Nationality and Borders Bill LGBTQ+ People
2021-09-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Nationality and Borders Bill is under scrutiny for its potential impacts on equality, personal safety, and the asylum process for LGBTQ+ individuals.
What assessment has been made of the potential effect of the Nationality and Borders Bill on (a) equality, (b) personal safety and (c) the process of providing identity evidence in the asylum process for LGBTQ+ people?
The Nationality and Borders Bill seeks to build a fair but firm asylum and legal migration system. An equality impact assessment for the policies in the Bill was published on 16 September, which includes an assessment of potential impacts on people who are LGBTQ+.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific operational measures and timelines not provided.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Nationality and Borders Bill raises the standard of proof for assessing whether someone has grounds to fear persecution to a higher level, which may pose challenges for LGBTQ+ individuals.
If the Minister were an LGBTQ+ asylum seeker, how would they prove on the balance of probability that they are one, and how would they find proof after a life of hiding their identity?
The hon. Lady makes a valid point; however, I am new in role and still getting up to speed with the Bill. The Bill Committee began taking evidence on 16 September, and line-by-line scrutiny will follow after recess. We are sympathetic to the issue raised.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific operational measures and timelines not provided.
Response accuracy