Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The government's efforts on reducing net migration have been a focus of debate.
What recent progress his Department has made on reducing net migration. The government promised repeatedly to reduce net migration, but levels remain high.
The Government have implemented a number of measures including restricting overseas students from bringing family dependants, stopping overseas care workers from bringing family dependants, increasing the salary threshold for skilled worker visas to £38,700 and increasing the minimum income requirements for family visas. We recognise that levels of migration have been too high and I immediately took action to bring those figures down.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer provided does not include specific details on the effectiveness or timeline of the measures implemented, only listing them.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK faces labour shortages due to falling birth rates, leading to a reliance on high levels of immigration.
According to projections by Philip Pilkington and Paul Morland, if birth rates do not increase, immigration will need to rise to over a third of the population in 50 years. Immigration at this scale has no democratic consent. What discussions have you had with Treasury about addressing falling birth rates?
My hon. Friend makes an important point. I spoke with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and recognise GDP per capita as an important metric. We invest in a British workforce through apprenticeships and lifelong learning, aiming for a high-skilled, high-income economy rather than relying on mass migration.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific details or strategies related to addressing falling birth rates.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
An investigation by Sustain found poor food conditions for asylum seekers, leading to malnutrition and hospitalisation.
Trhas Teklehaimanot Tesfay is an elite female cyclist chosen to lead RideLondon but lives in a hotel with substandard living conditions. The food provided makes her sick and unable to compete. Could the Secretary of State investigate this scandal involving Clearsprings?
Our contractors are expected to maintain standards, where they fall below those standards, they will be held to account. I take note of the case raised by the hon. Gentleman.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific details on any investigation or action taken regarding the issue.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The government has implemented new measures to tackle legal migration levels.
What assessment have you made of the expected impact of the new immigration salary list and what impact that will have on the net migration figure?
We recognised high figures in recent years and implemented measures such as a higher salary threshold for skilled worker visas. By our estimations, under the new regime that I have put in place, 300,000 people who would previously have been eligible will no longer be eligible.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific details on any assessments or impacts of the salary list on net migration figures.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Cumbria is facing difficulties in filling social care jobs.
The refusal to allow care workers from overseas to bring a spouse with them comes at the same time as we are finding it impossible to fill at least a fifth of all the social care jobs. Why does this seem sensible?
In rural communities, recruitment and retention of staff is difficult but there are plenty of people willing to work here recognising they cannot bring their dependants. The issue of where in the country those people work is actually a broader issue.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific details on why the policy is considered sensible, only general statements.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The government has raised the minimum income threshold for visas causing distress to many.
Cruel Conservative hikes to the visa minimum income threshold have caused deep distress. Does the Home Secretary understand this pain, and what message does he believe it sends about the value placed on love and family life?
It is right for any nation to put conditionality on those accepted within its borders. We have a tradition of being open and welcoming, but we take action when migration levels are high. Changes were given notice so people can make plans accordingly, with special cases exemptions.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific details on understanding the distress caused or the message sent about family life.
Response accuracy