Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Deferred
Paragraph: 121
Provide further information on inter-Ministerial group objectives and draw up clear integration plan.
Recommendation
We particularly welcome the establishment of the inter-Ministerial group to co- ordinate support for status holders but note that as yet there is little transparency about the work of this inter-Ministerial group. The Government must provide further information about the frequency of the group’s meetings, its objectives and priorities. The inter-Ministerial group must draw up a clear integration plan to cover issues ranging from employment to English language, to encourage integration and promote community cohesion; it must ensure that Hong Kongers are given the resources and support they need to study, work and participate in civil and community life here The UK’s offer of visa and settlement routes for residents of Hong Kong 37 in the UK. The group should play a key role in securing and communicating revised estimates of arrivals for local authorities over the lifetime of the visa scheme, to ensure those authorities can continue to plan effectively for likely demand. As the scheme progresses further financial support should be provided to authorities where changes in the settlement pattern make this necessary.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response did not address transparency, integration plans, or resource provision related to the inter-Ministerial group, instead focusing on the Home Office's process for monitoring country situations and updating Country Policy and Information Notes.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
121
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
33. The first Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) was held on 12 May and chaired by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government , with ministerial attendance from all relevant departments. The IMG’s objective is to ensure BN(O) status holders and their families using the new visa route receive the necessary support they need to fully adapt to life in the UK, and give ministerial direction and secure cross-government buy-in to deliver such support. The first IMG recognised the importance of data to delivery partners such as local authorities to ensure they can plan in anticipation of demand for support. The next IMG will be held when ministerial decisions and cross-government agreement is necessary to progress policy for the MHCLG’s Integration Programme.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗