Home Office

The first duty of the government is to keep citizens safe and the country secure. The Home Office has been at the front line of this endeavour since 1782. As such, the Home Office plays a fundamental role in the security and economic prosperity of the United Kingdom.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Yvette Cooper
Home Secretary

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Conservative
Chris Philp (Con - Croydon South)
Shadow Home Secretary
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Davies of Gower (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Home Office)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Alicia Kearns (Con - Rutland and Stamford)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Home Office)
Ministers of State
Angela Eagle (Lab - Wallasey)
Minister of State (Home Office)
Diana Johnson (Lab - Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham)
Minister of State (Home Office)
Dan Jarvis (Lab - Barnsley North)
Minister of State (Home Office)
Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab - Life peer)
Minister of State (Home Office)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Seema Malhotra (LAB - Feltham and Heston)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
Jess Phillips (Lab - Birmingham Yardley)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Wednesday 21st May 2025
Immigration
Commons Chamber
Select Committee Docs
Friday 23rd May 2025
13:10
Select Committee Inquiry
Wednesday 14th May 2025
Combatting New Forms of Extremism

This inquiry will examine the drivers of extremism in the UK, with a focus on emerging trends of young people …

Written Answers
Friday 23rd May 2025
Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Undocumented Migrants
To ask His Majesty's Government whether there are port facilities for drivers to be supported against the risk of violence …
Secondary Legislation
Thursday 15th May 2025
Licensing Act 2003 (UEFA Women’s European Football Championship Licensing Hours) Order 2025
This Order provides for the extension of licensing hours for licensed premises and clubs on the days of a semi-final …
Bills
Tuesday 25th February 2025
Crime and Policing Bill 2024-26
A Bill to make provision about anti-social behaviour, offensive weapons, offences against people (including sexual offences), property offences, the criminal …
Dept. Publications
Thursday 22nd May 2025
10:45

Transparency

Home Office Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Mar. 31
Oral Questions
Apr. 29
Urgent Questions
Apr. 29
Westminster Hall
Mar. 03
Adjournment Debate
View All Home Office Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Home Office does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Introduced: 12th September 2024

A Bill to require persons with control of certain premises or events to take steps to reduce the vulnerability of the premises or event to, and the risk of physical harm to individuals arising from, acts of terrorism; to confer related functions on the Security Industry Authority; to limit the disclosure of information about licensed premises that is likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025 and was enacted into law.

Home Office - Secondary Legislation

This Order provides for the extension of licensing hours for licensed premises and clubs on the days of a semi-final or final match of the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Football Championship, if a team representing England or Wales plays in that match.
This Order increases from £1,000 to £3,000 the threshold amounts specified in section 339A(2) and (6A) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c.29) (“POCA”). The threshold amount in section 339A(2) is the value of criminal property below which a bank or similar firm (a deposit-taking body, electronic money institution or payment institution) can carry out a transaction, in operating an account for a customer, without committing one of the money laundering offences in sections 327 to 329 of POCA. The threshold in section 339A(2) was raised from £250 to £1,000 by the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) (Threshold Amount) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1355).
View All Home Office Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
Petitions with most signatures
Petition Debates Contributed

As a first step to end animal testing, we want an immediate ban for dogs. They are commercially bred in what we see as bleak and inhumane factory-like conditions. We believe there is evidence suggesting that dogs are left being unattended for extended periods in a Government-licenced establishment.

229,419
c. 1,152 added daily
229,661
(Estimated)
26 May 2025
closes in 2 days, 9 hours

We believe our country is facing serious challenges both from legal and illegal migration, and think the only way to deal with this is to suspend all immigration temporarily for 5 years.

View All Home Office Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Home Affairs Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


11 Members of the Home Affairs Committee
Karen Bradley Portrait
Karen Bradley (Conservative - Staffordshire Moorlands)
Home Affairs Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Jake Richards Portrait
Jake Richards (Labour - Rother Valley)
Home Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Bell Ribeiro-Addy Portrait
Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Clapham and Brixton Hill)
Home Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Joani Reid Portrait
Joani Reid (Labour - East Kilbride and Strathaven)
Home Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Connor Rand Portrait
Connor Rand (Labour - Altrincham and Sale West)
Home Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Chris Murray Portrait
Chris Murray (Labour - Edinburgh East and Musselburgh)
Home Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Margaret Mullane Portrait
Margaret Mullane (Labour - Dagenham and Rainham)
Home Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Robbie Moore Portrait
Robbie Moore (Conservative - Keighley and Ilkley)
Home Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Shaun Davies Portrait
Shaun Davies (Labour - Telford)
Home Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Ben Maguire Portrait
Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Home Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Paul Kohler Portrait
Paul Kohler (Liberal Democrat - Wimbledon)
Home Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Home Affairs Committee: Previous Inquiries
Home Office preparedness for Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Online Harms Gangs and youth crime The work of the Metropolitan Police Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming: follow-up The work of HM Passport Office The work of the Immigration Directorates (2014 Q1) The work of the Border Force Home Affairs Committee - The work of the Home Secretary Radicalisation in schools Police, the media, and high-profile criminal investigations The work of the National Crime Agency 2014 Undercover policing: follow-up The work of the Immigration Directorates (2013 Q2-3) Leadership and standards in the police: follow-up The work of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector Of Constabulary Drugs Female Genital Mutilation The work of the Immigration Directorates (2013 Q4) Reform of the Police Federation The work of the National Crime Agency The work of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Police investigations and the role of the CPS The work of the Immigration Directorates (Q2 2015) Countering extremism inquiry Reform of the Police Funding Formula inquiry The work of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration Migration crisis inquiry Psychoactive substances inquiry Counter-radicalisation one-off session Immigration: the situation in Calais one-off session The work of the Home Office The work of the Home Secretary The work of the Metropolitan Police inquiry Immigration: skill shortages inquiry International exchange of criminal records Police National Database inquiry Police bail Policing in London Police Information Notices ("Harassment warnings") The work of the Immigration Directorates (2014 Q3) Counter-terrorism (2015) Female genital mutilation: follow-up The work of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary European Arrest Warrant The work of the Immigration Directorates (2014 Q2) Serious and organised crime The work of the Permanent Secretary Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 College of Policing Out-of-Court Disposals Statutory Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill Police and Crime Commissioners Tobacco smuggling EU Justice and Home Affairs opt-out Policing and mental health Police and Crime Commissioners The work of the Home Office Immigration Cap Firearms Control Policing Immigration Cap - Terms Of Reference Second evidence session on Immigration Caps Specialist Operations Firearms submissions received Unauthorised tapping into or hacking of mobile communications Work of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre Rules governing enforced removals from the UK Extradition Lessons from the American experience of policing Impact of proposed restrictions on Tier 4 migration Government's review of Counter-Terrorism The work of the Home Secretary (2012) New Landscape of Policing Roots of Violent Radicalisation Policing Large Scale Disorder The work of the Metropolitan Police Commissioner (2012) The work of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police The work of the UK Visas & Immigration Section E-crime Private Investigators Independent Police Complaints Commission Localised child grooming Leadership and standards in the police service Policing in London Olympics security Asylum The work of the UK Border Agency Human trafficking Counter-terrorism (2014) Hate crime and its violent consequences inquiry Counter-terrorism inquiry Domestic abuse inquiry Serious violence inquiry Windrush Children inquiry Immigration detention inquiry Post-Brexit migration policy inquiry EU policing and security cooperation inquiry Modern slavery inquiry Post Brexit migration inquiry Government preparations for Brexit inquiry Asylum accommodation inquiry Work of the Home Office inquiry Islamophobia inquiry The Macpherson Report: Twenty Years On inquiry English Channel crossings inquiry EU Settlement Scheme inquiry Home Office preparations for Brexit inquiry Police conduct and complaints inquiry Child migrants inquiry EU policing and security issues inquiry Immigration inquiry Brook House Immigration Removal Centre inquiry The work of the Home Secretary inquiry Policing for the future inquiry Home Office delivery of Brexit: immigration inquiry Home Office delivery of Brexit: policing and security cooperation inquiry Harassment and intimidation near abortion clinics Home Office delivery of Brexit: customs operations inquiry Immigration policy: principles for building consensus inquiry Antisemitism inquiry English-language testing inquiry Police diversity inquiry Prostitution inquiry The work of the Immigration Directorates (Q3 2015) inquiry College of Policing inquiry Police and Crime Commissioners inquiry Proceeds of crime inquiry Asylum accommodation The work of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse Policing for the future: changing demands and new challenges The work of the Immigration Directorates (Q2 2016) inquiry Female Genital Mutilation inquiry Sharia councils inquiry The work of the Immigration Directorates (Q4 2015) inquiry The work of the Immigration Directorates (Q1 2016) inquiry Implications of the UK's exit from the European Union inquiry Hate crime and its violent consequences inquiry Migration and asylum Policing priorities Channel crossings Human Trafficking Pre-legislative scrutiny of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill Fraud Police and Crime Commissioners: 10 years on Policing of protests Non-contact sexual offences Fire and Rescue Service Summer 2024 disorder Asylum accommodation Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls: Funding Combatting New Forms of Extremism Violence and abuse towards retail workers Post-Transition management of the border The UK’s offer of visa and settlement routes for residents of Hong Kong Asylum accommodation Counter-terrorism Domestic abuse English Channel crossings EU policing and security cooperation EU Settlement Scheme Government preparations for Brexit Home Office delivery of Brexit: policing and security cooperation Home Office delivery of Brexit: immigration Home Office preparations for Brexit Immigration detention Immigration policy: principles for building consensus Brook House Immigration Removal Centre The work of the Home Secretary Post Brexit migration Hate crime and its violent consequences Post-Brexit migration policy Islamophobia The Macpherson Report: Twenty Years On Modern slavery Police conduct and complaints Policing for the future Serious violence Windrush Children Work of the Home Office

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to (a) expand and (b) simplify the Global Talent visa route.

As set out in the Immigration White Paper, we will continue to work closely with our endorsing bodies on policy proposals to make it simpler and easier for top scientific and design talent to use the Global Talent Visa route, and ensure the UK can bring in the right skills and experience to supercharge UK growth in strategic industries.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
9th May 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government whether there are port facilities for drivers to be supported against the risk of violence from migrants hiding in their vehicles.

Whilst all driver facilities at ports remain the responsibility of the relevant port authority, The Home Office works closely with port owners, other Government Departments and operators to support where possible. Any incidents of threatening behaviour or violence should be reported to the UK Police.

Lord Hanson of Flint
Minister of State (Home Office)
19th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the (a) five-year residency requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain and (b) subsequent one-year period for naturalisation will remain in place for British National (Overseas) visa holders (i) retrospectively and (ii) prospectively.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including indefinite leave to remain.

This expansion of the Point-Based System will increase the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years.

We will introduce reforms to expand the Points-Based System to both our settlement and citizenship rules, so they are based on contribution to the UK, with further details to be set out to Parliament by the end of the year.

Individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society.

We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and will provide further details at that stage.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
19th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she is considering (a) transitional arrangements and (b) specific exemptions to future immigration reforms for current British National (Overseas) visa holders.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including indefinite leave to remain.

This expansion of the Point-Based System will increase the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years.

We will introduce reforms to expand the Points-Based System to both our settlement and citizenship rules, so they are based on contribution to the UK, with further details to be set out to Parliament by the end of the year.

Individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society.

We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and will provide further details at that stage.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
19th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department's plans to extend the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain for skilled workers from 5 to 10 years will be applied to (a) prospective applicants only or (b) retrospectively to people already living in the UK.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including indefinite leave to remain.

This expansion of the Point-Based System will increase the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years.

We will introduce reforms to expand the Points-Based System to both our settlement and citizenship rules, so they are based on contribution to the UK, with further details to be set out to Parliament by the end of the year.

Individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society.

We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and will provide further details at that stage.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the correspondence of 11 March 2025 from the hon. Member for Twickenham, case reference MW55193.

The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention replied on 19 May 2025.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department collects data on the ethnicity of applicants for (a) settled and (b) pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

A detailed breakdown of the EU Settlement Scheme statistics is available to the public via GOV.UK. Within the latest published statistics, Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK, a list of data fields sets out what data is collected, as part of the EU Settlement Scheme application.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to family reunion rules on the number of refugees taking dangerous journeys.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including family reunion, further details of which will be set out in due course.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, what level of English language proficiency people applying for refugee family reunion will be expected to have.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including family reunion, further details of which will be set out in due course.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions her Department has had with the charity sector on changes to refugee family reunion rules.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including family reunion, further details of which will be set out in due course.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of retail workers who have experienced violent crime at work in each of the last five years.

The Home Office publishes data on the number of incidents of violent crime recorded by the police in England and Wales. The latest data can be found here:

Police recorded crime and outcomes open data tables - GOV.UK

The data includes incidents of robbery of business property, which includes robbery of retail premises as well as other business premises. Other types of violent crime against retail workers will fall under other categories of violent crime, such as assault with injury. It is not currently possible to identify which of these incidents were committed against retail workers during the course of their work.

In the Crime and Policing Bill, we are bringing forward a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.

The offence will be allocated a specific Home Office Crime Recording Rule, which will help provide a more complete picture of the problem, in turn informing future policy decisions and enabling the police to respond accordingly.

The Home Office has also published estimates from the Commercial Victimisation Survey (CVS) on the proportion of retail premises which experienced at least one incident of violent crime. This data can be found here:

Crime against businesses statistics - GOV.UK

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has provided guidance to the police on pro-Palestinian encampments at universities.

The College of Policing is responsible for providing guidance to police.

The College’s Public Order Public Safety authorised professional practice covers a wide range of events and operations, including protests and disorder.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 48442 on Travellers: Caravan Sites, whether he considered appealing the High Court judgment of May 2024.

As with all judgements of this nature, we are reviewing the ruling in detail.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what are the rights of entry for emergency service personnel when accessing blocks of flats with secure entry systems.

Police forces in England and Wales have a range of powers of entry, including to protect life and investigate offences. These powers derive both from statute (primarily the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984) and common law.

Fire and Rescue Services have powers of entry under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, including to protect life or property in case of fire or other emergencies.

Ambulance services do not have general powers of entry but may request police or fire and rescue service support if entry is needed in order to reach a patient in an emergency.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of politically motivated police complaints on public confidence in the impartiality of the criminal justice system.

The Home Office is unable to comment on or intervene in individual police investigations, so as not to undermine Policing’s operational independence. Where a police force investigates an individual, we expect the force to determine how best to support those involved throughout and after conclusion of the investigation.

The Magistrates Court Act 1980 prescribes that for all summary offences, the information or complaint must be laid within six calendar months of the commission of the alleged offence. Most crimes do not have a time limit for reporting them, which ensures the criminal justice system can appropriately investigate and respond to crimes.

The Criminal Law Act 1967 categorises wasting police time as an offence, this includes making false reports. Perverting the course of justice can also be considered where a person does an act or series of acts which tends to or was intended to pervert the course of justice. It is for the police and CPS to determine when or if these offences have taken place.

This Government’s Safer Streets mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, halving serious violence and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing reforms to limit the use of police investigations in cases where there is (a) no corroborating evidence and (b) a significant delay in reporting.

The Home Office is unable to comment on or intervene in individual police investigations, so as not to undermine Policing’s operational independence. Where a police force investigates an individual, we expect the force to determine how best to support those involved throughout and after conclusion of the investigation.

The Magistrates Court Act 1980 prescribes that for all summary offences, the information or complaint must be laid within six calendar months of the commission of the alleged offence. Most crimes do not have a time limit for reporting them, which ensures the criminal justice system can appropriately investigate and respond to crimes.

The Criminal Law Act 1967 categorises wasting police time as an offence, this includes making false reports. Perverting the course of justice can also be considered where a person does an act or series of acts which tends to or was intended to pervert the course of justice. It is for the police and CPS to determine when or if these offences have taken place.

This Government’s Safer Streets mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, halving serious violence and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to prevent the misuse of police time and resources through (a) unfounded and (b) politically motivated allegations.

The Home Office is unable to comment on or intervene in individual police investigations, so as not to undermine Policing’s operational independence. Where a police force investigates an individual, we expect the force to determine how best to support those involved throughout and after conclusion of the investigation.

The Magistrates Court Act 1980 prescribes that for all summary offences, the information or complaint must be laid within six calendar months of the commission of the alleged offence. Most crimes do not have a time limit for reporting them, which ensures the criminal justice system can appropriately investigate and respond to crimes.

The Criminal Law Act 1967 categorises wasting police time as an offence, this includes making false reports. Perverting the course of justice can also be considered where a person does an act or series of acts which tends to or was intended to pervert the course of justice. It is for the police and CPS to determine when or if these offences have taken place.

This Government’s Safer Streets mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, halving serious violence and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the merits of conducting a review into the (a) reputational and (b) mental health impact of being investigated for an offence without being charged.

The Home Office is unable to comment on or intervene in individual police investigations, so as not to undermine Policing’s operational independence. Where a police force investigates an individual, we expect the force to determine how best to support those involved throughout and after conclusion of the investigation.

The Magistrates Court Act 1980 prescribes that for all summary offences, the information or complaint must be laid within six calendar months of the commission of the alleged offence. Most crimes do not have a time limit for reporting them, which ensures the criminal justice system can appropriately investigate and respond to crimes.

The Criminal Law Act 1967 categorises wasting police time as an offence, this includes making false reports. Perverting the course of justice can also be considered where a person does an act or series of acts which tends to or was intended to pervert the course of justice. It is for the police and CPS to determine when or if these offences have taken place.

This Government’s Safer Streets mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, halving serious violence and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly make (a) false and (b) malicious complaints for (i) political and (ii) reputational purposes.

The Home Office is unable to comment on or intervene in individual police investigations, so as not to undermine Policing’s operational independence. Where a police force investigates an individual, we expect the force to determine how best to support those involved throughout and after conclusion of the investigation.

The Magistrates Court Act 1980 prescribes that for all summary offences, the information or complaint must be laid within six calendar months of the commission of the alleged offence. Most crimes do not have a time limit for reporting them, which ensures the criminal justice system can appropriately investigate and respond to crimes.

The Criminal Law Act 1967 categorises wasting police time as an offence, this includes making false reports. Perverting the course of justice can also be considered where a person does an act or series of acts which tends to or was intended to pervert the course of justice. It is for the police and CPS to determine when or if these offences have taken place.

This Government’s Safer Streets mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, halving serious violence and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure the needs of male victims of sexual violence will be met by the new national sexual violence helpline.

We recognise that men and boys experience abusive and violent crimes, such as stalking, domestic abuse, and sexual abuse and we are committed to ensuring that male victims and survivors get the support that they need.

The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line, delivered by Rape Crisis England and Wales and funded by the Ministry of Justice, provides free and confidential emotional and listening support to all victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse aged 16 and over. Where appropriate, the service will signpost victims to longer-term support services, including therapeutic support.

The Home Office and the Ministry of Justice also fund services specifically for male victims of domestic abuse, in addition to services for LGBT+, Deaf, and older victims, which provide essential support to male victims.

Jess Phillips
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support male victims of sexual violence.

We recognise that men and boys experience abusive and violent crimes, such as stalking, domestic abuse, and sexual abuse and we are committed to ensuring that male victims and survivors get the support that they need.

The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line, delivered by Rape Crisis England and Wales and funded by the Ministry of Justice, provides free and confidential emotional and listening support to all victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse aged 16 and over. Where appropriate, the service will signpost victims to longer-term support services, including therapeutic support.

The Home Office and the Ministry of Justice also fund services specifically for male victims of domestic abuse, in addition to services for LGBT+, Deaf, and older victims, which provide essential support to male victims.

Jess Phillips
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the definition of retail premises in clause 14 of the Crime and Policing Bill includes (a) travel ticket offices, (b) train stations and (c) commercial passenger trains.

Through our Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores. This applies only to shop workers.

The new offence is aimed specifically at shop workers due to the unacceptable, soaring levels of retail crime and assaults against retail workers in recent years.

Those workers whose roles are not included within the definition are already covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm.

Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public. This includes those working in retail and other public-facing roles, including those working in the transport sector.

We will use the parliamentary process to scrutinise the provisions in the Bill and will consider carefully amendments tabled as well as evidence put forward in support of such amendments.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the definition of retail workers in clause 14 of the Crime and Policing Bill includes staff selling tickets at (a) train station gate lines and (b) train station platforms.

Through our Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores. This applies only to shop workers.

The new offence is aimed specifically at shop workers due to the unacceptable, soaring levels of retail crime and assaults against retail workers in recent years.

Those workers whose roles are not included within the definition are already covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm.

Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public. This includes those working in retail and other public-facing roles, including those working in the transport sector.

We will use the parliamentary process to scrutinise the provisions in the Bill and will consider carefully amendments tabled as well as evidence put forward in support of such amendments.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the definition of retail workers in clause 14 of the Crime and Policing Bill includes transport revenue protection staff with the facility to sell tickets.

Through our Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores. This applies only to shop workers.

The new offence is aimed specifically at shop workers due to the unacceptable, soaring levels of retail crime and assaults against retail workers in recent years.

Those workers whose roles are not included within the definition are already covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm.

Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public. This includes those working in retail and other public-facing roles, including those working in the transport sector.

We will use the parliamentary process to scrutinise the provisions in the Bill and will consider carefully amendments tabled as well as evidence put forward in support of such amendments.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 23 April 2025, HCWS593, on Extending licensing hours for the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe Day, whether her Department made an assessment of the potential merits to the hospitality sector of extending the licensing hours on the Friday 8 May in addition.

Licensing hours in England and Wales were extended on Thursday 8 May to mark the 80th anniversary of VE day.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the time taken to process visa applications.

Visa processing times are published on the UKVI website at Visa decision waiting times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Visa decision waiting times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). UKVI are currently processing applications on the overwhelming majority of its visa routes within their published customer service standards.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in which month the findings of the Migration Advisory Committee's review on financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules will be published.

The Migration Advisory Committee were commissioned to review the financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules in September and the review is expected to take approximately 9 months.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2025 to Question 45772 on Passports: Sex, whether the sex marker confirms the (a) biological and (b) legal sex of the passport holder.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer I gave her on 31 March to question 41234.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many seizures of (a) cigarettes, (b) hand rolling tobacco and (c) other tobacco products have been made by Border Force at (i) seaports, (ii) airports and (iii) postal services, in each of the last five years.

The below statistics from Border Force’s transparency data outline the number of cigarettes and weight of tobacco seized in each of the last five years, but are not broken down by the location where they were seized.

2020 – 509,032,596 Cigarette sticks, 110,774.2kg Tobacco

2021 – 961,939,889 Cigarette sticks, 136,835.9kg Tobacco

2022 – 827,211,419 Cigarette sticks, 93,717.57kg Tobacco

2023 – 823,818,908 Cigarette sticks, 67,730.03kg Tobacco

2024 – 934,104,940 Cigarette sticks, 72,143.33kg Tobacco

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will commit to keeping the BN(O) visa route open to new applicants at least until the Chinese government enters a state of full compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future. We keep all aspects of the immigration system under review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to review her Department's guidance on British Nationals (Overseas) visa applications from people with political detention histories in Hong Kong.

The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future. We keep all aspects of the immigration system under review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a distinct form of nationality status for children born in the UK to British Nationals (Overseas) visa holders.

The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future. We keep all aspects of the immigration system under review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
8th May 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Hanson of Flint on 30 April (HL6646) and 25 March (HL5728), what plans they have, if any, to collect data on the revocation of student visas.

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.

Lord Hanson of Flint
Minister of State (Home Office)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to work with relevant authorities to reduce instances of arson in (a) England and (b) Romford.

We are committed to ensuring fire services have the resources they need to do their vital work and to keep the public safe from fires, including those caused by arson. However, decisions on how resources are best deployed to meet their core functions are a matter for each fire and rescue authority.

As part of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s strategic role across fire and rescue services (FRSs), it supports partnership working to promote the consistent recording and investigation of deliberate fires by the Police and FRSs.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of Short-Term Student (English Language) Route Visa applications refusals were due to belief that the applicant was applying to use the route without the intention to study.

Published data on short term student visas can be found here, Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK including refusal volumes.

Visa applications can be refused for a variety of reasons, and we do not publish data detailing these. Short term student visa applications must meet the criteria as published here; Short-term students caseworker guidance (accessible) - GOV.UK.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the use of drones to record footage over police cordons at emergency scenes on privacy; and whether she plans to introduce additional (a) legal protections and (b) enforcement powers to prevent drone use impacting the (i) privacy and (ii) dignity of people involved in such incidents.

The use and deployment of drones by policing is an operational matter made independently by police forces, who are best placed to assess their own operational needs while ensuring they have the tools necessary to protect the public.

However, in the use and deployment of drones, police forces must have due regard to Data Protection legislation and the Air Navigation Order (ANO) 2016, which specifies the requirements and conduct drone operators must abide by to use drones in a manner which is both safe and does not unduly endanger or negatively impact members of the public.

To support development of a national drone capability for policing which is effective and safe, in FY24/25, the Home Office allocated over £4m to national police-led programmes of work to drive standardisation and improve coordination in police drone operations to support public safety outcomes.

Furthermore, to support development of these programmes and improve the safe and legal use of drones by policing, police forces work closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Drone activities conducted by members of the public is a matter for the CAA, who are responsible for regulating the activities of civilian drone operators.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the proposed 10-year pathway to settlement will apply retrospectively to migrants already legally residing in the UK.

We will reform our settlement and citizenship rules by expanding the Points-Based System and increasing the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years. Individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society.

We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and further details on the proposed scheme will be provided at the time.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed 10-year pathway to settlement on people nearing their five-year eligibility.

We will reform our settlement and citizenship rules by expanding the Points-Based System and increasing the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years. Individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society.

We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and further details on the proposed scheme will be provided at the time.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to publish the reforms to allow a limited pool of UNHCR recognised refugees and displaced people living overseas to apply for employment through existing sponsored worker routes.

Refugees who have had to leave their home country because of persecution often lack the opportunity to apply for jobs and skilled worker visas in the UK, even where they have the talent and training to do so.

The Home Office’s Displaced Talent Mobility Pilot ended on 1 November 2024. Its findings will inform consideration of further efforts to enable skilled refugees and displaced people to work in the UK.

Further details of all the measures announced in our Immigration White Paper will be set out in due course.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to ensure that people on (a) family and (b) student visas do not claim asylum when there has not been a material change in circumstances in their country of origin.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the announcements made in this area in the Immigration White Paper published on 12 May 2025, further details of which will be set out in due course.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
19th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which countries her Department has had discussions with on temporarily taking failed asylum seekers from the UK.

We do not provide a running commentary on discussions with our overseas partners.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
19th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had recent discussions with her international counterparts on the potential cost to the public purse of proposed agreements with third countries to take failed asylum seekers from the UK.

We do not provide a running commentary on discussions with our overseas partners.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
9th May 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enhance intelligence capabilities and inter-agency co-operation to pre-emptively address the threat posed by groups, such as Palestine Action, which use innovative tactics for direct action.

The police have significant powers available to counter criminal behaviours by direct action groups, and the Government fully supports the police in the use of those powers both to prevent criminal activity occurring, and to ensure that perpetrators face the full force of the law.

Lord Hanson of Flint
Minister of State (Home Office)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with her (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) international counterparts on the establishment of return hubs for illegal migrants to the UK.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range stakeholders, including other government departments.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which scientific methods will be used to strengthen the age verification process of asylum applicants.

The Government is committed to strengthening the age assessment process and continues to review all options for improving the accuracy and efficiency of the age assessment system.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign national offenders have been tagged in each of the last five years.

Available information on the number of individuals electronically monitored (EM) in each of the last five years is available here: Electronic Monitoring Statistics Annual Publication, March 2024 - GOV.UK, but is not broken down by nationality.

When an FNO breaches the conditions of their EM, the action taken will consider the nature and frequency of breach, the level of harm posed by the person and any previous history of non-compliance, including potential prosecution where the breach relates to refusal to comply with induction onto electronic monitoring (EM), deliberate attempts to remove or damage a device, or tampering with the device so that it fails to operate correctly.

Further details of potential sanctions for non-compliance with EM are set out on Page 93 of the Immigration bail guidance, available at Immigration bail.docx.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign national offenders have breached the conditions of their tag in each of the last five years.

Available information on the number of individuals electronically monitored (EM) in each of the last five years is available here: Electronic Monitoring Statistics Annual Publication, March 2024 - GOV.UK, but is not broken down by nationality.

When an FNO breaches the conditions of their EM, the action taken will consider the nature and frequency of breach, the level of harm posed by the person and any previous history of non-compliance, including potential prosecution where the breach relates to refusal to comply with induction onto electronic monitoring (EM), deliberate attempts to remove or damage a device, or tampering with the device so that it fails to operate correctly.

Further details of potential sanctions for non-compliance with EM are set out on Page 93 of the Immigration bail guidance, available at Immigration bail.docx.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the penalty is for foreign national offenders who breach the conditions of their tag.

Available information on the number of individuals electronically monitored (EM) in each of the last five years is available here: Electronic Monitoring Statistics Annual Publication, March 2024 - GOV.UK, but is not broken down by nationality.

When an FNO breaches the conditions of their EM, the action taken will consider the nature and frequency of breach, the level of harm posed by the person and any previous history of non-compliance, including potential prosecution where the breach relates to refusal to comply with induction onto electronic monitoring (EM), deliberate attempts to remove or damage a device, or tampering with the device so that it fails to operate correctly.

Further details of potential sanctions for non-compliance with EM are set out on Page 93 of the Immigration bail guidance, available at Immigration bail.docx.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's publication entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, whether she plans to make changes to English language requirements for (a) asylum seekers and (b) their dependents.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues – including English language requirements – details of which will be set out in due course.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)