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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 27 November 2024
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Displaying 1909 contributions

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Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Asylum Seekers in Scotland

Meeting date: 20 June 2023

Rachael Hamilton

Minister, how many Ukrainians are still living on cruise ships in Scotland?

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Asylum Seekers in Scotland

Meeting date: 20 June 2023

Rachael Hamilton

While you are looking for the figures, I have another question. Where will the Ukrainian refugees be moved to?

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Asylum Seekers in Scotland

Meeting date: 20 June 2023

Rachael Hamilton

Who pays for the accommodation? You mentioned that there is a £50 million fund. Is that part of the Ukraine longer term resettlement fund?

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Asylum Seekers in Scotland

Meeting date: 20 June 2023

Rachael Hamilton

I agree—the statistics show that a lot of Hongkongers have settled in Manchester, Salford and other areas in the north-west.

Hongkongers who have come here—there are just a few hundred—recently had a round-table event, at which people said that they do not feel welcome. It is important for us to understand the impact that choosing to come to Scotland has had on them, so it would be welcome if the Scottish Government would analyse that. That relates to my comment that the new Scots strategy uses what is perhaps an umbrella term rather than looking specifically at cultural identities and understanding people for who they are, rather than as part of a group of people who have been displaced.

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Asylum Seekers in Scotland

Meeting date: 20 June 2023

Rachael Hamilton

Convener, do you want me to ask my question about English for speakers of other languages, given that it is part of this issue?

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Asylum Seekers in Scotland

Meeting date: 20 June 2023

Rachael Hamilton

On the welcoming strategy, we heard evidence from various stakeholders that access to ESOL is challenging. What solutions does the Scottish Government propose for addressing that?

11:45  

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Asylum Seekers in Scotland

Meeting date: 20 June 2023

Rachael Hamilton

That is interesting. I think that the committee should dig more deeply into what kind of ESOL is required, because I am not quite sure what you mean. The other day, I met a Ukrainian refugee who said that she was privately funding her own ESOL and taking virtual lessons to ensure that she could get work in Scotland. What do you mean when you talk about that requirement?

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Asylum Seekers in Scotland

Meeting date: 20 June 2023

Rachael Hamilton

I just wanted to clarify what you said earlier with regard to the Home Office being responsible for ESOL.

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Asylum Seekers in Scotland

Meeting date: 20 June 2023

Rachael Hamilton

But learning the English language is part of the right to education.

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Asylum Seekers in Scotland

Meeting date: 20 June 2023

Rachael Hamilton

It is just a point of clarification. Minister, you have twice mentioned the devolved responsibilities for ESOL, and you have also said that asylum seekers have a right to education. Is ESOL delivered through Education Scotland?