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1204220

registered interest
date	16/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	UK Visas and Immigration: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the capacity of UK Visa and Immigration services to process applications, following the suspension of the priority service and the closure of Sopra Steria and some VFS global visa application centres; what consideration they have given to the need to process applications from NHS staff before the suggested changeover date of 5 August; and when they expect a full service will resume.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5750
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2020 answer text <p>As UK Visas and Immigration begins to reopen its Visa Application Centres both in the UK and overseas, we are working closely with our partners to maximise the available capacity to service applicants in line with social distancing rules in each location.</p><p> </p><p>For those applicants who are due to start work in the NHS but who are unable to make their application from overseas due to the temporary closure of the Visa Application Centres, they should contact the UKVI NHS Team by emailing UKVINHSTeam@homeoffice.gov.uk and the team will seek to assist them.</p><p> </p><p>Applicants sponsored by the NHS who lodge an application in the UK under Tier 2 can begin work immediately while their application is under consideration.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the covid-19 outbreak, full details of which are published on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents. The department continues to monitor the situation closely and takes these exceptional circumstances into account.</p><p> </p><p>These are unprecedented times and further adjustments may be made to requirements where necessary and appropriate, to ensure people are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 30/06/2020 15:59:05 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1202065

registered interest
date	09/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Shukri Abdi
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to liaise with Manchester Police and the mayor of Greater Manchester to ensure that all possible action has been taken in the investigation of the death of Shukri Abdi.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5454
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2020 answer text <p>The tragic death of Shukri Abdi is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment at this time. Our thoughts remain with her family and friends at this difficult time.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 23/06/2020 15:03:27 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1200747

registered interest
date	04/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Nutrition
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 20 May (HL4160), whether a (1) breakfast of one slice of white bread with a small serving of butter and jam, and (2) dinner of chips, a slice of pizza without vegetables and a small serving of lettuce and half a tomato, reportedly served at Urban House Initial Accommodation Centre in Wakefield, meets the NHS Eatwell guidelines; and if so, what plans they have to review those guidelines.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5279
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government strongly refutes the inaccurate reporting in relation to the food available at Urban House in Wakefield and the Home Office is in regular dialogue with its service providers around the services provided in Initial Accommodation.</p><p>Residents at Urban House in Wakefield are provided with three meals a day and the menu in use has been approved by a dietician and aligns with the NHS Eatwell guidance. The menu presents a list of options from which residents can choose.</p><p>The menu has been checked to ensure it aligns with medical, cultural and religious requirements as is required under the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts. In addition to the main meals provided, additional food is available throughout the course of the day for the residents.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL5280 question first answered 18/06/2020 11:32:34 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1200748

registered interest
date	04/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Nutrition
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the availability of meals for those with specific diet requirements, in particular for those who (1) are pregnant, (2) have diabetes, and (3) have coeliac disease, at Urban House Initial Accommodation Centre in Wakefield; and what discussions they intend to have with that Centre about the provision of such meals.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5280
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government strongly refutes the inaccurate reporting in relation to the food available at Urban House in Wakefield and the Home Office is in regular dialogue with its service providers around the services provided in Initial Accommodation.</p><p>Residents at Urban House in Wakefield are provided with three meals a day and the menu in use has been approved by a dietician and aligns with the NHS Eatwell guidance. The menu presents a list of options from which residents can choose.</p><p>The menu has been checked to ensure it aligns with medical, cultural and religious requirements as is required under the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts. In addition to the main meals provided, additional food is available throughout the course of the day for the residents.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL5279 question first answered 18/06/2020 11:32:34 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1200749

registered interest
date	04/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Fires
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to undertake a programme to educate people about (1) the risks posed by, and (2) ways in which to prevent, wildfires, particularly those associated with barbecues.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5281
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2020 answer text <p>During the pandemic the Home Office has collaborated with the National Fire Chiefs Council through the Fire Kills campaign to raise awareness of pertinent fire safety messages. This has included messaging on outdoor and barbecue safety. Campaign material has been developed and made available online and to fire and rescue services to support local interventions.</p><p> </p><p>The Department of Food and Rural Affairs has engaged with the National Park Authorities and has been analysing their wildfire preparations to understand National Park Authorities capacity for dealing with the current challenges. It will consider what further actions are needed and review the current guidance on handling of wildfire risks from portable barbecues.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 18/06/2020 15:50:05 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1200266

registered interest
date	03/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Married People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government whether they intend (1) to reduce, (2) to waive, or (3) to eliminate, the minimum income requirement for UK citizens wishing to bring a foreign spouse or partner (and where relevant children) to the UK in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular for loss of income as a result of the lockdown to be accounted for in calculating the income requirement.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5156
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account.</p><p> </p><p>To ensure a spouse or partner and relevant dependent children applying for entry clearance, leave to remain or indefinite leave are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control, for the purpose of the minimum income requirement:</p><p> </p><ul><li>A temporary loss of employment income between 1 March and 31 July 2020 due to COVID-19, will be disregarded provided the requirement was met for at least six months up to March 2020.</li><li>An applicant or sponsor furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be deemed as earning 100% of their salary.</li><li>A temporary loss of annual income due to COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 will generally be disregarded for self-employment income, along with the impact on employment income from the same period for future applications. Income received via the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will also be taken into account.</li><li>Evidential flexibility may be applied where an applicant or sponsor experiences difficulty accessing specified evidence due to COVID-19 restrictions.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The minimum income requirement can also be met in several ways in addition to or instead of income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account, together with cash savings.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 18/06/2020 11:03:02 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1197848

registered interest
date	21/05/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Finance
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to (1) maintain the extension of housing provision for newly recognised refugees to three months, introduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a permanent measure, and (2) ensure financial support for such refugees whilst they wait for receipt of Universal Credit payments.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4813
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2020 answer text <p>As part of the Government’s response to the pandemic, newly recognised refugees are not currently being asked to leave asylum accommodation. We will be reviewing the policy before the end of June, but there are no plans to make the arrangement permanent. When normal arrangements resume, the refugees will receive notice that they are no longer eligible to receive asylum support after a 28 days “grace period” and assisted to transition to mainstream benefits and housing services if they wish to apply for them.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 04/06/2020 13:36:49 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1193968

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Nutrition
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether meals provided for asylum seekers in temporary accommodation must meet the guidelines set out in the NHS Eatwell Guide.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4160
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>Meals provided in all catered asylum accommodation facilities meet the NHS Eatwell guide.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 20/05/2020 16:24:37 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1193313

registered interest
date	05/05/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, during the COVID-19 pandemic, they will suspend the return of refugees arriving on UK territory to northern France.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL3854
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK does not return those refugees who have been granted refugee status in the UK to France or elsewhere. We do, however, return asylum seekers who are yet to have a decision on their asylum claim in the UK to ensure their claim is considered in the right place. This may be to France or other states who participate in the Dublin Regulation.</p><p>During the Covid-19 pandemic, we continue to comply with the Dublin Regulation and remain committed to ensuring transfers continue to and from the UK. This is a fast-changing situation and we, along with other countries across Europe, will be subject to wider Government decisions and travel restrictions.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 22/05/2020 10:19:08 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1193314

registered interest
date	05/05/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Refugees: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure that refugees at the UK-France border belonging to at-risk groups, including (1) victims of trafficking, (2) unaccompanied minors, (3) LGBTQ+ persons, (4) people with disabilities, and (5) victims of physical, mental or sexual abuse, can access the necessary protections.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL3855
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2020 answer text <p>The identification and relocation of vulnerable migrants on French territory remains the domestic responsibility of the French government, who are currently working to transfer those residing in camps into reception centres. At these centres, asylum claims can be lodged and any other welfare needs assessed. Since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown in France, over 600 migrants have been moved to accommodation centres to aid with social distancing measures. Within these centres, individuals are provided with medical and administrative support.</p><p>The UK is also committed to meeting our obligations to transfer unaccompanied children to the UK where they have eligible family here and where transfer is in their best interests under the Dublin Regulation. An unaccompanied child must first claim asylum in the EU Member State in which they are present, and the Member State must then raise a Take Charge Request with the UK Government.</p><p>Additionally, specialist trained officers are present at all of our Juxtaposed controls, who assist in supporting those identified as vulnerable. We work closely with both French and Belgian partners to ensure that these individuals receive the support they need. All officers receive regular training on safeguarding and when to seek support from a specialist trained officer. Special arrangements are in place at the Juxtaposed controls to refer cases with vulnerability elements to the French and Belgian Police.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 22/05/2020 10:55:17 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle