Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to recommendation seven of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review, published in March 2020, what plans she has to review her Department's compliant environment policy.
Answered by Priti Patel
I accepted the Windrush Lessons Learned review’s important findings in July and on 30 September I published the Comprehensive Improvement plan in response to the review. This includes our response to recommendation 7.
I am clear that the public expects us to enforce immigration laws approved by Parliament as a matter of fairness to those who abide by the rules and to protect tax-payer funded services, by ensuring that only those who are entitled to use publicly funded services can access them and that those who are here legitimately do not suffer negative consequences.
We do not intend to deviate from these key principles, but I have tasked my officials to undertake a full evaluation of the compliant environment policy and measures, individually and cumulatively, to make sure that the crucial balance is right. If we find evidence, they are not achieving our objectives, we will review and adapt our policies.
Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many reports of identity theft and fraud made to Action Fraud were referred to trading standards departments for investigation in each year from 2015 to 2019.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The Home Office collects information from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau on the number of recorded frauds and on the number of frauds disseminated to police forces for further investigation. The latest statistics are available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/817769/crime-outcomes-hosb1219.pdf
The Home Office does not hold information on the number of frauds or identify thefts referred to Trading Standards for further investigation.
Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to replace EEA regulations on immigration with alternative arrangements; and what those arrangements will comprise.
Answered by Kevin Foster
Following the UK’s exit from the European Union and the end of free movement, we will deliver on the people’s priorities by introducing a new points-based immigration system from 2021 to attract the brightest and best talent from around the world, with decisions based on what you have to offer, not where your passport is from.
We will set out the details of this firmer and fairer new system in the near future.
Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the number of reports of identity theft and fraud made to Action Fraud which were not recorded as crimes in each year from 2015 to 2019.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many reports of identity theft and fraud made to Action Fraud were referred to trading standards departments for investigation in each year from 2015 to 2019.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the estimated net cost to the public purse is of gun (a) licensing and (b) certification in England in 2018-19.
Answered by Nick Hurd
The Government is committed to ensuring an efficient and effective firearms licensing system and to achieving full cost recovery for the police and Home Office. Fees for firearm and shotgun certificates issued by the police were last increased in 2015. The increase followed a public consultation which included an impact assessment setting out estimated costs, which can be found on gov.uk. The fee levels were calculated with a view to enabling police forces to move closer to full cost recovery when a police-led online licensing system is introduced. The police began trialling an on-line application portal in selected forces late last year. Delays with introducing online licensing make it difficult to accurately identify costs at this time but we will carry out a comprehensive review of the fees in 2020.
Applications for licences to possess prohibited firearms, for approved shooting clubs, and museums with firearms collections, are administered by the Home Office and Scottish Government. The Policing and Crime Act 2017 created a power to charge new fees for these licences. We sought views on proposals for the new fees in a public consultation in 2017. The consultation was accompanied by an impact assessment, which set out the estimated net costs of the system. We have reviewed the proposed level of fees in discussion with groups representing licensed firearms holders and we intend to announce the outcome shortly.
Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 16 April 2018 to Question 134808 on Firearms: Licensing, what steps he has taken since that Answer to ensure that the costs of gun licensing and certification are covered by the fees charged.
Answered by Nick Hurd
The Government is committed to ensuring an efficient and effective firearms licensing system and to achieving full cost recovery for the police and Home Office. Fees for firearm and shotgun certificates issued by the police were last increased in 2015. The increase followed a public consultation which included an impact assessment setting out estimated costs, which can be found on gov.uk. The fee levels were calculated with a view to enabling police forces to move closer to full cost recovery when a police-led online licensing system is introduced. The police began trialling an on-line application portal in selected forces late last year. Delays with introducing online licensing make it difficult to accurately identify costs at this time but we will carry out a comprehensive review of the fees in 2020.
Applications for licences to possess prohibited firearms, for approved shooting clubs, and museums with firearms collections, are administered by the Home Office and Scottish Government. The Policing and Crime Act 2017 created a power to charge new fees for these licences. We sought views on proposals for the new fees in a public consultation in 2017. The consultation was accompanied by an impact assessment, which set out the estimated net costs of the system. We have reviewed the proposed level of fees in discussion with groups representing licensed firearms holders and we intend to announce the outcome shortly.
Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme, if he will expand the definition of a family unit beyond a spouse and minor children of a refugee.
Answered by Caroline Nokes
Work continues with local authorities and international partners to deliver the Government’s commitment to resettle 20,000 refugees under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) by 2020, including those with family links in the UK, and we are on track to do this. The Mandate Resettlement Scheme also allows those recognised by the UNCHR as refugees to join close family members here in the UK.
We always aim to resettle families referred to the UK’s resettlement schemes by the UNHCR as close as possible to any family members already here in the UK, however this is subject to the availability of suitable and sustainable accommodation and relevant support services in that area.
We are working with key stakeholders and international partners on our future Asylum and Resettlement Strategy. This includes consideration of the UK’s resettlement offer beyond 2020.
Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities seeking to facilitate family reunification as part of the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Caroline Nokes
Work continues with local authorities and international partners to deliver the Government’s commitment to resettle 20,000 refugees under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) by 2020, including those with family links in the UK, and we are on track to do this. The Mandate Resettlement Scheme also allows those recognised by the UNCHR as refugees to join close family members here in the UK.
We always aim to resettle families referred to the UK’s resettlement schemes by the UNHCR as close as possible to any family members already here in the UK, however this is subject to the availability of suitable and sustainable accommodation and relevant support services in that area.
We are working with key stakeholders and international partners on our future Asylum and Resettlement Strategy. This includes consideration of the UK’s resettlement offer beyond 2020.
Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to support family reunification as part of the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Caroline Nokes
Work continues with local authorities and international partners to deliver the Government’s commitment to resettle 20,000 refugees under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) by 2020, including those with family links in the UK, and we are on track to do this. The Mandate Resettlement Scheme also allows those recognised by the UNCHR as refugees to join close family members here in the UK.
We always aim to resettle families referred to the UK’s resettlement schemes by the UNHCR as close as possible to any family members already here in the UK, however this is subject to the availability of suitable and sustainable accommodation and relevant support services in that area.
We are working with key stakeholders and international partners on our future Asylum and Resettlement Strategy. This includes consideration of the UK’s resettlement offer beyond 2020.