Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 23 March 2020 · 9 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 9 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Home Secretary has daily conversations with police forces to provide necessary resources during the covid-19 crisis.
  • Government is working with Treasury and DWP to offer financial support to those not legally entitled to benefits.
  • Home Office is reviewing the points-based system and statements regarding protection of retail workers in response to the current situation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Theo Clarke Con Stafford
Policing & Resources
Context

Concerns raised about personal protective equipment and personnel shortages in local resilience forums.

Question

What conversations is the Home Secretary having with police forces to ensure they have necessary resources during the covid-19 crisis?

Answer from Priti Patel

Daily conversations across entire policing network; Government working closely with partners including emergency services on PPE, suitable testing. Coordinating supplies and policing response as per requests from police officers and chiefs.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Diane Abbott Lab Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Immigration Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concern about destitution facing people with no access to benefits due to immigration rules during the coronavirus crisis.

Question

When can we expect an assurance on offering financial support to those who are not legally entitled to any kind of benefits?

Answer from Priti Patel

Working across Government with Treasury, DWP; committed to providing support at all levels. Will come back on specific point in due course.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Alexander Stafford SNP Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Issue of panic buying, rising tensions at shops affecting elderly and vulnerable individuals.

Question

What measures is the Home Secretary taking to ensure sufficient security personnel for shop safety and availability of essential goods?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

Discussing with SIA about additional support; closely monitoring situation with police. Hope public will behave appropriately in next few days.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Stuart McDonald SNP Glasgow South
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

Request for urgent revision of immigration detention, reporting requirements, shared accommodation rules.

Question

Are all mentioned issues being urgently reviewed by Home Office?

Answer from Priti Patel

Yes. All such issues under urgent review.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Steve Double Con St Ives
Immigration
Context

Recognition of crucial roles played by 'low-skilled' workers during crisis.

Question

Will the Minister consider reviewing points-based system to reflect lessons learnt from current situation?

Answer from Priti Patel

Commitment to keep all aspects of points-based system under review; ensuring tradeable points based on skills and labour market need across sectors.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Employment
Context

Concerns raised about retail worker safety, threat of being spat on for refusing bulk buying.

Question

Will the Minister revisit statements made to ensure protection of retail workers who need to continue at work?

Answer from Priti Patel

Important point; reviewing statements made regarding protection of retail workers. Ensuring care and compassion for essential service provision.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q7 Ben Bradley Con QT4
NHS
Context

Ben Bradley highlights the importance of fire services beyond firefighting, especially in public safety and health measures.

Question

What conversations has she had with the fire services about what role they might play in supporting our efforts to tackle coronavirus, and will she ensure that they have all the resources they need for this particular crisis and for the future?

Answer from Priti Patel (Home Secretary)

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Today we have spoken clearly about policing and the daily calls we have with the police, but there is a similar system with the fire service, which is providing incredible work and support, particularly for vulnerable communities across the country. We should all pay tribute to the fire services; their work is truly remarkable. They are an integral feature of the local resilience forums that cover all our constituencies, and we are in close contact with them to ensure that they are getting the equipment, support and resources they need throughout this crisis.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q8 Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda
Immigration NHS
Context

Chris Bryant raises concerns about the immigration status of foreign national doctors and medical students, who face significant costs for visa renewals.

Question

Would it not simply make sense for the Government to announce as swiftly as possible that they will waive all fees for such doctors and medical trainees, that they will try to ensure that those processes can be expedited and that anybody who wants to stay can stay?

Answer from Priti Patel (Home Secretary)

Let me give the hon. Gentleman, his constituents and all public health workers in that category reassurance. Some very fast work is taking place at the Home Office right now to look at exactly that issue. I would be very happy to write to the hon. Gentleman outlining that work.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q9 Bob Blackman Con Ealing Central and Acton
Immigration Religion & Faith
Context

A number of individuals with expiring visas are facing difficulties in returning to India.

Question

Over the weekend, I was alerted to a situation where religious workers, students, and business people whose visas are soon to expire are not able to return to India. What advice does my right hon. Friend have for these individuals?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Priti Patel)

We are going to announce changes we will make very soon. I will write to my hon. Friend and all colleagues about how we will enable extensions.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email