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.
This inquiry will examine the drivers of extremism in the UK, with a focus on emerging trends of young people …
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: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.
Home Office does not have Bills currently before Parliament
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.
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).
Ban immediately the use of dogs in scientific and regulatory procedures
Sign this petition Gov Responded - 5 Mar 2025 Debated on - 28 Apr 2025As 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.
Close the borders! Suspend ALL immigration for 5 years!
Sign this petition Gov Responded - 17 Jan 2025We 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention replied on 19 May 2025.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
As with all judgements of this nature, we are reviewing the ruling in detail.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Licensing hours in England and Wales were extended on Thursday 8 May to mark the 80th anniversary of VE day.
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.
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.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer I gave her on 31 March to question 41234.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We do not provide a running commentary on discussions with our overseas partners.
We do not provide a running commentary on discussions with our overseas partners.
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.
The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range stakeholders, including other government departments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.