Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions he has had with the Independent Custody Visiting Association on ensuring the rights of children in police custody are upheld.

The Home Office has provided the Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) funding via grants since the financial year 2003-04. The grant value was £110,000 for the financial years 2019-20 and 2020-21, with the grant value increasing to £125,000 for the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23.

The grant was increased due to recognition that the funding amount had been stable for several years with no increase in line with inflation. There is no confirmation yet on funding for ICVA for next year as allocations and budgets for the Home Office for the financial year 2023-24 have not yet been finalised.

Home Office officials have regular liaison with the Independent Custody Visiting Association and other custody stakeholders including the National Appropriate Adult Network, National Police Chiefs’ Council, Police Federation and His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. This includes frequent discussion on the rights of children in police custody.