Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many allegations of modern slavery in supply chains she has received in respect of the supply of personal protective equipment during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
We do not hold data on the number of allegations made about modern slavery in the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), but the prevalence of modern slavery and complexity of global supply chains means that it is highly unlikely that any sector or company is immune from these risks, including PPE suppliers.
Through the landmark ‘Transparency in Supply Chains’ provision in the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the UK became the first country in the world to require businesses to report on the steps they have taken to tackle modern slavery in their operations and global supply chains.
The Home Office works across Government to develop best-practice to prevent modern slavery in public procurement. We supported the Cabinet Office to produce internal guidance reminding departments of the key steps they should be taking to mitigate modern slavery risks in COVID-related procurements.
The Home Office, with support from DHSC and NHS Supply Chain, commissioned the ethical trade consultancy, Impactt, to develop tailored guidance for buyers and suppliers of PPE on best practice approaches to preventing modern slavery in supply chains. As part of this project, Impactt delivered training workshops with PPE manufacturers and resellers to support them implement the guidance.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of Iraqi translators who worked for the British Army in Iraq that are seeking asylum in the UK; and what steps she is taking to support their asylum claims.
Answered by Kevin Foster
We successfully resettled interpreters and their families from Iraq in recognition of the huge debt of gratitude we owed them for risking their lives alongside UK armed forces. This scheme included relocation to the UK or a financial payment for eligible members of staff.
Although this scheme has now closed, we still have a proud record of supporting those in danger of persecution and all asylum claims lodged in the UK are carefully considered on their individual merits including those claims made by Iraqi translators who worked for the British Army.
Additionally, Migrant Help provide independent advice and guidance to assist those considering seeking asylum and those who have claimed asylum to move through and understand the asylum process.
The Home Office is unable to state how many asylum applications have been made by Iraqi translators who worked for the British Army in Iraq as such data can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential effect of the UK having left the EU on increasing the prevalence of modern slavery in UK garment factories.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The UK was the first country in the world to require businesses to report on the steps they have taken to tackle modern slavery.
The landmark provision in section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires businesses, in all sectors, including the garment industry, with a turnover of £36m or more to report annually on the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. This obligation on businesses will be unaffected by our exit from the EU.
The prevalence of modern slavery and complexity of global supply chains means that it is highly unlikely that any sector or company is immune from the risks of modern slavery. The Government encourages companies to report transparently about how they are mitigating modern slavery risks and to use their modern slavery statements to demonstrate year on year progress.
The transparency legislation was designed to enable consumers, investors and civil society to scrutinise business action. To improve the quality and detail of reporting and accelerate action to prevent modern slavery, the Government has committed to strengthen the reporting requirements on businesses and to introduce financial penalties for those that fail to meet their obligations under section 54.
In March 2021, the Government launched a digital registry for modern slavery statements which will enhance transparency by making statements available in one place for the first time. It will enable greater visibility and scrutiny of the step's organisations are taking to prevent modern slavery.
In addition, following allegations of labour exploitation in Leicester’s textiles industry, a multi-agency taskforce of enforcement bodies has been set up to secure robust intelligence and to carry out appropriate enforcement activity. The taskforce is engaging directly with the garment sector to understand the issues that lead to labour market non-compliance and to consider the measures needed to protect vulnerable workers and drive-up standards.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending the deadline for EU citizens applying for settled status in response to difficulties in renewing passports and national identity cards during the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Kevin Foster
We have continued to receive and process thousands of applications a day to the scheme throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 5.1 million applications received and more than 4.8 million applications concluded by 28 February 2021. There are no plans to extend the deadline for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
Support for applicants who need it has remained available, including from the network of 72 organisations across the UK grant-funded by the Home Office to help vulnerable people apply to the EUSS.
Published guidance for EUSS applicants on the impact of COVID-19, including the scope for them to provide alternative evidence of identity and nationality if they do not have a valid passport or national identity card, is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-eu-settlement-scheme-guidance-for-applicants.
In line with the Withdrawal Agreement, the Government has been clear, where a person has reasonable grounds for missing the 30 June 2021 deadline for applications to the EUSS by EU citizens and their family members resident in the UK by the end of the transition period, they will be given a further opportunity to apply.
Non-exhaustive guidance will be published in the near future on what constitutes such reasonable grounds, to underpin a flexible and pragmatic approach to considering late applications under the EUSS.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to enforce covid-19 regulations and protect retail staff against infection from customers who refuse to wear a face covering in shops.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
Throughout the pandemic, the Government has worked closely with retail representatives to ensure that regulations are understood and correctly implemented within their establishments. Shops have worked hard to adhere to Government guidance to ensure that their stores are as Covid secure as possible, protecting both customers and retail staff.
The Government introduced requirements to wear face coverings in relevant public settings including shops and supermarkets (24 July) in England. This requirement was later extended to include staff in all shops and supermarkets (24 September). The requirements apply unless an individual is exempt or has a reasonable excuse not to wear a face covering.
Businesses are encouraged to take reasonable steps to encourage customers to follow the law, including through signs and providing other information in store. The police have been given formal powers to address non-compliance including directing individuals to wear a face covering, directing individuals to leave the relevant place, and issuing a fixed penalty notice of £200 doubling upon repeat offences up to a maximum of £6,400.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of anti-social behaviour in relation to the discharge of fireworks in (a) Sefton, (b) North West England, (c) England and Wales.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
There is a comprehensive regulatory framework already in place for fireworks that controls the sale, availability and use of fireworks, as well as setting a curfew and noise limit. The Government remains committed to promoting the safe and considerate use of fireworks through the effective legislative framework and through non-legislative measures – a position also recommended by the Petitions Committee in its 2019 inquiry into fireworks (HC103).
The Government launched a public awareness campaign for the 2020 fireworks season. The focus of the campaign was to educate people on how to buy, use, store and dispose of fireworks safely; ensure retailers know and understand their responsibilities when selling fireworks; and, promote the considerate use of fireworks, so that people and animals can be better protected from any negative effects that may be caused by fireworks.
The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of tools and powers that they can use to respond quickly and effectively to anti-social behaviour. The latest police recorded incident data released on 28 October showed a continued fall in anti-social behaviour (ASB) as of June 2020 (down 33% since 2012/13). A regional assessment of trends in the level of anti-social behaviour in relation to the discharge of fireworks was not included.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the Chief Constable of Lancashire's recommendation for the public sale of fireworks to be banned.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
There is a comprehensive regulatory framework already in place for fireworks that controls the sale, availability and use of fireworks, as well as setting a curfew and noise limit. The Government remains committed to promoting the safe and considerate use of fireworks through the effective legislative framework and through non-legislative measures – a position also recommended by the Petitions Committee in its 2019 inquiry into fireworks (HC103).
The Government launched a public awareness campaign for the 2020 fireworks season. The focus of the campaign was to educate people on how to buy, use, store and dispose of fireworks safely; ensure retailers know and understand their responsibilities when selling fireworks; and, promote the considerate use of fireworks, so that people and animals can be better protected from any negative effects that may be caused by fireworks.
The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of tools and powers that they can use to respond quickly and effectively to anti-social behaviour. The latest police recorded incident data released on 28 October showed a continued fall in anti-social behaviour (ASB) as of June 2020 (down 33% since 2012/13). A regional assessment of trends in the level of anti-social behaviour in relation to the discharge of fireworks was not included.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect of her use of the phrase activist lawyers on the personal safety of immigration solicitors.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
The Government rejects the underlying insinuation of this question. Lawyers play an important role in upholding the law and ensuring people have access to justice. They are however, just like politicians, not immune from criticism.