Please will you provide a breakdown of how the fund for the resettlement of Hong Kongers in London has and will be spent?

I welcomed the British government’s decision to introduce a new immigration route for Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) status holders to settle in the UK, following the imposition of the National Security Law by the Chinese government in July 2020. Between January and September 2021, 88,000 applications were submitted for the visa.

In April 2021, the government granted £917,000 to the GLA to establish a ‘welcome hub’ for BN(O) arrivals, co-ordinate practical advice and improve access to services for the community. Phase one of this programme was agreed in Mayoral Decision MD2831, allocating funding to build capacity and provide a strong evidence base to meet the urgent needs of BN(O) arrivals. A second phase will include the development of culturally appropriate and trauma-informed mental health resources, provision to build the capacity of local authorities to coordinate support to new arrivals, and further cultivation of Hong Kong-led civil society to meet community needs.