Commons Chamber

Wednesday 19th November 2025

(began 1 month, 2 weeks ago)

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11:35
None Portrait None
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Let's Let's say Let's say that Let's say that. Let's say that. Order, Let's say that. Order, order! Let's say that. Order, order! We'll start with questions to the Secretary of State for Northern

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Ireland. Richard Quigley. Question number one, Mr. Speaker. Minister.

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Minister. Mr. speaker, I am proud that this government is investing £1 million into the Connect Fund to strengthen collaboration between communities across the UK. And Mr. communities across the UK. And Mr. Speaker, I know you are a dedicated supporter of our veterans, so will be pleased to hear that I visited the Castle Community Trust recently in Belfast where through this funding, they are bringing together veterans in Belfast and Shrewsbury to overcome social isolation. Whatever part of the United Kingdom you are in.

Will you have our

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support to tackle shared challenges? Richard Quigley. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As an MP representing both an island and a representing both an island and a significant veteran community where 1 in 10 homes on the Isle of Wight West is a home to a veteran, I know West is a home to a veteran, I know how crucial effective community relations funding is. Will the Minister commit to working with Cabinet colleagues to explore Cabinet colleagues to explore adapting successful Northern Ireland GB initiatives, such as the excellent Connect Fund dimensions, excellent Connect Fund dimensions, so that similar tailored support can be delivered on the Isle of Wight to ensure our veterans receive the recognition and

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receive the recognition and assistance they deserve. Minister. I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I am happy to speak to question. I am happy to speak to colleagues about the success of the Connect Fund and how it works. He should know that applications are open to anyone across the United Kingdom, provided they are working with a group in Northern Ireland,

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and I would be delighted to see applications from his constituents if they wish to do that. Claire Hanna collaboration

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Claire Hanna collaboration between groups across the Irish Sea is very welcome. Those relationships will always be
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None Portrait Q5. What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the recent UK-EU agreement on trade from Northern Ireland. (906380)
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five, please, Mr. Speaker. Mark Tami. The government's new partnership
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None Portrait Q7. What assessment he has made of the potential merits of funding a permanent memorial to people who served in Northern Ireland. (906382)
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Jo White.
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None Portrait Prime Minister's Question Time
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questions to Prime Minister Kit Malthouse number one. Prime Minister. Mr. speaker.
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Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Mr. speaker. Let me start by congratulating Scotland. On their magnificent victory

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On their magnificent victory last night, qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since

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1998. I didn't realise you were all Scottish MPs Prime Minister.

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Scottish MPs Prime Minister. Mr. speaker. They qualified with fantastic goals, including a fantastic goals, including a cracker from former Arsenal player Kieran Tierney, who was always a great fan favourite with the fans. Mr. speaker, my thoughts are with the communities across the country affected by severe flooding, particularly in Monmouthshire. I've been liaising with the First Minister of Wales and want to thank all our emergency services for their response. Mr. speaker, my thoughts are also with the family and loved ones of Royal Fleet Auxiliary member James Elliott, who has sadly been lost.

I know the contribution that personnel of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary make, and the risks that they take in the line of duty. My thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of the whole house are with those who knew him at this tragic and difficult time for them. Mr. speaker, last Thursday I visited Anglesey to announce the construction of the country's first small modular reactor. That's the biggest investment in North Wales in a generation, creating more than 6000 jobs. On Monday, we introduced the largest overhaul of the asylum policy in modern times restoring control, fairness and creating safe and legal routes.

And today, I'm pleased to announce that inflation is coming down. There's more to do, but it's an important step. Mr. speaker, this morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House. I shall have further such meetings later today.
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None Portrait Urgent question: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if she will make a statement on the aftermath of the recent severe flooding impacting Monmouthshire and what support will be made available for those affected
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker, to ask the Secretary of State for Wales if she will make a statement on the aftermath of the recent severe flooding impacting Monmouthshire

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and what support will be made available for those affected. Thank you sir.
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Anna McMorrin Portrait Anna McMorrin MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Cardiff North, Labour)
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Thank you sir. Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My first

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My first thoughts are and those of the Secretary of State are with all of those people, those businesses those people, those businesses affected by the flooding over the weekend. The impact in Monmouthshire has been devastating for local residents and traders, and I know that hon. Members across the House will be thinking of them as they recover from this dreadful storm. I'm here because the Secretary of State is in Monmouthshire to thank first responders, to meet the community and thank them for their efforts.

She's there with the local member for Monmouthshire, who I know has been supporting her community since the flooding right across the weekend. I also want to pay tribute to the emergency responders, local residents who've rallied together and also to thank the mayor of Monmouth, Jackie Atkin, who's raised a substantial sum of money for the community. As the house will be aware, flooding is a devolved matter. However, the Prime Minister spoke to the First Minister over the weekend and offered the UK government support.

With the Welsh Government's response. I know that my ministerial colleague who's here with me today has been also been in touch with the Deputy First Minister. The Environment Agency has offered support locally, including any mutual aid that may be requested by Natural Resources Wales, who operates in the area. And we know as we see these events increasing that it demonstrates why our climate response on flooding is so important. Today, the Flood Mobile was sponsored by flood Re is in Monmouth.

There is a mobile demonstration unit which showcases dozens of property flood resilience measures and techniques which can help keep homes and other buildings safer during a flood. That's reaching out to the community. And I would also bring hon. Member's attention to what we're doing to support people to access insurance through our partnership with flood, a joint initiative between the government, the insurance industry that ensures households at the highest risk of flooding can access affordable insurance in the financial year 2425 alone, Flood Re provided cover for over 340 500,000 household policies.

Whilst government officials have met with Monmouthshire Council over the weekend to discuss emerging emergency funding, the Deputy First Minister was also there over the weekend to meet first responders and the community, and opportunities are being made available through Emergency Financial Assistance Scheme. The Welsh Government has made a as been working very closely with the council and all the emergency services, and has been ensuring that they have committed over £370 million to reduce risks to communities right across Wales.

But I know that Welsh Government is working, doing everything they can at this very difficult time for the

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community and for businesses in Monmouthshire. Justice Secretary Prime Minister.
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Mims Davies Portrait Mims Davies MP (East Grinstead and Uckfield, Conservative)
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Justice Secretary Prime Minister. Mr. Speaker, this weekend tragic and heart wrenching floods affected families and their loved ones, families and their loved ones, meaning evacuation from their properties in Monmouth after the River Maldon mono burst its banks. This in turn blighting businesses with devastating consequences. This horrific experience also hit hard nearby areas including Abergavenny and Skenfrith village. Now there are desperate families and business owners across Monmouthshire who've lost their homes, their livelihoods.

They've literally lost everything. With Christmas looming, a key time also for hospitality. I'd like to also thank the emergency services, all volunteers, many local councillors and the Ms. Peter Fox. They've done fantastic work around the clock to assist, safeguard and do what they can to help and support those impacted. It is now instrumental without any delay and the necessary vital support reaches every single person who's been affected by these devastating floods so that their longer term needs are also met.

Local people report that they don't have any clarity and answers and insight on what to expect beyond the initial rescue and this community kindness. They've been told discussions are ongoing. The First Minister outlined this week in the Senate some support, and the PM also offered support to Monmouthshire. So can the Minister provide details on what exactly practically this means on the ground in the coming weeks? Can the Minister also outline a timeframe for when support will reach the people of Monmouthshire, and what precisely it will entail? It's reported some insurance companies won't pay as they only meet storm damage, not flood damage.

Locals want urgent resources, not endless form filling to the Senate. They need urgent help now and for it to be fast tracked. They say via the council. And finally, does the Minister agree with me? Time is of the essence in answering these vital questions to ensure residents and businesses anxieties do not worsen.
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Anna McMorrin Portrait Anna McMorrin MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Cardiff North, Labour)
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I thank the member opposite, and absolutely she is right. Time is of the essence and my heart absolutely goes out to all those impacted by this storm over the weekend. It is a dreadful thing to have to go through or see those hard, hard, that hard work that you've put in perhaps all your life and see the business flooded, your home flooded. I can't imagine the trauma and the difficulty that those people are going through. As I said, the Minister spoke to the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister reached out over the weekend to look at how. Support can be offered following the flooding. The First Minister has also been very clear in looking at how funding can be provided for those impacted in the least bureaucratic way possible. Look, the nature of that support. You know, we're a few days after that event. The nature of that support will come clear as as the this clean up continues as we see the the days go on with we'll be working with emergency services.

We'll be working with those impacted. The Welsh Government has emergency financial assistance schemes for just these very scenarios, and they have been kicked in and they are being used. Proposals for support are being prepared. Local government finance officials are there on the ground. The Secretary of State is there on the ground. Today we are doing all we can, working hand in hand with the Welsh Government, with the council, with the mayors and making sure that those impacted get the support they need as quickly as possible.
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None Portrait Ten Minute Rule Motion: Driving Without Insurance (Penalties and Enforcement)
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Peter Swallow Portrait Peter Swallow MP (Bracknell, Labour)
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those emergency funds. I beg to move that leave I beg to move that leave be I beg to move that leave be given to bring in a bill to make provision about the penalties for driving without insurance, to driving without insurance, to require the Secretary of State to prepare and publish a report containing an assessment of the effectiveness of existing measures of enforcing the law on driving without insurance and for connected purposes. In preparing this ten minute rule bill, I've had the minute rule bill, I've had the opportunity to speak with so many incredible organisations and charities working to deliver better road safety, and right from the outset, I want to thank particularly break protect young Drivers, the Motor Insurers Bureau, Thames Valley Police and the Fantastic Road Safety Foundation who are based in my own Bracknell constituency.

I'm delighted to be bringing forward this bill during Road Safety Week, which raises Road Safety Week, which raises awareness about the importance of safer driving at a time of year when dark nights come down earlier, when dark nights come down earlier, fog and icy conditions can increase hazards. We even had snow today, hazards. We even had snow today, and the temptation to drink and drive is heightened by the festivities. I'm proud that this government has committed to delivering a national road safety strategy, and I'm grateful for the Roads Minister for taking the time to speak with me on several occasions about the progress of developing this strategy.

Remarkably, it will be the first update to national road safety in well over a decade where the previous government failed to act. We will, because every accident, every death on our roads is a tragedy and too often an avoidable one. Mr. speaker, last month I published my road safety report, which captured the real concerns of Bracknell Forest residents regarding road safety in our community. I want to thank the almost 500 constituents who responded to this campaign and shared their views on everything from speeding and anti-social driving to the illegal use of off road bikes and scooters.

I'm honoured to be able to discuss this report here today. To ensure that the voices of Bracknell residents are heard and acted upon, making our roads safer for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike. Vitally, I've shared a copy of my report with the Roads Minister so that Bracknell Forest Voice can be heard at the heart of the upcoming National Road Safety Strategy. The findings of this report revealed a critical level of concern among residents and calls for tougher action on anti-social driving.

The overwhelming issue, which residents felt affected road safety, was speeding, followed by off road bikes and e-scooters. Almost 80% of residents either agreed strongly or disagreed that people drive too quickly down residential roads in Bracknell Forest, with similar figures for speeding on main roads. To tackle this, residents agree there should be more speed cameras and community speed watch initiatives and called for more appropriate speed limits, speed bumps and more visible police patrols, with police providing more information to local patrols so that residents can see how their concerns are being addressed.

The report identifies a clear public mandate for decisive intervention on road safety, prioritising enforcement and infrastructure upgrades. Concerns were also raised about overly bright car headlights, and I'm delighted that the government has already listened on this point and announced further resources. Research will be conducted into headlight glare. Residents also supported more action around schools, where there were particular concerns that an accident was simply waiting to happen. I heard about the challenges caused by pick up and drop off time, the need for more safe crossing points, and the widespread support for the implementation of school streets.

Mr. speaker, I am pleased that I have been able to share this directly with the local council and offer them my full support as they work to address road safety around schools and residents also raised concerns about potholes, which can cause damage to vehicles and lead to unsafe driving as motorists do their best to swerve around them. That's why I backed the government's £3.3 million investment into Bracknell Forest roads this year, with Bracknell Forest Council committing an extra £5 million over four years to pothole repair and other road maintenance.

When we're designing road safety initiatives and indeed roads themselves, it's vital that we listen to experts, which is why I want to highlight the work of the fantastic organisation based in Bracknell, the Road Safety Foundation. When I met with the Road Safety Foundation, they emphasised to me how important it was that speed limits reflect the purpose of roads and the vulnerability of those users that they support. By mapping the risk on major roads across the UK, the Road Safety Foundation plays an essential role in driving road safety improvements and ultimately saving lives.

Mr. speaker, let me now turn to the subject at hand uninsured drivers. Sadly, uninsured driving is all too common. Every 20 minutes, someone is the victim of an uninsured or hit and run driver. Every four minutes, an uninsured vehicle is seized, and every year uninsured drivers cost the UK economy £1 billion. A crackdown on uninsured drivers on our roads is essential to improving road safety, as data has shown that those who drive uninsured are often disproportionately involved in road accidents and also more likely to commit offences which put others at risk, such as hit and run incidents, speeding and driving under the influence.

The economic cost of uninsured driving, which includes compensation for victims, emergency services and medical costs and loss of productivity, is significant. This is a question of fairness. We cannot allow the costs of those who flout the law to be shouldered by honest drivers who are paying hiked premium fees to cover this. Mr. speaker, I want you to imagine for a second that you were involved in a car accident. Imagine an inconsiderate driver has been going too fast or not paying attention to the road, and has crashed into you.

You're standing there on the roadside, perhaps injured your car, a write off. You're feeling incredibly shaken, as anyone would be, but thank goodness you have insurance. Now, Mr. Speaker, imagine you find out that the other driver is not insured. Suddenly, a stressful situation becomes so much worse. The victims of accidents involving uninsured drivers often face delays and complications in securing compensation, which only exacerbates the immense emotional and financial toll on these victims. I recently met with the Motor Insurers Bureau to hear about Operation Drive Insured, a week long UK campaign with the National Police Chiefs Council that saw police forces increase their operational activity in tackling uninsured driving.

This is identifying and removing uninsured vehicles from the road, as well as an excellent public awareness campaign. During our conversation, the MIB highlighted the need for a real time database of all uninsured drivers, which would make it easier for police to catch those driving uninsured. At the moment, it's far too easy for criminals to take out fake insurance under assumed names and present that to police on the roadside, because insurers don't update the national insurance database in real time. Insurers also don't always carry out checks to verify insurers identities and ensure they have not been disqualified from driving.

Mr. speaker, I've even heard how some uninsured drivers are now using AI to create fake policies when pulled over by the police, making it more difficult for police to clamp down on uninsured driving in real time as they struggle to instantly verify the legitimacy of these documents on the roadside. Those forging or deliberately fabricating such documents through AI or any other means, are putting other road users at risk and must face tough sanctions. The Motor Insurers Bureau estimates that there are 1 million uninsured drivers on our roads, a figure which suggests that existing penalties are not providing a serious enough disincentive.

A fixed penalty notice for owning a car without insurance starts at just £100, which rises to £300 and six points on your licence if you're caught actually driving it. Police also have the power to seize and crush the vehicle, but given the serious consequences that can result from driving uninsured. Mr. Speaker, my view is that these penalties should be increased. Cracking down on the number of uninsured drivers will also help to tackle high insurance premiums, because claims made against uninsured drivers are made through the MIB and ultimately paid for through mandatory annual contributions from all UK motor insurers.

If we can reduce the number of those driving uninsured, we can reduce costs for the vast majority of drivers who do the right thing and insure their vehicles. Insurance premiums rose on average by 21% between 2022 and 24 before before falling by around £50 this year. So can I welcome the action the government has taken through the Motor Insurance Taskforce to tackle the high cost of driving for the honest many. Mr. speaker, this Road Safety Week let us all commit ourselves to taking the action needed to make driving safer for everyone, prevent crashes and save lives.

Let's tackle the costly problem of uninsured motorists. Deliver on our manifesto commitment to an ambitious national road safety strategy and back the drivers of Great Britain. Thank you.

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The hon. Member. Have leave to bring in the bill. Not yet. The bring in the bill. Not yet. The question is that the hon. Member have leave to bring in the Bill. As many of that opinion, say aye. of many of that opinion, say aye. of the contrary. No, I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Who will

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have it. The ayes have it. Who will prepare to bring in the bill? Sarah Russell. Chris Vince. Rachel Taylor. Josh Newbury Cat Rachel Taylor. Josh Newbury Cat Eccles. And myself, Mr. Speaker.

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Eccles. And myself, Mr. Speaker. Excellent. Peter Swallow.

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Yes, yes. Driving without insurance,

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Driving without insurance, penalties and enforcement bill. Second Reading. What day?

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Second Reading. What day? Friday the 29th of May.

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Friday the 29th of May. Over. Motion to be. Point of order. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek your you, Mr. Speaker. I seek your guidance on an important matter of national security. This morning, the Secretary of State for defence gave a speech on television. I think it was in Downing Street, not in the House, about a very serious incident where he says a Russian spy ship has tried to blind British military pilots with lasers. This is very important. There's been no is very important.

There's been no statement in the House. We've not been briefed. I wonder if you can give any clarification on this give any clarification on this matter. It has not been brought to my attention either. What I would say is, I hope the Treasury Benches say is, I hope the Treasury Benches listening. I take it very seriously. Defence realm should always come first to this House, and what I first to this House, and what I would say is that I will always make arrangement for whether it's a make arrangement for whether it's a Secretary of State to make a statement to this House on very important matters.

I can say at important matters. I can say at this point it's been heard. Who knows? Let us see. Yesterday the government reflected and came with government reflected and came with a statement late. Let us see if it can reflect it again today on this can reflect it again today on this very important matter. If it was good enough for a TV interview, it certainly good enough for this House to know. I will leave it at that programme. Motion to be moved that programme.

Motion to be moved formally. Thank you. The question is on the Order Paper as amended, that opinion say aye.
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Alex Norris Portrait Alex Norris MP, The Minister of State, Home Department (Nottingham North and Kimberley, Labour )
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were made in the other place, all but one as government amendments throughout the passage of the bill to date, the strength of feeling about the importance of a properly functioning immigration system, which is controlled and managed so that the system is fair and works for the people of this country, has been evident. Proper enforcement and respect for the rules is crucial to that. And as discussed in this place on Monday, the government's new Asylum policy statement sets out significant reforms to the UK's asylum and legal migration system to restore order, control, fairness and public confidence in this system.

And that statement builds on the measures in this bill. In front of us today are consideration of which returns are focussed to the core objection. Objectives of this bill. This bill will strengthen UK border security as part of a serious, credible plan to protect our borders. Seeing this government work closely with our international partners upstream and in our near neighbourhood. It's a plan that sees this government bringing to bear the powers and impact of the system as a whole, under the leadership of Border Security Command, against those who seek to undermine the UK's border security, to plan that delivers for our law enforcement partners, creating the new powers they need to intervene faster and earlier against more of those involved in serious and organised immigration crime activity, providing for better data sharing and creating stronger intelligence to inform enforcement activity, and a plan that disrupts the sales pitch spun by the gangs who.

Preventing illegal working in sectors not currently required to confirm whether a person's immigration status disqualifies them from working. So, to turn to the amendments in front of us today, I'll firstly start with the non-government amendment passed by the Other place Lords. Amendment 37, tabled by the opposition. In the other place is, in our view, unnecessary. It would mandate the Home Secretary to collate and publish statistics on the number of overseas students who have had their student visas revoked as a result of the commission of criminal Offences.

The number of overseas students who have been deported following the revocation of their visas, and the number of overseas students detained pending deportation following the revocation of their student visas. Now, it's first worth emphasising, Mr. Speaker, that the government strongly values the vital economic and academic contributions that international students make in the UK. They enrich our communities, including my own in the city of Nottingham, and the immigration rules provide, though, for the cancellation of entry clearance and permission to enter or stay where a person has been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or overseas, and where a student's permission is cancelled as a person without leave to enter or remain, they are liable to administrative removal from the UK, and foreign nationals who commit a crime should be in no doubt that the law will be enforced and where appropriate, we will pursue their deportation.

On the specifics of this amendment around publishing data on these topics, the Home Office, of course, already publishes data on a vast amount of migration statistics. I'm not going to be able to say statistics on multiple occasions, I warn colleagues, including information on visas, returns and detention. So the the official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the Code of Practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors, including user needs, the resources required to compile those numbers, as well as the quality and availability of data, and this ensures we balance the production of high quality statistics against the need for new ones.

To support the public understanding on migration. However, I want to be very clear from this Dispatch Box that we recognise there is heightened interest from parliamentarians, from the media, from members of the public in learning more about the number and type of criminal offences committed by foreign nationals in the UK, and about what happens when foreign national offenders, what happens to them after they've been convicted and after they've perhaps completed their sentences. We are working, looking very closely to Home Department on what more can be done to both improve the processes for collating and verifying the relevant data on the topic of FNOs and their offences, and to establish a more regular means of placing that data into the public domain.

Alongside the other Home Office statistics that I talk about. And when this work progresses, we propose to publish more detailed statistical reporting on FNOs subject to deportation and those returned to countries outside of the UK. And I hope on that basis that right, right, honourable and hon. Members will support the motion relating to amendment 37 in the government's name. I'll now turn to the Lords amendments that were brought by the government in the other place. And our first set of amendments further strengthens and expands the powers and offences that target organised immigration crime groups.

The most significant of these is Lords Amendment seven, which introduces a new offence that criminalises the creation or publication of material relating to unlawful immigration services online on internet services, including social media and messaging platforms. Such material will be considered criminal where the person knows or suspects that the material will be published on an internet service and has the purpose, or will have the effect of promoting unlawful immigration services. And the policy objective, I hope, is clear for colleagues.

But it is crucial that to tackle the facilitation of organised crime online and to ensure that law enforcement has those appropriate tools to break down organised crime groups. Exploitation of the online environment, including social media. Lords Amendments eight, nine, 12, 13, 14 and 15 work alongside this new offence, providing intermediary liability protections for internet service providers, meaning they're not impacted by this offence and the actions of those being targeted in this offence, namely the individuals who are promoting those unlawful services that is the target for the offence.

The offence will have an extraterritorial effect and therefore may be applied to online material created or published anywhere in the world and by a person or body of any nationality. Looking next at amendments to our core immigration crime offences that were set out in clauses 13 and 14 of the Bill, which concerns the supply and handling of articles used in immigration, crime Lords Amendments one, two, three, four, ten and 11 enable us to disrupt the actions of not only those who commit offences directly, but of those who facilitate them through the provisions of tools, materials or services.

And this is to send a clear and unequivocal message. Mr. speaker, those who enable immigration crime our give way in a second, whether through direct action or indirect facilitation, will face consequences. I give way

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Pete Wishart. I thought that this bill, when it was introduced, was ultimate and it was introduced, was ultimate and horrors and their attempt to outdo reform, but we find it was just a mere aperitif compared to the main mere aperitif compared to the main course of the horrors of this week. But on these specific measures, does he not see the impact that does he not see the impact that this might have on on support agencies and services that are there to assist refugees and asylum there to assist refugees and asylum seekers? Did he not listen to the many representations he had by these groups, and the difficulties

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that this will now cause them? Well. I am surprised the hon. Gentleman is horrified by our attempt to crack down on organised attempt to crack down on organised immigration crime, which is the ultimate industry in profiting from misery and desperation that leads misery and desperation that leads to vulnerable people leaving their leading, losing their lives and of course, has such impact on public confidence domestically. However, on the point that he makes if he waits a little while longer, I hope waits a little while longer, I hope I can give him a degree of succour on that point.

But we are making on that point. But we are making that the purpose of the amendments that have been made here, to seek to criminalise those who are concerned in supplying relevant articles for use in immigration crime, and will bring into scope possession with intent to supply or possession with intent to supply or making the offer to supply such an article. And it also brings into scope those who are concerned in the handling of a relevant article for use in immigration crime. I'll get to the hon.

Gentleman's point shortly, but firstly, just on the amendments 16 to 32 on electronic devices, and this strengthens the powers of search and seizure in relation to electronic devices. Lords Amendments 16 seeks to expand the definition of authorised officer to include Police Services of Scotland, Police Service of Northern Ireland and National Crime Agency officers. Lords Amendments 17 to 32. Ensure that these officers have the relevant safeguards, protections and legal clarities when utilising the powers as well as consequential changes. Now.

Lords Amendments 56, 38, 39 and 40 were were tabled in response to the Joint Committee on Human Rights report on the Bill and debate in the other place, ensuring proportionate, robust and appropriate safeguards are in place. So Lords Amendments five and six introduce additional safeguards into the offences set out in clauses 13 and exempt from these offences. Any item or substance designed for personal cleanliness or for hygiene. So this includes items like soap, toothpaste, sanitary products and other essentials that individuals may carry for personal dignity and well-being.

I hope that gives the hon. Gentleman a degree of comfort on that point. Limitations to this exemption have been set out if certain items present heightened risk of being repurposed as weapons, or used in ways that endanger others, I think that finds the appropriate balance on this important point in relation to the provision in the Bill, which enables stronger conditions to be placed on those who pose a threat pending their removal. Lords Amendments 38, 39 and 40 do not alter the original intention of the clause, but intend to set out on the face of the bill the limited circumstances in which an individual could have conditions such as electronic monitoring or curfews placed on their leave to enter or remain, and this includes cases where the Secretary of State considers that that person poses a threat to national security, public safety, or has been convicted of a serious crime or sexual offence.

And finally, Mr. Speaker, we've made a number of amendments in the other place which seek to clarify the provisions with which they relate to Lords Amendments 33, 34 and 35 are minor and technical to remove references to data protection legislation, which is now redundant following the enactment of section 106 of the Data Use and Access Act 2025 at Lords, amendment 36 amends the consultation requirements to require that the Secretary of State consults the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and relevant Scottish Ministers prior to making regulations that determine the purpose for which trailer registration information may be shared with the police.

This amendment does not affect the Secretary of State's discretion to consult representatives of police bodies. I'll give way on that point.

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Can I just. Just suggest you've literally

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Just suggest you've literally just walked in, and I don't think you've heard all what has been said. I think it's rather unfair, and I

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I think it's rather unfair, and I don't expect people to come in and do that. And you should know better in fairness, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I move on, on that point, I, I would I would give assurance to any colleagues, particularly colleagues colleagues, particularly colleagues from Northern Ireland, that we are talking closely. He knows well from our many discussions on this topic our many discussions on this topic of how much I value my my relationships with colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive. I the Northern Ireland Executive. I met with a number on Monday, and I will continue to do so to make sure that the applications in this that the applications in this provision and beyond are as good as possible and work seamlessly across all parts of the United Kingdom.

I all parts of the United Kingdom. I hope that gives us a degree of comfort. And then finally, Mr. Speaker, Lords Amendments 41 and 42 Speaker, Lords Amendments 41 and 42 relate to clause 62 of the bill, which is the commencement clause itself, the clause 42, which provides legal clarity for EU provides legal clarity for EU citizens and their family members with EU SS status who are in scope of the withdrawal, who are in scope of the Withdrawal agreement that is the source of their rights in the UK.

The amendments change the UK. The amendments change the commencement provision so that it is now brought to fall into force on Royal Assent to provide legal certainty as soon as possible for all EU citizens and their family members with EU SS status as to their rights in the UK. So to finish, Mr. Speaker, this is a really important bit of legislation. The work done down the other end was excellent and I must commend and reference my right hon. Friend, the noble Lord Flint, for his work.

But colleagues across the House, across that place work very hard to improve this legislation, which we appreciate. And on that basis, I beg to move the amendment to the government's name.

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The question is that the House disagrees with the Lords in Amendment 37. Shall the Minister

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Amendment 37. Shall the Minister Matt Vickers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The opposition joins the Minister in thanking our colleagues in the thanking our colleagues in the other players for their work and scrutiny of this bill. I'd like to thank my colleagues, Lord Cameron and Lord Davies, as well as and Lord Davies, as well as numerous members of the other players, including Lord Jackson, for their work. The subject of this for their work. The subject of this bill is extremely important to this country and to our future, I'm afraid.

Mr. Speaker, the reality is afraid. Mr. Speaker, the reality is that under this Labour government, illegal immigration has got much, much worse. We are in the grip of an immigration crisis. Small boat crossings have surged. They're up crossings have surged. They're up 55% against the same period before the election. In the nine months before the election, the number of people in hotels had gone down by 47%. But since this government came 47%. But since this government came to power, they've gone up.

This country is our home. It's not a hotel. We need stronger borders to hotel. We need stronger borders to make sure that those who come to our country share our values, contribute to society, and are not contribute to society, and are not simply a drain on the resources that taxpayers fund. This bill
13:29
Matt Vickers Portrait Matt Vickers MP (Stockton West, Conservative)
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that taxpayers fund. This bill removes powers that allow us to detain and deport people who arrive here illegally. It removes powers that allow us to mandate scientific age tests on those who arrive here illegally, claiming to be children. It allows people who break into our country illegally to become British citizens. Those who break into our country should not be allowed to stay. This week, the Home Secretary announced a new plan, which she says will tackle the immigration crisis.

Lords amendment 37 proposes to make transparent one of the key parts of the high immigration that the government says it wants to reduce. Transparency matters for public trust and accountability. Opposition to this amendment is completely at odds with the rhetoric and the action the Home Secretary promised us earlier this week. Once again, the ambition of this bill has been nowhere near as radical as needed to stop these dangerous crossings in their tracks. The government should be using every tool available to control immigration and make our country safer.

I appreciate that there are members in this House who question why this amendment is necessary. As my noble friend Lord Jackson said in the other place, when he had sought to obtain information from the government on the number of foreign students who had their visas revoked and had been deported because of criminal activity, he faced a series of non-answers from the department. The Minister representing the government during the Report stage of the debate acknowledged that without proper information on this and a number of other matters, it's very difficult to have an informed public debate.

We must do what we can to mandate a wider array of information to be published. If the government already have this data, then the natural question is why not publish it? I should also stress that this amendment is not aimed at the vast majority of those individuals who study hard in the UK and contribute to society, but the minority who abuse that privilege. Without this data, how can the public have trust? How do we have a proper debate about the issue of foreign criminals in our country? Records of the number of people arriving in the country illegally and disputing their age was previously published, but has been hidden since the government came to power.

Why is that? This week, the government looked like it was beginning to make a start on overhauling our asylum system. The current situation is not tenable, but as as is always the case, there boiled on rhetoric and weak on action. Whether it's on economic growth, policing, energy or here today on asylum. They say one thing and their actions achieve the exact opposite. The Conservative Party will not stand in the way of amendments which give transparency to the public and give greater powers to Ministers to tackle the issue of illegal immigration head on.

I say to the Minister he needs all the powers he can get to tackle our broken immigration system. That is why the Conservative Party will vote against this motion today.

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About Richmond Park. Alex Ballinger. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I want to thank the Home Office
13:33
Alex Ballinger Portrait Alex Ballinger MP (Halesowen, Labour)
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and I want to thank the Home Office Minister for his comments earlier on when I when I speak to voters in Halesowen and Cradley Heath and in quarry Bank, the message they have for me is clear they are very concerned about illegal immigration. And they do want the Labour Party to secure our borders. And of course this was in our manifesto commitment because there is nothing progressive about allowing smuggling gangs to take people across Europe and to see children drowning in the channel.

So I, I welcome this bill and I welcome the Home Secretary's tough measures that she announced on Monday. And but I did want to talk in particular to the Lords amendments seven and nine and 12 to 15 that we're talking about today. These are mostly about criminalising the advertising and marketing of illegal migration actions that happen online and often conducted by smuggling gangs. And of course, there are lots of reasons why people will be fleeing fleeing countries seeking refuge in other countries.

It might be conflict, it might be persecution. It might be peace. Yes, please.

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Speaker first of all, can I thank the hon. Member for what he said? I do welcome the thrust of said? I do welcome the thrust of what government's trying to do, what the Minister is saying, what we do have to ensure there's a bit of muscle behind the legislation, which is I think that's what the Minister is referring to. I think that's what the hon. Gentleman is that's what the hon. Gentleman is referring to as well. We're of the other place. My colleague was very clear from our point of view in the clear from our point of view in the legislation.

We're putting forward that point of view. But does he share my concern? And I think the share my concern? And I think the hon. Gentleman does. Those who flee persecution, those across the world persecution, those across the world that flee because of their human rights and their persecution, that they face and have nowhere to go. They can never go back to that They can never go back to that country again. I know some of those ones in my constituency and Strangford. I came maybe six years, Strangford.

I came maybe six years, eight years ago. The six Syrian families are still there. They're established in the community. And established in the community. And does he share my concern that those who flee persecution must be protected within this legislation? Thank you.

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Thank you. No he doesn't. I thank him for his intervention. And yes, of course, we are a And yes, of course, we are a compassionate country. We are a place of refuge for many people that are fleeing persecution and other issues. And I think other issues. And I think everything that the government has announced this week, and indeed in the bill that we're talking about today, allows us to be compassionate, but allows us to be tough on those smuggling gangs that are trying to take people into this country on very dangerous journeys, on routes that are in no way compassionate at all.

I was talking about some of the things that people are fleeing, fleeing from conflict, fleeing from fleeing from poverty. And I've spoken in other debates about how it's important for the Foreign Office to invest in conflict resolution, to invest in conflict prevention, to work to mitigate many of the challenges that people are fleeing from. And but that does not excuse the smuggling gangs that are operating for profit does not excuse these organisations that are marketing these dangerous journeys, often on Facebook, on Instagram, on WhatsApp or telegram, to to sell a service which essentially smuggles people not just to safety but smuggles them across continents on very dangerous journeys.

And I was very pleased to see amendment eight, which does talk about cracking down on the online marketing and the online advertising of these smuggling gangs. So I'm very pleased to see that we have some tough new criminal measures that we can use against them. And I do understand the need for that liability to not be placed on the platform providers. But I would be interested if the Minister could say a little bit about how we're going to work with those platforms if we do see illegal crimes being advertised, smuggling gangs, advertising routes, selling illegal work opportunities and the like to ensure that this legislation is effective.

I did also want to talk to. Amendments 12 and 13, which are about ensuring that we crack down on these things that don't just happen in the UK. Of course, if you're advertising smuggling opportunities, it's likely that you may be based in Europe, may be based overseas in the Middle East. And I think it's important that our legislation is extended so that we can go after, where possible, those gangs who are operating outside the UK as well. So I do welcome, I do welcome that change.

So in summary, I just had a couple of amendments, a couple of points on these amendments. I think it's I think it's an excellent bill. I support these amendments. I think it's very important that we use all the powers that we do have to go after the smuggling gangs, and this is an important step, and I'm very

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pleased that we're building on it. With what the Home Secretary announced earlier this week. ARAP spokesperson Will Forster.

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ARAP spokesperson Will Forster. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Liberal Democrats and I want to stop small, dangerous small boat stop small, dangerous small boat crossings. We want to stop the smuggling gangs and bring them to smuggling gangs and bring them to justice. The former conservative government failed to do either. My constituents in Woking and people across the country need this government to deliver a compassionate, effective and fair immigration and asylum system. If immigration and asylum system. If this government thought that this bill and the amendments were enough to do that, the Home Secretary would not have come to this House on Monday to deliver a statement to on Monday to deliver a statement to do to announce another raft of way.



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way. Gentleman. He, like myself and several others in the chamber, spent hours and hours in committee considering and hours in committee considering these very measures only for this week. The Home Secretary to come along and trumpet with even more harsher measures. Does he feel like, like me, that we almost were wasting our time considering things

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wasting our time considering things which are only going to be superseded by the Home Secretary? Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I want to thank my hon. Friend from Perth and Kinross-shire for his comments. He and I and others worked really hard on the bill committee proposing humanitarian visa amendments, trying to lift the ban on asylum seekers working, both of which would have made things better for taxpayers here and vulnerable refugees as well. And sadly, we were not listened to then and we will continue. If I can finish this first response to the intervention first.

Sadly, we were not listened to in that bill committee. I hope we listened to if we have the pleasure or unfortunate duty to serve on the next bill committee, I believe there's

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another intervention. Gentleman forgiving me. Since we all sat on that bill committee, the all sat on that bill committee, the government has announced a one in, one out deal with France. And then this week, new safe routes as part this week, new safe routes as part of the new package, the one in, one out deal. The one in is a safe route. And the new safe and other route. And the new safe and other safe routes were announced by the Home Secretary this week.

So will the hon. Gentleman welcome the government's reform to fixing the immigration system, given that what

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immigration system, given that what he's been calling for? Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I want to thank the hon. Gentleman I want to thank the hon. Gentleman from Edinburgh North, who also had the Edinburgh East. Sorry, I've got the Edinburgh East. Sorry, I've got my compass points wrong for his intervention. I'm pleased the Home Secretary and his government are finally listening to what myself finally listening to what myself and others have said for years, that safe and legal routes are really important.

However, the one really important. However, the one in, one out deal that has been announced with France isn't delivering what the government delivering what the government wanted to do. The humanitarian visas and the safe routes that we proposed would have done so. We proposed would have done so. We haven't seen a flood of Ukrainians cross the channel because we have a genuine safe route for them. We genuine safe route for them. We need to expand those initiatives to others. If I may make some progress.

Madam Deputy Speaker, there are Madam Deputy Speaker, there are parts of this bill that the Liberal Democrats welcome, and I assume others welcome as well. But the glaring reality as it is fall far short of what is needed to keep our borders safe and people safe. The government says this bill gives authorities stronger tools at some of this is true. For example, clauses 19 to 26 in the Committee stage from the government amendments, they give the Border force and police further powers to seize electronic devices.

I think that's broadly sensible. A Report stage government amendment on tightening offences linked to the supply of equipment used by organised crime is also a reasonable step. The Liberal Democrats and I also welcome changes that are peers pressed for in the other place, including the exemption for hygiene products, which came from a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, which I know the Minister mentioned. I am grateful for the government for listening in this instance to my colleagues suggestions on that.

The government was defeated in the other place on an amendment that required the required data collection on overseas students who had visas revoked due to criminal offences. The conservative amendment doesn't help tackle organised crime or improve border security. I do not believe it strengthens this bill. As such, Liberal Democrat MPs will not be supporting it. Later today, the government pushed amendments on data sharing, the EU settlement scheme and conditions on leave or bail, many of which tidy up or respond to human rights concerns from the Liberal Democrats.

These are fine as far as they go, but they do not change the overall picture. In summary, Madam Deputy Speaker, if the government truly wants to stop small boat crossings, it must work more closely with our European partners. Tough talk at home will not achieve what cooperation aboard can. But this bill and its and the tabled amendments will not tackle the huge asylum backlog or reduce the hotel bills that this government inherited from the Conservatives. Unless the government supports what we are calling for, this bill will not deliver the safe borders and fairer system that the public expect, and they will remember this at the ballot box.

Too late.
13:42
Chris Murray Portrait Chris Murray MP (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, Labour)
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Alex Ballinger. Mr Speaker Chris

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Murray. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker and I draw the House's attention to my register of interest in the my register of interest in the office and the support my office receives from Ram. It's good to see us making progress on this really us making progress on this really important bill, which is utterly central to what the government is trying to achieve in reforming asylum. Nobody can argue that the asylum system in Britain does not asylum system in Britain does not need reform.

That is because public trust has been draining from it, because of the growth in illegal because of the growth in illegal crossings and the growth in asylum hotels, but also because we have a situation where asylum seekers, situation where asylum seekers, seekers drown in the channel because of this vile trade. Only because of this vile trade. Only last month, a one month old baby drowned off the British coast. That drowned off the British coast. That is unacceptable. And if that amount of children, 14, died last year, if of children, 14, died last year, if that amount of children were dying in any other circumstances, people would be calling on the government to go help do everything it takes to go help do everything it takes to tackle it.

We must do the same when these children are asylum seekers. I want to raise a couple seekers. I want to raise a couple of points in relation to amendments, specifically the government amendment number eight, which I strongly welcome. The thing about asylum crossings in the channel is that they are driven by two factors. One is supply, one is demand. Demand is the causes of asylum, war, climate change, conflict and repression. Part. The other side of it is supply small boats who will facilitate the crossing, the ability to get over the channel, the network's upstream funnelling them to Calais.

And a big part of that is the social media enterprise. Over ten years ago, I was a justice and home affairs attache in Paris, working on channel crossings. That was in worries at the time. We were able to clamp down on that, but the fundamental difference between now and over ten years ago is the existence of social media. There is an incredibly sophisticated network of human traffickers, incredibly well-financed by these, by the costs they put on migrants and organised crime who use social media, exploit migrants and put them in these boats.

The government amendment, which I strongly support, is really important in criminalising this facilitation and advertisement of illegal immigration. My question for the Home Office would be are they as as well as putting in place the legislation properly, stepping up their capabilities within the Home Office and their engagement with private sector and social media firms to ensure that it actually has the impact on reality, because it will change the calculus of asylum seekers on their on their path to the UK if they can be given proper information and not misleading information by traffickers on the opposition's amendment on data collection and international students.

I absolutely believe that migration and public data on migration is incredibly important. The public want to see control of the immigration system. Transparency of the immigration system is central to that, and data is a key piece of that. However, I would argue that this amendment is not the way to go about getting proper data for the migration system and getting proper scrutiny of the migration system. That is partly because amendments on primary legislation will will lead to selective publication, partial publication, mandated publication of data that is highly controversial and can be selectively, impartially used by people on all sides of immigration debate to make their specific point.

Far better to have official sources of public data on migration published in bulk, which we do currently have in Home Office statistics and and ONS statistics, and also to support the organisations like the Migration Observatory and other think tanks properly scrutinising that data to equip us in this House and more importantly, in the public and in the media, to analyse the immigration system and see what what interventions in policy are having desired effects. And finally, I want to just touch on the point raised by the hon.

Member for Perth and Kinross-shire. I think I've got that right on the distinction between working with asylum seeker charities and organisations that work with asylum seekers, versus those who seek to facilitate illegal entry. They organised criminal gangs. It is an important distinction. We do not want to make it harder to work for those supporting asylum seekers, who often are very vulnerable people, and I have spent years I was the chair of the Refugee Survival Trust. I've worked on local government on support for migrants and refugees.

It is important that we make that happen. But the point is this criminalises the exploitation component of it. It does not, as we heard from the minister's response, affect the work of migration organisations helping migrants themselves. So just in conclusion, Madam Deputy Speaker, it's really good to see this bill strengthened by further amendments from the government. It is really good to see that this bill will soon be becoming legislation. We need to get it on the statute book as soon as possible, and we need to see the Home Office operationalising the

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measures within it, so we can actually start tackling this vile trade in human beings. Yeah, yeah. Mr. To wind up.

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Mr. To wind up. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, with the leave of the House, I'm grateful to all the hon. Members for their contributions and to those who have touched this legislation all its previous stages. legislation all its previous stages. I just want to address some of the points that have been made today. My hon. Friend the Member for My hon. Friend the Member for Halesowen makes important points around online advertising and the responsibilities falling not here on the providers, but rather those who are sending those messages or putting those advertisements out.

putting those advertisements out. And we think that that, you know, that that is the current gap in provisions that we need to fill. But we, you know, providers have a But we, you know, providers have a really important responsibility to there are, of course, provisions of the Online Safety Act that relate the Online Safety Act that relate to that work. But I want to assure him and my hon. Friend from Edinburgh East and Musselburgh referenced this as well, that we referenced this as well, that we talked to providers and will continue to engage with them to make sure that their platforms are not being used for what is the ultimate trade in human misery.

I share totally his points about conflict resolution. It's very much Britain's place in the world to, you know, we talk about upstream working. That's the ultimate upstream work, upstream working as upstream work, upstream working as British Aid does as well with regards to tackling the famine, ensuring tackling disease and education, particularly for women and girls, which we know can be transformative around the world. And again, I, I totally, totally agree with the point that he mentions about our work overseas, which was always also talked about by the Lib Dem spokesperson as well.

That work is crucial, that international cooperation is crucial. I want to assure colleagues that that is something that we're doing day in and day out. As I always say, we had the pleasure of hosting the Berlin process in recent, in recent weeks. And I, as I said to all of my counterparts, as they also agreed, we are dealing with these shared
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Alex Norris Portrait Alex Norris MP, The Minister of State, Home Department (Nottingham North and Kimberley, Labour )
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challenges, the organised immigration crime networks that we're talking about today and are we're talking about today and are addressed in this legislation are, by their definition, sophisticated and global, and we're engaging with and global, and we're engaging with them in different ways. So we have to make sure that that's as good a coordinated approach as possible. coordinated approach as possible. My my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh. I Edinburgh East and Musselburgh. I want to pay tribute to him.

As you know, with his long professional work in this space. But his work on the select committee, as is his enhancement of this and other processes. And he's right at the root of this. We can't miss this. The root of this is death and misery, which is exploited by misery, which is exploited by criminals. We must tackle that, but that they are sophisticated in their networks, and that as their capabilities increase, so must ours. capabilities increase, so must ours. And that's the purpose in this legislation, both in being able to tackle where they advertise their tackle where they advertise their services, but also in the tools we give our border security command and beyond in order to tackle it.

and beyond in order to tackle it. And I share totally his point on the value of data in its collective the value of data in its collective rather than any one strand. And I'll I'll just address that in my formal response to the opposition formal response to the opposition spokesperson. I mean, the Lib Dem spokesperson, I mean, I, I was I thought it was slightly unfair, which is not in the hon. Gentleman's nature, I thought, slightly unfair in his characterisation of Monday, because the reality is, everything we talked about in Monday builds on what we're putting in place in this legislation.

It's all, you know, entirely part of the same approach to tackle tackling organised crime. As my hon. Friend, to tackling both supply and demand challenges in this area. And he'll see that. And I know he does. I absolutely know that he thinks that the work on safe routes that we announced is really important, and I know he and his colleagues are going to want to take part in that process. And of course, they will have their opportunity to do that, which turns me to the opposition spokesperson.

And he has a terribly difficult job because the word I wrote down desperate, I think I'm going to not use in this context. Difficult is what I'll say to the hon. Gentleman, because he wants this place, and he wants people watching us in this place to believe that there is in some way, anger on these benches at the circumstances we find today with regards to hotels, with regards to small boat crossings, as if these aren't phenomenons that can be dated within much less than a decade and started on their watch and as as my hon.

My hon. Friend, the Home Secretary said, and I will in a second, as my right hon. Friend said on Monday. And as I'll say again, any contribution that doesn't start with an apology will not wash with the British public. I give way.

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Is he aware. That before the election, in the nine months up to the election, the number of people in hotels have number of people in hotels have been reduced by 47%. It's now gone up. The number of people arriving in this country has gone up by 55%,

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in this country has gone up by 55%, while the number of arriving in small boats have been removed has gone down. It's just not on. It's it's a car crash. Yeah.

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Yeah. Well, again, I know the hon. Gentleman has to try hard desperately to defend the previous government's record. And this government's record. And this failing. He knows as well as I do that the original sin in this is the six year head start that he and his colleagues gave to organised crime. And he now and he now, of course, will chirp from the course, will chirp from the touchlines as we break that cycle. But we're getting on with the job and they of course will talk about.

and they of course will talk about. But the thing I think I was saddest about, well, let's talk about the removal of the deterrent, because it's not quite in the subject to it's not quite in the subject to the amendments and indeed not from the other place. But he talks as he did, as his colleagues did the did, as his colleagues did the other day about Rwanda. And I would just gently say, from the day that Rwanda was signed to the day it was scrapped, 84,000 people crossed the scrapped, 84,000 people crossed the channel.

So the idea that the idea that it in some way was a deterrent, I'm afraid, is for the birds. And I'm afraid, is for the birds. And until and unless I will in a second, until and unless colleagues on the

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until and unless colleagues on the opposition front bench enter the real world, they are going to way. Those people.

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Who've arrived illegally in this country, we're going to Rwanda. Where are they now? Yeah, the.

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Yeah, the. hon. Gentleman will. Know that. The the hon. Gentleman will know

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The the hon. Gentleman will know that in the 16 months in office for this government, we've removed 50,000 people who have no right to be. He really is. He can give he can ask the questions, but he can't give the answers as well. I'm afraid I won't give way again. I'm afraid I won't give way again. I'm going to finish my point. The the our record in office is a 23% our record in office is a 23% increase on what they managed to do with regards to removing people with with no right to be here now, with with no right to be here now, but let's but let's.

But, madam Deputy Speaker, we heard on Monday something very interesting from the Leader of the Opposition, and she committed the cooperation of the opposition frontbench in what she said was such an important and said was such an important and shared endeavour. And we have an opportunity to test that today, because the hon. Gentleman heard because the hon. Gentleman heard what I said in opening. He heard what I said about the belief I have, as he said, in his contribution in as he said, in his contribution in transparency in this area and in building public confidence through transparency and statistics.

He really does have to let me finish really does have to let me finish my point before I give way that that he heard our commitment to that. He heard the work that's going underway, which I hope he would take in good faith from me, knowing, having known each other for as long as we have done that, we do have that commitment to publishing stats that really mean that people know what's going on

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here. So he doesn't really need to support the amendment on that basis. But let me make a case. Steve Barclay are really.

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Deeply concerned about people arriving in this country claiming to be children, arriving illegally, claiming to be children. The impact claiming to be children. The impact that that can have on our education and care settings. This bill removes our ability to scientifically urge verify some of scientifically urge verify some of these people. But more than that, since this government came to office, it stopped publishing the

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data. What has it got to hide? Why won't it publish the data on age disputes on arrival? I'm afraid. I'm afraid, Madam

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I'm afraid. I'm afraid, Madam Deputy Speaker, here we are. Panto season starting early. Because the hon. Gentleman, the the hon. hon. Gentleman, the the hon. Gentleman, heard me say. I'm not sure whether the hon. Member for Broadland heard me say it, but the Broadland heard me say it, but the hon. Gentleman certainly did is we want to bring forward a whole set of data on this that helps help people. The picture of what's going people. The picture of what's going on we are making, I have made that commitment from this Dispatch Box and that is what we'll do.

It is and that is what we'll do. It is sad. I won't give way. The hon. Gentleman has more than had the opportunity to make his case. So I opportunity to make his case. So I am sad. I am sad to say, you know, we have said that that's what we'll do and that is what we'll do. And, do and that is what we'll do. And, you know, on that basis, there really is no need for this amendment. But as I say, we will test, we will we will test the cooperation.

Will it last even 48 hours? I suspect, from the hon. Gentleman's demeanour, perhaps not. But in conclusion, Madam Deputy Speaker, it is so important that this legislation reaches the statute book quickly. The need for these powers is urgent. We are down to one point of disagreement with the other place and will in a second. This bill is central to the government's actions to strengthen border security. It includes new transformative measures on delivering on our manifesto, commitment to identify, to intercept, to disrupt, to prevent serious and organised crime through new criminal offences, through expanded data sharing capabilities and improved intelligence.

It will disrupt organised crime groups

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business models and reduce unlawful migration to the UK. I'll give way. The hon. Member, the Minister

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The hon. Member, the Minister for giving way, does the Minister accept? Despite his opening remarks and his words about Northern and his words about Northern Ireland, that the reality and the understanding of people in Northern Ireland is very different, given Ireland is very different, given that we are subject to EU law in this space? People in Northern this space? People in Northern Ireland. This is a very real issue for them. They want zero tolerance for illegal entry. They want fast for illegal entry.

They want fast removal of those who are blocking up our public service. We're already stretched to capacity. So will he go further and have this UK will he go further and have this UK Parliament legislate sovereignly for Northern Ireland and protect our borders in Northern Ireland?

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our borders in Northern Ireland? I'm very grateful for the hon. Lady's question. She may have heard me say before that it is not in anyone's interests, whether anyone's interests, whether anywhere in the UK, for the work of establishing order and control at the border at the southern border the border at the southern border of the United Kingdom, creating displacement challenges with regards to the Common Travel Area. regards to the Common Travel Area. That's something we're very, very concerned about, something that I talked to colleagues across the UK and beyond about, of course, something that we've had very successful interventions on with regards to Operation Colne Valley on her, on her second question, with regards to future legislation, she will have heard what the Home Secretary had to say the other day.

There will be plenty of opportunities within that to have those conversations, but our resolution is to make sure that we've got a system that establishes order and control and and that is what this legislation is in service of. And that is what the work that was set out in Monday, on Monday

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was, it was set in service of I'll happily give way. I thank the Minister for giving way. Can he can he talk more about way. Can he can he talk more about the data that we already have and how we're tracking, how we're tracking the number of refugees tracking the number of refugees more properly already? So the the the amendment 37 is not appropriate.

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the amendment 37 is not appropriate. My as I as I said in my opening, it is right that we take our time it is right that we take our time to develop the right package of data so we can publish it so that the hon. Member for Hamble Valley the hon. Member for Hamble Valley and I can sit down and discuss it in great detail, as he clearly very in great detail, as he clearly very he will. And as always, the hon.

Member for Hamble Valley wants it now, but as I suspect he is learning, as I suspect he is learning, as I suspect he is learning. Opposition does not always work on a now timeline, but they may well have some time to to

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they may well have some time to to find that out. I'll very happily give way on that point. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker,

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, does the Minister agree with me that actually we have a very strong ecosystem of data on migration in ecosystem of data on migration in this country? So, for example, the Home Office publishes enormous amounts of data every year and amounts of data every year and every quarter. Actually, we have the ONS that does a lot of data. We actually have the independent chief actually have the independent chief inspector of Borders and Immigration who publishes and analyses lots of data that he collects.

And the new the new occupant of that role that he collects in his role. And actually, we have an ecosystem of think tanks, research organisations and universities. For example, the Institute of Migration, of Observatory of Migration, Oxford University does amazing work in this space. The challenge is not that we don't have data available. The challenge is people interpret it selectively for their own purposes on immigration.

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Yeah, that's. Always the challenge because, you know, we live we live in a you know, we live we live in a world of mis and disinformation, I'm sad to say, occasionally bad faith. However, my antidote to that faith. However, my antidote to that is the same as the hon. Gentleman's. Which is that better transparency is the best way to see our way through that. He he is exactly through that. He he is exactly right that we do already publish a vast amount, including on visas, returns and detention.

He's exactly returns and detention. He's exactly right that we do. We we keep this under review in line with the code under review in line with the code of practice for statistics. But I say gently to opposition colleagues, we have made the commitment and many of the colleagues didn't see many of the colleagues didn't see my opening. So maybe it does bear repeating. We understand the heightened interest in this area heightened interest in this area from parliamentarians, from the media, from members of the public.

I'll give way in a second about the number and type of criminal offences committed by foreign nationals, and about what happens to them. It is in everyone's to them. It is in everyone's interests that to be known. It is also in everybody's interests that data set to be as good as possible. I'll give way one final time.

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I'll give way one final time. People out there are really concerned about 30 year olds trying to get into classrooms with 13 year to get into classrooms with 13 year olds. They want to know how often it's being tried. Why has the Home Office, this government stopped

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Office, this government stopped publishing the data around age verification? I'm getting to. The point where I might not be able to help the opposition spokesperson because I answered the question. The the we share the interest is in nobody's interest. As I say, for important information to not be available, we are preparing it as a whole data set. We're preparing it as a whole data set. I said it in opening, I said in response to him at least once I've said it again, we I hear the question of when and as soon as we can accurately do so.

That is what we'll do. So. So there is a danger, Madam Deputy Speaker, there is a danger that we are down to perhaps the narcissism of small differences on this bill. I don't really think that this is the hon. Gentleman's principal objection, but I know that he has committed from the from the opposition frontbench as the Leader of the Opposition did their cooperation in making sure we tackle the pernicious crime of organised immigration crime and to make sure we have order and control of our business at our borders.

So

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on that basis, I beg to move and I look forward to their cooperation. Yes. The question is that this House

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The question is that this House disagrees with the Lords in their amendment 37. As many as are of that opinion, say aye.
14:02
None Portrait Division
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that opinion, say aye.

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The The question

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The question is The question is, The question is, as The question is, as on The question is, as on the The question is, as on the Order Paper, as many as are of that Paper, as many as are of that opinion, say aye of the contrary, no. No tellers for the ayes Nesil Caliskan Stephen Morgan Tellers for Caliskan Stephen Morgan Tellers for Simmonds.

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Yes. Thank Thank you. Property Property Bill Property Bill North Property Bill North Cornwall Property Bill North Cornwall. We We have We have to We have to take Yes, Yes, yes.

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Order, order!

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Order, order! The Ayes to the right 326. The Noes to the left 92.

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Yes.

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Yes. The eyes. The rights for 326.

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The eyes. The rights for 326. The noes to the left were 92. So the ayes have it. The ayes have it the ayes have it. The ayes have it the ayes have it. The ayes have it unlock. With the leave of the House. I call the Minister to move that. This House agrees with the Lords in

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This House agrees with the Lords in their amendment 1 to 36 and 38 to 42. I beg.

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To move. The question is that this House agrees with the Lords and their agrees with the Lords and their amendments, 1 to 36 and 38 to 42, As many as are of that opinion, say aye. I of the country. No, I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Minister, to move that the

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Minister, to move that the reasons. I beg to move that the committee. Be appointed, to draw up a reason to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing with amendment 37, that the Committee Alex Norris Stephen Morgan, Sarah Coombes, Jonathan Brash, Chris Murray, Matt Vickers and Clive Jones the members of the Committee, the Alex Norris be chair of the Committee, that three be the quorum of the Committee that the Committee do

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withdraw immediately. The question is that the Committee be appointed to draw up reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their amendment 37 that Alex Norris Stephen Morgan Sarah Coombes, Jonathan Brash, Chris Murray, Matt Vickers, and Clive Jones be members of the committee that are Alex Norris be chair of the Committee. That three be the quorum of the Committee that the Committee do withdraw the Committee do withdraw immediately, as many as are of that opinion, say aye of the contrary.

opinion, say aye of the contrary. No, I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. That concludes consideration of Lords amendments consideration of Lords amendments to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.

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Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill Lords Committee.
14:17
14:18
Sarah Sackman Portrait Sarah Sackman MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Finchley and Golders Green, Labour)
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It is a pleasure to serve with you under you. Madam chair, I'm pleased to open this discussion on the clauses of a focus but important bill designed to drive innovation, enhance legal certainty and strengthen our standing in the global digital economy. Let me first turn to clause one and unassuming clause on the page, but one with important implications for the future of our legal system and our economy. Clause one is the engine room of this bill. It provides a clear and powerful statement that a thing, including something digital or electronic, can be recognised as personal property, even if it doesn't fall within either of the categories that our legal system has traditionally recognised.

For centuries. The law has drawn a simple line. Personal property was either a thing in possession, that being a physical object like a car or a watch, or a thing in action, something that exists because the law says it does and is enforced through legal action, like a debt or contractual right. But the world has changed. Technology has leapt forward, and our law must keep pace. Today we have assets like crypto tokens. They're not a physical object yet their existence is not reliant on the law.

They do not fit comfortably into either of the traditional categories. Our courts have begun to acknowledge that such assets can and should be the subject of property rights, but without clear binding legal foundation, uncertainty remains. Uncertainty that could stifle innovation, deter investment and push the digital economy elsewhere. This government will not allow that to happen. Driving sustainable growth is a top priority of this government, and that means giving businesses and investors the certainty they need to thrive. With this single clause, we are removing doubt and sending a clear message that we are open for business in the digital age.

By removing this ambiguity, clause one ensures that those who hold or transact in digital assets are better supported to defend their property rights, transfer them, and recover them when it matters most. This bill reinforces our position as a global jurisdiction of choice for legal innovation, emerging technology and the digital economy. We are leading from the front now. To be clear, Madam Chair, clause one doesn't attempt to draw rigid lines around what qualifies as property, and that's a deliberate choice.

It rightly empowers our courts to continue developing the common law case by case, applying centuries of legal wisdom to the frontiers of a digital economy. The reference to digital or electronic things in the bill simply reflects where the issues most commonly arise today. Without boxing in the law, where it might go tomorrow, this clause paves the way for fairer outcomes in cases of theft, fraud, commercial disputes or insolvency involving digital assets. It will reduce litigation costs, promote market stability and underpin our reputation as a jurisdiction of choice in a digital world.

Madam chair, this is a small clause with big consequences. It's a bold, forward looking step that reaffirms our commitment to legal certainty, technological progress and global leadership. Turning to turning to clause two of the bill, clause two of the bill sets out the title, territorial extent and commencement date. Once granted Royal Assent, this legislation will become the property, Digital Assets, etc. act 2025. That title Digital Assets, etc. is no accident. It's been carefully chosen to capture the technologies of today like crypto tokens, while keeping open the door to future innovations.

This is a law built not just for now, but for what may come next. The act will extend to England and Wales and Northern Ireland. This will minimise legal discrepancies across jurisdictions and help ensure that the benefits such as legal clarity, investor confidence and streamlined dispute resolution are more widely felt across these jurisdictions. I would like to draw the House's attention to the fact that the bill does not extend to Scotland, owing to differences in property law. However, the Scottish Government introduced their own Digital Assets Bill on the 30th of September, which confirms that certain kinds of digital asset can be objects of property under Scots private law.

And importantly, the act comes into force the moment it receives royal assent. No delays, no retrospective effect because this bill does not create new burdens, it confirms and clarifies the law as it has been developing under common law. As a result, there will be immediate certainty, minimal disruption, and a strong foundation for our digital

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economy. I beg to move. Shadow Minister Doctor Kieran Mullan. Thank you, Madam Chairman. It's
14:23
Kieran Mullan Portrait Dr Kieran Mullan MP (Bexhill and Battle, Conservative)
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Thank you, Madam Chairman. It's a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, and I'm pleased again to speak on behalf of the opposition as we carry forward the opposition as we carry forward the constructive debate we had at Second Reading. From the outset, I want to restate our support for the Bill. It represents a careful and modest step in the right direction. It preserves the inherent flexibility of the common law, whilst giving just enough statutory certainty to ensure that businesses, innovators and courts know the ground beneath their feet.

That balance is vital. If we are overprescribed in statute, we would risk freezing progress if we left matters entirely to the interpretation of the courts, we would risk fragmentation and delay. And this bill avoids both extremes. Importantly, this is not legislation born overnight. It's a product of the rigorous work of the Law Commission work commissioned by the last conservative government, who recognised early the need for clarity in this space. If the UK was to stay competitive internationally, the Commission's conclusion was clear certain digital assets simply do not fit neatly into the centuries old categories of things in possession or things in action.

Without intervention, the risk grew. That uncertainty would hold back investment, undermine commercial transactions and frustrate both innovators and consumers. This bill answers that challenge in the right way. It does not attempt to define every kind of digital asset that might emerge. Nobody in this chamber, or indeed beyond it, can predict the full scope of the technologies that will shape our financial and commercial future in the decades ahead. Instead, the bill does something both restrained and profound. It confirms that digital things are not excluded from attracting property rights merely because they fall outside the old categories.

Beyond that, it gives our common law the space it needs to continue doing what it has done for centuries, develop sensibly case by case, guided by principle rather than prescription. That is not to say that the state has been inactive in related causes since 2023. Cryptoasset promotion has been subject to FCA rules. The Money Laundering Act has been amended for the new cryptocurrency class, and the government have consulted on bringing crypto trading platforms and custody services within the broader perimeter of financial regulation.

The Bank of England and the FCA are exploring robust frameworks for stablecoins and custody. However, none of this works unless the foundational question what is the legal status of these assets is clearly answered. That is exactly what this bill provides. Let me end by reiterating what I said at Second Reading. The UK must remain at the forefront of global legal innovation. When technological change accelerates, the temptation can be either to rush into rigid regulation or do nothing at all. This bill avoids both pitfalls.

It is proportionate, it is principled, and it is rooted in the understanding championed strongly by the previous conservative government, that legal certainty is a foundation for growth, investment and innovation in this area. For all these reasons, the opposition will continue to support this bill and we look forward to working constructively to ensure it delivers the clarity our courts, consumers and businesses need. Thank you.
14:26
Will Forster Portrait Mr Will Forster MP (Woking, Liberal Democrat)
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Liberal Democrat spokesperson Will Forster. pleasure to speak once again in this chamber on the Property Digital Assets Bill. The bill very much brings with it a modern legal framework that will allow Britain to take every opportunity we can whilst protecting ourselves in an ever increasing and digital changing age. The Liberal Democrats support clause one of the Property Digital Assets bill. It states that a thing, including a digital or electronic thing, will not be deprived of legal status as an object of personal property rights merely by reason of the fact that it is neither a thing in action or a thing in possession.

This clause responds to the development of new types of assets, such as crypto tokens, which challenge the traditional categories of property in our legal system. In the other place, they scrutinise this legal framework incredibly well and I'm very grateful for their work. And as a result, we have got a fine piece of legislation for the for this chamber to discuss today. The digital world is often mired in legal ambiguity, ambiguity around how common law systems treat digital assets.

At current, the law recognises primary two types of personal property things in possession and things in action. But digital assets, which cannot be physically possessed and often don't count for a claim against another person, don't really fit easily into either category. The need for clarity is imperative. We could risk undermining individual rights and weakening legal solutions in cases involving crypto assets, NFTs or other digital holdings. The bill goes very far in ensuring that digital things are not denied property status simply because they don't fall into the normal categories.

Because of this, we are supportive of clause two of the bill as well, as it requires the Secretary of State to publish codes of practice on attributing digital things that confer personal property rights. This clause aims to provide guidance to the courts on how to assess whether a digital asset is the object of personal property rights. Madam chair, the Liberal Democrats welcome the government's to welcome the government's decision to accept the Law Commission's recommendations. Figures from the Financial Conduct Authority indicate that nearly 12% of UK adults now hold crypto assets, something that I know as the MP for Woking that is raised with me as casework when things go wrong, and that figure of how many of our constituents hold digital assets has nearly doubled since 2021.

And yet, victims of fraud, those seeking restitution in insolvency, or simply those wishing to assert ownership over what they rightly hold, have been operating in a murky legal landscape. This bill removes room. So this bill leaves room for common law to develop in that sphere of property. This will help the law reflect the evolving nature of technology, but it must be monitored over time to ensure that regulation ultimately aligns with the need to protect individual rights and support our economy.

We know digital assets can also present risks, particularly fraud, volatility and abuse, but we can't ignore them. We have to face them head on. Madam Deputy Chair, we need a modern legal framework that bolsters confidence in our economy and uses the digital assets that we do have to support the rule of law. I think this bill is clear. It's well written and makes doubly sure that the UK law remains relevant in the digital world. It's supported by the Law Society, legal practitioners and the Liberal Democrats.

I urge colleagues from all sides of the House to support

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its passage. Thank you. Mr. To wind up.

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Mr. To wind up. With the leave of the House, I'd like to just give my sincere thanks like to just give my sincere thanks to the hon. Members for Bexhill and Battle and for Woking on both sides Battle and for Woking on both sides of the House. It has been a pleasure to discuss the clauses of the Bill in more detail, and good the Bill in more detail, and good to see a constructive consensus about a piece of legislation where I think we all agree this brings legal certainty.

It keeps pace with legal innovation. It's legal innovation. It's proportionate, but it also meets the moment with that growing, that growth in cryptocurrency and other growth in cryptocurrency and other related industries. So in conclusion, I can be very short. conclusion, I can be very short. That's my responses to the points that have been raised, and I do want to thank all those who have

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want to thank all those who have contributed to this important debate. The question is that clause one

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The question is that clause one stand part of the bill. As many as are of that opinion, say aye. II. Of the contrary, no I think the Of the contrary, no I think the ayes have it, the ayes have it. The question is that clause two stand question is that clause two stand part of the bill. As many as are of that opinion, say aye. I of the contrary, no I think the ayes have it, the ayes have it. Order, order! The question is I do report the bill to the House.

The question is that I do report the bill to the House. As many as are of that opinion, say aye. I of the contrary, no I think the ayes have contrary, no I think the ayes have it, the ayes have it. Order, order! Order! Whip to report.

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I beg to report that the committee has gone through the bill and has directed me to report the

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and has directed me to report the same without amendment. Under the order of July the 16th,

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Under the order of July the 16th, we shall now move to Third Reading of the Bill. No.

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Minister to move. Third Reading. I beg to move that the bill be
14:32
14:32
Sarah Sackman Portrait Third Reading Sarah Sackman MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Finchley and Golders Green, Labour)
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the members of this House and the Other place for their support and insightful contributions. I am particularly grateful for the support expressed at Second Reading by the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle and the hon. Member for Woking, and all those members who have contributed throughout the passage of this Bill. Their engagement demonstrates strong cross-party momentum behind modernising our personal property law. I also pay tribute to the former Special Public Bill Committee, which gathered expert evidence and was so ably led by Lord Anderson of Ipswich.

The Law Commission deserves particular recognition for its exemplary work. LED by Laura Burgoyne and Christopher Long, on which this bill stands. Their engagement with stakeholders has been gold standard and really demonstrated the benefits of coherent law reform. Transparent, expert led and deeply consultative. I would also like to thank the former Law Commissioner, Professor Sarah Green, for her contribution to this work and for giving evidence at Committee stage. Lastly, I would like to put on record my thanks to the officials who have worked tirelessly on this bill.

I thank my policy officials, Alicia Love and Jonathan Fer, the bill managers, Harriet McNeill Adams and Lily Sullivan, and the and Helen Hall from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. And also thank you to my private office, in particular, my private secretary, Amelia Overton, and Margaret Ashenafi. Madam Deputy Speaker, this is more than a bill. It's a landmark step towards ensuring that the law of England and Wales and Northern Ireland not only keeps pace with innovation, but leads it. This law will give digital pioneers the certainty they need, backed by the legal strength they expect from our country.

And it shows that our economy is open, our ambition is global and we are here to support innovation by supporting the recognition of digital assets as property, the bill helps establish legal certainty. It gives industry the confidence to innovate here, knowing that our legal system can support new models of ownership, transfer and settlement. This is how we translate from legal reform into economic leadership. It's how we show that we are at the forefront of the technical revolution, and how that can be seen in the real world.

With the London Stock Exchange's announcement of a new digital asset platform, this is the first major global stock exchange to implement a blockchain based system. This is a government backing growth, backing technology and backing Britain's future. And as such, I

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commend this bill to the House. The question is that the bill be now read the third time, Shadow
14:34
14:35
14:36
Mims Davies Portrait Petitions Mims Davies MP (East Grinstead and Uckfield, Conservative)
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Paper, As many as are of that opinion, say aye. I of the contrary, no I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. We now move

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Davies. Thank you, Madam Deputy.

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Speaker, and I rise on behalf. Of the 279 constituents from Crawley Down in my constituency of Crawley Down in my constituency of East Grinstead, Uckfield, and the villages and the further 370 who villages and the further 370 who have signed this online, and I present this petition, madam Deputy Speaker, as I most specially Speaker, as I most specially present it on behalf of Joy, an elderly constituent who risked elderly constituent who risked being cut off and isolated should this unwanted and unwarranted development take place.

The prayer of the petition is as follows. The petitioners, therefore, request petitioners, therefore, request that the proposals to potentially demolish the existing dwellings in woodland close and create a significant new access road serving significant new access road serving potentially 48 additional homes is inappropriate and would cause significant harm to the wider local community. Further declares that community. Further declares that the scale of the proposed development is out of keeping with the surrounding area, that residents would be subjected to noise and disruption, and that the noise and disruption, and that the affordable housing mix of the proposed development is inadequate.

That Woodlands Close could not accommodate the volume of traffic which would arise from the development, and that the development would risk harming the heritage asset of the grade two listed Birley Cottage and the natural environment, and that the public consultation regarding this proposal was inadequate and has not taken into account the significant amount of flooding risks and topography. The petitioners, therefore, request that the House of Commons urge that the government do encourage Mid Sussex District Council to withhold planning permission for this development to protect the wider local community in Crawley Down and in particular any homes impacted by this significant road layout change, which will isolate one dwelling in particular.



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Yeah.

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Yeah. Petition proposed development and road layout changes in Crawley and road layout changes in Crawley Down. Thank you. Thank you.

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Down. Thank you. Thank you. I beg to move that this House do now adjourn. The question is that this House
14:39
None Portrait Adjournment: Accessibility at Northwich railway station
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The question is that this House do now adjourn. Andrew Cooper. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. And from a debate. About the
14:39
Andrew Cooper Portrait Adjournment: Accessibility at Northwich railway station Andrew Cooper MP (Mid Cheshire, Labour)
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And from a debate. About the personal property rights on crypto. Tokens, we move seamlessly. Into a. Debate I'm proud to.

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Debate I'm proud to. Have secured. On railway station accessibility, constituency. And my thanks go. To you and.

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To you and. Mr. Speaker. For giving me the opportunity to talk on this. This is a long. Standing issue that affects.

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Not just disabled. People. But the entire community. In Northwich. For more. Than a decade, the station has

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Than a decade, the station has lacked any step free access to its second platform, leaving many passengers effectively cut off from

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passengers effectively cut off from from half. The station and. journeys. As we all.

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Know, rail travel is not. Just about getting from A to B, it's about connecting lives and communities. Our railways provide

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communities. Our railways provide essential links for people who might otherwise face isolation and. Exclusion.

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Offering vital access to employment, learning and healthcare, and keeping us connected to the and keeping us connected to the people and communities that matter most. They are the backbone of opportunity and helping people opportunity and helping people participate fully in society. By doing this, railway services drive

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economic growth, strengthen social cohesion and improve the health and wellbeing across the country. But these.

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But these. Benefits only matter if everyone can use the network with confidence, and that means removing the and that means removing the obstacles that make rail travel challenging or impossible. For some people. Accessibility is not an optional extra. It's it is fundamental to ensuring that our railways serve every passenger, regardless of their needs. That is not the case at Northwich station not the case at Northwich station today. Since 2013, when the old barrow crossing was removed, passengers have had no step free passengers have had no step free access to the Chester bound platform.

If you cannot use stairs, you cannot get to it.

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you cannot get to it. There's on that point. Of course, I'm grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way, and I share his giving way, and I share his concerns about accessibility and train stations. We had a very similar issue at Alfreton train similar issue at Alfreton train station where, after 20 years of campaigning by Labour councillors, I was fortunate to be able to open the new lift, allowing accessibility from one side of the platform, from one platform to the other only in July.

But we still have a similar issue at Langley Mill train station, so I understand my friend's concerns and I wonder whether my hon. Friend would join

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me in urging the government to make accessibility at our train stations government. Andrew Cooper, I.

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Andrew Cooper, I. Thank you for your intervention, and I certainly congratulate the work done by her and her councillors in securing that councillors in securing that improvement. I, of course, agree with her entirely, and I'm sure the Minister on the front bench has heard what she said. As I was heard what she said. As I was saying, if you cannot use stairs, you cannot get to the Chester bound platform. There is no lift, no ramp, platform. There is no lift, no ramp, just a steep footbridge with 41 steps.

And this means that wheelchair users, particularly wheelchair users, particularly people with limited mobility, elderly passengers, parents with prams and anyone with heavy luggage prams and anyone with heavy luggage are all put at a disadvantage or worse, locked out completely. For worse, locked out completely. For some, this means missing trains, for others, it means giving up on rail travel altogether. When we rail travel altogether. When we talk about building stronger, fairer communities or encouraging greener travel, we have to make greener travel, we have to make sure our public transport is open to everyone.

A railway station that only some of us can use is not truly public transport, it's exclusion by design. I've spoken with residents who are unable to visit family, attend job interviews, or enjoy a simple day out because or enjoy a simple day out because they cannot use their local station. Local charity Disability Positive has highlighted how disabled passengers are being denied equal access. One user told them they had to be driven miles to another station simply to start their journey, because Northwich was a no go.

Others are forced to rely on staff organised taxis to get between stations, turning a simple journey into a logistical headache while Northern Rail do their best to accommodate passengers. That is not a real solution. It's a workaround for an infrastructure failure. It does not offer dignity or spontaneity, it just underlines the problem. And let's not forget this is happening at a station with about 65,000 people living within five kilometres. Northwich is not a minor rural stop. It is a key part of the Mid Cheshire line.

Yet we have a station that in practice only serves part of the population. What makes this worse is that we had the perfect opportunity to fix it in 2021. The gable end of the station building collapsed onto the station's Victorian canopy, causing major disruption and narrowly avoiding killing three people. Part of the station building had to be demolished and rebuilt, and has in fact yet to reopen. Four and a half years later, that should have been the moment to deliver step free access.

The construction teams, the plant and equipment were already going to be on site. Line possessions were going to be in place. Detailed plans had already been prepared as part of the station soon to be submitted access for all application. Cheshire West and Chester Council, Northern Rail, Network Rail and local campaigners, including the Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association, were all united behind a proposal and were vocal in their support. The right thing to do, both in terms of the long term saving to the Exchequer and what might be considered adequate compensation to the people of Northwich was obvious, and instead the previous conservative government declined to act, simply authorised a like for like rebuild

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and directed campaigners towards access for all. The hon. Member. Of course.

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Of course. I'm grateful. To my hon. Friend for giving way, and he points to frustration that I and he points to frustration that I feel in Weston-super-Mare and lots of campaigners in Weston-super-Mare feel where we've seen missed opportunities over and over again opportunities over and over again to give people the basic dignity of access when it comes to to travel. So I'm really pleased that we in Western joined the people of Northwich and Alfreton. When we are, we are getting that accessible travel.

Would you agree with me travel. Would you agree with me that accessibility must be included by design, right at the very start of, of any of these processes that

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of, of any of these processes that we are looking at? I thank you for his intervention and I absolutely would agree. I think if we're going to give people dignity, then we have to make sure that we're catering for everybody's needs. So the previous government declined to act. And so a funding application was submitted to the application was submitted to the Department for transport under the access for All programme. And the previous conservative government dithered for three years before then turning it down just before the general election.

A once in a the general election. A once in a generation chance to build access into the heart of the station was squandered. We put the walls back squandered. We put the walls back up and we left the barriers in place. This was not just a missed opportunity to install a lift. It was a missed chance to show that disabled people matter, that we are serious about inclusion and that public transport is for everyone. It was a chance to spend public money more efficiently by combining projects and minimising disruption.

Instead, we let it slip through our fingers and the result is that Northwich station remains inaccessible for many people, and neglect made all the more galling by the £99 million underspend on access for all in Network Rail's control period. Six Northwich deserves to be part of that progress. It should not be left behind. Every year of delay means more people excluded from rail travel, more opportunities missed and more money wasted on temporary fixes. That is simply unacceptable. I welcome the government's plan to establish Great British Railways, and I recognise that structural reform takes time.

I also welcome the very recent publication of the roadmap to an Accessible Railway, the commitment to end the short term stop start approach to delivering step free access, and to £373 million committed over five years for access for all projects. And I am sure the Minister will talk more about that shortly. This is a significant step forward, and I commend the government's genuine commitment to inclusion. But I also say this warm words are not enough. Funding must follow need, and few stations in the country demonstrate that more clearly than Northwich.

So I ask the Minister directly, will the Department publish the process for how stations will be submitted for consideration for delivering step free access following the Roadmap's publication? Will the Minister set out a timescale for when this will occur, and when communities can expect the next batch of stations for improvements to be announced? Will he consider Northwich Station for inclusion in the next round of access for all projects, ensuring that stations like ours are overlooked and underserved for too long? Are given the priority they deserve? And will he commit to working with Network Rail and the train operating companies to ensure that in future, when rebuilds or refurbishments take place, accessibility improvements are delivered at the same time? We cannot afford to miss opportunities like that again.

We cannot afford to leave communities behind. Accessibility is not just about ramps and lifts. It's about dignity, independence and fairness. And it's time that Northwich had a station that reflects those values. So let's make sure that no one in Northwich is left behind simply because the station wasn't built with them in mind. Let's put that right. Let's deliver a railway that

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works for everyone. Thank you. Minister. it.

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it. Is a privilege to respond to this important debate on accessibility at Northwich Station.
14:49
Simon Lightwood Portrait Simon Lightwood MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) (Wakefield and Rothwell, Labour )
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accessibility at Northwich Station. It is an issue which clearly has a massive impact on Northwich community and the local travelling public. Regardless of their mobility, their age or the fact that they are travelling with heavy luggage. Many of Britain's 2581 railway stations were constructed before modern accessibility standards were established, making them challenging to navigate for many disabled people. My department recent accessibility audit found that approximately 56% of stations are step free. It might also be helpful for me to explain that around 66% of the 1.3 billion journeys that take place on the network every year are between these step three stations.

This is a significant piece of progress compared to where the network was just a few years ago, but we still have a long way to go. I would also like to assure my hon. Friend and other hon. Members that accessibility is an absolute priority for this government, and once it's fully established and operational, it will be a critical importance for Great British Railways. We are absolutely committed to delivering accessibility improvements, allowing more people to travel easily, with confidence and with dignity.

We also know that the experience for disabled people when travelling on the rail is is too often falling short of what is expected and what passengers, frankly, deserve. And that leads me on to our recently published Rail Accessibility Roadmap, which ensures we remain on track to deliver improvements both to facilities and to the little things that create the the better passenger experience. The roadmap includes a range of tangible actions that will improve the experience of disabled passengers on existing lines, including the assistance they receive, access to journey information, and improvements to how we maintain lifts, escalators and facilities such as toilets.

Meaningful improvements are being delivered across the railway to improve the accessibility of the network. Through the access for All programme, we have already delivered step free access to over 270 stations right across Britain. This has included new lifts and bridges, ramps, tactile paving, improved signage and wayfinding changes that make a real difference in the everyday lives of passengers. 32 station accessibility upgrades have been completed since the beginning of April 2024, with accessibility upgrades at a further five stations planned for completion by the end of March 2026.

Smaller scale accessibility upgrades have also been completed at more than 1500 locations. This has included everything from accessible ticketing machines to better lighting, handrails and help points. This is real progress, and we're making strides to transform journeys for passengers who previously struggle to use the railway or were unable to use it at all. And we're continuing to invest in station accessibility as part of the 2025 spending review, the Chancellor confirmed £280 million for access for all projects over a four year period.

Now that we've addressed some of the steps that the government is taking to ensure we provide adequate accessibility at stations, I'd like to turn to the specific topic of this debate accessibility at Northwich railway station in my hon. Friend's constituency of Mid Cheshire today. I regret that Northwich station does not offer full step free access. And as my hon. Friend set out in his speech to the Chester bound platform, remains accessible only via a bridge with stairs for wheelchair users, people with mobility needs, parents with pushchairs, travellers with luggage.

This is a real challenge and hugely regrettable. In 2025, in 2022, the previous government sought nominations for stations across Britain to benefit from upgrades as part of the access for all programme. A total of 310 nominations were received, including for Northwich station. Indeed, this nomination received strong support from the from my hon. Friend. The previous government announced that the initial feasibility work would be undertaken at 50 of these projects and as my hon. Friend knows, Northwich railway station was not one of those stations announced.

Of course, it's not for me to comment on decisions made by the previous government, but I absolutely recognise his disappointment and frustration with that decision. In his speech, my hon. Friend spoke clearly and passionately about the gable end of the station building collapsing into the Victorian canopy and the immense disruption it caused to users of the station. As he observed, this created an opportunity to deliver step free access at Northwich station. And again, I recognise my hon. Friend's frustration that such an opportunity was not taken under the previous government.

Let me now respond to some of the specific questions my friend put to me in his speech. First, he asked whether the department will publish the process by which stations will be submitted for consideration under future rounds of the access for All programme or recently published. Rail Accessibility Roadmap includes a clear commitment to reform the access for all programme as part of establishing Great British Railways. As colleagues may know, the Railways Bill recently had its first reading and as this progresses, we'll be able to provide a clear timeline for reforms to the access for all programme.

But please be assured of our commitment to transparency and for a reformed, more efficient

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approach to this programme. Well. Indeed. I thank my hon. Friend for giving way. He's

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Friend for giving way. He's making a compelling case about why the. Government is so insistent on making all stations accessible to making all stations accessible to ensure that everybody has access to public transport. Would you share my frustration, therefore, in Worcestershire, in my hometown of Worcestershire, in my hometown of Redditch, where plans for a new redeveloped station have been cancelled by the local reform led cancelled by the local reform led council, which was about bringing the station up to compliance standards for accessibility.

Just standards for accessibility. Just at the same time, when this government has pledged hundreds of millions of pounds to improve cross-city lines via the Midlands cross-city lines via the Midlands rail hub. Would he share with my frustration and urge the county council to think again about the redevelopment plans?

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Sir. I do indeed share your frustration and the frustration of, I suspect, hundreds of your constituents of the hon. Member's constituents who will continue to constituents who will continue to have challenges using the rail, the rail network. We're very much committed to delivering a more committed to delivering a more accessible rail system, and I'm sure you'll continue to make this thoughts of his constituents loud thoughts of his constituents loud and clear to that local council. So second, my hon.

Friend asks about the timescale for the next tranche the timescale for the next tranche of access for all stations, which will be announced soon. Network rail have completed feasibility studies on the 50 stations selected by the previous government, and in the coming months, we'll announce

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which of these will progress. Third, my hon. Friend Linsey Farnsworth.

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Friend Linsey Farnsworth. I'm grateful to the Minister for giving way, and it's very exciting giving way, and it's very exciting to hear the proposals going forward from Network Rail. And I wonder whether the Minister could give us whether the Minister could give us some more information on how we, as local constituency MPs can support local constituency MPs can support our local communities in pushing forward with the campaigns to have our stations included in that. Because, as you heard me say, as Because, as you heard me say, as the Minister heard me say earlier, it took 20 years of campaigning by very committed local councillors, Labour councillors in Alfreton Town Council to get the that the Council to get the that the measures put in place in Alfreton so that everybody can enjoy access so that everybody can enjoy access to the train station.

But we do still have a train station in Langley Mill, which is much simpler Langley Mill, which is much simpler to to resolve, but I'm being told by Network Rail that whilst they're by Network Rail that whilst they're not against doing improvements there, it depends on footfall. So there, it depends on footfall. So we sort of have a little bit of an issue between more people would be able to use the train station if it was accessible, but it's not going to be accessible unless there's more people using it.

So I'm in a

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bit of a catch 22, and I would very much welcome advice on that. Mr.

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I thank my hon. Friend for her intervention. Look, we've seen some great examples across the country great examples across the country where local stations have managed to attract third party funding. But to attract third party funding. But what I what I will do, what I am able to do is to volunteer the, the the time of the rail Minister. I'll make sure he reaches out to have a one on one conversation with my friends. Third, my hon. Member asks whether Northwich Station will be considered for inclusion in the next round of accessibility funding.

next round of accessibility funding. Given the the powerful case that he's made today. I would fully expect that Northwich to be expect that Northwich to be considered for future rounds of access for all funding. Indeed, the limitations of the current station limitations of the current station and the benefits that step free access would bring, which he set out so clearly today, are exactly the sort of factors which I would the sort of factors which I would expect to inform bids for future rounds of funding.

Finally, my hon. Friend raises the important point Friend raises the important point of ensuring that when stations are refurbished or rebuilt, accessibility improvements are properly considered for delivery at properly considered for delivery at the same time. And I share his disappointment that under the previous government, opportunities to deliver such improvements at Northwich Station were missed. I'm happy to commit today to my hon. Friend that we will write to the Chief executive of Network Rail asking him to consider if accessibility is sufficiently embedded in planning and delivery, and to consider how these arrangements can be strengthened further as we move towards the full stand up of Great British Railways.

So during the course of this exchange, we've addressed some of the important issues and considerations around rail accessibility and drawing on the example of Northwich in my hon. Friend's constituency, we discussed missed opportunities under the previous government to integrate accessibility improvements. Let me finish by reiterating that this government is absolutely committed to developing a rail network where accessibility is incorporated from the outset, not just as an afterthought. And this is demonstrated in the £280 million of funding the Chancellor has made available to the access for all programme through the recent Spending Review.

I thank my hon. Friend for leading this important debate, and I also thank him and other hon. Members for their patience as we continue to move

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towards a more accessible rail network that works for all passengers. Hear, hear.

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Hear, hear. The question is that this House do now adjourn. As many as are of that opinion, say aye the ayes have that opinion, say aye the ayes have
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