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Written question asked by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party) on Wednesday, 8 May 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 May 2024. It was answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 May 2024 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Immigration: Hong Kong

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the progress in ensuring immigrants from Hong Kong achieve employment commensurate with their education and skills; and what steps they are taking to assist new and recent arrivals to achieve this.

Answer

Since April 2021, DLUHC's Hong Kong British National (Overseas) [BN(O)] Welcome Programme has provided universal and targeted support. For the financial year (FY) 23/24, this included funding for VCSE organisations at both a national and regional level to deliver employability support.

In 2024/25, we continue to fund local authorities across England to provide English language support, alongside a network of Welcome Hubs across the UK.

Recent research has shown that almost half of employed BN(O)s, of all levels of skill and qualifications, report that their job does not match their skills and experience. To address this need, further VCSE grant funding is being provided in FY 24/25, for targeted employability support in England only. The deadline for grant applications was the 28 April and the successful organisation will be announced shortly.

BN(O) visa holders can also contact their local Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Hub (delivered by Strategic Migration Partnerships) which DLUHC funds for further information on employability support offered locally.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL4441
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Employment Immigration Hong Kong
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk