theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_75

David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reason her Department is setting up new neighbourhood boards to decide how to spend funding from the new Plan for Neighbourhoods. \p Alex Norris: The new £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods will deliver up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade into 75 communities across the UK, a long-term commitment to building the foundations to kickstart local growth and drive-up living standards.

Communities are at the heart of this programme, and Neighbourhood Boards should therefore comprise of members with a deep connection to their area to consult the wider community and work with the local authority to develop their Regeneration Plan.

As outlined in the Plan for Neighbourhoods’ governance and boundary guidance, published on 12 March, Neighbourhood Boards should comprise representatives from a cross-section of the local community to promote community leadership.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_76
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_76

James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) adequacy of the pace of the existing system for identifying and remediating dangerous cladding and fire safety issues; and what steps she is taking to accelerate the process. \p Alex Norris: This government has been clear that the pace on remediation has been too slow. Seven years on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, it is unacceptable that so many buildings still have unsafe cladding.

We have announced a step change towards addressing the building safety crisis through the publication of our ambitious Remediation Acceleration Plan (RAP). Our plan will drive the pace of remediation through new proposed legal duties and powers, new funding, new resources and new partnerships.

In December 2024, the Remediation Acceleration Plan was launched. We recognise that the scale and importance of the challenge is so significant that we expect to publish a further update on this plan in summer 2025 to report on progress and to reflect the second phase of the spending review.

Through this plan, we aim that by the end of 2029 all 18m+ (high-rise) buildings with unsafe cladding in a government funded scheme will have been remediated. Furthermore, by the end of 2029, every 11m+ building with unsafe cladding will either have been remediated, have a date for completion, or the landlords will be liable for severe penalties.

We are also driving pace and effectiveness through existing funding schemes. The Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) was launched in 2023 to help fund work to address unsafe cladding for buildings between 11-18 metres, as well as those over 18 metres outside London, but has since been expanded to include all government funded remediation projects outside London. The benefits of transferring buildings to this scheme include increased pace through the use of automated processes, better experience for residents, and greater cost effectiveness. We are continuing to seek opportunities to exploit the benefits of the CSS further.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_77
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_77

Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to encourage investment in high streets in (a) London and (b) Ilford South constituency. \p Alex Norris: The government is fully committed to revitalising our high streets and supporting businesses to make our towns, including those in London and Ilford South constituency, successful.

We recognise the important role Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) provide, such as Ilford BID, that attract investment and improve trade in local town centres. We have introduced High Street Rental Auctions, which give local authorities the power to auction off the lease of persistently vacant commercial premises, to make town centre tenancies more accessible and affordable for tenants.

Through our UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the London Borough of Redbridge is providing support for local businesses and has invested in improvements to Ilford town centre public realm. The Small Business Strategy Command Paper, to be published in 2025, will set out this Government’s plans to improve access to finance and inward investment to foster thriving high streets.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_78
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_78

Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle hate crimes based on religion in (a) England, (b) London and (c) Ilford South constituency. \p Alex Norris: All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, and the Government continues to work closely with community partners to tackle it. The Government has worked with the police to fund True Vision, an online hate crime reporting portal, designed so that victims of hate crime do not have to visit a police station to report. The Government also funds the National Online Hate Crime Hub, which supports individual local police forces in dealing specifically with online hate crime. The Hub provides expert advice to police forces to support them in investigating these abhorrent offences.

In 2024/25, up to £50.9 million is available to protect faith communities. This includes £18 million through the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant, £29.4 million through the Protective Security for Mosques scheme and for security at Muslim faith schools, and £3.5 million for the places of worship and associated faith community centres of all other faiths.

The Government established a new working group to provide government with a definition of Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, advising government and other bodies on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims.

Since his appointment, the Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement has made it a priority to meet with people of all major faiths and beliefs across our diverse country.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_79

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will meet with the hon. Member for Torbay to discuss the Afghan Resettlement Programme. \p Alex Norris: Please write to ministers to outline your area of interest for discussion on the Afghan Resettlement Programme. As this is a cross-government programme your area of interests will determine which department is best to respond.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_80

Sally Jameson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of English Devolution on investment in creative health as a solution to local health inequalities. \p Jim McMahon: As set out in the English Devolution White Paper, the government is introducing a new bespoke duty in relation to health improvement and health inequalities. This is intended to support Strategic Authorities to be active leaders and drive a “health in all policies” approach in line with our Mission government approach.

The duty will ensure Strategic Authorities have regard to the need to improve health, and the need to reduce health inequalities, in the exercise of their functions, and give them a clear stake in improving local health outcomes. This will complement the existing health improvement duty held by upper-tier Local Authorities. The government will engage Strategic Authorities, Local Authorities and the NHS as we take this forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_81

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to ensure that Integrated Care Systems operate on areas that co-terminate with Mayoral Combined Authorities. \p Jim McMahon: As set out in the English Devolution White Paper, the government recognises the benefits that aligned geographical boundaries can have for improving coordination between public services. The English Devolution White Paper therefore set out government's long-term ambition to align public service boundaries, including job centres, police, probation, fire, health services and Strategic and Local Authorities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether changing the minimum voting age would necessitate a change in the minimum age for voter registration. \p Jim McMahon: The government is committed to delivering on the manifesto commitment to give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all elections during this Parliament, strengthening our democracy, empowering young people to participate and building an informed and empowered electorate. We want young people to find their voice and exercise their right to vote – registering to vote is a vital first step towards doing that.

This will be a major change to the electoral franchise. We are working across government and with a wide range of stakeholders to design and implement the change effectively. We are considering what other measures may be required in the implementation of this change to ensure young people have the tools they need and feel empowered to both register to vote and to vote, including the minimum age for voter registration.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a cap on Mayoral Combined Authorities precepts for 2025-26. \p Jim McMahon: The government has not set referendum principles for Mayoral Combined Authorities for 2025-26. The government held a consultation on the provisional local government finance settlement, providing opportunity for the public and local authorities to share views on the proposed referendum principles. The government keeps referendum principles under review, and decisions are made at the local government finance settlement, with the next due in 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_84

Leigh Ingham:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of trends in the level of people being required to pay full council tax after vacating properties due to flooding. \p Jim McMahon: The government does not collect data on the council tax paid by all homes which are empty due to flooding. However, where a property is assessed as uninhabitable it may be removed from the council tax list, making it no longer liable for council tax. Councils also have the power to provide discretionary council tax discounts where they consider this appropriate. In exceptional circumstances the government may activate the flood recovery framework, requesting councils to provide a 100% council tax discount for affected homes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to reconstitute the Islands Forum. \p Jim McMahon: My department is continuing to work closely with other UK Government departments to determine the future of the forum, which we will communicate in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_86

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to introduce local referenda on local government reorganisation in Leicestershire. \p Jim McMahon: We do not have any plans to introduce local referenda as part of the local government reorganisation process. As per our invitation letter guidance we expect councils to engage locally when developing proposals. We expect local leaders to engage their MPs and to ensure there is wide engagement with local partners and stakeholders, residents and businesses. This engagement should both inform the development of robust proposals and build a shared understanding of the improvements they expect to deliver through reorganisation.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_87
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_87

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 36815 on Community Development and Housing: Gloucestershire, if he will list the amount of funding allocated for each project. \p Matthew Pennycook: A total of £22.8 million was allocated through the Levelling Up Home Building Fund/The Home Builders Fund. As this involves development finance provided to private companies, details cannot be disclosed due to commercial sensitivity.

A total of £32.7 million was allocated through the Land Assembly Fund across three projects. Individual purchase prices cannot be disclosed due to commercial sensitivity.

A total of £10.3 million was awarded through the Affordable Homes Programme. Funding is provided to schemes either through Strategic Partnerships with Registered Providers or via Continuous Market Engagement. Site specific information is not shared due to commercial sensitivity but updates to the overall spend of the programme by region are published on gov.uk here.

£249 million was awarded to the M5 J10 improvements through the Housing Infrastructure Fund.

Anything outside of this or linked to specific funding will unfortunately not be provided due to commercial sensitivities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to tackle leasehold properties with high service charges in (a) new and (b) established developments. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government recognise the considerable financial strain that rising services charges are placing on leaseholders.

The level of service charge that leaseholders pay depends on many factors, including the terms of a lease and the age and condition of a building.

By law, variable service charges must be reasonable. Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness of their service charges they may make an application to the appropriate tribunal.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 includes measures designed to drive up the transparency of service charges to make them more easily challengeable if leaseholders consider them to be unreasonable.

The government is committed to acting quickly to implement the provisions of the Act. Further detail can be found in the written ministerial statement published on Thursday 21 November (HCWS244).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2025 to Question 36082 on Neighbourhood Policing: Finance, how much and what proportion of the funding allocated for the financial year 2025-26 has been allocated to cover the increase in employer National Insurance contributions. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Government is committed to delivering our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, and that is why we have committed £200 million to kickstart the increase of 13,000 neighbourhood officers in communities across England and Wales by the End of this Parliament.

Our approach to delivery in 2025-26, which will be year 1 of a 4-year programme, is designed to deliver an initial increase to the neighbourhood policing workforce in a manner that is flexible and can be adapted to the local context and varied crime demands.

Funding for future years beyond 2025-26 will be set out in phase 2 of the Spending Review.

Finally, £230.3 million to support forces with the cost of the changes to employer National Insurance Contributions as set out by the Chancellor in the Autumn Budget. This will be allocated by total workforce headcount shares as at 31 March 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Mike Tapp:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to prevent the police from charging people whose cars have been stolen for the cost of holding those vehicles for evidential purposes. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Whilst the police are empowered to charge vehicle owners prescribed sums for the recovery, storage, and disposal of their vehicles, victims of theft are not charged storage costs whilst vehicles are undergoing forensics examinations or for the cost for forensic examinations following the recovery of stolen vehicles.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_91

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the performance data sent to her Department on firearms licensing by the firearms and explosives licensing working group of the National Police Chiefs’ Council since October 2022. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The issuing of firearms certificates and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and they are held to account by Police and Crime Commissioners.

However, the performance of forces is actively being monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for firearms licensing, Deputy Chief Constable David Gardner, and he is developing a new performance framework for firearms licensing teams, which it is intended will be published soon, to provide greater transparency on application turnaround times.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_92

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to improve access to domestic abuse support services in (a) North Cornwall constituency and (b) other rural areas. \p Jess Phillips: This Government has set out an ambition to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) within a decade and will treat it as the national emergency that it is. The Government has increased funding to all local authorities to £160 million for 2025-26, an uplift of £30 million from the previous year, to provide further support in safe accommodation for domestic abuse survivors We will deliver a cross-government, transformative approach, underpinned by a new VAWG Strategy published later this year. This will take into account the needs of all victims, including those in rural areas.

The Government has also committed to introduce domestic abuse specialists in every 999 control room, under a new approach named Raneem's Law. Delivery began in February, with the first specialists embedded in five police forces to support and improve the police response to victims of domestic abuse.

We have launched new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) in three select areas and with the British Transport Police. These orders are the first to introduce a robust range of restrictions for perpetrators such as the ability to impose electronic tagging and attendance on behaviour change programmes, substance misuse and mental health interventions.

It is important that services join up to best serve victims. The Duty to Collaborate, once in force, will require local policing bodies, local authorities, and integrated care boards to collaborate in relation to the commissioning of certain victim support services, and to prepare and publish a joint commissioning strategy for victims of domestic abuse in their area.

I am pleased to be able to confirm funding for a range of organisations for the next financial year, whose vital work will help us achieve our mission.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_93
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of recent trends in levels of fixed penalty notices for Public Spaces Protection Orders that are issued by private enforcement companies outsourced from local government; and whether guidance has been provided on such contacts which (a) reward companies for increasing numbers of fines and (b) profit share revenue from fines. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of tools and powers they can use to respond to anti-social behaviour (ASB), including the Public Spaces Protection Order.

The powers in the 2014 Act are deliberately flexible in nature, and it is for local agencies to determine whether their use is appropriate in the specific circumstances of each individual case.

Contracting enforcement to third parties is a common arrangement and it is for the local authority to ensure use of powers remains just and proportionate. Contractors are bound by the same legal obligations, and the same safeguards in legislation, as councils themselves. Local authorities are also obliged to follow the rules set out in the Public Contract Regulations 2015 in appointment of such companies.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_94
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_94

Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the use of modified number plates designed to evade detection by automatic number plate recognition cameras on levels of crime. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The cloning and defacing of number plates is illegal. We are working with the police, the DVLA and other partners to crack down on these crimes.

We have begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade, which aims to reduce road deaths and prevent related crime.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_95
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_95

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to (a) help tackle domestic abuse and (b) improve support services for domestic abuse survivors in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Jess Phillips: This Government has set out an ambition to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) within a decade and will treat it as the national emergency that it is. The Government has increased funding to all local authorities to £160 million for 2025-26, an uplift of £30 million from the previous year, to provide further support in safe accommodation for domestic abuse survivors. We will deliver a cross-Government, transformative approach, underpinned by a new VAWG Strategy published later this year. This will take into account the needs of all victims, including those in rural areas.

The Government has committed to introduce domestic abuse specialists in every 999 control room, under a new approach named Raneem's Law. Delivery began in February, with the first specialists embedded in five police forces to support and improve the police response to victims of domestic abuse.

We have launched new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) in three select areas and with the British Transport Police. These orders are the first to introduce a robust range of restrictions for perpetrators such as the ability to impose electronic tagging and attendance on behaviour change programmes, substance misuse and mental health interventions.

The health sector has a vital role to play in preventing, identifying and responding to violence and abuse, and providing healthcare to victims. Domestic abuse and sexual violence (DASV) is more likely to be disclosed to a healthcare professional than any other professional. Therefore, it is vital that all health professionals including GPs, midwives and health visitors recognise the signs early and know how to respond. DHSC has published and disseminated a working definition of trauma informed practice for the health and care sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_96

Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking with the Metropolitan Police to help tackle police abstractions from Sutton Borough to Central London. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Visible and responsive policing in communities is critical and that is why the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee is placing 13,000 additional police personnel into neighborhood policing roles.

The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will hold forces to account for ensuring neighbourhood policing teams are protected from routine abstraction to ensure neighbourhood teams remain focused on serving their local communities and providing a visible policing presence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of people charged with aggravated burglary over the last 12 months. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office collects and publishes information on the number of notifiable offences, and their investigative outcomes, recorded by the police in England and Wales, on a quarterly basis. This information, including aggravated burglary offences, can be accessed here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-recorded-crime-open-data-tables

Crime statistics for Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the devolved administration. These can be accessed here:

https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-publications-and-reports/official-statistics/police-recorded-crime-statistics
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_98
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions he has had with (a) police forces and (b) local authorities on the (a) effectiveness of current legislation on and (b) adequacy of resources for encouraging responsible dog ownership in public areas. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police and local authorities with a range of flexible tools and powers, including Community Protection Notices, Civil Injunctions and Public Spaces Protection Orders, that they can use to tackle irresponsible dog ownership.

Appropriate use of the powers is a local decision for police, local authorities and other agencies; however, the Home Office regularly engages with police and local authority partners to discuss the effectiveness of the legislation.

Set against our Safer Streets Mission, this government is committed to reducing anti-social behaviour (ASB). We are making changes to some of the powers in the 2014 Act via the Crime and Policing Bill, introduced to Parliament last month, to ensure the powers – based on engagement with police and local authorities – are as effective as possible. These changes include increasing the upper limit for a fixed penalty notice for breaches of Community Protection Notices and Public Spaces Protection Orders from £100 to £500 to act as a stronger deterrent to ASB.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's news story entitled New powers for police to tackle neighbourhood crime, how many of the 13,000 additional neighbourhood policing roles will be in Bedfordshire. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Government has committed to restoring neighbourhood policing through the delivery of a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. This includes putting 13,000 more police personnel on the beat in neighbourhood policing roles up and down the country. Every part of the country needs to benefit from this pledge, including Bedfordshire, who have been allocated £1,803,234 funding in 2025/26 to bolster their neighbourhood policing teams.

Our approach to delivery in 2025/26, which will be year 1 of a 4-year programme, is designed to deliver an initial increase to the neighbourhood policing workforce in a manner that is flexible, and can be adapted to the local context and varied crime demands. This means the precise workforce mix is a local decision.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_100
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to prevent people seeking asylum from becoming (a) destitute and (b) in poverty. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office has a legal obligation, as set out in the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, to support asylum seekers (including any dependants) who would otherwise be destitute. Asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute can receive accommodation, subsistence, or both accommodation and subsistence support. Details of the support provided can be found at the following link: Asylum support: What you'll get - GOV.UK.

The level of the allowance given to those supported under section 95 and section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 is reviewed each year to ensure it covers an asylum seeker’s “essential living needs”.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle anti-social behaviour in (a) England, (b) London, and (c) Ilford South constituency. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.

That’s why we are delivering on our commitment to strengthen neighbourhood policing, putting 13,000 neighbourhood police and community support officers into local communities by the end of the Parliament .

We will also equip the police to crack down on those causing havoc on our high streets and in communities. Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced tougher powers to tackle repeat offending, including the new Respect Order to tackle the most persistent ASB offenders.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 21 February 2025 to Question 26035 on Housing: Asylum, what information her Department holds on the average annual cost to local authorities for looking after (a) unaccompanied asylum seeking children who arrive in their area and (b) are transferred there under the National Transfer Scheme; and what funding her Department provides to local authorities for these. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office does not hold the specific data requested in a readily reportable form, but the funding policy can be found online here: Unaccompanied asylum seeking children and leaving care: funding instructions - GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help end crossings by small boat across the English Channel. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Honourable Member to the statement made by the Home Secretary on 10 February 2025, when moving the Border, Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill for its second reading.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help reduce phone theft in (a) east London and (b) Ilford South constituency. \p Dame Diana Johnson: On 6 February the Home Secretary brought together police, the National Crime Agency, the Mayor of London and leading tech companies to drive greater collaboration in breaking the business model of mobile phone thieves.

As a result of the summit, representatives from policing and tech agreed to significantly boost the sharing of data and intelligence on mobile phone theft to build a comprehensive picture of the organised criminal networks driving this problem and to instigate new work to tackle the problem.

To aid police investigations and recovery of stolen goods, our Crime and Policing Bill includes a measure to give police the power to enter and search premises for stolen property which has been electronically geolocation tracked to those premises and it is not reasonably practicable to obtain a warrant without seriously prejudicing the entry and search purpose. We are also committed to strengthening neighbourhood policing and through our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, there will be thousands of additional police officers and police community support officers.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales provides national estimates of the number of victims of mobile phone theft in England and Wales; this data is not broken down to sub-national geographies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Mary Kelly Foy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of suicide prevention training for staff in police custody suites. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Government is committed to preventing deaths in or following police custody, including suicides both in custody and following release.

The College of Policing’s 'Vulnerability in Custody' training package, launched in 2022, seeks to improve the consistency and quality of custody training, focusing on identifying vulnerability and managing risk. This training was developed in response to recommendations made in the Independent Review of Deaths and Serious Incidents in Police Custody led by Dame Elish Angiolini. The College is undertaking an evaluation of the training package which will be completed in June.

The Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody is working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, College of Policing, and key health and voluntary sector stakeholders to improve support for those at risk of suicide following release from police custody.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_106
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_106

Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to develop new country information for Syria; and when she plans to begin processing (a) asylum claims and (b) settlement cases. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Following the fall of the Assad regime, the Home Office has withdrawn the Country Policy Information Notes and Guidance relating to Syria and has temporarily paused all asylum interviews and decisions. However, we continue to register new claims from Syrians in the UK who wish to claim asylum.

The Country Policy and Information Team (CPIT) are continuing to monitor and review the situation in Syria. CPIT are gathering evidence from a wide range of reliable sources, including reputable media outlets; local, national and international organisations, including human rights organisations; and information from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The pause is being kept under constant review and when there is a clear basis upon which to make decisions, we will resume the processing of them.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_107
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_107

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2025 to Question 35504 on Elections: Subversion, whether the Defending Democracy Taskforce plans to consider evidence on alleged Kremlin-linked interference in past UK elections. \p Dan Jarvis: We have robust systems in place to defend the UK from all forms of malign state interference in UK democratic processes, including from Russia.

The Defending Democracy Taskforce brings together Ministers from across Government, along with representatives from law enforcement and the intelligence community, to coordinate a programme of work that aims to protect UK political parties, elected officials and core electoral infrastructure. A key part of this is ensuring we learn from previous elections.

As part of this, the Cabinet Office, together with MHCLG, runs the Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit, which leads on coordinating cross-government preparedness on election security.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_108
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_108

Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2025 to Question 36658 on Home Office: Training, how many people have been mentored in the last 12 months. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The information requested is not readily available, and could only be collected for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_109
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_109

David Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the police in Hertfordshire on tackling the driving of (a) motorbikes and (b) mopeds on (i) pavements and (ii) other public spaces in Hertfordshire. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Tackling anti-social behaviour involving vehicles is a priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission to take back our streets.

On 25 February 2025, the Crime and Policing Bill was introduced to Parliament. The Bill includes proposals to give the police greater powers to clamp down on all vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing vehicles.

This will allow the police to quickly remove anti-social motorbikes and mopeds from pavements and other public spaces and send a clear message to antisocial drivers that their behaviour will not be tolerated.

Enforcement of the law in Hertfordshire, including in relation to illegal driving of motorbikes, mopeds, on pavements and other public spaces, is an operational matter for Hertfordshire Police.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_110
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_110

Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 36656 on Refugees, whether any statelessness determination applications have been refused since 5 July 2024. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The information requested is not available from published statistics, but, in general, casework actions on statelessness claims are taken daily and we routinely review and monitor outstanding statelessness cases to ensure they are progressed without delay. This includes making decisions to grant or refuse statelessness claims.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_111
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_111

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of abolishing non-departmental public bodies on (a) her Department's costs and (b) democratic accountability. \p Dame Diana Johnson: We keep all bodies sponsored and funded by the Home Office under review, to ensure they are delivering public outcomes efficiently and effectively.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_112
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_112

Sojan Joseph:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to tackle the use of catapults against (a) people, (b) animals and (c) property in Ashford constituency. \p Dame Diana Johnson: We are clear that catapults should not be used for illegal purposes, whether against wildlife, people or property.

The law already provides the police with powers relating to the use of any item as an offensive weapon including a catapult, and also if used in anti-social behaviour or for criminal damage.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996, there are also offences around injuring and inflicting unnecessary suffering on wildlife. These measures give the police powers to deal with cases where wildlife is attacked, including cases involving the misuse of catapults.

We continue to keep all relevant legislation under review in the interests of public safety.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_113
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_113

David Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to ban the wearing of balaclavas in public spaces. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Face coverings have a variety of legitimate purposes and as such the Government does not support a general ban on the wearing of balaclavas or other types of face coverings in public.

However, the Crime and Policing Bill contains a new criminal offence of wearing, or otherwise using, an item that conceals identity in an area designated by police due to the risk of criminal activity taking place at protests. This will enable the police to put a stop to individuals hiding behind masks to avoid conviction for criminal activity at protests.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_114
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_114

Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what number and proportion of vehicle number plates were unreadable by automatic number plate recognition cameras in each of the last three years. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Data on the readability of ANPR reads is not collected or published.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_115
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_115

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made on the implementation of her planned coalition to tackle knife crime. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Prime Minister launched the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime in September 2024, bringing together campaign groups, families of those who have tragically lost their lives to knife crime, young people who have been impacted and community leaders, united in their mission to save lives.

The Coalition has already met six times to discuss key issues with further engagements planned over the coming months. We remain committed to drawing on a range of experiences and voices in our ambition to halve knife crime in the next 10 years.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_116
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_116

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the outcome was of her Department's consultation on the accountability of social media executives for not removing adverts for weapons and knives. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Government will be publishing the response to the consultation on the personal liability measure this spring.

This measure, which implements a manifesto commitment, will introduce personal liability on senior executives of online companies that do not take down illegal content relating to knives and offensive weapons when requested to do so by the police.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_117
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_117

Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many fixed penalty notices were issued for vehicle registration offences in each of the last three years. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office collects and publishes data on fixed penalty notices and other outcomes for motoring offences as part of its annual ‘Police Powers and Procedures: Roads policing’ statistical release. The latest data is available here Police powers and procedures: Roads policing, to December 2023 - GOV.UK and covers the calendar year ending December 2023.

Data on the number of fixed penalty notices issued for vehicle registration offences for the last three years is covered under offence classification 810, “vehicle registration and excise licence offences”, and is provided in table FPN_03 of the motoring offences data tables, available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67506ce8d12a2dad3bc97ab4/FPN-other-motoring-offences-statistics-police-powers-procedures-year-ending-dec-23.ods
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_118
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_118

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that investigations of allegations of domestic abuse involving serving police officers in Devon and Cornwall are independent. \p Jess Phillips: Allegations of any crime involving serving police officers should be investigated robustly and independently by the police.

Outside of criminal investigations, disciplinary investigations (including those involving serious assault and serious sexual offences) are referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) under the mandatory referral criteria. Victims of crime, including police officers, have rights afforded to them under the Victims' Code. The IOPC will make a decision as to whether to investigate themselves, direct the force to investigate or decide that the force should investigate locally. These decisions are made independently of the police force, with the protection of victims in mind.

The Government will continue to work with police leaders to ensure that the response to police-perpetrated domestic abuse is robust and that every relevant allegation is dealt with appropriately.

Last year, the Home Secretary also announced that the Government would be introducing reforms to strengthen police forces' use of suspension powers, in circumstances where a police officer is under investigation for domestic abuse or sexual offences. The Government is considering options on this and expects to introduce new legislation later this year.