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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno on 2015-10-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they are taking to support the governments of Italy and Greece to deal with the number of immigrants arriving in their countries.

Lord Bates

The UK has provided support to Italy and Greece through European Asylum Support Office (EASO) coordinated missions. We have provided over 1000 days of staff time on 20 missions over 3 years, more than any other Member State. The UK will also provide up to ten personnel to EASO to support ‘Hotspot’ missions in Italy and Greece.

In addition to assistance through EASO the UK is also providing Greece bilateral law enforcement support through our National Crime Agency.

The UK actively supports the work of Frontex (the European Union agency with responsibility for improving the securing and surveillance of the EU external border) to co-ordinate the work of the European border agencies to raise standards of border management.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno on 2015-10-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what they are doing to co-ordinate the work of non-governmental organisations and charities in order to improve the support available for refugees as they leave Syria, and to support them in settling and integrating into European life.

Lord Bates

The UK has been operating resettlement schemes for many years and we already have established and effective networks to accommodate and support resettled people.

However, we recognise that the increase in numbers will require an expansion of current networks and the impact on local communities and infrastructure will need to be managed carefully. That is why we are working with a wide range of partners including local authorities and civil society organisations to ensure that people are integrated sensitively into local communities.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno on 2015-10-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what financial support is available specifically for refugees who have been granted asylum in the United Kingdom, and are therefore ineligible for the weekly allowance for asylum seekers.

Lord Bates

Those granted refugee status or humanitarian protection, including those resettled under our three resettlement schemes, are entitled to work without restriction and have full access to the mainstream benefits system on the same terms as British citizens and other permanent residents in the UK. Asylum seekers are only permitted to work in the UK if their asylum claim has been outstanding for more than 12 months, providing the delay is not of their making. Employment is restricted to jobs on the shortage occupations list. We have no plans to reduce the time asylum seekers have to wait to take up employment.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno on 2015-10-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the current migration situation, they will make changes to allow refugees to work in the United Kingdom immediately, or within six months, of arrival, in order to allow refugees to contribute to the British economy, and reduce pressure on refugees facing destitution.

Lord Bates

Those granted refugee status or humanitarian protection, including those resettled under our three resettlement schemes, are entitled to work without restriction and have full access to the mainstream benefits system on the same terms as British citizens and other permanent residents in the UK. Asylum seekers are only permitted to work in the UK if their asylum claim has been outstanding for more than 12 months, providing the delay is not of their making. Employment is restricted to jobs on the shortage occupations list. We have no plans to reduce the time asylum seekers have to wait to take up employment.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno on 2015-10-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the judgment in Lord Chancellor v Detention Action [2015] EWCA Civ 840, they will reconsider the sections of the Immigration Bill that provide for individuals having to appeal their cases after deportation.

Lord Bates

The judgement in Lord Chancellor v Detention Action is not relevant to the changes in the Immigration Bill. That judgment relates to the appeals processes for asylum claims under the Fast Track procedure rules. The provision in the Immigration Bill which extends the power to certify to require appeals to be brought from overseas where that will not result in a breach of human rights applies only to human rights claims.

The Court of Appeal recently considered the operation of the certification provisions that were introduced in the Immigration Act 2014, for those liable to deportation and held that the provisions were lawfully applied. The changes in the Immigration Bill extends this power to all human rights claims and the Government thinks it right to build on this successful legislation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno on 2015-10-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Dublin Regulation, in the light of recent events in Syria, and the need to protect vulnerable refugees.

Lord Bates

As set out in my Written Answer HL1907 on 21 September, the Government has no plans to change the way in which we apply the Dublin Regulation. The Dublin Regulation is a vital tool in our ability to manage asylum claims, including repeated claims.

The European Commission has proposed a review of the Dublin Regulation with a view to bringing forward a new measure for negotiation next March. We will cooperate fully with that review.