Kirsteen Sullivan Portrait

Kirsteen Sullivan

Labour (Co-op) - Bathgate and Linlithgow

8,323 (19.8%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024



Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Kirsteen Sullivan has voted in 229 divisions, and 3 times against the majority of their Party.

16 May 2025 - Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - View Vote Context
Kirsteen Sullivan voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 129 Labour Aye votes vs 200 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 243 Noes - 279
16 May 2025 - Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - View Vote Context
Kirsteen Sullivan voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 127 Labour No votes vs 206 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 288 Noes - 239
9 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context
Kirsteen Sullivan voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 47 Labour Aye votes vs 331 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 334
View All Kirsteen Sullivan Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lucy Powell (Labour (Co-op))
(24 debate interactions)
Keir Starmer (Labour)
Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury
(7 debate interactions)
Hamish Falconer (Labour)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(6 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Leader of the House
(14 debate contributions)
Department for Business and Trade
(8 debate contributions)
Scotland Office
(7 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(7 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Kirsteen Sullivan's debates

Bathgate and Linlithgow Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petitions with highest Bathgate and Linlithgow signature proportion
Petitions with most Bathgate and Linlithgow signatures
Petition Debates Contributed

We believe the government should change legislation to make it easier for trans people of all ages to change their legal gender without an official diagnosis of gender dysphoria.


Latest EDMs signed by Kirsteen Sullivan

24th February 2025
Kirsteen Sullivan signed this EDM as a sponsor on Monday 8th September 2025

Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board funding for third sector groups

Tabled by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
That this House notes the significant concern by elected representatives, service users, and the 64 affected national and local charities providing services to the community in Edinburgh at the reported plan by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) to end its £4.5 million charity grant programme; urges the EIJB to …
5 signatures
(Most recent: 8 Sep 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
19th May 2025
Kirsteen Sullivan signed this EDM on Monday 8th September 2025

Fairtrade tea campaign

Tabled by: Martin Rhodes (Labour - Glasgow North)
That this House condemns the grave working conditions that many tea growing communities face across the world; notes with concern that many tea farmers and workers do not earn enough to afford a decent standard of living; acknowledges that the challenges in the tea industry are deeply complex; supports multi-stakeholder …
73 signatures
(Most recent: 12 Sep 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 29
Labour: 24
Independent: 7
Plaid Cymru: 4
Scottish National Party: 4
Green Party: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
View All Kirsteen Sullivan's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Kirsteen Sullivan, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Kirsteen Sullivan has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Kirsteen Sullivan

Monday 1st September 2025

Kirsteen Sullivan has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Kirsteen Sullivan has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 31 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
3 Other Department Questions
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) regulations and (b) guidance for the Employment Rights Bill will require relevant employers to consider whether people with menstrual health conditions are adequately supported by workplace equality action plans.

We recognise the impact that many different conditions related to menstruation can have on a woman’s ability to perform at her best; introducing action plans will encourage steps that benefit women with these conditions. Crucially, we believe that plans will open up space to have broader discussions about women’s health in the workplace.

In formulating action plans, and accompanying guidance, we will recognise that there are actions that can help people in a range of circumstances. Officials have been engaging with employers as well as a range of organisations in the women’s health space, including those looking specifically at menstrual conditions, as part of policy development. They will continue to do so as the work progresses, and when devising supporting guidance.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
12th Jun 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she expects the Equality and Human Rights Commission to publish the final version of its Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations, following the Supreme Court’s judgment of 16 April 2025 in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers.

On 20 May, the EHRC opened its consultation on the changes made to the draft updated statutory Code of Practice following the Supreme Court ruling. This consultation is open until 30 June.

We will consider the EHRC's final draft Code of Practice once it has been submitted and engage with them to ensure it provides the clarity service providers need, in line with the Supreme Court ruling.

Once the final draft is agreed, we will follow the correct parliamentary process.

Bridget Phillipson
Minister for Women and Equalities
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she plans to (a) enact section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 and (b) take steps to improve gender representation in candidates for (i) local and (ii) devolved elections ahead of those elections.

I am proud that progress is being made, with 40% of MPs now women, but we want to see this replicated at all levels of Government. Last summer my Ministerial colleague Bridget Philipson met with members of 50:50 Parliament, where they discussed the importance of gender equality in parliament and the barriers that women can face.

The government is committed to commencing the Equality Act 2010’s provision requiring registered political parties to publish anonymised data relating to the diversity of their candidate selections. We are currently exploring when to commence the section 106 provisions. We believe that every party has a duty to demonstrate greater progress towards better representation of the population that they seek to serve.

4th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to review regulations and enforcement of PPE standards for sale through online marketplaces.

PPE must meet the essential health and safety requirements as set out in Regulation 2016/425, as assimilated into UK law. The Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 provide the enforcement framework for that Regulation.

The Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 allows us to update the product safety framework, including by explicitly recognising online marketplace businesses. We plan to consult on new requirements for online marketplaces to take steps to improve product safety on their sites. Product safety specific sector legislation, including the PPE legislation, will be reviewed in due course.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to coordinate the new Fair Work Agency with the Health and Safety Executive to enforce better-fit PPE standards.

We are creating the Fair Work Agency to deliver a much-needed upgrade to enforcement of employment rights.

Its core function will be to enforce specific employment legislation, set out in Part 1 of Schedule 7 of the Employment Rights Bill.

We have taken steps to ensure the Fair Work Agency can work closely with the Health and Safety Executive, including sharing information that is relevant to the Health and Safety Executive’s statutory role. This is provided for by Schedule 9 of the Employment Rights Bill.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
8th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to repurpose national infrastructure originally used in the fossil fuel sector for new green technology sectors.

Repurposing existing offshore and onshore infrastructure could make a significant contribution to the UK’s drive to net-zero. In 2022, analysis by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) identified more than 100 pipelines which could be suitable for CCS or hydrogen projects.

The NSTA supports government and others to identify opportunities for repurposing, including for carbon dioxide or offshore hydrogen transportation and storage projects.

We are already seeing this in practice. HyNet will be served by a combination of new and existing infrastructure, with more than 90 miles of offshore and onshore pipeline being repurposed.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of (a) the report and (b) recommendation 27 of the report by the National Infrastructure Commission entitled Second National Infrastructure Assessment, published on 1 October 2023.

The government is working with regulators to ensure that the future telecommunications requirements of the energy, water and transport sectors are understood. And the government will draw on the National Infrastructure Commission’s analysis for the forthcoming 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
29th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help prepare local authorities to deliver the Local Power Plan.

We are working with stakeholders, including local authorities, on how GBE could support local and community energy.

The UK will work closely with Scottish Government on this matter as part of the Vision Statement signed in October which committed to exploring joint working on community energy.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
19th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of allocating dedicated radio spectrum access to energy (a) distribution and (b) transmission networks on (i) the resilience and (ii) decarbonisation of those networks.

The government is considering how it can support the development of telecommunications infrastructure for a decarbonised energy system, and whether spectrum access would be appropriate. As part of this, my officials are in regular discussion with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ofgem and Ofcom on energy system telecommunications needs.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will provide (a) support and (b) resources to schools to help them deliver the revised Relationships and sex education and health education guidance, published on 15 July 2025, in an (i) evidence-based and (ii) age-appropriate manner.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The statutory guidance is clear that schools are accountable for what they teach and should ensure that all relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) content is factual, age-appropriate and suitable for their pupils.

The government has commissioned Oak National Academy (Oak) to make lesson materials freely available. Oak is an independent arm’s length body that provides free, optional and adaptable curriculum and teaching resources to schools. As part of its RSHE curriculum resources, Oak has recently published new online safety lessons, covering topics such as misogyny, the prevalence of deepfakes, and reporting unsuitable content, amongst many others. Oak will publish its full RSHE curriculum resources from autumn 2025.

To further support teachers with taking on these important topics, we will be piloting a teacher training grant, starting early 2026.

Georgia Gould
Minister of State (Education)
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on the (a) impact of and (b) implementation of the inclusion of menstrual wellbeing education in the curriculum since September 2020.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The department does not hold any data on these specific issues. It is for individual schools to deliver the relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum, using the statutory guidance which came into force in September 2020.

In July 2025 we updated the RSHE statutory guidance with regard to menstrual and gynaecological health, to include specific examples of period problems, including pre-menstrual syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, and to ensure pupils understand when to seek help from healthcare professionals. The new curriculum comes into force from September 2026. The updated statutory guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

Georgia Gould
Minister of State (Education)
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the availability of (a) safe, (b) secure and (c) good quality truck parking; and what plans her Department has to reopen the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme to new applicants.

The Department for Transport published the National Survey of Lorry Parking on 29th September 2022 which highlighted what improvements to lorry parking facilities were most needed. The survey showed an average shortage of around 4,500 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022 and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.

The Department and industry are significantly investing to upgrade truckstops across England. This is on top of up to £26 million joint investment by National Highways and industry in lorry parking facilities along the strategic roads network.

Drivers are now seeing the improvements that the scheme has been able to support with more in development. The scheme is supporting operators across 30 counties in England to improve driver facilities such as security measures, toilets, showers, refreshment facilities and increasing lorry parking spaces.

A decision on future funding for HGV parking is subject to further departmental business planning.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
8th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that there (a) are new jobs and (b) is growth of the sustainable aviation fuel industry in Scotland.

We are supporting the UK SAF industry in a range of ways. We are building demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the SAF Mandate, introduced in January this year. We have introduced legislation to deliver a revenue certainty mechanism to support potential SAF producers across the UK. We also run a grant funding scheme, the Advanced Fuels Fund, for which £63m of funding is available in 2025/26 for the producers of SAF.

Together, these measures will give investors the confidence to support the commercial scale production of SAF in the UK, creating green jobs and developing skills.

8th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to take steps to prevent aviation fuel suppliers from charging compliance risk premiums to mandated volumes of sustainable aviation fuel.

We recognise that SAF is more expensive than jet fuel. This is why the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate has been designed to protect against excessive costs. The SAF Mandate also has a built-in review process so the Government can take action to change scheme parameters if necessary. The pricing of SAF are commercial decisions for the market though we are working to further understand interactions between the SAF Mandate and SAF pricing. We are engaging with relevant stakeholders – including airports, airlines, fuel suppliers and trade associations to do this.

8th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of trends in the cost of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) since January 2025 on the aviation sector’s (a) competitiveness and (b) progress towards increasing SAF production in the UK.

When setting SAF policy, we have to carefully balance a range of factors including potential cost impacts on airlines and passengers and the need to drive decarbonisation across the transport sector.

We continue to monitor trends in the SAF market and will review our assumptions where necessary when developing policies such as the revenue certainty mechanism which aims to support SAF production in the UK.

24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Youth Guarantee will be delivered in Scotland (a) directly by DWP, (b) in partnership with devolved bodies including councils and (c) directly by devolved bodies.

Skills and education policy are devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, whereas employment policy is not devolved, except for in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

DWP in Scotland provides extensive support to young people. This includes flexible provision driven by local need using DWP Flexible Support Fund, and support delivered by specialist youth work coaches based in Jobcentres and through 16 Youth Hubs. Strategic engagement with Scottish Government is fundamental in developing the additional employment support available through their No One Left Behind Policy which is delivered by Local Authorities via Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs). This support is agreed and designed based on local need, with input from DWP and other Stakeholders.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to (a) review endometriosis classification as an acute illness and (b) introduce long-term care plans for endometriosis patients.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline on endometriosis diagnosis and management recognises that endometriosis can be a long-term condition, and can have a significant physical, sexual, psychological and social impact. Women may have complex needs and require long-term support.

Many integrated care boards are taking an innovative approach to endometriosis care. For example, in the North East and West of England there is the endometriosis transformation programme. This programme is addressing long waits for patients with severe endometriosis and improving patient pathways, from presentation in general practice through to management in secondary care.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the amount of theatre time provided to gynaecology in comparison to other specialties; and in what way this has changed since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The data requested is not held by the Department.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will have discussions with (a) Endometriosis UK and (b) other relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the 10 Year Health Plan to ensure it supports people with endometriosis.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships and their participation in education and the workforce.

We are committed to prioritising women’s health. Through our 10-Year Health Plan, we are delivering our manifesto commitment that never again will women’s health be neglected.

To develop the Plan, we had the biggest ever conversation on the future of the NHS with over a quarter of a million contributions from the public, staff, patient groups and charities including Endometriosis UK.

The Government and the National Health Service continue to work with the public, staff and partners to deliver the 10-Year Health Plan. We will establish stakeholder groups to steer implementation, and advisory input will be sought from expert committees where needed.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to increase awareness among healthcare professionals that endometriosis is a (a) long-term and (b) chronic condition, as recommended by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships and their participation in education and the workforce.

The General Medical Council has introduced the Medical Licensing Assessment to encourage a better understanding of common women’s health problems among all doctors as they start their careers in the UK. The content map for this assessment includes several topics relating to women’s health including endometriosis. This will encourage a better understanding of common women’s health problems among all doctors as they start their careers in the United Kingdom. Endometriosis is also included in the core curriculum for trainee GPs, and for obstetricians and gynaecologists.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing evidence-based guidance for the health and care system. In November 2024, NICE updated their guidance on endometriosis. This makes firmer recommendations for healthcare professionals on referral and investigations for women with suspected diagnosis, and will help the estimated 1 in 10 women with endometriosis receive a diagnosis faster.

The updated NICE guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG73

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with healthcare stakeholders on steps to improve Lobular cancer (a) diagnostics and (b) research funding.

Following publication of the 10-Year Health Plan later this year, we will develop a new national cancer plan. The cancer plan will include more details about how to improve outcomes for all tumour types, including lobular breast cancer. We plan to engage with a wide range of cancer partners on the national cancer plan, including charities and patient representative bodies.

4th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will consider relocating auxiliary workers to British (a) diplomatic and (b) military operations in Afghanistan for their safety.

Details of the UK Government's Afghanistan Resettlement Programme (ARP) can be found on the gov.uk website. The Ministry of Defence has overall responsibility for the ARP and the Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Policy (ARAP).  The Home Office is the lead for the Afghanistan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the safety of auxiliary workers to British (a) diplomatic and (b) military operations in Afghanistan.

Details of the UK Government's Afghanistan Resettlement Programme (ARP) can be found on the gov.uk website. The Ministry of Defence has overall responsibility for the ARP and the Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Policy (ARAP).  The Home Office is the lead for the Afghanistan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to FOI2024/01172, whether she plans to review payment agreements made with businesses.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the government committed to an independent review of the Loan Charge to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers. The Government will respond by Autumn Budget 2025.

During Oral Questions on 1 July 2025, Greg Smith MP referred to comments made by an external stakeholder that were shared under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. HMRC Officials do not recognise the allegation that HMRC agreed deals with large employers allowing them to settle disguised remuneration liabilities for less than was legally due.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
8th Jul 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of applying VAT to deposits in the Deposit Return Scheme on (a) return rates and (b) levels of (i) litter and (ii) recycling.

The Government remains committed to successful implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme, which is a critical step in moving towards a circular economy that delivers sustainable growth and produces less waste, rubbish, and litter.

The Government is keen to ensure that VAT is not a barrier to effective operation of the Deposit Return Scheme. The Government is considering how best to achieve this while maintaining the integrity of the tax, and this work is being supported by engagement with industry representatives, including the British Soft Drinks Association.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
19th Mar 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to engage with the public to explain the (a) need and (b) sources of funding for large infrastructure projects near local communities to grow the economy.

National Policy Statements set out the need for the development of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and the Government's policy for meeting that need. NPSs provide clarity, certainty and transparency on Government policy for scheme promoters, the planning inspectorate, decision makers and the wider public.

As part of this government’s growth agenda, we will publish a cross-cutting 10-year infrastructure strategy, which will communicate to the public our approach to housing, economic and social infrastructure. The government has committed to delivering an infrastructure pipeline to provide a clear sense of the government’s long-term infrastructure priorities.

Darren Jones
Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
10th Mar 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to help increase the level of employee participation in (a) the Share Incentive Plan and (b) the Save As You Earn scheme.

The Government fully understands the importance of enabling employees to share in the fruits of a company’s success, and for businesses to reward and retain employees effectively. The UK share schemes are popular, generous and internationally competitive.

A call for evidence on Save As You Earn (SAYE) and the Share Incentive Plan (SIP) ran from June to August 2023. It sought views on whether the schemes are meeting their policy objectives and opportunities to improve and simplify them. The Government is considering the responses to the call for evidence, and is grateful to those who took the time to respond.

The Government keeps all tax reliefs under review, to ensure they continue to meet their policy objectives in a way that is fair and effective.

James Murray
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
4th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle increasing levels of freight crime; and if she will meet with (a) the Road Haulage Association and (b) other relevant stakeholders to increase awareness of the danger of unsafe parking.

This Government understands the significant and damaging impact freight crime has on businesses and drivers and we are aware of worrying increases in its frequency.

We work closely cross-Government to tackle the problem. The Minister for Police and Crime Prevention recently met with Rachel Taylor MP, and Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads at the Department for Transport (DfT) to discuss this very matter. Parking for HGVs is led by the Department of Transport. The DfT also hosts the Freight Council; this group regularly discusses crime against freight companies, and the Home Office works closely with DfT to engage with the sector on this issue through the Freight Council.

There are strong links between freight crime and serious organised crime, which is a major threat to the national security and prosperity of the UK and estimated to cost the economy at least £47 billion annually.

This Government is committed to tackling serious and organised crime in all its forms. We work closely with Opal, the police’s national intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime, which has multiple thematic desks, including a vehicle crime intelligence desk which covers freight crime.

We will continue to work with law enforcement agencies and other invested stakeholders to change the unacceptable perception that freight crime is low risk and high reward and find solutions which will tackle it.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Home Office)
8th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help ensure the safety of Afghans living in the UK, in the context of the data breach relating to the Afghan relocations and assistance policy in 2022.

Anyone potentially affected by this data incident, and whose contact details are known by the Ministry of Defence, in the UK and elsewhere, has been notified and provided with security advice. The Government has taken appropriate actions in line with the level of risk, and the recent Rimmer Review concluded that it is unlikely that those impacted by the data incident are at an increased risk.

Further information regarding the incident and the security advice can be found on the GOV.UK website at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-incident-affecting-applicants-to-the-afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy-scheme-and-afghanistan-locally-employed-staff-ex-gratia-scheme.

More broadly, we continue to work closely with the Home Office, police, local authorities and partners to ensure that there is support and information available to keep all new Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) arrivals, including for those affected by the data incident, safe in the UK.

Luke Pollard
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
4th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to ensure the effective (a) cataloguing and (b) use of the holdings of the Russian Military Studies Centre in national security considerations.

The holdings in the Russian Military Studies Centre are an under-utilised resource. These holdings are currently being catalogued with their future provision, and access to them, subject to review.

Luke Pollard
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
8th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she has consider the potential merits of introducing a specific offence group classification for thefts involving high value goods from (a) haulage and (b) freight vehicles.

The Government recognises the distress felt by those who are victims of theft, and such matters should be reported, investigated and, where appropriate, taken through the courts to provide justice. Theft of goods, regardless of value, is a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968 and the maximum penalty is seven years’ imprisonment. The sentencing guidelines for theft acknowledge that, where the items stolen were of substantial value to the victim, then regardless of their monetary worth and consequential financial harm to victims and others, this will indicate a higher level of harm, and the offender should be sentenced accordingly.

The government does not intend to introduce a specific offence of theft involving high value goods from haulage or freight vehicles.

Alex Davies-Jones
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)