The UK is closely monitoring developments regarding reports of violence and intimidation directed at migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa. We are concerned by any incidents of xenophobic violence and welcome the South African Government's public condemnation of attacks on foreign nationals and its commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect all those within its borders. We continue to engage with the South African Government and regional partners regarding these developments, including on public safety and human rights, as appropriate.

We do not routinely share asylum information with Ireland, but as per the commitment made at the 2026 UK-Ireland Summit, between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, the UK and Ireland continue to work together, which includes expanding immigration data sharing and will include asylum seekers.

All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to establish their identity and to link it to their biometric details for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks - including war crimes, crimes against humanity and terrorism.

These checks are critical to the delivery of a safe and secure immigration system. These system and security database checks are completed during the asylum screening process and before a decision is made.

I am grateful to the noble Lord. I have not yet had a chance to read my noble friend’s report, but undoubtedly, I will read it—because he will send it to me if nobody else does. We have to recognise that we are a multicultural society. The people who, historically, have come to the United Kingdom have had ties to it through many Commonwealth countries. The people who are coming here are bringing skills and making important contributions to our society; we should recognise that, and we should celebrate and respect their differences and their different faiths. Through my noble friend Lord Lemos, who is Faith Minister, the Government are trying to ensure that we recognise that contribution, and it is a constant challenge to make sure that we do so. One of the great challenges is making sure we have a strong, managed migration system, so that people can see that it is transparent and fair.

As I as have said, the Government are examining safe and legal routes. However, at the moment, we have temporarily suspended the issuing of visas to those from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. We have done that because there has been an increase of over 470% from 2021 levels, and over a third of asylum seekers have previously entered the UK on a visa. We are trying to put safe and legal routes in place. We will look at that scheme, and the noble Lord and others will be able to facilitate that scheme, with effect from autumn next year.

The UK and Ireland work closely together to prevent abuse of our asylum systems from secondary movements between us, which includes appropriate information sharing.

As per the commitment made at the 2026 UK-Ireland Summit, between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, the UK and Ireland continue to work together, which includes expanding immigration data sharing.

All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to confirm their identity and to link it to their biometric details for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks.

These checks are critical to the delivery of a safe and secure immigration system. These system and security database checks are completed during the asylum screening process and before a decision is made.

We are committed to enhancing data exchange with the EU for border security and public safety purposes and continue to work closely with the European Commission to identify and pursue practical opportunities to achieve this outcome.

EU legislation underpinning Eurodac prohibits access by third countries and the UK has no direct or indirect access to information held in the Eurodac database through Europol.

We are committed to enhancing data exchange with the EU for border security and public safety purposes and continue to work closely with the European Commission to identify and pursue practical opportunities to achieve this outcome.

EU legislation underpinning Eurodac prohibits access by third countries and the UK has no direct or indirect access to information held in the Eurodac database through Europol.

From the outset, the Government has been clear that the Ukraine schemes are temporary in nature and do not provide a route to settlement. Time spent in the UK under the Ukraine schemes does not count towards the Long Residence route. This reflects the Ukrainian Government’s wishes for His Majesty’s Government to offer temporary sanctuary, due to the Ukrainian Government's strong desire for the eventual return of its citizens to Ukraine once it is safe to do so.

The Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK. The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty, including extending the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and widening the application window allowing applicants to secure their future in the UK with confidence and ease.

The Government is considering the future position - including the position of disabled and vulnerable Ukrainians - drawing on evidence from across government, academia, civil society and stakeholder engagement. The Government will respond in a responsible and considered manner and intends to make a further statement in due course.

From the outset, the Government has been clear that the Ukraine schemes are temporary in nature and do not provide a route to settlement. Time spent in the UK under the Ukraine schemes does not count towards the Long Residence route. This reflects the Ukrainian Government’s wishes for His Majesty’s Government to offer temporary sanctuary, due to the Ukrainian Government's strong desire for the eventual return of its citizens to Ukraine once it is safe to do so.

The Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK. The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty, including extending the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and widening the application window allowing applicants to secure their future in the UK with confidence and ease.

The Government is considering the future position - including the position of disabled and vulnerable Ukrainians - drawing on evidence from across government, academia, civil society and stakeholder engagement. The Government will respond in a responsible and considered manner and intends to make a further statement in due course.

From the outset, the Government has been clear that the Ukraine schemes are temporary in nature and do not provide a route to settlement. Time spent in the UK under the Ukraine schemes does not count towards the Long Residence route. This reflects the Ukrainian Government’s wishes for His Majesty’s Government to offer temporary sanctuary, due to the Ukrainian Government's strong desire for the eventual return of its citizens to Ukraine once it is safe to do so.

The Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK. The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty, including extending the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and widening the application window allowing applicants to secure their future in the UK with confidence and ease.

The Government is considering the future position - including the position of disabled and vulnerable Ukrainians - drawing on evidence from across government, academia, civil society and stakeholder engagement. The Government will respond in a responsible and considered manner and intends to make a further statement in due course.

Policing in Northern Ireland, apart from national security, is a devolved matter. In recognition of the security situation in Northern Ireland, the Government has increased the amount provided to the PSNI in Additional Security Funding to £37.8 million each financial year until 28/29.

Community cohesion in Northern Ireland is necessary for society to advance and thrive. This requires leadership from across society.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland meets regularly with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers to discuss a range of issues in Northern Ireland, including the improvement of community cohesion and the integration of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. Most recently, the Secretary of State met with Northern Ireland Party Leaders to discuss the shocking disorder of June 2026.

This Government committed in its manifesto and the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 to create nine new National River Walks, one in each region of England, as part of our plans to improve responsible access to nature.

This Government will launch a competition to identify the next National River Walks later in 2026. The type of access created for each National River Walk will depend on the proposals brought forward by delivery partners. Further details on how applications will be assessed will be set out when the competition is launched.

We are not going to leave the ECHR under this Government, and the noble Lord knows that. Other parties can speak for themselves. Indeed, other parties have spoken for themselves, in getting us into this difficult position in the first place. There is a question about Eurodac, of which I think the noble Lord will be aware, in that it requires EU legislation, because EU legislation currently prohibits the sharing of Eurodac data with third countries. That is a difficult thing that we have to overcome, but it is vital that we try to get back as much of that data as possible. As the noble Lord, Lord Hannay, said, it is in everybody’s interests to share data, because criminality and immigration abuse are transnational.

This Government committed in its manifesto and the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 to create nine new National River Walks, one in each region of England, as part of our plans to improve responsible access to nature. In May 2026, this Government launched the first of these National River Walks, the Mersey Valley Way in Stockport, delivering improved accessibility along a 21.5km route, habitat restoration, new opportunities for access for diverse users, as well as extensive community engagement.

This Government will launch a competition to identify the next National River Walks later in 2026. They will be expected to deliver access which is multi-user, accommodating walking, wheeling, cycling and/or horse riding. An economic assessment of cost, benefits and value for money of the applications received will take place in accordance with the standard government process for the awarding of grant funding.

This Government committed in its manifesto and the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 to create nine new National River Walks, one in each region of England, as part of our plans to improve responsible access to nature. In May 2026, this Government launched the first of these National River Walks, the Mersey Valley Way in Stockport, delivering improved accessibility along a 21.5km route, habitat restoration, new opportunities for access for diverse users, as well as extensive community engagement.

This Government will launch a competition to identify the next National River Walks later in 2026. They will be expected to deliver access which is multi-user, accommodating walking, wheeling, cycling and/or horse riding. An economic assessment of cost, benefits and value for money of the applications received will take place in accordance with the standard government process for the awarding of grant funding.

This Government committed in its manifesto and the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 to create nine new National River Walks, one in each region of England, as part of our plans to improve responsible access to nature. In May 2026, this Government launched the first of these National River Walks, the Mersey Valley Way in Stockport, delivering improved accessibility along a 21.5km route, habitat restoration, new opportunities for access for diverse users, as well as extensive community engagement.

This Government will launch a competition to identify the next National River Walks later in 2026. They will be expected to deliver access which is multi-user, accommodating walking, wheeling, cycling and/or horse riding. An economic assessment of cost, benefits and value for money of the applications received will take place in accordance with the standard government process for the awarding of grant funding.

This Government committed in its manifesto and the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 to create nine new National River Walks, one in each region of England, as part of our plans to improve responsible access to nature. In May 2026, this Government launched the first of these National River Walks, the Mersey Valley Way in Stockport, delivering improved accessibility along a 21.5km route, habitat restoration, new opportunities for access for diverse users, as well as extensive community engagement.

This Government will launch a competition to identify the next National River Walks later in 2026. They will be expected to deliver access which is multi-user, accommodating walking, wheeling, cycling and/or horse riding. An economic assessment of cost, benefits and value for money of the applications received will take place in accordance with the standard government process for the awarding of grant funding.