Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps have been taken to ensure (a) transparency and (b) community accountability in trials of facial recognition technology involving Palantir in (i) Leicester and (ii) the UK.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office is not aware of any direct involvement by Palantir in the police’s use of facial recognition systems.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department carried out a Public Sector Equality Duty assessment before signing a contract with Palantir.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office is not aware of any direct involvement by Palantir in the police’s use of facial recognition systems.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help ensure that police forces in England remain independent from political agendas.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Operational independence is a fundamental principle of British policing, and this Government is committed to ensuring the police can perform their role without fear or favour. At the same time, being able to scrutinise police decisions, and Chief Constables being able to account for the decisions they make, are essential especially when it comes to issues with clear implications for public safety and confidence

The Government’s recently published White Paper ‘From Local to National: A New Model for Policing’ announced plans to fundamentally reform the Policing Protocol Order 2023 and clarify the boundaries of operational independence to provide policing with direction and support to drive improvement where necessary.

Police officers take an oath of attestation on appointment which underscores the importance of policing with impartiality. They are required to act with impartiality, in accordance with their statutory standards of professional behaviour. The College of Policing sets standards and provides guidance for policing, including an updated Code of Ethics published in 2024 to support everyone in policing to act in a professional manner, reiterating the need for fairness and impartiality. Failure to act in accordance with relevant standards and guidance could result in formal disciplinary action being taken.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the risk assessments carried out on the use of facial recognition technology by Palantir Technologies in policing, especially on privacy and discrimination issues.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office is not aware of any direct involvement by Palantir in the police’s use of facial recognition systems.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the officer hours saved each year as a result of the rollout of the Right Care Right Person policy.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office and the Department for Health and Social Care published a joint evaluation on the implementation of the Right Care, Right Person in December 2024, which showed that RCRP has led to a reduction in calls and deployments to RCRP-related incidents following implementation, estimating a saving of c.370,000 police hours per year across the five forces covered by this aspect of the evaluation.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Hanson of Flint on 27 January (HL Deb col 763), whether they will hear evidence from children and young people who are, or whose parents are, in the asylum and immigration system as part of their assessment of the children's right impacts of the asylum and earned settlement proposals.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

There were a variety of ways in which the voices of children and young people, or their parents, were included as we considered reform of the asylum and immigration system. The earned settlement model, proposed in A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, announced changes to the mandatory requirements and qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. The public consultation on the Earned Settlement Proposals closed on 12 February.

In that consultation, we carefully considered the appropriate pathways for dependent children, and we expected a wide range of stakeholders to have contributed.

Separately, we considered the specific pathways for children in care and care leavers without status who were outside the scope of that consultation. We proposed that separate targeted engagement would take place with external stakeholders to understand the challenges and develop a policy solution. As part of that targeted engagement, we explored how we could engage the views of children or young adults with experience of the care system.

Work on pathways for unaccompanied asylum‑seeking children, as part of the asylum reforms, included consideration of how children’s perspectives could be taken into account.

We also considered the appropriate pathways for asylum‑seeking families with children and took into account their needs and vulnerabilities.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether Crowborough Training Camp has been assessed as being safe, legal and compliant for use as asylum accommodation.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

In accordance with the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, the Home Office has a statutory obligation to provide destitute asylum seekers with accommodation and subsistence support whilst their application for asylum is being considered.

We are committed to ensuring that destitute asylum seekers are housed in safe, secure and suitable accommodation, and that they are treated with dignity while their asylum claim is considered.

The site has been assessed as safe, legal and compliant for use as asylum accommodation, and all accommodation must meet contractual standards and be safe, fit for purpose and properly equipped.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether planning permission for the use of the Crowborough Training Camp for asylum accommodation provides for occupation for a minimum period of (a) 12 and (b) 18 months.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

This is a temporary arrangement; we intend to return the site to MoD at which point it would cease to be used as asylum accommodation.

Making use of existing basic accommodation on MoD sites such as the Crowborough site is just the first step in the government’s work to exit hotels and source more appropriate accommodation to meet our statutory obligations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which elected members of Wealden District Council her Department has met with in relation to the proposed use of Crowborough Training Camp.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office has met regularly with Wealden Council Leader and Deputy Council Leader in relation to the use of Crowborough Training Camp and joined the Wealden District Council Scrutiny and Performance Committee in November 2025 at which a number of elected members were present.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) warranted Police Officers, (b) Police Community Support Officers and (c) Special Constables there were on (i) 31 March 2025 and (ii) 11 February 2026.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office collects and publishes data on the size of the police workforce in England and Wales, on a biannual basis, as at 31 March and 30 September each year in the Police Workforce, England and Wales statistical bulletin available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales.

Data for this release is collected as a snapshot at 31 March and 30 September only. As such, data for 11 February 2026 is not available. The latest information covers the situation as at 30 September 2025.

Information on the number of police officers, police community support officers and special constables, on both a full-time equivalent and headcount basis, as at 31 March 2007 to 2025 can be found in the Police Workforce Open Data Table here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697255b5a1311bdcfa0ed8f3/open-data-table-police-workforce-280126.ods

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the policy paper Restoring Order and Control, updated on 21 November 2025, whether the new core protection leave for refugees will apply to new arrivals only; and if not, which cohorts already in the UK will be affected.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

A person granted Core Protection will need to apply to renew their status every 30 months. We will encourage refugees to switch out of the Core Protection route wherever possible into a new, bespoke work and study route to access family reunion and settlement rights with new fees and conditions in accordance with the rules of that route.

While I am not able to provide specific details at the moment with regards to timings and cohorts, I can provide reassurance that we will carefully manage the transition into the new system and put in place transitional provisions to ensure that the offer remains clear and fair.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in discussions with the European Union to facilitate closer cooperation on law enforcement.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

At the May 2025 UK-EU Summit we were pleased to agree with the EU a package of work to further strengthen our extensive law enforcement and judicial cooperation capabilities, making our streets safer and ensuring criminals are brought to justice. Work is now underway to deliver on those commitments. We are not going to provide a running commentary on those discussions but will keep Parliament updated on any significant developments.

Both sides have also agreed to hold regular Summits which will provide an opportunity to build on our strategic partnership, including implementing the undertakings published in the 2025 Common Understanding, and to further strengthen our relationship over time.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average time taken to process applications for indefinite leave to remain under the European Communities Association Agreement Ankara Agreement from the date the application is submitted.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

There is a 6-month service standard for this route. The below links show published data on Home Office performance.

• migration transparency data - March 2014 to December 2024
• migration transparency data - January to March (Q1) 2025 onwards

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the impact of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 on UK cyber resilience, skills and innovation; and what impact the current framework has on the UK’s competitiveness compared with other jurisdictions.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Government recognises the major role UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the UK’s resilience against cyber threats, and it is vital that we support them. I acknowledge the strong sentiment regarding Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA) reform.

The Government is already conducting an ongoing review of the CMA.

It is crucial that any changes brought forward are proportionate, adaptable to evolving techniques, and do not undermine law enforcement’s ability to take action against cyber criminals. Engagement, including with the cyber security industry, is underway to refine the proposal and ensure it includes strong safeguards to prevent misuse.

The Home Office is progressing work at pace and will provide an update on proposals taken forward in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many 999 call handlers in England and Wales have received specific training on transnational repression since 1 January 2025.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office does not collect information on the training 999 call handlers have received.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the consistency of training and professional standards required of security personnel who require a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence and those working in security roles that do not require SIA licensing.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The private security industry plays a crucial role in keeping the public safe and it is critical that there is a high standard of regulatory oversight of the industry. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) provides such oversight by operating the regulatory regime set up by the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA).

This oversight includes setting minimum standards for mandatory training for roles within scope of the regime, and ensuring individuals seeking to work in designated roles have completed the training required, as well as running criminal record and other checks to ensure that SIA licence holders are ‘fit and proper’ individuals who have the relevant skills and knowledge needed to perform their role.

Businesses seeking to supply private security operatives under a contract for services must ensure all their partners, directors, managers and supervisors are licensed by the SIA, as well as any frontline staff who perform certain security roles specified in the PSIA Act 2001 (for example door supervisors and security guards).

The SIA is currently conducting a 5-year review of training standards to ensure skills keep pace with emerging threats and will be working closely with experts and the industry on this. The SIA maintains regular engagement with the Home Office throughout this review.

Furthermore, the Government remains committed to delivering the intended outcomes of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, including Monitored Recommendations 7 and 8 which relate to licensing of in-house operatives and security businesses. The Home Office launched a 12-week public consultation on 18 December 2025 to help better understand the impact of the proposals for change.

The consultation aims to inform proposals that will ensure high quality oversight of the private security industry, while ensuring any new costs and regulatory burdens are proportionate and consider impact on business.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the risk posed by foreign-state bounties and wanted notices against UK residents; and what steps are being taken to deter and prosecute any person in the UK seeking to facilitate such schemes.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The first duty of this Government is to keep the country safe. Any attempt by any foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK will never be tolerated.

The police and intelligence services have mature mechanisms to continually assess potential threats in the UK. They use a wide range of tactics to counter the most acute forms of state-directed threats and protect those individuals identified as at risk.

The National Security Act 2023 has provided a comprehensive suite of powers to counter the threat of TNR. In particular, the Foreign Interference Offence and State Threats aggravating factor, have been specifically designed to bear down on harmful state-linked conduct (including state-directed activity such as transnational repression). Foreign Interference in the UK carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

Anyone who believes they are a victim of state‑directed activity should report to the police via 101, 999, or at a local station. Allegations of unlawful activity will be handled sensitively, treated seriously, and swiftly investigated in line with UK law.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the US Congress Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party's inquiries into the Reedley bio-laboratory, what assessment has been made of whether the Chinese Government or Chinese Communist Party have engaged in similar activities in the United Kingdom.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

Rigorous controls are in place for the most dangerous pathogens and toxins. The holding and use of the most dangerous pathogens and toxins are regulated under Part 7 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (ATCSA 2001).

These controls require all site occupiers who wish to work with pathogens and toxins covered by Schedule 5 of the Act to have a Home Office issued Section 59 notification and ensure they have sufficient security measures in place in line with Home Office and the Counter Terrorism Policing guidance and visitation. Anyone contravening these regulations could be subject to arrest and further investigation.

We are clear that national security is the first duty of government. We keep potential threats to the UK, including from China, under constant review and, where necessary, we use all the tools at our disposal to mitigate these.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what training on transnational repression in the UK by the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) has been offered to territorial police forces; and which forces in England and Wales have (a) completed that training, (b) partially completed that training and (c) not commenced any training.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The first duty of this Government is to keep the country safe. Any attempt by any foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK will never be tolerated.

As of March 2025, guidance on the National Security Act and foreign interference is available to all police forces in the UK through the College of Policing, and the guidance has been used by each force. Counter Terrorism Police (CTP) continue to encourage forces to increase usage of these products to enhance awareness of the threat from foreign interference and how to respond.

Anyone who believes they are a victim of state‑directed activity should report to the police via 101, 999, or at a local station. Allegations of unlawful activity will be handled sensitively, treated seriously, and swiftly investigated in line with UK law.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to (a) help improve safety in Heywood and Middleton North constituency and (b) reduce crime.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Anti-Social Behaviour causes misery in towns and communities across the country, often hitting the most vulnerable hardest.

A key aim of our police reforms is to protect and revitalise neighbourhood policing. We are lifting national responsibilities off local forces, so they can focus on tackling local issues, like addressing anti-social behaviour.

Our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee is already making a difference. For too long, people have not seen police patrolling their streets. We will have 3,000 additional neighbourhood officers in place by March this year, and our Summer Initiative and Winter of Action have seen police forces and local authorities in town centres, including Heywood and Middleton increase town centre patrols, accelerate enforcement, and make greater use of ASB powers.

We have also delivered on our manifesto pledge: every police force in England and Wales now has a dedicated lead officer for anti-social behaviour, who will work with communities to develop an action plan to tackle ASB. We are also strengthening the powers to tackle ASB. Our new Respect Orders will give local agencies stronger enforcement capability to tackle the most relentless ASB offenders.

Together with the police, we are sending a message: crime and anti-social behaviour will be punished.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the publication of the White Paper From local to national: a new model for policing on 26 January, what assessment they have made of the resources available for enforcement in relation to lower-level offences, in particular moving traffic offences; and what plans they have to review these resources as part of any reform to the structure of policing in England and Wales.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The reforms outlined within the Police Reform White Paper will put the right policing in the right place to ensure we more effectively tackle crime. At a local level, this means local police areas will be entirely focused on their community and the epidemic of so-called lower-level offences they face.

It is for Chief Constables to determine the appropriate resourcing model for their force. However, this Government is supporting Chief Constables and the wider policy system with £21 billion of funding via the police funding settlement in 2026/27, an increase of £1.3 billion on 2025/26.

On traffic offences in particular, these offences are increasingly detected and enforced through technology rather than through traditional officer‑led activity. Digital tools allow high‑volume, consistent enforcement without requiring significant additional frontline resource. A reformed policing system is an essential step in unlocking consistent and capable technology across all of policing.

Further, the Road Safety strategy announced on 7 January, will consult on range of motoring offences including the use of technology and introduces a new Roads Policing Innovation Programme to improve road safety and targeted enforcement including for low level offences such as speeding.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many individuals convicted of grooming offences have been subject to any orders or actions under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The use of most investigatory Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) powers is not tracked by the Home Office on a case-by-case basis. Confiscation orders are tracked by the Joint Asset Recovery Database, although it does not record grooming offences separately. However, 114 confiscation orders have been issued in human trafficking cases from 2019 to 2025, with a total value in excess of £5.2 million.

The Crime and Policing Bill will add child criminal exploitation to the POCA Schedule 2 offences that a court must consider when determining whether a defendant has a criminal lifestyle and when calculating the defendant’s criminal benefit. This is alongside the people trafficking, prostitution, and child sex offences already included in Schedule 2. In this way, POCA ensures the courts take a broad view of the criminal benefit that has accrued from these heinous offences when setting the level of confiscation orders.

The figures provided above are a subset of the asset recovery statistics Annex A, referring to assets restrained and recovered from modern slavery offences. Please refer to the User guide to Asset recovery statistics - GOV.UK for further information on how to use these statistics

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether, under the proposals in A Fairer Path to Settlement, they plan to introduce transitional protections to ensure that lawful residence already accrued under the long residence route will continue to count towards settlement for existing migrants, particularly those who have already accrued six or more years of residence and who would otherwise be eligible to apply for settlement from 2026 to 2030.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The earned settlement public consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 12 February 2026. We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.

Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly. As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic impact assessments and equality impact assessments which we will publish as well as the Government’s response in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure the use of UK-supplied components in the procurement of vessels for Border Force.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

We are engaging with the market on the basis of a UK-led build, using the Defence and Security provisions within the Procurement Act 2023, under which the majority of the construction, fabrication, assembly, outfitting and commissioning, and support of the vessels is undertaken in the UK or British Overseas Territory / Crown Dependency.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of national service opportunities for those seeking asylum in the UK.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Asylum seekers who have had their initial decision outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own, can apply for permission to work. However, asylum seekers can volunteer whilst their claim is considered without being granted permission to work. The UK does not have National Service and asylum seekers are not eligible to apply to join the UK Armed Forces.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to continue the policies set out in the policy paper entitled Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 813, 22 October 2020 in relation to the rights and settlement expectations of individuals who entered the UK under the European Communities Association Agreement route.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

As the explanatory memorandum to HC 813 set out, following the end of the EU exit transition period and the repeal of EU-derived directly effective immigration rights, the UK is no longer obliged to provide preferential treatment to Turkish nationals on the basis of the European Communities Association Agreement (ECAA).

The earned settlement model, proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’ (CP 1448), was consulted on between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026. We will now carefully review and analyse all responses received and the findings will support the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures. Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.

In the meantime, Appendix ECAA: Extension of Stay and Appendix ECAA Settlement, which set out the rules described in HC 813, will continue to apply. Time spent in routes that currently count towards settlement after 5 years will also continue to count towards the new standard qualifying period.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the policy paper entitled Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 813, 22 October 2020 on proposals on settlement for individuals who entered the UK under the European Communities Association Agreement route.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

As the explanatory memorandum to HC 813 set out, following the end of the EU exit transition period and the repeal of EU-derived directly effective immigration rights, the UK is no longer obliged to provide preferential treatment to Turkish nationals on the basis of the European Communities Association Agreement (ECAA).

The earned settlement model, proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’ (CP 1448), was consulted on between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026. We will now carefully review and analyse all responses received and the findings will support the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures. Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.

In the meantime, Appendix ECAA: Extension of Stay and Appendix ECAA Settlement, which set out the rules described in HC 813, will continue to apply. Time spent in routes that currently count towards settlement after 5 years will also continue to count towards the new standard qualifying period.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the earned settlement proposals on backlogs for care assessments carried about by registered social workers.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The earned settlement public consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 12 February 2026. We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.

Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly. As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both an economic impact assessment and equality impact assessment which we will publish as well as the Government’s response in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has received any representations from Wealden District Council on the adaptation of the Crowborough Training Camp for use as asylum accommodation.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

We continue to engage with Wealden District Council, property partners and across government to ensure the site and indeed any development, is safe, appropriate and compliant with planning legislation.

The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, NHS, Police and other local partners – via an Operational Working Group in addition to bi-lateral conversations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which (a) statutory and (b) local agencies were required to submit assessments to her Department confirming that local service standards would be met prior to the use of the Crowborough Training Camp as asylum accommodation.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office has been and continues regular engagement with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums.

The site is self-contained, and essential services are provided on site to reduce the impact on local services.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps has she taken to ensure the safety of women detained in immigration detention centres.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a range of experts and stakeholders.

We remain focused on the specific needs for women in our care and all our immigration removal centres (IRCs) are operated in line with the Detention Centre Rules 2001, published operating standards for IRCs and Detention Services Orders; a framework which ensures the safety and security of those detained in our care.

All staff working with women receive appropriate gender specific training, in addition to any generic training they receive when they undergo initial training. This includes equality and diversity, human trafficking, and modern slavery. Detention Services Order 06/2016 ‘Women in the immigration removal estate’ sets out the processes that are undertaken in IRCs to ensure that the needs of women are identified and appropriately met and their rights to dignity and privacy are upheld. In addition, all Home Office staff working in the detention system are given training and support to identify and act upon indicators of vulnerability at the earliest opportunity.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of mental health absences in the Work, Study, Family and Ukraine visa unit within the Visas and Passports directorate, in each of the past three years.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the mental health absence rate is in (a) the Work, Study, Family and Ukraine visa unit within the Visas and Passports directorate, and (b) the Home Office.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to put in place transitional arrangements for BN(O) applicants, dependants and children reaching five years’ residence from 2026 in Lewes constituency.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.

BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 years’ residence, subject to meeting the mandatory requirements.

We sought views on earned settlement through the public consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement which was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.

We will now carefully review and analyse all responses received and the findings will support the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures. Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.

In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed earned settlement arrangements on the number of registered social workers.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The earned settlement public consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 12 February 2026. We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.

Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly. As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both an economic impact assessment and equality impact assessment which we will publish as well as the Government’s response in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed earned settlement arrangements on the staffing of children's services.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The earned settlement public consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 12 February 2026. We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.

Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly. As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both an economic impact assessment and equality impact assessment which we will publish as well as the Government’s response in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 110898, what assessment her Department has made of the economic impact of passenger delays at the UK border on tourism, aviation and wider business activity.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office does not undertake analysis of the economic impact of passenger delays. However, as per my response of 12 February 2026 to question 110898, published data for Q3 2025 showed 97.9% of sampled measurements were cleared within service standards.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of individuals with over six years of lawful residence who would face a reset of their qualifying period under the proposals if years spent on the Student, Graduate, High Potential Individual, Youth Mobility Scheme, or Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer routes are excluded from the baseline qualifying period.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026. Contributions will now be analysed, and the findings will support the development of the final model.

Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly. As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic impact assessments and equality impact assessments which we will publish as well as the Government’s response in due course.

The UK remains committed to meeting its international obligations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Council of Europe’s Convention on Establishment, ratified by the UK in 1969, in relation to the rights of long term lawful residents; and how those obligations would be upheld if the long residence route is abolished or replaced under the proposed earned settlement system.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026. Contributions will now be analysed, and the findings will support the development of the final model.

Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly. As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic impact assessments and equality impact assessments which we will publish as well as the Government’s response in due course.

The UK remains committed to meeting its international obligations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment the Department has made of the potential impact of refusal to grant temporary visas to overseas sheep shearers on rural farming communities and animal welfare.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Immigration Rules concessionary arrangements are temporary and subject to regular Ministerial review. The sheep shearing concession had been operating for 14 years and closed after the 2025 shearing season as it reasonable to expect that over this period a long-term sustainable solution had been found to fill this workforce gap. To provide plenty of time to plan and transition to new arrangements DEFRA and the sector was informed last year that the concession would not be renewed again.

In addition, those in the UK on visas which allow general work rights, such as dependants or Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders, are free to take up work as a sheep shearer subject to the relevant visa restrictions.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, How many (a) synagogues, (b) Jewish educational establishments and (c) community organisations have applied to the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant; and how many of them have been (i) accepted and (ii) denied.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

To support Jewish communities in the UK, the Community Security Trust (CST) has been allocated £28 million in 2025/26 through the Jewish Community Protective Security (JCPS) Grant. This includes £10 million in additional emergency funding announced by the Prime Minister on 16 October following the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. This funding enables the CST to deploy enhanced security personnel and physical security measures such as CCTV, alarms and floodlighting-across synagogues, Jewish educational establishments and other community sites.

The Home Office does not publish a breakdown of recipient sites by category, nor does it publish data on applications or their outcomes. The scheme is delivered operationally by CST, and funding allocations are based on assessed security need rather than an application-based model.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers accommodated at Crowborough Training Camp her Department has lost contact with since 22 January 2026.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

Asylum seekers at the site are not detained, however the site is self-contained as essential services are provided on site to reduce the impact on local services through reducing the need for asylum seekers to leave the site. The Home Office does not give a live commentary on the number of asylum seekers accommodated at accommodation sites.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish her Department's Community Impact Assessment in relation to the use of Crowborough Training Camp as Asylum Accommodation.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office undertakes the necessary assessments, including consideration of impacts on the local community, when bringing any site into use for asylum accommodation. Public safety and the needs of both residents and the local community were key considerations when developing plans for Crowborough Training Camp. We will consider which assessments may be appropriate to publish in line with normal processes.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to end the use of the Ibis Hotel in Gloucester constituency as accommodation for asylum seekers.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

This Government inherited a broken asylum system, with tens of thousands stuck in a backlog and claims not being processed, wasting millions in taxpayer money. We will empty asylum hotels as soon as possible, and by the end of this Parliament. That is a complex process that must be delivered through a controlled, managed and orderly plan of work.

For the safety, security, and wellbeing of those we accommodate, we do not publicly comment on individual hotels which may or may not be utilised by the Home Office, nor do we provide details of those we accommodate at any site.

The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of supported asylum seekers accommodated in each local authority area. These statistics can be found at Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish any application for Crown Development relating to the use of Crowborough Training Camp as Asylum Accommodation.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

Crown Development applications and Special Development Orders once published can be found here:

All Crown Development applications – Find a Crown Development Application and Special Development Orders: Decisions - GOV.UK

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to develop further MOD sites to house Asylum Seekers.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

Yes - as part of our commitment to close all asylum hotels, we are looking at a range of more appropriate sites including ex-military sites, so we can reduce the impact on communities. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites are made on a site-by-site basis.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department applied for planning permission to use Crowborough Training Camp as Asylum Accommodation.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The site has been assessed as safe, legal and compliant – including with relevant planning regulations - for use as asylum accommodation.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to prevent and detect the trafficking of sexual exploitation victims through airports.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government is committed to ensuring that all victims of modern slavery and human trafficking are provided with the support they need to begin rebuilding their lives and that those responsible for exploiting vulnerable people are brought to justice.

Modern slavery is a top priority for Border Force. All frontline Border Force Officers are trained in how to identify and deal with potential victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as those who seek to exploit them. Border Force also has a network of specially trained Safeguarding and Modern Slavery (SAMS) teams based in all regions. The SAMS officers are operational and ensure children and vulnerable people, including potential victims of modern slavery, are dealt with effectively.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many designated immigration officers are there within Border Force.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Border Force operates a flexible resourcing model, regularly assessing operational needs and deploying staff dynamically in response to passenger volumes and security requirements. Maintaining the security and efficiency of the UK border remains a top priority, and we continue to allocate resources accordingly to ensure the smooth flow of passengers and goods.

The total number of people employed by Border Force is routinely published within the annual Home Office annual reports and accounts, available at Home Office annual reports and accounts.

Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much her Department has spent on (a) the arrest and imprisonment of protestors (b) legal proceedings and (c) other costs following the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The enforcement of the law, including arrests, charges, and sentencing, is a matter for the operationally independent police, Crown Prosecution Service, and the independent judiciary, including associated costs Therefore, the Home Office has not accrued any costs in relation to the costs of enforcing the law for those who have been suspected of committing Palestine Action linked proscription offences.

In relation to the cost of legal proceedings, up until 19 December 2025 which is the latest figure the department holds, the total cost in legal fees charged to the Home Office amounted to £694,390.03, exclusive of VAT. This figure includes the legal fees of the Government Legal Department, fees of counsel instructed on behalf of the Home Secretary, court fees, and other administrative legal costs.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of staff in her Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office offers only office‑based and home‑working contracts.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of including an annual earnings requirement of £12,570 for three to five years within the proposed Earned Settlement reforms for Indefinite Leave to Remain on women who take statutory maternity leave.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Proposals for introducing an earned settlement model, as set out in the Command Paper ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’ (CP1448), were subject to a public consultation, which opened on 20 November 2025 and closed on 12 February 2026.

We are now reviewing and analysing the results of this to inform the development of the final model. The consultation sought views on the impact proposed changes might have on different groups.

Implementation of the earned settlement arrangements will be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on the UK labour market of levels of net emigration among UK nationals aged between 16 and 34.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

I refer Hon Member to answer provided to PQ 95781 on 1 December 2025.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of dual British citizens who hold an expired UK passport.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The information requested is not held. There is no obligation to declare dual nationality when applying for a British passport.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of requiring the non-UK children of UK citizens to have a UK passport in order to enter the country on trends in the number of people entering the UK.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

British citizens, including those who hold dual nationality must travel with a valid British passport or another passport endorsed with a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode (CoE) when travelling to the UK. There is guidance on GOV.UK to help people determine whether they or their children qualify for British citizenship at: https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizenship.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department had with the Ministry of Defence prior to the approval of the Afghan Response Route; and when they occurred.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Afghanistan Response Route (ARR) was launched in April 2024 in response to a data incident by the Ministry of Defence. The scheme was launched by the last Government following appropriate discussions and collective agreement.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Afghan Response Route was approved by her Department.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Afghanistan Response Route (ARR) was launched in April 2024 in response to a data incident by the Ministry of Defence. The scheme was launched by the last Government following appropriate discussions and collective agreement.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of criminal financing mechanisms, including cash payments and cryptocurrencies, in enabling hostile state-linked sabotage and arson attacks; and what steps they are taking to disrupt such financial flows.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

National Security is the first duty of Government. The 2025 National Security Strategy identifies illicit finance as a core enabler of threats to the UK, including those posed by hostile states.

The Government’s 2025 National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, developed with expert input from across government, law enforcement and the private sector, further sets out a system‑wide assessment of money laundering risk, including cash‑based and cryptoasset‑enabled money laundering. It estimates that over £12 billion in criminal cash is generated annually in the UK, and that $1.7 to 5.1 billion in illicit cryptoasset transactions are linked to the UK each year. Both of these money laundering routes can be exploited to support hostile state activity.

The Government is committed to disrupting these illicit financial flows. We have already made significant progress through Economic Crime Plan 2, including bolstering law enforcement capability through providing the funding for the recruitment of 475 FTEs dedicated to tackling money laundering, investing in advanced cryptoasset tracing, and introducing amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act in April 2024 that give law enforcement clearer powers to seize and recover cryptoassets.

Following completion of Economic Crime Plan 2, we will publish a refreshed approach to economic crime, including anti-money laundering and asset recovery, which will set out a strengthened whole‑system approach to tackling illicit finance.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what process the Regulator follows when determining that no scientifically satisfactory non-animal alternative exists for a proposed project involving dogs; and whether independent scientific advice forms part of that determination.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office regulates the use of animals in science under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). Under ASPA, applicants must demonstrate that they have fully applied the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (the 3Rs), including showing that no scientifically satisfactory non‑animal alternative exists for the proposed work. Before submission to the Regulator for consideration, all project licence applications must be signed off by the Establishment’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body, that will make an assessment of the application of the 3Rs, and also the Establishment Licence Holder, whom has a legal obligation to the application of the 3Rs.

In assessing project licence applications, Home Office Inspectors rigorously examine whether the applicant has carried out an appropriate and comprehensive search for non‑animal alternatives and has provided evidence that any available alternatives have been considered. Inspectors are specifically trained to evaluate 3Rs implementation and the scientific justification provided in applications, supported by specialist training delivered by the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).

Where necessary, Inspectors may seek additional assurance, including referring proposals for independent expert advice, or to the independent non-departmental expert advisory body - the Animals in Science Committee. This ensures that decisions are robust, evidence‑based and consistent with the requirements of ASPA.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to fund perpetrator programmes in i) Hampshire ii) Gosport.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office has awarded over £19 million for this financial year (2025/26) to continue the work of 27 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to commission domestic abuse and stalking perpetrator interventions in their local areas as part of the Domestic Abuse and Stalking Perpetrator Intervention Fund. Hampshire and Isle of Wight PCC has been a recipient of this fund since 2023. In this financial year (2025/26) Hampshire and Isle of Wight PCC was allocated £532,348.

In December 2025, we confirmed the continuation of funding of the current Domestic Abuse and Stalking Perpetrator Intervention Fund for a period of six months from April 2026 to provide continuity to these vital services ahead of anticipated future funding, which will be opened to all PCCs across England and Wales. Further information on the next steps for future perpetrator intervention funding will be provided in due course.

The ‘Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross – government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls’ was published on 18^th December. This Strategy aims to disrupt perpetrators in the community and reduce revictimisation by committing to expanding access to tailored interventions for domestic abuse and stalking perpetrators, from first-time offenders to higher-risk perpetrators. Further to this we will prioritise rapid expansion of the Drive Project, ensuring that across England and Wales, there is access to a proven response for the most dangerous domestic abuse perpetrators.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 37 of the policy paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP 1489, whether the estimated cost of the 2024 Police and Crime Commissioner elections excluded the cost of the accompanying local elections.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The estimated cost of the 2024 Police and Crime Commissioner elections excluded the cost of the accompanying local elections, as those are met by the respective local authorities.

While the final cost of the 2024 PCC elections will not be known until all the claims have been reviewed and settled, the total estimated cost as set out in the relevant Charges Order was £87m.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the policy paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP 1489, what the (a) minimum and (b) maximum size will be for each of the new forces.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Police Reform White Paper, published on 26 January 2026, set out an ambition to significantly reduce the number of police forces across England and Wales by the end of next Parliament.

We will imminently launch an Independent Review of Police Force Structures, which will make recommendations on the optimum number and configuration of forces. The specific end-state of policing will be informed by the Independent Review which is due to report in summer.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2026 to Question 103530 on Firearms: Licensing, what discussions her Department has had with Hertfordshire Constabulary on reducing the time taken to renew shotgun licences in the tri-force area of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. Hertfordshire Constabulary works with Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Bedfordshire Police r as part of a tripartite arrangement intended to provide a firearms licensing service across the three police force areas. The arrangements are led by Hertfordshire Constabulary and report to the Chief Constables of all three forces.

The Chief Constables of the three forces received an accelerated cause of concern notice from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) on 9 January 2026 relating to the management of firearms licensing across the three forces. As a result of the notice, the forces have been required to make changes to improve the situation and to report back to HMICFRS. The Government expects to see an improvement in performance.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 35 of the policy paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP 1489, which police forces will transfer to the authority of (a) Strategic Authority Mayors and (b) Policing and Crime Boards.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government committed in the English Devolution White Paper to transfer Police and Crime Commissioner functions to mayors of strategic authorities by default, wherever possible. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, currently before Parliament, contains provisions to achieve this aim. Subject to the Bill receiving Royal Assent, transfers of functions to mayors will take place in areas where the boundaries of the mayoral strategic authority and policing area align, at a date set by the Secretary of State by Order.

In all other areas, Policing and Crime Boards will be established in May 2028 at the abolition of the Police and Crime Commissioner model.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will hold discussions with the Metropolitan Police on the potential merits of investigating an incident at 12.55pm on 25 February 2026 at Parliament Square where protestors allegedly chanted death to the IDF.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Where the activity of protestors breaks the law, the police have the Government’s backing to use their powers that they need to respond.

It would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene in those operational decisions, but we continue to work closely with policing to ensure they have the right capabilities and support in place to keep the public safe and uphold the law.

The Home Secretary launched an independent review of public order and hate crime legislation on 5 October 2025 led by Lord Ken Macdonald of River Glaven KC. The review will ensure police powers remain fit for purpose, are used consistently, and strike the right balance between protecting the public and upholding the right to lawful protest.  It is expected to report in the spring.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total annual expenditure of her Department was on policy development, administration and oversight relating to the licensing regime under the Licensing Act 2003 in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office does not maintain a separate budget line for activity under the Licensing Act 2003. Relevant costs, including staff time in the policy team and contributions from legal and analytical colleagues are absorbed across wider departmental budgets.

Identifying the total annual expenditure for each year since 2019-20 would require a manual review of records across multiple teams and systems. The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has considered proposals to replace or reform the Special Constabulary through the creation of a national police reserve or auxiliary force; and if she will publish any internal reviews or policy papers relating to alternative volunteer policing models.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office currently has no plans to introduce a formal police reserve or auxiliary force. However, as part of the Police Reform White Paper, we are committed to working with policing partners and organisations such as the Fire and Rescue Service and the Armed Forces to assess alternative and innovative volunteering models, learning lessons to inform the continued development of police volunteering.

The department does not routinely publish internal reviews, policy advice or options papers relating to volunteer policing models.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2026 to Question 107253 on Crime Prevention: Urban Areas, which (a) Ministers and (b) external experts attended the most recent meeting of the Safer Streets Mission Board.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its committees – which previously included mission boards - including their attendance, and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of employment protections for special constables undertaking mandatory training or deployment; and whether she plans to introduce statutory employment rights comparable to those available to Reserve Forces personnel.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Special constables are not employees of police forces and therefore do not fall within the scope of employment legislation in the same way as paid staff. There is currently no statutory requirement on employers to provide paid or unpaid leave for employees undertaking special constable duties, including mandatory training or deployment. However, many employers choose to support special constables voluntarily, including through the Employer Supported Policing scheme.

As part of the Employment Rights Bill, the Government has committed to undertake a statutory review of the civic roles covered by section 50 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, including whether special constables should be included. This review will consider the existing arrangements and the case for additional statutory protections.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what conversations she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on streamlining Fire and Rescue Authority powers with statutory PCC powers in local mayors.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Police Reform White Paper, published on 26 January 2026, committed to abolish the Police and Crime Commissioner model and transfer policing functions to Strategic Authority Mayors or Policing and Crime Boards. This involves Police, Fire and Commissioners.

Separately, the Government continues to implement the proposals set in the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, which committed, where geographies align with Police and Crime Commissioner and Fire and Rescue Authorities, Mayors will, by default, be responsible for those services.

Home Office and MHCLG officials meet regularly to consider future arrangements for both police and fire governance to meet the direction set by the two White Papers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 41 of the policy paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP 1489, what is meant by a pathfinder merger.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Police Reform White Paper set out an ambition to move to fewer, larger forces by the end of next parliament. This included a commitment to explore opportunities to undertake pathfinder mergers by the end of this Parliament.

A pathfinder merger would take place with the support of local forces and make progress towards the proposed end state of regional forces across England and Wales.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 40 of the policy paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP 1489, which central bodies will be replaced with the National Police Service.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The White Paper “From Local to National: A New Model for Policing” sets out which central bodies are planned to be replaced by the National Police Service.

Further details will be set out in the legislation to create the National Police Service.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of trends in the number of special constables in England and Wales since 2012; and what steps her Department is taking to help increase volunteer officer numbers.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The number of special constables has declined year on year, falling from a peak of 20,343 in March 2012 to just 5,304 as of September 2025. As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, the Government is committed to increasing the number of volunteers in neighbourhood policing, including special constables, and building a resilient, community focused policing model.

The Police Reform White Paper set out our ambition to work with policing partners to identify and remove barriers to recruitment, streamline processes, and better integrate special constables into wider policing. We also set out that we will be working with organisations such as the Fire Service and the Armed Forces to assess alternative and innovative volunteering models, learning lessons to inform the continued development of police volunteering.

The Government, in collaboration with policing, has established a Special Constables Taskforce to deliver on our ambitions, bringing together senior policing leaders to develop and implement innovative solutions to grow special constable numbers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to increase the role of volunteer policing within neighbourhood policing strategies; and what role she envisages for special constables and any future reserve model.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The number of special constables has declined year on year, falling from a peak of 20,343 in March 2012 to just 5,304 as of September 2025. As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, the Government is committed to increasing the number of volunteers in neighbourhood policing, including special constables, and building a resilient, community focused policing model.

The Police Reform White Paper set out our ambition to work with policing partners to identify and remove barriers to recruitment, streamline processes, and better integrate special constables into wider policing. We also set out that we will be working with organisations such as the Fire Service and the Armed Forces to assess alternative and innovative volunteering models, learning lessons to inform the continued development of police volunteering.

The Government, in collaboration with policing, has established a Special Constables Taskforce to deliver on our ambitions, bringing together senior policing leaders to develop and implement innovative solutions to grow special constable numbers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 62 of her Department's policy paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP1489, how frequently will performance data from the Police Performance Dashboard be published.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The White Paper entitled “From Local to National: A New Model for Policing” contained announcements on the tiered performance system, the Police Performance Framework and the Police Performance Dashboard.

As part of the new performance system announced in the White Paper, we committed to launching a Police Performance Monitoring Group which will decide on where a force is placed within the tiering system. The new assessment and monitoring process will formally launch from April 2026, operating on a tri-annual cycle.

The Police Performance Framework was launched on the same day as the publication of the Home Office White Paper (26^th January). A link to the framework can be found here - Police Performance Framework

Within this document, we confirm that an initial Police Performance Dashboard will be introduced for the sector early in 2026. This will initially cover headline measures within the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee Performance Framework, but we will expand the dashboard iteratively to cover the breadth of the Performance Framework.

We also confirm in the Framework document that we will establish new Local Policing Guarantees that set out the minimum levels of service the public should expect to receive from their police force wherever in England and Wales they live by building on the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. These guarantees will cover areas such as how the police will rapidly and effectively respond when the public need them, how victims of crime will be treated in accordance with the Victims’ Code of Practice and public protection.

I also refer the Honourable Gentleman to the answer which I gave to his question on 16 February 2026 (UIN 110965).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 61 of her Department's policy paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP1489, when she will implement a new Police Performance Framework.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The White Paper entitled “From Local to National: A New Model for Policing” contained announcements on the tiered performance system, the Police Performance Framework and the Police Performance Dashboard.

As part of the new performance system announced in the White Paper, we committed to launching a Police Performance Monitoring Group which will decide on where a force is placed within the tiering system. The new assessment and monitoring process will formally launch from April 2026, operating on a tri-annual cycle.

The Police Performance Framework was launched on the same day as the publication of the Home Office White Paper (26^th January). A link to the framework can be found here - Police Performance Framework

Within this document, we confirm that an initial Police Performance Dashboard will be introduced for the sector early in 2026. This will initially cover headline measures within the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee Performance Framework, but we will expand the dashboard iteratively to cover the breadth of the Performance Framework.

We also confirm in the Framework document that we will establish new Local Policing Guarantees that set out the minimum levels of service the public should expect to receive from their police force wherever in England and Wales they live by building on the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. These guarantees will cover areas such as how the police will rapidly and effectively respond when the public need them, how victims of crime will be treated in accordance with the Victims’ Code of Practice and public protection.

I also refer the Honourable Gentleman to the answer which I gave to his question on 16 February 2026 (UIN 110965).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 62 of her Department's policy paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP1489, when will the Police Performance Dashboard be introduced.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The White Paper entitled “From Local to National: A New Model for Policing” contained announcements on the tiered performance system, the Police Performance Framework and the Police Performance Dashboard.

As part of the new performance system announced in the White Paper, we committed to launching a Police Performance Monitoring Group which will decide on where a force is placed within the tiering system. The new assessment and monitoring process will formally launch from April 2026, operating on a tri-annual cycle.

The Police Performance Framework was launched on the same day as the publication of the Home Office White Paper (26^th January). A link to the framework can be found here - Police Performance Framework

Within this document, we confirm that an initial Police Performance Dashboard will be introduced for the sector early in 2026. This will initially cover headline measures within the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee Performance Framework, but we will expand the dashboard iteratively to cover the breadth of the Performance Framework.

We also confirm in the Framework document that we will establish new Local Policing Guarantees that set out the minimum levels of service the public should expect to receive from their police force wherever in England and Wales they live by building on the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. These guarantees will cover areas such as how the police will rapidly and effectively respond when the public need them, how victims of crime will be treated in accordance with the Victims’ Code of Practice and public protection.

I also refer the Honourable Gentleman to the answer which I gave to his question on 16 February 2026 (UIN 110965).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 61 of her Department's policy paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP1489, when she will establish new policing guarantees.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The White Paper entitled “From Local to National: A New Model for Policing” contained announcements on the tiered performance system, the Police Performance Framework and the Police Performance Dashboard.

As part of the new performance system announced in the White Paper, we committed to launching a Police Performance Monitoring Group which will decide on where a force is placed within the tiering system. The new assessment and monitoring process will formally launch from April 2026, operating on a tri-annual cycle.

The Police Performance Framework was launched on the same day as the publication of the Home Office White Paper (26^th January). A link to the framework can be found here - Police Performance Framework

Within this document, we confirm that an initial Police Performance Dashboard will be introduced for the sector early in 2026. This will initially cover headline measures within the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee Performance Framework, but we will expand the dashboard iteratively to cover the breadth of the Performance Framework.

We also confirm in the Framework document that we will establish new Local Policing Guarantees that set out the minimum levels of service the public should expect to receive from their police force wherever in England and Wales they live by building on the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. These guarantees will cover areas such as how the police will rapidly and effectively respond when the public need them, how victims of crime will be treated in accordance with the Victims’ Code of Practice and public protection.

I also refer the Honourable Gentleman to the answer which I gave to his question on 16 February 2026 (UIN 110965).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the College of Policing on access for special constables to national promotion exams and PEQF pathways; and whether she plans to standardise eligibility criteria across forces.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

In the Police Reform White Paper the Home Secretary announced the most significant reforms to policing in 200 years. As part of this, we have committed to increasing the number of volunteers in neighbourhood policing, including special constables, by working with policing to attract new special constables, improving and streamlining the recruitment process and better integrating special constables into wider policing.

Forces are responsible for the local delivery of training and managing promotion processes for special constables. The College of Policing supports forces on the development and progression of special constables’ learning alongside guidance on continuous professional development. It also sets the Special Constable Policing Professional Profile, which outlines the core training, skills, and responsibilities for special constables in line with the national police curriculum.

Special constables’ powers and responsibilities are set out in legislation, and forces are responsible for deploying special constables in a way that reflects local operational need while maintaining public confidence and officer safety.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to review the legislative status of special constables to help ensure clarity on police powers, rank structures and professional standards across all Home Office forces.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

In the Police Reform White Paper the Home Secretary announced the most significant reforms to policing in 200 years. As part of this, we have committed to increasing the number of volunteers in neighbourhood policing, including special constables, by working with policing to attract new special constables, improving and streamlining the recruitment process and better integrating special constables into wider policing.

Forces are responsible for the local delivery of training and managing promotion processes for special constables. The College of Policing supports forces on the development and progression of special constables’ learning alongside guidance on continuous professional development. It also sets the Special Constable Policing Professional Profile, which outlines the core training, skills, and responsibilities for special constables in line with the national police curriculum.

Special constables’ powers and responsibilities are set out in legislation, and forces are responsible for deploying special constables in a way that reflects local operational need while maintaining public confidence and officer safety.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 43 of her Department's policy paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP1489, what her planned timetable is for appointing an independent chair to conduct the Independent Review of Force Structures.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Police Reform White Paper set out an ambitious package of reform, including an ambition to move to fewer, larger forces by the end of next parliament.

We will imminently launch the Independent Review of Police Force Structures, which will make recommendations on the optimum configuration of fewer, larger forces, and the timetable for implementation.

We plan to publish the Terms of reference alongside the announcement of the Chair in the coming weeks. The Review is expected to report its findings by summer.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 44 of her Department's policy paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP1489, when she will publish the terms of reference for the Independent Review of Force Structures.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Police Reform White Paper set out an ambitious package of reform, including an ambition to move to fewer, larger forces by the end of next parliament.

We will imminently launch the Independent Review of Police Force Structures, which will make recommendations on the optimum configuration of fewer, larger forces, and the timetable for implementation.

We plan to publish the Terms of reference alongside the announcement of the Chair in the coming weeks. The Review is expected to report its findings by summer.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 41 of the policy paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP 1489, when she plans to stand up an independent review of force structures.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Police Reform White Paper set out an ambitious package of reform, including an ambition to move to fewer, larger forces by the end of next parliament.

We will imminently launch the Independent Review of Police Force Structures, which will make recommendations on the optimum configuration of fewer, larger forces, and the timetable for implementation.

We plan to publish the Terms of reference alongside the announcement of the Chair in the coming weeks. The Review is expected to report its findings by summer.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce levels of variation between police forces in relation to training, deployment, equipment and operational roles for special constables.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

In the Police Reform White Paper the Home Secretary announced the most significant reforms to policing in 200 years. As part of this, we have committed to increasing the number of volunteers in neighbourhood policing, including special constables, by working with policing to attract new special constables, improving and streamlining the recruitment process and better integrating special constables into wider policing.

Forces are responsible for the local delivery of training and managing promotion processes for special constables. The College of Policing supports forces on the development and progression of special constables’ learning alongside guidance on continuous professional development. It also sets the Special Constable Policing Professional Profile, which outlines the core training, skills, and responsibilities for special constables in line with the national police curriculum.

Special constables’ powers and responsibilities are set out in legislation, and forces are responsible for deploying special constables in a way that reflects local operational need while maintaining public confidence and officer safety.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 43 of her Department's policy paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP1489, whether Members of Parliament will be included within the scope of policing stakeholders.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

We expect the Independent Review of Police Structures to engage extensively with a wide range of stakeholders to make recommendations on the optimum size and configuration of forces as well as their governance and accountability arrangements.

We expect that it will draw on the expertise and experience of a wide range of stakeholders including but not limited to frontline officers, policing leaders and other representative bodies. We will expect the Chair of the Review to consider how to most appropriately engage with Members of Parliament, including engaging appropriate Ministers, shadow Ministers and Select Committees.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 43 of the policy paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP 1489, who the policing stakeholders are who will co-design the geographies.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

We expect the Independent Review of Police Structures to engage extensively with a wide range of stakeholders to make recommendations on the optimum size and configuration of forces as well as their governance and accountability arrangements.

We expect that it will draw on the expertise and experience of a wide range of stakeholders including but not limited to frontline officers, policing leaders and other representative bodies. We will expect the Chair of the Review to consider how to most appropriately engage with Members of Parliament, including engaging appropriate Ministers, shadow Ministers and Select Committees.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 61 of her Department's policy paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP1489, when she plans to establish the Home Office Police Performance Improvement Unit.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The White Paper entitled “From Local to National: A New Model for Policing” contained announcements on the tiered performance system, the Police Performance Framework and the Police Performance Dashboard.

As part of the new performance system announced in the White Paper, we committed to launching a Police Performance Monitoring Group which will decide on where a force is placed within the tiering system. The new assessment and monitoring process will formally launch from April 2026, operating on a tri-annual cycle.

The Police Performance Framework was launched on the same day as the publication of the Home Office White Paper (26^th January). A link to the framework can be found here - Police Performance Framework

Within this document, we confirm that an initial Police Performance Dashboard will be introduced for the sector early in 2026. This will initially cover headline measures within the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee Performance Framework, but we will expand the dashboard iteratively to cover the breadth of the Performance Framework.

We also confirm in the Framework document that we will establish new Local Policing Guarantees that set out the minimum levels of service the public should expect to receive from their police force wherever in England and Wales they live by building on the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. These guarantees will cover areas such as how the police will rapidly and effectively respond when the public need them, how victims of crime will be treated in accordance with the Victims’ Code of Practice and public protection.

I also refer the Honourable Gentleman to the answer which I gave to his question on 16 February 2026 (UIN 110965).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 61 of her Department's policy paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, published on 26 January 2026, CP1489, when she will introduce a new tiered performance system.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The White Paper entitled “From Local to National: A New Model for Policing” contained announcements on the tiered performance system, the Police Performance Framework and the Police Performance Dashboard.

As part of the new performance system announced in the White Paper, we committed to launching a Police Performance Monitoring Group which will decide on where a force is placed within the tiering system. The new assessment and monitoring process will formally launch from April 2026, operating on a tri-annual cycle.

The Police Performance Framework was launched on the same day as the publication of the Home Office White Paper (26^th January). A link to the framework can be found here - Police Performance Framework

Within this document, we confirm that an initial Police Performance Dashboard will be introduced for the sector early in 2026. This will initially cover headline measures within the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee Performance Framework, but we will expand the dashboard iteratively to cover the breadth of the Performance Framework.

We also confirm in the Framework document that we will establish new Local Policing Guarantees that set out the minimum levels of service the public should expect to receive from their police force wherever in England and Wales they live by building on the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. These guarantees will cover areas such as how the police will rapidly and effectively respond when the public need them, how victims of crime will be treated in accordance with the Victims’ Code of Practice and public protection.

I also refer the Honourable Gentleman to the answer which I gave to his question on 16 February 2026 (UIN 110965).

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Found: is to be understood as a synonym for the acquisition of indefinite leave by an individual.10 7 Home Office

Found: Trafficking Guardianship (ICTG) service in Wales & in two-thirds of England on behalf of the Home Office

Found: Regarding the cost of citizenship, the present Home Office Fees should be levelled to the monthly minimum

Found: Transparency of administrative statistics and contemporaneous awareness During 2021–2024, the Home Office

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Found: Additional Home Office funding supports a new police assessment team to improve intelligence gathering

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Found: Letter from the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Home Office relating to the Committee’s evidence session

Found: In light of previous errors and failings (such as the Windrush scandal), is the Home Office capable

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Found: temporarily lose access to public funds as the DWP are unable to get clear confirmation from the Home Office

Found: ● Complexity of applying for ILR - Recommendations following the Windrush scandal directed the Home Office

Found: The Home Office is not capable of administering this set of policy changes. 45.

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Found: seriousness of our concerns, the strength of feelings of our membership and our fear that the Home Office

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Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data her Department holds on the number of people screened for drink-driving with a breath alcohol content of (i) 9–21, (ii) 22–34 and (iii) higher than 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Data on screening test results in England and Wales, including the concentrations of alcohol detected in drivers’ breath in roadside breath tests, are published in table RAS2042. The table has not been updated for 2023, so the latest data currently available are for 2022.

The table is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/reported-road-accidents-vehicles-and-casualties-tables-for-great-britain#ras20

The Home Office publishes annual statistics on roadside breath tests for alcohol in England and Wales in its Police powers and procedures: Roads policing release.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 112783 on Prisons: Unmanned Air Systems, what is the full scope of the challenge launched on behalf of the Ministry of Justice by UK Defence Innovation.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) competition is run on behalf of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), the Home Office, the Police, Innovate UK, and wider UK security stakeholders.

It is seeking proposals that offer innovative, low-collateral solutions to counter or defeat hostile drones targeting secure sites and locations. Drones, or ‘uncrewed aerial systems’ (UAS), pose a growing challenge when used for contraband delivery, surveillance and disruption near prisons, sensitive sites or critical national infrastructure, including in congested urban areas.

The users for the solutions would include HMPPS security teams, MOD, police, law enforcement agencies, and operational staff, these groups need solutions to work alongside existing ‘last line of defence’ technology that are activated when other mitigation measures fail.

Technologies in this area are developing rapidly. UKDI is keen to understand how innovation can keep up with the pace of development while remaining legally and ethically compliant, fully considering operational constraints, and integrating easily into existing security frameworks such as the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), SAPIENT (Situational Awareness and Preparedness for Improved Operational Effectiveness and Efficiency), the Prison Act 1952, and the Police Act 1997. The calling notice can be found on GOV.UK.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the costs to local authorities of providing social care and related services to asylum seekers.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Ministers and officials from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government engage regularly with counterparts in the Home Office on a range of issues, including on matters relating to local government.

The Home Office has overall responsibility for asylum policy, and continues to work closely with local authorities to understand the pressures arising from the provision of asylum seeker services including the impact on wider local authority obligations and plans.

For more information about social care spend on asylum seekers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 111400 on 5 February 2026.

As has been the case under successive administrations, government does not normally disclose details of internal discussions.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to help tackle the use of catapults to injure wildlife in Slough constituency.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government takes crimes against wildlife seriously, including those involving the use of catapults, in Slough or anywhere else in the country.

Although catapults are not listed as prohibited weapons in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, within this and other legislation there are a range of offences around deliberate attempts to kill, injure or inflict harm on wild animals. The Government therefore believes sufficient legislation is already in place to protect them from targeted use of catapults.

Defra is also a principal funder of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) which helps prevent and detect wildlife crime by obtaining and disseminating intelligence, undertaking analysis which highlights local or national threats and directly assisting law enforcers in their investigations.

However, Defra recognises the misuse of catapults is causing great concern to some local communities and it is working with the Home Office to find solutions to this problem with the aim of increasing protection to our wildlife from crimes involving these weapons.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with National Highways, police and regional road safety partnerships on the suspension of motorway camera enforcement arising from technical faults; if she will publish a) interim guidance issued to enforcement bodies and b) any assessment of road safety risks during the outage period; and what steps she is taking to ensure resilience against future system failures.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department has worked closely with National Highways, the Home Office and the police to respond to a technical anomaly affecting some speed cameras on a limited number of motorways and A-roads. National Highways always keeps safety issues under review, and undertook a comprehensive safety assessment in this case. National Highways do not routinely publish these assessments.

The public must have confidence in technology on our roads, which is why we have announced an independent review into how the anomaly occurred, its handling, and the changes needed to ensure this cannot happen again.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) confirmed and (b) suspected criminal incidents involving Hen Harriers have been recorded in each of the last five years.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Criminal offences against hen harriers are currently not ‘notifiable’. This means police forces are not required to record and report figures on this type of crime to the Home Office for statistical and monitoring purposes. Defra therefore holds no official statistics on the number of confirmed criminal (or suspected) incidents involving hen harriers from the last five years. Any decision to make such offences notifiable sits with the Home Office rather than Defra.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 73331 on Home Office: Redundancy Pay, whether severance payments made to departing special advisers are subject to the £30,000 tax-free allowance.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Under HMRC rules, severance payments for special advisers are taxable as earnings because they are a contractual entitlement.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, on what date the cross-departmental team established to address the findings of Baroness Bertin’s Independent Pornography Review formally commenced its work; and when is that team expected to provide its findings and recommendations.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The ‘Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls’ committed to creating a joint team to address the issues in Baroness Bertin’s Review. The team is now established and is formed by the Home Office, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Ministry of Justice, and Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The team is examining the evidence to inform the government’s approach to pornography policy carefully.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of ending temporary concessionary visas for sheep shearers on sheep welfare.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra recognises the importance that shearing sheep plays in managing the health and welfare of around 30m sheep in the UK flock, and the continued challenges that the industry faces each year in sourcing sufficient numbers of trained shearers.

The department is also aware of the role that shearers and sheep farmers from countries such as Australia and New Zealand have provided in sharing skills and expertise with UK sheep farmers as well as in supporting the health and welfare of the UK flock.

Defra continues to work closely with the industry in addressing these challenges and recognises the good and extensive work undertaken by British Wool each year to provide training for domestic sheep shearers.

Visa concessions are a matter for the Home Office.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Home Office oral statement on 20 January 2026, on the Chinese Embassy, whether the unredacted plans for the Embassy were subject to scrutiny by the planning inspector.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Full reasons for the decision in question are set out in the Secretary of State’s decision letter which can be found on gov.uk here. The letter and associated Inspector’s Report must be read in their entirety.

Planning conditions are addressed at paragraphs 107-110 and are listed at Annex B of the decision letter. Application drawings are addressed at paragraphs 89-99.

As part of his careful consideration of the applications, the Secretary of State referred back to parties on a number of matters, including the redacted drawings, on 6 August 2025.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate she has made of central government efficiency savings to be made from AI over the Spending Review period.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is already investing heavily in AI to drive efficiency and productivity. In the recent Spending Review, we committed £1.2 billion of funding in digital and AI across public services.

Work undertaken by the Office for Value for Money at SR25 identified total annual efficiency gains of almost £14bn by 2028-29, of which the Government expects digital to contribute a substantial portion of this. Some individual departments have already set efficiency targets covering the Spending Review period. The Home Office has outlined efficiency gains of £533 million per year by 2028-29, partly driven through increased automation, whilst the Ministry of Justice targets £356 million per year by the same period through AI adoption and the use of technology for offender management in the community.

The Government Digital Service (GDS) will work with HM Treasury to measure central government departments’ contributions to this by tracking the digital efficiencies they’ve identified in their delivery plans by the end of the spending review period. GDS will also draw on productivity and efficiency information from across the public sector to understand how government is driving wider efficiency.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of improving levels of public awareness of the potential risk of knife attacks whilst travelling on trains.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department have a range of security measures in place across the railway to keep the travelling public and staff safe. Thankfully, knife attacks on trains are very rare and therefore we do not believe a specific public awareness campaign would be proportionate to the risk- we continue to monitor closely. We do however run our very successful ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ campaign to encourage all passengers to report any suspicious behaviour.

The British Transport Police (BTP), which is responsible for policing the railway, are a member of the Home Office Knife-Enabled Robbery (KER) Group which is successfully reducing knife robberies in the areas most affected by knife crime. BTP have played a key role in this work through joint deployments with other forces in knife crime hot spots, such as transport hubs.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) operational, (b) logistical and (c) legal constraints on the the ability of the Royal Navy to conduct (i) deterrence or (ii) interdiction operations against small boat migrant people-smuggling activities within UK territorial waters in the English Channel.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Home Office, through the Border Security Command, is the lead Government Department responsible for tackling illegal migration and people‑smuggling in the English Channel. His Majesty’s Coastguard is responsible for search and rescue at sea. Their responses to the issue of small boat migration are underpinned by the UK’s legal obligations as a responsible maritime nation.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the use of enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks in roles where such checks are not legally required on (a) access to employment and (b) reoffending rates, particularly for people with historic conviction.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The criminal record regime aims to strike a balance between providing employers with the information they need to make safer recruitment decisions, while enabling ex-offenders to rebuild their lives. This is why Enhanced DBS checks are intended for roles involving a high degree of public trust or specific safeguarding responsibilities—including work with children or vulnerable adults. The roles and activities that are eligible for enhanced criminal record checks are set out in legislation.

We recognise that disclosure of a criminal record can have a significant impact on an individual’s employment opportunities and ability to reintegrate into society, and we are committed to helping those people to overcome barriers and turn away from reoffending. This includes having introduced Regional Employment Councils, which bring together prisons, probation and the Department of Work and Pensions along with businesses, to help support people with convictions out into the community.

The Deputy Prime Minister also confirmed that the Government will consider opportunities to simplify the criminal records regime to ensure it is clear and proportionate, particularly in relation to childhood offences. The Home Office and Ministry of Justice are working together to consider next steps.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he has considered the potential merits of preventing foreign nationals from being able to claim universal credit.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Most migrants with temporary visas cannot access public fund benefits such as Universal Credit. Access is usually at the point of settlement, which for most people will be after they have lived in the UK legally for five years, and the Home Office plans to increase this to ten years. The Home Office is also consulting on changing the default position to maintain No Recourse to Public Funds at settlement and lifting this only at the point of British citizenship.

This year the Government also plans to consult on whether the residence tests in taxpayer funded benefits should be changed to prioritise access for those who are making an economic contribution to the UK. The consultation will look at how the benefit rules apply to those coming or returning to the UK.

Found: ) GM RIF Total (Outturn) Total (Forecast - final 29 projects) Evaluation Transition grants RTOF (Home Office

Found: 0.0377358490566038 0 0.0 16 1 0.0625 0 0.0 15 0 0.0 0 0.0 12 1 0.0833333333333333 0 0.0 10 0 0.0 0 0.0 Home Office

Found: action in the NHS and the achievement of planned reductions in asylum accommodation costs by the Home Office

Found: Funds Unit 2022 to 2023 FCDO, Deputy Director Ukraine Recovery Conference Unit 2021 to 2022 Home Office

Found: Completed inspections awaiting publication An inspection of Home Office management of contact with migrants

Found: Mr Coker could have his overseas representative contract terminated and the Home Office would by default

Found: The Home Office has always been clear that there will be a minimum 2-year implementation period from

Found: The Home Office offers protective security schemes where faith community organisations can apply for

Found: The SIA is largely self-funding, save for the capital grant funding it receives from the Home Office

Found: The Home Office developed the standard to assess security CCTV camera performance, particularly in the

Found: Successful applicants will begin the Level 4 Non‑Home Office Police Officer Apprenticeship (NHOPOA),

Found: We have a constructive and productive working relationship with the Home Office and with the Security

Found: Completing it before your reporting appointment will help the Home Office confirm how often you need

Found: The Home Office developed the standard to assess security CCTV camera performance, particularly in the

Found: The Chief Executive recognised the positive support from Home Office officials in Homeland Security

Found: Niall Donnely, Head of Safeguarding Sponsorship, Home Office Spons orship Unit, Strategy Directorate

Found: Hannah McCarthy, Head of Safeguarding Sponsorship, Home Office (deputising for Jodie Gibson, Head

Found: Caroline Rowe, Public Protection Unit, Public Safety Group, Home Office Hannah McCarthy, Home Office

Found: Sponsorship Unit Shehla Husain, Deputy Director and Head of Public Protection, Home Office Angela

Found: Type of Application Our fixed fee Home Office fee Description of work incl. in fixed fee Total

Found: You will be responsible for all Home Office application fees and other disbursements.

Found: Examples of client money include: future client disbursements, such as Home Office fees fees paid by

Found: Memorandum of Understanding between the Windrush Commissioner and the Home Office

Found: Immigration rules are set and implemented by the Home Office, a department of the UK Government.

Found: • The Home Office separately fund a Wastewater Analysis Programme to estimate drug consumption.

Found: Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2010-12); Minister of State in the Home Office

Found: risk that releasing such information could damage the Scottish Government’s relationship with the Home Office

Found: MP Minister for Border Security & Asylum 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF www.gov.uk/home-office

Found: Commissioner’s Office, 17 November 2025; • Scottish Prison Service, 18 November 2025; • UK Government Home Office

Found: incidence of spiking and attendance has been widened to included colleagues from the UK Government Home Office

Found: It is disappointing that the Home Office have reduced the length of the Graduate Visa Route despite

Found: To: Alex Norris, Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum Home Office From: Shirley-Anne Somerville

Found: working, with LAs coming together with WG, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Home Office

Found: We moved to correct the most serious of failings of the FSO, by working closely with the Home Office

Found: The Bill is sponsored by the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Department for Environment, Food and

Found: These 3 local authority areas, as well as Wrexham, are recognised by the Home Office as dispersal areas

Found: The Home Office Code of Practice on Powers of Entry (www.gov.uk/ government/publications/powers-of-entry-code-of-practice

Found: and decision making relating to accommodation for asylum seekers are the responsibility of the Home Office

Found: • A transfer in of £62,337k from the Home Office in respect of the balance due for 2025-26 for the