betting on the rwanda flights taking off. he went behind his boss's back to talk about a cap on visas and the shortage list. does the immigration minister have any respect whatsoever for the authority of the new home secretary? given that he is said to be on resignation watch, can he confirm he will resign if his proposals are rejected? proposals are re'ected? once again, we heard proposals are rejected? once again, we heard absolute _ proposals are rejected? once again, we heard absolute nothing - proposals are rejected? once again, we heard absolute nothing from - proposals are rejected? once again, we heard absolute nothing from the | we heard absolute nothing from the benches _ we heard absolute nothing from the benches opposite about what they would _ benches opposite about what they would actually do. the sad truth is they have — would actually do. the sad truth is they have complete disdain for the british— they have complete disdain for the british public. they do not appreciate the public we are sent here to _ appreciate the public we are sent here to represent want us, demand we reduced _ here to represent want us, demand we reduced the _ here to represent want us, demand we reduced the levels of both legal and illegal— reduced the levels of both legal and illegal migration. the home secretary and i will do everything in our— secretary and i will do everything in our powerto secretary and i will do everything in our power to achieve that. we are working _ in our power to achieve that. we are working closely with the prime mihister— working closely with the prime minister and working closely with the prime ministerand we working closely with the prime minister and we will set out further plans— minister and we will set out further plans in— minister and we will set out further plans in due course. the public watching — plans in due course. the public watching this debate should be clear. — watching this debate should be clear. if— watching this debate should be clear, if they share our determination to tackle small boats, orto determination to tackle small boats, or to reduce the numbers arriving in this country— or to reduce the numbers arriving in this country legally, they only had the conservative party to support. a woman awoman and a woman and man died last week attempted to cross the channel in a small boat. others in their group were hospitalised for hypothermia. despite the clear risks, over 400 people in nine boats were detected crossing the channel in the past seven days. felt there was no other choice. the lack of safe legal roots is putting people at risk, so i asked the immigration minister, will he consider humanitarian as the red cross have firstly, all of us across the house and hope the death of individuals in the channel. tote the house and hope the death of individuals in the channel. we are workin: individuals in the channel. we are working very _ individuals in the channel. we are working very closely _ individuals in the channel. we are working very closely with - individuals in the channel. we are working very closely with the - individuals in the channel. we are i working very closely with the french authorities _ working very closely with the french authorities to investigate the circumstances. those deaths are coming _ circumstances. those deaths are coming from a place of evident safetv — coming from a place of evident safety. they are departing from france, — safety. they are departing from france, in — safety. they are departing from france, in absolutely no danger. they— france, in absolutely no danger. they are — france, in absolutely no danger. they are in — france, in absolutely no danger. they are in a country with a fully functioning — they are in a country with a fully functioning asylum system of its own _ functioning asylum system of its own. there is no excuse for those people _ own. there is no excuse for those people breaking into our country, putting _ people breaking into our country, putting themselves at the hands of people _ putting themselves at the hands of people smugglers. we should be trying _ people smugglers. we should be trying to— people smugglers. we should be trying to deteriorate. in respect of the second — trying to deteriorate. in respect of the second question on safe routes, she knows— the second question on safe routes, she knows we have issued more than 5000 _ she knows we have issued more than 5000 humanitarian visas since 2015, more _ 5000 humanitarian visas since 2015, more than _ 5000 humanitarian visas since 2015, more than in — 5000 humanitarian visas since 2015, more than in the history of this countrv — more than in the history of this countrv if_ more than in the history of this country. if you want to do more, she should _ country. if you want to do more, she should go— country. if you want to do more, she should go back to the snp government and asked _ should go back to the snp government and asked them to pull their weight and asked them to pull their weight and provide more safe spaces for asytunr _ and provide more safe spaces for asylum seekers and refugees back in scotland _ asylum seekers and refugees back in scotland. he asylum seekers and refugees back in scotland. . . asylum seekers and refugees back in scotland. , . . scotland. he is deflecting quite a lot here, because _ scotland. he is deflecting quite a lot here, because in _ scotland. he is deflecting quite a lot here, because in the - scotland. he is deflecting quite a lot here, because in the first - scotland. he is deflecting quite a| lot here, because in the first nine months... they would do well to listen to this because their systems on working, they are failing people everyday. in the first nine months of 2023, eimear 200 and sent to nine afghans arrived by safe routes. i7 afghans arrived by safe routes. i7 afghans came by boat —— 209 afghans. afghans came by boat —— 209 afghans. a mother of four, a soldier who served in a unit settled by britain, paid and trained for by the armed services whose application was denied, along with many others. can i ask him, why is he feeling so many afghans? tote i ask him, why is he feeling so many afuhans? ~ ., �* _, . i ask him, why is he feeling so many afuhans? ~ ., �* . . afghans? we don't encourage anyone, whatever their — afghans? we don't encourage anyone, whatever their circumstances, - afghans? we don't encourage anyone, whatever their circumstances, to - whatever their circumstances, to come across illegally in a small boat _ come across illegally in a small boat it— come across illegally in a small boat it is— come across illegally in a small boat. it is a criminal offence and it should — boat. it is a criminal offence and it should not be encouraged. we have supported _ it should not be encouraged. we have supported almost 25,000 people to come _ supported almost 25,000 people to come from afghanistan since the end of the _ come from afghanistan since the end of the war— come from afghanistan since the end of the war in afghanistan, which compares — of the war in afghanistan, which compares extremely favourably to other _ compares extremely favourably to other european countries. we have issued _ other european countries. we have issued more than 500,000 humanitarian visas, which we should be proud _ humanitarian visas, which we should be proud of — humanitarian visas, which we should be proud of. the snp always want to make _ be proud of. the snp always want to make the _ be proud of. the snp always want to make the uk out as a small country. it is make the uk out as a small country. it is incorrect. — make the uk out as a small country. it is incorrect, it is one of the world's— it is incorrect, it is one of the world's leading countries for resettled... world's leading countries for resettled. . ._ world's leading countries for resettled... ~ . ., world's leading countries for resettled... ~ , ., :: resettled... with being here for 20 minutes, resettled... with being here for 20 minutes. we've — resettled... with being here for 20 minutes, we've only _ resettled... with being here for 20 minutes, we've only covered - resettled... with being here for 20 minutes, we've only covered two l minutes, we've only covered two questions — minutes, we've only covered two questions can— minutes, we've only covered two questions. can we _ minutes, we've only covered two questions. can we please - minutes, we've only covered two questions. can we please go - minutes, we've only covered two . questions. can we please go faster? brief questions. _ questions. can we please go faster? brief questions, brief _ questions. can we please go faster? brief questions, brief answers. - questions. can we please go faster? brief questions, brief answers. [it . brief questions, brief answers. it is a brief questions, brief answers. is a great pleasure to be able to tell the honourable lady the task force, which is set up under the national security council, has been operating for a year and working closely with authorities of parliaments and local authorities, alongside intelligence agencies, the police and opposite numbers from various different parties. it has updated many individuals across this house in how we can improve our security and make sure this country's democracy is safe. we need to get involved. please join the party, any party, particular conservative party, get involved in politics, keep the uk government working for the people of the uk by being involved.— being involved. given the huge importance _ being involved. given the huge importance of— being involved. given the huge importance of preventing - being involved. given the huge i importance of preventing foreign interference in our democracy, would the minister— interference in our democracy, would the minister agree that for the purposes of transparency, lord cameron— purposes of transparency, lord cameron should declare all previous contacts— cameron should declare all previous contacts with and monies earned from foreign _ contacts with and monies earned from foreign governments out of the period — foreign governments out of the period of— foreign governments out of the period of him leaving office of prime — period of him leaving office of prime minister and appointed foreign secretary? _ prime minister and appointed foreign secretary? i am delighted to say she raises _ secretary? i am delighted to say she raises good — secretary? i am delighted to say she raises good point on how we keep our politics— raises good point on how we keep our politics accountable. the raises good point on how we keep our politics accountable.— politics accountable. the rules set out b this politics accountable. the rules set out by this house, _ politics accountable. the rules set out by this house, how— politics accountable. the rules set out by this house, how we - politics accountable. the rules set | out by this house, how we account for expenses and monies raised and various forms of connection are already set out, notjust various forms of connection are already set out, not just for this house but the other place, and she is right there as records must be kept up—to—date. i know the prime minister expects every minister to do so, and i'm confident the new foreign secretary, congratulations, has done that. the foreign secretary, congratulations, has done that.— has done that. the defending democracy — has done that. the defending democracy tax _ has done that. the defending democracy tax force - has done that. the defending democracy tax force has - has done that. the defending democracy tax force has an i has done that. the defending - democracy tax force has an important remit _ democracy tax force has an important remit to— democracy tax force has an important remit to defend our country —— task force _ remit to defend our country —— task force it— remit to defend our country —— task force it is— remit to defend our country —— task force. it is vital rather progress is made — force. it is vital rather progress is made. some matters require immediate attention. can the minister— immediate attention. can the minister give an assurance both the three _ minister give an assurance both the three vodafone merger, and the future _ three vodafone merger, and the future ownership of the daily telegraph will be looked at not just through— telegraph will be looked at not just through the economic prism of competition, but also in recordings with the _ competition, but also in recordings with the national security and investment act? my honourable friend, investment act? my honourable friend. the _ investment act? my honourable friend, the first _ investment act? my honourable friend, the first time _ investment act? my honourable friend, the first time we - investment act? my honourable friend, the first time we faced l investment act? my honourable . friend, the first time we faced each other across the dispatch box and last time we were side by side. he raises some interesting points and important ones, that is why the act was only passed one year ago, and why the devil deprived us to himself is chairing the body that advises it —— the deputy prime minister himself. we are looking notjust at that, but the ways in which foreign media today doesn'tjust mean the traditional media, some of whom we see represented out there. some are even waving. but also the way in which we see social media now being so important. it's worth noting the recent ofcom report that one third of under 25 rods get their news from tick—tock, which has at algorithm written by individuals under control of a foreign state and indeed one that isn't always friendly. this of a foreign state and indeed one that isn't always friendly.- that isn't always friendly. this is bbc news. _ that isn't always friendly. this is bbc news, and _ that isn't always friendly. this is bbc news, and we've _ that isn't always friendly. this is bbc news, and we've been - that isn't always friendly. this is - bbc news, and we've been bringing you home office questions in the house of commons. it comes days after it was announced net migration into the uk hit a record of 745,000 last year. a lot of the questions in that session, which also included questions to the relatively new home secretary james cleverly, were on the topic of migration. we will now move to another important story in central london, which is the ongoing disease marker inquiry. the mayor of greater manchester now is giving evidence —— covid inquiry. less listening and see what else andy burnham has to say. i listening and see what else andy burnham has to say.— listening and see what else andy burnham has to say. i watch espace on our burnham has to say. i watch espace on your patients. _ burnham has to say. i watch espace on your patients. this _ burnham has to say. i watch espace on your patients. this is _ burnham has to say. i watch espace on your patients. this is going - burnham has to say. i watch espace on your patients. this is going in . on your patients. this is going in relation to whether the tier system was going to work. and isn't it right you had a meeting on the 14th of october with jonathan right you had a meeting on the 14th of october withjonathan van tam and junior ministerfor of october withjonathan van tam and junior minister for health there was expression. you asked whether the tier system would be effective, wooded address rise in cases. what wooded address rise in cases. what was the response? _ wooded address rise in cases. what was the response? we _ wooded address rise in cases. what was the response? we were sceptical about— was the response? we were sceptical about the _ was the response? we were sceptical about the tier system because we had been under— about the tier system because we had been under it since july, added haven't— been under it since july, added haven't worked. we knew if they carried _ haven't worked. we knew if they carried on— haven't worked. we knew if they carried on with the city 7% furlough, there would be definite damage — furlough, there would be definite damage to people's lives and businesses. in meetings, abjectly withjonathan van tam, businesses. in meetings, abjectly with jonathan van tam, myself and the ten _ with jonathan van tam, myself and the ten leaders said give us, if we are going — the ten leaders said give us, if we are going to do this, you have to guarantee — are going to do this, you have to guarantee it will work and bring the cases— guarantee it will work and bring the cases down— guarantee it will work and bring the cases down below one. and his response? _ cases down below one. and his response? he couldn't give us the guarantee — response? he couldn't give us the guarantee. if i could, this gets to the heart — guarantee. if i could, this gets to the heart of my evidence and what i want to _ the heart of my evidence and what i want to do— the heart of my evidence and what i want to do so. i the heart of my evidence and what i want to do so— want to do so. i will draw that toaether want to do so. i will draw that together and _ want to do so. i will draw that together and give _ want to do so. i will draw that together and give you - want to do so. i will draw that together and give you an - want to do so. i will draw that - together and give you an opportunity and draw the topic together. it is right, there was an agreement between you and central government, that's a matter of question we heard the chief medical doctor say the tier 3 route wouldn't bring our number down. there has been criticism in central government and the wider media of the stance tutor, that you were being obstructive and had behaved appallingly. i want to give you the opportunity to respond that criticism, then i will move on. i have seen that minute, and frankly. _ i have seen that minute, and frankly. it _ i have seen that minute, and frankly, it is nothing short of a disgraceful, the points that were made _ disgraceful, the points that were made in — disgraceful, the points that were made in that minute. to quote black, the mayor— made in that minute. to quote black, the mayor of— made in that minute. to quote black, the mayor of manchester was behaving appallingly. it wasn't me behaving appallingly, it was the people in that room who were behaving appallingly, because they were about to impose _ appallingly, because they were about to impose a policy on greater manchester which they knew didn't work _ manchester which they knew didn't work and — manchester which they knew didn't work. and that's something i've only now reatise — work. and that's something i've only now realise looking at other statements to this inquiry. it makes me angry— statements to this inquiry. it makes me angry behalf of the people of greater— me angry behalf of the people of greater manchester, they sat in the room _ greater manchester, they sat in the room and _ greater manchester, they sat in the room and they imposed a policy that they had _ room and they imposed a policy that they had been advised by sage and others _ they had been advised by sage and others would not work. indeed, i am reading _ others would not work. indeed, i am reading matt hancock's evidence, i could _ reading matt hancock's evidence, i could give — reading matt hancock's evidence, i could give you the number. we have the advantage _ could give you the number. we have the advantage of— could give you the number. we have the advantage of him _ could give you the number. we have the advantage of him giving - the advantage of him giving evidence. the advantage of him giving evidence-— the advantage of him giving evidence. , . ., , evidence. let me 'ust read from his evidence. let me 'ust read from his evidence he — evidence. let me just read from his evidence. the people _ evidence. let me just read from his evidence. the people of— evidence. let me just read from his evidence. the people of greater - evidence. the people of greater manchester need to hear this. he says about — manchester need to hear this. he says about tier 3. i was in despair that we _ says about tier 3. i was in despair that we had — says about tier 3. i was in despair that we had announced a policy that we knew _ that we had announced a policy that we knew would not work. did that we had announced a policy that we knew would not work.— we knew would not work. did he exress we knew would not work. did he express that _ we knew would not work. did he express that to _ we knew would not work. did he express that to you? _ we knew would not work. did he express that to you? no, - we knew would not work. did he express that to you? no, he - we knew would not work. did he i express that to you? no, he didn't. i see this conversation _ express that to you? no, he didn't. i see this conversation in _ express that to you? no, he didn't. i see this conversation in this - i see this conversation in this committee what they are talking about _ committee what they are talking about a — committee what they are talking about a punishment beating the greater— about a punishment beating the greater manchester, that lancashire shoutd _ greater manchester, that lancashire should have a lighter set of measures planned greater manchester since they— measures planned greater manchester since they had shown a willingness to cooperate. tougher measures should _ to cooperate. tougher measures should be _ to cooperate. tougher measures should be imposed on greater manchester. because we stood up for people _ manchester. because we stood up for people who would otherwise would struggte _ people who would otherwise would struggle in that lockdown without the funds. because we took the stand. — the funds. because we took the stand, they decided to make an example — stand, they decided to make an example of us. and it's unbelievable to took— example of us. and it's unbelievable to took at— example of us. and it's unbelievable to look at evidence. they knew it didn't— to look at evidence. they knew it didn't work. _ to look at evidence. they knew it didn't work, they knew tier 3 didn't work _ didn't work, they knew tier 3 didn't work they— didn't work, they knew tier 3 didn't work. they knew that but they were still going _ work. they knew that but they were still going to oppose it on without enough _ still going to oppose it on without enough financial support. i think you have had a reasonable opportunity to deal with that matter, but i will move on and have your assistance on another topic if thatis your assistance on another topic if that is ok. communications, and another area i have been invited to explore with you is the wider communications from central government and how they were received on a local level from your perspective, and in relation to certain communities, minority ethnic communities, from your experience, was the issues with the central communication, central government communication, central government communication or blanket messaging as you describe it? yes. communication or blanket messaging as you describe it?— as you describe it? yes, we work hard to make _ as you describe it? yes, we work hard to make sure _ as you describe it? yes, we work hard to make sure that _ as you describe it? yes, we work hard to make sure that the - as you describe it? yes, we work hard to make sure that the core l hard to make sure that the core messages — hard to make sure that the core messages from the government were put into— messages from the government were put into languages that could be understood by everybody in greater manchester. i think, understood by everybody in greater manchester. ithink, if understood by everybody in greater manchester. i think, if i am being fair, _ manchester. i think, if i am being fair, there — manchester. i think, if i am being fair, there was some collaboration on these _ fair, there was some collaboration on these matters between public health _ on these matters between public health information experts and at the government level. but it was a constant _ the government level. but it was a constant challenge the absence of british _ constant challenge the absence of british sign language interpreters at the _ british sign language interpreters at the daily briefings was unforgivable to be honest, all the way through. we unforgivable to be honest, all the way through-— unforgivable to be honest, all the wa throu~h. ~ . . . way through. we have dealt with that in evidence already _ way through. we have dealt with that in evidence already but _ way through. we have dealt with that in evidence already but thank - way through. we have dealt with that in evidence already but thank you. i l