Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will agree to a further visa extension beyond 31 July 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The latest information in respect of advice for visa holders can be found on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents. This is kept under review.
The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the covid-19 outbreak. We recognise that further adjustments are likely to be required to cater for all scenarios, and we are working through these, to ensure people are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support her Department is offering to visa applicants whose eligibility for a visa has been negatively affected by the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the covid-19 outbreak, full details of which are published on GOV.UK at:
These are unprecedented times and we may make further adjustments to requirements where necessary and appropriate, to ensure people are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on ensuring that relevant authorities are equipped to deal with a potential increase in the number of asylum seekers after the end of the transition period.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
The Home Office have not currently suspended asylum case decision making. Following health advice and government guidance we temporarily suspected evictions for asylum seekers who had a decision on their claim and continued to support them.
We have been engaging with the NI Executive on asylum matters through the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue to do so.
A comprehensive cessation plan, on how to recommence support cessations and evictions is being worked through with discussions with Local Authorities, Other Government Departments and Stakeholders.
We remain committed to working closely with the accommodation providers and communicating with local authorities to relieve pressure and capacity as much as possible and ensure that health guidance is being followed.
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on plans to lift the current suspension on asylum case decision-making to ensure that (a) the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Health Trusts and (b) other stakeholders are equipped to meet additional demand in the next six months.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
The Home Office have not currently suspended asylum case decision making. Following health advice and government guidance we temporarily suspected evictions for asylum seekers who had a decision on their claim and continued to support them.
We have been engaging with the NI Executive on asylum matters through the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue to do so.
A comprehensive cessation plan, on how to recommence support cessations and evictions is being worked through with discussions with Local Authorities, Other Government Departments and Stakeholders.
We remain committed to working closely with the accommodation providers and communicating with local authorities to relieve pressure and capacity as much as possible and ensure that health guidance is being followed.
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to not deport family members of health care workers in the UK on Tier 2 visas who die of covid-19 as a result of their work.
Answered by Kevin Foster
The Home Secretary confirmed, in a letter to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 29 April, families of eligible frontline healthcare workers who sadly pass away due to contracting the COVID-19 virus, will be granted immediate Indefinite Leave to Remain free of charge.
In the tragic circumstances suggested the dependents of the Tier 2 visa holder concerned would not have their leave curtailed or be removed from the UK.