Yvette Cooper

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has published the scientific evidence supporting the Government response to COVID-19, including behavioural modelling, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-scientific-evidence-supporting-the-uk-government-response

The Government relies on modelling work undertaken by several academic groups, who report to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies through its various subgroups. A collection of modelling information which has informed decision making on COVID-19 has now been published at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response

The levels of prevalence and rates of infection are calculated based on laboratory confirmed cases. Public Health England (PHE) conducts surveillance of COVID-19 infection using a variety of data sources.

These include surveillance of influenza-like illness presenting to primary care, surveillance of outbreaks in schools, care homes and other community settings. PHE and the National Health Service have also established a surveillance system that reports daily on COVID-19 infections in persons requiring hospital and intensive care admissions.

Plans are in place for serological surveillance to collect data on the prevalence of infection as the outbreak progresses. This will involve the testing of samples from different sources to inform the epidemiological characterisation of COVID-19 immunity in the population.

Guidance has been published on social distancing for everyone in the United Kingdom and protecting older people and vulnerable persons. This includes advice for those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 to be particularly strict in following social distancing measures. This guidance is available to view at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Guidance has also been published for people who are at particularly high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 because of an underlying health condition, and for their family, friends and carers. This guidance is available to view at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Letters will be sent out from Monday 23 March 2020 strongly advising those most at risk from COVID-19 to self-isolate for at least 12 weeks.

The Government relies on modelling work undertaken by several academic groups, who report to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies through its various subgroups. A collection of modelling information which has informed decision making on COVID-19 has now been published at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response

The Government relies on modelling work undertaken by several academic groups, who report to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies through its various subgroups. A collection of modelling information which has informed decision making on COVID-19 has now been published at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response

The standard capacity of the National Health Service’s critical care beds in the United Kingdom is approximately 4,000. The number of critical care beds available to the NHS has risen by over 3,000. This does not include further additional capacity being created in Nightingale Hospitals.

At the start of the crisis in March the NHS across the UK had access to over 8,000 mechanical ventilators. The number of mechanical and non-invasive ventilators sourced for the NHS has increased by over 4,000. These figures are expected to rise as we procure further equipment and products from the Prime Minister’s ventilator challenge.

NHS capacity predictors show that the NHS remains with sufficient capacity to meet and exceed demand. Modelling by Imperial College London has predicted intensive care capacity usage which can be found at:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/medicine/sph/ide/gida-fellowships/Imperial-College-COVID19-NPI-modelling-16-03-2020.pdf

Public Health England (PHE) has published guidance for vulnerable groups which is available to view at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people

COVID-19 guidance for residential care, supported living and home care is published at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-residential-care-supported-living-and-home-care-guidance

The Stay at Home guidance on self-isolation can be viewed at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

The Department is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and local authorities to make sure there will be care for vulnerable individuals who normally rely on informal care in the event that family members are unable to or are advised not to provide that care.

The Government is resolute in its commitment to tackle Organised Immigration Crime (OIC).

Tackling people smuggling of all types is a priority for Immigration Enforcement, working through its international network upstream as well as conducting OIC investigations within the UK. Additionally, the dedicated multi-agency OIC Taskforce, led by the National Crime Agency, is committed to dismantling OCGs engaged in immigration crime internationally. The Taskforce is active in 17 countries worldwide, and its activities include supporting judicial and intelligence capacity building in source and transit countries, and intelligence sharing in key near Europe countries. The NCA undertakes investigations into complex and serious OIC offences, arresting offenders in the UK and overseas and bringing them to justice.

In addition to the Taskforce, the NCA has a network in excess of 140 International Liaison Officers (ILOs) based in more than 45 locations, covering over 100 countries. For operational security reasons, the NCA does not disclose those countries in which NCA Liaison Officers are based. The NCA also has intelligence and investigative teams that are deployed across the full range of Serious and Organised Crime threats, where tackling Organised Immigration Crime is a priority.

The NCA overseas liaison officers network works with international partners and coordinates UK law enforcement overseas to gather intelligence, conduct operational activity (through agreement with partners) and enhance international delivery through a variety of means, including capacity building, training, joint European or international taskforces. The Liaison Officer network also includes officers based in the multilateral institutions of Europol and INTERPOL.

The tragedy in the Channel last December sadly demonstrates the extent to which OCGs endanger migrants’ lives at sea. The NCA, Home Office, Ministry of Defence and UK police forces continue to collaborate with French counterparts to tackle the criminals behind the majority of these crossing attempts and protect lives at sea. Our joint efforts are resulting in continued arrests and prosecutions of these criminals, so that we deter, disrupt and dismantle the networks responsible for facilitating many of these crossings.

Joint Investigation Teams are another part of our toolkit to address cross border organised crime. JITs provide a legal framework for investigation teams set up for a fixed period between two or more countries to investigate a specific cross-border case. The UK participates in multiple JITs with an Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) dimension; however, for operational reasons we cannot provide further detail.

We also share information about criminality around small boats between international agencies. The UK-France Joint Intelligence Cell (known to France as the Unité de renseignement opérationnel, so URO or JIC) consists of UK and French officials, as well as a Europol embed, who collate and analyse operational intelligence to prevent crossings and to dismantle the gangs behind them. Since the JIC was established in July 2020, 59 organised criminal groups involved in small boats crossings in France have been dismantled. Our joint activity with the French saw nearly 400 arrests made in 2022 alone.

We also pursue those involved in the financial flows that support this activity. Using criminal powers in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, an individual can be prosecuted for money laundering offences if sufficient evidence is obtainable and CPS agree to charging, or civil powers within the same act permit the action to be taken against the money concerned. Both these approaches are used to undermine the financial flows supporting small boat and wider clandestine smuggling, both in the UK and with foreign partners.

The Government is resolute in its commitment to tackle Organised Immigration Crime (OIC).

Tackling people smuggling of all types is a priority for Immigration Enforcement, working through its international network upstream as well as conducting OIC investigations within the UK. Additionally, the dedicated multi-agency OIC Taskforce, led by the National Crime Agency, is committed to dismantling OCGs engaged in immigration crime internationally. The Taskforce is active in 17 countries worldwide, and its activities include supporting judicial and intelligence capacity building in source and transit countries, and intelligence sharing in key near Europe countries. The NCA undertakes investigations into complex and serious OIC offences, arresting offenders in the UK and overseas and bringing them to justice.

In addition to the Taskforce, the NCA has a network in excess of 140 International Liaison Officers (ILOs) based in more than 45 locations, covering over 100 countries. For operational security reasons, the NCA does not disclose those countries in which NCA Liaison Officers are based. The NCA also has intelligence and investigative teams that are deployed across the full range of Serious and Organised Crime threats, where tackling Organised Immigration Crime is a priority.

The NCA overseas liaison officers network works with international partners and coordinates UK law enforcement overseas to gather intelligence, conduct operational activity (through agreement with partners) and enhance international delivery through a variety of means, including capacity building, training, joint European or international taskforces. The Liaison Officer network also includes officers based in the multilateral institutions of Europol and INTERPOL.

The tragedy in the Channel last December sadly demonstrates the extent to which OCGs endanger migrants’ lives at sea. The NCA, Home Office, Ministry of Defence and UK police forces continue to collaborate with French counterparts to tackle the criminals behind the majority of these crossing attempts and protect lives at sea. Our joint efforts are resulting in continued arrests and prosecutions of these criminals, so that we deter, disrupt and dismantle the networks responsible for facilitating many of these crossings.

Joint Investigation Teams are another part of our toolkit to address cross border organised crime. JITs provide a legal framework for investigation teams set up for a fixed period between two or more countries to investigate a specific cross-border case. The UK participates in multiple JITs with an Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) dimension; however, for operational reasons we cannot provide further detail.

We also share information about criminality around small boats between international agencies. The UK-France Joint Intelligence Cell (known to France as the Unité de renseignement opérationnel, so URO or JIC) consists of UK and French officials, as well as a Europol embed, who collate and analyse operational intelligence to prevent crossings and to dismantle the gangs behind them. Since the JIC was established in July 2020, 59 organised criminal groups involved in small boats crossings in France have been dismantled. Our joint activity with the French saw nearly 400 arrests made in 2022 alone.

We also pursue those involved in the financial flows that support this activity. Using criminal powers in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, an individual can be prosecuted for money laundering offences if sufficient evidence is obtainable and CPS agree to charging, or civil powers within the same act permit the action to be taken against the money concerned. Both these approaches are used to undermine the financial flows supporting small boat and wider clandestine smuggling, both in the UK and with foreign partners.

The Government is resolute in its commitment to tackle Organised Immigration Crime (OIC).

Tackling people smuggling of all types is a priority for Immigration Enforcement, working through its international network upstream as well as conducting OIC investigations within the UK. Additionally, the dedicated multi-agency OIC Taskforce, led by the National Crime Agency, is committed to dismantling OCGs engaged in immigration crime internationally. The Taskforce is active in 17 countries worldwide, and its activities include supporting judicial and intelligence capacity building in source and transit countries, and intelligence sharing in key near Europe countries. The NCA undertakes investigations into complex and serious OIC offences, arresting offenders in the UK and overseas and bringing them to justice.

In addition to the Taskforce, the NCA has a network in excess of 140 International Liaison Officers (ILOs) based in more than 45 locations, covering over 100 countries. For operational security reasons, the NCA does not disclose those countries in which NCA Liaison Officers are based. The NCA also has intelligence and investigative teams that are deployed across the full range of Serious and Organised Crime threats, where tackling Organised Immigration Crime is a priority.

The NCA overseas liaison officers network works with international partners and coordinates UK law enforcement overseas to gather intelligence, conduct operational activity (through agreement with partners) and enhance international delivery through a variety of means, including capacity building, training, joint European or international taskforces. The Liaison Officer network also includes officers based in the multilateral institutions of Europol and INTERPOL.

The tragedy in the Channel last December sadly demonstrates the extent to which OCGs endanger migrants’ lives at sea. The NCA, Home Office, Ministry of Defence and UK police forces continue to collaborate with French counterparts to tackle the criminals behind the majority of these crossing attempts and protect lives at sea. Our joint efforts are resulting in continued arrests and prosecutions of these criminals, so that we deter, disrupt and dismantle the networks responsible for facilitating many of these crossings.

Joint Investigation Teams are another part of our toolkit to address cross border organised crime. JITs provide a legal framework for investigation teams set up for a fixed period between two or more countries to investigate a specific cross-border case. The UK participates in multiple JITs with an Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) dimension; however, for operational reasons we cannot provide further detail.

We also share information about criminality around small boats between international agencies. The UK-France Joint Intelligence Cell (known to France as the Unité de renseignement opérationnel, so URO or JIC) consists of UK and French officials, as well as a Europol embed, who collate and analyse operational intelligence to prevent crossings and to dismantle the gangs behind them. Since the JIC was established in July 2020, 59 organised criminal groups involved in small boats crossings in France have been dismantled. Our joint activity with the French saw nearly 400 arrests made in 2022 alone.

We also pursue those involved in the financial flows that support this activity. Using criminal powers in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, an individual can be prosecuted for money laundering offences if sufficient evidence is obtainable and CPS agree to charging, or civil powers within the same act permit the action to be taken against the money concerned. Both these approaches are used to undermine the financial flows supporting small boat and wider clandestine smuggling, both in the UK and with foreign partners.

The Government is resolute in its commitment to tackle Organised Immigration Crime (OIC).

Tackling people smuggling of all types is a priority for Immigration Enforcement, working through its international network upstream as well as conducting OIC investigations within the UK. Additionally, the dedicated multi-agency OIC Taskforce, led by the National Crime Agency, is committed to dismantling OCGs engaged in immigration crime internationally. The Taskforce is active in 17 countries worldwide, and its activities include supporting judicial and intelligence capacity building in source and transit countries, and intelligence sharing in key near Europe countries. The NCA undertakes investigations into complex and serious OIC offences, arresting offenders in the UK and overseas and bringing them to justice.

In addition to the Taskforce, the NCA has a network in excess of 140 International Liaison Officers (ILOs) based in more than 45 locations, covering over 100 countries. For operational security reasons, the NCA does not disclose those countries in which NCA Liaison Officers are based. The NCA also has intelligence and investigative teams that are deployed across the full range of Serious and Organised Crime threats, where tackling Organised Immigration Crime is a priority.

The NCA overseas liaison officers network works with international partners and coordinates UK law enforcement overseas to gather intelligence, conduct operational activity (through agreement with partners) and enhance international delivery through a variety of means, including capacity building, training, joint European or international taskforces. The Liaison Officer network also includes officers based in the multilateral institutions of Europol and INTERPOL.

The tragedy in the Channel last December sadly demonstrates the extent to which OCGs endanger migrants’ lives at sea. The NCA, Home Office, Ministry of Defence and UK police forces continue to collaborate with French counterparts to tackle the criminals behind the majority of these crossing attempts and protect lives at sea. Our joint efforts are resulting in continued arrests and prosecutions of these criminals, so that we deter, disrupt and dismantle the networks responsible for facilitating many of these crossings.

Joint Investigation Teams are another part of our toolkit to address cross border organised crime. JITs provide a legal framework for investigation teams set up for a fixed period between two or more countries to investigate a specific cross-border case. The UK participates in multiple JITs with an Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) dimension; however, for operational reasons we cannot provide further detail.

We also share information about criminality around small boats between international agencies. The UK-France Joint Intelligence Cell (known to France as the Unité de renseignement opérationnel, so URO or JIC) consists of UK and French officials, as well as a Europol embed, who collate and analyse operational intelligence to prevent crossings and to dismantle the gangs behind them. Since the JIC was established in July 2020, 59 organised criminal groups involved in small boats crossings in France have been dismantled. Our joint activity with the French saw nearly 400 arrests made in 2022 alone.

We also pursue those involved in the financial flows that support this activity. Using criminal powers in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, an individual can be prosecuted for money laundering offences if sufficient evidence is obtainable and CPS agree to charging, or civil powers within the same act permit the action to be taken against the money concerned. Both these approaches are used to undermine the financial flows supporting small boat and wider clandestine smuggling, both in the UK and with foreign partners.

The Home Office aims to tackle the organised crime gangs behind illegal migration. The Home Office works tirelessly, with other national and international law enforcement authorities, to tackle migrant smuggling gangs who organise and profit from illegal crossings and to bring to justice the ruthless criminals behind them. We are determined to go after the callous people smugglers who exploit vulnerable people in difficult circumstances and put them in life-threatening situations.

The Joint Intelligence Cell has dismantled 59 organised crime groups since its inception in July 2020. This year alone, the Cell has so far secured the arrests of 384 suspected people smugglers.  The Cell records activity undertaken by UK and French law enforcement agencies.

The Home Office aims to tackle the organised crime gangs behind illegal migration. The Home Office works tirelessly, with other national and international law enforcement authorities, to tackle migrant smuggling gangs who organise and profit from illegal crossings and to bring to justice the ruthless criminals behind them. We are determined to go after the callous people smugglers who exploit vulnerable people in difficult circumstances and put them in life-threatening situations.

The Joint Intelligence Cell has dismantled 59 organised crime groups since its inception in July 2020. This year alone, the Cell has so far secured the arrests of 384 suspected people smugglers.  The Cell records activity undertaken by UK and French law enforcement agencies.

The Home Office publishes data on asylum seekers in receipt of support in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’. The latest publication (November 2022) can be found here Immigration and protection data: Q3 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) under the document Asylum seekers in receipt of support (opens in a new tab) of the workbooks. Data are published on a quarterly basis. The latest information was published 24 November 2022.

The Home Office does not publish a breakdown of statistics which disaggregates the number of asylum seekers accommodated in specific types of accommodation, the duration of their receipt of support or the number at specific stages of the asylum process. These figures are not available in a reportable format and to provide the information could only be done at disproportionate cost.

Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, as well as quality and availability of data.

The Home Office publishes data on asylum seekers in receipt of support in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’. The latest publication (November 2022) can be found here Immigration and protection data: Q3 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) under the document Asylum seekers in receipt of support (opens in a new tab) of the workbooks. Data are published on a quarterly basis. The latest information was published 24 November 2022.

The Home Office does not publish a breakdown of statistics which disaggregates the number of asylum seekers accommodated in specific types of accommodation, the duration of their receipt of support or the number at specific stages of the asylum process. These figures are not available in a reportable format and to provide the information could only be done at disproportionate cost.

Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, as well as quality and availability of data.

The United Kingdom has a statutory obligation to provide destitute asylum seekers with accommodation and other support whilst their application for asylum is being considered.

The Departmental allocation for asylum support in 2022/23 main estimates was £1026m. This was funding provided directly by HM Treasury . We are in negotiations with HM Treasury through the supplementary estimates process regarding additional funding requirements. Funding allocations are based on the total asylum population, not how long individual asylum seekers have spent in the system.

FCDO is not allocated funding by HM Treasury for costs relating to asylum support in the UK and so has not allocated funding to cover such costs in 2022/23.

The United Kingdom has a statutory obligation to provide destitute asylum seekers with accommodation and other support whilst their application for asylum is being considered.

The Departmental allocation for asylum support in 2022/23 main estimates was £1026m. This was funding provided directly by HM Treasury . We are in negotiations with HM Treasury through the supplementary estimates process regarding additional funding requirements. Funding allocations are based on the total asylum population, not how long individual asylum seekers have spent in the system.

FCDO is not allocated funding by HM Treasury for costs relating to asylum support in the UK and so has not allocated funding to cover such costs in 2022/23.

I wrote to the Home Affairs Select Committee Chair on 31 October and a copy of the letter was placed in the House Libraries - I refer the Rt. Hon. member to that letter.

Decisions to detain people are not taken lightly. We will robustly defend decisions subject to legal challenge, when appropriate to do so, with a decision to defend or concede based on the merits of the individual case.

The facility at Manston provides suitable welfare provisions including hot food, fresh clothing, toilet facilities, sanitary packs and medical care. It provides for all the basic needs of people who will have arrived tired, cold, in wet clothing and who may not have eaten during their journey. We will continue to innovate to provide for the basic needs of those in our care and to ensure the safety of everyone at Manston as a priority.

The Home Office has a statutory obligation to provide accommodation and other support to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute while their application for asylum is being considered.

The significant increase in dangerous journeys across the Channel is placing unprecedented strain on our asylum system and it has made it necessary to continue to use hotels to accommodate some asylum seekers. The use of hotels is a short-term solution and we are working hard with local authorities to find appropriate accommodation.

Statistics relating to supported asylum seekers temporarily residing in contingency accommodation are published as Immigration Statistics under the S98 population tables. The latest publication (March 2022) can be found here Asylum and resettlement datasets - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab), under the document Asylum seekers in receipt of support (second edition)(opens in a new tab).

The Home Office does not publish a breakdown of statistics which disaggregates the number of asylum seekers accommodated in specific types of accommodation, or the number at specific stages of the asylum process. These figures are not available in a reportable format and to provide the information could only be done at disproportionate cost.

Published statistics on inadmissibility can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-september-2021/how-many-people-do-we-grant-asylum-or-protection-to#inadmissibility

The Home Office does not publish a breakdown of these statistics which provide an average length of time to reach an inadmissibility decision. Those figures are not available in a reportable format and to provide the information could only be done at disproportionate cost.

I wrote to the Home Affairs Select Committee Chair on 31 October and a copy of the letter was placed in the House Libraries - I refer the hon. member to that letter where both questions are answered.

I wrote to the Home Affairs Select Committee Chair on 31 October and a copy of the letter was placed in the House Libraries - I refer the hon. member to that letter where both questions are answered.

The Home Office publishes data on the number of a) skilled worker, (b) study, (c) spousal, and (e) visitor visas which have been processed outside target processing times in our Transparency data. Seasonal agricultural workers are grouped into other work groups in the data.

The Home Office Transparency data sets out how the department is performing against its service standard, which can be found on the GOV.UK webpage: Visas and Citizenship data: Q1 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

It has never been government practice, for reasons of law enforcement, to comment on operational issues relating to border security and immigration controls. This includes offering commentary on the performance of border systems and of ePassport Gates data specifically.

The current eGate estate was upgraded in 2021. Incidents impacting the availability of eGates are proactively managed and the number of incidents is reducing.

The eGates process passengers arriving in the UK and provide a secure border check on approved travel documents and refer passengers to an officer if required.

Performance against our passenger wait time SLA’s can be found in Border Force Transparency data available at:

Border Force transparency data: Border Force Transparency data: Q1 2022 opens in a new tab)