Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rachael Maskell and Alex Norris

Monday 23rd March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Alex Norris]

The hon. Gentleman will have heard me say that under this Government, removals have now reached 60,000. That is up by 31% on our predecessors, so I cannot accept the argument that we are not removing people at pace and at scale. The routes by which people come generally depend on which country they come from and how likely they are to have their claim accepted.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

My constituent was just 13 months old when she came to this country. As a teenager, she was taken into care. She was then groomed and exploited in county lines and is now serving time in prison. Why are this Government deporting her, when she has only known this country? Will they instead look at giving her proper rehabilitation and getting her life back on track?

[Alex Norris]

The Secretary of State has a strict legal liability to remove anybody who gets a sentence of a year or more and, from today, anyone who gets a suspended sentence of a year or more. Nevertheless, my hon. Friend has raised an important case. If she sends the details, I will look at it closely.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rachael Maskell and Alex Norris

Monday 3rd March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Alex Norris]

I know that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State enjoyed her visit. Our Ministry is clear that although we have a crucial role to play in devolution, it is a whole-Government venture. We are having frequent conversations with colleagues about how to crowd-in the important policy interventions they are making, to ensure that our communities across the country have the tools and resources they need to shape their place.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

5. What steps she is taking to help tackle increases in leaseholders’ costs.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rachael Maskell and Alex Norris

Monday 20th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Alex Norris]

The community ownership fund came to an end with its round in December; the previous Government, of course, left no future funding for it. The hon. Lady knows that we have made a significant commitment around the community right to buy and a significant commitment around local growth funding. Future ownership funds will be a matter for the multi-year spending review in the spring.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

It was freezing over the weekend in York. Despite working with North Yorkshire emergency accommodation services, I was unable to find accommodation for a very vulnerable constituent of mine. Will the Minister ensure that in the homelessness review we hold local authorities to account and that no resident’s case is put in the “too difficult to manage” box?