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Immigration Rules and Border Security
20 February 2024
Lead MP
Tom Pursglove
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
ImmigrationAsylum & RefugeesMigrants & BordersCare & Healthcare WorkersUkraineTaxationEmployment
Other Contributors: 18
At a Glance
Tom Pursglove raised concerns about immigration rules and border security in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
ImmigrationAsylum & RefugeesMigrants & BordersCare & Healthcare WorkersUkraineTaxationEmployment
Government Statement
The security of the UK border is a top priority for me, the Home Secretary, and the Home Office. Border Force conducts checks on 100% of scheduled passengers arriving in the UK and risk-based intelligence-led checks on general aviation flights. The minister condemns the leaking of confidential information by the independent chief inspector to the press before the official response from the Home Office could be made, stating it is deeply disturbing and that an urgent investigation into this breach is ongoing.
The minister also discussed recent changes to immigration rules, highlighting that since launching Ukraine-related schemes, over 280,000 Ukrainians have been offered or extended sanctuary. The government remains committed to adapting visa routes based on the evolving situation in Ukraine, aiming for efficient and sustainable processes while providing stability for those already in the UK and those still needing support.
The minister further announced measures aimed at reducing legal migration, including salary increases for work and family visas, reforming the shortage occupation list, restricting overseas care workers from bringing dependants, and requiring care providers to be registered with the Care Quality Commission before hiring international staff.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
It has been reported today that hundreds of high-risk private flights have landed in the UK without proper border security checks. If the Minister disputes these figures, will he tell us the true numbers now? Were all the high-risk private flights checked or not?
Minister reply
The Home Office categorically rejects claims made by David Neal regarding general aviation border checks at London City airport. The data issue with recording of flights as high risk should have been reclassified as low risk. 100% of high-risk GA flights were cleared either remotely or in person, following intelligence-led guidance.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Question
The suggestion by the Opposition that the measure introduced will prevent Ukrainian family members from coming to Britain is deeply untrue and highly irresponsible, isn’t it?
Minister reply
There will continue to be an in-country opportunity for people to apply to extend their visas. Through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, Ukrainians will still be able to come to the UK to access sanctuary, with communities across the country supporting this effort.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Question
There is a bitter irony in the UK Government making changes to health and social care visas—a sector that is crying out for people—that will make it more difficult for people to come and look after our loved ones. The Minister talked of an 18-month extension, but new applications have been reduced from years. Those who hold visas now cannot sponsor, so the wives who want to bring injured husbands to live here presumably can no longer do so. How can he say that is fair?
Minister reply
To deal with the latter points first, that is not the case. There continues to be a route for Ukrainians to come to the United Kingdom through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The Government have invested £7.5 billion to support the strategy for social care workforce development and to boost capacity in social care. Migration is not the answer to workforce shortages in the social care sector, as highlighted by the Migration Advisory Committee.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Question
Could the Minister confirm that while there is a war in Ukraine and while it is unsafe for these families to return, they will have a home in this country?
Minister reply
We are committed to providing sanctuary for our Ukrainian friends. We will continue to sustain that effort, which we do in partnership with the Ukrainian Government. The invasion of Ukraine will be sustained until its end.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Question
Accountability and oversight are critical to the effective management of UK border security. The Home Affairs Committee has repeatedly questioned the Government about the delay in the Home Office publishing the chief inspector’s reports—I understand there are now 15 reports outstanding. Will the Minister update the House on what has happened to the recruitment process that ended in December?
Minister reply
We will follow the proper process in appointing a chief inspector of borders and immigration, but I cannot comment on appointment-related matters.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
People who want to work in our care sector from other countries are welcome to do so where it is appropriate. However, under the current model, many people are paying thousands of pounds to agents to contact care home owners in this country who will allow them to come here and send them off to work elsewhere. Will the Minister take measures to combat what is clearly a criminal conspiracy?
Minister reply
Where we see abuse of our migration routes, we will root that out and deal with it robustly. We are taking a robust posture over it.
Question
Why did the UK Government unexpectedly close the family unification route for Ukrainian families? I warned the Government against such mean-mindedness. Can the Minister confirm exactly what he has done?
Minister reply
We have been the most generous with our approach to provide sanctuary to our Ukrainian friends. There will continue to be an out-of-country route through the Homes for Ukraine scheme to enable people to come here.
Question
I welcome the income thresholds going up for getting visas and the changes for social care workers. On the welcome changes to net legal migration, will the Minister provide evidence and data soon to show the public that it is finally heading in the right direction?
Minister reply
We believe the inflows will be reduced by 300,000 relative to the year prior due to the changes we are delivering. We continue to work towards providing information about our progress.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
When does the Minister expect the next independent chief inspector of borders and immigration to take up the post?
Minister reply
We will follow the proper process to make an appointment.
Question
Most people in Stoke-on-Trent think that the net migration figures have been unacceptably high and put significant pressure on local services. Does my hon. Friend agree that those who come here and use services but have not contributed to their cost should face higher visa and nationality fees?
Minister reply
The Government feel that the borders and migration system costs we charge people to access those services should reflect the costs we incur. It should be individuals who cover their costs, not UK taxpayers.
Tonia Antoniazzi
Lab
Gower
Question
Aviation has been consistently flagged as a danger to national security. Does the Minister agree that the failure to check those arriving in the UK via aviation is putting the United Kingdom at risk?
Minister reply
I refer the hon. Lady to what I said in relation to the shadow Home Secretary’s earlier contribution and the questions she asked on that issue. We treat that subject with utmost seriousness. We will, of course, respond to the ICIBI report in a proper and thorough way, having considered the points it raises and ensuring that proper fact-checking is carried out for the reasons I have touched on.
Question
If the purpose of yesterday’s announcement was to provide some reassurance to Ukrainian citizens who have sought refuge in the UK, why are the Government forcing them to go through yet another application? The current process causes delays and distress. Should UKVI not be focusing on its existing backlog rather than adding unnecessary processes?
Minister reply
I disagree with the hon. and learned Lady. We think this is an appropriate approach to extending the visas. It is right and proper that there is a proper process around that, and there are obviously reasons why visas are handled in this particular way. Safeguarding concerns come into all these matters, including extensions, and that is why we will take the approach we take. I want it to be as light-touch as possible. I want it to be as easy as possible.
Question
Many people in this country are amazed by the Government’s announcement of restrictions on Ukrainian families coming here at a time when Putin is reinforcing his aggression against Ukraine. Should we not focus on wealthy Russian plutocrats flying into the UK on small private aircraft and helicopters?
Minister reply
The fact is that we are providing the certainty that Members across the House have been seeking for the future of the Ukraine scheme. I do not think the hon. Gentleman was in the debate we had prior to the February recess. I would argue that the House spoke with one voice, saying that we need to afford sanctuary for longer, recognising that the war remains ongoing but that the Ukrainian people continue to have our firm backing in their fight against Russian aggression.
Question
Families relying on care sector workers from abroad are distressed by the Government’s plan to ban overseas care workers from bringing dependants. Is this approach shameful and damaging, as described by Donald Macaskill of Scottish Care?
Minister reply
There will continue to be an opportunity for international recruitment for care purposes, but we cannot have a situation where 120,000 dependants come with 100,000 visa holders. That is not justifiable. That is not acceptable. That is why we are taking the approach we are taking.
Question
Closing the Ukrainian families scheme almost two years to the day since Putin’s illegal war began is particularly cruel. What reassurance can the Government give to those on these schemes that they will be able to bring family members to the UK?
Minister reply
We always keep under review the offer we have as part of the Ukraine scheme and that will continue to be the case, but I reiterate the point that what we have done through this package of changes in its entirety is to sustain an out-of-country route to enable Ukrainians to come to the UK to seek sanctuary, while giving certainty ahead of many other countries.
Question
The changes the Government keep making to the Ukrainian scheme have resulted in far too many Ukrainians becoming homeless. When will the Minister meet Glasgow Members of Parliament to discuss how Home Office policies are making refugees homeless?
Minister reply
In fact, the announcement has provided real certainty about the future of the Ukraine schemes at an early stage, and we are ahead of the curve internationally. The hon. Gentleman knows me well, and we have always had a constructive working relationship. I am very willing to meet him to discuss the issue of asylum accommodation and support for refugees in Glasgow.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
In the context of the open border, what steps have been taken to ensure that Northern Ireland does not become the back door to the rest of the United Kingdom?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is right to raise that point. As he has recognised, we must ensure that our approach to border security is adopted properly throughout the United Kingdom. I was pleased to be able to have a constructive meeting about the future of the Ukraine schemes with the new Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland last week.
Shadow Comment
Yvette Cooper
Shadow Comment
The shadow minister questioned reports of hundreds of high-risk private flights landing in the UK without proper border security checks. She highlighted drops in seizures of drugs and firearms, failures in security checks at Western Jet Foil, reductions in foreign national offender removals, failed asylum seeker removals, and visa issues. The Labour Party criticised the government’s response to these issues as ineffective, pointing out that they have broken the asylum system, undermined border security, and put the country's security at risk.
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