Skip to main content

Home Secretary questioned on response to impact of Covid-19 on Border Force and UK Visa and Immigration operations

28 April 2020

The Home Affairs Committee hears from the Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, Home Secretary, and the new Permanent Secretary, Matthew Rycroft CBE and  Shona Dunn, Second Permanent Secretary.

Witnesses

Wednesday 29 April

At 10.30am

  • Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, Home Secretary
  • Matthew Rycroft CBE, Permanent Secretary
  • Shona Dunn, Second Permanent Secretary,

Purpose of the session

The Committee will be aiming to:

  • Explore the Home Secretary's response to the impact of Covid-19 on Border Force and UK Visa and Immigration operations, including issues such as protection for Border Force staff, NHS visa extensions and difficulties with the EU Settlement Scheme;
  • Discuss the challenges facing vulnerable individuals including victims of domestic and child abuse, migrants and asylum seekers, and those in immigration detention and consider what protective measures the Home Secretary has implemented;
  • Examine the Home Secretary's views on the impact of Covid-19 on law enforcement, including areas such as tackling crime, protection for police staff and changing crime types; and
  • Look at the Home Office's planning for an exit from the existing lockdown strategy.

Further information

Image: Parliamentary copyright