Every parliamentary written question tabled by Neil Duncan-Jordan this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 61–72 of 72 · Home Office
If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for the Modern Slavery Act 2015 of the employer sponsorship model.
A key objective of the sponsorship system is to ensure that migrant workers are protected against modern slavery and other labour abuses. All sponsors are required to comply with wider UK law, including the Modern Slavery Act, and the Home Office can, and does, take firm action against those who fail to do so.
If she will take steps to implement sector sponsorship for immigrant social care workers.
The Government keeps all aspects of the immigration system under review, subject to our objective to reduce levels of net migration, but we have no plans to change the current rules in this area.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of charging different licensing fees for people using firearms for (a) work and (b) recreation.
The issuing of firearms certificates is a matter for individual Chief Constables who are in turn held to account by Police and Crime Commissioners. The performance of forces is also being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing, who is in the process of developing a new performance framework for firearms licensing teams.With regard to charging different fees for firearms used for work and recreation, HM Treasury guidance specifically rules out any two-tier system of fees. It states that “different groups of customers should not be charged different amounts for a service costing the same, eg charging firms more than individuals”.
How many firearms licence renewals took more than three months in the last financial year.
The issuing of firearms certificates is a matter for individual Chief Constables who are in turn held to account by Police and Crime Commissioners. The performance of forces is also being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing, who is in the process of developing a new performance framework for firearms licensing teams.With regard to charging different fees for firearms used for work and recreation, HM Treasury guidance specifically rules out any two-tier system of fees. It states that “different groups of customers should not be charged different amounts for a service costing the same, eg charging firms more than individuals”.
With reference to the Animals in Science Regulation Unit's Annual Report for 2023, published on 17 December 2024, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) letters of reprimand and (b) other sanctions in response to (i) animals dying after being left without food or water and (ii) other animal welfare failings.
The Home Office takes non-compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 very seriously .The Regulator applies proportionate sanctions in cases of non-compliance in accordance with its published compliance policy, which aims to reduce the risk of future non-compliance.More rigorous sanctions are used in cases where animal welfare is impacted or there are significant systems failures.For cases of non-compliance where animals experienced adverse welfare outcomes there was a 48% reduction in 2023 compared to 2022.
With reference to page 24 of the Animals in Science Regulation Unit’s annual report for 2023, published on 17 December 2024, what steps her Department is taking to improve the ability of the inspection regime to detect animal welfare failings.
The Regulator’s annual report details the range of ways in which it detects non-compliance and seeks to drive greater compliance.Through a current regulatory reform programme, the Regulator is presently recruiting to have more Inspectors for compliance related activities and will be reviewing its compliance regime for continuous improvement.To provide assurance of compliance with the Regulations, the Regulator provides clear and accessible guidance and conducts regular on-site audits. The published framework for audit is based on clear benchmarks and assessing compliance through organisational governance to encourage greater commitment to compliance.
Whether her Department plans to redistribute sea worthy boats used in migrant crossings to youth groups such as Sea Scouts.
The material and equipment rescued by Border Force from small boat crossings is usually totally unsuitable for any use, and there are therefore no plans to redistribute it as suggested.
Whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of e-passports that do not work at UK airports; and what steps she is taking to help resolve that issue.
It has never been Government practice, for reasons of law enforcement, to comment on operational issues relating to border security and immigration controls. This includes offering commentary on the performance of border systems and of ePassport Gates data specifically.However, the Hon Member with be pleased to know that the Home Office is making significant investment to improve the underlying technical infrastructure which performs border checks to identify individuals more precisely. This will reduce the number of individuals unable to use the ePassport Gates. These improvements have begun to be introduced, and further improvements are envisaged to identify persons of interest more precisely.
How much funding her Department plans to provide to help prevent (a) domestic abuse and (b) sexist and misogynistic attitudes that underpin domestic violence in the next financial year.
This Government has committed to halving violence against women and girls, including domestic abuse, in a decade.Addressing the attitudes and root causes of domestic abuse is fundamental to our approach. It is essential we have a comprehensive approach to prevention, from education to early intervention and targeting the most prolific and repeat offenders.Following the spending review announcements in October, the Home Office is now deciding how the total funding settlement is allocated across the department to deliver the Government’s priorities. The Government has identified several priority areas for reform, which it will build on in Phase Two of the Spending Review. Phase Two will be mission-led, ensuring Departments work together to develop a shared strategy for delivering the Government’s priorities.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the e-Visa scheme on (a) older people, (b) those with learning difficulties, (c) non-English speakers and (d) those with limited access to technology.
The Home Office has implemented a comprehensive engagement strategy to smooth the transition to eVisas and to maximise awareness raising across various sectors. This includes collaboration with key stakeholders including migrant organisations. The Home Office is committed to ensuring everyone, including the elderly, those with learning disabilities, those with limited English and the most vulnerable, are properly supported as we transform our immigration system. On 18 September 2024, we announced that the Government is providing up to £4m in dedicated grant funding to a UK wide network of voluntary and community sector organisations to deliver valuable support to those who need it, during the transition from physical immigration documents to eVisas. The list of organisations is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evisa-community-support-for-vulnerable-people. We have ensured that the wording used to explain how to create a UKVI account and get access to an eVisa is simple and can be easily translated using various free online services. In consultation with stakeholders, we are also considering providing some information about the transition to eVisas in other languages. People can nominate a ‘helper’ and give them limited access to their account, so that they can assist with creating a UKVI account to access an eVisa, and with any immigration application. Where a person is unable to manage their own affairs due to, for example, age or disability, an authorised ‘proxy’ can create and manage the account on behalf of the person. People can also contact the UK Visas and Immigration Resolution Centre (https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk for support via email and webchat, and telephone. For those inside the UK our Assisted Digital service is available to provide support by phone and email to those who need help with IT-related aspects of creating a UKVI account and accessing an eVisa. Access needs can include any disability that requires support to use online services, a lack of device or a lack of internet access. More information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/assisted-digital-help-online-applicationWe are also taking further steps to reduce the number of circumstances where people need to provide evidence of their immigration status, by developing services to make the relevant immigration status information available automatically through system to system checks with other government departments and the NHS.
Whether her Department has had recent discussions with representatives of migrant organisations on the development of a digital solution for the e-visa scheme.
The Home Office has implemented a comprehensive engagement strategy to smooth the transition to eVisas and to maximise awareness raising across various sectors. This includes collaboration with key stakeholders including migrant organisations. The Home Office is committed to ensuring everyone, including the elderly, those with learning disabilities, those with limited English and the most vulnerable, are properly supported as we transform our immigration system. On 18 September 2024, we announced that the Government is providing up to £4m in dedicated grant funding to a UK wide network of voluntary and community sector organisations to deliver valuable support to those who need it, during the transition from physical immigration documents to eVisas. The list of organisations is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evisa-community-support-for-vulnerable-people. We have ensured that the wording used to explain how to create a UKVI account and get access to an eVisa is simple and can be easily translated using various free online services. In consultation with stakeholders, we are also considering providing some information about the transition to eVisas in other languages. People can nominate a ‘helper’ and give them limited access to their account, so that they can assist with creating a UKVI account to access an eVisa, and with any immigration application. Where a person is unable to manage their own affairs due to, for example, age or disability, an authorised ‘proxy’ can create and manage the account on behalf of the person. People can also contact the UK Visas and Immigration Resolution Centre (https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk for support via email and webchat, and telephone. For those inside the UK our Assisted Digital service is available to provide support by phone and email to those who need help with IT-related aspects of creating a UKVI account and accessing an eVisa. Access needs can include any disability that requires support to use online services, a lack of device or a lack of internet access. More information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/assisted-digital-help-online-applicationWe are also taking further steps to reduce the number of circumstances where people need to provide evidence of their immigration status, by developing services to make the relevant immigration status information available automatically through system to system checks with other government departments and the NHS.
If she will introduce a national capability for flood rescue (a) led by Fire and Rescue Authorities and (b) underpinned by a statutory duty.
Defra is the lead government department for flooding in England, they hold the Flood Rescue National Asset Register, a list of teams or assets that voluntarily join the register and maintain availability for national deployment in England.This is coordinated through the National Resilience Assurance Team, for which Merseyside FRS are the lead authority. The National Asset Register holds assets from the Fire and Rescue Service and Non-Government Organisations who are assured to the standards set out in the Flood Rescue Concept of Operations.Fire and Rescue Authorities have duties under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) to prepare for emergencies, including major flooding. Fire Rescue Authorities also have discretionary powers to respond to incidents under their general powers in the Fire and Rescue Services Act (2004) and in response to the risks set out in their Community Risk Management Plans prepared under the National Framework.The Home Office is undertaking further work alongside Defra, the National Fire Chiefs Council and other relevant stakeholders to understand in more detail if there are gaps in the Fire and Rescue Services flooding response and resilience system.