Asked by: Baroness Quin (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to waive the cost requirement for the renewal of visas for those working in NHS hospitals in any capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. [T]
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
The Government has announced we will extend the visas for a range of healthcare professionals working for the NHS and independent health and care providers, where their current visa expires between 31 March and 1 October. This offer also applies to their families. The 12-month extension is automatic and free of charge and those benefitting will not have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
This is part of a wider Government approach to supporting the health and care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to keep all of our policies under review.
Asked by: Baroness Quin (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that lessons learned from the murder of Bijan Ebrahimi are acted upon by UK police forces.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
The Government expects police forces to consider very seriously the findings and recommendations in the Safer Bristol Partnership’s December 2017 report into the murder of Bijan Ebrahimi in 2013.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission also published a report in July 2017 on Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s contact with Mr Ebrahimi prior to his murder. Where the IPCC has investigated, reported and issued learning recommendations, the police and other agencies are required to respond setting out what action they are taking or to explain why no action is being taken.
In its published response to the IPCC’s report, Avon and Somerset Constabulary set out the steps it had taken to improve the way it operates since 2013, including the design and implementation of a new operating model in 2014/15.
Evidence gathered by the IPCC informed criminal proceedings which resulted in two officers receiving prison sentences. These officers and two others were dismissed following misconduct proceedings brought by Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
Following publication of the Safer Bristol Partnership’s report, Avon and Somerset Constabulary has issued a statement fully accepting the findings of the report, and re-iterating the steps it has taken, following the IPCC’s report, to transform the way the Constabulary operates to prevent a repeat of what happened to Mr Ebrahimi.
Asked by: Baroness Quin (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what initiatives they are currently pursuing to tackle rural crime.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
The Government has ensured that, through the election of Police and Crime Commissioners, all communities, including those in rural areas, have a strong voice in determining how police resources are allocated. It is for Police and Crime Commissioners to hold their forces to account on how they tackle the crimes that matter most in rural areas.
In addition, in support of the Government’s Modern Crime Prevention Strategy, we continue to work with the police, industry and others and consider the evidence on what more can be done to prevent criminals committing crime.
Asked by: Baroness Quin (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the start-up and annual costs of administering the new health and dental charges for New Zealand citizens coming into force on 6 April.
Answered by Lord Bates
An Impact Assessment was published on 4 February 2016, alongside the draft Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2016. The draft Order will, subject to Parliamentary approval, remove the surcharge exemption for nationals of Australia and New Zealand and reduce the Youth Mobility Scheme charge from £200 to £150.
The Impact Assessment, which can be viewed at the link below, sets out the reason for these changes and estimates associated costs and benefits: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2016/9780111143278/impacts
These documents are available in the following locations of the House: The Vote Office (Commons) Printed Paper Office (Lords)