Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the relationship between the decline in police officers and rise in shoplifting since the 2024 General Election.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Driving down retail crime is a top priority for this Government.
We are supporting police forces, including in Grantham and Bourne, by strengthening neighbourhood policing so officers can focus on local priorities such as shoplifting. The Government recognises the importance of visible neighbourhood policing in deterring crime.
We will deliver 13,000 additional neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales by the end of this Parliament. By February 2026 we had delivered more than 3,100 additional police officers and PCSOs into neighbourhood roles. The first-year growth target was first exceeded in January 2026, two months ahead of schedule.
We are also giving the police the powers they need and have strengthened the law through the Crime and Policing Act, introducing a new offence of assaulting a retail worker and removing the ÂŁ200 threshold for shop theft.
There are early signs of improvement, with shop theft falling by 1% in the year ending December 2025, while charges have risen by 17%.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support police forces in tackling shoplifting in Grantham and Bourne constituency.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Driving down retail crime is a top priority for this Government.
We are supporting police forces, including in Grantham and Bourne, by strengthening neighbourhood policing so officers can focus on local priorities such as shoplifting. The Government recognises the importance of visible neighbourhood policing in deterring crime.
We will deliver 13,000 additional neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales by the end of this Parliament. By February 2026 we had delivered more than 3,100 additional police officers and PCSOs into neighbourhood roles. The first-year growth target was first exceeded in January 2026, two months ahead of schedule.
We are also giving the police the powers they need and have strengthened the law through the Crime and Policing Act, introducing a new offence of assaulting a retail worker and removing the ÂŁ200 threshold for shop theft.
There are early signs of improvement, with shop theft falling by 1% in the year ending December 2025, while charges have risen by 17%.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions Ministers or officials in her Department have had regarding the dispersal of asylum seekers or refugees in Grantham with i) South Kesteven District Council, ii) Lincolnshire County Council, iii) the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, iv) Lincolnshire Police, and v) other relevant local authorities.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
There are currently no refugees arriving via the UK's Safe and Legal Routes who are scheduled for resettlement in Grantham.
The Asylum Accommodation Plans are the mechanisms via which the Home Office works towards achieving Full Dispersal and thus a fair and balanced distribution of asylum accommodation across all local authorities nationally. The Asylum Accommodation Plans are underpinned by an indexing model which accounts for a multitude of pressures within local authorities, including availability of housing, levels of homelessness, availability of GP and dentists as well as levels of community cohesion. Development of the plans was informed by engagement with a range of national, regional and local stakeholders, to ensure that the evidence base was reflective of boarder local authority feedback.
Procurement and delivery of asylum accommodation, in line with the plans, is supported by regular engagement between the Home Office, accommodation providers, and local authority officials. Engagement is undertaken both via regular official forums jointly chaired by the Home Office and regional Strategic Migration Partnerships (SMPs), as well as via ad hoc meetings with individual local authorities where there is a need to discuss specific concerns and/or issues. I can confirm that there has been continued engagement between Home Office, South Kesteven and Lincolnshire officials, both via official forums as well as ad hoc meetings, not only in reference to the broader Asylum Accommodation Plans but also more specifically regarding Grantham.
Consultation with local authority officials forms a vital part of procurement of asylum accommodation; ensuring procurement of suitable accommodation that allows us to fulfil out statutory obligations whilst carefully considering any potential impacts on local areas. The Home Office and its accommodation providers operate a robust consultation process, which not only ensures that local authorities are aware of all ongoing procurement activity of Dispersed Accommodation in their respective areas, but also allows them to share local expertise and intelligence to inform procurement. This approach supports our commitment to ensuring that the provision of asylum accommodation is informed by local context and that any impacts on communities and services are minimised.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer provided to UIN 119503, on Asylum: Housing, which Asylum Accommodation Plan covers Dispersal Accommodation in Grantham.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
There are currently no refugees arriving via the UK's Safe and Legal Routes who are scheduled for resettlement in Grantham.
The Asylum Accommodation Plans are the mechanisms via which the Home Office works towards achieving Full Dispersal and thus a fair and balanced distribution of asylum accommodation across all local authorities nationally. The Asylum Accommodation Plans are underpinned by an indexing model which accounts for a multitude of pressures within local authorities, including availability of housing, levels of homelessness, availability of GP and dentists as well as levels of community cohesion. Development of the plans was informed by engagement with a range of national, regional and local stakeholders, to ensure that the evidence base was reflective of boarder local authority feedback.
Procurement and delivery of asylum accommodation, in line with the plans, is supported by regular engagement between the Home Office, accommodation providers, and local authority officials. Engagement is undertaken both via regular official forums jointly chaired by the Home Office and regional Strategic Migration Partnerships (SMPs), as well as via ad hoc meetings with individual local authorities where there is a need to discuss specific concerns and/or issues. I can confirm that there has been continued engagement between Home Office, South Kesteven and Lincolnshire officials, both via official forums as well as ad hoc meetings, not only in reference to the broader Asylum Accommodation Plans but also more specifically regarding Grantham.
Consultation with local authority officials forms a vital part of procurement of asylum accommodation; ensuring procurement of suitable accommodation that allows us to fulfil out statutory obligations whilst carefully considering any potential impacts on local areas. The Home Office and its accommodation providers operate a robust consultation process, which not only ensures that local authorities are aware of all ongoing procurement activity of Dispersed Accommodation in their respective areas, but also allows them to share local expertise and intelligence to inform procurement. This approach supports our commitment to ensuring that the provision of asylum accommodation is informed by local context and that any impacts on communities and services are minimised.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what allocation the Department has made for (a) refugees and (b) asylum seekers that are to be dispersed in Grantham.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
There are currently no refugees arriving via the UK's Safe and Legal Routes who are scheduled for resettlement in Grantham.
The Asylum Accommodation Plans are the mechanisms via which the Home Office works towards achieving Full Dispersal and thus a fair and balanced distribution of asylum accommodation across all local authorities nationally. The Asylum Accommodation Plans are underpinned by an indexing model which accounts for a multitude of pressures within local authorities, including availability of housing, levels of homelessness, availability of GP and dentists as well as levels of community cohesion. Development of the plans was informed by engagement with a range of national, regional and local stakeholders, to ensure that the evidence base was reflective of boarder local authority feedback.
Procurement and delivery of asylum accommodation, in line with the plans, is supported by regular engagement between the Home Office, accommodation providers, and local authority officials. Engagement is undertaken both via regular official forums jointly chaired by the Home Office and regional Strategic Migration Partnerships (SMPs), as well as via ad hoc meetings with individual local authorities where there is a need to discuss specific concerns and/or issues. I can confirm that there has been continued engagement between Home Office, South Kesteven and Lincolnshire officials, both via official forums as well as ad hoc meetings, not only in reference to the broader Asylum Accommodation Plans but also more specifically regarding Grantham.
Consultation with local authority officials forms a vital part of procurement of asylum accommodation; ensuring procurement of suitable accommodation that allows us to fulfil out statutory obligations whilst carefully considering any potential impacts on local areas. The Home Office and its accommodation providers operate a robust consultation process, which not only ensures that local authorities are aware of all ongoing procurement activity of Dispersed Accommodation in their respective areas, but also allows them to share local expertise and intelligence to inform procurement. This approach supports our commitment to ensuring that the provision of asylum accommodation is informed by local context and that any impacts on communities and services are minimised.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with Serco on the dispersal of asylum seekers or refugees in Grantham.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The Home Office maintains regular and ongoing engagement with all asylum accommodation providers, including Serco, to ensure contractual obligations are met and that accommodation is delivered in line with the Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contract (AASC).
These discussions take place on a frequent and sustained basis as part of routine operational oversight. Engagement focuses on performance, property standards, welfare provisions, and the quality of accommodation, ensuring services are delivered in accordance with Home Office guidance and statutory responsibilities.
While the Home Office and Serco work closely on these operational matters, decisions on the use of specific properties or locations - including in Grantham - are taken within the Home Office's statutory duty under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to ensure asylum seekers are not left destitute while their claims are processed. The Department retains overall responsibility for accommodation provision, with Serco delivering services and managing property portfolios in line with contract requirements.
We continue to work closely with local authorities, including those covering the Grantham area, to ensure dispersal is carried out fairly, responsibly, and with consideration of local capacity and public services.
In circumstances where concerns are raised by the local authority about proposed accommodation, these matters are considered through the Home Office's strengthened governance and oversight arrangements for asylum accommodation. Where agreement cannot be reached at a local level, issues may be escalated through internal decision‑making routes for further consideration, in line with the enhanced governance and contract‑management framework described in recent Home Office responses to parliamentary scrutiny.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many properties in i) South Kesteven and ii) Grantham will be utilised for the dispersal of asylum seekers.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
There are currently no refugees arriving via the UK's Safe and Legal Routes who are scheduled for resettlement in Grantham.
The Asylum Accommodation Plans are the mechanisms via which the Home Office works towards achieving Full Dispersal and thus a fair and balanced distribution of asylum accommodation across all local authorities nationally. The Asylum Accommodation Plans are underpinned by an indexing model which accounts for a multitude of pressures within local authorities, including availability of housing, levels of homelessness, availability of GP and dentists as well as levels of community cohesion. Development of the plans was informed by engagement with a range of national, regional and local stakeholders, to ensure that the evidence base was reflective of boarder local authority feedback.
Procurement and delivery of asylum accommodation, in line with the plans, is supported by regular engagement between the Home Office, accommodation providers, and local authority officials. Engagement is undertaken both via regular official forums jointly chaired by the Home Office and regional Strategic Migration Partnerships (SMPs), as well as via ad hoc meetings with individual local authorities where there is a need to discuss specific concerns and/or issues. I can confirm that there has been continued engagement between Home Office, South Kesteven and Lincolnshire officials, both via official forums as well as ad hoc meetings, not only in reference to the broader Asylum Accommodation Plans but also more specifically regarding Grantham.
Consultation with local authority officials forms a vital part of procurement of asylum accommodation; ensuring procurement of suitable accommodation that allows us to fulfil out statutory obligations whilst carefully considering any potential impacts on local areas. The Home Office and its accommodation providers operate a robust consultation process, which not only ensures that local authorities are aware of all ongoing procurement activity of Dispersed Accommodation in their respective areas, but also allows them to share local expertise and intelligence to inform procurement. This approach supports our commitment to ensuring that the provision of asylum accommodation is informed by local context and that any impacts on communities and services are minimised.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to use Prince William of Gloucester Barracks to accommodate asylum seekers or other irregular migrants.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Home Office officials keep the asylum accommodation estate under continual review.
As part of this estate management, operational adjustments are made on an ongoing basis to ensure sufficient and suitable capacity is maintained to meet expected levels of demand.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps are being taken to ensure that relevant local stakeholders, including i) local authorities, ii) local police forces, and iii) other relevant authorities, have access to information on asylum seekers, refugees, irregular migrants including but not limited to name and date of birth, gender, nationality, criminal record, health record, and previous residential history.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
An updated protocol has been produced, with support from police representatives and was shared in mid-October 2025.
For Asylum Accommodation, the agreement now includes Home Office data sharing commitments between NPCC and HO Asylum Support. A summary is highlighted below:
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
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 housing (a) refugees and (b) asylum seekers in Grantham on levels of social cohesion.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
We have a set of Asylum Accommodation Plans which take an evidence-based approach to the procurement and occupancy of Dispersal Accommodation; ensuring we are finding suitable accommodation to fulfil our statutory duty, while considering the impacts on local areas. The Home Office continues to work with local government to allocate asylum seekers based on a range of evidence, including the availability of housing, pressure on services and community cohesion. Whatever decisions are made regarding specific locations, we are clear that the impact on communities must be minimised.