Speeches by Rushworth.

“Was there a tension between what the FCDO would have recommended in looking at our relationship with Jamaica and the diaspora and recognising the humanitarian needs and what the Home Office was willing to do, granted that the Government have prioritised keeping migration as low as possible?”

“I appreciate that with evacuations and getting people home quickly, but I am more talking about the ongoing situation that homes have not been rebuilt and there are many people who are homeless are vulnerable, who have family members in the UK, who would like to be able to bring them to the UK temporarily.”

“You are talking about the UK diaspora?”

“Was there a tension between what the FCDO would have recommended in looking at our relationship with Jamaica and the diaspora and recognising the humanitarian needs and what the Home Office was willing to do, granted that the Government have prioritised keeping migration as low as possible?”

“We have heard calls for a temporary scheme for humanitarian visas or fee waivers to facilitate children or elderly who have lost their homes travelling to the UK for a short time to stay with relatives here. What conversations has the FCDO had with the Home Office about this scheme?”

“I am looking for one-sentence answers. Theresa and UnaMay, do you feel that the rebuild is happening at sufficient pace and is adequately resourced?”

“The FCDO had conversations with the Home Office but ultimately the Home Office has made the decisions?”

“Are you suggesting the UK Government’s response was better than what we have told people?”

“Yes.”

“I appreciate that with evacuations and getting people home quickly, but I am more talking about the ongoing situation that homes have not been rebuilt and there are many people who are homeless are vulnerable, who have family members in the UK, who would like to be able to bring them to the UK temporarily.”

“What about the adequacy of the response in terms of meeting unmet need? I am not suggesting that it is on the UK Government to meet all of the unmet need, because there is an international community and there is a Jamaican community. From your experience, what would you like to see from the UK, if you have not seen eve…”

“Again I am looking for a short answer. Theresa, what is your view? Is it the same?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you for that. It helps me because I shared James Naish’s surprise at your earlier answers about the overwhelming response, because it did not marry up with what Jamaicans I have spoken to have told me. I have a dear Jamaican friend who put it to me this way—and this is to frame a question to you, Dr Brown. My fri…”

“It is the Chinese road?”

“Not adequately resourced.”

“What about the adequacy of the response in terms of meeting unmet need? I am not suggesting that it is on the UK Government to meet all of the unmet need, because there is an international community and there is a Jamaican community. From your experience, what would you like to see from the UK, if you have not seen eve…”

“I thank the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister for his statement. It is refreshing to see a Government who are committed to making those in positions of trust accountable. [Interruption.] Opposition Members are clearly angry today. Maybe it is because this is in marked contrast to the record of people who voted to c…”

“Does my hon. Friend share my confusion at the point that has just been made? Does it not illustrate that all of this is about choices, and that the choice that is being made on this side of the House is, yes, to increase the tax on gambling and on mansions in order to decrease child poverty? The choice that Reform woul…”

“The hon. Gentleman mentions the local pharmacist. The local pharmacist in my constituency is my twin sister. She put herself through a degree in pharmacy while on universal credit as a single parent of three children. That was not her choice; it was a position that was thrust upon her. What would the hon. Member say to…”