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1252975

registered interest
date	17/11/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Peru
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 16 November (HL Deb, col 1272), when were visa requirements for visitors to the UK from Peru last reviewed; and what criteria will be used to decide whether further review is required.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL10427
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2020 answer text <p>The UK keeps its visa system under regular review. Decisions on changes are always taken in the round and reflect key facets of the bilateral relationship with the country concerned. These will vary globally, but often include security, compliance, returns, and prosperity.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 27/11/2020 11:21:18 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1251619

registered interest
date	12/11/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure information about the COVID-19 pandemic is made available to asylum seekers in the UK; and in which languages such information is made available (1) in printed form, (2) online, and (3) on social media.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL10274
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2020 answer text <p>There are currently no plans to update social Media with COVID-19 guidance in languages other than English and Welsh.</p><p>Guidance for COVID-19 has been translated into 60 different languages in partnership with the British Red Cross and other partners such as Migrant help and is available using the link provided: http://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/</p><p>Also, videos with key COVID-19 information for migrants in the UK are being released here: https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/key-covid-19-information-for-migrants/</p><p>Alternatively links to translated support and guidance can be found through our Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) provider, Migrant Help here: https://www.migranthelpuk.org/translated-support</p><p>Providers signpost the people we support to these website where these documents are available to download, print or view online. Printed guidance has also been given to those residing in Home Office initial accommodation in their own languages relating to hygiene, washing hands, social distancing, coronavirus symptoms and what to do if they become symptomatic</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 26/11/2020 16:37:59 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1251620

registered interest
date	12/11/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Interpreters: Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to amend the Immigration Rules to allow applications for relocation to the UK from former interpreters who have fled Afghanistan, who are otherwise eligible under the Ex-Gratia Redundancy Scheme, but need to apply from a third country.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL10275
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2020 answer text <p>We keep the Immigration Rules for the ex-gratia scheme for those Afghan interpreters who supported HM Forces under regular review, and will continue working with the Ministry of Defence to consider options for those who may otherwise be eligible to relocate to the United Kingdom but have left Afghanistan.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 26/11/2020 16:43:49 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1243600

registered interest
date	14/10/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Migrant Workers: Interpreters and Teachers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendations in the report by the Migration Advisory Committee Review of the Shortage Occupation List: 2020, published on 29 September, that (1) teachers of modern foreign languages in secondary schools, and (2) interpreters, should be included on that list; and what plans they have to implement those recommendations.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL9179
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2020 answer text <p>The independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its report on the Shortage Occupation List on 29 September. This can be found here: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-the-shortage-occupation-list-2020" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-the-shortage-occupation-list-2020</a>.</p><p>We are considering carefully its recommendations before commenting on whether specific occupations will be included and taking any final decisions.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 28/10/2020 14:40:39 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford attachment 1 file name SOL_2020_Report_Final.pdf title SOL 2020 - Report Final
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1234751

registered interest
date	15/09/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enable compliance with the rules on a maximum of six people meeting socially by asylum seekers living in reception centres or hostels which have communal facilities.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL8112
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/09/2020 answer text <p>We have worked closely with Public Health to ensure asylum accommodation providers are following relevant guidance and are supporting asylum seekers to follow Public Health guidance within the estate.</p><p>Providers are applying controls to further support social distancing such as providing translated public health guidance and instruction to service users.</p><p>Communal dining rooms have staggered meal times and appropriate marking to delineate social distancing. Where service users are isolating, food is placed outside of their rooms.</p><p>The Home Office are working closely with accommodation providers to ensure that the new health stipulation is followed and implemented accordingly. The varying types of accommodation require different approaches, the Home Office are working closely with providers to understand the implementation of those approaches and to assure themselves that Public Health guidance is applied appropriately.</p><p>During these unprecedented times the government is working with a range of partners and across departments to secure further accommodation and the MOD has offered use of some of its sites</p><p>We have sought Public Health England/Wales advice on how we can make best use of this accommodation, working within the constraints of the configuration, whilst minimising risks from covid-19.</p><p>We will follow the model which the MOD has adopted which is to continue to use the dormitories as shared rooms but to limit occupancy ensuring a minimum distance between beds of at least 2 metres. This will be complemented by a range of additional safety measures including increased cleaning of surfaces, availability of hand sanitisers, a track and trace system and extensive communications with residents around covid-19 control measures.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 29/09/2020 16:14:23 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1234752

registered interest
date	15/09/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide information and advice regarding COVID-19 in languages other than English and Welsh on their asylum support webpages
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL8113
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/09/2020 answer text <p>There are currently no plans to update the Asylum Support webpages with COVID-19 guidance.</p><p>Guidance for COVID-19 has been translated into 60 different languages in partnership with the British Red Cross and other partners such as Migrant help and is available using the link provided: http://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/</p><p>Also videos with key COVID-19 information for migrants in the UK are being released here:<strong> </strong>https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/key-covid-19-information-for-migrants/</p><p><strong> </strong>Alternatively links to translated support and guidance can be found through our Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) provider, Migrant Help here: https://www.migranthelpuk.org/translated-support</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 29/09/2020 16:18:35 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1231984

registered interest
date	07/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	GCSE: Assessments
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage and support entrants to GCSE examinations in community languages for the 2020/2021 academic year.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL7851
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2020 answer text <p>All pupils should have the opportunity to study foreign languages as part of a core academic curriculum and this should include community languages. The department recognises the importance of high quality qualifications in languages such as Polish, Urdu, Arabic, Bengali and Turkish.</p><p>At key stage 4, languages, including community languages, are included in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc). Since the introduction of the EBacc performance measure in 2010, the proportion of GCSE entries from pupils in state funded schools in a modern foreign language (MFL) has increased from 40 per cent in 2010 to 47 per cent in 2019.</p><p>As with any other GCSE subject, the department expects schools to provide appropriate support to pupils to prepare them for examinations. In relation to the 2020/21 academic year, the department’s guidance to schools reopening from September states that the curriculum should remain broad from year 7 to year 9 so that the majority of pupils are taught a full range of subjects over the year, including sciences, languages, humanities, the arts, physical education/sport, religious education and relationships, sex and health education. The guidance also sets out an expectation that the majority of year 10 and year 11 pupils continue to study their examination subjects, supporting them towards their preferred route to further study. The full opening of schools guidance is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools</a>.</p><p><br> The department has invested in a range of programmes to increase uptake of languages at GCSE. The £2.41 million MFL Pedagogy Pilot commenced in December 2018 and is designed to improve uptake and attainment in languages at key stages 3 and 4.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 21/09/2020 16:49:26 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1230908

registered interest
date	02/09/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Immigration: Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) Afghan interpreters, and (2) family members of Afghan interpreters, have been cleared for relocation to the UK but are awaiting transfer; how long on average they have been waiting; and when they anticipate relocations to take place.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL7623
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2020 answer text <p>Through the Ex-Gratia Scheme, 445 former Locally Employed Civilians (LECs - this includes interpreters) and their families have relocated to the UK. This means that Her Majesty's Government has already supported over 1,300 individuals in creating new lives in the UK. A further 350 staff have benefitted from our in-country finance and training packages.</p><p> </p><p>There are two former LECs cleared for relocation to the UK but who are awaiting transfer. These two former LECs between them have seven family members who have also been cleared for relocation. There are a further nine family members of other former LECs whose visas have been accepted and who have been referred to Local Authorities in advance of their relocation.</p><p> </p><p>Verifications were completed in January 2020, so the average wait time is circa eight months. However, there has been an adverse impact on relocations from the COVID 19 pandemic; it has affected all parties to the process, from the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office to Local Authorities and partners such as the Afghan Government and the International Organization for Migration. Subject to conditions outside of our control we expect all these individuals to be relocated in the next 12 months.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 14/09/2020 12:11:32 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1228106

registered interest
date	28/07/2020
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	Colombia: Armed Conflict
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department of International Development, they plan to fund projects to help combat sexual violence in Colombia on a longer-term basis than the annual funding cycle has permitted to date.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL7446
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2020 answer text <p>The United Kingdom remains committed to protecting and promoting human rights in Colombia, which the FCO has designated a Human Rights Priority Country. Since 2016, UK support to a network of survivors of sexual violence has helped document 1200 new cases which are now before the transitional justice system. The UK has also funded work to train rural medical professionals in how to attend cases of sexual violence, including with a view to preserving evidence to facilitate convictions. More broadly, the UK has led efforts to strengthen action on conflict-related sexual violence through UN Security Council Peacekeeping Mandates and Resolutions. In April 2019, we advocated and voted for UN Security Council Resolution 2467 on sexual violence in conflict. This specified the importance of a survivor-centric approach in response to conflict-related sexual violence, which is the approach that underpins our programme work in Colombia. The UK remains committed to providing support to help Colombia tackle the legacy of sexual violence from its long conflict, and, as part of the FCO-DFID merger discussions, we will take the opportunity to review, refresh, and build on all existing strategies, as well as developing new approaches where appropriate.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL7447 question first answered 05/08/2020 14:33:21 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1228107

registered interest
date	28/07/2020
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	Colombia: Development Aid
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to include greater involvement of survivors of sexual violence in the programme design of funded projects in Colombia.
tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
uin	HL7447
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2020 answer text <p>The United Kingdom remains committed to protecting and promoting human rights in Colombia, which the FCO has designated a Human Rights Priority Country. Since 2016, UK support to a network of survivors of sexual violence has helped document 1200 new cases which are now before the transitional justice system. The UK has also funded work to train rural medical professionals in how to attend cases of sexual violence, including with a view to preserving evidence to facilitate convictions. More broadly, the UK has led efforts to strengthen action on conflict-related sexual violence through UN Security Council Peacekeeping Mandates and Resolutions. In April 2019, we advocated and voted for UN Security Council Resolution 2467 on sexual violence in conflict. This specified the importance of a survivor-centric approach in response to conflict-related sexual violence, which is the approach that underpins our programme work in Colombia. The UK remains committed to providing support to help Colombia tackle the legacy of sexual violence from its long conflict, and, as part of the FCO-DFID merger discussions, we will take the opportunity to review, refresh, and build on all existing strategies, as well as developing new approaches where appropriate.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL7446 question first answered 05/08/2020 14:33:21 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins