Lords to question Minister on UK-EU refugee and asylum collaboration

The Committee is continuing the work of the former EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee in scrutinising UK asylum and migration policy. The former Committee held two inquires into these issues, most recently on 'Brexit: refugee protection and asylum policy', publishing its report in October 2016. This report was debated in the House of Lords on 22 September 2020.

The new Committee will now continue this focus, having already heard from experts in July about the Government’s draft agreement on the transfer of unaccompanied migrant children, published in May 2020. The follow up session tomorrow will focus on questions to the minister about the draft agreement, as well as the Government’s plans to work with EU partners to address the recent increase in migrants crossing the Channel.

This remote session will start at 10am on Tuesday 29 September and will be available to view live on Parliament TV. The witness will be:

Chris Philp MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Home Office for Immigration Compliance

Possible questions that may be asked by the Committee include:

• What is the Government’s understanding of whether EU negotiators have a mandate to discuss the draft agreement?
• If the agreement cannot be discussed in the current negotiations, is the Government seeking to negotiate it with the EU in the future?
• What are the key aims and provisions of the draft agreement?
• Why does the agreement not confer rights and obligations?
• Does the Government plan to restrict family reunification rights after it leaves the Dublin Regulation?
• How will the UK continue to support the needs of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children?
• How is the Government seeking to work with EU partners to address the issue of migrants crossing the Channel?