over the next week we will return thousands more British nationals on charter flights from India, Nigeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Colombia, Guyana, Honduras, Ghana, Pakistan, Nigeria, and New Zealand.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 07/05/2020 14:55:54 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4770 label Biography information for Amy Callaghan

1190174

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Migrant Workers: Coronavirus
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 allow people who have the ability to work on their current visa but have no access to public funds to be temporarily granted access to public funds for income during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Amy Callaghan
uin	39761
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office is working closely with other government departments to support people, including migrants with no recourse to public funds, through this crisis. We are taking a compassionate and pragmatic approach to an unprecedented situation are continually reviewing to consider what more can be done.</p><p>Migrants with leave under the Family and Human Rights routes can apply to have the NRPF restriction lifted by making a ‘change of conditions’ application if there has been a change in their financial circumstances. The Home Office has recently digitised the application form to make sure it is accessible for those who need to remain at home, and I can assure you that the applications are being dealt with swiftly and compassionately.</p><p>Many of the wide-ranging Covid-19 measures the government has put in place are not public funds and therefore are available to migrants with no recourse to public funds (NRPF). The Coronavirus job retention scheme, self-employment income support and statutory sick pay are not classed as public funds for immigration purposes. Contribution-based benefits are also not classed as public funds for immigration purposes. Similarly, the support the Government is providing to the rented sector and in respect of mortgages is available to all regardless of their immigration status.</p><p>In addition, the Government has made in excess of £3.2bn of funding available to local authorities in England and additional funding under the Barnett formula to the devolved administrations to enable them to respond to Covid-19 pressures across all the services they deliver, including services helping the most vulnerable.</p><p>More information on the support available to migrants, including those with NRPF, can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-get-support-if-youre-a-migrant-living-in-the-uk" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-get-support-if-youre-a-migrant-living-in-the-uk</a>.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 13/05/2020 14:42:28 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4770 label Biography information for Amy Callaghan

1190175

registered interest
date	24/04/2020
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Charities: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to publish further guidance for charities who are struggling financially due to the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Amy Callaghan
uin	39762
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2020 answer text <p>Many charities and social enterprises will benefit from the existing measures announced to support employers and businesses. Under these measures, like other businesses, charities can defer their VAT bills and pay no business rates for their shops next year. All charities are eligible for the job retention scheme and the right answer for many charities will be to furlough their employees with the government paying 80% of wages. The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply - <a href="https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support" target="_blank">https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support</a>.</p><p> </p><p>However, we know that some charities are providing critical services and wider support to vulnerable people and communities during the pandemic. They have never been more needed than they are now. On 8 April the Government announced a £750 million package of support for charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the Covid-19 crisis. This new package of support will enable such organisations to continue providing essential services to those most in need.</p><p> </p><p>Funding for charities is being made available and further information will be announced on Gov.uk. The Government’s aim is to get funding to those in greatest need as soon as possible.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 01/05/2020 14:15:38 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
tabling member	4770 label Biography information for Amy Callaghan

1140839

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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 many EU citizens (a) have been and (b) will be prevented from obtaining settled status due to the technical inability of the settlement scheme app to convert pre-settled status into settled status.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
uin	280173
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">The UK has a proud history of providing protection to those who need it. Each case is carefully considered on its individual facts and merits in accordance with our international obligations under the Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">Each individual assessment is made against the background of the latest available country of origin information and any relevant caselaw.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">Our assessment of the situation in Sudan is set out in the relevant country policy and information notes, which are available on the Gov.uk website.</del></p><p><del class="ministerial">Where someone establishes a well-founded fear of persecution or serious harm in their country they are normally granted protection and are not expected to return there.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">No EU citizens have been or will be prevented from obtaining settled status due to the technical inability of the EU Settlement Scheme app to convert pre-settled status to settled status. The online process which will allow an applicant to convert their pre-settled status to settled status is on track to be available from the end of July 2019. Currently, applicants who have obtained pre-settled status can make a fresh application to the scheme by contacting the Settlement Resolution Centre.</ins></p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 25/07/2019 15:38:07 question first ministerially corrected 26/07/2019 12:01:28 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes previous answer version 131307 answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1140840

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Organised Crime
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people involved in the criminal exploitation of vulnerable young people in county lines operations have been charged with modern slavery offences.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
uin	280174
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It is important that the police and local agencies have the powers they need to tackle local issues quickly and effectively. That is why we reformed the tools and powers available to tackle Anti-Social behaviour through the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.</del><del class="ministerial">In 2019/20 Lancashire Police are receiving £285.1 million of funding, an increase of £18.4 million, on 2018/19. Funding for 2020-21 for individual forces will be announced as part of the provisional police settlement later this year. Decisions about the allocation of police resources are for Chief Constables and democratically accountable Police and Crime Commissioners, who are best placed to meet the needs of their local community.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The police and Crown Prosecution Services (CPS) are responsible for charging decisions with regards to county lines related criminality. The key is that prosecutions are brought, and the charges should cover the full range of criminality involved including Modern Slavery offences.We are working with the police and the CPS to take full advantage of powers in the Modern Slavery Act when making charging decisions against county line gang members. The CPS have issued an overview of the approach to be taken in criminal investigations and prosecutions linked to ‘county lines’ offending, with a particular focus on the relevance of the Modern Slavery Act.</ins></p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 09/09/2019 15:12:13 question first ministerially corrected 09/09/2019 16:21:57 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins previous answer version 134815 answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1140841

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo: Ebola
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment he has made of the spread of Ebola to the city of Goma and the potential risk of the outbreak spreading to Rwanda.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
uin	280175
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2019 answer text <p>The spread of Ebola to Goma is deeply concerning. Goma’s position on the border increases the chance of Ebola spreading to Rwanda.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is a leading donor to the Ebola response in DRC and has played a pivotal role in helping neighbouring countries like Rwanda prepare. On 15 July, DFID announced that the UK would provide up to a further £50 million to the response to December 2019. UK Aid is supporting a range of activities, including the construction of screening facilities at border crossings and the vaccination of health workers in DRC and the region.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 05/08/2019 16:20:34 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1140842

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo: Ebola
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department is taking to overcome the (a) local mistrust of health officials and (b) militia violence which have impeded efforts to prevent the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo from spreading further.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
uin	280176
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2019 answer text <p>The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the second largest in history and the first in a conflict zone. The UK has been a major supporter of the response since the start, providing funding, technical expertise, and political support.</p><p> </p><p>The response has been hampered by repeated attacks against health workers and health facilities. Improving community trust and ownership are essential to getting the outbreak under control. UK funding supports community engagement and working with local leaders and religious groups to foster trust and ownership. It supports efforts to understand community concerns better and feed this understanding back into the response. Examples include employing people who have recovered from Ebola to talk to communities about the health care they received as a way to build community trust in health workers.</p><p> </p><p>The UK and other donors are also supporting the UN to strengthen security in Ebola affected areas to protect both communities and response workers.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 05/08/2019 16:23:17 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1140843

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Sudan
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 viability of return to Sudan for people from Darfur or Nuba ethnicities.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
uin	280177
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK has a proud history of providing protection to those who need it. Each case is carefully considered on its individual facts and merits in accordance with our international obligations under the Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).</p><p>Each individual assessment is made against the background of the latest available country of origin information and any relevant caselaw.</p><p>Our assessment of the situation in Sudan is set out in the relevant country policy and information notes, which are available on the Gov.uk website.</p><p>Where someone establishes a well-founded fear of persecution or serious harm in their country they are normally granted protection and are not expected to return there.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 25/07/2019 15:47:35 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1140844

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Somalia: Military Intervention
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterparts on (a) the accuracy of its reporting of civilian casualties due to US drone strikes and (b) the lasting effect of US drone strikes on civilian populations in Somalia.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
uin	280178
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State will build on the work of his predecessor and continue to have regular engagement with his US counterpart on counter-terrorism activities. We have not sought to make an independent assessment of the accuracy or impact of US strikes in Somalia; this would be challenging, given the difficult security environment. The main cause of civilian casualties in Somalia is the insurgency and indiscriminate terrorist activity of Al-Shabaab. Support from the US and others to the Federal Government of Somalia's efforts to counter terrorism is critical to limiting Al-Shabaab's capability to inflict harm.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 30/07/2019 14:57:41 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson

1140845

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Italy: Shipping
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Italian counterpart on (a) the seizure of international NGO vessels and (b) its potential violations of international maritime law.
tabling member constituency	East Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Jo Swinson
uin	280179
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2019 answer text <p>The United Kingdom and Italy participate frequently in discussions on Mediterranean migration, most recently at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 15 July, the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 18 July, and at an informal Ministerial meeting hosted by France on 22 July. These discussions include the role of NGO-operated Search and Rescue vessels and relevant international maritime law. There are divergent views amongst EU member States. The United Kingdom supports a predictable mechanism for the disembarkation and relocation of rescued migrants, and for all signatories to meet their obligations under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.</p> answering member constituency Tamworth answering member printed Christopher Pincher question first answered 31/07/2019 12:44:55 answering member 4075 label Biography information for Christopher Pincher
tabling member	1513 label Biography information for Jo Swinson