21st March 2022: A Week in Parliament

Refugee Update

Our office are now dealing with two families who are trying to get close family members over from Ukraine. It is so stressful for all concerned. Unfortunately, despite the rhetoric from the UK Government, it is not easy. The fact that the UK Government are demanding up to date passports is an issue. Why not accept out of date? Why insist on biometric data in such circumstances? The UK Government, and Priti Patel the Home Secretary keep citing security. Patel insisting we need to be wary of Russian women sneaking in with biochemical weapons. Is this really such a high risk? Such a move by Russia while the invasion of Ukraine is ongoing would be tantamount to war being declared on the west. Russia is headed up by an evil dictator and we cannot ignore the previous attack on UK soil – the Salisbury poisonings. However, we also need to remember that happened under full security checks and the use of biometric passports. They really need to be more compassionate.

Johnson

While Tories are rallying to defend Boris Johnson for his leadership at this time of crisis, up steps Johnson to compare Ukraine defending themselves against a Russian invasion to the UK Brexit vote as the UK wanting “freedom”. How can he be so crass to do so, and to do this in front of the Ukrainian Ambassador who was a guest of honour at the Tory Conference? This is the Ukrainian Ambassador who has had to point out that the UK are so awkward about immigration it was really difficult for his wife to get entry into the UK. If the Ambassador struggled previously, then what chance really for refugees in a time of crisis? When you look behind the rhetoric, the Tory UK Government truly are awful.

National Insurance Rise

The Spring statement is the last chance for the Chancellor to ditch the 1.25% rise to National Insurance. It beggars belief to do this when we have this cost of living crisis. It is not a fair tax as it hits those on lower wages the hardest. If we believe it is so important to balance the books, or raise money for the English NHS, then altering the higher rates of income tax would be much more equitable.

P & O Ferries

What a scandal that P & O Ferries have sacked 800 staff by a zoom call with no advance warning to replace the seafarers with cheap foreign labour. We already had British Airways doing fire and rehire on their staff, after receiving large amounts of furlough money. My colleague, Gavin Newlands tried to bring in a private members bill to outlaw such practices. The Tory Government refused, and now P & O have taken it to a new level. It is disgraceful – throwing their own staff on the scrapheap while taking advantage of desperate foreign workers. I suspect when they get operational again, it could backfire – many people will exercise choice and use alternate ferry companies. I have written to P & O to outline my anger.