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 UK's membership of the ECHR on its capacity to summarily deport illegal migrants; and if she will make it her policy to amend the Human Rights Act 1998 to this end.

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

On the 12 May 2025, the Government set out its plans to reform the Immigration system in the Immigration White Paper. This includes reforming the framework for assessing appeals to stay in the UK on the basis of Article 8 of the Human Rights Act. The new framework will reflect a fair balance between individual circumstances and the UK’s economic and social interests and will be endorsed by Parliament. Further detail on the framework will be published by the end of the year.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to systematically collect data on safeguarding incident outcomes on asylum seekers in receipt of government accommodation support.

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

Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, as well as quality and availability of data.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of banking hubs on (a) businesses and (b) economic growth in (i) towns and (ii) villages.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government continues to work closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 150 are already open. The location of these banking hubs is determined independently by LINK. The criteria that LINK consider includes population size, whether other banks remain nearby, the number of SMEs on the high street and public transport links, as well as the level of vulnerability in the community.

Access to financial services is key to ensuring all citizens can both contribute to and benefit from growth in the UK. Cash Access UK, who oversee the rollout of banking hubs, reported from their research in Brixham (Devon) and Rochford (Essex), in October 2024 that spend on the high street is 71% higher amongst those who have visited the banking hub. Almost half (47%) of businesses surveyed said they have experienced an increase in footfall thanks to the banking hub.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to support the establishment of a high-street banking hub in Portchester.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government continues to work closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 150 are already open. The location of these banking hubs is determined independently by LINK. The criteria that LINK consider includes population size, whether other banks remain nearby, the number of SMEs on the high street and public transport links, as well as the level of vulnerability in the community.

Access to financial services is key to ensuring all citizens can both contribute to and benefit from growth in the UK. Cash Access UK, who oversee the rollout of banking hubs, reported from their research in Brixham (Devon) and Rochford (Essex), in October 2024 that spend on the high street is 71% higher amongst those who have visited the banking hub. Almost half (47%) of businesses surveyed said they have experienced an increase in footfall thanks to the banking hub.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of recording non-crime hate incidents on levels of hate crime.

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

The current policy and code of practice on the recording of Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHIs) remains exactly the same as when it was laid before Parliament by the Rt Hon Member on 13 March 2023, during her second spell as Home Secretary.

However, the current Home Secretary is clear that a consistent and common-sense approach must be taken with NCHIs. She has also been clear that her top priority for policing is delivering on our Safer Streets Mission to rebuild neighbourhood policing, restore public confidence in the police and the criminal justice system, tackle antisocial behaviour and make progress on our unprecedented ambitions to halve knife crime and violence against women and girls.

The Home Secretary has agreed that the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), supported by the College of Policing, will conduct a review on the use and effectiveness of NCHIs. The review will cover when the police should record information that has not yet reached the criminal threshold, but which is still deemed necessary to monitor community tensions and keep the public safe. It will also consider the fundamental right of freedom of expression and recent court rulings in this area. The Government welcomes this review and will work closely with the NPCC and the College as they develop their findings and any proposals. It would be premature to make any decisions about the future of this type of recording before the review concludes later this year.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of scrapping non-crime hate incidents on (a) the public purse and (b) police time.

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

The current policy and code of practice on the recording of Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHIs) remains exactly the same as when it was laid before Parliament by the Rt Hon Member on 13 March 2023, during her second spell as Home Secretary.

However, the current Home Secretary is clear that a consistent and common-sense approach must be taken with NCHIs. She has also been clear that her top priority for policing is delivering on our Safer Streets Mission to rebuild neighbourhood policing, restore public confidence in the police and the criminal justice system, tackle antisocial behaviour and make progress on our unprecedented ambitions to halve knife crime and violence against women and girls.

The Home Secretary has agreed that the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), supported by the College of Policing, will conduct a review on the use and effectiveness of NCHIs. The review will cover when the police should record information that has not yet reached the criminal threshold, but which is still deemed necessary to monitor community tensions and keep the public safe. It will also consider the fundamental right of freedom of expression and recent court rulings in this area. The Government welcomes this review and will work closely with the NPCC and the College as they develop their findings and any proposals. It would be premature to make any decisions about the future of this type of recording before the review concludes later this year.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number of non-crime hate incidents logged that led to criminal acts.

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

The current policy and code of practice on the recording of Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHIs) remains exactly the same as when it was laid before Parliament by the Rt Hon Member on 13 March 2023, during her second spell as Home Secretary.

However, the current Home Secretary is clear that a consistent and common-sense approach must be taken with NCHIs. She has also been clear that her top priority for policing is delivering on our Safer Streets Mission to rebuild neighbourhood policing, restore public confidence in the police and the criminal justice system, tackle antisocial behaviour and make progress on our unprecedented ambitions to halve knife crime and violence against women and girls.

The Home Secretary has agreed that the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), supported by the College of Policing, will conduct a review on the use and effectiveness of NCHIs. The review will cover when the police should record information that has not yet reached the criminal threshold, but which is still deemed necessary to monitor community tensions and keep the public safe. It will also consider the fundamental right of freedom of expression and recent court rulings in this area. The Government welcomes this review and will work closely with the NPCC and the College as they develop their findings and any proposals. It would be premature to make any decisions about the future of this type of recording before the review concludes later this year.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of UK-based employers who will use the double contribution convention within the UK-India free trade agreement for exempted workers coming to work in the UK.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The OBR will certify the impact of the trade deal including the Double Contributions Convention in the usual way at a fiscal event, once the deal is finalised and ratified. The agreement to negotiate a Double Contributions Convention was made in the context of the wider deal, which will bring billions into the economy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Double Contribution Convention on employment opportunities for British citizens in the seasonal entertainment industry.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The OBR will certify the impact of the trade deal including the Double Contributions Convention in the usual way at a fiscal event, once the deal is finalised and ratified. The agreement to negotiate a Double Contributions Convention was made in the context of the wider deal, which will bring billions into the economy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made any assessment of the potential impact of the Double Contribution Convention on employment opportunities for British citizens in the seasonal fitness industry.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The OBR will certify the impact of the trade deal including the Double Contributions Convention in the usual way at a fiscal event, once the deal is finalised and ratified. The agreement to negotiate a Double Contributions Convention was made in the context of the wider deal, which will bring billions into the economy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Double Contribution Convention on employment opportunities for British citizens in the seasonal hospitality industry.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The OBR will certify the impact of the trade deal including the Double Contributions Convention in the usual way at a fiscal event, once the deal is finalised and ratified. The agreement to negotiate a Double Contributions Convention was made in the context of the wider deal, which will bring billions into the economy.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of local health authorities appeals process as a means to secure additional funding for charitable hospices.

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

Integrated care board (ICBs) are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. ICBs receive funding via their annual core allocation for resources. This is their recurrent budget which is uplifted and adjusted for their population on an annual basis. It is for ICBs to locally determine the utilisation of their core allocation, including funding for all healthcare, according to their assessment of the relevant healthcare needs of their population. It will be through this process that decisions regarding funding for hospices are made.

Whilst the majority of palliative care and end of life care is provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part that voluntary sector organisations, including hospices, also play in providing support to people at end of life and their loved ones. Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing NHS services.

We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care, and £26 million of revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of guidelines on (a) financial compensation and (b) protection for parents when an independent after-school provider becomes insolvent.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

As a private market, guidance published by the Insolvency Service is likely to apply, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claim-money-back-from-a-bankrupt-person-or-company-in-compulsory-liquidation-guidance-for-creditors/if-an-insolvent-company-or-bankrupt-person-owes-you-money#:~:text=If%20the%20person%20or%20company,secured%20creditors.

The Childcare Act 2006 places a duty on local authorities to make sure that there are enough childcare places within its locality for working parents or for parents who are studying or training for employment, for children aged 0 to 14, or up to 18 for disabled children. In the unlikely event that a parent's childcare provider becomes insolvent or goes bankrupt, parents can contact their local authority, who can provide guidance and resources to help them transition to a new provider.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans her Department has to increase the level of protection for parents when an independent after-school provider is made bankrupt.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

As a private market, guidance published by the Insolvency Service is likely to apply, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claim-money-back-from-a-bankrupt-person-or-company-in-compulsory-liquidation-guidance-for-creditors/if-an-insolvent-company-or-bankrupt-person-owes-you-money#:~:text=If%20the%20person%20or%20company,secured%20creditors.

The Childcare Act 2006 places a duty on local authorities to make sure that there are enough childcare places within its locality for working parents or for parents who are studying or training for employment, for children aged 0 to 14, or up to 18 for disabled children. In the unlikely event that a parent's childcare provider becomes insolvent or goes bankrupt, parents can contact their local authority, who can provide guidance and resources to help them transition to a new provider.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of her Department's processes for monitoring after-school clubs' compliance with Ofsted registration requirements; and whether she plans to improve these monitoring processes.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Before and after-school clubs can register with Ofsted on either or both the Early Years Register and the General Childcare Register, depending on the type of provision and age of the children they intend to care for. Some providers are exempt from registration if they meet the exemptions set out in legislation. Depending on their registration, they must either meet the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage, or the general childcare register requirements. The requirements for both registers are set by the department.

It is Ofsted’s role to monitor compliance with these registration requirements. Ofsted reports to Parliament through its annual report and official statistics publications about inspection, regulatory activity and compliance with the department’s legal requirements. Officials also meet regularly with their Ofsted counterparts to ensure that the regulations that apply to Ofsted registered providers of after-school childcare remain fit for purpose.

Ofsted takes appropriate action on information that they receive about unregistered services and provision on unapproved premises. Ofsted’s process for managing unregistered provision is outlined in their published enforcement policy, accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-and-childcare-ofsteds-enforcement-policy/early-years-and-childcare-enforcement-policy#unregistered:~:text=in%20appropriate%20circumstances.-,Unregistered%20childcare%20providers%20and%20provision%20on%20unapproved%20premises,-Most%20childcare%20providers.

Information about Ofsted’s regulatory and enforcement activity in relation to unregistered provision is outlined in Ofsted’s annual report and accounts each year. This is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ofsted-corporate-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to strengthen regulations on the (a) qualifications and (b) safety requirements for (i) people and (ii) groups that run after-school clubs.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Before and after-school clubs can register with Ofsted on either or both the Early Years Register and the General Childcare Register, depending on the type of provision and age of the children they intend to care for. Some providers are exempt from registration if they meet the exemptions set out in legislation. Depending on their registration, they must either meet the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage, or the general childcare register requirements. The requirements for both registers are set by the department.

It is Ofsted’s role to monitor compliance with these registration requirements. Ofsted reports to Parliament through its annual report and official statistics publications about inspection, regulatory activity and compliance with the department’s legal requirements. Officials also meet regularly with their Ofsted counterparts to ensure that the regulations that apply to Ofsted registered providers of after-school childcare remain fit for purpose.

Ofsted takes appropriate action on information that they receive about unregistered services and provision on unapproved premises. Ofsted’s process for managing unregistered provision is outlined in their published enforcement policy, accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-and-childcare-ofsteds-enforcement-policy/early-years-and-childcare-enforcement-policy#unregistered:~:text=in%20appropriate%20circumstances.-,Unregistered%20childcare%20providers%20and%20provision%20on%20unapproved%20premises,-Most%20childcare%20providers.

Information about Ofsted’s regulatory and enforcement activity in relation to unregistered provision is outlined in Ofsted’s annual report and accounts each year. This is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ofsted-corporate-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the number of after-school clubs required to be registered by Ofsted that are operating without being registered.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Before and after-school clubs can register with Ofsted on either or both the Early Years Register and the General Childcare Register, depending on the type of provision and age of the children they intend to care for. Some providers are exempt from registration if they meet the exemptions set out in legislation. Depending on their registration, they must either meet the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage, or the general childcare register requirements. The requirements for both registers are set by the department.

It is Ofsted’s role to monitor compliance with these registration requirements. Ofsted reports to Parliament through its annual report and official statistics publications about inspection, regulatory activity and compliance with the department’s legal requirements. Officials also meet regularly with their Ofsted counterparts to ensure that the regulations that apply to Ofsted registered providers of after-school childcare remain fit for purpose.

Ofsted takes appropriate action on information that they receive about unregistered services and provision on unapproved premises. Ofsted’s process for managing unregistered provision is outlined in their published enforcement policy, accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-and-childcare-ofsteds-enforcement-policy/early-years-and-childcare-enforcement-policy#unregistered:~:text=in%20appropriate%20circumstances.-,Unregistered%20childcare%20providers%20and%20provision%20on%20unapproved%20premises,-Most%20childcare%20providers.

Information about Ofsted’s regulatory and enforcement activity in relation to unregistered provision is outlined in Ofsted’s annual report and accounts each year. This is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ofsted-corporate-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ensure full kinship support to all recipients of kinship care.

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

The government recognises the important role that kinship carers play in caring for some of the most vulnerable children.

Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we are seeking to mandate local authorities to publish a kinship local offer which sets out the information and support in a local authority's area for children living in kinship care and kinship carers. The measure will also define what kinship care is for the purpose of the requirement of the kinship care local offer. These measures will make it clear for local authorities, schools and other statutory services what support is available to those involved in a kinship arrangement.

In addition, in October 2024, the department published the kinship care statutory guidance for local authorities, which outlines the framework for the provision of support for kinship families. We have also recently announced a £40 million package to trial a new kinship allowance.

The government is also extending the delivery of over 140 peer support groups across England, available for all kinship carers to access, where they can come together to share stories, exchange advice and support each other. We are also delivering a package of training and support that all kinship carers across England can access.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to increase the foster care allowance for children in kinship care.

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

The government recognises the important role that kinship carers play in caring for some of the most vulnerable children. They often take on this role at a time when they were least expecting to raise a family, and the department recognises the challenges they face.

In October 2024, the government announced £40 million to trial a new kinship allowance in some local authorities in England. We will test whether paying an allowance can help increase the number of children taken in by kinship carers. ​​We will share further details and the process for selecting local authorities in due course.​

Local authorities have the powers to provide a range of services, including financial support, to support children and families. As local authorities know their carers best, they have the power to decide what financial support should be provided, and any payments should be made in accordance with their model for assessing needs. The government does not set a maximum or minimum allowance. While the government recognises the financial constraints on local authorities, guidance makes it clear that children and young people should receive the support that they and their carers need to safeguard and promote their welfare.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to take steps to encourage kinship role recruitment.

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

The department is committed to supporting kinship carers and ensuring that children in kinship care arrangements have the opportunity to thrive. This includes removing barriers from carers coming forward, where that is in the child’s best interests. At the Autumn Budget 2024, the government announced a £40 million package to trial a new kinship allowance to test whether paying an allowance to cover the additional costs of supporting the child can help increase the number of children taken in by family members and friends. This is the single biggest investment made by government in kinship care to date.

Unlike in foster care, there is no general pool of kinship carers to recruit from. Kinship arrangements happen when a specific child cannot remain with their parents, and a relative or close family friend steps in, often at short notice. As such, terms like ‘recruitment’ or ‘adequate levels’ do not apply in the same way. Instead, the department’s focus is on ensuring that when these situations arise, families are supported to step forward.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of existing levels of kinship care.

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

The department is committed to supporting kinship carers and ensuring that children in kinship care arrangements have the opportunity to thrive. This includes removing barriers from carers coming forward, where that is in the child’s best interests. At the Autumn Budget 2024, the government announced a £40 million package to trial a new kinship allowance to test whether paying an allowance to cover the additional costs of supporting the child can help increase the number of children taken in by family members and friends. This is the single biggest investment made by government in kinship care to date.

Unlike in foster care, there is no general pool of kinship carers to recruit from. Kinship arrangements happen when a specific child cannot remain with their parents, and a relative or close family friend steps in, often at short notice. As such, terms like ‘recruitment’ or ‘adequate levels’ do not apply in the same way. Instead, the department’s focus is on ensuring that when these situations arise, families are supported to step forward.

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, 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.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of police widows who lose access to their survivor's pension when 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.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of minimum wage rises on hiring practices of pub chains.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government published an Impact Assessment (IA) for the 2025 National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage (NLW) rates, which includes a breakdown of the expected impacts by sector. The IA also sets out the economic literature to date, which shows that increases to the NLW have had a limited impact on labour demand, as measured by employment levels and hours worked.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the increase in the minimum wage on the trends in levels of hospitality workers.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government published an Impact Assessment (IA) for the 2025 National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage (NLW) rates, which includes a breakdown of the expected impacts by sector. The IA also sets out the economic literature to date, which shows that increases to the NLW have had a limited impact on labour demand, as measured by employment levels and hours worked.

Found: In particular, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman referred to the arrival of asylum seekers in