theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_56

Katie Lam:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department's policy is on the impact of international court rulings on the UK's sovereignty over (a) Gibraltar, (b) the Falkland Islands, (c) RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia and (d) other overseas territories. \p Stephen Doughty: There have not been any rulings from international courts on the UK's sovereignty over Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia or any other Overseas Territories. The circumstances around the Diego Garcia Military Base Agreement are unique with absolutely no bearing on the wider Overseas Territories. It is a very different issue with a very different history. We remain committed to our Overseas Territories family. Sovereignty of other Overseas Territories is not up for negotiation.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_57

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Canadian counterpart on trade. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary spoke with his new Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, on 30 May, and met with her in person on 6 June. On both occasions, they discussed a wide range of issues across our economic and security relationship. The Foreign Secretary looks forward to working with her closely in the future to deepen the vitally important UK-Canada relationship, including through strengthening our significant economic partnership.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_58

Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to achieve multilateral disarmament of nuclear weapons. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK remains committed to the goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and to our Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty obligation to pursue nuclear disarmament negotiations in good faith. Nuclear disarmament is a process as well as an end-state, which is best achieved through a negotiated approach within existing international frameworks and reflecting the security environment. Whilst the current security environment poses significant challenges to this goal, the UK continues to work with partners to make progress on mechanisms that will ensure disarmament can be verified, transparent and irreversible if and when the security environment allows. We also continue to take steps to address future challenges on the verification of disarmament. An effective verification regime is essential for states to be confident others have eliminated their nuclear weapons and, are meeting treaty obligations. The UK has been at the forefront of national and international verification research, both domestically and within a range of global initiatives - for example, through the Quad Nuclear Verification Partnership.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_59

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether a  British High Commissioner has been appointed in all Commonwealth member states. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) regularly reviews its overseas network to ensure it reflects UK foreign priorities and provides effective representation across the Commonwealth. All Commonwealth member states, except the UK, have a UK High Commissioner representation. This may be resident or non-resident High Commissioners. The UK has the UK Commonwealth Envoy based in the FCDO in London.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_60

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which development programmes will continue to be funded following the planned reduction of the official development assistance budget. \p Stephen Doughty: Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations and the impact on programmes are being worked through. We are taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money.

We will publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Annual Report & Accounts this summer.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_61
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_61

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he has taken to protect the UK from legal claims having recognised the wrongs of the past in the preamble to that Agreement. \p Stephen Doughty: This government and previous governments have repeatedly stated we deeply regret the way Chagossians were removed from the Islands. The UK provided compensation in the 1980s that courts have ruled was paid in full and final settlement. The Agreement will increase support to Chagossian communities. The Agreement also provides that it constitutes full and final settlement of all claims by Mauritius in relation to the Chagos Archipelago.

There are no provisions within the treaty for Mauritian officials to be based on Diego Garcia, however Mauritians can work on Diego Garcia, subject to appropriate security protocols.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_62
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_62

Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK Government complies with its Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons obligations. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is compliant with and remains committed to its obligations across all three pillars of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In line with its commitment under Article VI, the UK continues to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to nuclear disarmament, and to the long-term goal of achieving a world without nuclear weapons. Whilst the current security environment poses significant challenges to this goal, the UK continues to work with partners to make progress on mechanisms that will ensure disarmament can be verified, transparent and irreversible when the security environment allows. The UK is also proud to play its part in strengthening non-proliferation through active participation in export controls, and championing the highest standards of nuclear safety, security and safeguards as key enablers of nuclear trade. The UK has also provided financial support to both the Sustained Dialogue on Peaceful Uses and the International Atomic Energy Agency's Technical Cooperation Programme to improve developing states' access to the benefits of peaceful nuclear technologies. The UK will publish a National Report on its NPT progress at the NPT 2026 Review Conference which will provide further details on this work.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_63
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_63

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has plans to increase the level of funding available for water, sanitation and hygiene programmes. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is committed to action on Global Health, including water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as part of our development partnerships. Current UK bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend on WASH totalled £37 million in 2023, and we continue to support WASH through our multilateral spend, estimated to have been approximately £79 million in 2022.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_64
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_64

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in (a) schools and (b) healthcare facilities in low and middle-income countries. \p Stephen Doughty: We remain committed to work in partnership with governments to strengthen the systems to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools and health care facilities in low and lower-middle income countries. Our WASH Systems for Health Programme works with five district health teams in Sierra Leone to maintain WASH services in health care facilities, to prevent infection and protect health workers. Globally, we work with partners including the World Bank, UNICEF and WHO to provide data on WASH services in schools and health care facilities to support governments prioritising, planning and mobilising finance to close the service gaps.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_65
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_65

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK is on track to meet United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is committed to working with partners at home and abroad to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The United Nations (UN) does not measure individual countries' progress towards the SDGs, but the collective global progress. However, there are complimentary reports produced using UN data that assess countries' progress towards achieving the SDGs, such as the Sustainable Development Report, which assessed the UK as ninth out of 166 countries in 2024, with a progress score of 82%. The UK's Voluntary National Review (VNR) in 2019 provided a detailed account of actions being taken to achieve the SDGs across the UK government and other actors. This government has not yet taken a decision on undertaking a second VNR.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_66
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_66

Claire Hanna:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on Deirdre Murphy from Swansea following her arrest on 31 May 2025. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Our embassy in Tel Aviv is aware of the situation. We understand that Ms Murphy is being supported by the Irish Embassy. She has not been in touch with the British Embassy, but our consular team remain on hand to provide any support to Ms Murphy if required.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_67
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_67

Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 56774 on Gaza: Humanitarian Aid, what diplomatic steps he is taking to call for an (a) immediate and (b) independent investigation into the reports of the killing of Palestinians near aid sites in Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are appalled by repeated reports of mass casualty incidents, in which Palestinians have been killed when trying to access aid sites in Gaza. Desperate civilians who have endured 20 months of war should never face the risk of death or injury to simply feed themselves and their families.  We have raised our concerns directly with the Government of Israel. At a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on 4 June, we called for an immediate and independent investigation into these events, and for the perpetrators to be held to account.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_68
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_68

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54630 on Gaza: Humanitarian Aid, if he will make an estimate of the quantity of aid supplied into Gaza between 19 January 2025 and 18 March 2025. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: After months of limited or no humanitarian aid being delivered, essential supplies are either no longer available or quickly running out. As mentioned in my previous response, due to the complex operating environment and limited real-time data, it is difficult to quantify the volume of aid that has been supplied and aid currently awaiting entry. Israel must urgently allow the UN and other humanitarian partners to do their jobs and deliver aid to those who so desperately need it.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_69
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_69

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with (a) local police and (b) police and crime commissioners on the (i) recording and (ii) sharing of peer-on-peer violence by children online. \p Jess Phillips: We are working to enhance our understanding of how social media platforms are being used by gangs and violent offenders, and how online content translates to ‘real-world’ violence. We know from 2024 survey results published by the Youth Endowment Fund that 70% of young people had encountered real-world violence online in the past 12 months. The most frequently observed content was footage of fights involving young people.

We are working with police and investing in targeted law enforcement capabilities to disrupt gangs and violent criminals operating online and to reduce the crime and harms they bring to our communities. The National Crime Agency is also working in partnership with policing colleagues across the UK and internationally to map and target key offenders operating online, including the darknet markets.

We have also formed the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime which brings together campaign groups, charities, families of people 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 and make Britain a safer place for the next generation. This Coalition is working with the Government to help identify risks and design policy based on the best possible evidence. This will include considering the challenges and risks presented online.

The Online Safety Act 2023 is a key mechanism to monitor and tackle illegal content online. It requires providers within the scope of the Act to implement measures to remove illegal content, including that related to inciting violence. If providers fail to abide by their duties under the Act, Ofcom, as the independent regulator, can now enforce against the illegal content duties and have already launched several enforcement programmes to monitor compliance with the regime.

The Government is closely monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the Online Safety Act and is committed to ensuring it delivers the necessary protections to ensure a safer online environment and tackle illegal content.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_70
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_70

Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed mandatory duty to report child sexual abuse in the Crime and Policing Bill on dissuading offenders unknown to the police from coming forward for psychiatric treatment. \p Jess Phillips: The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse considered such issues very carefully in the course of compiling its report to Government, and concluded that a mandatory reporting law was necessary to improve the protection of children and young people.

The Crime and Policing Bill will establish a clear, consistent requirement that allegations of child sexual abuse are shared promptly with appropriate safeguarding agencies, who are best placed to consider it further and take appropriate action to safeguard and support the child involved where necessary.

The Government already sets clear expectations through statutory and non-statutory guidance that those engaging with children should make an immediate referral to the relevant local authority children’s social care or the police if they are concerned about a child.

As they are now, impacted services will be responsible for explaining the detail and limitations of their confidentiality policies to their service users, including children and young people. Setting out a clear explanation of the need to pass certain concerns on to appropriate authorities should not undermine trusted relationships, or dissuade people from accessing the services they need.

We will be working with regulators and professional standards-setting bodies to ensure the new duty is clearly communicated ahead of implementation.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_71
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_71

Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) Romanians and (b) Roma are resident in (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) North Antrim constituency. \p Seema Malhotra: Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across various departments and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_72
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_72

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of people who will be impacted by the changes to the five-year settlement. \p Seema Malhotra: The Government's Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including indefinite leave to remain.

This will include an expansion of the Point-Based System which will increase the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years. As part of this expansion, we will reform the current rules around settlement so that individuals must earn their right to a privileged immigration status in the UK through the long-term contribution they bring to our country.

We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and will provide details of how the scheme will work after that, including on any transitional arrangements for people already in the UK.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_73

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Restoring control over the immigration system white paper, published on 13 May 2025, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doubling the number of workers that an overseas business can send to the UK with the aim of establishing a presence in the UK on levels of immigration. \p Seema Malhotra: The Immigration White paper, published 12 May, set out proposed reforms in a number of areas.

Over recent years, proper control and management of the immigration system has been lost. Levels of net migration have risen to a record high of 906,000 in the year ending June 2023 - a four-fold increase in the space of under four years.

Further details will be set out in due course.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_74
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_74

Aphra Brandreth:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has considered taking entry-level doctor jobs off the shortage occupation skills list. \p Seema Malhotra: The Government published the White Paper ‘Restoring Control over the immigration System’ on 12 May 2025. The White Paper set out its intention to introduce a Temporary Shortage List to replace the Immigration Salary List (previously known as the Shortage Occupation List).

The list will initially be comprised of occupations where the MAC have previously identified as in shortage and those which are key to the Industrial Strategy. The Government will set out in due course the composition of that list.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_75

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will restrict the number of new international students sponsoring institutions currently subject to action plans can recruit. \p Seema Malhotra: The Immigration White Paper, published 12 May, set out a wide range of reforms, including to student visas, further details of which will be set out in due course.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_76
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_76

John Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many permanent civil servants in her Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub in the most recent period for which data is available. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The exact number changes on a day-to-day basis. At any point in time, there is likely to be a small number of individuals who have been displaced due to restructures within their business units or, for example, have been on loan to another department during which time their role has been phased out.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_77
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_77

Claire Hanna:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many eVisa errors remain unresolved. \p Seema Malhotra: The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_78
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_78

Mr James Frith:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will introduce a medal in recognition of severely injured emergency service personnel. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Any official award is a gift from the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within the service. The creation of a new award requires cross Government consensus and approval from the Committee on The Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (“HD Committee”), before advice is put to HM The King to make his final decision.

The Home Office will continue to consider proposals for new awards for members of the emergency services. It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices made by the emergency services, and it is important to make sure this is done in a proportionate and effective manner.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_79
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_79

Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people are employed by Border Force at Heathrow Airport. \p Seema Malhotra: In the interests of maintaining border security, Border Force does not routinely disclose information of a port-specific nature, and the requested national information is not available from published statistics.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_80
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_80

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she is taking steps to give the police increased powers to tackle antisocial behaviour. \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.

Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we are strengthening the powers available to the police, local authorities and other relevant agencies to tackle ASB, including introducing new Respect Orders to tackle the most persistent ASB offenders.

Unlike the existing Civil Injunction, which the Respect Order partially replaces, breach will be a criminal offence, enforceable by arrest and tried in the criminal court. Penalty for breach will include community sentences, unlimited fines, and prison time for the most serious breaches.

We are also introducing, through the Crime and Policing Bill, the following measures:

Introducing new ASB data reporting requirements by creating a power for the Home Secretary to make regulations requiring local bodies, such as councils and social housing providers, to report specified ASB data to the Home Office.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_81
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_81

Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her Department's White paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, on British National (0verseas) Visa holders. \p Seema Malhotra: The British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route was launched on 31 January 2021 in response to China’s passing of the National Security Law. The route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status at the point of Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997.

The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future.

Further details of all measures announced in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in the normal way in due course, and where necessary, will be subject to consultation.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_82
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_82

Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with Police and Crime Commissioners on tackling vehicle nuisance in residential areas. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Any form of anti-social, dangerous or inconsiderate behaviour involving vehicles is a serious issue.

Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for the Government, and a key part of the Safer Streets Mission.

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 vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles.

This will strengthen the law and send a clear message that antisocial vehicles will not be tolerated.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_83
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_83

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to consult charities on the implementation of the policies in the White Paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025. \p Seema Malhotra: The Immigration White Paper, published 12 May, set out a wide range of reforms, including to student visas, further details of which will be set out in due course.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_84
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_84

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help tackle (a) low level and (b) county lines drug dealing. \p Dame Diana Johnson: To deliver our pledge to halve knife crime in the next decade, it is crucial that we tackle all drug supply, including gangs that run county lines through violence and exploitation.

County Lines is the most violent model of drug supply and a harmful form of child criminal exploitation. That is why we are investing £42m this financial year (25/26) in the County Lines Programme, to target exploitative drug dealing gangs whilst breaking the organised crime groups behind this trade.

From July 2024 to March 2025, law enforcement activity through the County Lines Programme taskforces has resulted in more than 1,200 deal lines closed, 2,000 arrests (including the arrest and subsequent charge of over 800 deal line holders) and 2,100 safeguarding referrals of children and vulnerable people. Over 320 children and young people also received dedicated specialist support through the County Lines Programme support service in that time.

As committed to in the Government’s manifesto, we have introduced a new offence of child criminal exploitation in the Crime and Policing Bill to go after the gangs who are luring children into violence and crime. We are also introducing a new criminal offence of ‘coerced internal concealment’ as an amendment to the Bill, which will crack down on the dangerous practice of anyone, including gang leaders, who force people to hide items inside their bodies to avoid detection often as part of horrendous and exploitative drugs trade.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_85
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_85

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegally modified e-bikes have been seized by police in the past 12 months. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office does not centrally collect this data.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_86
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_86

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been arrested for offences related to wildlife and timber trafficking as part of Operation Thunder in each of the last five years. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The primary objective of Operation Thunder is to increase seizures of items being illicitly trafficked, and use those seizures as the basis to initiate investigations into the organised groups around the world responsible for that trafficking. As a result, while no arrests have been recorded during the four-week period when Operation Thunder is active, that is not reflective of the full impact of subsequent investigations.

Border Force and the NCA have made zero arrests related to wildlife crime in the last five years during the four weeks per annum that Operation Thunder is active. However, investigations can often be complex, with criminality occurring across international jurisdictions, so the arrest phase can occur post-seizure of any illicit items seized rather than be contained to the four weeks of the exercise.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_87
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_87

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of legalising recreational cannabis on (a) physical health, (b) mental health, (c) the NHS and (d) antisocial behaviour. \p Dame Diana Johnson: No.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_88
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_88

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to (a) extend beyond the current trial areas and (b) make permanent the pilot of Serious Violence Reduction Orders. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs) were piloted for two years throughout Merseyside, Sussex, Thames Valley and West Midlands police force areas. The pilot took place between 19 April 2023 and 18 April 2025.

The final independent evaluation of the pilot, due this Summer, will look to understand the effectiveness of SVROs in reducing reoffending and knife carrying. These insights will be critical in informing future decisions on whether the orders will be rolled out nationally.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_89
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_89

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to extend the move on period for newly recognised refugees to 56 days beyond June 2025. \p Seema Malhotra: In December, the Home Office operationalised a pilot to extend the grace period to 56 days to support local authorities during a period of increased asylum decision making and with the transition to eVisas. It is important that we take the necessary time to evaluate the impact of the interim measures, including overall net costs to taxpayers, before making a decision on whether to make the measures permanent.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_90
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_90

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to publish the police reform White Paper. \p Dame Diana Johnson: We have been working closely with policing in the development of these important reforms. The new Joint Home Office and Policing Reform Team, which includes secondees from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and other policing organisations, have been closely involved in helping to shape the police reform proposals and development of the White Paper.

We will provide an update in due course.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_91
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_91

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have had their indefinite leave to remain claim rejected because they have applied to lift no recourse to public funds. \p Seema Malhotra: A person applying for settlement in the UK must meet several requirements. Not meeting those requirements will result in a refusal. Having their no recourse to public funds restriction lifted is not currently one of those requirements, so no one should have been refused on this basis.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_92
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_92

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to secure seasonal workers for the (a) horticulture and (b) agriculture sector. \p Seema Malhotra: On 25 February, the Government announced that the Seasonal Worker route had been extended for five years, with 45,000 visas available for 2025, consisting of 43,000 for horticulture and agriculture and 2,000 for the poultry sector. The Government keeps the Seasonal Worker route under regular review.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_93
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_93

Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that EU citizens do not move from the Republic of Ireland to become resident in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the rest of the UK. \p Seema Malhotra: Journeys from Ireland to the UK are within the Common Travel Area (CTA). As part of the CTA arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls of individuals arriving in the UK by air or sea from within the CTA, and no immigration checks are undertaken at the land border with Ireland.

The UK does however operate intelligence-led operational activity on CTA routes – away from the land border. This is to detect those who intend to abuse CTA arrangements. Operational activity must be targeted and supported by specific intelligence of CTA abuse.

There is a high level of cooperation on migration and border security between all members of the CTA (UK, Ireland, and the Crown Dependencies) to identify and tackle migration trends as they emerge.

Everyone entering the UK, regardless of where they enter from, is required to meet UK’s immigration requirements. Anyone identified attempting to circumvent UK border controls is liable to be detained and, if they are not lawfully present within the UK, removed.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_94
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_94

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, whether refugees seeking to bring family to the UK will be subject to increased (a) financial and (b) English language requirements. \p Seema Malhotra: The Immigration White paper, published 12 May 2025, set out a wide range of reforms, including to family policy, further details of which will be set out in due course.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_95
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_95

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the forthcoming consultation on the implementation of the White Paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, will include consultation on the potential impact of changes to English language proficiency requirements on people applying for refugee family reunion. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office regularly engages with a wide range of experts and stakeholders when developing policy or consulting on proposals.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_96
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_96

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of consulting on introducing a pilot humanitarian refugee visa for people fleeing (a) war and (b) persecution. \p Seema Malhotra: The Immigration White paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues including refugee sponsorship and resettlement, further details of which will be set out in due course.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_97
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_97

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have asked for their no recourse to public funds to be lifted in each year since 2020. \p Seema Malhotra: Quarterly data regarding NRPF - Destitution Change of Conditions Applications and Outcomes is published in tabs CoC_01 – CoC_07 of the Immigration and protection data: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-and-protection-data-q4-2024
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_98
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_98

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many new NHS (a) nurses and (b) doctors will complete training in the next 12 months. \p Karin Smyth: The Department estimates a range of between 19,000 and 22,500 nurses trained in England joining the Nursing and Midwifery Council register for the first time in the year to March 2026, based on the 23,240 acceptances to English nursing courses in the 2022 cycle, published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, as part of its undergraduate end of cycle data resources for 2024. These nurses may go on to work in the National Health Service, but also in other settings including social care or for non-NHS providers including some carrying out NHS work.

The numbers of joiners to the General Medical Council (GMC) register who are graduates of education courses in England has been increasing as medical school intakes have been expanded. We estimate between 8,000 and 8,500 doctors will join the GMC register having qualified from English universities during 2025.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_99
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_99

Tonia Antoniazzi:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, whether his Department plans to implement the recommendations of the Sullivan Review of Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender, published on 19 March 2025. \p Karin Smyth: The Government has now published the independent review of the data, statistics, and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous administration.

The Sullivan Review sets out a number of recommendations in relation to the collection of data on sex and gender identity, many of which are already being addressed.

We have been clear that we must deliver safe and holistic care for both adults and children when it comes to gender, and that means accurately recording biological sex, not just for research and insight, but also for patient safety.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_100
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_100

Henry Tufnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 56598 on Restless Legs Syndrome: Medical Treatments, whether he plans to make such an assessment. \p Karin Smyth: The Department has no plans to make such an assessment. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has an established prioritisation process overseen by a prioritisation board, for the identification of priorities for guidance development. Anyone is able to suggest a topic through the NICE website, at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/forms/topic-suggestion

The licensed dopamine agonist medicines that are indicated for the treatment of restless leg syndrome are ropinirole, pramipexole, and rotigotine. Decisions about what medicines to prescribe are made by healthcare professionals and National Health Service commissioners, based on an assessment of the available evidence, taking into account national guidance and advice, such as Clinical Knowledge Summaries.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_101
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_101

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of integrated care board reconfigurations on patient access to healthcare services. \p Karin Smyth: NHS England has asked integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health and care services and to reduce the duplication of responsibilities within their structure, with the expectation of achieving a reduction in their running cost allowance. NHS England provided additional guidance to ICBs, National Health Service trusts, and NHS foundation trusts in a letter on 1 April 2025. This letter is available at the following:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/working-together-in-2025-26-to-lay-the-foundations-for-reform/

These changes will form part of a package of measures, including the forthcoming 10-Year Health Plan, that positively impact on patient care and safety by driving quality of care, productivity, and innovation in the NHS. ICBs will continue to deliver their statutory responsibilities and NHS England’s transformation team will continue to work with ICBs to develop their plans and to ensure implementation of the changes, whilst maintaining a focus on patient safety.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_102
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_102

Andy McDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits for recruitment and retention of agreeing a long-term strategy to improve pay in real terms for the workforces covered by (a) the Dentists and Doctors Pay Review Body and (b) the NHS Pay Review Body. \p Karin Smyth: There are no current plans to make these specific assessments. The Government is committed to a credible, independent Pay Review Body (PRB) process as the right mechanism to recommend annual pay increases for most public sector staff. In her statement on the public finances on 29 July 2024, my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed that the Government wished to continue to use the PRB process.

The role of the NHS Pay Review Body and the Dentists and Doctors Pay Review Body is to make recommendations to the Prime Minister and ministers on the annual pay award for National Health Service staff and other related matters within their remit. They act independently of the Government.

The PRBs lay out in their reports the reasoning for their recommended awards based on their terms of reference. In reaching their recommendations, the review bodies have regard to recruitment and retention and are required to take careful account of the economic and other evidence submitted by the Government, trades unions, representatives of NHS employers, and others.

The Government is not bound by PRB recommendations, and it's for my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to decide how to respond to the recommendations of PRBs for the NHS in England.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_103
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_103

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has considered a Sponsored Reserve model or similar arrangement to enable NHS clinicians to contribute directly to Defence Medical Services while maintaining NHS employment. \p Karin Smyth: There have been no formal considerations for the implementation of a Sponsored Reserve model within the National Health Service. The Department of Health and Social Care, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, is focused on growing and maintaining the Active Armed Forces reserve and works with NHS organisations to enable individuals to train and deploy when needed.
wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_104
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-13 conversation_104

Andy McDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of the pay awards made through the (a) Dentists and Doctors Pay Review Body and (b) NHS Pay Review Body processes on the real terms value of wages in each year since 2010. \p Karin Smyth: The table attached shows the estimated average increases to basic pay, where these were based on pay review body recommendations for members of the Hospital and Community Health Sector workforce in England, as well as the average consumer price index inflation for each year since 2010/11.

In 2011/12 and 2012/13, the pay review bodies were stood down. Between 2013/14 and 2017/18, the pay review bodies reported, but headline recommendations were determined by public sector pay policy.

As independent contractors, it is for general practice partners to determine uplifts in pay for themselves and their employees. As dental practices are similarly private businesses, it falls to them to set employee pay and conditions.

Each year, the Government sets out the funds available to the Department, and in reaching their conclusions, pay review bodies take careful account of economic and other evidence submitted by employers, the Government, unions, and others.

PQ56794 Document (docx, 28.1KB)