Part of Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill - Committee (5th Day) – in the House of Lords at 6:30 pm on 8 September 2025.
Lord Jackson of Peterborough
Conservative
6:30,
8 September 2025
I thank the noble Lord, Lord Lemos, for his excellent response. It is the first time I have had the pleasure of listening to him at the Dispatch Box, and I welcome him to it. I thank other noble Lords for their contributions to this interesting debate—even the noble Lord, Lord Pannick, with whom I disagree. His characteristically eloquent but pugnacious contribution was most appreciated.
The Minister touched earlier on the reason why I tabled this Amendment. I asked his colleague, the noble Lord, Lord Hanson of Flint, a Question for Written Answer about the collection of data around student visas and criminality. He answered on
On Amendment 199, I think that there is quite a bit of consensus across the Committee about the rather liberal, permissive powers of the Government in response to what one might call, if one used a pejorative term, visa retaliation. There is a way of doing it in a more collaborative way without going nose-to-nose with each individual country. It is good that the Government are now looking to invoke those powers because they are important. Countries should know that they have a duty and a responsibility adequately to address the issues we have in our country.
That brings me back to the noble Lord, Lord Pannick. We in this House cannot legislate in a vacuum. We must be mindful of the serious concerns that people have about uncontrolled immigration and controlled migration. The fact is, as the noble Lord, Lord Pannick, well knows, that only 22% of the new migrants who came to this country in the four years to 2024 are in paid work. The vast Majority are not working. They are dependants or students, or they are here on other schemes. Now, I accept that Ukraine and Hong Kong are part of that, but nevertheless, those figures are correct. There are 1.6 million new migrants to this country who are not in paid work. That is a matter of significant concern. Once those people—a tiny minority—tip over into criminality, we have a right to comment on that and design public policy on that.
The noble Lord, Lord Lemos, has addressed in a helpful and collaborative way some of the important issues. I think there is consensus here, particularly on Amendment 199, and maybe even on my noble friend Lady Lawlor’s amendment. I am happy to withdraw the amendment on the basis that we may revisit it on Report.
Amendment 141 withdrawn.
Amendment 141A not moved.
Clause 42: EU Settlement Scheme: rights of entry and residence etc
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As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
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