Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to repurpose (a) offices and (b) other buildings to house asylum seekers in Staffordshire Moorlands constituency.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office continues to work with a range of stakeholders to fulfil its statutory obligations, while seeking to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation, and to end the use of hotels.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's news story entitled Statement on Serco asylum accommodation list, published on 27 April 2025, whether her Department asked Serco to remove the list from its website.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office continues to work closely with a range of stakeholders to fulfil its statutory obligations, while seeking to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation for the taxpayer.

The Home Office does not publish detailed information on the location of asylum accommodation sites for safety and security reasons. Data, published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, can be found within the Asy_D11 tab of our most recent statistics release. The data can also be broken down by local authority. Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46900 on Asylum: Housing, whether any asylum accommodation is provided directly by local authorities.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office continues to work closely with a range of stakeholders to fulfil its statutory obligations, while seeking to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation for the taxpayer.

The Home Office does not publish detailed information on the location of asylum accommodation sites for safety and security reasons. Data, published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, can be found within the Asy_D11 tab of our most recent statistics release. The data can also be broken down by local authority. Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people deported for criminal offences in the last five years had previously been granted (a) asylum and (b) humanitarian protection.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The requested data is not centrally held, and could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Home Office data systems for collecting and processing data on foreign national offenders in the immigration system are currently being upgraded to improve the quality of information held by the department. For more information, please see this recently published note.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers are currently housed in the Huntingdon constituency.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

Data, published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation can be found within the Asy_D11 tab of our most recent statistics release. The data can also be broken down by local authority. Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's news story entitled Statement on Serco asylum accommodation list, published on 27 April 2025, which local authorities in Serco provides asylum accommodation to in (a) the North West, (b) the Midlands, (c) the East of England and (d) the rest of the country; and how many individual properties are managed in each local authority area.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office continues to work closely with a range of stakeholders to fulfil its statutory obligations, while seeking to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation for the taxpayer.

The Home Office does not publish detailed information on the location of asylum accommodation sites for safety and security reasons. Data, published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, can be found within the Asy_D11 tab of our most recent statistics release. The data can also be broken down by local authority. Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46893 on Asylum: Local Government, what the names of those grants are.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

Details of the grant names are accessible through the following links:

Government grants statistics 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67e56dd1bb6002588a90d662/2025-03-24_Government_Grants_Register_2023_to_2024.ods.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many rejections of statelessness applications submitted in 2024 have been followed by renewed applications.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to data provided by her Department in relation to the court case Asylum Aid v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWHC 316 (Admin), for what reason 170 statelessness applications submitted between 31 January and 31 December 2024 were rejected without consideration.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the most common grounds were for the rejection of statelessness applications submitted in 2024.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Indian nationals have emigrated to the UK to work in each of the last five years.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Statistics regarding UK immigration and emigration are a matter for the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS). Contact details can be found on their website at Making a request - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk).

The Home Office publishes data on entry clearance visas by nationality, year and visa type in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on visas granted are published in table ‘Vis_D02’ of the ‘detailed entry clearance dataset’. A visa grant does not necessarily correspond to the person arriving or remaining long-term in the UK. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. Data is from January 2005 up to the end of December 2024.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many complaints her Department has received relating to the passport photograph software cropping or rejecting images of individuals wearing (a) turbans and (b) other religious head coverings in the last 12 months.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The information requested is not centrally held and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of (a) unlawful employment practices and (b) labour exploitation in the nail salon industry.

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

The Government takes all reports of labour exploitation very seriously, and we remain committed to tackling the crime of modern slavery, – in which ever sector it occurs. We do not currently hold data for the number of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking within the nail salon industry. Nonetheless, we will continue to monitor the sector closely alongside the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, to ensure we target our work effectively.

The Government is establishing the Fair Work Agency, which will bring under one roof multiple agencies and bodies, including the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, and HMRC’s National Minimum and Living Wage Team. This will ensure a more cohesive and streamlined response to exploitation across the economy. The Fair Work Agency will have enhanced powers and resources to identify and address labour exploitation more effectively.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the photograph software used for passport applications; and what steps she is taking to ensure that the software does not discriminate against people wearing (a) turbans and (b) other religious head coverings.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The initial check to guide if a photo meets the internationally agreed standards for passports utilises an algorithm provided by a leading technology provider.

The testing of the photo checker was extensive and included wearers of religious headwear to optimise the algorithm for passport purposes. However, feedback is welcomed from across the approximately seven million people who apply online for a passport each year, and their experiences continue to help inform further refinement to best meet the needs of HM Passport Office and all of its customers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of workers in the nail salon industry who are victims of modern slavery or human trafficking; what data her Department holds on the total number of such victims identified in this sector in the last five years; and what steps she is taking to (a) identify and (b) support victims within this industry.

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

The Government takes reports of labour exploitation in the beauty sector and nail bars very seriously, and we remain committed to tackling the crime of modern slavery – wherever it occurs.

The Government is establishing the Fair Work Agency, which will bring under one roof multiple agencies and bodies, including the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, and HMRC’s National Minimum and Living Wage Team. This will ensure a more cohesive and streamlined response to exploitation across the economy. The Fair Work Agency will have enhanced powers and resources to identify and address labour exploitation more effectively. It will be a strong, recognisable brand so individuals know where to go for help.

We do not currently hold data for the number of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking within the nail salon industry. Nonetheless, we will continue to monitor the sector closely alongside the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, including emerging intelligence and trends, to ensure we target our work effectively.

The National Referral Mechanism is the UK’s framework for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. Once identified, victims are entitled to support under the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract - regardless of their nationality and where their modern slavery experience has occurred, unless the public order or bad faith disqualifications apply.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to increase women’s safety in Gosport Town Centre.

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

Through our Safer Streets Mission, we are driving action across Government to achieve our unprecedented mission to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade. That means working to tackle threats to women's safety in all areas of their lives, including in public places.

We are investing £13.1m this financial year (25/26) in a new National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, to drive national coordination and improvement in the police response. This includes delivering our manifesto commitment for strengthened specialist training for officers across England and Wales, including in Hampshire, to ensure that they offer consistent protection for victims and relentlessly pursue perpetrators.

Our VAWG strategy, due to be published later this summer, will set out further measures designed to keep women and girls safe in the streets, in their homes, and online.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help protect children from criminal exploitation in Surrey Heath constituency.

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

Tackling the criminal exploitation of children is an important strand of our work to halve knife crime under the Safer Streets Mission. Prevention and early intervention to stop young people being drawn into crime is an integral part of that mission including those being exploited by county lines gangs and those involved in violent crime.

We are introducing a new offence of child criminal exploitation in the Crime and Policing Bill to increase convictions against exploiters, deter gangs from enlisting children, and improve identification of victims. Alongside the offence, we are creating a new regime for CCE prevention orders to prevent exploitative conduct committed by adults against children from occurring or re-occurring

Through the County Lines Programme, we will continue to target exploitative drug dealing gangs and disrupt the organised crime groups behind this trade. Between July and September 2024, policing activity delivered through the County Lines Programme resulted in over 400 deal lines being closed, the arrest and charge of over 200 deal line holders, 500 arrests and 800 safeguarding referrals of children and vulnerable people. Through the Programme, we also fund specialist support for children and young people caught up in county lines and child criminal exploitation. More than 280 children and young people have received dedicated specialist support through our county lines support service since July 2024

While the majority of lines originate from the areas covered by the Metropolitan Police Service, West Midlands Police, Merseyside Police, and Greater Manchester Police, the county lines trade is a national issue. This is why, through the Home Office-funded County Lines Programme, we fund the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre to monitor the intelligence picture, identify and share effective practice, and co-ordinate the national law enforcement response. In addition, we have a dedicated surge fund which provides local forces with additional funding to tackle county lines, including Surrey Police.

As part of the Programme, the National County Lines Coordination Centre regularly coordinates weeks of intensive action against county lines gangs, which all police forces take part in. The most recent of these took place between 25 November to 1 December 2024, during which Surrey Police made 18 arrests and seized 2 drug lines, 55 bladed articles and 4 firearms.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prosecutions have been carried out as a result of arrests made by the Grooming Gangs Taskforce.

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

The Child Sexual Exploitation (or 'Grooming Gangs') Police Taskforce provides expert, on the ground support for local forces investigating child sexual abuse and exploitation, with a particular focus on complex and organised child sexual exploitation, including grooming gangs. Responsibility for those investigations remains with the relevant local police force, but the Taskforce continues to advise the relevant police force on how to manage any specific lines of investigation appropriately.

The Taskforce supported forces in making 807 arrests for group-based child sexual exploitation in 2024. The data held centrally does not allow individual cases to be tracked through the criminal justice system.

Further information on the Taskforce is available online at: https://www.hydrantprogramme.co.uk/cse-taskforce.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been (a) investigated, (b) arrested and (c) charged following work by the Grooming Gangs Taskforce by (i) category of offence, (ii) police officers, (iii) local councillors, (iv) council officials and (v) social workers.

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

The Child Sexual Exploitation (or 'Grooming Gangs') Police Taskforce provides expert, on the ground support for local forces investigating child sexual abuse and exploitation, with a particular focus on complex and organised child sexual exploitation, including grooming gangs. Responsibility for those investigations remains with the relevant local police force, but the Taskforce continues to advise the relevant police force on how to manage any specific lines of investigation appropriately.

The Taskforce supported forces in making 807 arrests for group-based child sexual exploitation in 2024. The data held centrally does not allow individual cases to be tracked through the criminal justice system.

Further information on the Taskforce is available online at: https://www.hydrantprogramme.co.uk/cse-taskforce.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) police officers, (b) local councillors, (c) council officials and (d) social workers have been (i) investigated, (ii) arrested, and (iii) charged in connection to crimes committed by grooming gangs.

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

The Child Sexual Exploitation (or 'Grooming Gangs') Police Taskforce provides expert, on the ground support for local forces investigating child sexual abuse and exploitation, with a particular focus on complex and organised child sexual exploitation, including grooming gangs. Responsibility for those investigations remains with the relevant local police force, but the Taskforce continues to advise the relevant police force on how to manage any specific lines of investigation appropriately.

The Taskforce supported forces in making 807 arrests for group-based child sexual exploitation in 2024. The data held centrally does not allow individual cases to be tracked through the criminal justice system.

Further information on the Taskforce is available online at: https://www.hydrantprogramme.co.uk/cse-taskforce.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Grooming Gangs Taskforce will investigate (a) police officers, (b) local councillors, (c) council officials and (d) social workers.

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

The Child Sexual Exploitation (or 'Grooming Gangs') Police Taskforce provides expert, on the ground support for local forces investigating child sexual abuse and exploitation, with a particular focus on complex and organised child sexual exploitation, including grooming gangs. Responsibility for those investigations remains with the relevant local police force, but the Taskforce continues to advise the relevant police force on how to manage any specific lines of investigation appropriately.

The Taskforce supported forces in making 807 arrests for group-based child sexual exploitation in 2024. The data held centrally does not allow individual cases to be tracked through the criminal justice system.

Further information on the Taskforce is available online at: https://www.hydrantprogramme.co.uk/cse-taskforce.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the terms of reference for the Grooming Gangs Taskforce.

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

The Child Sexual Exploitation (or 'Grooming Gangs') Police Taskforce provides expert, on the ground support for local forces investigating child sexual abuse and exploitation, with a particular focus on complex and organised child sexual exploitation, including grooming gangs. Responsibility for those investigations remains with the relevant local police force, but the Taskforce continues to advise the relevant police force on how to manage any specific lines of investigation appropriately.

The Taskforce supported forces in making 807 arrests for group-based child sexual exploitation in 2024. The data held centrally does not allow individual cases to be tracked through the criminal justice system.

Further information on the Taskforce is available online at: https://www.hydrantprogramme.co.uk/cse-taskforce.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with her international counterparts on preventing violence against women and girls.

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

The Government has set an unprecedented mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

The cross-government violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy will set out the strategic direction and concrete actions to deliver on this ambition, informed by the best available evidence, including from other countries.

As part of our evidence-gathering, we have engaged extensively with a wide range of international partners and stakeholders to share perspectives and learning regarding the prevention of VAWG. We have also engaged with countries that look to the UK to understand and observe effective practices that we implement to prevent VAWG.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that vehicle manufacturers rectify security issues with cars to prevent theft; and what discussions her Department has had with vehicle manufacturers on preventing car theft.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

This Government is determined to drive down vehicle crime and we are working with the automotive industry and police – taking a national approach - to ensure our response is as strong as it can be, including working closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for vehicle crime.

Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced measures to ban electronic devices used to steal vehicles, empowering the police and courts to target the criminals using, manufacturing and supplying them. This will support the changes manufacturers continue to make to prevent thefts.

We also provided £250,000 funding in financial year 24/25 to help support enforcement work at the ports to prevent stolen vehicles and vehicle parts being shipped abroad.

Via the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership and the police-led National Vehicle Crime Working Group, we are focusing on prevention and deterrence of theft of and from vehicles. This includes training police officers on the methods used to steal vehicles, encouraging vehicle owners to secure their vehicles, and working with industry to address vulnerabilities in vehicles.

In recent weeks, the Security Minister and I have each met vehicle manufacturers to discuss these issues. Officials also regularly engage and work with industry to discuss workable solutions to help prevent vehicle theft.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Community Protection Notices were issued to owners of dogs following attacks on cats in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024; and how many of those required the (i) use of leads, (ii) use of muzzles and (iii) securing of properties.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office does not hold data in relation to the number of Community Protection Notices that have been issued to owners of dogs following attacks on cats and how many of these led to prosecutions.

The Ministry of Justice publishes figures on the number of breached CPNs that result in a court fine. The data does not include the reasons for the CPN being issued. The most recent court outcomes data can be found in the ‘Outcomes by Offence data tool: June 2024’ here - https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-june-2024

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many breached Community Protection Notices issued to owners of dogs following attacks on cats led to prosecutions in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office does not hold data in relation to the number of Community Protection Notices that have been issued to owners of dogs following attacks on cats and how many of these led to prosecutions.

The Ministry of Justice publishes figures on the number of breached CPNs that result in a court fine. The data does not include the reasons for the CPN being issued. The most recent court outcomes data can be found in the ‘Outcomes by Offence data tool: June 2024’ here - https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-june-2024

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to introduce additional safety requirements for (a) temporary events and (b) fan zones to protect pedestrians from vehicle access.

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

Homeland Security Group (HSG) works closely with the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), who provide publicly available technical and practical advice relating to Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM). This includes the 'NPSA Public Realm Design Guide for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation' document, available publicly at npsa.gov.uk.

Additionally, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office provides support to local authorities and businesses through the ProtectUK platform (protectuk.police.uk) and networks like the UK-wide Counter Terrorism Security Advisor network, supporting the development of suitable mitigation measures to protect from vehicle incursions.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many decisions on statelessness applications made in 2024 were challenged through administrative review; how many of those reviews have been completed; and how many of those completed resulted in a grant of leave.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of existing measures to prevent vehicles from entering areas with high pedestrian footfall.

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

Homeland Security Group (HSG) works closely with the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), who provide publicly available technical and practical advice relating to Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM). This includes the 'NPSA Public Realm Design Guide for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation' document, available publicly at npsa.gov.uk.

Additionally, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office provides support to local authorities and businesses through the ProtectUK platform (protectuk.police.uk) and networks like the UK-wide Counter Terrorism Security Advisor network, supporting the development of suitable mitigation measures to protect from vehicle incursions.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to improve pedestrian safety in areas of high footfall from potential vehicle incursions.

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

Homeland Security Group (HSG) works closely with the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), who provide publicly available technical and practical advice relating to Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM). This includes the 'NPSA Public Realm Design Guide for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation' document, available publicly at npsa.gov.uk.

Additionally, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office provides support to local authorities and businesses through the ProtectUK platform (protectuk.police.uk) and networks like the UK-wide Counter Terrorism Security Advisor network, supporting the development of suitable mitigation measures to protect from vehicle incursions.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what information they have on the number of prevented terrorist attacks purportedly by Iran in the UK in the past 10 years.

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

The Government's top priority is our national security, and we will continue to use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect the UK, and its people, from any Iran-linked threats. As is our longstanding position, the Home Office does not comment in detail on specific operational matters.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 2 May 2025 to Question 45761 on Women, when the updated Statutory Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations will be published.

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

Timeframes for publication of the updated Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations is a matter for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Ministers will consider the EHRC’s updated draft once it has been submitted. Further information is available in the EHRC’s update, published on 14 May online at: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre/news/update-arrangements-code-practice-consultation.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take legislative steps to extend the definition of domestic abuse to include abuse of kinship carers by people in the wider family of the child that they care for.

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

The Home Office does not currently have plans to extend the definition of domestic abuse.

The statutory definition of domestic abuse, contained within the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, captures a wide range of relationships and applies to kinship carers where they are related to a perpetrator.

The Department for Education published a new Kinship Care statutory guidance for local authorities in October 2024. This sets out the support and services local authorities should provide to children living in kinship care and to kinship carers. The guidance also includes a definition of "kinship carer" to create a common understanding of who they are.

The Government is delivering over 140 peer support groups across England, available for all kinship carers to access alongside a wider package of training and support.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) current and (b) historical victims of child sexual abuse in (i) England and (ii) Southampton Test constituency.

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

We recognise the devastating impacts of child sexual exploitation and abuse on victims and survivors and are committed to ensuring that specialist support is provided to help all victims and with their long-term recovery. Supporting victims of all forms of child sexual exploitation abuse, regardless of whether it takes place online or in our communities here in the UK or elsewhere, is a priority for the Government.

The Home Office funds a range of victim and survivor support services via the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse fund (SVSCSA). These vital national services support child and adult victims and survivors, including through the provision of support lines; in-person and remote counselling for victims and survivors and their families; online psychoeducation resources; and training for professionals working with victims.

Recognising the significant role that therapeutic support can play in helping victims and survivors to recover from the devastating impacts of their abuse, the Home Office has committed a further £1.6 million to scale up national support for adult victims of child sexual abuse. The Home Office will also fund the CSA Centre in 2025/26 to develop and deliver evidence-based training for those working with victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

We will continue to work across Government to ensure that future funding for support services enables victims and survivors to access and receive better care and support.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to close the Asylum Reception Centre at the former RAF Wethersfield site; and what steps she is taking to ensure that the decommissioning is within the timescale outlined in the Special Development Order.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

Any updates on the future use of the site will be announced in the normal way.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much her Department has spent on contingency accommodation for (a) asylum seekers, (b) people granted asylum and (c) people in the country illegally in each year since 2020.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at Home Office annual report and accounts: 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the total value of contracts awarded to Clearsprings Ready Homes in relation to housing asylum seekers since 2019.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Contract Values for the AASC contracts, awarded by the previous government, to Clearsprings Ready Homes are £334,000,000 (Wales) and £662,000,000 (South).

These values and further details are available publicly on Contracts Finder:

AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Wales - Contracts Finder

AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract South - Contracts Finder

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to reform spousal visa regulations.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform of the family route and a wide range of other areas.

In September 2024, we commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules. There will be no changes to the current threshold of £29,000, until the MAC review is complete. We will then consider their report and decide whether to implement any of the recommendations.

Information on statistics relating to family visas is available from the Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK publication. Data on family visas can be found in the Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

The statistics relate to applications and outcomes (grants, refusals, lapsed and withdrawn) of entry clearance visas granted for family reasons. Family Partner visa grants is available from Table Vis_D02. The 'family' route covers visas where an individual is applying for a visa on the basis of their relationship to a person settled in the UK or a British citizen.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the press notice entitled Prime Minister unveils new plan to end years of uncontrolled migration, published on 12 May 2025, what the full list of occupations is that will be eligible for the fast-track route.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Settlement in the UK is a prerequisite for becoming a British citizen and brings lifelong benefits. Settlement is also an important step in integrating and contributing to local communities and the wider country. We will therefore reform the current rules around settlement so that individuals must earn their right to a privileged immigration status in the UK through the long-term contribution they bring to our country. We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and will provide details of how the scheme will work after that.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to address the finding in the report Safety and Survival by Women for Refugee Women that women banned from working are being forced into abusive and exploitative situations and relationships.

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

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration and asylum system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform in relation to the exploitation and abuse of migrant workers, and a wide range of other areas.

The Government provides support to migrant victims of VAWG through the Migrant Victims Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) and works with sector leads on this group to ensure they are part of the broader strategy on VAWG.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of policies banning women seeking asylum from working and their objective of preventing violence against women and girls.

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

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration and asylum system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform in relation to the exploitation and abuse of migrant workers, and a wide range of other areas.

The Government provides support to migrant victims of VAWG through the Migrant Victims Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) and works with sector leads on this group to ensure they are part of the broader strategy on VAWG.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how the impact of the work ban for people seeking asylum upon levels of violence against women and girls is being monitored.

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

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration and asylum system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform in relation to the exploitation and abuse of migrant workers, and a wide range of other areas.

The Government provides support to migrant victims of VAWG through the Migrant Victims Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) and works with sector leads on this group to ensure they are part of the broader strategy on VAWG.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an estimate of the proportion of migrants that do not meet functional English language standards on their arrival in the UK.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total cost to the public purse was for English language teaching for adult (a) migrants and (b) irregular migrants in the last five years.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department holds information on neighbourhoods where most residents do not speak English as a first language.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of asylum claimants granted leave to remain without meeting a minimum standard of English in the last five years.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of successful visa applicants required no proof of English language proficiency in the last five years.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there are any exemptions for English language tests in visa application processes.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

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 English language proficiency on long-term integration outcomes for migrants.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

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 removal of all STEM roles from the immigration salary list on (a) the advanced manufacturing industry and (b) their ability to attract global talent.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Immigration White Paper has set out that we will replace the Immigration Salary List with a new Temporary Shortage List. The Migration Advisory Committee will recommend the occupations that will be for the Temporary Shortage List by drawing on evidence from the wider Labour Market Evidence Group.

The government will be taking an evidence-based approach to skilled migration, ensuring temporary access for shortage skills while drawing on evidence from the LME Group to ensure there are workforce strategies detailing the steps that will be taken to boost the skills, training and engagement of the UK labour force.

The Government will set out further details in the coming weeks.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to review the countries eligible for (a) the Registered Traveller service and (b) automatic use of e-gates.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

eGates continue to provide a safe, secure and efficient way for millions of British and Irish citizens, and nationals of the EU/EEA, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA and Registered Traveller service members to enter the UK each year. The Government keeps eGate and Registered Traveller service eligibility under review to ensure we are balancing border security with passenger flow.

As set out in the ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System White Paper’, we have an ambitious vision to revolutionise the UK Border by using technology and increasing the use of automation to make visible changes to border security, flow and the passenger experience.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish membership of the Labour Market Evidence Group ahead of its establishment.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Labour Market Evidence (LME) Group will be comprised of:

• The Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, who are encouraged to focus on domestic recruitment and training;

• The Department for Work and Pensions, tasked with reducing economic inactivity and increasing workforce participation;

• Skills England and equivalent organisations in the Devolved Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which will target training needs; and

• The Migration Advisory Committee which will guide immigration policy.

The LME Group will be set up in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Labour Market Evidence Group will be set up.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Labour Market Evidence (LME) Group will be comprised of:

• The Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, who are encouraged to focus on domestic recruitment and training;

• The Department for Work and Pensions, tasked with reducing economic inactivity and increasing workforce participation;

• Skills England and equivalent organisations in the Devolved Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which will target training needs; and

• The Migration Advisory Committee which will guide immigration policy.

The LME Group will be set up in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, what plans her Department has to consult with BN(O) visa holders on the potential impact of the proposed immigration reforms on their communities.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Settlement in the UK is a prerequisite for becoming a British citizen and brings lifelong benefits. Settlement is also an important step in integrating and contributing to local communities and the wider country. We will therefore reform the current rules around settlement so that individuals must earn their right to privileged immigration status in the UK through the long-term contribution they bring to our country. We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and will provide details of how the scheme will work after that, including which immigration routes it will apply to.

Question to the Home Office:

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, whether British National (Overseas) visa holders will be required to meet new earned settlement criteria.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Settlement in the UK is a prerequisite for becoming a British citizen and brings lifelong benefits. Settlement is also an important step in integrating and contributing to local communities and the wider country. We will therefore reform the current rules around settlement so that individuals must earn their right to privileged immigration status in the UK through the long-term contribution they bring to our country. We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and will provide details of how the scheme will work after that, including which immigration routes it will apply to.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the White Paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, if she will make it her policy to maintain the current route to settlement for BN(O) visa holders.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Settlement in the UK is a prerequisite for becoming a British citizen and brings lifelong benefits. Settlement is also an important step in integrating and contributing to local communities and the wider country. We will therefore reform the current rules around settlement so that individuals must earn their right to privileged immigration status in the UK through the long-term contribution they bring to our country. We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and will provide details of how the scheme will work after that, including which immigration routes it will apply to.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her proposed extension of the settlement qualification period from five to ten years will apply to BN(O) visa holders who are already on the pathway to indefinite leave to remain.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Settlement in the UK is a prerequisite for becoming a British citizen and brings lifelong benefits. Settlement is also an important step in integrating and contributing to local communities and the wider country. We will therefore reform the current rules around settlement so that individuals must earn their right to privileged immigration status in the UK through the long-term contribution they bring to our country. We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and will provide details of how the scheme will work after that, including which immigration routes it will apply to.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many spousal visas were issued in each of the past four years.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform of the family route and a wide range of other areas.

In September 2024, we commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules. There will be no changes to the current threshold of £29,000, until the MAC review is complete. We will then consider their report and decide whether to implement any of the recommendations.

Information on statistics relating to family visas is available from the Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK publication. Data on family visas can be found in the Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

The statistics relate to applications and outcomes (grants, refusals, lapsed and withdrawn) of entry clearance visas granted for family reasons. Family Partner visa grants is available from Table Vis_D02. The 'family' route covers visas where an individual is applying for a visa on the basis of their relationship to a person settled in the UK or a British citizen.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to review the income requirements for awarding a spousal visa.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform of the family route and a wide range of other areas.

In September 2024, we commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules. There will be no changes to the current threshold of £29,000, until the MAC review is complete. We will then consider their report and decide whether to implement any of the recommendations.

Information on statistics relating to family visas is available from the Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK publication. Data on family visas can be found in the Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

The statistics relate to applications and outcomes (grants, refusals, lapsed and withdrawn) of entry clearance visas granted for family reasons. Family Partner visa grants is available from Table Vis_D02. The 'family' route covers visas where an individual is applying for a visa on the basis of their relationship to a person settled in the UK or a British citizen.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the spousal visa regulations.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform of the family route and a wide range of other areas.

In September 2024, we commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules. There will be no changes to the current threshold of £29,000, until the MAC review is complete. We will then consider their report and decide whether to implement any of the recommendations.

Information on statistics relating to family visas is available from the Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK publication. Data on family visas can be found in the Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

The statistics relate to applications and outcomes (grants, refusals, lapsed and withdrawn) of entry clearance visas granted for family reasons. Family Partner visa grants is available from Table Vis_D02. The 'family' route covers visas where an individual is applying for a visa on the basis of their relationship to a person settled in the UK or a British citizen.

Question to the Home Office:

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, whether these changes will apply to British National (Overseas) visa holders.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Settlement in the UK is a prerequisite for becoming a British citizen and brings lifelong benefits. Settlement is also an important step in integrating and contributing to local communities and the wider country. We will therefore reform the current rules around settlement so that individuals must earn their right to privileged immigration status in the UK through the long-term contribution they bring to our country. We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and will provide details of how the scheme will work after that, including which immigration routes it will apply to.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to provide compensation to survivors of child sexual abuse.

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

The Government is making reforms to better support victims of child sexual abuse and prioritise their rights, including making it easier for victims to pursue claims in the civil court.

The Government has committed to remove the three-year time limit for victims to bring civil personal injury child sexual abuse claims, so that claims do not need to be brought within three years of turning 18. This change is significant because we know that it can take decades for survivors to disclose sexual abuse. Now, victims can come forward when they feel ready to do so, without fear of having their claims rejected due to the time limit.

Furthermore, the burden of proof that currently rests on victims' shoulders, who must prove it is possible to hold a fair trial for one to go ahead, has been lifted. Now it is up to the defendant to demonstrate that a fair trial cannot proceed if they intend to challenge one. This will enable cases to be heard more easily, and protect victims from having to relive their trauma any more than is necessary.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is part of a package of Government-funded general and specialist support available to victims of crime. It is a Scheme of last resort where eligible victims cannot claim compensation from elsewhere. Victims, including children, who suffer a serious physical or mental injury as a direct result of a violent crime such as physical and sexual abuse, may be able to access compensation under the Scheme. Payments under the Scheme are an expression of public sympathy and are intended to be an acknowledgment of the harm that eligible applicants have experienced.

The Government recognises the specific challenges faced by victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in applying to the Scheme. Given that it takes between 24 and 27 years, on average, for child sexual abuse victims to report their experiences, we understand that this will affect their ability to comply with some of the Scheme's requirements. The Scheme already allows discretion to extend the time limits for applying in exceptional circumstances, and evidence suggests that discretion is being used effectively. In addition, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) has worked to improve its service for compensation applicants, including providing its staff with specific training on the impact of psychological and emotional trauma in sexual abuse cases, and guidance on applying the exceptional circumstances discretion to sexual abuse cases - particularly child sexual abuse.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16 on 16 April, whether they plan to review records of convictions since 2010 in which biological male offenders have been recorded as female.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided to PQ UIN 45760 on 2 May 2025.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) mandatory and (b) voluntary registration processes are in place for businesses seeking to operate within the private security sector.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is a Home Office arm’s length body established by the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA) as the regulator of the private security industry. The SIA sets standards and licenses individuals seeking to perform certain licensable roles in private security. Licensing ensures individuals are appropriately trained, qualified, and vetted to ensure that they are ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence.

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 Act (for example door supervisors and security guards).

It is a criminal offence under s.3 of the PSIA for a person to engage in licensable conduct without a licence, and an offence under s.5 of that Act for a business to supply unlicensed security operatives to perform licensable activities.

Businesses can also choose to sign up to the SIA’s voluntary quality assurance scheme, the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria her Department uses to determine which illegal immigrants will be tagged.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

When granted immigration bail, an individual may have specific conditions attached to their bail, such as electronic monitoring, a residence restriction or other conditions appropriate to the individual. A breach of any of the bail conditions that are set is an offence under s.24(1) of the Immigration Act 1971.

The Immigration Act 2016 Schedule 10 Part 1 paragraphs 2(2) and 2(3) place a duty on the Secretary of State, where appropriate and practical, to electronically monitor those on immigration bail who could be detained because they are subject to either deportation proceedings or a Deportation Order. There is a discretion to apply electronic monitoring (EM) more broadly and this is considered on a case by case basis.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to amend the Police Pensions Regulations 1987 to allow widows to continue to receive pension income following remarriage.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The 1987 Police Pension Scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or civil partner remarries or cohabits with another partner.

With the introduction of the 2006 and 2015 police pension schemes, all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme that provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse.

From 1 April 2015, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation.

There are no plans at this time to make any further changes to benefits accrued in the 1987 police scheme.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to stop ISIS-K members from using conventional visa routes to travel to the UK from the central Asian republics.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

It would not be appropriate to comment in detail on operational security matters or specific cases. However, all visa applications are subject to comprehensive security checks and we maximise the use of upstream interventions to prevent people who pose a threat to the UK from being able to travel.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February 2025 to Question 30270 on British Nationality: Fees and Charges; for what reason she does not collate information on the reasons for rejecting fee waivers.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The reasons for rejecting a fee waiver are recorded on each case, but collating this data for the purposes of answering the relevant parliamentary question would have required a manual review of each case.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) fingerprints, (b) photos and (c) DNA samples have been collected from illegal immigrants housed in Cheshire in each of the last five years.

Answered by Angela Eagle - 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 steps she is taking to reform visas for care workers seeking employment in the UK.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Government published the White Paper ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’ on 12 May 2025. The White Paper set out its intention to end overseas recruitment for social care visas. The Government will set out further details in the near future.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) fingerprints, (b) photos and (c) DNA samples have been collected from illegal immigrants arriving in the UK in each of the last five years.

Answered by Angela Eagle - 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 she plans to regulate the fees charged by GPs to applicants for a medical review for a firearms licensing application.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Medical checks are an important part of the firearms licensing process and help to ensure that those in possession of firearms licences do not present a threat to themselves or others.

Since November 2021, applicants have been required to provide medical information from a doctor when submitting their application for a firearms certificate. While doctors can charge a fee to the applicant to provide the medical information in relation to a firearms licence application, whether such a fee is charged, or the level of that fee, are a matter between the applicant and the doctor.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of removing age stratification in the Skilled Worker visa minimum salary criteria.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under review, and recently published a white Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform of salary requirements and a wide range of other areas.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons for the finding in Women for Refugee Women's report that 71 per cent of women were under supervision by male staff despite the requirement under the Detention Services Order 06/2016 that detained women should wherever possible be supervised by female staff.

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

There is detailed published guidance for all staff working in Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs). Detention Services Order (DSO) 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, DSO 09/2012 ‘Searching Policy’ sets out the requirements for searching women in detention, providing clear guidance that women must only be searched by members of the same sex.

All staff working with women receive appropriate gender specific training (such as the protocol for entry to bedrooms), in addition to any generic training they receive when they undergo initial training or undertake appropriate refresher training. This includes equality and diversity, human trafficking and modern slavery.

The constant supervision of women who are subject to an Assessment Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT) plan, should wherever possible, be undertaken by a female detainee custody officer (DCO). In the unlikely event that this is not operationally possible for reasons of safety and security, the details for this decision must be fully documented by the duty manager on the ACDT plan.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to address the finding by Women for Refugee Women that 48 per cent of the women they spoke to were searched by male staff despite the ban on this practice under Detention Services Order 06/2016.

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

There is detailed published guidance for all staff working in Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs). Detention Services Order (DSO) 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, DSO 09/2012 ‘Searching Policy’ sets out the requirements for searching women in detention, providing clear guidance that women must only be searched by members of the same sex.

All staff working with women receive appropriate gender specific training (such as the protocol for entry to bedrooms), in addition to any generic training they receive when they undergo initial training or undertake appropriate refresher training. This includes equality and diversity, human trafficking and modern slavery.

The constant supervision of women who are subject to an Assessment Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT) plan, should wherever possible, be undertaken by a female detainee custody officer (DCO). In the unlikely event that this is not operationally possible for reasons of safety and security, the details for this decision must be fully documented by the duty manager on the ACDT plan.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of women's experiences of violence and abuse in the asylum system.

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

There is detailed published guidance for all staff working in Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs). Detention Services Order (DSO) 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, DSO 09/2012 ‘Searching Policy’ sets out the requirements for searching women in detention, providing clear guidance that women must only be searched by members of the same sex.

All staff working with women receive appropriate gender specific training (such as the protocol for entry to bedrooms), in addition to any generic training they receive when they undergo initial training or undertake appropriate refresher training. This includes equality and diversity, human trafficking and modern slavery.

The constant supervision of women who are subject to an Assessment Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT) plan, should wherever possible, be undertaken by a female detainee custody officer (DCO). In the unlikely event that this is not operationally possible for reasons of safety and security, the details for this decision must be fully documented by the duty manager on the ACDT plan.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her Department's definition is of a graduate level job which students must acquire in order to remain in the UK after their studies.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reforms in relation to Family visas, graduate rules, settlement criteria, and a range of other areas.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the proposed 10 year residence criteria for migrants will include time spent in the person's country of origin on extended leave.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reforms in relation to Family visas, graduate rules, settlement criteria, and a range of other areas.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an annual statement to Parliament on the progress on her plan to reduce immigration.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reforms in relation to Family visas, graduate rules, settlement criteria, and a range of other areas.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to cap the number of family visas annually.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reforms in relation to Family visas, graduate rules, settlement criteria, and a range of other areas.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to ensure that Essex Police's share of national funding from the police funding formula adequately reflects the level of policing it provides nationally.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

In 2025-26, overall funding for policing will total up to £19.6 billion in 2025-26, an increase of up to £1.2 billion when compared to the 2024-25 police settlement. Essex Police will receive up to £434.1 million in funding in 2025-26, an increase of up to £27.9 million when compared to the 2024-25 police settlement, equating to a 6.9% cash increase.

The 2025-26 police settlement ensures that every local policing body in England and Wales will receive the same percentage increase in their Core Grant, offering funding certainty for forces in setting a balanced budget.

Funding for policing in future years beyond 2025-26 will be set out in phase 2 of the Spending Review.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the proposed ten year residence criteria for migrants will include time spent in a third country.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reforms in relation to Family visas, graduate rules, settlement criteria, and a range of other areas.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to reduce car-related crimes in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

This Government is determined to drive down vehicle crime and are working with the automotive industry and the police to ensure the strongest response possible to this damaging crime.

Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced measures to ban electronic devices used to steal vehicles, empowering the police and courts to target the criminals using, manufacturing and supplying them. We have also introduced a provision in the Bill which allows the police to enter and search premises for specific stolen property which has been electronically geolocation tracked to a particular premises, without the need for a warrant. This includes vehicles.

In addition, the recently established National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership and the police-led National Vehicle Crime Working Group is focusing on steps to prevent and deter theft of and from vehicles. This includes training police officers on the methods used to steal vehicles, encouraging vehicle owners to secure their vehicles, and working with industry to address vulnerabilities in vehicles.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to reduce car theft in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

This Government is determined to drive down vehicle crime and are working with the automotive industry and the police to ensure the strongest response possible to this damaging crime.

Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced measures to ban electronic devices used to steal vehicles, empowering the police and courts to target the criminals using, manufacturing and supplying them. We have also introduced a provision in the Bill which allows the police to enter and search premises for specific stolen property which has been electronically geolocation tracked to a particular premises, without the need for a warrant. This includes vehicles.

In addition, the recently established National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership and the police-led National Vehicle Crime Working Group is focusing on steps to prevent and deter theft of and from vehicles. This includes training police officers on the methods used to steal vehicles, encouraging vehicle owners to secure their vehicles, and working with industry to address vulnerabilities in vehicles.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of establishing a resettlement scheme for Palestinian refugees seeking to join family members resident in the UK.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 13 March to Question 35970.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support UK citizens with relatives impacted by the human rights situation in Balochistan.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Any application for a UK visa will be assessed against the requirements of the Immigration Rules. We advise people to consider the most appropriate visa route for their own circumstances.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether funding will be allocated to roll out hotspot policing in rural areas.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

This Government has awarded £66.3m in 2025/26 to all 43 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales for the Hot Spot Action Fund. This funding is for high-visibility patrolling in the areas with the highest densities (‘hotspots’) of knife crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as problem-oriented policing to tackle the longer-term drivers of crime.

This funding can be used to roll-out hotspot policing in rural areas if the area has a high density of knife crime and anti-social behaviour relative to the force area. Where funding is specifically targeted is an operational decision for individual PCCs and police forces. West Mercia Police (which includes South Shropshire) has been awarded £1m from this fund in 2025/26.

We are also providing over £800,000 in 25/26 for the National Rural Crime Unit and National Wildlife Crime Unit. This funding will support police forces to tackle rural and wildlife crimes, including organised theft and disrupting serious and organised crime groups.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to increase the frequency of spot checks on taxi and private hire drivers to identify people working illegally.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office issues guidance to local authorities on preventing illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector. The guidance can be found on GOV.UK at: Licensing authority guide to right to work checks - GOV.UK

Enforcement visits are intelligence led and undertaken across all employment sectors. The Home Office is committed to increasing illegal working enforcement visits across a range of sectors throughout 2025-2026.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people working as (a) private hire and (b) taxi drivers are subject to immigration status checks; and how many enforcement actions have been taken against drivers found to be working illegally in each of the last three years.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office issues guidance to local authorities on preventing illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector. The guidance can be found on GOV.UK at: Licensing authority guide to right to work checks - GOV.UK

Enforcement visits are intelligence led and undertaken across all employment sectors. The Home Office is committed to increasing illegal working enforcement visits across a range of sectors throughout 2025-2026.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department issues to local licensing authorities on checking the (a) right-to-work and (b) immigration status of applicants for (i) taxi and (ii) private hire vehicle licences.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office issues guidance to local authorities on preventing illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector. The guidance can be found on GOV.UK at: Licensing authority guide to right to work checks - GOV.UK

Enforcement visits are intelligence led and undertaken across all employment sectors. The Home Office is committed to increasing illegal working enforcement visits across a range of sectors throughout 2025-2026.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Prime Minister unveils new plan to end years of uncontrolled migration, published on 11 May 2025, when she plans to (a) announce and (b) implement the fast-track element of the new framework for (i) high-skilled and (ii) high-contributing individuals.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

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

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will allow Ukrainian visa-holders to sponsor more family members through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, including (1) partners, (2) children over 18, and (3) siblings.

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

Following a review, on the 31 January 2025 we amended the sponsorship eligibility criteria under the Homes for Ukraine scheme to enable parents with Ukraine Scheme visas to sponsor their children to join them in the UK.

This change is intended to simplify the administrative process for children to reunite with their parents and has been developed in line with our duty to consider the best interests of children.

There are currently no plans to expand this beyond children under 18. Adults in Ukraine, including children over 18, will continue to be eligible to apply under the HFU scheme, once they have found an Approved Sponsor.

We continue to review our policies in line with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the amount of funding that has been allocated for equality, diversity and inclusion roles in each police force in the (a) 2025-26 and (b) 2026-27.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The requested information is not centrally collated by the Home Office.

Decisions on how funding and resources are utilised are an operational matter for Chief Constables and locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the barriers to employment faced by people with temporary immigration status under the Ukraine schemes.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

I refer the Honourable Member to my answer given on 8 May 2025 to PQ UIN 49746.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) quantity and (b) estimated street value of drugs retrieved from flotation devices at sea have been seized by Border Force in 2025; and what steps her Department is taking to help tackle the use of those devices for illegal activity.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Border Force has made one seizure of drugs so far in the calendar year 2025 that was packaged as an At Sea Drop-Off (ASDOs). The total seizure was 1464kg (Net) Cocaine and would have a street value of approximately £58,560,000 (£40,000 per kg). This was not directly retrieved from a flotation device as Border Force detected and seized before it entered the sea.

Border Force works around the clock to disrupt drug supply chains and will continue working closely with national and overseas partners to identify and prevent the new methods criminals take to smuggling illegal drugs. The collective response in dismantling drug smuggling operations from Police, the National Crime Agency and Border Force is helping the government deliver its safer streets mission by smashing organised crime gangs and saving lives.

Question to the Home Office:

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, whether changes to English language requirements from B1 to B2 level will apply to holders of pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme intending to apply for (a) settled status and (b) British citizenship.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Further details of all the measures announced in the White Paper will be set out in due course, and where necessary, subject to consultation.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made a comparative assessment of access to widow pensions for women who (a) cohabit and (b) remarry for widows of (i) police and (ii) armed forces personnel.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The 2015 police pension scheme is the scheme currently open to serving police officers. This scheme provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse. The introduction of the 2006 police pension scheme meant that all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme with such survivor benefits.

Prior to 2006, the 1987 police pension scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or civil partner remarries or cohabits with another partner.

From 1 April 2015, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation. When the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended from 1 April 2015 by the previous government, estimates of the cost were made. There are no plans at this time to make any further estimates or undertake comparative assessments that might lead to changes to benefits accrued in the 1987 police scheme.

Policing is a devolved matter in both Scotland and Northern Ireland. Decisions of the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive should not form a precedent without due consideration of the Government’s continuing duty to ensure that public services are affordable, sustainable and fair in England and Wales.

A justification was made under the previous government for allowing all surviving partners of Armed Forces pension scheme members to retain their survivor’s pension for life, relating to the combination of factors that apply specifically to members of the Armed Forces and their families.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made a comparative assessment of access to police widow pensions for women who (a) cohabit and (b) remarry in (i) England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The 2015 police pension scheme is the scheme currently open to serving police officers. This scheme provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse. The introduction of the 2006 police pension scheme meant that all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme with such survivor benefits.

Prior to 2006, the 1987 police pension scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or civil partner remarries or cohabits with another partner.

From 1 April 2015, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation. When the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended from 1 April 2015 by the previous government, estimates of the cost were made. There are no plans at this time to make any further estimates or undertake comparative assessments that might lead to changes to benefits accrued in the 1987 police scheme.

Policing is a devolved matter in both Scotland and Northern Ireland. Decisions of the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive should not form a precedent without due consideration of the Government’s continuing duty to ensure that public services are affordable, sustainable and fair in England and Wales.

A justification was made under the previous government for allowing all surviving partners of Armed Forces pension scheme members to retain their survivor’s pension for life, relating to the combination of factors that apply specifically to members of the Armed Forces and their families.

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 her Department's White Paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, on the status of British Nationals Overseas visa holders.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

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. The reforms set out in the White Paper will be delivered across this Parliament. Some measures will require primary legislation and further consultation, while others will be brought in more swiftly. There will be consultation on new earned settlement and citizenship rules later this year

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her plans to increase the qualifying period for settled status will apply to British National (Overseas) visa holders.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

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. The reforms set out in the White Paper will be delivered across this Parliament. Some measures will require primary legislation and further consultation, while others will be brought in more swiftly. There will be consultation on new earned settlement and citizenship rules later this year

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 English language requirements on British National (Overseas) visa holders seeking to (a) extend their stay and (b) apply for indefinite leave to remain for adult dependents in Sutton.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Further details of all measures announced in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in the normal way in due course, and where necessary, will be subject to consultation.

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 extended ten-year standard qualifying period for settlement on Hongkongers in Sutton exploring pathways beyond the British Nationals (Overseas) route.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Further details of all measures announced in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in the normal way in due course, and where necessary, will be subject to consultation.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to amend the (a) duration and (b) eligibility criteria for the British National (Overseas) visa.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Further details of all measures announced in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in the normal way in due course, and where necessary, will be subject to consultation.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to require the introduction of traceable labels on nitrous oxide canisters to track the point of sale.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the updated response issued to PQ 49048.

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 proposed changes to English language and family migration requirements on the ability of (a) BN(O) visa holders and (b) people hold full British citizenship to bring dependents to live with them in the UK.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office will publish all relevant assessments relating to measures announced in the Immigration White Paper when further details of those measures are set out in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49818 on Neighbourhood Policing: Staff, when she had discussions with police forces on guaranteeing that neighbourhood queries will be responded to within 72 hours from July.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee was developed through close working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other policing leads including the commitment that neighbourhood queries will be responded to within 72 hours.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that police widows do not lose access to their survivor's pension if they cohabit or remarry.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The 2015 police pension scheme is the scheme currently open to serving police officers. This scheme provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse. The introduction of the 2006 police pension scheme meant that all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme with such survivor benefits.

Prior to 2006, the 1987 police pension scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or civil partner remarries or cohabits with another partner.

From 1 April 2015, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation. When the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended from 1 April 2015 by the previous government, estimates of the cost were made. There are no plans at this time to make any further estimates or undertake comparative assessments that might lead to changes to benefits accrued in the 1987 police scheme.

Policing is a devolved matter in both Scotland and Northern Ireland. Decisions of the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive should not form a precedent without due consideration of the Government’s continuing duty to ensure that public services are affordable, sustainable and fair in England and Wales.

A justification was made under the previous government for allowing all surviving partners of Armed Forces pension scheme members to retain their survivor’s pension for life, relating to the combination of factors that apply specifically to members of the Armed Forces and their families.

Found: We have previously written to the Home Office, including in January 2024, calling for a proscription

Found: The Home Office allocated additional resources to the Community Security Trust (CST) and worked with

Found: See https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Liberty-v-Home-Office-Press-summary.pdf 10

Found: According to Home Office figures, the Section 45 duty is expected to have almost zero effect on the

Found: Together, these measures form the basis of what we propose as Banaz’s Law. 3 Home Office and Ministry

Found: promising results from pilots which devolve NRM decision- making (in children’s cases) from the central Home Office

Found: Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS), which splits proceeds from recovered assets 50:50 between the Home Office

Found: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/ukeu-police-and-judicial- cooperation-postbrexit-9781509966448/ 2 Home Office

Found: collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in London, the Delegation of the EU to the UK, and the UK Home Office

Found: This concerns conversations between the Department for Business and Trade and the Home Office, to ensure

Found: t vei Dan Jarvis MBE MP Security Minister 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF www.gov.uk/home-office

Found: split between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), His Majesty’s Treasury, the Home Office

Found: Treasury, The Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation in the Department of Business and Trade, the Home Office

Found: is a multi-stakeholder dialogue chaired by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Home Office

Found: & Development Office Department for Transport Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Home Office

Found: Minister Rt Hon Lord Alton of Liverpool 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF www.gov.uk/home-office

Found: Significant long-term reform will take time, and in the interim the Home Office has recently published

Found: The government should work across departments including DHSC, DSIT, Education and the Home Office to

Found: The MoJ and Home Office settlements additionally provide for investment of up to £74m in 2025‑26 to

Found: DWP, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Home Office and Ministry of Justice have

Found: The Home Office understands that targeted immigration and migration policy is key to the success of

Found: The MAC is an independent body advising the Home Office on migration.

Found: I believe the Home Office is working on something called O3C—I have not seen the detail of it, but it

Found: Public Accounts Committee just published its report on Friday with some concerns that neither the Home Office

Found: I believe the Home Office is working on something called O3C—I have not seen the detail of it, but it

Found: Home Office, Home Office, and Home Office Oral Evidence

Found: During the first UK Covid lockdown, nearly half of all employees (49%) worked from home (Office for

Found: , Home Office; Grace Lucas, Deputy Director, Home Office.

Found: Florence, Presentation of Fire MoG in the Main Estimate All fire functions previously held by the Home Office

Found: Fire functions previously held by the Home Office moved to MHCLG on 1st April 2025.

Found: Even accounting for the investments in home office equipment and bringing staff together on a semi-regular

Found: set up to work from home, it was a new concept and for many people there was no such thing as a home office

Found: Other ministries such as the Department for Education, the Home Office, the Department of Health and

Found: Beyond these immediate reforms, DBT should work closely with the Home Office to establish an ongoing

Found: for Education, the Department for Work & Pensions, HM Treasury, the Department for Business, the Home Office

Found: Home Office Digital Inclusion 31.

Found: of goods trade across the border heavily influenced by Cabinet Office, DBT, HMRC, Defra and the Home Office

Found: seasonal worker visa scheme to include viticulture, and invest in new training schemes Remit: Home Office

Found: could hold the key to accelerating the innovative use of public sector data are HMRC and the Home Office

Found: Skills pipelines (DfE), visa routes (Home Office), R&D funding (DSIT/UKRI), and procurement (e.g.

Found: Access to talent  The Home Office should use the upcoming Immigration White Paper to prioritise making

Found: Recommendations: a) Utilising the upcoming Immigration White Paper and Industrial Strategy, the Home Office

Found: 7 GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/home-office-immigration-and

Found: The Home Office should ensure these applicants are pre-vetted and exempt from additional visa fees,

Found: the top companies and government departments, such as the FCDO for international advocacy, the Home Office

Found: Technology Institute (ATI), UKRI funding programs, and security technology roadmaps such as the Home Office

Found: London: UK Government, February 29, 2024. 4 Home Office.

Found: The Home Office has oversight of the police, who have a role in this, as does the Ministry of Justice

Found: My own experience of the Home Office is that their idea of the sort of talent we might want begins

Found: , the Director General appointed as SRO is also responsible for the Public Safety group in the Home Office

Found: Recommendation 1 (Home Office) The services provided by the Revenge Porn Helpline (RPH) need to be supported

Found: Recommendation 1 (Home Office) The services provided by the Revenge Porn Helpline (RPH) need to be supported

Found: coordinated on media literacy, with the Department for Education supporting teachers and students, the Home Office

Found: something that is not that fun, it is harder to motivate yourself when you are by yourself in your home office

Found: As Caygill points out, between 2008 and 2019, the Home Office published 18 post- legislative memoranda

Found: Nonetheless, we consider that Section 12 should be repealed because, even if the Home Office does not

Found: Indeed, 2024 Home Office statistics shows that the 48% of the children are victims of criminal exploitation

Found: significant portions of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 (IMA), such as:  child detention powers.1  Home Office

Found: Act (IMA) In 2023 the office used its statutory data collection powers to request data from the Home Office

Found: The Immigration Act 1971 first gave the Home Office powers to detain people while their immigration

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of applying home tuition fee status to students who hold a British National (Overseas) visa.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Higher education institutions in England are autonomous bodies and it is for them to assess whether the fees for students who do not meet the criteria for automatic home fee status should be reduced or waived in line with individual circumstances.

To qualify for automatic home fee status in England, a person must have settled status or a ‘recognised connection’ to the UK. A recognised connection includes persons who are covered by the EU Withdrawal Agreement, have long residence in this country, or who have been granted international protection by the Home Office. There are also requirements associated with ordinary residence in the UK.

The British National (Overseas) immigration route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong. Subject to meeting the normal eligibility requirements, Hong Kong British National (Overseas) status holders will be able to qualify for student finance and home fee status once they have acquired settled status in the UK.

There are no plans to amend the eligibility requirements for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) status holders as these are in line with those that apply to most other persons on routes to settlement.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to develop a cross-Government strategy for reducing the numbers of missing children.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

This government champions the need for an effective multi-agency response that reduces the number of children going missing, whether this is from a family home or from the care of the local authority.

The department’s long-standing statutory guidance on safeguarding children at risk of going missing is already clear on the expectation that local authorities and safeguarding partners need to work together to reduce missing episodes, and to respond effectively when children do go missing.

In addition, the government’s statutory guidance ‘Working together to safeguard children’ promotes robust information-sharing across safeguarding partners, which we know is essential for identifying local contexts and disrupting local patterns of behaviours that can raise the risk of children in and outside the care system going missing, including being missing from education.

Children in care can be especially vulnerable to going missing. That is why the department, working with the Home Office, has supported the National Police Chiefs' Council to develop a ‘Missing Children from Care' framework. This good practice framework can be adopted by local areas when designing their multi-agency protocols for strategic and operational responses to missing episodes, ensuring that the appropriate safeguarding partner responds in the best interest of the missing person.

Since April, the government is providing £500 million to local authorities nationally, to roll out family help and multi-agency child protection support. We have set up the Families First Partnership programme to support the delivery of these reforms, with local areas beginning transformation from April 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the number of social housing tenants in (a) England, (b) London and (c) each local authority in England who were born outside the United Kingdom.

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

People are generally eligible for social housing if they have leave to remain in the UK and have recourse to public funds. The Home Office decides whether persons from abroad have leave to remain in the UK and whether they have recourse to public funds.

Only individuals that are eligible can join housing registers and be given a social housing tenancy. For those who are eligible, housing needs will be considered on an equal basis in accordance with the relevant local authority’s housing allocation scheme.

According to the relevant 2021 Census extract, there were 796,000 households living in the social rented sector in England in March 2021 that were headed by someone who was not born in the UK. It is important to note that such households may contain UK nationals as well as non-UK national lead tenants.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question HL6032 on Arm's Length Bodies, whether the Child Protection Authority for England will be a new public body.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Home Office, Minister Jess Phillips, announced on 8 April that the Government will establish a new Child Protection Authority which will be delivered from within the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel. It is not currently planned to be an arm’s-length body.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will publish a full list of approved masts included in the Shared Rural Network programme.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The locations of proposed government-funded Total Not Spot masts can be found at https://srn.org.uk/about/srn-tns-site-locations/,however this is due to be updated soon, as we now expect the objectives for this part of the programme to be met with far fewer masts. We are currently in the final stages of following the necessary processes with the mobile network operators to approve the details before they can be shared publicly. Details of the Home Office masts that will be upgraded for the Shared Rural Network are not publicly available as not all Home Office masts will be viable for the programme, but my officials will write to you with details of the sites that will be upgraded in your constituency.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department provides to the Electoral Registration Offices on the mechanisms by which qualified EU nationals should be verified for their eligibility to join the local electoral roll; what guidance her Department provides to ensure that non-qualified individuals are not signed up to the electoral roll; and what assessment she is made of the merits of automatic electoral registration in this context.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are responsible for maintaining accurate electoral registers. As part of the voter registration process, applicants must declare their nationality. EROs hold legal powers which allow them to request documentary evidence to confirm an applicant’s nationality if they are not satisfied as to any applicant's nationality. The application form to register to vote is clear about the possibility of applicants being required to provide additional evidence about their nationality, and that their nationality or immigration status may be checked against government records.

The Electoral Commission has also published guidance for EROs on the types of evidence they may request, and advice on how to check immigration records held by the Home Office.

The Government is committed to improving electoral registration. We are exploring a wide range of options to deliver on this manifesto commitment, including making greater use of data and online Government services. Any changes will be based on robust evidence and user research.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has provided to Electoral Registration Offices on the mechanisms by which qualified Commonwealth citizens should be verified for their eligibility to join the local government and UK Parliamentary electoral roll; what guidance her Department has provided on what steps should be taken to ensure that non-qualified Commonwealth individuals are not signed up to the electoral roll; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of automatic voter registration on that issue.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are responsible for maintaining accurate electoral registers. As part of the voter registration process, applicants must declare their nationality. EROs hold legal powers which allow them to request documentary evidence to confirm an applicant’s nationality if they are not satisfied as to any applicant's nationality. The application form to register to vote is clear about the possibility of applicants being required to provide additional evidence about their nationality, and that their nationality or immigration status may be checked against government records.

The Electoral Commission has also published guidance for EROs on the types of evidence they may request, and advice on how to check immigration records held by the Home Office.

The Government is committed to improving electoral registration. We are exploring a wide range of options to deliver on this manifesto commitment, including making greater use of data and online Government services. Any changes will be based on robust evidence and user research.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to require safety assessments for AI models before they are released to market to ensure they cannot be used to generate child sexual abuse material.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government takes AI generated images of child sexual abuse extremely seriously.

Creating and possessing CSAM is already a criminal offence, but we are committed to ensuring there are no gaps in the law for criminals to exploit. The Government is therefore banning AI models optimised to produce CSAM and extending existing law for criminalising ‘paedophile manuals’ through the Crime and Policing Bill.

Earlier this year the Government announced that the AI Security Institute will partner with the Home Office to research the most serious emerging risks from AI to criminality, including how it can be used to enable crimes such as child sexual abuse.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to publish the attendees at each Freeports Security Forum meeting.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the dates on which the Freeports Security Forum met in the last 12 months.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the membership of the Freeports Security Forum.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with each Freeport Governing Body on their engagement with local security stakeholders.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the capacity of freeport governing bodies to conduct annual security audits.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Freeports Security Forum has provided any recommendations to local Freeports to strengthen their local security apparatus.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish (a) the date on which each Freeport's Annual Freeport Security Audit was received and (b) the Freeport Security Forum's assessment of each of those audits.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether (a) the Freeports Security Forum and (b) any other government body has intervened where a Freeport has (i) underperformed, (ii) become non-compliant with regulations, (iii) presented a security risk and (iv) could not demonstrate robust stewardship of public money.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) withholding and (b) removing access to Freeport policy benefits where there has been continued (i) non-compliance and (ii) non-delivery without an adequate reason.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the operation of the Skilled Worker route for marine and waterways transport operatives.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Skilled Worker visa for Marine and waterways transport operatives has not been discussed between DfT and Home Office Ministers. Officials continue to liaise with their Home Office counterparts and update Ministers where appropriate.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of her Department's White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025 on social care.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The immigration White Paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, was collectively agreed across Government, and is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821f334ced319d02c906103/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-web-optimised.pdf

In the technical annex, published alongside the White Paper, the Home Office has estimated an annual reduction of approximately 7,000 main applicants as a result of ending overseas recruitment for care workers and senior care workers. This is based on their internal management information for entry visas granted covering the period March 2024 to February 2025. This estimate reflects that there was a drop in visa grants of more than 90% compared with the 12 months ending in March 2024, when more than 83,000 entry visas were granted to care workers and senior care workers. The analysis in the technical annex will be refined and included within the relevant impact assessments accompanying the rule changes, as appropriate. The technical annex is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821b49bdb6463b14cd8189c/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex.pdf

As set out in the immigration White Paper, visa extensions and in-country switching for those already in the country and with working rights will be permitted for a transition period until 2028. This will be kept under review.

DHSC are providing up to £12.5m to regional partnerships in 2025/26 to respond to unethical international recruitment practices in the adult social care sector. This includes supporting international recruits impacted by sponsor licence revocations to find alternative employment.

Care workers are essential to those who draw on care and support, helping them to maintain their quality of life, independence, and connection to the things that matter to them. In England, as per the Care Act 2014, it is the responsibility of local government to develop a market that delivers a wide range of sustainable, high-quality care and support services, that will be available to their communities. English local authorities have responsibility under the Care Act 2014 to meet social care needs, and statutory guidance directs them to ensure there is sufficient workforce in adult social care.

The Department continues to monitor adult social care workforce capacity, bringing together national data sets from Skills for Care’s monthly tracking data, the Capacity Tracker tool, and intelligence from key sector partners.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the white paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, on the provision of a satisfactory standard of social care.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The immigration White Paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, was collectively agreed across Government, and is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821f334ced319d02c906103/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-web-optimised.pdf

In the technical annex, published alongside the White Paper, the Home Office has estimated an annual reduction of approximately 7,000 main applicants as a result of ending overseas recruitment for care workers and senior care workers. This is based on their internal management information for entry visas granted covering the period March 2024 to February 2025. This estimate reflects that there was a drop in visa grants of more than 90% compared with the 12 months ending in March 2024, when more than 83,000 entry visas were granted to care workers and senior care workers. The analysis in the technical annex will be refined and included within the relevant impact assessments accompanying the rule changes, as appropriate. The technical annex is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821b49bdb6463b14cd8189c/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex.pdf

As set out in the immigration White Paper, visa extensions and in-country switching for those already in the country and with working rights will be permitted for a transition period until 2028. This will be kept under review.

DHSC are providing up to £12.5m to regional partnerships in 2025/26 to respond to unethical international recruitment practices in the adult social care sector. This includes supporting international recruits impacted by sponsor licence revocations to find alternative employment.

Care workers are essential to those who draw on care and support, helping them to maintain their quality of life, independence, and connection to the things that matter to them. In England, as per the Care Act 2014, it is the responsibility of local government to develop a market that delivers a wide range of sustainable, high-quality care and support services, that will be available to their communities. English local authorities have responsibility under the Care Act 2014 to meet social care needs, and statutory guidance directs them to ensure there is sufficient workforce in adult social care.

The Department continues to monitor adult social care workforce capacity, bringing together national data sets from Skills for Care’s monthly tracking data, the Capacity Tracker tool, and intelligence from key sector partners.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many care workers there are in the United Kingdom; and what assessment they have made of impact of the planned end of visas for overseas care workers on the number of care workers to meet demand.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Every day our 1.59 million-strong adult social care workforce provides vital care and support to people of all ages and with diverse needs. Care workers are essential to those who draw on care and support, helping them maintain their quality of life, independence and connection to the things that matter to them.

Adult social care is a devolved matter. In England in 2023/24, data from Skills for Care shows that there were 905,000 filled care worker roles.

The Home Office has estimated an annual reduction of approximately 7,000 main applicants as a result of ending overseas recruitment for social care visas. This is based on their internal management information for entry visas granted, covering the period of March 2024 to February 2025. This estimate reflects that there was a drop in visa grants of more than 90% compared to the 12 months ending in March 2024, when more than 83,000 entry visas were granted to care workers and senior care workers.

The analysis in the Technical Annex, published alongside the Immigration White Paper, will be refined and included within the relevant Impact Assessments accompanying the rule changes, as appropriate.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much her Department has spent on contingency accommodation for (a) asylum seekers, (b) those granted asylum, and (c) those in the country illegally in each year since 2020.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My department has not provided any funding for contingency accommodation for asylum seekers, those granted asylum or those in the country illegally as the Home Office has departmental responsibility for the asylum system and irregular migration.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 45678 on Licensing Laws, who the members of the taskforce are; and how they were selected.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Taskforce Terms of Reference and membership is published Terms of Reference and taskforce member list - GOV.UK

Members were selected by Department for Business and Trade, Home Office, Ministry of Housing Communities Local Government and Department for Culture Media and Sport officials. The Taskforce brings together representatives from government, industry, police and local government, including mayoral areas.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has raised concerns with his French counterpart on the lack of visible (a) controls and (b) public information at French ports of departure on the new import restrictions.

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

The Government communicated the ban on personal imports of meats and dairy products from EU countries introduced on 12 April 2025, via a press release and information on social media and on GOV.UK. It has also published updated posters for operational partners to display.

As part of our national mission to protect our food sector and farmers, Defra has written to ports, airports and travel operators requesting that they take further steps in communicating the new rules to travellers as a matter of urgency.

Defra has also written to Ministers from the Department for Transport, Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ministers asking for their help with making travellers aware of the new rules.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions she has had with the Fire Brigade Union on funding for the fire and rescue service.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I met with the FBU General Secretary in February 2025, in preparation of fire functions being transferred from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 1 April 2025. We briefly discussed future investment in the fire and rescue service and are due to meet again shortly for further discussion. I am also due to speak at the forthcoming FBU conference. I recently met with the FBU General Secretary on 15th May.

Standalone fire and rescue authorities will see an increase in core spending power of £65.5 million in 2025/26. Including the National Insurance Contribution Grant, this is an increase of 3.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2024/25.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she is taking steps to return central funding to the fire and rescue service to pre-2010 levels.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I met with the FBU General Secretary in February 2025, in preparation of fire functions being transferred from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 1 April 2025. We briefly discussed future investment in the fire and rescue service and are due to meet again shortly for further discussion. I am also due to speak at the forthcoming FBU conference. I recently met with the FBU General Secretary on 15th May.

Standalone fire and rescue authorities will see an increase in core spending power of £65.5 million in 2025/26. Including the National Insurance Contribution Grant, this is an increase of 3.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2024/25.

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Found: We agreed with the Home Office to delay the publication of this report until after the publication

Found: Occupations identified by top 10 3-digit SOC10 codes within Home Office immigration statistics.

Found: Office of the Ch ildr e n (and young people's) Comm i ss ioner Public bodies OHSC (OHIO) Home Office

Found: the SPS pay scale (a move from a four point pay scale to three)) and is now completely below the Home Office

Found: Lead: Home Office.

Found: London: Home Office.

Found: It was recognised that recommendations might be for different parts of government, from the Home Office

Found: made in order to bring the return in line with the Border Force Drugs seizures reported by the Home Office

Found: concurred and highlighted that thought had already been given to reaching o ut to Home Office colleagues

Found: • Delay-free access to the site was required by suppor ting Home Office Forces .

Found: about values based recruitment (NHS Employers) International recruitment Immigration guidance (Home Office

Found: Collaboration between HMCTS and the Home Office also is encouraged to ensure the successful implementation

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Glasgow City Council's reported view that the current level of asylum support funding is unsustainable.

Answered by Stewart, Kaukab - Minister for Equalities

Asylum is reserved, including provision of asylum accommodation and support provided to people seeking asylum who would otherwise be destitute while awaiting a decision on their asylum application from the Home Office.

In 2022 the Home Office introduced funding for local authorities for the first time, to recognise the contribution of local authorities like Glasgow who supported significant numbers of people seeking asylum and to encourage participation by new local authorities. This funding has only been confirmed annually and the level of funding provided does not adequately reflect local authority costs for service provision.

Funding for local authorities has been a positive step, but we support calls for a long- term commitment to enable better support for people seeking asylum as well as local communities.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on which Scottish local authorities are (a) currently and (b) not currently participating in the UK Government’s asylum dispersal programme.

Answered by Stewart, Kaukab - Minister for Equalities

UK Government announced full asylum dispersal policy in April 2022. Under the policy Home Office contractors can presume that asylum dispersal properties can be procured in any local authority area across the UK.

The Scottish Government is aware that over half of Scotland’s local authorities now have asylum dispersal accommodation in their area.

The Home Office regularly publishes statistical data relating to immigration and asylum including data relating to people seeking asylum in receipt of Home Office support by local authority. Latest data publication is available online: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK

Found: The Home Office has published comprehensive guidance on these orders here.

Found: ACTUARYS DEPT 24.02.2025 5200666361 -21427.98 X694 F2ECWL Fire Services Branch Programme Delivery Fees HOME OFFICE

Found: , the Department for Communities and Local Government (and various iterations thereof) and the Home Office

Found: , Youth Justice Services, Probation, prisons, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, the police, the Home Office