A cross-party group of 26 MPs from across the UK attended a parliamentary roundtable this week to hear directly from those most affected by proposed changes to the UK's immigration settlement rules. The event, hosted by Emily Darlington MP and Luke Taylor MP in partnership with Praxis and the Hong Kong Democracy Council, provided a vital platform for dialogue around the government’s proposed extension of the settlement pathway to 10 years, including the British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa scheme.

Held in Portcullis House on Wednesday, the event featured a high-level roundtable session followed by a drop-in briefing for parliamentarians and their teams. The session brought together MPs, peers, frontline service providers, union representatives, Hong Kong diaspora members, and impacted individuals, who shared powerful testimonies about the human, economic, and societal consequences of prolonged temporary immigration status.

Speakers:

• Carmen Lau, Senior International Advocacy Associate, Hong Kong Democracy Council

• Narmada Thiranagama, National Policy Officer, UNISON

• Michelle Lam, Registered Social Worker

• MaryAnne Oduntan, Representative from The VOICE

• Introduction by Josephine Whitaker-Yilmaz, Head of Advocacy at Praxis