Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve the governance and practice of the use of force at Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre, identified as an issue of concern in the Chief Inspector of Prisons' first inspection report of the centre.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
We remain focused on the specific needs for women in our care and Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) is operated in line with the Detention Centre Rules 2001, published operating standards for IRCs and Detention Services Orders.
It is routine for best practice to be shared across the Detention Engagement Teams and we have robust mechanisms in place for staff to raise issues or concerns with senior leaders. Derwentside, as the sole female only IRC, presents both unique challenges and opportunities.
Published guidance, and the training received by detainee custody officers makes it clear that physical force, and the use of waist restraint belts or handcuffs, should only be used after a thorough assessment of risk, and in consideration of each individual’s personal circumstances. Restraints should be removed at the earliest opportunity.
The Home Office reviews all reports resulting from a use of force to ensure that techniques are used proportionately, that they are justified, and are used for the minimum period required. Since the inspection took place Control and Restraint instructors have attended the centre to provide additional coaching and incident management support to staff. A bespoke package of training commenced in November 2022 and monthly use of force review meetings commenced in September 2022. In addition, the supplier centre manager reviews all incidents involving use of force, following a review undertaken by the supplier duty director. All use of force incidents are additionally peer reviewed by the supplier’s use of force committees from two other IRCs (Heathrow and Dungavel) to provide an additional layer of governance and independent scrutiny.
All staff working with women receive appropriate gender specific training (such as the protocol for entry to bedrooms), in addition to any generic training they receive when they undergo initial training, and undertake appropriate refresher training, this includes equality and diversity, human trafficking and modern slavery. Detention Service Order 06/2016 Women in the Detention Estate sets out the minimum provision of services for women and can be found on gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/women-in-detention.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how any lessons from the Home Office Detention engagement team at the Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre will be shared across the detention estate.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
We remain focused on the specific needs for women in our care and Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) is operated in line with the Detention Centre Rules 2001, published operating standards for IRCs and Detention Services Orders.
It is routine for best practice to be shared across the Detention Engagement Teams and we have robust mechanisms in place for staff to raise issues or concerns with senior leaders. Derwentside, as the sole female only IRC, presents both unique challenges and opportunities.
Published guidance, and the training received by detainee custody officers makes it clear that physical force, and the use of waist restraint belts or handcuffs, should only be used after a thorough assessment of risk, and in consideration of each individual’s personal circumstances. Restraints should be removed at the earliest opportunity.
The Home Office reviews all reports resulting from a use of force to ensure that techniques are used proportionately, that they are justified, and are used for the minimum period required. Since the inspection took place Control and Restraint instructors have attended the centre to provide additional coaching and incident management support to staff. A bespoke package of training commenced in November 2022 and monthly use of force review meetings commenced in September 2022. In addition, the supplier centre manager reviews all incidents involving use of force, following a review undertaken by the supplier duty director. All use of force incidents are additionally peer reviewed by the supplier’s use of force committees from two other IRCs (Heathrow and Dungavel) to provide an additional layer of governance and independent scrutiny.
All staff working with women receive appropriate gender specific training (such as the protocol for entry to bedrooms), in addition to any generic training they receive when they undergo initial training, and undertake appropriate refresher training, this includes equality and diversity, human trafficking and modern slavery. Detention Service Order 06/2016 Women in the Detention Estate sets out the minimum provision of services for women and can be found on gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/women-in-detention.
Asked by: Lord McColl of Dulwich (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they started to draft the public statement about their overall objectives and approach to using UK aid to tackle modern slavery internationally, which they undertook to do in 2021 in their response to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact's review of the use of aid to tackle modern slavery, published on 14 October 2020; why the publication of this statement has been delayed; and when it will be published.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government remains committed to eradicating all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking in line with achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 by 2030. The UK has supported over 120 modern slavery programmes internationally and here in the UK, since 2017 alone. Ministers are considering next steps on our strategic approach.
Asked by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's announcement on 23 January of a cross-government ministerial task force on immigration enforcement, what steps she is taking to identify victims of labour exploitation during enforcement action; and what training is provided to staff on labour exploitation, human trafficking and exploitation that does not meet the modern slavery threshold.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The increase in enforcement comes as the Home Office establishes the UK’s first cross-government ministerial taskforce on immigration enforcement, which will ensure every available power across government is utilised to support law enforcement activity to identify and reduce illegal migrants in the UK, and ensure only those eligible can work, receive benefits or access public services.
The taskforce will go further and faster to prevent the abuse of our laws and borders and crack down on individuals exploiting the generosity of the UK taxpayer. Further information will be provided in due course.
Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to appoint an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The role of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) as set out in the 2015 Modern Slavery Act is to encourage good practice in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of slavery and human trafficking offences and the identification of victims.
The Home Secretary recognises the importance of the role of Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and has committed to running a new open competition to recruit for this role. This process will begin shortly.
The competition will be conducted as quickly as possible, whilst ensuring we take the necessary steps to recruit the best person for the role.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what specific representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia over the continuance of modern slavery and other reported human rights abuses of expatriate workers in that country, particularly domestic workers, farmers and drivers.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
His Majesty's Government has regular discussions with Saudi Arabia about modern slavery and labour laws. I last discussed these matters on 21 December with the President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission. We welcome the labour law reforms for migrant workers that were announced in 2021 and have encouraged the Kingdom to expand these to include domestic workers. We also welcome progress in implementing the Saudi National Action Plan to combat human trafficking, including recent agreements with the International Organisation for Migration and the UN.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will review the impact of UK firms on working conditions in other countries.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The FCDO does not have plans to conduct a review of the impact of UK firms on working conditions in other countries.
The UK Government is a strong advocate for promoting and implementing established international principles and frameworks - such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (through the UK's National Action Plan) and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises - which encourage businesses to protect and improve human rights and the environment across their operations and supply relationships. The UK is committed to the eradication of all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking (Sustainable Development Goal 8.7) by 2030.
The FCDO's Supply Partner Code of Conduct provides a mechanism to ensure that organisations delivering services or goods for the government provide both value for money and behave ethically. This is embedded proportionately within all FCDO contracts, holding suppliers responsible and accountable for ethical behaviour, safeguarding, social responsibility and human rights. Membership of the UN Global Compact on Business and Human Rights is a requirement for suppliers with commercial contracts.
Asked by: Holly Lynch (Labour - Halifax)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made on appointing a new Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
Answered by Sarah Dines
The role of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) as set out in the 2015 Modern Slavery Act is to encourage good practice in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of slavery and human trafficking offences and the identification of victims.
The process to recruit a new IASC follows the principles set out within the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.
A decision on the appointment is under consideration.
Asked by: Caroline Nokes (Conservative - Romsey and Southampton North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women have been issued with notices of the Government’s intention to remove them to Rwanda through the Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership; and how many of these women have disclosed histories of (a) sexual or gender-based violence, (b) human trafficking and (c) modern slavery.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
A breakdown of individuals considered for relocation under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda is not currently available.
The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of individuals being managed under inadmissibility rules and can be found online at How many people do we grant asylum or protection to? - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Asked by: Karen Bradley (Conservative - Staffordshire Moorlands)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she will appoint the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
Answered by Sarah Dines
The role of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) as set out in the 2015 Modern Slavery Act is to encourage good practice in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of slavery and human trafficking offences and the identification of victims.
The process to recruit a new IASC follows the principles set out within the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.
A decision on the appointment is under consideration.