theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1499
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1499

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference with the policy paper entitled UK targets sanctions circumvention and crypto networks exploited by Russia, published on 20 August 2025, what steps she has taken to limit the exchange of cryptocurrency token A7A5. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK remains committed to increasing economic pressure on Russia including its financial and energy sectors. This includes carefully targeted sanctions against Russia's attempts to circumvent sanctions and create alternative payment systems, including through its use of cryptocurrencies such as A7A5. The 20 August 2025 package of sanctions targeted crypto networks and financial systems in Kyrgyzstan being exploited by Russia, building on over 2700 existing UK sanctions against Russia. UK sanctions complemented action taken by the United States who announced similar measures targeting the cryptocurrency. Sanctions are a critical instrument of the UK's foreign, national and security policy and are deployed selectively and proportionately to complement other tools as part of a wider strategy to deter Russia from continuing its illegal invasion of Ukraine. We continue to monitor the impact of our sanctions closely and engage with third countries on Russian circumvention and where Russia is attempting to exploit financial networks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to help promote democracy in Russia. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK has consistently called on Russia to cease repression, release political prisoners and to safeguard space for independent media and civil society, most recently at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on 6 October, and will continue to do so. The UK supported the renewal of the UN's Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Russia this September.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help reduce (a) human rights violations and (b) exploitative labour practices in fast fashion global supply chains. \p Chris Elmore: The UK is committed to rooting out human rights violations and exploitative labour practices in all global supply chains, including in fast fashion.

The UK supports voluntary due diligence approaches taken by UK businesses to respect human rights across their operations and supply relationships, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is undertaking a National Baseline Assessment of the UK's implementation of the UNGPs, which will contribute to the evidence base to inform the UK's approach to tackling business-related human rights abuses.

The Government is also currently reviewing its approach to responsible business conduct (RBC) policy. Focusing on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK, this review will be a neutral and objective appraisal of the UK's current RBC policy approach and alternative options which aim to enhance RBC.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1502
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many referrals were made to her Department's (a) Pro Bono Medical Panel and (b) Pro Bono Legal Panel in relation to (i) prisoner welfare and (ii) human rights in each year since May 2020. \p Chris Elmore: All referrals to the Pro Bono Legal Panel were in relation to the human rights of detainees:

All referrals to the Pro Bono Medical Panel were in relation to prisoner welfare:
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1503
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the work of the British Council on her Department's priorities. \p Chris Elmore: The British Council plays a leading role in promoting UK values and interests through its work in arts and culture, education, and promotion of the English language.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works with the British Council to ensure strategic alignment between British Council activity and FCDO priorities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what diplomatic steps she has taken with her Australian counterpart to help shape International norms. \p Chris Elmore: The Government is delivering this objective through both multilateral fora, including the World Trade Organisation and United Nations, and through bilateral engagement with a range of global partners, including Canada. The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to counterparts across the world about trade cooperation and security, to ensure we can deliver for the UK's future.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Cuban authorities on the detention of religious leaders; and what steps she is taking to ensure the promotion of religious freedom in the country. \p Chris Elmore: The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. No one should live in fear because of their faith. Our relationship with Cuba allows for frank dialogue, including on matters on which we do not agree. We continue to raise concerns where we have them, as we did through an open letter from the former Foreign Secretary in December 2024 to Pastor Lorenzo, expressing solidarity and calling on the Cuban authorities to release him. We were delighted to hear of his release in January.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 45 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress she has made on establishing a College of British Diplomacy. \p Chris Elmore: The College will be launched in the coming months. In preparation, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) launched on 6 October a new pilot Global Network Programme, a flagship initiative of the forthcoming College. Further details will be confirmed in the usual way in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 45 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress she has made on establishing a new Soft Power Council. \p Chris Elmore: The Soft Power Council was launched on 15 January 2025. The Council is supporting the UK to take a more strategic approach to soft power, helping to build relationships, deepen trust, enhance our security and drive economic growth.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Monica Harding:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to address the conflict in Sudan through the Integrated Security Fund. \p Chris Elmore: Through the Integrated Security Fund, we are providing over £500,000 of funding to projects focused on conflict and security dynamics which support our diplomatic and humanitarian response. In addition, we have also committed £120 million of new funding this financial year to reach over 650,000 people with food, cash, water, sanitation and nutrition support. This is in addition to £235 million allocated in 2024-2025. In May, the Minister of State for International Development announced a further £36 million for Sudanese refugees in Chad to mitigate the regional burden of the displacement crisis. We continue to pursue all diplomatic avenues to press the parties into a permanent ceasefire, allow unrestricted humanitarian access, protect civilians, and commit to a sustained and meaningful peace process. This includes our role as penholder on Sudan at the UN Security Council and leader of the core group on Sudan at the UN Human Rights Council.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 45 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, how much funding her Department plans to provide for digital technologies in each of the next five years. \p Seema Malhotra: All details will be announced in the usual way in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the full capability is of the One HMG platform. \p Seema Malhotra: The One HMG Platform provides overseas offices, residential accommodation and services, such as transport and security, that enable His Majesty's Government to achieve its international objectives whilst providing value for money. The aim is that operations overseas should be co-located wherever possible. A Memorandum of Understanding has been agreed between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the 35 other Government Departments, Arms-Length Bodies and Devolved Governments that operate on the Platform, allowing a physical presence at 280 posts around the world.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department has offered to British citizens accused of being co-conspirators in the closing days of the trial of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong; and what assessment his Department has made of the risks to (a) those people and (b) others named in the trial. \p Seema Malhotra: The prosecution in Jimmy Lai's politically motivated trial has sought to highlight Mr Lai's

relationships with foreign nationals, including British nationals. The naming of British

nationals in this manner is unacceptable. If individuals named in any overseas trial have

concerns, we advise them to seek independent legal advice.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps her Department is taking to increase participation of women and girls in politics. \p Seema Malhotra: The Government is committed to supporting women to thrive in all areas of their lives.

Supporting women into leadership is vital to the economy. This is why the government has recently refreshed the Women’s Business Council (WBC) which works to maximise women’s potential in the workplace. It is a government-backed, business-led initiative which reports to the Minister for Women and Equalities. The WBC’s members are senior leaders who strive to boost women’s representation in the workplace, helping to boost productivity, innovation and leadership.

The Government also backs the independent, business-led FTSE Women Leaders Review which sets recommendations for Britain’s biggest companies to improve the representation of women on their boards and leadership teams. The scope of the Review covers the FTSE 350 and 50 of the UK’s biggest private companies. The FTSE Women Leaders Review report for 2025 shows that women now occupy 1,275 or 43% of roles on company boards and 6,743 (35%) of leadership roles at the 350 FTSE companies. This marks a year-on-year increase and means the target of 40% women’s representation by the end of this year continues to be achieved by FTSE350 businesses

The government is committed to commencing the Equality Act 2010’s provision requiring registered political parties to publish anonymised data relating to the diversity of their candidate selections. We are currently exploring when and how to commence the provision under section 106. Officials are also engaging with civic society on how to improve the participation of women and girls in politics.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what data her Department holds on the gender pay gap in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency. \p Seema Malhotra: This Government recognises that gender equality is crucial to achieving economic growth, which is why we are committed to closing the gender pay gap.

Currently the national median gap still stands at 13.1%. As part of the Employment Rights Bill, we are taking the first steps towards requiring employers to publish action plans alongside their pay gap figures. These will detail the steps they are taking to narrow their gap; ensuring that every organisation is harnessing the skills of the women in their workforce.

Along with other Bill measures, like changes to flexible working and protections for expecting and new mothers; as well as wider work to expand childcare entitlements and review the parental leave system; this government is taking action on the numerous drivers of the gap.

The Office for National Statistics releases data on the national gender pay gap annually, this includes breakdowns by region and constituency. This can be accessed at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/annualsurveyofhoursandearningsashegenderpaygaptables
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent steps the Government has taken to help tackle period poverty in (a) Slough and (b) the South East. \p Seema Malhotra: This Government is committed to addressing the underlying causes that lead women and girls into period poverty. Across the UK, many individuals and families are experiencing financial pressures as a result of the cost of living. Through our efforts to make work pay and our continued investment in public services, we are determined to ensure that everyone has access to essential items, including period products.

The Government supports several schemes to ensure that those in greatest need can access period products. All women and girls being cared for by the NHS are entitled to them, on request, free of charge. Similarly, the Department for Education runs a scheme to provide free period products to girls and women in their place of study. ​Since its launch in January 2020, 99% of secondary schools and 87% of post-16 organisations in England have used the scheme to order period products.

These national schemes benefit areas across the country, including the South East. Local authorities and NHS bodies deliver the policies in their areas, working with schools, healthcare providers and community organisations to reach those in need.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether police officers are given (a) official targets, (b) unofficial targets and (c) recommendations for the number of fixed penalty notices they should issue. \p Sarah Jones: The Home Office does not give police officers or police forces official or unofficial targets, or recommendations for the number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) they should issue.

FPNs can be an efficient means for the police to deal with low level offences including motoring or anti-social behaviour offences, whilst reducing the burden on the courts and allowing police resources to focus on more serious crimes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of trends in reported violent crime in Eastleigh constituency in the last 12 months. \p Sarah Jones: Hampshire police recorded 3,350 violence against the person offences in Eastleigh in 2024/25, a 3% fall compared with the previous year (3,446 offences). This included one offence of homicide.

We are progressing towards this Government’s mission to make our streets safer. But we are not complacent and recognise there is much more to do, which is why we will continue to work across-government to tackle violent crime including our ambition to halve knife crime and violence against women and girls in a decade.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that defibrillators are routinely procured and installed in (a) police cars and (b) other frontline public service vehicles. \p Sarah Jones: Provision of defibrillators in police and fire vehicles is an operational matter for either the individual police force or fire and rescue service to determine at local level.

The Home Office has been working to provide more defibrillators to all 43 forces across the country and recently purchased over 500 defibrillators to distribute to police forces free of charge, for them to deploy according to their local knowledge. We continue to work to explore what more could be done to increase availability of defibrillators more generally where this is within the remit of the Home Office, including through our ongoing engagement with the OurJay Foundation.

The Department for Health and Social Care has confirmed that all ambulances carry defibrillators.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consideration she has given to reviewing the funding formula for policing. \p Sarah Jones: This Government is committed to ensuring that policing has the resources it needs and the allocation of funding to police forces remains an important consideration.

The Chancellor has announced a real terms increase in police spending power over the next three years. As with previous years, decisions on police force funding allocations for 2026-27 will be set out at the forthcoming police funding settlement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of granting Cardiff capital city status to enable the city to receive additional funding for policing. \p Sarah Jones: Cardiff has been the capital city of Wales since 1955 and is one of the four capital cities in the UK.

A National and International Capital City (NICC) grant is paid to the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police to reflect the unique demands of policing in London. The NICC grant is partially funded from a reallocation of the core funding for all police forces in England and Wales and as such, decisions on the level of the funding must consider its impact on wider policing.

South Wales Police will receive up to £441.7 million in 2025-26, an increase of up to £32.6 million when compared to 2024-25. Decisions on the allocation of NICC funding are taken at the time of the Police Settlement and as with previous years, more details on force funding allocations for 2026-27 will be made via the provisional police funding settlement later in the year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what policy changes her Department is considering to improve the use of the apprenticeship levy within police forces in Wales. \p Sarah Jones: This Government is committed to collaborating with the Devolved Governments on skills policy, to share best practice and support growth and opportunity throughout the UK.

We have allocated £2.4m as part of the police settlement for 2025/26 to reimburse the amount paid by Welsh forces in their levy contribution for police constable degree apprenticeships.

In addition, funding for Welsh forces is up to £1.0 billion in 2025-26, an increase of up to £57.4 million compared to 2024-25 (6.0% in cash terms).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will issue guidance on crime reporting for lone workers in the retail sector. \p Sarah Jones: Shop theft continues to increase at an unacceptable level. We will not stand for this.

There are currently no plans to produce specific guidance on crime reporting in the retail sector, however we would encourage all retailers, including lone workers, to report all crime to the police.

We are giving police officers the powers they need through this government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which is introducing a new specific offence of assaulting a retail worker and ending the effective immunity that currently applies for theft of goods of and under £200. That will apply to all those who work in shops, including those who work alone.

We want to remove the perception that those committing shop theft will escape punishment by ensuring there are visible and meaningful consequences for those caught breaking the law.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when access to the capabilities environment of the Tackling Organised Exploitation programme will be available to police forces. \p Jess Phillips: As part of the response to the Casey Independent Audit of Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse the government has recently provided £426,000 of new funding to the Tackling Organised Exploitation Programme (TOEX). The new funding will enable TOEX to extend access to its suite of cutting-edge investigative apps and digital tools, stored within its secure capabilities environment, to all Home Office police forces in England and Wales.

In total, the Home Office is providing TOEX over £9 million this year to increase law enforcement’s capability to respond to organised exploitation, including by providing dedicated intelligence, analytical and technical expertise. This includes child sexual exploitation, alongside other organised exploitation crimes including modern slavery, organised immigration crimes, and criminal exploitation.

The additional funding will allow for the expedited roll out of the TOEX Capabilities Environment, to ensure all police investigators in England and Wales have access to the full array of TOEX’s AI-enabled and time-saving tools.

The TOEX programme contacted all forces in England and Wales to provide information on how they can access the TOEX tools following the Minister’s announcement is August. In addition to the 15 police forces which are already utilising TOEX tools, a further 12 forces are currently onboarding. TOEX are continuing to engage with further forces to support the expansion.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) arrests and (b) prosecutions have occurred as a result of Operation Beaconport. \p Jess Phillips: The National Police Operation, launched in response to the Casey Independent Audit of Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, has been named Operation Beaconport. The Operation is being set up to, as Baroness Casey recommended, ensure that past failures are addressed, justice is delivered, best practice is shared, and that we equip the system to deal with complex cases effectively.

The Operation is bringing together, for the first time, local and national policing partners and will be overseen by the NCA. Terms of Reference are being set and details of the Operation will be announced in due course. However, work is not standing still and phase one of the review of closed group-based child sexual exploitation cases is underway with over 1,200 cases identified, of which 216 have been prioritised. The Operation is in its early stages therefore no arrests and prosecutions have been made.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support the enforcement of the prohibition on the sale and possession of nitrous oxide cylinders in Bromsgrove constituency; and whether her Department plans to take steps to increase enforcement actions for offences involving the recreational use of nitrous oxide. \p Sarah Jones: Nitrous oxide is controlled under Class C of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This makes it an offence to supply and possess it for ‘wrongful inhalation’, namely the inhalation of the gas for its psychoactive effect.

There is a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both for supply, and a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both for possession.

Legitimate uses of nitrous oxide, such as for baking and cooking, are not prohibited by the Act.

The police are operationally independent, but we expect them to tackle crime, including drug-related crime. There were 2,564 seizures of nitrous oxide by police and Border Force in England and Wales in the year ending March 2024. This is an increase of 237% upon the previous year’s figure (761). Police forces accounted for almost all nitrous oxide seizures (2,552). The quantity of nitrous oxide seized by police forces increased by 170% over the same period.

Nitrous oxide sold online is subject to the provisions of the Online Safety Act. This requires that all technology companies take robust action against illegal content, such as the sale of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Gill German:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to include betting shop workers within the scope of the offence of assault against a retail worker. \p Sarah Jones: Through our Crime and Policing Bill, this Government has introduced a new specific standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to help tackle the epidemic of shop theft and violence towards retail shop workers that we have seen in recent years.

For the purposes of this new offence, our definition of a ‘retail worker’ is intentionally narrow given the vital need to provide legal clarity and ensure there is no ambiguity for courts in identifying whether an individual is a retail worker, and the assault took place in the course of their work. The Government does not plan to include betting shop workers within the new offence.

However, Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 created a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public, including public-facing roles in betting shops.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Alberto Costa:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of collaboration between the National Crime Agency and local police forces in responding to cyber crime incidents. \p Sarah Jones: We are committed to ensuring we have the workforce needed to tackle the threat of cyber crime and protect our people and businesses. Since 2017, in partnership with local Police and Crime Commissioners, the Home Office has directly funded a national network of specialist officers trained to investigate cyber crime and support local communities in efforts to prevent crimes that occur online. In the financial year 2025/26, this has included funding of c.£30m.

Across England and Wales, Regional Cyber Crime Units (RCCUs) operate in the Metropolitan Police and each Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU). Each of the 43 local police forces has a dedicated Force Cyber Crime Unit (FCCU). These teams have the specialist skills required to respond to cyber crime and are provided with ongoing training to ensure they can respond to the rapid pace of technological change and the increasingly complexity of cyber crime investigations.

Close collaboration between the National Crime Agency (NCA) and wider policing is vital in ensuring an effective response. The NCA play an important role in leading and coordinating the cyber crime network, supported in policing by the City of London Police as the Lead Force for fraud and cyber crime. The NCA’s operational leadership is driven by statutory national governance structures that drive strategic coordination of the law enforcement response and strengthen the relationship between the NCA and wider policing to effectively respond to cyber crime incidents.

The size of the cyber crime network is under constant review. The Home Office is currently in internal negotiations on the distribution of the departmental allocation provided as part of the recent Spending Review. As part of this process, we will consider the number of officers in policing required to tackle the challenge of cyber crime over the next three years.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, updated on 6 June 2025, what estimate her Department has made of the number of (a) people under 18 years and (b) all people affected by the proposed changes to (i) settlement and (ii) citizenship. \p Mike Tapp: The new settlement rules will be subject both to an equality impact assessment and to a public consultation later this year. Details of how this initiative will work will be provided around that consultation. The citizenship proposals will be developed in line with the settlement ones.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department provides to (a) councils, (b) police forces, (c) health boards, (d) housing providers and (e) other relevant local agencies on the of sharing information during anti-social behaviour case reviews. \p Sarah Jones: The Home Office provides statutory guidance to support local agencies in the use of the powers and tools in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, including the ASB case review. The guidance makes clear how information should be shared between relevant agencies to ensure the effective operation of the case review. The guidance sets out that relevant agencies should develop agreements for information sharing, risk assessments and a common understanding of the aims of the ASB Case Review.

Victims can query decisions with the lead agency for the ASB case review where it has been decided that the threshold has not been met. Where the local council has led the review, victims may also submit a complaint to their using the councils’ formal complaints system. If exhausted or no response is received, victims can also contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we are creating a new duty for police and crime commissioners (PCCs) to provide a route for victims to query decisions via their office. This includes victims being able to ask the PCC to review decisions made by the lead agency in an ASB case review where they have deemed that the threshold has not been met.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's press release entitled 4.2% pay rise for police officers across England and Wales, published on 1 August 2025, what proportion of the £120 million was allocated to Cambridgeshire Constabulary. \p Sarah Jones: This Government is committed to ensuring that policing has the resources it needs and the allocation of funding to police forces remains an important consideration.

The method for distributing the additional funding will be communicated in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1530

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the number of UK visa holders on a work visa related to religious work who were granted indefinite leave to remain since 4 July 2024. \p Mike Tapp: Migration Statistics publish annual figures on the number of grants of indefinite leave to remain (settlement) by category of leave sub-group in table SE_D01 of the Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK publication.

The available data relating to UK visa holders on a “Ministers of Religion (previously Tier 2)” visa who were granted indefinite leave to remain can be found in table SE_D01 from the above link.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1531

Layla Moran:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of settlement visa restrictions on Hong Kongers ability to travel. \p Mike Tapp: 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.

We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year. All will be welcome to participate. We will provide details of how the scheme will work after that consultation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1532

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the resources available to (a) Greater Manchester Police and (b) other police forces to seize illegal off-road bikes. \p Sarah Jones: Tackling anti-social behaviour and the harm it causes is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. That is why the Government is investing in restoring communities and providing the police with the resources they need.

The 2025-26 final police funding settlement provides funding of up to £19.6 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an overall increase of up to £1.2 billion when compared to the 2024-25 settlement. Greater Manchester will receive up to £871.2 million in 2025/26, an increase of up to £55.6 million when compared to 2024/25.

The Crime and Policing Bill will give police greater powers to clamp down on anti-social behaviour involving vehicles of all types, including off-road bikes, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles. And the Government recently consulted on proposals to allow the police to more quickly dispose of seized vehicles which have been used anti-socially. The consultation closed on 8 July and the Government response will be published in due course.

These combined measures will help tackle the scourge of vehicles ridden anti-socially and will send a clear message to would-be offenders and local communities that this behaviour will not be tolerated.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1533

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help tackle rural crime. \p Sarah Jones: Rural crime can have devastating consequences for countryside communities and the agricultural sector.

Under our Safer Streets Mission reforms, rural communities will be safeguarded, with tougher measures to clamp down on equipment theft, anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing and stronger measures to prevent farm theft and fly-tipping.

We are working closely with the NPCC to deliver their updated Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy for 2025-2029. The strategy will set out operational and organisational policing priorities in respect of tackling crimes that predominantly affect rural communities.

This financial year the Home Office will be providing the first Government funding since 2023 for the National Rural Crime Unit (£365,000) as well as continuing funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit (£450,000). This funding will enable them to tackle the crimes that mostly affect rural communities.

Additionally, we are committed to the implementation of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act and fully support its intentions to tackle the theft and re-sale of All-Terrain Vehicles.

The Government’s response to the Call for Evidence on the scope of the legislation will be published soon. We hope to introduce the necessary legislation to Parliament this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1534

Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has issued guidance to the police on identifying whether someone they are interviewing has (a) autism spectrum disorder and (b) a learning difficulty and needs an appropriate adult. \p Sarah Jones: The Police And Criminal Evidence (PACE) Codes of Practice provide a definition of a vulnerable person. In summary, it includes adults who may have difficulty understanding the full implications of their arrest, detention, voluntary attendance for interview or the exercise of their rights. A detainee who is classified as vulnerable must be supported by an appropriate adult when they are detained in police custody or have attended a location voluntarily for an interview. The appropriate adult is expected to support, advise and assist the detainee when they are asked to provide information or participate in custody procedures.

The College of Policing has included guidance on responding to incidents involving people experiencing mental illness and learning disabilities. Introduction and strategic considerations | College of Policing . This includes a National Autistic Society guide from criminal justice professionals who may come into contact with people on the autism spectrum – as victims, witnesses, suspects or offenders.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council have established a National Neurodiversity Working Group whose work includes supporting police forces to design and deliver a service to be proud of relating to neurodivergent victims, witnesses, suspects, and residents. They have also produced an e-learning course and a glossary of terms on neurodiversity, which are available to all police officers.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1535
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1535

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made in delivering the Law Enforcement Data Service programme. \p Sarah Jones: The Law Enforcement Data Service (LEDS) is progressively replacing the legacy Police National Computer (PNC). The LEDS Property product is now the sole system for processing stolen and found items across UK police forces. Currently, 52 police forces, including Jersey and Guernsey, are connected to LEDS.

So far in 2025, LEDS has handled over 12 million transactions, demonstrating strong growth and reliability. LEDS Vehicles and Drivers are live and widely used, while LEDS Person is rolling out in phases to support data on suspects, criminals, and missing or wanted individuals. The “Photographs at the Roadside” feature, showing driving licence images on police devices, has saved over 1 million hours of police time since its launch in January 2021.

LEDS has achieved BS10008 Certification, confirming the legal admissibility of its electronic records. A Code of Practice has been developed with the College of Policing to guide appropriate use of LEDS and PNC.

The programme remains technically complex and under close ministerial oversight. Final delivery and PNC decommissioning are planned for 2026, subject to assurance from policing stakeholders and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1536

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of (a) recording of attempted suicides attended by the police services, (b) support available to police staff who attend traumatic callouts and (c) suicide prevention training requirements for managers in police forces in North East Hampshire constituency. \p Sarah Jones: The Home Office do not collect information centrally on the number of attempted suicides attended by police.

This Government has been clear that the health and wellbeing of our police workforce is a priority, and that all those who have faced traumatic incidents in the line of duty receive the support they need.

We continue to fund the National Police Wellbeing Service, who have developed an evidenced-based trauma support model which is now available to forces. The Service has also introduced a Trauma Tracker tool to help forces better understand exposure to traumatic incidents and ensure timely support for officers and staff.

A National Action Plan for Suicide Prevention and Postvention in policing has been launched, which aims to reduce rates among the police workforce as well as enhancing data recording.

Chief Constables have a responsibility to manage their workforce effectively and this includes ensuring appropriate training provision for all officers and staff and ensuring their wellbeing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1537

Paul Holmes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 15 July 2025 to Question 65276 on Travellers: Caravan Sites, if she will publish the representation made by the National Police Chief’s Council on the High Court judgment and its implications for operational policing. \p Sarah Jones: The Home Office has engaged with the National Police Chiefs’ Council following the High Court judgment to understand the implications of the judgment for operational policing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1538

Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department holds on the number of shooting incidents involving people (a) whose gun licences had been revoked and (b) who illegally retained possession of a firearm in the past five years. \p Sarah Jones: The Home Office collects information on offences involving firearms recorded by the police in England and Wales. We cannot tell from this information whether an offence involved people whose firearm licences were revoked, whether the firearm has been illegally possessed or whether the offence involved people who had been reported as persons of concern.

It is, of course the case that, where a shotgun or firearms licence is revoked, the firearm concerned will either be voluntarily surrendered to the police, or seized by the police, reducing the risk of illegal possession or use. Similarly, the police maintain continuous assessment of all firearms and shotguns holders and will review any licence where concerns about suitability arise. If those concerns suggest that it is unsafe for the person to continue to hold their guns, the police will take action to revoke the licence and remove the guns from the possession of the person concerned.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1539
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1539

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with (a) Surrey Heath Borough Council and (b) Surrey County Council on tackling organised shoplifting in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Sarah Jones: Shop theft continues to increase at an unacceptable level. Tackling it is a priority for this Government.

We are providing £5 million over the next three years to fund a specialist analysis team within Opal, the National Policing Intelligence Unit for serious organised acquisitive crime, to crack down on the organised gangs targeting retailers.

We are also investing £2 million over the next three years in the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) which provides a resource for both police and businesses to learn, share and support each other to prevent and combat crime.

Via the Crime and Policing Bill we will repeal the legislation which makes shop theft of and below £200 a summary-only offence, which means it can only be tried a magistrate's court. This will send a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously. Also included in the Bill is a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.

We are also supporting a new Tackling Retail Crime Together strategy to tackle shop theft published by policing, retail sector representatives and industry as part of collective efforts to combat shop theft.