Tag: Home Office

The press release issued by the Home Office on 15 June 2023.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 14 June 2023.

Home Secretary delivers on government pledge to support the police to tackle disruptive slow marching protest tactics.

A clearer definition of ‘serious disruption’ will stop slow marching protesters causing hours of delay and distress to the public from tomorrow (15 June).

This will further clarify existing public order laws to help the police respond to new highly disruptive protest tactics like slow marching.

156 of these highly disruptive protests have taken place in London since April. While the right to peaceful protest remains a cornerstone of our democracy, causing traffic to halt, delaying people getting to work and distracting the police from fighting crime will not be tolerated.

Police officers can now assess the cumulative impact of protests on the community over a period of time, rather than treating each incident in isolation. This will give officers the authority to move quickly and firmly to stop this campaign of disruption, ensuring Londoners, commuters and tourists can move freely around the capital without delay.

A handful of protestors have swallowed up almost 13,770 police shifts, deliberately burdening police time and keeping officers from our neighbourhoods where they are really needed.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

The public are sick of Just Stop Oil’s selfish and self-defeating actions, which achieve nothing towards their cause.

Chief Constables and I agree that police officers should be out fighting crime. They shouldn’t be forced to stand by as protestors block our roads and the public shouldn’t have to take matters in their own hands.

This new definition of serious disruption means police can stop slow marchers, to reclaim our right to get to work, hospital and go about our daily lives.

Chief Constable BJ Harrington, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for public order and public safety said:

Our priority is always to keep people safe and in every decision around policing public order and protests we must balance the right to freedom of expression with the right to tackle crime so we can ensure public safety. Policing is not anti-protest, but we are anti-crime.

We welcome clearer definition of serious disruption provided by parliament in this statutory instrument as this will help officers to take proportionate action when it is necessary.

The law has been amended today and will take effect from tomorrow. It comes following scrutiny and approval by the House of Commons and Lords, empowering officers to take action swiftly and spend more time protecting our communities.

The move supports the Public Order Act 2023, which brought in new criminal offences and proper penalties for disruptive protest acts such as locking on. Repeat offenders can be hit by the courts with a Serious Disruption Prevention Order, seeing them face six months in prison if they try to disrupt lives again.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 13 June 2023.

The scheme to wipe historic convictions for homosexual activity has been expanded.

More people who were unjustly criminalised for gay sex in the past will be able to have their convictions wiped from their records, the Home Office has announced.

In a significant step forward in addressing the wrongs of the past, the government’s disregards and pardons scheme has been significantly widened from today (13 June).

Up until now, only men have been able to apply to have convictions wiped under a specified list of offences. These largely focused on offences of buggery and gross indecency between men.

As of today anyone – including, for the first time, women – will be able to apply if they have been convicted or cautioned under any repealed or abolished offences relating to same-sex activity.

This could include, for example, offences such as ‘solicitation by men’ which may have sometimes been used in the past to criminalise behaviour between gay men which, if it had been conducted between a man and a woman, would have been seen as no more than “chatting up”.

A wider range of service offences will also now be in scope enabling more veterans to benefit. In the past, members of the Armed Forces were prosecuted for their sexuality under service law. This extension will enable more veterans to have those convictions erased from the record.

Under the scheme, people who were unjustly criminalised will receive a pardon. Convictions will be deleted from official records and individuals will not be required to disclose them during court proceedings or when applying for jobs.

Minister for Safeguarding, Sarah Dines said:

The appalling criminalisation of homosexuality is a shameful and yet not so distant part of our history.

Although they can never be undone, the disregards and pardons scheme has gone some way to right the wrongs of the past.

I am proud that from today the scheme has been significantly widened to include more repealed offences.

I invite all of those who were convicted or cautioned for same-sex sexual activity under an abolished offence to come forward and apply.

Since 2012, men have been able to apply to have their convictions or cautions for consensual sex with another man disregarded. Through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, the government has taken action to widen the offences – both civilian and service offences – covered by the scheme. For the first time, women will also be able to apply.

A ‘disregard’ will be granted if certain conditions are met, including that any other party involved must have been aged 16 or over and the sexual activity does not constitute an offence today.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Johnny Mercer said:

The treatment of LGBT Armed Forces personnel and veterans prior to 2000 was wholly unacceptable, and today’s announcement is a clear demonstration of progress in righting these wrongs.

I will continue working to ensure government meets its commitment to value and recognise every veteran’s service and experience.

Service offences which are now in scope of the scheme include those repealed by the Armed Forces Act 2006, such as sections 64 (scandalous conduct) and 66 (disgraceful conduct) of the Air Force and Army Acts 1955, and the corresponding sections 36 and 27 of the Naval Discipline Act 1957.

Craig Jones MBE, Executive Chair and Caroline Paige, Chief Executive of Fighting With Pride said:

This extension to the disregards and pardons scheme and its inclusion of female veterans is welcome and another small step in the right direction.

We will continue to work very closely with the Ministry of Defence and other government departments to ensure the vulnerable veterans in this cohort get all the support available to them.

Rob Cookson, Deputy Chief Executive of the LGBT Foundation said:

People should never be criminalised simply for who they are and who they love.

The criminalisation of gay men made a huge, terrible impact on many people in our community. It is only right that the disregards and pardons scheme has been widened.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 6 June 2023.

The UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme (ETA) will cost just £10, making travel to Britain cheaper and easier for visitors from the Gulf and Jordan.

Nationals from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Jordan will soon only be required to pay £10 to apply for an ETA, which will allow them to visit the UK multiple times over a two-year period. This is compared to Gulf nationals currently paying £30 per visit to the UK under the current Electronic Visa Wavier (EVW) scheme and Jordanian nationals £100 for a visit visa.

The scheme is set to launch for Qatari nationals in October 2023, and for the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Jordan in February 2024 ahead of a worldwide expansion throughout 2024.

Earlier this year, the UK government announced plans to introduce a new ETA scheme as part of a digitisation of the UK border by 2025 to further enhance border security and the customer experience. An ETA is a digital permission to travel for those visiting or transiting through the UK who do not need a visa for short stays, or who do not currently hold another UK visa.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said:

Visitors from the Gulf states and Jordan make a huge contribution to the UK’s tourism industry and the new ETA scheme will make it easier and cheaper for them to travel to the UK.

The cost of an ETA will be one of the best value in the world compared to similar international schemes. This small additional cost to visitors will enable us to bolster the security of the UK border and keep our communities safe.

Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia Lord Ahmad said:

I’m delighted that our partners across the Gulf and Jordan will be the first to benefit from the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme. This scheme is further proof of the strong partnership between the UK and countries across the region.

By cutting costs and visa requirements, the ETA scheme will ensure visitors from the Gulf states and Jordan can enjoy travelling with ease to the UK, boosting business and tourism links between our countries.

Gulf visitors are highly valuable to the UK economy, with over 790,000 Gulf visitors spending £2 billion during their stays in the UK last year.

The move to the ETA scheme means that the visa requirement will be removed for nationals from GCC states and Jordan, bringing the requirements for them to visit the UK in line with other visitors, such as those from the US and Australia.

The application process for an ETA will be simple and fast to complete, with the process being entirely digital via a mobile phone app. To apply, individuals will need to provide biographic and biometric details such as a digital photograph and answer a set of suitability questions.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 5 June 2023.

More than 5,000 asylum seekers will be accommodated on vessels and in alternative sites to drive down the cost of expensive hotels.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 23 May 2023.

New government restrictions to student visa routes will substantially cut net migration by restricting the ability for international students to bring family members on all but post-graduate research routes and banning people from using a student visa as a backdoor route to work in the UK.

The ONS estimated that net migration was over 500,000 from June 2021 to June 2022. Although partly attributed to the rise in temporary factors, such as the UK’s Ukraine and Hong Kong schemes, last year almost half a million student visas were issued while the number of dependants of overseas students has increased by 750% since 2019, to 136,000 people.

The government has also reaffirmed its commitment to the International Education Strategy which plays an important part in supporting the economy through the economic contribution students can bring to the UK.

However, this should not be at the expense of the government’s commitment to the public to lower overall migration and ensure that migration to the UK is highly skilled and provides the most benefit.

Today’s proposals to the student visa route allow the government to continue to meet its International Education Strategy commitments, while making a tangible contribution to reducing net migration to sustainable levels. The government has also made clear that the terms of the graduate route remain unchanged.

The new reforms will come into effect for students starting in January next year. The government will however work with the higher education sector to explore alternative options to ensure the brightest and best students can continue to bring dependents when they study at the UK’s world-leading universities.

To prevent misuse of the visa system, overseas students will be stopped from switching from the student visa route into work routes until their studies have been completed.

The government will also review the funds students must have to demonstrate they can look after themselves and their dependants in the UK, as well as clamp down on unscrupulous international student agents who may be supporting inappropriate applications.

Taken together with the easing of temporary factors, net migration is expected to fall considerably over the medium term. As such, the changes to student visas strike the right balance in supporting the UK economy, including world-leading education institutions, and upholding the government’s commitment to reducing overall net migration.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

The UK is a top destination for the brightest students to learn at some of the world’s best universities. But we have seen an unprecedented rise in the number of student dependents being brought into the country with visas.

It is time for us to tighten up this route to ensure we can cut migration numbers and meet the government’s pledge to the British people to cut net migration. This is the fair thing to do to allow us to better protect our public services, while supporting the economy by allowing the students who contribute the most to keep coming here.

The proposals announced today do not detract from the success of the government’s International Education Strategy, including meeting the target to host 600,000 international higher education students studying in the UK each year by 2030, for two years running.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:

Attracting the top students from around the world isn’t just good for our universities – it’s essential for our economy and building vital global relationships.

But the number of family members being brought to the UK by students has risen significantly. It is right we are taking action to reduce this number while maintaining commitment to our International Education Strategy, which continues to enrich the UK’s education sector and make a significant contribution to the wider economy.

Following the UK leaving the EU, the government introduced a points-based immigration system, giving the government full control of the country’s borders, which is designed to flex to the needs of the economy and labour market and ensure we have the skills and talent needed by UK businesses and the NHS.

The government keeps its immigration policies under review to ensure they are delivering on commitments to the public on net migration.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 22 May 2023.

The government has committed to a redress scheme for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 22 May 2023.

Glasgow will host the 92nd Interpol General Assembly from 4 to 7 November 2024 at the Scottish Event Campus previously used as the location for COP 26, the UN Climate Change Conference.

Already a global leader in security and policing, hosting this event gives the UK a central role in one of the most important policing and public safety events in the world, bringing together Interpol’s 195 members in one common goal – to prevent global illicit activity, and to tackle criminal threats and risk worldwide.

It is a key opportunity to drive innovation and leadership in international police cooperation to tackle major crime trends and security threats facing the world, including organised crime, counter-terrorism and fraud.

The General Assembly is Interpol’s highest governing body and the largest global gathering of senior law enforcement officials and heads of ministries.

UK Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said:

Global challenges call for global solutions.

Hosting the Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow underlines the UK’s role as a global leader when it comes to security and policing, and demonstrates our steadfast commitment to tackle global threats such as organised crime, terrorism and fraud.

Interpol’s General Assembly meets annually, the UK’s hosting of the event will follow this year’s 91st General Assembly in Vienna, Austria.

The UK held Interpol General Assembly will include elections for 10 key leadership posts, including the new Secretary General, a critical role for co-ordinating the global response to new emerging threats and criminality.

This event will be held in partnership with the National Crime Agency, operational leads for tackling serious and organised crime in the UK, including through Interpol.

Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance said:

Glasgow has a global reputation for hosting major international events and hosting the Interpol General Assembly is yet another opportunity to add to that impressive list.

The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with partners in the UK government, law enforcement, local government and Police Scotland – which is already globally recognised for its work keeping the people of Scotland safe – as we welcome delegates from around the world to Glasgow.

Graeme Biggar, Director General of the National Crime Agency, said:

We are immensely proud to be the host law enforcement agency for the 2024 General Assembly and to lead the UK delegation.

Crime has no borders, so now more than ever before the UK must work with its partners around the world to ensure criminals have no place to hide so we can keep our citizens safe.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 18 May 2023.

Potential victims of exploitation will be better protected under a new UK-Romania joint action plan on human trafficking, the government has announced.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 16 May 2023.

The organised crime group is estimated to have made more than £200,000 by facilitating migrants into the UK.

Two members of an organised crime group who smuggled more than 40 migrants into the UK have been jailed.

Mohamed Awad, aged 25, of London, was sentenced today (16 May 2023) to two years and eight months at Laganside Crown Court, Belfast, for his part in facilitating the unlawful immigration of 41 Syrian nationals.

His co-accused, Ahmad Omar, aged 40, from Belfast, was jailed for two years in March for his role as a paid driver in the criminal organisation.

The pair were caught following an investigation by the Home Office’s Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI) unit which found the international smuggling gang were charging migrants around £5,000 per journey.

It is estimated that the gang made more than £200,000 for facilitating the Syrian nationals into the UK over a 16-day period in November 2021.

The gang provided false identity documents and arranged flights from Belfast to Britain to facilitate the illegal entry of the migrants through abuse of the Common Travel Area between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Awad was described as a ‘highly trusted operator’ within the organised crime group and was the person responsible for arranging the flights.

Officers from the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement, along with Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), carried out search warrants at addresses in Belfast and London on 10 March 2022. They arrested the two defendants, seizing £8,000 in cash and a Nissan Juke as part of the investigation.

The defendants both plead guilty to assisting unlawful immigration.

The British and Irish governments continue to work closely through the Cross Border Joint Agency Taskforce, to disrupt organised crime groups and tackle organised immigration crime, modern slavery and human trafficking.

Ben Thomas, Deputy Director from the Criminal and Financial Investigation unit, said:

We are committed to dismantling people-smuggling networks, and will stop at nothing to bring them to justice.

We would like to thank our policing partners in Northern Ireland who assisted us in this investigation. We will continue to work closely with them to save lives and ensure that people smugglers face the consequences of their despicable crimes.