Seema Malhotra MP: speeches

Speeches

• 16 Oct 2025 · Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill · Hansard source

  More

  I thank the shadow Ministers and hon. and right hon. Members across the House for their thoughtful and constructive contributions to the debate. It has been encouraging to hear the broad support for this important piece of legislation, and to hear the expertise, both from Members’ life experience prior to coming to this House and from the extensive work of our Committees over a long period of time. I want to recognise the work of a number of the key stakeholders involved in informing the debate, some of whom I was able to speak to in the course of preparing for today, including the Marine Conservation Society, Greenpeace, Oceana, the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Blue Marine Foundation. I want to make a cheeky remark towards the right hon. Member for Wetherby and Easingwold (Sir Alec Shelbrooke), for whom I have a lot of respect, in that he suggested he could make up for the fact that there were no Conservative Back Benchers here during the debate, but indeed he made a useful contribution. That is important, because this should be a whole-of-House debate. It is important to recognise that we are continuing work that was started under the previous Government and that we supported all the way through. It is important that Members from all parties are present as the Bill starts its passage through the House, because as I will set out, it is important to inform the implementation and the ongoing debate. I will draw on and respond to the contributions that have been made during my remarks. In particular, I know that the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Pippa Heylings)—whose comments, based on her extensive experience, were very much respected by the House—will make a great contribution during the passage of the legislation. She also talked about the importance of multilateralism and how we play our part with others around the world. My hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Sarah Champion) has experience of chairing a number of APPGs and has made a long-standing contribution. I will come back to some of the points she raised, but it was helpful to hear from her early in the debate. We also heard from my right hon. Friend the Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry)— I will come back to some of the points she raised—my hon. Friends the Members for Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy), for Chesterfield (Mr Perkins), who chairs the Environmental Audit Committee, for Brent West (Barry Gardiner), for Exeter (Steve Race), for Glasgow North (Martin Rhodes), for Calder Valley (Josh Fenton-Glynn), for Cannock Chase (Josh Newbury), for Derbyshire Dales (John Whitby) and for Chatham and Aylesford (Tristan Osborne), and the hon. Members for Bath (Wera Hobhouse), for South Cotswolds (Dr Savage), for Ely and East Cambridgeshire (Charlotte Cane) and for North East Hertfordshire (Chris Hinchliff). That goes to show that we have had a whole-of-nation debate. Before I turn to my more detailed remarks, I want to make a point about young people and the next generation. The important point was made that the oceans do not have voters, but when I think about the issues that are most important to young people, including in primary schools in my constituency, the health of our oceans and how we protect our environment are very high on the agenda. The oceans have their supporters across all generations, and that is important. Let me start by reminding the House why this Bill and the BBNJ agreement matter. The BBNJ agreement is a huge step towards protecting our shared ocean. It will enable greater conservation of the two-thirds of the ocean that lies beyond national jurisdictions and will support the delivery of the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework, which includes the target to effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. Environmental degradation could lead to huge economic costs globally, making ocean conservation a long-term economic imperative, too. The agreement supports the UK’s wider climate and nature agenda, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of global efforts to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change through multilateral co-operation. It also strengthens the role of international law and multilateral institutions, and reinforces the UN convention on the law of the sea as the foundation for global governance. There are also clear opportunities for the UK, which has one of the world’s leading marine scientific research communities. World-renowned institutions in the UK, such as the National Oceanography Centre, the Marine Biological Association and our leading university marine science departments, are at the forefront of ocean research and will greatly benefit from provisions in the agreement that promote transparency and data sharing around marine genetic resources. The Bill, along with the secondary legislation that will follow, will deliver on our commitment to ratify this historic agreement. Let me turn to some of the points raised in the debate, and I will aim to answer as many questions as possible. In relation to the Chagos islands, this deal will help to protect the unique environment of the Chagos archipelago. Both the UK and Mauritius have committed to protect what is one of the world’s most important marine environments, and that commitment will be supported by an enhanced partnership between both countries, under which the UK will support Mauritius’s ambitions to establish a marine protected area that protects the globally significant ecosystems in the Chagos archipelago. The UK’s support for this will be agreed in a separate written instrument as part of the implementation of the agreement, and Government officials have already begun discussing with their Mauritian counterparts what it will involve. This has been welcomed by leading conservation NGOs, including the Zoological Society of London, and both the UK and Mauritius attach great importance to the need to protect marine biodiversity, including the fight against illegal fishing. It is worth mentioning that under the treaty, the UK will continue to manage environmental protection on Diego Garcia and the surrounding 12 nautical miles. That shall be undertaken in accordance with applicable international law and with due regard to applicable Mauritian environmental laws. The Minister for Europe, North America and the overseas territories, my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff South and Penarth (Stephen Doughty), is at the heart of these discussions and has been leading on maritime protection in the overseas territories through expansion and confirmation of funding for the blue belt programme and our work in the polar regions. He has met scientists in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda last month and on board the royal research ship Sir David Attenborough to discuss their crucial work in the Antarctic and Arctic. We are doing crucial work on the convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources, which I am sure will be the subject of further debate in the House.

• 10 Sept 2025 · Equality Act 2010: Impact on British Society · Hansard source

  More

  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Allin-Khan, and to respond to the debate, and I thank the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) for securing it. It is important that we discuss these issues in this place and have a debate about what evidence we use in these debates, whether some evidence should be challenged and what opportunities there are to look at other pieces of evidence differently. It is important to continue to have an evidence-based discussion, be respectful when we challenge the premises on which we choose to build our opinions and come back to what we all want to see: equality of opportunity for all. On the first point on which I gently—or perhaps not so gently—disagree with the hon. Gentleman, I fundamentally believe that equality enables freedom for people to be able to live their lives, to rent and to work, without fear of discrimination or prejudice holding them back. An important point was raised in this debate: we all want and believe that everybody should be equal under the law. They should be and I hope that they are, but there is a fundamental question about what happens when somebody is discriminated against and how our legal framework can bring redress. We are talking not about whether we believe in equality, but whether we believe that the law should defend people’s equality, and whether that is a value we all subscribe to. Let me say something about how this has become about identifying whether someone is British. Let me tell the hon. Member for Romford that I am proud to identify as British before anything else, as somebody who was born in Hammersmith. He may also want to challenge those who, on my appointment as a Foreign Office Minister this week—perhaps he did not get the same on his appointment as a shadow Foreign Office Minister—told me that I was another foreigner and should go home. This is my home. This is my country. This is my Parliament. It is important that everything we say in this House defends our democracy and people’s right to live their lives in this country equally. It is important that we understand our responsibility as legislators to ensure that we have a legal framework that defends people’s rights, particularly against a rising climate of hate and racism. I am sure that all Members across the House, whatever their background, will want to ensure that all their constituents—many of whom will have lived here for decades, bringing up their families, being law-abiding citizens, paying their taxes, contributing to our public services, starting and growing their businesses—are protected under the law. It is extremely important that we do not go backwards on the rights and freedoms that we protect under our legislation. I welcome this opportunity to champion the positive impact of Labour’s Equality Act 2010. This year is the 15th anniversary, which is an important chance to recognise the other side of the argument: the achievements of that historic, landmark legislation. The Act was passed by giants of our movement, and I pay tribute to the right hon. Baroness Harman for her work on it. With a vision of bringing legislation together to simplify it and avoid different parts competing against one another, Britain’s equalities provisions were consolidated into one Act of Parliament, cementing rights in Britain for generations to come, empowering people who experience discrimination with the knowledge that they have the law and systems on their side and, importantly, giving them redress when it is needed.

• 10 Sept 2025 · Equality Act 2010: Impact on British Society · Hansard source

  More

  I have a few additional remarks. Our Equality Act had a number of objectives: first, to bring together myriad pieces of primary and secondary legislation that had built up, so that we could have one clear, coherent framework that the British people could feel confident in; secondly, to modernise some of the language and concepts used, to make them clearer and more accessible, such as the fact that discrimination linked to breastfeeding is sex discrimination; and thirdly, to strengthen the law by, for example, introducing protection from discrimination by association across various protected characteristics. ACAS guidance gives as an example of the latter a parent being unfairly dismissed from work because of time taken off at short notice to care for their disabled child. It is important to recognise the progress we have made and where we want to go further. Building on the success of gender pay gap reporting, we committed in our manifesto to introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for large employers, and to make the right to equal pay effective for ethnic minority and disabled people. The hon. Member for Romford might be interested to know that we have been working on that with business, and that many large businesses already follow such practice. We had a consultation and call for evidence, which we are looking at before coming back to the House. Leaders of successful international businesses have told me that more transparency and awareness enables a shift to a more inclusive culture, raising awareness and improving transparency. It also improves staff morale and satisfaction, respect for others and their backgrounds, and understanding—all things that I believe the hon. Member would be keen to see for his constituents and for others across the country. Let me address some of the other points made in the debate, starting with addressing head-on the point about the definition of Islamophobia and the ongoing working group. Members will have heard it said in Parliament before that, should the Government accept the recommendations of the working group, the definition used will be non-statutory. It will enable the Government and other relevant bodies to have a greater understanding of the unacceptable treatment and prejudice against Muslim communities. We have seen a massive rise in hate crime against the Muslim and Jewish communities, which accounts for about 71% of hate crime in the past year. As the right hon. Member for East Surrey (Claire Coutinho) knows, the working group’s proposed definition must be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of belief and expression, which includes the right to criticise, express dislike of or insult religions and/or the beliefs and practices of adherence. We fundamentally believe in freedom of speech but we do not believe in hate. It is important to have a legal framework that supports people’s rights to have their own freedom of religion and belief, without fear of what could happen to them. We see our work on equality and tackling barriers to opportunity as being at the heart of how we support positive and inclusive growth for our economy and communities. The strong equalities framework drafted by the previous Labour Administration, further enhanced by the commitments of this Government, is ultimately about fairness for all, and will see us boost productivity and household income, getting more money in people’s pockets and raising living standards for all as we deliver the next phase in our programme of government renewal. Let me come back on the comment about rainbows on roads and pavements. I remember that during the pandemic rainbows were everywhere, for what they symbolise in so many ways, including a commitment to equality. Perhaps the issue of road repairs is less about rainbows drawn on pavements and roads and much more about the cuts made under the previous Government. My local authority saw a 60% cut in income in the first 10 years of the Conservative Government. That had a massive impact on how we were able to renew and maintain infrastructure in our community. The hon. Member for Reigate (Rebecca Paul) should know that dealing with roads and potholes is a priority not just for central Government but for my local government in Hounslow. In conclusion, I want to be clear that the Government are very proud of the Equality Act 2010 and remain committed to improving equality and fairness for all through our Employment Rights Bill and other legislation. I look forward to seeing that come forward in our legislative programme.

• 10 Sept 2025 · Equality Act 2010: Impact on British Society · Hansard source

  More

  Let me make a couple of remarks in response to the right hon. Lady’s challenge. It is important that our legislation is used in a way that follows the letter and spirit of the law. I do not want to see debates like this become culture wars. We want to be led by the evidence. The right hon. Lady raised the issue of white working-class males. We have seen in the data that there is an underperformance among that group, which is really important. It is unacceptable that any young person is either not given the opportunity to succeed or not supported. Over the next year, it is our priority to tackle head-on the gap facing white working-class pupils, which the right hon. Lady will know because she is an avid follower of what the Government are doing. It is important that we look at where there is underperformance statistically and whether there are systemic issues in relation to that. This autumn, our schools White Paper will set out an ambitious and practical plan for tackling generational challenges; that is important, and I am sure the right hon. Lady will want to contribute to the Government’s work in that respect. I will come back to a couple of other points should time permit, including about positive action provisions, which relate to the right hon. Lady’s own Government’s guidance. The positive action provisions in the Act allow limited exceptions to the general position that one group should not be treated better or worse than another. Lawful positive action is always voluntary and must relate to one or more of three conditions: addressing a disadvantage associated with a protected characteristic; providing for a protected characteristic group’s specific needs; or tackling disproportionately low participation by a group. The previous guidance, published in 2023, makes it clear that that is very different from positive discrimination. The right hon. Lady knows that mandatory quotas to recruit or promote people from a particular group irrespective of merit would be unlawful. I want to make some points about the progress we have seen under the Equality Act and equality legislation, from ending child labour through to votes for women and the Race Relations Act—Labour’s first equality legislation around 60 years ago. Social progress often means that what was once controversial becomes a new normal—a new baseline. Indeed, legislation can change culture, just as culture can change legislation. I am proud that we are in what I hope is a more equal society—one that is more tolerant and believes in respect for each other—compared with the environment that my parents found when they first came to Britain to work, to contribute and to be in business. My mum was a teacher. What they experienced was dramatically changed by the legislation that was brought in, and that gave me opportunities. I remember being spat at when I walked down the street in Feltham and other places, but we are now in an environment where everyone should be able to grow up proud of who they are and able to play their part equally in British society. Our landmark legislation was a triumph for how the whole nation, including business and unions, came together. I am incredibly proud that we have seen progress, from the implementation of the minimum wage to scrapping section 28 and bringing in same-sex marriage. If we were to scrap all our equality legislation, we might want to answer the questions that would be raised by Members of Parliament who are in same-sex relationships and who have married their partners. I could draw on the example of my hon. Friend the Member for Central Ayrshire (Alan Gemmell) and others. If we rolled back all our equality legislation, what would we be saying to them about how they have been able to come together, marry their loved ones and live their life in Britain, just as we should allow anybody to marry the person they love? A handful of people in this House would like to take us backwards, to a time before our values were underscored in law and before fairness was put at the heart of our legal framework, but I believe it is important to be proud of the rights we are afforded by the Equality Act. I am a little unsure of the time I have remaining.

• 21 Jul 2025 · Extending the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  I thank the hon. Gentleman. Indeed, it has been very much on the Government’s mind for a number of months as we have been working through the detail. It should be recognised that we are working with the Ukrainian embassy and other stakeholders across the country, including the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, as well as the European Commission and other international partners. It is important to come to a position that balances our responsibilities to those on the schemes and citizens of Ukraine more broadly, along with working alongside the Ukrainian Government in relation to their wishes.

• 21 Jul 2025 · Extending the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  I will give way first to the hon. Member for North Herefordshire (Ellie Chowns).

• 21 Jul 2025 · Extending the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  I am indeed very grateful to my hon. Friend’s constituents in Newcastle-under-Lyme for the work they have done and the welcome they have provided. On that subject, I have seen the work that has gone on in my own constituency at Cranford community college, along with One World Strong, led by Alan Fraser and Kevin Prunty, an initiative that builds relationships and partnerships between schools, allowing young people in the UK and Ukraine to share their lives, their challenges and their outlooks. I will turn to the Home Office’s role within what is clearly a cross-Government effort. The Department works closely with key partners including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which has a close relationship with local authorities, devolved Governments and the European Union.

• 21 Jul 2025 · Extending the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  I thank the hon. Lady for that intervention, and I will comment on that matter directly in this debate. I want to take this opportunity to emphasise that the Government’s support for Ukraine remains utterly steadfast. Members will also be aware of the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership, which was signed by the Prime Minister earlier this year. The landmark commitment not only builds on the close relationship we already have with Ukraine, but seeks to formalise closer co-operation in a number of key areas such as trade, security, energy, science and technology, and educational benefits, including a youth compact. It is important that we see that work ongoing, with the partnership bringing economic, cultural and educational benefits to both our countries not just now, but in future.

• 21 Jul 2025 · Extending the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  I thank my hon. Friend, who has put that on the record extremely effectively. I thank the hon. Member for Newton Abbot once again for securing the debate. The United Kingdom has rightly offered support and sanctuary to our Ukrainian friends in their hour of need, including through the schemes that we have discussed. We should all reflect on that with pride. The Government will continue to do right by the Ukrainian people. Question put and agreed to.

• 21 Jul 2025 · Extending the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  I am conscious of time; I will try to make some progress before taking an intervention shortly. Since their launch, the Ukrainian schemes have offered or extended sanctuary to more than 300,000 Ukrainians and their families. This is an outstanding response, and one that underlines the deep sympathy and compassion that people across the UK feel towards those who need sanctuary here.

• 21 Jul 2025 · Extending the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  I am grateful to the hon. Member for Newton Abbot (Martin Wrigley) for securing this debate on what is an important topic for us all. I know that he is a committed advocate for Ukrainians who have sought sanctuary in the UK, particularly in his constituency. I am also grateful to Members from across the House for their contributions. The people of Devon have helped with the integration of more than 2,300 Ukrainians under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, as the hon. Gentleman referenced, and Devon is one of the few counties supporting over 2,000 Ukrainians. I thank him and everyone in Devon for making such a welcome contribution to what is, as we are all aware, very much a national effort. On that note, I want to recognise the contributions and stories that have been shared in this thought-provoking and important debate. We should honour the efforts and sacrifices made by families who have found themselves split up and living in different countries during this unprovoked war, with the constant and daily anguish that it will bring. I pay tribute to the many local authorities across the country and to the British public for the incredible generosity that has been shown to our Ukrainian guests.

• 21 Jul 2025 · Extending the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  I thank my hon. Friend for raising that case. He will understand that I cannot comment on individual cases on the Floor of the House, but I assure him that my officials have his constituents’ details and will certainly review their case, and I will update him in the coming days. Members have asked about any further extensions to the Ukraine permission extension scheme, which we introduced in February to provide an additional 18 months of permission to stay in the UK, with continued access to work, benefits, healthcare and education, as the Prime Minister referred to in Prime Minister’s questions last week. However, I confirm to the House that we will be extending the leave beyond 18 months. We are still working on the detail of that and will update the House as soon as possible. That is important. I understand the comments, questions and challenges and the need to provide certainty, particularly in relation to education, which was also very much on the Home Secretary’s mind.

• 15 Jul 2025 · British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 · Hansard source

  More

  I thank the hon. Member for that contribution. Indeed, he shared that when we met earlier this year. That was a helpful discussion, filling in the legislative and debate history as well as the personal history that contributed to where we have reached. Hon. Members may be aware that the total cost for an adult to naturalise as a British citizen is £1,735, and the cost to register a child as a British citizen is £1,214. We agreed that those were not acceptable fee levels for applications made under the new route. Under the provisions of the new route, and in the context of a challenging fiscal climate, the application fee is 50% below that for other nationalities. It is £723 plus the citizenship ceremony fee for adults, which brings it to £853, and £607 for children. The fees for children can be waived if they are in the care of the local authority, or if it can be demonstrated that their families cannot afford them. The new fees represent a substantial saving for Irish citizens resident in the UK who wish to become British citizens, and contrast with other fees associated with citizenship. The previous Government’s opinion from the Act’s passage through Parliament was that fees should be applied, subject to the usual process for establishing fees and charges for border and migration services. We believe that continuing the work in that spirit is the correct pathway for making the new route operational. The Act extends across the whole of the UK. The decision on a fee, although recommended by the Home Office, is not solely a Home Office decision. The decision must be financially viable across the entirety of Government. It recognises that, although the route is easier, simpler and cheaper for Irish citizens, the checks and operations that are still required contribute to the costs of the migration and border system, as reflected in the fee. I would like to make a couple of points about questions put by the hon. Member for East Londonderry. The citizenship ceremony is an important part of the British citizenship process. British nationality law requires all successful adults for naturalisation or registration as a British citizen to take an oath and pledge at a citizenship ceremony. They will also get the certificate needed for a passport application at that ceremony. The hon. Member asked where citizenship ceremonies take place in Northern Ireland. They happen in Hillsborough castle or at Lagan Valley Island and are presided over by one of Northern Ireland’s eight Lord Lieutenants. I hope that is helpful to him in understanding some of the ways in which the operational side happens in Northern Ireland. I thank all right hon. and hon. Members for their contributions, not just in Westminster Hall today but their work leading up to now. I am extremely pleased to announce that the new provisions set out in the Act will commence on 22 July. I reiterate our support for the underlying principles of the Act and our continued acknowledgment of the shared history and geography of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with our friends across the Irish sea. We meanwhile look forward to welcoming applications from eligible Irish citizens via the new route in the near future. I look forward to continuing discussions with the hon. Member for East Londonderry and others as we move forward. Question put and agreed to .

• 15 Jul 2025 · British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 · Hansard source

  More

  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Murrison. I thank the hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr Campbell) for securing this debate about the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024. I am grateful to him and to others who have campaigned on this issue, notably Lord Hay of Ballyore and the right hon. Member for Belfast East (Gavin Robinson). I also commend the hon. Member for East Londonderry on his long history of engagement; I found it very interesting and helpful to hear how he has progressed his arguments throughout his time in the House. I note all the contributions so far and thank all Members who have contributed to the debate today. I put on the record my thanks to the right hon. Member for Belfast East, who is not here today, for his steps in bringing the Act before the House in December 2023. His constructive engagement with all parties has been extremely important in bringing the passage of the Act to its conclusion. I was also grateful to meet him earlier this year, when I said that I would do my best to try to ensure that we commence the Act before summer recess. I am extremely pleased that we have been able to do so and I am also very happy to continue our engagement on it. Last week I was in Northern Ireland, where I was pleased to announce the commencement of the Act, which introduces a new section into the British Nationality Act 1981 to make it easier and cheaper for Irish citizens living in the UK to become British citizens, and it applies across the whole of the UK. The 2024 Act strengthens the relationship between our nations and recognises our shared history, geography and cultural links. While I was in Northern Ireland, I had the opportunity to speak to Cool FM and to The Irish Post to highlight the commencement of this historic piece of legislation. I have spoken to many people who said they wanted to see us commence this Act because of how it recognises those shared cultural, historic and geographical connections. However, it is also important that Irish citizens who want to become British citizens should have a simpler pathway, which recognises that Irish nationals are treated differently from other nationalities for immigration purposes, as codified in section 3ZA of the Immigration Act 1971. Again, that must be viewed in the context of our historic relationship. The new route represents that unique relationship between our two countries and builds on the common travel area arrangements that have benefited citizens of both nations for decades. It will enable eligible Irish nationals who have made their home in the UK to participate fully in British society while maintaining their Irish citizenship. The Act that was introduced into the House of Commons by the right hon. Member for Belfast East initially sought to allow for people born in Ireland after 31 December 1948 to register as a British citizen if they had acquired five years’ residence in Northern Ireland. However, the previous Government and Home Office officials worked alongside the right hon. Member to expand the scope of the initial act to cover Irish citizens of any age. The Government were pleased to continue the work of the previous Government in commencing the Act following the general election in July last year. Like the previous Government, we wholeheartedly support the underlying principles of the Act and have given due consideration to its different components.

• 7 Jul 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

  More

  That is an important issue. I am working closely with the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr Falconer), and the Israeli, Jordanian and Egyptian authorities to identify safe routes by which British nationals and other eligible people can leave Gaza, or indeed the west bank, and so are able to obtain visas and travel to the UK.

• 7 Jul 2025 · Temporary Worker Visas: Fish Processing Sector · Hansard source

  More

  As the hon. Gentleman will know, we work closely on this issue with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but we must also focus on addressing the underlying causes of recruitment problems. We recognise the position in which some of our fishing communities find themselves in relation to workforce challenges, but the hon. Gentleman will, I hope, welcome the news that through our new labour market evidence group we will be engaging with devolved Governments in the gathering and sharing of data and evidence on the state of the workforce, on training levels and on participation by all parts of the domestic labour market, so that we have an immigration system that is well informed and works for the whole United Kingdom.

• 7 Jul 2025 · Temporary Worker Visas: Fish Processing Sector · Hansard source

  More

  The seasonal worker route is designed to support the horticulture and poultry sectors, both of which have short-term seasonal production peaks. I discussed these issues with the Scottish Minister during my visit to Peterhead fish market in February. There is not the same evidence of seasonal patterns in the fish processing sector, which would require significant but short-term increases in labour, but I am always happy to discuss these matters with colleagues in the House.

• 7 Jul 2025 · British National Overseas Visas: Settlement Rules · Hansard source

  More

  The BNO route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to the people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BNO status. As I have outlined, we will have a consultation. We will ensure that BNO visa holders have the opportunity to share their views during that consultation, and we will listen to those views very closely.

• 7 Jul 2025 · British National Overseas Visas: Settlement Rules · Hansard source

  More

  This Government are firmly committed to supporting existing members of the Hong Kong community in the United Kingdom and those who may come here in future. The new rules on earned settlement will be subject to consultation. Following that consultation we will outline the way in which the new rules will operate, explaining, for instance, which immigration routes they will affect and when the changes will come in.

• 7 Jul 2025 · British National Overseas Visas: Settlement Rules · Hansard source

  More

  My hon. Friend is a strong and powerful advocate for members of the Hong Kong community in his constituency and throughout the UK. We recognise those concerns, and we are taking steps to ensure that BNO visa holders have an opportunity to share their views during the consultation on the new earned settlement and citizenship rules. As I have said, following that consultation the Government will outline the way in which the new rules will operate and the immigration routes that they will affect. Given the ambitious nature of these proposals, it is essential that we fully understand their impact on all affected groups before making any final decisions. In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BNO route will continue to apply.

• 7 Jul 2025 · Qualifying Period for Settlement: Impact on NHS Staffing · Hansard source

  More

  This Government recognise and value the contribution that NHS staff make to our country. That is why, under the settlement proposals in the immigration White Paper, we have made it clear that individuals will be able to reduce the standard 10-year period based on their contributions to the UK’s economy and society. We will consult on detailed proposals later this year. These are important changes: we recognise how important this matter is, and we will listen to what people tell us in that consultation. An impact assessment will be developed alongside any finalised policy.

• 7 Jul 2025 · Qualifying Period for Settlement: Impact on NHS Staffing · Hansard source

  More

  I understand the concerns raised by my hon. Friend’s constituents about the impact of the proposals. They are important changes, which is why we will consult on the proposals and lay out more details later in the year, including on any transitional arrangements. We understand the importance of clarity and fairness for those already contributing to public services, and we will provide further details in due course.

• 7 Jul 2025 · Qualifying Period for Settlement: Impact on NHS Staffing · Hansard source

  More

  May I gently disagree with the hon. Gentleman? We do recognise the vital contribution of overseas NHS workers, and we have not yet defined what contributions will reduce the period for settlement, but the proposed changes are subject to consultation. In addition, we are committed to ensuring that the NHS remains supported, while reducing long-term reliance on migration.

• 4 Jul 2025 · Licensing Hours Extensions Bill · Hansard source

  More

  I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Matt Turmaine) and to others who spoke in the debate, including my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth North (Amanda Martin), for their contributions. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Watford for speaking on behalf of my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Andrew Ranger), who introduced the Bill, and I am grateful to be speaking on behalf of the Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham (Dame Diana Johnson). Throughout proceedings on the Bill, there has been a high degree of consensus on the measures it contains, and I am pleased to say that the Government fully support it. I recognise the depth of experience that my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham brings to it, with his 25-plus years in the hospitality sector. Rightly, the Bill supports the sector, which is responsible for around 2.6 million jobs in our country and is an important part of our local and national economy. As my hon. Friend the Member for Watford explained, section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003 makes provision for the Secretary of State to make an order that relaxes licensing hours in England and Wales on an occasion of exceptional international, national or local significance. In practice, the Home Secretary determines whether an occasion meets the criteria on a case-by-case basis, and any orders that are brought forward must specify the dates and times of the relaxations. Such orders benefit businesses, which can stay open for longer; communities, which can come together to celebrate important events; and licensing authorities, which do not have to process a large number of individual licence extensions. Of course, it is still for individual businesses to decide whether they wish to take advantage of any extension, but if businesses do wish to stay open, a blanket licensing extension means that individual businesses do not have to give a temporary event notice to their local authority, saving them time as well as the associated fee. The Bill will amend the Licensing Act 2003 so that relaxation orders can be made via the negative resolution procedure, rather than the current affirmative procedure. In the past, we have relaxed licensing hours for high-profile royal events, such as Her late Majesty the Queen’s platinum jubilee and the coronation of His Majesty the King; other events of significant national importance, such as the recent celebrations on the 80th anniversary of VE Day; and major sporting events, including the finals of the men’s European championship football tournaments in 2020 and 2024, and the women’s European championship this summer. Let me summarise the benefits of changing the procedure. First, by removing the need for businesses to submit individual temporary event notices and, subsequently, for local authorities to work tirelessly in processing them, we will reduce the burden placed on those organisations. Hospitality venues will also have one fewer administrative task to process as they prepare for events. Secondly, as I have previously mentioned, a more practical reason for making this change is that, as well as being used for royal occasions—for which there is plenty of notice—licensing extensions can be used when one of our national football teams makes it to the final of a tournament. Given the nature of how these competitions play out, there is very little time between the team qualifying for a key match and the match taking place. In the summer of 2021, the England men’s team made it to the final of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament; thankfully, with the help of colleagues of different parties, we were able to swiftly put an order in place in the three days between the semi-final and the final. In the summer of 2023, however, the England women’s team reached the final of the World cup, which took place when Parliament was in recess. As such, it was not possible to extend licensing hours. Changing the process to the negative procedure will mean that an order can be made when Parliament is in recess, so that we can avoid such a situation arising again. History has shown that there is clearly cross-party support for this measure, which is important to colleagues on both sides of the House. Having outlined the benefits of being able to make orders swiftly, I will briefly make some remarks about how the Government will consider what needs to be in place when using the powers. We are clear that the Government must continue to plan ahead so that, wherever possible, licensing hours extension orders can be made in time for prior public consultation. It is also important to make it clear that the police have generally been supportive of extensions for royal events, and that no noticeable issues have been attributed to extended drinking hours. Indeed, many people might like to drink non-alcoholic beverages, which are available in almost all pubs and restaurants across the country. The Government recognise the importance of providing the police with ample time to put in place any additional policing measures that may be necessary to prevent an increase in crime or disorder in our communities, and we make sure that their views on these matters are heard in advance. To that end, the Government remain firmly committed to continuing to plan in advance wherever possible. The power in section 172 of the Licensing Act has been used sparingly, and rightly so. As the statutory guidance that accompanies the Licensing Act sets out, it should normally be possible for those applying for premises licences to anticipate special occasions. The change will apply to England and Wales only. I once again thank my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham and others who have spoken in support of this important new measure. Question put and agreed to. Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed.

• 1 Jul 2025 · Refugee Citizenship Rights · Hansard source

  More

  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Butler, and to respond to the debate. First, I will respond to some of the points made by the Opposition spokesperson, the hon. Member for Stockton West (Matt Vickers). I feel as though, once again, the Conservative party is in a state of amnesia. The Conservatives completely avoid talking about their own record, yet they know—we all know—that there were 800 people arriving by boats in 2018. The Conservative Government completely lost control of our immigration and borders system and allowed criminal gangs to get embedded across our border. They should apologise for that rather than continuing to pass the buck.