Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what changes have been made to the export control licensing regime for nuclear-related exports following the Nuclear Regulatory Review and the Government’s response, Building our Nuclear Nation.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
This department took an action from the Nuclear Regulatory Review to where appropriate, issue longer term licences and to nominate a single point of contact. We have completed both of these actions.
HM Government takes its export control responsibilities seriously and operates a robust, transparent regime supporting UK prosperity and national and global security.
The Nuclear Regulatory Review did not alter the UK’s international obligations on nuclear non-proliferation or controls governing specified nuclear-related goods, software and technology. The Government’s response recognised the importance of maintaining an effective and proportionate regulatory framework.
Accordingly, the Department committed to issuing longer-term licences where appropriate and nominating a single point of contact for exporters. Both actions have been completed, supporting civil nuclear growth while maintaining the UK’s high standards of safety, security, non-proliferation and regulatory oversight.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the Metropolitan Police Service’s procedures for investigating allegations of rape and serious sexual offences where investigations remain ongoing for more than (a) 12 months, (b) 24 months and (c) 36 months.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
This Government is committed to improving the criminal justice response to sexual offences and improving outcomes for victims. We expect the police to investigate sexual offences promptly and effectively, while maintaining appropriate records and adhering to relevant legislation, the Victims' Code, and national police guidance.
Through the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, we have provided police forces with academic-informed guidance and tools to improve their response to sexual offences. This includes working with prosecutors to build the strongest, suspect-focused cases with victims’ needs at the core of the investigation, including where decisions are made regarding bail and other safeguarding arrangements.
To ensure these crimes are effectively prioritised by policing, the Home Secretary has asked all forces in England and Wales to implement a specialist rape and sexual offence team by December 2027. We are also rolling independent legal advisers for adult rape victims, to ensure victims can access expert advice and support on their rights, evidence requests, complaints, compensation claims, and special measures.
We recognise the impact that delays in the criminal justice system can have on victims' confidence and await the findings from the super complaint on the length of sexual offence investigations which is currently being investigated by HMICFRS, the IOPC and the College of Policing.
In addition, every Crown Court in England and Wales will get at least one courtroom especially set up to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases over the next two years and the Lord Chancellor has established a Rape Justice Taskforce which brings together leaders from across the criminal justice system to drive real change to reduce delays and restore trust and confidence.
Where victims feel their experiences fall below the standards expected of the police through the Victims Code, they may complain to the relevant force, Police and Crime Commissioner or the IOPC. The Home Secretary has launched an the ‘end to end review of the police accountability system’. This independent review will make recommendations on the changes which could be made to improve the timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness of the systems for holding police officers to account.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance is issued to police forces on notifying victims of rape and serious sexual offences when a suspect’s pre-charge bail conditions (a) expire, (b) are varied and (c) are removed; and what mechanisms are in place to monitor compliance with that guidance.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
This Government is committed to improving the criminal justice response to sexual offences and improving outcomes for victims. We expect the police to investigate sexual offences promptly and effectively, while maintaining appropriate records and adhering to relevant legislation, the Victims' Code, and national police guidance.
Through the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, we have provided police forces with academic-informed guidance and tools to improve their response to sexual offences. This includes working with prosecutors to build the strongest, suspect-focused cases with victims’ needs at the core of the investigation, including where decisions are made regarding bail and other safeguarding arrangements.
To ensure these crimes are effectively prioritised by policing, the Home Secretary has asked all forces in England and Wales to implement a specialist rape and sexual offence team by December 2027. We are also rolling independent legal advisers for adult rape victims, to ensure victims can access expert advice and support on their rights, evidence requests, complaints, compensation claims, and special measures.
We recognise the impact that delays in the criminal justice system can have on victims' confidence and await the findings from the super complaint on the length of sexual offence investigations which is currently being investigated by HMICFRS, the IOPC and the College of Policing.
In addition, every Crown Court in England and Wales will get at least one courtroom especially set up to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases over the next two years and the Lord Chancellor has established a Rape Justice Taskforce which brings together leaders from across the criminal justice system to drive real change to reduce delays and restore trust and confidence.
Where victims feel their experiences fall below the standards expected of the police through the Victims Code, they may complain to the relevant force, Police and Crime Commissioner or the IOPC. The Home Secretary has launched an the ‘end to end review of the police accountability system’. This independent review will make recommendations on the changes which could be made to improve the timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness of the systems for holding police officers to account.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that victims of rape and serious sexual offences receive timely and accurate updates on the progress of police investigations, including where cases are awaiting decisions from the Crown Prosecution Service.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
This Government is committed to improving the criminal justice response to sexual offences and improving outcomes for victims. We expect the police to investigate sexual offences promptly and effectively, while maintaining appropriate records and adhering to relevant legislation, the Victims' Code, and national police guidance.
Through the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, we have provided police forces with academic-informed guidance and tools to improve their response to sexual offences. This includes working with prosecutors to build the strongest, suspect-focused cases with victims’ needs at the core of the investigation, including where decisions are made regarding bail and other safeguarding arrangements.
To ensure these crimes are effectively prioritised by policing, the Home Secretary has asked all forces in England and Wales to implement a specialist rape and sexual offence team by December 2027. We are also rolling independent legal advisers for adult rape victims, to ensure victims can access expert advice and support on their rights, evidence requests, complaints, compensation claims, and special measures.
We recognise the impact that delays in the criminal justice system can have on victims' confidence and await the findings from the super complaint on the length of sexual offence investigations which is currently being investigated by HMICFRS, the IOPC and the College of Policing.
In addition, every Crown Court in England and Wales will get at least one courtroom especially set up to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases over the next two years and the Lord Chancellor has established a Rape Justice Taskforce which brings together leaders from across the criminal justice system to drive real change to reduce delays and restore trust and confidence.
Where victims feel their experiences fall below the standards expected of the police through the Victims Code, they may complain to the relevant force, Police and Crime Commissioner or the IOPC. The Home Secretary has launched an the ‘end to end review of the police accountability system’. This independent review will make recommendations on the changes which could be made to improve the timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness of the systems for holding police officers to account.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance is issued to police forces on maintaining accurate audit trails of (a) evidence submissions to the Crown Prosecution Service, (b) supervisory decisions, (c) case progression and (d) communications with victims in rape and serious sexual offence investigations.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
This Government is committed to improving the criminal justice response to sexual offences and improving outcomes for victims. We expect the police to investigate sexual offences promptly and effectively, while maintaining appropriate records and adhering to relevant legislation, the Victims' Code, and national police guidance.
Through the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, we have provided police forces with academic-informed guidance and tools to improve their response to sexual offences. This includes working with prosecutors to build the strongest, suspect-focused cases with victims’ needs at the core of the investigation, including where decisions are made regarding bail and other safeguarding arrangements.
To ensure these crimes are effectively prioritised by policing, the Home Secretary has asked all forces in England and Wales to implement a specialist rape and sexual offence team by December 2027. We are also rolling independent legal advisers for adult rape victims, to ensure victims can access expert advice and support on their rights, evidence requests, complaints, compensation claims, and special measures.
We recognise the impact that delays in the criminal justice system can have on victims' confidence and await the findings from the super complaint on the length of sexual offence investigations which is currently being investigated by HMICFRS, the IOPC and the College of Policing.
In addition, every Crown Court in England and Wales will get at least one courtroom especially set up to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases over the next two years and the Lord Chancellor has established a Rape Justice Taskforce which brings together leaders from across the criminal justice system to drive real change to reduce delays and restore trust and confidence.
Where victims feel their experiences fall below the standards expected of the police through the Victims Code, they may complain to the relevant force, Police and Crime Commissioner or the IOPC. The Home Secretary has launched an the ‘end to end review of the police accountability system’. This independent review will make recommendations on the changes which could be made to improve the timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness of the systems for holding police officers to account.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what mechanisms are in place to identify and investigate cases in which police failures to progress investigations have contributed to substantial delays in decisions on whether to prosecute allegations of rape and serious sexual offences.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
This Government is committed to improving the criminal justice response to sexual offences and improving outcomes for victims. We expect the police to investigate sexual offences promptly and effectively, while maintaining appropriate records and adhering to relevant legislation, the Victims' Code, and national police guidance.
Through the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, we have provided police forces with academic-informed guidance and tools to improve their response to sexual offences. This includes working with prosecutors to build the strongest, suspect-focused cases with victims’ needs at the core of the investigation, including where decisions are made regarding bail and other safeguarding arrangements.
To ensure these crimes are effectively prioritised by policing, the Home Secretary has asked all forces in England and Wales to implement a specialist rape and sexual offence team by December 2027. We are also rolling independent legal advisers for adult rape victims, to ensure victims can access expert advice and support on their rights, evidence requests, complaints, compensation claims, and special measures.
We recognise the impact that delays in the criminal justice system can have on victims' confidence and await the findings from the super complaint on the length of sexual offence investigations which is currently being investigated by HMICFRS, the IOPC and the College of Policing.
In addition, every Crown Court in England and Wales will get at least one courtroom especially set up to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases over the next two years and the Lord Chancellor has established a Rape Justice Taskforce which brings together leaders from across the criminal justice system to drive real change to reduce delays and restore trust and confidence.
Where victims feel their experiences fall below the standards expected of the police through the Victims Code, they may complain to the relevant force, Police and Crime Commissioner or the IOPC. The Home Secretary has launched an the ‘end to end review of the police accountability system’. This independent review will make recommendations on the changes which could be made to improve the timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness of the systems for holding police officers to account.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of police procedures for investigating allegations involving both rape and other serious sexual offences; and what steps are being taken to ensure that such cases are appropriately prioritised.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
This Government is committed to improving the criminal justice response to sexual offences and improving outcomes for victims. We expect the police to investigate sexual offences promptly and effectively, while maintaining appropriate records and adhering to relevant legislation, the Victims' Code, and national police guidance.
Through the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, we have provided police forces with academic-informed guidance and tools to improve their response to sexual offences. This includes working with prosecutors to build the strongest, suspect-focused cases with victims’ needs at the core of the investigation, including where decisions are made regarding bail and other safeguarding arrangements.
To ensure these crimes are effectively prioritised by policing, the Home Secretary has asked all forces in England and Wales to implement a specialist rape and sexual offence team by December 2027. We are also rolling independent legal advisers for adult rape victims, to ensure victims can access expert advice and support on their rights, evidence requests, complaints, compensation claims, and special measures.
We recognise the impact that delays in the criminal justice system can have on victims' confidence and await the findings from the super complaint on the length of sexual offence investigations which is currently being investigated by HMICFRS, the IOPC and the College of Policing.
In addition, every Crown Court in England and Wales will get at least one courtroom especially set up to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases over the next two years and the Lord Chancellor has established a Rape Justice Taskforce which brings together leaders from across the criminal justice system to drive real change to reduce delays and restore trust and confidence.
Where victims feel their experiences fall below the standards expected of the police through the Victims Code, they may complain to the relevant force, Police and Crime Commissioner or the IOPC. The Home Secretary has launched an the ‘end to end review of the police accountability system’. This independent review will make recommendations on the changes which could be made to improve the timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness of the systems for holding police officers to account.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help ensure that victims of rape and serious sexual offences can obtain personal data held by police forces relating to the handling of their investigations within statutory time limits.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
This Government is committed to improving the criminal justice response to sexual offences and improving outcomes for victims. We expect the police to investigate sexual offences promptly and effectively, while maintaining appropriate records and adhering to relevant legislation, the Victims' Code, and national police guidance.
Through the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, we have provided police forces with academic-informed guidance and tools to improve their response to sexual offences. This includes working with prosecutors to build the strongest, suspect-focused cases with victims’ needs at the core of the investigation, including where decisions are made regarding bail and other safeguarding arrangements.
To ensure these crimes are effectively prioritised by policing, the Home Secretary has asked all forces in England and Wales to implement a specialist rape and sexual offence team by December 2027. We are also rolling independent legal advisers for adult rape victims, to ensure victims can access expert advice and support on their rights, evidence requests, complaints, compensation claims, and special measures.
We recognise the impact that delays in the criminal justice system can have on victims' confidence and await the findings from the super complaint on the length of sexual offence investigations which is currently being investigated by HMICFRS, the IOPC and the College of Policing.
In addition, every Crown Court in England and Wales will get at least one courtroom especially set up to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases over the next two years and the Lord Chancellor has established a Rape Justice Taskforce which brings together leaders from across the criminal justice system to drive real change to reduce delays and restore trust and confidence.
Where victims feel their experiences fall below the standards expected of the police through the Victims Code, they may complain to the relevant force, Police and Crime Commissioner or the IOPC. The Home Secretary has launched an the ‘end to end review of the police accountability system’. This independent review will make recommendations on the changes which could be made to improve the timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness of the systems for holding police officers to account.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of safeguarding arrangements for victims of rape and serious sexual offences where suspects are released under investigation without bail conditions.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
This Government is committed to improving the criminal justice response to sexual offences and improving outcomes for victims. We expect the police to investigate sexual offences promptly and effectively, while maintaining appropriate records and adhering to relevant legislation, the Victims' Code, and national police guidance.
Through the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, we have provided police forces with academic-informed guidance and tools to improve their response to sexual offences. This includes working with prosecutors to build the strongest, suspect-focused cases with victims’ needs at the core of the investigation, including where decisions are made regarding bail and other safeguarding arrangements.
To ensure these crimes are effectively prioritised by policing, the Home Secretary has asked all forces in England and Wales to implement a specialist rape and sexual offence team by December 2027. We are also rolling independent legal advisers for adult rape victims, to ensure victims can access expert advice and support on their rights, evidence requests, complaints, compensation claims, and special measures.
We recognise the impact that delays in the criminal justice system can have on victims' confidence and await the findings from the super complaint on the length of sexual offence investigations which is currently being investigated by HMICFRS, the IOPC and the College of Policing.
In addition, every Crown Court in England and Wales will get at least one courtroom especially set up to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases over the next two years and the Lord Chancellor has established a Rape Justice Taskforce which brings together leaders from across the criminal justice system to drive real change to reduce delays and restore trust and confidence.
Where victims feel their experiences fall below the standards expected of the police through the Victims Code, they may complain to the relevant force, Police and Crime Commissioner or the IOPC. The Home Secretary has launched an the ‘end to end review of the police accountability system’. This independent review will make recommendations on the changes which could be made to improve the timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness of the systems for holding police officers to account.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of current and planned changes to the export control licensing process on approval times, transparency and predictability for nuclear dutyholders and licensees.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is committed to maintaining a proportionate and effective export control regime that supports legitimate civil nuclear exports while protecting the UK's national security and non-proliferation objectives.
On coming into office, this Government made it a key priority to create a more modern, responsive, transparent and predictable export licensing service that is easier to navigate for exporters. The successful delivery of our new licensing platform, LITE, will be fundamental to this transformation.