BRAIN FAMILY: DEPORTATION

Minister provided details on the Brain family's immigration status and extensions granted by Home Office. Explained changes made to post-study work visa schemes since 2010 due to abuse of previous system.

Responded that the family came under fresh talent initiative with support from Home Office. Criticised Government for retrospective action denying rights committed under legislation. Emphasised Lachlan's education in Gaelic medium and offered job at GlenWyvis distillery.

Asked if Minister agrees that Government may be too harsh on people from outside EU due to free movement within EU. Suggested need for robust immigration policy while questioning specific case handling.

Expressed sympathy and criticised chaos in the current system, highlighting the issue as emigration not immigration. Questioned support provided by Home Office and why it's made an issue of immigration rather than emigration.

Highlighted Scotland’s different migration needs from south England, especially in attracting talent for areas like highlands. Questioned when the Government will reintroduce post-study work visa.

Asked if James Brokenshire agrees that the previous Labour Government’s fresh talent scheme was flawed and did not lead to skilled migrants settling in Scotland.

Orderly conduct of debate is emphasised.

The current system does not meet the needs of communities such as those in the highlands and islands, rural northwest England, Cornwall or mid-Wales. The minister is asked to look again at the way rules operate.

The post-study work rules result in mess and have been warned against by several committees and Members of this House. Abuse has occurred but should be dealt with individually rather than affecting genuine people who want to come to the UK.

There is an increasing number of individuals being told that immigration lawyers will not take their case due to changes in procedure. She asks if the Government would use this opportunity to re-assess rules for compassion.

The Prime Minister promised all forms of devolution, yet Scotland’s MPs and Government cannot keep a family in the highlands. Young Lachlan Brain is at a Gaelic school and asks if there is a similar school in Australia.

Suggests that instead of spending time on deportation, resources should be used to ensure dangerous criminals such as Noureden Mallaky-Soodmand are deported after their first offence.

Congratulates Ross, Skye and Lochaber on bringing the issue forward. The Minister’s admission suggests changes in rules have placed the family in their present situation.

Suggests that UK immigration policy does not work for Scotland, which needs dynamic young families like the Brains. Proposes a conversation with the Government about sub-national immigration policies.

Emphasises the lack of support from Conservative supporters and the strength of feeling expressed by Opposition Members over the decision made by the Home Office.

The Home Office has given the family an extension of time to make a further application for employment in Scotland or the rest of the UK. I will continue to reflect on representations, including meeting with the hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber. The decision to close the post-study work route was made in March 2011, giving the family ample time to know the situation.

The Government has gone back on their word, causing this problem. The hon. Member asks which nation benefits from this obtuse and retrospective immigration arrangement.

Is it not time to revise the £35,000 threshold for immigration policy? Clearly, there are wage differences regionally that need to be reviewed.

The family are desperate to contribute to the highlands and the highlands are desperate to keep them. What gives anyone the moral right to impose a decision on the highlands that nobody in the highlands wants?

As an MP for a rural constituency experiencing depopulation, I am dismayed by the Government's decision to throw out of Scotland a family who have moved into the highlands and are contributing positively. Why is the Government determined to make our depopulation problem worse? The rules are clearly out of date.

On a point of order regarding Women and Equalities orals, where there were teething problems. I wish to raise the importance of the impending European Union referendum for women, given concerns about scrapping half of employment legislation.