Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Nationality and Borders Bill: LGBTQ+ People

Wednesday 22 September 2021 · 2 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

  • Olivia Blake asked about the potential effects of the Nationality and Borders Bill on equality, personal safety, and the process of providing identity evidence for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.
  • The Minister responded that an equality impact assessment for the Bill was published, including impacts on LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • Olivia Blake questioned how an LGBTQ+ asylum seeker would prove their identity if they had to hide it due to personal safety concerns.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Olivia Blake Lab Sheffield Hallam
Asylum & Refugees Women & Equalities
Context

The Nationality and Borders Bill is under scrutiny for its potential impacts on equality, personal safety, and the asylum process for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Question

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?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

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+.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific operational measures and timelines not provided.

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Q2 Olivia Blake Lab Sheffield Hallam
Asylum & Refugees Women & Equalities
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific operational measures and timelines not provided.

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