Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
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 an amnesty for people arrested as part of anti-lockdown protests during the November 2020 covid-19 lockdown.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The right to peaceful protest is one of the cornerstones of our democracy. However, in these unprecedented circumstances it is vital that everyone plays a part in controlling the virus.
The time-limited, national measures previously in place between 5 November-1 December, applied to protests and to all other gatherings, except for a few exemptions such as funerals. Everyone was required to follow these rules.It is for the Police, in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service to determine whether an action warrants possible criminal proceedings.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will write to police forces to explain that political protests are allowed under the proposed tier system provided required risk assessments and precautions are taken; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The College of Policing has provided police forces with guidance on the changes to Covid regulations which came into force on 2nd December. Protests will be able to take place if the organiser has taken all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of coronavirus, including completing a risk assessment and following COVID-19 secure guidance. The police will engage with protest organisers and protesters to ensure that the rules are followed.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to grant asylum seekers the right to work.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
Asylum seekers are allowed to work in the UK if their claim has been outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own.
Those permitted to work are restricted to jobs on the Shortage Occupation List, which is based on expert advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee.
It is important to distinguish between those who need protection and those seeking to work here, who can apply for a work visa under the Immigration Rules. Our wider policy could be undermined if migrants bypassed work visa Rules by lodging unfounded asylum claims here.
Unrestricted access to employment could act as an incentive for more migrants to choose to come here illegally, rather than claim asylum in the first safe country they reach.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the extent of destitution among asylum seekers; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
All asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute can apply for accommodation and other support to meet their essential living needs.
Individuals are notified of the availability of this support at the point they make their asylum claim and it can be applied for by emailing Migrant Help at: ASCorrespondence@migranthelpuk.org or by telephone on: 0808 8010 503.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will secure funding settlements for the police extending over two to three years in the Spending Review.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The Department is in the process of undertaking work on the Spending Review, in consultation with the policing sector. We will continue to make the best case for policing to deliver this Government’s top priorities and will make an announcement in due course.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will ensure that police officers are not used to backfill police staff roles to achieve cost savings; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The Department is in the process of undertaking work on the Spending Review, in consultation with the policing sector. We will continue to make the best case for policing to deliver this Government’s top priorities and will make an announcement in due course.
Asked by: Steve Baker (Conservative - Wycombe)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, she will ensure that police staff roles are sufficiently resourced through the Spending Review to ensure that new police officers are not diverted away from core policing duties.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The Department is in the process of undertaking work on the Spending Review, in consultation with the policing sector. We will continue to make the best case for policing to deliver this Government’s top priorities and will make an announcement in due course.