Shabana Mahmood: “Once people can contribute and repay the generosity of the British people, we expect them to do so.”

The public rightly expect us to control who and what enter this country. It is one of the most fundamental duties of the state and remains a top priority for me and the government I serve in.

This approach means those in need of protection arrive with the consent of communities and with the financial support of their sponsor, and not the taxpayer.

Today is a dark day in our political life, but we must also use it as an opportunity to celebrate Ann Widdecombe's memory. She was a unique figure in our politics, a distinctive and devoted public servant, the likes of whom we will rarely…

it cannot be right to cut the top rate of tax