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Nationality and Borders Bill
08 December 2021
Lead MP
Diana R. Johnson
Debate Type
Bill Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 34
At a Glance
Diana R. Johnson raised concerns about nationality and borders bill in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. The mover seeks to initiate debate on Clause 82 which pertains to commencement provisions for certain sections of the bill. Diana R. Johnson argues that this is necessary to ensure timely implementation and operational effectiveness.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Diana R. Johnson argues for the necessity of Clause 82, stressing that commencement provisions are crucial to ensure timely implementation and operational effectiveness.
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Chorley
Introduced several new clauses for discussion including exemptions for child victims, introduction of Independent Victim Navigators, limitations on disqualification from protection, civil legal aid under the national referral mechanism, and support and leave to remain for confirmed victims. Provided details on each clause's objectives.
Expressed concern that certain elements of the Bill may restrict victims' ability to come forward with evidence against perpetrators, specifically highlighting public order disqualification threshold and time periods on slavery and trafficking information notices. Asked the Minister to address these concerns.
Tahir Ali
Lab
Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
Asked if more resources are needed for police to tackle modern slavery, supporting the argument that better funding could lead to increased prosecutions.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Highlighted the isolation and fear faced by victims of modern-day slavery, emphasising the need for improved police training and awareness among local authorities to better assist these individuals.
Peter Bone
Con
Constituency not specified
Noted that Justice and Care charity and navigators have been successful in increasing prosecutions, supporting the lead MP's argument for better support mechanisms for victims.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Emphasised the importance of judicial review availability in addressing modern-day slavery issues, suggesting potential future support for similar measures.
Holly Lynch
Lab
Batley and Spen
Supports the new clause tabled by her right hon. Friend, arguing that provisions in part 5 will make it harder to identify, safeguard and support victims of modern slavery. Cites Home Office statistics showing a significant number of child referrals last year under the NRM and expresses concern over barriers being introduced to accessing protection for children exploited by county lines gangs.
Peter Bone
Con
Wellingborough
Intervenes briefly, expressing support for protecting child victims of trafficking in the same manner as adult victims are protected, highlighting a need to revise current approaches.
Richard Fuller
Con
North Bedfordshire
Mr. Fuller supports new clause 39 to address the concerns raised by the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and emphasises that clause 62 lacks evidence of abuse in accessing the national referral mechanism. He raises issues with subsections (3)(b) and (3)(f), which he believes lower the bar for disqualification based on criminal sentencing. He also notes difficulties in bringing prosecutions for modern slavery and argues against making immigration law overly complex.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Intervened to reassure Mr. Fuller that he is on the side of right in proposing new clause 39, highlighting the importance of supporting amendments aimed at addressing modern-day slavery issues effectively.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Expressed support for new clause 39, indicating his willingness to back Mr. Fuller's proposal in the debate.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Glasgow North West
Argues that the clauses undermine protection for victims of trafficking and fail to address significant problems in identifying and prosecuting traffickers. Highlights issues with delays in the national referral mechanism and lack of stability for trafficking survivors. Supports amendments 127 and 128, which would remove trafficking notices due to risks they pose to credibility assessments and discourage support from victims.
Tommy Sheppard
SNP
Edinburgh East
Intervenes to agree that aspects of the Bill fuel the case for Scottish independence, suggesting a desire to build an immigration system based on fairness and international solidarity.
Peter Bone
Con
Wellingborough
Mr. Bone argues that victims of human trafficking should receive automatic leave to remain for a year once identified, which would incentivise them to cooperate with authorities and help prosecute traffickers without fear of immigration consequences. He also raises concerns about re-trafficking children in care systems.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Mr. Iain Duncan Smith congratulates Tatiana Gren-Jardan on her upcoming birth, acknowledging her significant work in the field of human trafficking.
Blackley and Broughton
Ms. Margaret Greenwood expresses concern that the Bill will harm refugees and victims of trafficking, citing statistics from The Children’s Society showing a high number of child victims among potential modern slavery referrals. She supports Labour's new clause 6 to exempt child victims from many provisions and argues against pushbacks in the English Channel as proposed by the Government.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
The amendment seeks to leave out Clause 62 as it breaks obligations to support victims of human trafficking and undermines the fight against slavery. The clause restricts protections available to victims, making them less likely to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement. It also disregards advice from Sara Thornton, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Raises concerns about the Home Office's treatment of asylum seekers, highlighting issues such as isolation, prison-like conditions, lack of privacy, and increased vulnerability to exploitation. She cites evidence from Napier and Penally barracks and other facilities that undermine health and dignity. Thewliss supports amendment 6 on late disclosure, arguing it traps individuals in a system where they must disclose all information immediately or face negative consequences. She emphasises the trauma experienced by victims of trafficking and the need for proper support and understanding.
Chris Stephens
SNP
Glasgow South West
[INTERVENTION] Points out that the provision is of huge concern to constituents in Glasgow, particularly women who have been subjected to sexual violence and may not disclose such information during their first interview.
David Linden
SNP
Glasgow East
[INTERVENTION] Agrees with Thewliss, citing concerns that interviewers often lack qualifications or knowledge on traumatic experiences, leading to misunderstanding and ineffective support for vulnerable individuals.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
The Bill is appalling as it does not bring safety or humanity to people around the world and will result in more people being put in danger. He supports the amendment tabled by Iain Duncan Smith but wants to go further in providing support for victims of trafficking and slavery, raising concerns about deportation after 12 months.
David Linden
SNP
Glasgow East
The Bill is hostile towards refugees and exacerbates their risk of poverty, exploitation, and family separation. He supports amendment 128 which would remove clause 58 and highlights issues related to modern slavery in industries like car washes and nail bars where forced labour often occurs.
Anne McLaughlin
SNP
Glasgow Cathcart
Ms. McLaughlin is deeply concerned about measures in the Bill that aim to damage victims’ credibility based on late disclosure, arguing they create barriers to identification and engagement with victims of modern slavery or human trafficking. She mentions an increase in trafficking claims due to greater awareness among detention workers and improved ability to recognise vulnerability. She also cites guidance from the Modern Slavery Act 2015 that acknowledges trauma’s impact on early accounts.
Peter Bone
Con
Welling
Mr. Bone interjects, questioning whether Ms. McLaughlin supports what Governments have done to make the country a leader in the fight against modern-day slavery despite raising awareness and encouraging people to report.
Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
The hon. Member intervened to express appreciation for the Government’s commitment but highlighted concerns regarding child victims of modern slavery and the need for clarity on support and leave to remain for confirmed victims.
Chingford and Woodford Green
The right hon. Member expressed gratitude for the Government's commitment but emphasised that they will continue to advocate for further support measures, including new clause 47, which aims to ensure appropriate support for confirmed victims of modern slavery.
Eleanor Laing
14:45:00
Order was called multiple times to address delays in voting, deeming them as anti-democratic practices that obstruct further business. Emphasised the need for timely completion of divisions and asked for an investigation into those delaying the process.
David Davis
Con
Goole and Pocklington
Sought clarification on identifying individuals causing delays, agreeing with the anti-democratic nature of such actions and supporting efforts to clear the Lobby.
Proposed introducing electronic voting as a potential solution to speed up voting processes, noting the current delays in divisions were causing significant time loss.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
Sought to make a point of order but was rebuffed by the Deputy Speaker, highlighting frustrations with the procedural delays and their impact on democratic processes.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Attempted to intervene but was denied by the Deputy Speaker, underscoring a lack of time due to delays caused by opposing members.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Decried delaying tactics as attacks on democracy and supported the importance of expediting the voting process for a critical piece of legislation.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Critiqued the Home Secretary's handling of illegal immigration across the Channel, arguing that proposed policies limit the ability to prosecute criminal gangs and proposing solutions such as safe legal routes for asylum seekers.
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