Written question WQ99803
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
Will the Welsh Government scrap any elements of its Nation of Sanctuary policy that encroach into non-devolved policy areas?
Answer
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality (Sioned Williams)
Immigration, including asylum and the status and capacity of persons in the United Kingdom who are not British citizens are reserved matters to the UK Government. Decisions on who is placed in Wales remains with the UK Government.
The Welsh Government has responsibility for core devolved policy areas such as education, health, local government, social services and community cohesion. These are all matters which interact with sanctuary seekers which is the focus of the Nation of Sanctuary approach. The Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary approach therefore operates within devolved responsibilities.
It focuses on ensuring people placed in Wales by the UK Government can access devolved services. Decisions on immigration and asylum, including who comes to the UK and who is placed in Wales, remain matters for the UK Government.