Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Immigration System: Devolved Administrations

Monday 14 December 2020 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions on UK immigration system with devolved administrations were queried by Scottish MPs.
  • The Minister indicated willingness to meet Scottish Cabinet Secretaries for discussions on migration.
  • The Minister stated regular meetings occur with the SNP spokesperson on migration matters in the UK Parliament.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neale Hanvey
Immigration Scotland
Context

The UK is transitioning its immigration system, and there are concerns about the impact on Scotland's public services. There have been no meetings since July 2019 between Home Office officials and Scotland's migration Minister.

Question

What recent discussions has she had with the devolved Administrations on the UK's immigration system after the transition period? Ending free movement will harm Scotland's public services, especially NHS Scotland. Previously, the Home Office met quarterly with Scotland's migration Minister but no further meetings have occurred since July 2019. Why is he repeatedly refusing to meet?

Answer from Kevin Foster

The hon. Gentleman missed my appearance before the Scottish Parliament's committee where I outlined several meetings I would be delighted to have with Scottish Cabinet Secretaries.

Not addressed: Why are there no recent meetings between the Home Office and Scotland's migration Minister?

How: Deflecting To His Appearance Before The Committee

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Q2 Neale Hanvey
Immigration Scotland
Context

The UK Government's immigration policies are expected to cause a decline in working-age population and staffing shortages in key industries like farming. The Minister has refused to meet the Scottish Government's migration Minister since he came into office.

Question

Did I correctly understand his previous comment as saying that his position of not meeting the Scottish Government's migration Minister has changed? If so, when is he planning to meet?

Answer from Kevin Foster

It is unfortunate that the hon. and learned Member appears also to have missed my session where I gave examples of Scottish Ministers I was prepared to meet, but again, there are videos online she might find fascinating.

Not addressed: Has the Minister's position on meeting with the Scottish Government's migration Minister changed?

How: Deflecting To His Missed Session And Offering Videos

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Q3 Joanna Cherry SNP
Immigration Scotland
Context

The SNP Government's migration spokesperson has been refused meetings with the UK Minister since last summer. The UK Government's immigration policies are expected to cause a decline in working-age population and staffing shortages.

Question

Will he meet my colleague, the democratically elected SNP Government's spokesperson for migration? Will he meet him as he has refused to do since last summer—yes or no?

Answer from Kevin Foster

I regularly meet the SNP spokesperson in this place on migration matters for constructive discussions. The focus is on building a future migration system focused on ensuring that the world's talent sees Scotland as part of our United Kingdom.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Will he meet my colleague, the democratically elected SNP Government's spokesperson for migration?

How: Avoiding To Directly Answer Yes Or No

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Q4 Joanna Cherry SNP
Immigration Scotland
Context

The SNP Government's migration spokesperson has been refused meetings with the UK Minister since last summer. The UK Government's immigration policies are expected to cause a decline in working-age population and staffing shortages.

Question

Will he meet my colleague, the democratically elected SNP Government's spokesperson for migration? Will he meet him as he has refused to do since last summer—yes or no?

Answer from Kevin Foster

I regularly meet the SNP spokesperson in this place on migration matters for constructive discussions. This Government are going to focus on building a future migration system focused on ensuring that the world's talent sees Scotland at the heart of our United Kingdom as its natural home.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Will he meet my colleague, the democratically elected SNP Government's spokesperson for migration?

How: Avoiding To Directly Answer Yes Or No

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