Visas

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Lord Newby

Monday 21st October 2019 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

I agree with the noble Baroness that science alone will not solve the problems that we face, but science is hugely important, particularly given that we have a shortage of scientists in this country and a shortage of specialist engineers. That is why I think noble Lords focus on this area.

[Lord Newby (LD)]

My Lords, does the Minister’s definition of “the brightest and the best” extend to the brightest and best fruit-pickers?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

I think that the noble Lord is conflating two issues. In terms of our future immigration system, yes, we want the brightest and best, but it must be a system that works for people coming here both temporarily and for work.

Homophobic Hate Crime

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Lord Newby

Tuesday 22nd January 2019 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

The noble Lord is absolutely right that those types of hate crime do not constitute aggravated offences. There are other types of hate crime that do not carry the aggravated uplift either. I said that the courts can pass the sentence that fits the severity of the crime that has been meted out.

[Lord Newby (LD)]

My Lords, that was a hugely interesting answer but, again, it was not to the question. Could the Minister possibly answer my noble friend’s question?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

I think I did.

Visas: Certificates of Sponsorship

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Lord Newby

Thursday 13th September 2018 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

I am not complacent at all. I recognise completely the value that the entertainment industry gives to society and, of course, the economic value. We are working through a solution that will help those people entering through Ireland. It is predominantly an Irish issue.

[Lord Newby (LD)]

My Lords, I think the noble Baroness said in an answer to an earlier question that there had been no change in policy since 2008. If that is the case, can she explain why the experience of people organising festivals and of individuals trying to perform at them has changed so dramatically for the worse this year?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

As I said, because of the lack of immigration controls on certain routes from Ireland to the UK, there have been difficulties around the certificates of sponsorship, because there has been no immigration official to hand the certificate to. That is exactly what we are looking at.