Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment the Government has made of the potential effect of the arrival of Hong Kong BNO passport holders on the jobs market in the UK; and what steps the Government plans to take to help the Hong Kongers into employment.
Answered by Kevin Foster
On 31 January 2021 the UK Government launched a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O) status holders, providing the opportunity for them and their eligible family members to live, work and study in the UK. There is no restriction in terms of where they wish to settle in the UK or plan to do so.
Work is taking place across Government and alongside civil society groups and others to support the effective integration of BN(O) status holders arriving in the UK, ensuring they have access to the necessary support to allow them to thrive in the UK.
Volumes
We estimate there are 2.9 million BN(O) status holders eligible to move to the UK, with a further estimated 2.5 million eligible dependants. There remains uncertainty in the numbers of BN(O) status holders we expect to come to the UK.
As set out in the published impact assessment, our central estimates of those who will take up this offer range between 123,000 and 153,700 BN(O) status holders and their dependants coming in the first year and between 258,000 and 322,400 over five years. Details of the impact assessment can be found at:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2020/70/pdfs/ukia_20200070_en.pdf
Impact on the UK
There will be some costs to public services, but the implementation of this visa is estimated to have a net positive impact on the UK, benefiting the economy by between £2.4 and £2.9 billion over 5 years.
Access to services
As part of preparations for the Hong Kong BN(O) route, the Home Office has been working closely across Government to ensure the UK is prepared for the launch of the BN(O) route.
Officials at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have written to all local authorities in England and devolved administrations to ensure they were aware of expected numbers coming to their areas. In addition, the Department for Education is fully involved in planning and communications with local authorities, including Regional Schools Commissioners.
Regarding impact on the NHS, BN(O) status holders and their family members will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Like other nationals coming to the UK, it is right they contribute to the health care system they will be using. Income from the IHS goes directly into the NHS.
Part of the integration planning for the new BN(O) route includes access to support materials to help BN(O) status holders find work. In addition, to support employers, the Home Office has issued new guidance which clearly sets out the work BN(O) status holders and their family members can do in the UK.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the potential effect of the arrival of Hong Kong BNO passport holders on the NHS.
Answered by Kevin Foster
On 31 January 2021 the UK Government launched a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O) status holders, providing the opportunity for them and their eligible family members to live, work and study in the UK. There is no restriction in terms of where they wish to settle in the UK or plan to do so.
Work is taking place across Government and alongside civil society groups and others to support the effective integration of BN(O) status holders arriving in the UK, ensuring they have access to the necessary support to allow them to thrive in the UK.
Volumes
We estimate there are 2.9 million BN(O) status holders eligible to move to the UK, with a further estimated 2.5 million eligible dependants. There remains uncertainty in the numbers of BN(O) status holders we expect to come to the UK.
As set out in the published impact assessment, our central estimates of those who will take up this offer range between 123,000 and 153,700 BN(O) status holders and their dependants coming in the first year and between 258,000 and 322,400 over five years. Details of the impact assessment can be found at:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2020/70/pdfs/ukia_20200070_en.pdf
Impact on the UK
There will be some costs to public services, but the implementation of this visa is estimated to have a net positive impact on the UK, benefiting the economy by between £2.4 and £2.9 billion over 5 years.
Access to services
As part of preparations for the Hong Kong BN(O) route, the Home Office has been working closely across Government to ensure the UK is prepared for the launch of the BN(O) route.
Officials at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have written to all local authorities in England and devolved administrations to ensure they were aware of expected numbers coming to their areas. In addition, the Department for Education is fully involved in planning and communications with local authorities, including Regional Schools Commissioners.
Regarding impact on the NHS, BN(O) status holders and their family members will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Like other nationals coming to the UK, it is right they contribute to the health care system they will be using. Income from the IHS goes directly into the NHS.
Part of the integration planning for the new BN(O) route includes access to support materials to help BN(O) status holders find work. In addition, to support employers, the Home Office has issued new guidance which clearly sets out the work BN(O) status holders and their family members can do in the UK.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the potential effect of the arrival of Hong Kong BNO passport holders on schooling for all age groups.
Answered by Kevin Foster
On 31 January 2021 the UK Government launched a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O) status holders, providing the opportunity for them and their eligible family members to live, work and study in the UK. There is no restriction in terms of where they wish to settle in the UK or plan to do so.
Work is taking place across Government and alongside civil society groups and others to support the effective integration of BN(O) status holders arriving in the UK, ensuring they have access to the necessary support to allow them to thrive in the UK.
Volumes
We estimate there are 2.9 million BN(O) status holders eligible to move to the UK, with a further estimated 2.5 million eligible dependants. There remains uncertainty in the numbers of BN(O) status holders we expect to come to the UK.
As set out in the published impact assessment, our central estimates of those who will take up this offer range between 123,000 and 153,700 BN(O) status holders and their dependants coming in the first year and between 258,000 and 322,400 over five years. Details of the impact assessment can be found at:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2020/70/pdfs/ukia_20200070_en.pdf
Impact on the UK
There will be some costs to public services, but the implementation of this visa is estimated to have a net positive impact on the UK, benefiting the economy by between £2.4 and £2.9 billion over 5 years.
Access to services
As part of preparations for the Hong Kong BN(O) route, the Home Office has been working closely across Government to ensure the UK is prepared for the launch of the BN(O) route.
Officials at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have written to all local authorities in England and devolved administrations to ensure they were aware of expected numbers coming to their areas. In addition, the Department for Education is fully involved in planning and communications with local authorities, including Regional Schools Commissioners.
Regarding impact on the NHS, BN(O) status holders and their family members will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Like other nationals coming to the UK, it is right they contribute to the health care system they will be using. Income from the IHS goes directly into the NHS.
Part of the integration planning for the new BN(O) route includes access to support materials to help BN(O) status holders find work. In addition, to support employers, the Home Office has issued new guidance which clearly sets out the work BN(O) status holders and their family members can do in the UK.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans the Government has to use the immigration of Hong Kong BNO passport holders to support the Government's levelling up policies.
Answered by Kevin Foster
On 31 January 2021 the UK Government launched a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O) status holders, providing the opportunity for them and their eligible family members to live, work and study in the UK. There is no restriction in terms of where they wish to settle in the UK or plan to do so.
Work is taking place across Government and alongside civil society groups and others to support the effective integration of BN(O) status holders arriving in the UK, ensuring they have access to the necessary support to allow them to thrive in the UK.
Volumes
We estimate there are 2.9 million BN(O) status holders eligible to move to the UK, with a further estimated 2.5 million eligible dependants. There remains uncertainty in the numbers of BN(O) status holders we expect to come to the UK.
As set out in the published impact assessment, our central estimates of those who will take up this offer range between 123,000 and 153,700 BN(O) status holders and their dependants coming in the first year and between 258,000 and 322,400 over five years. Details of the impact assessment can be found at:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2020/70/pdfs/ukia_20200070_en.pdf
Impact on the UK
There will be some costs to public services, but the implementation of this visa is estimated to have a net positive impact on the UK, benefiting the economy by between £2.4 and £2.9 billion over 5 years.
Access to services
As part of preparations for the Hong Kong BN(O) route, the Home Office has been working closely across Government to ensure the UK is prepared for the launch of the BN(O) route.
Officials at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have written to all local authorities in England and devolved administrations to ensure they were aware of expected numbers coming to their areas. In addition, the Department for Education is fully involved in planning and communications with local authorities, including Regional Schools Commissioners.
Regarding impact on the NHS, BN(O) status holders and their family members will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Like other nationals coming to the UK, it is right they contribute to the health care system they will be using. Income from the IHS goes directly into the NHS.
Part of the integration planning for the new BN(O) route includes access to support materials to help BN(O) status holders find work. In addition, to support employers, the Home Office has issued new guidance which clearly sets out the work BN(O) status holders and their family members can do in the UK.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans the Government has to house the Hong Kong BNO passport holders when they arrive in the UK; and whether they will be dispersed throughout the UK or settled in one group.
Answered by Kevin Foster
On 31 January 2021 the UK Government launched a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O) status holders, providing the opportunity for them and their eligible family members to live, work and study in the UK. There is no restriction in terms of where they wish to settle in the UK or plan to do so.
Work is taking place across Government and alongside civil society groups and others to support the effective integration of BN(O) status holders arriving in the UK, ensuring they have access to the necessary support to allow them to thrive in the UK.
Volumes
We estimate there are 2.9 million BN(O) status holders eligible to move to the UK, with a further estimated 2.5 million eligible dependants. There remains uncertainty in the numbers of BN(O) status holders we expect to come to the UK.
As set out in the published impact assessment, our central estimates of those who will take up this offer range between 123,000 and 153,700 BN(O) status holders and their dependants coming in the first year and between 258,000 and 322,400 over five years. Details of the impact assessment can be found at:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2020/70/pdfs/ukia_20200070_en.pdf
Impact on the UK
There will be some costs to public services, but the implementation of this visa is estimated to have a net positive impact on the UK, benefiting the economy by between £2.4 and £2.9 billion over 5 years.
Access to services
As part of preparations for the Hong Kong BN(O) route, the Home Office has been working closely across Government to ensure the UK is prepared for the launch of the BN(O) route.
Officials at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have written to all local authorities in England and devolved administrations to ensure they were aware of expected numbers coming to their areas. In addition, the Department for Education is fully involved in planning and communications with local authorities, including Regional Schools Commissioners.
Regarding impact on the NHS, BN(O) status holders and their family members will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Like other nationals coming to the UK, it is right they contribute to the health care system they will be using. Income from the IHS goes directly into the NHS.
Part of the integration planning for the new BN(O) route includes access to support materials to help BN(O) status holders find work. In addition, to support employers, the Home Office has issued new guidance which clearly sets out the work BN(O) status holders and their family members can do in the UK.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the Government’s latest estimate is of the number of Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) passport holders who will apply for the new visa scheme and arrive in the UK.
Answered by Kevin Foster
On 31 January 2021 the UK Government launched a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O) status holders, providing the opportunity for them and their eligible family members to live, work and study in the UK. There is no restriction in terms of where they wish to settle in the UK or plan to do so.
Work is taking place across Government and alongside civil society groups and others to support the effective integration of BN(O) status holders arriving in the UK, ensuring they have access to the necessary support to allow them to thrive in the UK.
Volumes
We estimate there are 2.9 million BN(O) status holders eligible to move to the UK, with a further estimated 2.5 million eligible dependants. There remains uncertainty in the numbers of BN(O) status holders we expect to come to the UK.
As set out in the published impact assessment, our central estimates of those who will take up this offer range between 123,000 and 153,700 BN(O) status holders and their dependants coming in the first year and between 258,000 and 322,400 over five years. Details of the impact assessment can be found at:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2020/70/pdfs/ukia_20200070_en.pdf
Impact on the UK
There will be some costs to public services, but the implementation of this visa is estimated to have a net positive impact on the UK, benefiting the economy by between £2.4 and £2.9 billion over 5 years.
Access to services
As part of preparations for the Hong Kong BN(O) route, the Home Office has been working closely across Government to ensure the UK is prepared for the launch of the BN(O) route.
Officials at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have written to all local authorities in England and devolved administrations to ensure they were aware of expected numbers coming to their areas. In addition, the Department for Education is fully involved in planning and communications with local authorities, including Regional Schools Commissioners.
Regarding impact on the NHS, BN(O) status holders and their family members will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Like other nationals coming to the UK, it is right they contribute to the health care system they will be using. Income from the IHS goes directly into the NHS.
Part of the integration planning for the new BN(O) route includes access to support materials to help BN(O) status holders find work. In addition, to support employers, the Home Office has issued new guidance which clearly sets out the work BN(O) status holders and their family members can do in the UK.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many breaches of the law have occurred as a result of a person between the ages of 14 and 17 using an airgun unsupervised on private land with the permission of the owner over the last 14 years.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The requested information is not held centrally.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will seek assurances from the Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria that UK international aid, contributed via the European Union International Development fund, has not been used to acquire armaments used by the Algeria-backed Polisario, based in the Tindouf camps.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) report on food aid in Tindouf refugee camps was undertaken from 2003, drafted in 2007 and released in 2015 following an intervention by the EU Ombudsman. The European Commission has taken measures to address the findings documented in the OLAF report. The European Commission has found no evidence of aid diversion since these measures were put in place and it has taken measures to ensure that aid continues to reach the intended beneficiaries and to avoid diversion risks. We understand that the European Commission has also taken steps with the Algerian Government to allow for donations intended for Sahrawi refugees to be exempt from VAT.
We are concerned about the people of Western Sahara, particularly those in the Tindouf refugee camps. The UK has provided support to displaced people in camps in the Tindouf region of Algeria via contributions to the EU's ECHO humanitarian fund, which provided €9 million in humanitarian funding in 2020. Our core contributions to the UN also help to support UN bodies in Tindouf. The UK strongly supports UN-led efforts to reach a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution on the Western Sahara dispute that provides for the self determination of the people of Western Sahara.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the UK component within the report by the European Anti-Fraud Office alleging large-scale embezzlement of the EU International Development aid intended to assist refugees in the Tindouf camps.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) report on food aid in Tindouf refugee camps was undertaken from 2003, drafted in 2007 and released in 2015 following an intervention by the EU Ombudsman. The European Commission has taken measures to address the findings documented in the OLAF report. The European Commission has found no evidence of aid diversion since these measures were put in place and it has taken measures to ensure that aid continues to reach the intended beneficiaries and to avoid diversion risks. We understand that the European Commission has also taken steps with the Algerian Government to allow for donations intended for Sahrawi refugees to be exempt from VAT.
We are concerned about the people of Western Sahara, particularly those in the Tindouf refugee camps. The UK has provided support to displaced people in camps in the Tindouf region of Algeria via contributions to the EU's ECHO humanitarian fund, which provided €9 million in humanitarian funding in 2020. Our core contributions to the UN also help to support UN bodies in Tindouf. The UK strongly supports UN-led efforts to reach a lasting and mutually acceptable political solution on the Western Sahara dispute that provides for the self determination of the people of Western Sahara.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - The Cotswolds)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to seek assurances that it has not supplied armaments to the Polisario forces based in the Tindouf camps within its borders.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We have regular discussions with various interlocutors on Western Sahara, including Algeria and we are closely monitoring the situation. We continue to urge the parties to avoid further escalation, return to the ceasefire agreement, and re-engage with the UN-led political process. The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Western Sahara and the Tindouf refugee camps, which we raise with the parties.