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747446

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2017
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government how many Iraqi refugees they have resettled since 2014 under (1) the Vulnerable Children's Resettlement Scheme (VCRS), and (2) other global resettlement schemes such as Gateway and Mandate.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL410
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2017 answer text <p>The Home Office is committed to publishing data in an orderly way as part of the regular quarterly Immigration Statistics, in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. The Government has committed to resettling to the UK up to 3,000 individuals under the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme (VCRS). Data on the number of people who have been resettled under this scheme will be published in future releases of the Home Office’s immigration quarterly statistics. Latest statistics published on 25 May confirmed that a total of 360 Iraqis have been resettled to the UK under the Gateway scheme, and 18 under the Mandate scheme, during the period 1 January 2014 until 31 March 2017.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 14/07/2017 12:14:59 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

1203114

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

1203115

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

1203116

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2020
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: Commonwealth
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of oversight of sanctions, including denial of employment, health services, benefits and housing, to Commonwealth Citizens who do not have correct documentation but who have (1) right of abode or (2) right to remain in the UK.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL5625
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government is committed to a firm, fair and humane immigration policy which distinguishes effectively between those with lawful status and those here illegally.</p><p> </p><p>In common with other comparable countries, the UK has in place a framework of laws, policies and administrative arrangements, introduced under successive governments, ensuring access to work, benefits and services is permitted for those with the right access to them. Key measures were the subject of public consultations and/or impact assessments before they were introduced.</p><p> </p><p>Eligibility checks are based on checking lawful status and eligibility, not the nationality of those accessing work and key services. We have introduced additional safeguards to ensure that those who are lawfully present in the UK are not disadvantaged by our measures. These include additional support within the checking services provided to employers, landlords and public service providers and temporary restrictions on the parameters of proactive data-sharing, to ensure members of the Windrush generation are not wrongly impacted.</p><p> </p><p>As the Home Secretary said in her statement to Parliament on 23 June, the Government accepts the findings and recommendations in the Windrush Lessons Learned Review report in full, including those relating to measures designed to regulate access to work, benefits and services.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 30/06/2020 10:49:20 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

750574

	registered interest
	date	11/07/2017
	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	Housing
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in Iraq and Syria to discharge the responsibility set out by Mark Field MP, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on 4 July (HC Deb Col. 21WH) for "protecting and upholding the rights of Christian communities across the globe."
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL706
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2017 answer text <p>In Syria we are providing a range of support, including to the moderate opposition, to help save lives, bolster civil society, counter extremism, promote human rights and accountability, and lay the foundations for a more peaceful future. To date, this amounts to over £120 million, with a further £30 million to bolster regional stability.</p><p>In Iraq we are promoting the right to freedom of religion or belief for all religious communities. We urge the Government of Iraq at senior levels to uphold the rights of all minorities. In addition, we support projects on community dialogue with civil society and faith groups. For example, through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Magna Carta Fund, we have contributed £163,000 to support a project across several countries in the Middle East, including Iraq, to promote legal and social protection for freedom of religion or belief. This project aims to prevent intolerance and violence towards religious communities by inspiring leaders in Iraqi society to defend freedom of religion or belief.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/07/2017 13:58:27 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

750571

	registered interest
	date	11/07/2017
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Refugees: Syria
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of Iraqi refugees that have fled Daesh in Syria who are now eligible for ressetlement under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL703
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2017 answer text <p>The extended scope of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme will make it accessible to the most vulnerable refugees in the Middle East and North Africa<em> </em>region who have fled the Syrian conflict, regardless of their nationality. This may include Iraqi refugees, if they are genuine refugees and cannot seek the protection of their country of origin.</p><p> </p><p>There is no current estimate on the number Iraqi refugees that are now eligible. We will continue to rely on UNHCR to identify and refer the most vulnerable refugees.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 17/07/2017 11:38:34 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

750572

	registered interest
	date	11/07/2017
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Unmanned Air Vehicles
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of Iraqis that have fled Daesh in Iraq who are now refugees in countries bordering Syria.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL704
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>As of July, the UN estimates that 257,476 Iraqi refugees who have fled Daesh are hosted in countries in the region such as Turkey and Jordan. Most people who have fled Daesh in Iraq are internally displaced; currently over 3 million Iraqis are internally displaced within Iraq.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 18/07/2017 16:14:37 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

750573

	registered interest
	date	11/07/2017
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Unmanned Air Vehicles
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government whether they have made any representations to the UNHCR concerning that agency's understanding of vulnerability, with a view to redefining that definition to include religion as one of the criteria used to identify those refugees most in need of assistance.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL705
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>Our humanitarian aid operates under International Humanitarian Law and is provided based on need. As such it is available to people of all faiths and of none. All our partners carry out comprehensive vulnerability assessments to ensure aid is reaching those most in need, including those from religious minorities as it is already recognised that religion may be a factor in causing vulnerability. DFID and UK missions overseas have regular conversations with UNHCR on these matters.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 18/07/2017 16:15:06 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

1203113

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

750575

	registered interest
	date	11/07/2017
	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	Housing: Taxation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Mark Field MP, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on 4 July (HC Deb. Cols 21–23WH) concerning the "special responsibility for protecting and upholding the rights of Christian communities across the globe" and the ring-fencing of humanitarian assisstance to help protect displaced minorities, whether they will institute a programme for the secure restoration of Christian communities and other minorities in Iraq.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL707
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2017 answer text <p>Iraqi Christians have deep and ancient ties to the region. It is a tragedy that so many have been forced to flee their homes and been subjected to such appalling human rights abuses. We want to see Christians and other minorities continuing to live, worship and prosper in Iraq and across the Middle East.</p><p>To this end, we are providing £209.5 million in humanitarian aid to all those who have been affected by conflict in Iraq. The funding provides clean water, sanitation, essential medicines and other life-saving assistance. We are also providing over £15 million towards UN efforts to stabilise areas liberated from Daesh. In addition, through the UK's Conflict, Security and Stability Fund we are supporting community cohesion, encouraging reconciliation and promoting acceptance and tolerance between communities. We also continue to encourage political and religious leaders in Iraq to speak out publicly to condemn violence and we are working to build international consensus on upholding freedom of religion or belief.</p><p>UK funded aid is provided on the basis of need to ensure civilians are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, or ethnicity.</p><p>Ultimately, the best way of safeguarding Christian and other minority communities in Iraq is to establish lasting peace. That means defeating Daesh and helping the Government of Iraq to deliver political reform and reconciliation.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/07/2017 13:59:32 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark