The Archbishop of Canterbury received the following written answer on 2nd February 2021:
The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury asked Her Majesty’s Government why they did not approve the application by the Port of Dover for funding to double the capacity for passport checks by the government of France at that port.
Continue reading “Archbishop of Canterbury asks about immigration controls at the Port of Dover”
The Bishop of London spoke in support of amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill intended to safeguard the data of migrant victims of domestic violence against use for immigration control on 1st February 2021:
The Lord Bishop of London [V]: My Lords, I add my voice to those of noble Lords who have welcomed this Bill. I thank the Minister for all her work in this area. As other noble Lords have already said, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the crime of domestic abuse, which affects more than 2 million people a year in the United Kingdom. However, the Bill continues to overlook one of the most vulnerable groups affected by this form of violence against women and girls—migrant women. I too will address Amendment 154, which calls for the Secretary of State to ensure that the personal data of victims of domestic abuse in the UK is processed only for the purpose of that person requesting or receiving support or assistance relating to domestic abuse, not for immigration control.
Government policy is clear that victims of crime should be treated without discrimination. Therefore, the separation of immigration enforcement and protection of domestic abuse victims who are migrant women must be delineated. Failure to do this puts migrant women at risk of a double jeopardy of danger from their abuser and fear of deportation. As has already been highlighted, the Istanbul convention, the landmark international treaty on violence against women and girls, which the Government have signed and are committed to ratifying, requires in Articles 5 and 59 that victims are protected regardless of their immigration status.
Continue reading “Domestic Abuse Bill: Bishop of London supports amendments on protections for migrant victims of domestic abuse”
The Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 1st February 2021:
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked Her Majesty’s Government on what date they plan to commence hosting “reconciliation events” with individuals from the Windrush generation.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about reconciliation events for Windrush Generation”
The Bishop od Durham asked a question on engagement with other European countries on 28th January 2021, during a discussion on the EU-UK Joint Political Declaration on Asylum and Returns:
The Lord Bishop of Durham [V]: Does the Minister accept that some countries in Europe, such as Greece, Italy and France, are particularly important in bilateral negotiations? Will she confirm that a priority list of whom to engage with has been done and is being worked to?
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about EU-UK asylum and returns agreement”The Archbishop of Canterbury received the following written answer on 27th January 2021:
The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury asked Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the (1) capacity, and (2) resilience, of the Port of Dover.
Continue reading “Archbishop of Canterbury asks about increasing capacity and resilience of the Port of Dover”The Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 5th January 2021:
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked Her Majesty’s Government whether they have appointed an independent reviewer to carry out a review of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration; and if not, when such an appointment will be made.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about review of Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration”The Archbishop of Canterbury received the following written answer on 5th January 2021:
The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury asked Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure sufficient funding to enable adequate passport checking facilities at the Port of Dover following the end of the transition period for the UK’s departure from the EU.
Continue reading “Archbishop of Canterbury asks about funding for passport checking facilities at the Port of Dover”On 30th December the Bishop of Durham received a written answer to a question on emplo0yment for those seeking asylum:
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he Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 3 November (HL9361), what plans they have to provide an update on when the review into the right to work of asylum seekers will be laid before the House. [HL11207] Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about right to work for asylum seekers”
On 10th November the House of Lords considered the Government’s Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill. Lord Dubs pressed again an amendment on child refugees and family reunion, his earlier amendment to the Bill having been rejected in a vote in the House of Commons. The Bishop of Southwark spoke in support of the amendment. Lord Dubs did not press it to a vote, accepting some concessions from the Government in its place.
The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I speak in favour of the amendment moved by the noble Lord, Lord Dubs. In doing so, I speak not only on my account but also in place of the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Durham, who is locked down in the north-east and therefore, because of the procedures for consideration of Commons amendments, is unable to speak on this amendment, although that had been very much his intention.
Family life and kin relationships are vital in many parts of the world to ensure survival. Even in the UK, family means the difference between misery, destitution and poor mental health and a life where, even in the most difficult circumstances, there is practical care, support and love. Thus, I, too, welcome the Government’s steps towards ensuring safe and legal routes, including the commitment in case of a no-deal Brexit, to pursue bilateral negotiations on arrangements for family reunion, which I trust they will seek to ensure are equivalent to the Dublin regulations. I welcome the Minister’s commitments and await with interest her further comments following what the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, just said.
However, a step in the right direction is not the end of the journey. Continue reading “Immigration Bill: Bishop of Southwark supports Dubs amendment on child refugees and family reunion”
On 3rd November 2020 the Bishop of Durham received a written answer to three questions to Government on the right to work of asylum seekers:
The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 29 September (HL8116), what plans they have to publish the terms of reference for the Home Office review into the right to work of asylum seekers. [HL9359]
The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 29 September (HL8116), what external organisations have been (1) formally, and (2) informally, consulted as part of the Home Office review into the right to work of asylum seekers. [HL9360]
The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the response by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay on 9 September (HL Deb, col 820), when the review into the right to work of asylum seekers will be laid before the House. [HL9361] Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks Government about right to work of asylum seekers”
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