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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 08 Dec 2021
Nationality and Borders Bill

"Is this provision not of huge concern to constituents in Glasgow South West and Glasgow Central—women, in particular, who have been subjected to sexual violence and would not necessarily disclose that at the first interview?..."
Chris Stephens - View Speech

View all Chris Stephens (SNP - Glasgow South West) contributions to the debate on: Nationality and Borders Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 20 Jul 2021
Nationality and Borders Bill

"The Minister has referred to Glasgow’s dispersal area, but there are also individuals who have come over on false passports because that is what they were given to flee their country of origin. They are children, but their passport says they are adults. What assistance will the Home Office give …..."
Chris Stephens - View Speech

View all Chris Stephens (SNP - Glasgow South West) contributions to the debate on: Nationality and Borders Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 20 Jul 2021
Nationality and Borders Bill

"First, I thank the hundreds of constituents who have written to me asking me to oppose the Bill, which I will this evening. I am proud to be here as a Member of Parliament for Glasgow. I praise Glasgow’s role as a dispersal city, and the great work of organisations …..."
Chris Stephens - View Speech

View all Chris Stephens (SNP - Glasgow South West) contributions to the debate on: Nationality and Borders Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 14 Jul 2021
Racist Abuse on Social Media

"I refer to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests and my position as co-chair of the all-party group on showing racism the red card. Show Racism the Red Card does fantastic work in tackling racist abuse, online and elsewhere, but the Home Office, in its wisdom, cut …..."
Chris Stephens - View Speech

View all Chris Stephens (SNP - Glasgow South West) contributions to the debate on: Racist Abuse on Social Media
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 07 Jul 2021
EU Settlement Scheme

"An Italian constituent has written to me and is very concerned about the lack of physical evidence, which they think will be problematic for future mortgage applications, banking, work and the rest of it. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Government need to look at this and make sure …..."
Chris Stephens - View Speech

View all Chris Stephens (SNP - Glasgow South West) contributions to the debate on: EU Settlement Scheme
Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 07 Jun 2021
Protection of Retail Workers

"It is a pleasure to see a fellow Glaswegian in the Chair, Mr Gray—our city is the centre of the universe, as you are aware. I thank the hon. Member for Stockton South (Matt Vickers) for presenting this debate on behalf of the Petitions Committee. I pay tribute to my …..."
Chris Stephens - View Speech

View all Chris Stephens (SNP - Glasgow South West) contributions to the debate on: Protection of Retail Workers
Speech in Westminster Hall - Mon 07 Jun 2021
Protection of Retail Workers

"I do not usually make much of a case for employers, but the British Retail Consortium and 65 CEOs in the United Kingdom are asking the UK Government for a specific law for retail workers. Why does the Minister believe that to be the case?..."
Chris Stephens - View Speech

View all Chris Stephens (SNP - Glasgow South West) contributions to the debate on: Protection of Retail Workers
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 14 Jan 2021
Domestic Abuse and Hidden Harms during Lockdown

"I thank the Minister for her statement. The Prime Minister indicated to the Liaison Committee yesterday that the Government do not have any specific policies in place for survivors of domestic abuse among what the Home Office describes as those with “insecure immigration status”. Will the Minister confirm whether that …..."
Chris Stephens - View Speech

View all Chris Stephens (SNP - Glasgow South West) contributions to the debate on: Domestic Abuse and Hidden Harms during Lockdown
Written Question
Asylum
Monday 11th January 2021

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's Immigration Rules, what the criteria is for assessing safe third countries for asylum seekers; and if she will make a statement.

Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary

The technical changes to the Immigration Rules laid on 10 December will send a strong message to those who could and should have claimed asylum in the first safe country they entered. They will not be able to make claims at sea and they may not have their claims decided in the UK.

Our Immigration Rules set out clear criteria which must be met in order for a third country to be considered safe for a particular applicant.

I made a statement on the Rules changes on 16 December.

Written Question
Asylum: Deportation
Monday 11th January 2021

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development on Returns or Readmissions Agreements for those deemed to be (a) irregular migrants, (b) refused asylum and (c) inadmissible; and if she will make a statement.

Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary

As an EU Member State, the UK participated in a number of EU Readmission Agreements (EURAs) with third countries. Now that the Transition period has ended, we are no longer party to these and, where appropriate, we are looking to transition these arrangements into bilateral agreements. The Home Office continues to work closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development on this. As negotiations with individual countries are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to make a statement at this time.

Negotiations have now concluded with the EU. The UK and EU have agreed a joint declaration noting the importance of effectively managing migratory flows. The UK will continue to engage bilaterally and multilaterally with Member States to discuss suitable practical arrangements on illegal migration, asylum, returns and family reunion for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.