Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle county lines drug trafficking in (a) coastal communities and (b) Dorset.

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

County lines is the most violent and exploitative model of drug distribution nationally, and a harmful form of Child Criminal Exploitation. We committed in our manifesto to go after the gangs who lure young people into violence and crime, and we will deliver a new offence of Child Criminal Exploitation in the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill.

While the the majority of lines originate from the areas covered by the Metropolitan Police Service, West Midlands Police, Merseyside Police, and Greater Manchester Police, county lines is a national issue which affects all forces. 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 and co-ordinate the national law enforcement response.

The County Lines Programme taskforces regularly conduct joint operations with other forces, and we have established a dedicated fund which provides local forces with additional funding to tackle county lines, including Dorset Police.

Between July and September 2024, policing activity delivered through the County Lines Programme has resulted in over 400 deal lines being closed, 500 arrests (including the arrest and charge of over 260 deal line holders) and 800 safeguarding referrals for children and vulnerable people. Over 220 children and young people have also received dedicated specialist support through our county lines support service since July.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of providing taxi companies and drivers with autism awareness training.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government keeps all policies under review and is aware that neurodiverse people can face inadequate or discriminatory treatment when using taxis and private hire vehicles. We recognise the role of effective training in equipping drivers and operator staff with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support passengers appropriately. The latest best practice guidance for licensing authorities in England confirms our expectation that all drivers undergo training which should include, among other topics, how to engage with people with different communication needs.

The Government continues to consider how to improve the regulation of the sector to enable the provision of safe and accessible services that meet a wide range of passenger needs.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure public transport is accessible for adults and children who are neurodiverse.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This Government wants everyone to have access to public transport and is committed to improving services, so they are more inclusive and enable people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. This includes making sure that all passengers, whether adults or children, can make the journeys that they want and need to make.

As we bring forward bus reform, Great British Railways and a new Passenger Standards Authority, as well producing our vision for the future of transport through the Integrated National Transport Strategy, we will listen carefully to all people and their representatives as we make transport safe, inclusive and accessible for all.