Written Question
Monday 28th February 2022
Asked by:
Andrew Bridgen (Independent - North West Leicestershire)
Question
to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken to make available the additional 10,000 visas under the seasonal worker visa scheme.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The Seasonal Worker visa route has been extended until the end of 2024, at which point the position will be reviewed. This does not mean we expect there to be no reliance on overseas labour at this point, but the sector cannot be in the same position as it is now.
The number of visas will begin to taper down from 2023, as the government is encouraging all sectors to adapt and make employment more attractive to UK domestic workers through offering training, career options, wage increases and to invest in increased automation technology.
To help with these efforts, Defra is working with industry and DWP to raise awareness of career opportunities within the horticulture sector among resident workers.
This year will see up to 30,000 temporary visas available, but this will be kept under review with the potential to increase by 10,000 if there is strong evidence to do so. Releasing additional quota places does not require a legislative change.
There are no plans to extend the grant period for Seasonal Workers to nine months.
Written Question
Wednesday 27th May 2020
Asked by:
Andrew Bridgen (Independent - North West Leicestershire)
Question
to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Office, how many UK companies have a licence to supply firearms.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
Data on how many UK companies have a licence to supply firearms is not available. The Home Office publishes statistics on the number of firearm dealers that are registered with the police in England and Wales. The latest figures on the number of firearm dealers is available from table 6 of the ‘Firearm and Shotgun Certificates in England and Wales Statistics - Financial Year 2018/19’ publication.
Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.
Statistics on Firearm Certificates on issue in Scotland are published by Police Scotland.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland lists its statistical outputs on the Statistics page of its website, but there are no series that are directly comparable to those for England and Wales.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 10 Jun 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"Is my right hon. Friend as concerned as I am that in designing a refugee family reunion policy we do not create incentives that encourage even more people to leave their homes and undertake an extremely dangerous journey in the hope they will bring the rest of their relatives to …..."Andrew Bridgen - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 01 Apr 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"Despite the doom-mongering from Opposition Members, is my right hon. Friend aware that since the referendum almost three years ago, the number of EU staff working in our NHS has increased by 4,000?..."Andrew Bridgen - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 18 Feb 2019
UK Nationals returning from Syria
"What powers and resources does my right hon. Friend have to ensure that any British citizen returning from the so-called caliphate in whose case the burden of proof does not permit a criminal prosecution will face mandatory and robust deradicalisation programmes?..."Andrew Bridgen - View Speech
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Speech in General Committees - Tue 13 Nov 2018
Draft Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2018
"I have listened intently to the shadow Minister’s speech, and I am sure that people outside the Committee will look at the text in the same way. From his speech, it is clear to me that Labour’s position on this modest increase in charging for our excellent health services in …..."Andrew Bridgen - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 12 Nov 2018
Stop and Search
"Will my right hon. Friend remind the House as to which community’s members are predominantly the victims of the violent crime that these measures are designed to address?..."Andrew Bridgen - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 04 Jun 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"Does the Minister agree that the fact that 3 million or 3.5 million EU citizens wish to remain in the UK after we leave the EU is a huge vote of confidence in post-Brexit Britain’s future? Does she wish that all colleagues in this House had as much confidence as …..."Andrew Bridgen - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 16 Apr 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"9. What steps she is taking to tackle organised crime through the National Crime Agency. ..."Andrew Bridgen - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 16 Apr 2018
Oral Answers to Questions
"Will my right hon. Friend confirm that, contrary to recent media speculation, politicians from within the European Union can be subject to unexplained wealth orders, and that this will continue to be the case after we leave the European Union?..."Andrew Bridgen - View Speech
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