This government does not want to continue the use of hotels for a day longer than necessary. We are as frustrated as the public are at the cost to the taxpayer.<\/p>
Our strategy is to limit hotels wherever possible by increasing dispersal accommodation agreed with local authorities and by making use of large sites. We are working with the MoD to make use of disused military sites.<\/p>
Migrants will be housed in decent, but not luxurious accommodation, that does not create a pull factor to the UK.<\/p>
The Government can\u2019t build it\u2019s way out of this challenge, nor can the UK taxpayer afford to do so. The only sustainable answer is to deter individuals from making this dangerous, unnecessary and illegal journey, as we will be doing through our Illegal Migration Bill.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-20T16:09:53.58Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Hotels"} , "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 progress her Department has made on reducing the use of hotels as contingency accommodation for asylum seekers.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4277", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Shields"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck"} ], "uin" : "904175"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605270", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605270/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK\u2019s immigration system enables individuals to enter UK for work purposes from all parts of the world where they have a suitable job offer and meet our criteria. This is helping fill skills gaps, boosting our economy and through specific visa offers, such as the Health and Care visa, supporting our public services.<\/p>
There is no compelling argument that Scotland should have a different immigration system to the rest of the UK. Indeed it\u2019s economy benefits from the simplicity and clarity of having one single system for our country. Scotland\u2019s economically active rate is closely aligned with UK average. Minor variations are accounted for in the Scotland specific Shortage Occupation List.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-20T16:15:11.623Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Immigration: Scotland"} , "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 potential effect of her immigration policies on the (a) population of and (b) labour market in Scotland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4443", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Carol Monaghan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Carol Monaghan"} ], "uin" : "904179"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605271", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605271/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Activity is underway to reduce the waiting time to be interviewed through a number of process improvements, including conducting shorter, more focused interviews and giving more flexibility over the process of making asylum decisions.<\/p>
I am pleased to report we are on track and have doubled the number of caseworkers on cases. We have also prioritised those eligible for removal through a new dedicated unit staffed by 400 new specialists considering claims from Albanian illegal migrants.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-20T16:17:30.743Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Interviews"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of waiting times for asylum interviews.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1548", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jessica Morden"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jessica Morden"} ], "uin" : "904181"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605105", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Energy Security and Net Zero"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605105/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Energy Bills Support Scheme and the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) have provided financial support to all families to help manage the rising costs of their energy bills.<\/p>
Households using alternative fuels are entitled to a £200 Alternative Fuel Payment. In addition to the Energy Affordability schemes, families with children with life-limiting illnesses are also entitled to a one-off £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment.<\/p>
As set out in the Autumn Statement, the Government is developing a new approach to consumer protection in energy markets, which will apply from April 2024 onwards including options such as social tariffs, as part of wider energy retail market reforms.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4372", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Amanda Solloway"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Derby North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Amanda Solloway"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-27T15:36:29.647Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "215"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Energy Security and Net Zero"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Energy Security and Net Zero"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Energy: Terminal Illnesses"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support his Department is providing to families of children with life-limiting illnesses for energy costs.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4623", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gower"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tonia Antoniazzi"} ], "uin" : "168092"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605106", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Energy Security and Net Zero"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605106/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This rule was adopted as the named bill payer is responsible for any payment issued on the electricity account. It also ensures that the Government can verify customers\u2019 eligibility and reduces the risk of fraudulent claims. There are exceptions when an eligible customer\u2019s partner is named on the electricity bill and linked on their DWP benefit record, or when an eligible customer has a DWP Appointee or other legally appointed representative who is named on the bill.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4601", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Bowie"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Bowie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-22T17:59:48.953Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "215"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Energy Security and Net Zero"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Energy Security and Net Zero"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Warm Home Discount Scheme"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason an eligible person who is not the named bill payer is not able to access the warm home discount scheme for winter 2022-23.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4623", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gower"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tonia Antoniazzi"} ], "uin" : "168093"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605107", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605107/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
No, HM Treasury is not required to sign off all spending decisions made by individual departments. The authorisation of funds was agreed by the Cabinet Office and followed appropriate procurement processes.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4051", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Glen"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salisbury"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "John Glen"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-22T17:16:37.9Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Boris Johnson"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department approved the Cabinet Office\u2019s decision to award a legal services contract to Peters & Peters in relation to the Privileges Committee investigation into the Rt Hon Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4433", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bristol West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Thangam Debbonaire"} ], "uin" : "168062"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605108", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605108/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Lord [Tariq] Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for North Africa, raised the UK's Issue with the recent wave of arrests directly with Tunisian Chargé d'Affaires on 23 February, underlining the importance of due legal process and respect for freedom of expression and association. His Majesty's Ambassador to Tunisia also raised UK concerns regarding the arrests with Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar on 23 February. Officials and Ministers have regular discussions with the Tunisian authorities to reiterate the UK's belief in the importance of space for legitimate political opposition, civil society, strengthening human rights and including all voices in building resilient and successful democracies. We will continue to engage the Tunisian authorities on these issues.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4033", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Rutley"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Macclesfield"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David Rutley"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-22T15:24:39.387Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Tunisia: Political Prisoners"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterparts in Tunisia on (a) Said Ferjani and (b) other Parliamentarians who have been arrested and remain in custody since the suspension of the Tunisian Parliament.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/104", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Crispin Blunt"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reigate"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Crispin Blunt"} ], "uin" : "167990"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605109", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605109/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Driving examiners (DE), based at Kirkcaldy driving test centre (DTC), are deployed between Dunfermline DTC and Kirkcaldy DTC to service demand.<\/p>
<\/p>
There are test slots available to book at Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy within the booking window. There is sufficient resource to service demand at both test centres; therefore, there are no DE vacancies.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4813", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Richard Holden"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North West Durham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Richard Holden"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-23T12:06:29.417Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Driving Tests: Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many driving test examiner posts are vacant in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Kirkcaldy; how many applications the DVSA received for advertised driving test examiner vacancies in each of those areas in each of the last 12 months; and ( how many vacancies were successfully filled in each of those areas in each of those months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4402", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Douglas Chapman"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dunfermline and West Fife"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Douglas Chapman"} ], "uin" : "168056"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605110", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605110/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "