The Government is committed to tackling modern slavery, and drug and firearms trafficking.<\/p>
Our response to these threats is set out in:<\/p>
This year, the Home Office is providing £2 million funding to continue to support the police under the new Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Programme (MSOIC). This funding will enable us to support the police to drive forward work to increase modern slavery prosecutions and build capability to respond to organised immigration crime.<\/p>
We are also investing £25m over two years (2019/20 to 2020/21) to boost law enforcement efforts to tackle the county lines model of drugs distribution, including through expanding the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre (NCLCC), boosting operational activity in the three major exporting force areas (the Metropolitan Police, Merseyside, West Midlands), and increasing support for victims.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4399", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Victoria Atkins"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Louth and Horncastle"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Victoria Atkins"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-11-05T12:51:55.197Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Human Trafficking: Organised Crime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps her Department has taken to address trafficking gangs in the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"} ], "uin" : "106348"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1240100", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1240100/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
On Friday 28 August, the Government introduced legislation to provide the police in England and Wales powers to issue a £10,000 FPN to anyone holding, or involved in the holding of, an illegal gathering of over 30 people.<\/p>
<\/p>
Police forces also have the power to direct rave goers to leave, and failure to comply with this direction constitutes a criminal offence. Individuals who attend illegal raves can be fined £200, doubling with each offence up to a maximum of £6,400.<\/p>
<\/p>
Forces continue to work hard to gather and share intelligence in order to detect and disrupt unlicensed music events which are purposely organised at short notice to avoid detection, and continue to engage, explain, encourage, and enforce these fines where necessary.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4495", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kit Malthouse"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North West Hampshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kit Malthouse"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-10-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-10-08T14:59:14.437Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-10-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Raves: Coronavirus"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to help prevent illegal raves during the covid-19 outbreak.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"} ], "uin" : "98967"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1237107", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1237107/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government takes the threat posed by hostile state activity extremely seriously, and seeks to protect the UK through strategies and structures that combine the UK\u2019s diplomatic, intelligence and military capabilities, and its hard and soft power, to maximum effect. We act in concert with our allies, seeking to lead the West\u2019s collective response to hybrid threats to our societies and values. And as set out in the Queen\u2019s Speech in December 2019, we are developing new legislation to tackle hostile state activity.<\/p>
Decisions on the recruitment of officers across England and Wales are for the chief officer of the police force concerned to make, on a case by case basis. These decisions must be taken in accordance with the statutory Code of Practice on Vetting and Authorised Professional Practice (APP) on vetting, which are issued by the College of Policing.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1530", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for James Brokenshire"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Old Bexley and Sidcup"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "James Brokenshire"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-10-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-10-01T16:17:15.29Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Police: Espionage"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies on preventing infiltration of the police by foreign intelligence agents of the charges brought against a New York City Police Department officer for spying on Tibetan immigrants for the Chinese Government.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"} ], "uin" : "94424"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1236711", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1236711/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Police forces are designated First Responders and are trained to spot the signs of modern slavery, and on how to refer potential victims into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM); the UK\u2019s system for identifying and supporting victims.<\/p>
Support to victims of modern slavery is a devolved matter. In England and Wales, potential victims of modern slavery are supported through a mixture of mainstream support and specialist support through the Victim Care Contract delivered by The Salvation Army. In Northern Ireland, Belfast & Lisburn Women\u2019s Aid and Migrant Help are the two specialist support providers, contracted by the Department of Justice.<\/p>
In terms of the practical support on offer, potential adult victims can receive accommodation, financial support, assistance in accessing mental and physical health care including counselling, and access to legal support, compensation and protective measures in court to enable them to support the Government in prosecuting their exploiters. This support provision is replicated in Northern Ireland.<\/p>
A new Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract was awarded in June for services across England and Wales. During the first year of the contract the government will work with law enforcement partners to test the set-up and operation of a new provision of Places of Safety. The service is aimed at the most vulnerable victims rescued from exploitation and will provide them with a safe place\u202ffor up to\u202fthree\u202fworking days\u202fto consider if they want to enter\u202fthe NRM.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4399", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Victoria Atkins"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Louth and Horncastle"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Victoria Atkins"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-09-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-09-30T15:33:57.023Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Slavery: Victim Support Schemes"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken to provide practical support to people discovered in modern slavery rings by police sting operations.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"} ], "uin" : "93596"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1236254", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1236254/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are introducing the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Visa to give BN(O) citizens and their dependants an opportunity to settle in the United Kingdom, in recognition of their historic ties to the UK and China\u2019s breech of its previous commitments through the introduction of new national security legislation.<\/p>
Many people in Hong Kong chose to register for BN(O) status, electing to retain their ties with the UK and a British Identity. However, a child born on or after 1 July 1997 to BN(O) parents would not have had the opportunity to be registered for BN(O) status. We do not wish to split family units and therefore the children of a BN(O) citizen who fall into this category and who form part of the same household will be able to apply for this Visa alongside their BN(O) parent.<\/p>
Individuals from Hong Kong not eligible for the specific route for British National (Overseas) will still be able to apply to come to the UK under the terms of the UK\u2019s new Points Based System, which will enable individuals to come to the UK in a wider range of professions than in the past. In addition, Hong Kong nationals aged between 18 and 30 are eligible to apply to the existing Youth Mobility Scheme, with 1000 places currently available each year.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4451", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Foster"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Torbay"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kevin Foster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-09-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-09-28T15:30:38.873Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Immigration: Hong Kong"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support Hong Kong citizens who are born after 1997 and do not qualify for BN(O) status.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"} ], "uin" : "92769"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1236255", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1236255/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
There is no provision within our Immigration Rules for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge.<\/p>
All asylum claims must be lodged in-country and we have no plans to amend this. However, all asylum claims made in the UK are judged on their individual merits. Asylum seekers have by definition applied for the right to remain and they will usually have the right to work and the right to study if certain conditions are met.<\/p>
The UK Government is introducing a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) citizens in Hong Kong, providing the opportunity for them and their family members to live, work and study in the UK. This follows the imposition by the Chinese Government of a national security law on Hong Kong, in breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, that restricts the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Philp"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon South"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Chris Philp"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-10-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-10-07T17:00:13.22Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Hong Kong"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support is available for Hong Kong citizens seeking asylum in the UK to apply for (a) the right to remain and (b) the right to work and study in the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"} ], "uin" : "92770"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226813", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226813/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Home Secretary has had no discussions with representatives of the Portuguese police concerning Operation Grange, the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.<\/p>
<\/p>
Police forces are independent of Government, its Ministers and officials and operational decisions relating to investigations, including liaison with international counterparts, are for forces to make.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4495", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kit Malthouse"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North West Hampshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kit Malthouse"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-09-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-09-07T10:26:56.327Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Madeleine McCann"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with representatives from the Portuguese police on the disappearance of Madeline McCann.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"} ], "uin" : "77616"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226885", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226885/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
All British Citizens have the right of abode, meaning they can freely enter and remain in the UK.<\/p>
For a non-EEA dependant, the family Immigration Rules already permit a non-EEA family member to accompany or join a British citizen to come to or remain in the UK. The family member (partner, parent, child, or adult dependent relative) must make a valid application and meet the requirements under Appendix FM. If successful, they are granted 33 months Entry Clearance on a route to Settlement.<\/p>
If necessary, consideration can also be given to granting leave outside the Immigration Rules on an exceptional basis \u2013 although such a consideration also requires a valid application to be made.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4451", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Foster"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Torbay"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kevin Foster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-09-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "77626"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-09-01T09:55:01.647Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Immigration: Hong Kong"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with the Foreign Secretary on the potential for non-Chinese ethnic minority British citizens resident in Hong Kong to relocate immediately to the UK with non-EEA national dependants.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"} ], "uin" : "77625"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226886", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226886/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
All British Citizens have the right of abode, meaning they can freely enter and remain in the UK.<\/p>
For a non-EEA dependant, the family Immigration Rules already permit a non-EEA family member to accompany or join a British citizen to come to or remain in the UK. The family member (partner, parent, child, or adult dependent relative) must make a valid application and meet the requirements under Appendix FM. If successful, they are granted 33 months Entry Clearance on a route to Settlement.<\/p>
If necessary, consideration can also be given to granting leave outside the Immigration Rules on an exceptional basis \u2013 although such a consideration also requires a valid application to be made.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4451", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Foster"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Torbay"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kevin Foster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-09-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "77625"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-09-01T09:55:01.707Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Immigration: Hong Kong"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that non-Chinese ethnic minority British citizens resident in Hong Kong are able to immediately relocate to the UK accompanied by non-EEA national dependants following the enactment of the national security law in Hong Kong.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"} ], "uin" : "77626"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226247", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1226247/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Home Secretary was pleased to recently announce details of the new immigration route for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) citizens, which can be found at:<\/p>