Written Statements

Thursday 15th January 2026 Written Statements

Thursday 15 January 2026

Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023: Fifth Assimilated Law Report

Thursday 15th January 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Blair McDougall)]

Today the Secretary of State has laid a report before Parliament pursuant to the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and published it on gov.uk. This report updates the House in line with the obligations under section 17 of the REUL Act, which requires a report to be published and laid before Parliament every six months detailing all revocations and reforms of assimilated law. This is the fifth report being laid before the House.

The report today summarises the data on the assimilated law dashboard, providing the public with information about the amount of assimilated law there is and where it sits across Departments. The dashboard reflects the position as of 23 December 2025, showing a total of 6,925 instruments of REUL or assimilated law concentrated over approximately 400 unique policy areas. Since the previous update to the dashboard, 61 assimilated law instruments have either been revoked or reformed. In addition, Departments have undertaken further analysis and amended their record of assimilated law. As a result, a net figure of 2,571 instruments have now been revoked or reformed in total.

The report gives details of 25 statutory instruments which were laid by the Government using powers under the REUL Act and other domestic legislation since the previous report. These statutory instruments amend assimilated law to deliver the Government’s priorities. This includes, for example, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Amendment, etc.) Regulations 2025 which were made under the Environment Act 2021 and create a fair and level playing field for all businesses placing electricals on to the UK market.

The Government remain committed to fostering a pro-business environment through a streamlined regulatory framework that drives growth and supports innovation. This includes our work reforming assimilated law.

[HCWS1242]

Energy Infrastructure Planning: North Falls Offshore Wind Farm

Thursday 15th January 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Martin McCluskey)]

This statement concerns an application for development consent made under the Planning Act 2008 by North Falls Offshore Wind Farm Ltd for an offshore wind farm with up to 57 wind turbines and up to two offshore substation platforms, and up to one offshore converter platform, located off the East Anglian coastline in the southern North sea.

Under section 107(1) of the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State must make a decision on an application within three months of the receipt of the examining authority’s report unless exercising the power under section 107(3) of the Act to set a new deadline. Where a new deadline is set, the Secretary of State must make a statement to Parliament to announce it.

The statutory deadline for the decision on the North Falls Offshore Wind Farm proposed development is 28 January 2026.

I have decided to set a new statutory deadline of 28 April 2026. This is to allow time to request further information that was not available for consideration during the examination period, and to give all interested parties the opportunity to review and comment on such information. Although my preference would be not to amend the deadline, I am clear that applications for consent for energy projects submitted under the Planning Act 2008 must meet the necessary standards.

The decision to set the new deadline for this application is without prejudice to the decision on whether to grant or refuse development consent.

[HCWS1246]

HMP Wandsworth Independent Investigation

Thursday 15th January 2026 Written Statements

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr David Lammy)]

I wish to provide an update on the independent investigation into the escape of Daniel Khalife from HMP Wandsworth on 6 September 2023.

On 8 January 2024, the House was informed that the investigation, which was led by Keith Bristow QPM, had concluded. At that time, it was not appropriate to provide further detail, due to the ongoing criminal proceedings and the need to protect prison security. Those proceedings have since concluded. Mr Khalife was convicted for offences under the Official Secrets Act 1911 and the Terrorism Act 2000, as well as for escaping from lawful custody. He was sentenced to a total of 14 years and three months’ imprisonment for those crimes.

Following the criminal trial, various details about events that occurred are now in the public domain, including how Mr Khalife escaped while on kitchen duty by using a makeshift sling attached to the underside of a delivery lorry. However, in the spirit of transparency and accountability, I wish to provide a fuller account of the investigation’s findings and recommendations, while also maintaining caution that prison security is not compromised by doing so.

The investigation scrutinised five key operational themes: prisoner categorisation; security protocols and their application; assessment of escape risk; work allocation risk assessment; and operational capacity including staffing levels.

A prisoner’s categorisation determines the level of security required to manage them, based on both their risk to the public and of escape. The investigation found that the decision to hold Mr Khalife in a category B prison was consistent with categorisation policy and based on adequate information. It also noted that category B conditions should have been sufficient to prevent escape.

The investigation nonetheless recommended that HM Prison and Probation Service consider whether improvements are needed to support the sharing of sensitive intelligence between operational partners to better inform future categorisation decisions.

HMP Wandsworth has taken meaningful steps to enhance the systems that inform categorisation decisions. Improvements include streamlining processes relating to intelligence generated by HMPPS, addressing operational backlogs and delivering staff training aligned with national standards. These improvements, combined with wider processes in place with relevant partners, support robust HMPPS decision-making relating to categorisation and prison placement.

The investigation identified shortcomings in the application of several security protocols on the day of the escape, including prisoner and cell searches, vehicle escorting, vehicle search procedures at the prison’s main gate, prisoner counting protocols and the activation of contingency plans. It recommended strengthening local searching policies, enhancing local intelligence and recording practices and adopting a more rigorous approach to security risk assessment. While not found to be material to the escape, the investigation also recommended that the HMPPS policy framework for managing terrorist risk be updated to reflect current practice.

Since then, HMP Wandsworth has significantly strengthened its security framework. Search protocols have been revised, risk-based practices improved and the level of support from specialist search teams increased. Staff training has been prioritised to embed a more consistent and effective security culture. In addition, HMPPS has introduced an updated, internal policy framework for managing terrorist risk.

On the assessment of Mr Khalife’s escape risk, the investigation concluded that the relevant policy had been applied correctly in his case. It also noted that the low incidence of prison escapes suggests that the current approach to escape risk management is almost always sufficient. The investigation nonetheless recommended that HMPPS review whether the current policy relating to escape risk places sufficient emphasis on prisoner behaviour outside of closed conditions, particularly where past behaviour patterns may indicate a greater risk of escape.

HMP Wandsworth has since enhanced its processes for identifying and managing escape risk. This includes improved daily monitoring, updated risk assessments, and assurance checks to ensure operational practices reflect current vulnerabilities. Furthermore, HMPPS has reviewed the national escape list policy, specifically the requirement to consider risk information, such as escape risk, from other secure environments such as police or military custody.

With regard to work allocation, the investigation found that Mr Khalife should not have been assigned to work in the kitchen based on the local policy in place at the time. It also identified that an opportunity to remove him from this role was missed. The investigation recommended improvements to HMP Wandsworth’s work allocation process, including its risk assessment form.

HMP Wandsworth has since improved its approach to work allocation by strengthening risk assessment processes and enhancing the use of information held on HMPPS’s intelligence reporting system. A new system has been introduced to ensure decisions are applied consistently and reviewed regularly, supported by targeted staff training and oversight mechanisms.

The investigation found that while staffing levels at HMP Wandsworth were a broader challenge, they were not a significant factor on the day of the escape. However, the investigation noted that wider staffing pressures may have had an indirect effect. This includes reduced time for staff to carry out essential tasks, less assurance around the quality of processes being followed, and increased cross-deployment of staff across different activities within the prison. The investigation also highlighted the impact of staff churn on institutional knowledge and national pressure on centralised training capacity due to high volumes of new recruits. The investigation did not find evidence that staff corruption was a factor in the escape.

While the investigation made no specific recommendations on staffing, HMP Wandsworth has taken measures to strengthen staffing and institutional resilience, including increased security personnel, targeted training, and enhanced operational awareness.

The investigation also made several strategic recommendations to strengthen prison security more broadly. These included the need for HMP Wandsworth, supported by HMPPS, to develop a comprehensive and dynamic understanding of local security risks, implement a clear strategy to address them, and embed a stronger security culture underpinned by visible leadership. The investigation also recommended that HMPPS and the Ministry of Justice work collaboratively with scrutiny bodies to assess whether prison performance evaluations appropriately prioritise security and risk management, and recommended that HMPPS consider how the investigation’s findings might be applied across the wider prison estate.

The prison has undertaken a comprehensive review of its security arrangements, informed by internal assessments and external scrutiny. A revised local strategy now guides operational practices, supported by strengthened leadership, improved intelligence handling, and embedded assurance processes. HMPPS and the Ministry of Justice continue to work closely with HM Inspectorate of Prisons and other scrutiny bodies, including independent monitoring boards, to support improvement across the system. These measures reflect a sustained commitment to enhancing security governance and provide a model for wider application across the estate.

The Government have taken the findings of the independent investigation into Mr Khalife’s escape extremely seriously. HMP Wandsworth, HMPPS and the Ministry of Justice have acted swiftly and decisively to implement the investigation’s recommendations. Through strengthened leadership, a renewed focus on security culture, and rigorous assurance processes, the prison has addressed the vulnerabilities identified. These reforms are not only embedded, but they are also being independently tested and continuously improved.

I am confident that the actions taken have significantly strengthened prison security. We must not become complacent, however, and I have made clear the importance of maintaining this momentum, not only at HMP Wandsworth, but across the prison estate. I am resolute in ensuring that lessons are learned to help prevent incidents of this nature occurring again in the future.

[HCWS1245]

Judicial Conduct Investigations Office: Annual Report 2024–25

Thursday 15th January 2026 Written Statements

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr David Lammy)]

With the concurrence of the Lady Chief Justice, I will today publish the 18th annual report of the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office.

The JCIO supports the Lady Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor in our joint statutory responsibility for judicial discipline.

The judiciary comprises approximately 20,000 individuals serving across a range of jurisdictions. Over the past year, the JCIO received 3,279 complaints against judicial office-holders. A total of 89 investigations resulted in disciplinary action.

I have placed copies of the report in the Library of each House. Copies are also available online at:

https://www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk/reportsandpublications

[HCWS1243]

Railways Stations: Accessibility

Thursday 15th January 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)]

The Minister of State for Transport, my noble Friend Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, has made the following ministerial statement.

This Government are committed to improving the accessibility of Britain’s railways and recognise the significant social and economic benefits of doing so. As we move towards the establishment of Great British Railways, we will provide greater detail of how these ambitions will be funded and delivered.

Since 2006, the Access for All programme has delivered step-free accessible routes at over 270 stations.

In May 2024, the previous Government announced feasibility work on 50 stations without indicating how the delivery of such schemes would be funded, raising significant stakeholder expectations. This Government are committed to a rigorous approach and to only making commitments that we believe are affordable and would represent value for money for passengers and taxpayers. As such, Ministers have carefully considered the findings of the initial feasibility work and have decided which will progress, using the following criteria:

Busy stations, where upgrades would benefit significant numbers of passengers;

Ensuring a good spread of projects across Wales, Scotland and different parts of England;

Making use of pre-existing technical development work; and

The presence of a third-party funding contribution.

On this basis, Ministers have made the following decisions in relation to the 50 projects announced by the previous Government:

Eight projects are progressing directly to delivery: Ash Vale, Colchester, Port Sunlight, Thirsk, Walton (Merseyside), Bellgrove, Aigburth and Rock Ferry stations—with the last two already in delivery.

Twenty-three projects are progressing to detailed design: