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Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 16 November 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 30 November 2022. It was answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth (Conservative) on Wednesday, 30 November 2022 on behalf of the Home Office.

Undocumented Migrants: English Channel

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Public and Commercial Services Union and Care4Calais Safe passage for refugees: humane alternative to the Rwanda policy, published on 16 November; and in particular their proposal for a visa system designed to prevent crossings in small boats across the English channel.

Answer

The UK has a proud record of providing protection for people who need it, in accordance with our obligations under the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. However, there is no provision within our Immigration Rules for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge, as proposed in the report by the Public and Commercial Services Union and Care4Calais.

The UK provides safe and legal routes through the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS), Mandate Resettlement Scheme, Community Sponsorship and the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme. Following the Ukraine crisis, we also introduced the Ukraine Family Scheme (UFS), and the Homes for Ukraine (HFU) Scheme. We also have additional safe and legal routes for people to come to the UK should they wish to join family members here, work or study. This commitment, alongside a fair and firm asylum system, will ensure we continue to offer safe and legal routes to the UK for those in need of protection. Our focus will remain on helping individuals directly from regions of conflict and instability.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3463
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Undocumented migrants Refugees Visas English Channel
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk