Dec. 18 2008
Source Page: The labour market impact of relaxing restrictions on employment in the UK of nationals of Bulgarian and Romanian EU member states, December 2008. 163 p.Found: In recession both immigrants and local workers suffer, but immigrants suffer more.
Asked by: Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government in what ways they are supporting the integration of immigrants into UK society, and what measures are in place to promote community cohesion and reduce discrimination.
Answered by Lord Khan of Burnley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
All immigrants with valid status in the UK should be able to fully integrate into British life. Immigrants who come to the UK usually integrate on their own initiative; there is not a one size fits all approach to integration, but we provide specific help to certain cohorts. For example Ukrainians through the STEP programme which provides an intensive 12 week English language and employment support course to support better employment outcomes and economic independence. Other cohorts supported include Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) and Afghans arriving in the UK through relocation schemes.
Most refugees and those granted protection in the UK integrate successfully and become self-sufficient, providing for themselves and their families, and contributing to the economy, to support this we are working across Government and with local authorities to ensure they have access to the labour market, to mainstream benefits (where eligible) and services, and to mainstream English language provision to enable their integration.
Government policy places a key role in supporting thriving, cohesive and resilient communities. Work is now underway in my Department to develop a stronger approach to support our communities and to build resilience against the challenges they face.
Asked by: Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what data they hold on the economic contributions of immigrants to the UK, including their roles in key sectors such as healthcare, technology, and agriculture.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
This Government collects a breadth of data on the economic contributions of immigrants to the UK, and their roles in key sectors. The collection of statistics, research and analysis published by the Home Office on migration can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-analysis-at-the-home-office.
As part of that collection, the Home Office publishes data on the volume of migrants coming to the UK, the journey those migrants take through the immigration system and for those in sponsored work, the occupation in which they are employed. Internal data, which is used to support the Impact Assessments and Evaluation contained in that collection, includes wider information on the salaries, and characteristics of those migrants. This is further supported by primary research, also published as part of that collection, into the decision making and contribution of those using the immigration system.
The Home Office also makes use of data held by other organisations, including the ONS, HMRC and DWP on the activities of those who are not required to report their employment to the Home Office. This includes data on, for example, payrolled employment by nationality and sector in the UK, including in healthcare, technology and agriculture.
Further analysis on the contributions of immigrants to the UK are produced by the independent Migration Advisory Committee, including as part of their Annual Report (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/migration-advisory-committee-annual-report-2023/migration-advisory-committee-mac-annual-report-2023-accessible) and the by the OBR as part of the Economic and Fiscal outlook (Net migration forecast and its impact on the economy - Office for Budget Responsibility (obr.uk))
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Reform UK - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department has taken to prevent illegal immigrants claiming benefits.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
All benefits claimants have to verify their identity before they can receive payments. For any claimants who aren’t British or Irish, we verify that they have a valid UK immigration status. Illegal immigrants cannot access taxpayer-funded benefits (publicly funded benefits), including Universal Credit or Personal Independence Payment. In order to receive such benefits, an individual must either be a British or Irish citizen or hold an immigration status that allows them to access such benefits. Whether someone holds a valid immigration status or is a British or Irish citizen is tested through DWP residency tests and verified through information from the Home Office.
For DWP benefits that do not require a valid immigration status (contributory benefits), such as New-Style Jobseeker’s Allowance and Statutory Sick Pay, claimants will need to satisfy other eligibility criteria, such as having employment periods and paid sufficient national insurance contributions. To have been employed to meet the contributory benefits criteria, a valid. National Insurance number is required, meaning the identity and immigration status of the claimant has been verified.
Employer sponsor licenses have been withdrawn by the Home Office because of different issues which are of no fault of the immigrant themselves. These immigrants are then given 60 days to find a new sponsor or face deportation.
The Government responsed to this petition on 9th April 2024 (View Full Response)Found: Most immigrants left all they know, some sold everything they have because they were moving to a new
Asked by: Nigel Farage (Reform UK - Clacton)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has plans to offer an amnesty to illegal immigrants residing in the UK.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)
No.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to repeal legislation providing for immigrants to be deported to Rwanda.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The government has set out intentions with regards to the MEDP. Any future legislation will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many immigrants have been prepared for deportation to Rwanda; and what will happen to them when the Rwanda deportation plan is repealed.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is committed to a new policy agenda, which is why we are moving away from the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) with Rwanda.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many illegal immigrants are currently being detained by the United Kingdom within the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Islands).
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
64 migrants are currently under the care of the BIOT Administration on Diego Garcia, with 8 of those receiving medical treatment off island. The Government are working at pace to find a solution for the migrants that both protects their welfare and the integrity of UK borders.
Asked by: Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to assess the long-term economic effects of a range of immigration scenarios.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
This Government has an ongoing programme of work to monitor and evaluate the economic impacts of migration. Statistics, research and analysis published by the Home Office on migration can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-analysis-at-the-home-office
Further analysis on the contributions of immigrants to the UK are produced by the independent Migration Advisory Committee, including as part of their Annual Report (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/migration-advisory-committee-annual-report-2023/migration-advisory-committee-mac-annual-report-2023-accessible) and the by the OBR as part of the Economic and Fiscal outlook (Economic and fiscal outlook – March 2024 - Office for Budget Responsibility (obr.uk))