theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the level of illegal doorstep lending in England for which the latest data is available. \p Lucy Rigby: Illegal money lenders — more commonly known as loan sharks — are dangerous criminals capable of inflicting terrible harm on their victims. To combat this, the Government funds specialist Illegal Money Lending Teams (IMLTs) operating across the UK. These teams investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders and offer support to their victims.

Because of the underground nature of illegal money lending, HM Treasury does not have data on the number of victims of illegal money lending each year. However, HM Treasury officials regularly engage with the IMLTs to receive updates on their work, including on prosecutions, support provided to victims, and any key trends. To learn more about the work of the IMLTs, visit the Stop Loan Sharks website: https://www.stoploansharks.co.uk/.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help support the growth of the mutual banking and building society sector. \p Lucy Rigby: The government is committed to supporting the growth of building societies and all mutual financial services in line with the manifesto commitment to double the size of the mutual and co-operative sector. HM Treasury has already announced measures to support financial mutuals and is currently progressing these.

For building societies, HM Treasury has committed to progressing further amendments to the Building Societies Act 1986. This follows two statutory instruments being laid in October 2024, which allow building societies to accept deposits from a wider range of SMEs, remove outdated director retirement requirements, and simplify how balance sheets are signed. These will create a more supportive legislative environment for building societies.

To support all financial mutuals, HM Treasury has also asked the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority to produce a report on the current landscape of the sector. This is expected to be published before the end of 2025. The government also welcomed the establishment of the Mutual and Co-operative Sector Business Council to consider mutual and co-operative solutions. The government also published the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, which will support all organisations in the financial services sector and encourages the sector to continue to work in partnership with government to deliver growth. Finally, the government is also supporting the credit union sector by committing to bringing forward a package of growth-focused reforms to the credit union common bond.

The government continues to engage regularly with mutuals to understand the current barriers they face and consider further opportunities to help the sector grow.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the number and proportion of retail businesses that only accept cash. \p Lucy Rigby: The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Its rules ensure cash continues to be a viable method of payment for the millions of people who depend on it and help businesses to continue to accept cash by providing reasonable access to cash deposit facilities.

It is for each business to decide on the forms of payment it chooses to accept. This will be based on a variety of factors, including cost and customer preferences. The Government does not hold data on the number and proportion of businesses who only accept cash.
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Julia Lopez:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the cost to the economy of recent outages of large-scale cloud providers. \p James Murray: I refer the member to the answer given to UIN 92928 on 24 November 2025.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consultation her Department has undertaken with vehicle manufacturers and the wider automotive industry on the proposed changes to Employee Car Ownership Schemes, including the number of meetings held since July 2024; and whether the figures used to inform the proposed changes have been independently verified. \p Dan Tomlinson: At Budget 2025, the government announced that, to allow more time for the sector to prepare for and adapt to the proposed changes in treatment to Employee Car Ownership Schemes (ECOS), its implementation will be delayed to 6 April 2030, with transitional arrangements until April 2032. The tax impact and information notice (TIIN) has been updated to reflect the impact of the changes on the automotive industry. You can find the TIIN here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-employee-car-ownership-schemes-for-income-tax/changes-to-employee-car-ownership-schemes-ecos

The government maintains regular engagement with vehicle manufacturers and the wider automotive industry. The costing has been certified by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
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Charlie Maynard:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of cost pressures for the haulage industry, ahead of the Budget. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government recognises the key role the haulage sector plays in the UK economy and regularly engages with its representatives.

At Budget 2025, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to previous levels. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026-27 will not take place, with the government uprating fuel duty rates by RPI from April 2027. This will save the average HGV driver £843 next year compared to previous plans.

From 1 April 2026, Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) standard rates for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and HGV levy rates will be uprated by RPI for 2026-27. Hauliers will not see a real-terms increase in VED or HGV levy liabilities, as rates have increased to keep pace with inflation only.

The Government considers the impact of motoring taxes on the economy, including households and businesses, with decisions on rates made at fiscal events.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to require large investors and pension funds to publish net zero transition plans. \p Torsten Bell: Transition plans are central to the UK’s ambition to be a global leader in sustainable finance, supporting clean energy growth and transparency in financial markets, including for large investors and pension funds. Credible transition planning helps allocate capital effectively and builds market confidence.

Earlier this year, the Government consulted on implementation options for transition plans, seeking views on how to take forward transition planning in a way that supports the market’s need for credible and decision-useful information, encourages action in line with the UK climate commitments, and drives economic growth. This consultation closed on 17 September. The Government is currently processing feedback and will publish its response in due course.
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Gareth Thomas:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposed changes to EU customs arrangements on UK businesses. \p Dan Tomlinson: On 17 May 2023, the European Commission proposed a revision of the Union Customs Code. The proposal is still subject to EU internal procedures; therefore, we cannot comment on the final proposal. However, we are following these suggested reforms closely, and continue to engage with the EU and business, particularly on potential impacts for UK businesses
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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the document entitled Windrush Lessons Learned Review by Wendy Williams, published in March 2020, what assessment she has made of the potential implications of that review on her Department’s refugee and asylum policies. \p Mike Tapp: We are grateful for the recommendations and insights provided in the Windrush Lessons Learned Review by Wendy Williams.

The UK has a long-standing commitment to protecting those in need, in line with our international obligations. We will never remove anyone to a country where they would face persecution or serious harm, and we remain firmly committed to this principle.

The reforms set out in the Asylum Policy Statement (Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy - GOV.UK) introduce a comprehensive package of measures designed to restore order, control, fairness, and public confidence in the system. These reforms are fully compliant with our international obligations.

Further policy development is needed on the details of these reforms. We will consult meaningfully with affected stakeholders and carefully assess equalities impacts.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what payments to asylum seekers are delivered via the Asylum Support Payments contract. \p Mike Tapp: The Home Office has a legal obligation to meet the essential living needs of destitute asylum seekers. Support is usually provided in the form of accommodation and a weekly allowance, which is reviewed each year to ensure it covers essential living needs.

The standard weekly level of allowance for individuals in self-catered accommodation will remain at £49.18. For individuals in catered accommodation, the standard weekly allowance is £9.95.

Additional support is also available to pregnant women, young children, and individuals who can show they have exceptional needs.
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Chris Curtis:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the (a) B2 language and (b) income requirement for BN(O) visa holders will apply to their settlement process. \p Mike Tapp: The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.

BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 years’ residence, subject to meeting the mandatory requirements.

The new mandatory requirements for settlement are basic requirements that we think are reasonable for people to meet if they want to settle here. However, we are seeking views on earned settlement through the public consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement and will continue to listen to the views of Hong Kongers.

In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply.
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Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Border Forces provides guidance on (a) working rights and (b) avoiding exploitation to people arriving on work visas at UK ports. \p Mike Tapp: Border Force officers receive specialised training to identify signs of potential exploitation at the border. While it is not standard practice for Border Force to routinely provide arriving work visa holders with guidance on worker rights or advice on avoiding exploitation, officers are prepared to intervene when individuals are identified as being at risk. This includes taking action to support those who may be vulnerable to labour exploitation

In addition, Border Force have worked with Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) (Our Aims and Objectives - GLAA). As part of this cooperation, skilled worker applicants receive a leaflet when they visit a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide their biometrics. The leaflet outlines workers’ rights and steps they can take to identify the signifiers of, avoid, and report exploitation. The complete range of GLAA resources is available at Resources - GLAA and available to all.
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Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of sponsors of social care visas whose activities have been flagged by (a) local authorities and (b) other bodies as (i) potentially and (ii) actually exploitative by region. \p Mike Tapp: UKVI respond to referrals from a variety of agencies and individuals. The most recent published data (mid-2025) states that over 550 non-compliant care providers from across the UK have had their sponsor licences revoked. As live investigations are ongoing, this number is likely to increase further.

Investigations relating to the exploitation and the quality of patient care are regulated by the appropriate body, such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England.
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Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the minimum salary floor as part of the Health and Care visa salary requirements on staff retention in the North West. \p Mike Tapp: Higher pay encourages staff retention. Since the introduction of the Skilled Worker route, the salary requirements dictate that a migrant must be paid whatever is higher out of the general threshold for the route or the ‘going rate’ for that occupation, with an absolute minimum salary requirement an overseas worker has to be paid. This is designed to place a ‘premium’ on recruiting overseas, maintaining access to international talent for firms, but also ensuring this is never a cheaper alternative to fair pay and that UK resident workers undertaking skilled work are not undercut. It also helps ensure overseas workers can support themselves and any dependants without access to public funds.

We have commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee to review the salary requirements for Skilled Workers, including Health and Care Workers, and we expect their recommendations to be published shortly.
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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the impact of her Department’s proposed refugee and asylum policies on community cohesion. \p Alex Norris: The principle that people genuinely fleeing danger and persecution should be welcomed, is one this government will always defend. The Asylum Policy Statement sets out a fair and firm approach to restoring order to the system, which is essential for building community cohesion. By increasing public confidence in the integrity of the asylum system, the reforms will help build trust and reduce tensions within communities. At the same time, they support successful integration for those granted protection, enabling them to contribute positively to society. Integration brings significant benefits for individuals, taxpayers, and communities. These measures will encourage and enable people granted protection to become self-sufficient, law-abiding members of UK society.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what safeguards her department are considering against instances where AI systems used to determine age produce incorrect results. \p Alex Norris: This government has commissioned work to further test and trial Facial Age Estimation technology with a view to integrating it into the age assessment system subject to the results of this testing and assurance.

Assessing age is a complex task and no method or combination of methods can definitively determine age. The need to protect against incorrect results will form a key part of our testing and assurance, and subsequent policy development.

The technology will not be used in isolation but is intended to provide additional information to the decision maker.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her oral statement of 20 November 2025 on Migration: Settlement Pathway, what criteria she is considering to define high earners and entrepreneurs. \p Alex Norris: We are currently holding a public consultation on the new earned settlement model. This is due to conclude on 12th February 2026. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what steps her Department will take to build the necessary capacity for ensuring that early legal advice is available. \p Alex Norris: Reforms to the appeals system, including the development of a new independent appeals body will help asylum seekers have access to justice, overcome delays and restore public confidence. Early legal advice will be embedded as a core part of these reforms.

We will work closely with the Ministry of Justice to understand and manage the justice impacts of all proposals, including ensuring there is sufficient capacity to deliver early legal advice.

Further details on these reforms will be set out in due course.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, how her Department will assess the tolerance levels of the Artificial Intelligence determining the ages of asylum seekers. \p Alex Norris: Assessing age is a complex task and no method or combination of methods can definitively determine age. In order to strengthen the age assessment system, the Home Office is exploring facial age estimation technology. Work has been commissioned to test and trial this technology to understand its capabilities. The testing and assurance will be key in informing policy development and to ensure its use is proportionate.

The technology will not be used in isolation but is intended to provide additional information to the decision maker.

The Government will issue further information regarding testing and assurance in due course.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which elements of the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme are a) sustainable and b) scalable. \p Alex Norris: One of the primary drivers behind the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme is to ensure a new model is both sustainable and scalable, with the flexibility required to respond to changes in demand. The work centred around Future Asylum Contract Transformation (FACT), and the replacement of the current Asylum Accommodation Support Contracts (AASC), will ensure that new arrangements meet the requirements for sustainability and scalability.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what process her Department will use to designate whether a country is a safe home country. \p Alex Norris: The asylum and returns policy statement sets out the intention to deal swiftly with protection claims that are made by nationals of manifestly safe countries in an attempt to frustrate their removal. This policy does not relate to any designation of a specific country as manifestly safe, but rather a holistic assessment of whether there is a basis on which a prolonged assessment of a claim is required, for example through an additional interview. This is distinct from existing legislative provisions (under s94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002) which allow all or part of a country to be designated as safe, for the purposes of assessing whether a claim should be certified as clearly unfounded.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what support will be provided to a UK-based unaccompanied child making an asylum for a non UK-based family member under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. \p Alex Norris: There is no provision within our Immigration Rules for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum. Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach – that is the fastest route to safety.

The refugee family reunion route has been temporarily suspended while the Government undertakes a full review and reform of the current family rules to ensure we have a fair and properly balanced system.
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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 18 November to Question 92336, on Asylum: Republic of Ireland, if she provide the exact date when her Department first briefed the Irish Government on her proposed changes on asylum. \p Alex Norris: The UK and Ireland share a unique relationship and a joint commitment to safeguarding the integrity and security of the Common Travel Area (CTA). This partnership includes close cooperation and the exchange of information on policies relevant to maintaining the CTA’s security and preventing abuse. Prior to the publication of the asylum and returns policy statement, Home Office officials engaged with their counterparts in Ireland on Friday 14th November 2025.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, when she plans to announce further details on the Protection Work and Study route for refugees. \p Alex Norris: The full details of the Protection Work and Study route, remain subject to further policy development which will be set out in due course.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025. what support her Department is planning to give to communities to increase their (a) capacity and (b) ability to welcome refugees. \p Alex Norris: The Government’s Asylum and Returns Policy Statement published on 17 November 2025 announced transformative changes to Safe and Legal routes that will fundamentally reshape how the UK offers opportunities to refugees and receiving communities. Work is underway at pace to operationalise these new routes, and further details will be provided in due course.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of replacing the Asylum Support Payments contract as part of the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme. \p Alex Norris: The Asylum Support Payment (ASP) contract was originally included in the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme (ASAP). However, the ASP contract did not terminate at the same time as ASAP, so a decision was taken to descope it. This does not mean this will not be considered in the future.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what criteria her Department will use to determine whether an application's healthcare needs, including mental healthcare, cannot be fully met in their country of origin. \p Alex Norris: A claimant may claim that requiring them to leave the UK would breach their human rights due to a serious medical condition, which could be a physical illness or mental health issue. Such cases must be considered in accordance with our obligations under Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The threshold in Article 3 medical cases is very high, as set out in the UK Supreme Court case of AM (Zimbabwe) [2020] UKSC 17, which affirmed the Article 3 medical threshold as set out in the European Court of Human Rights case of Paposhvili v Belgium [2017] Imm AR 867.

We are committed to the ECHR and we believe that people should never be subject to torture. However, the interpretation of “inhuman or degrading treatment” has been expanded over time. As a consequence, we see examples of foreign national offenders who are being allowed to stay in the UK on the basis of an Article 3 protection claim, despite committing serious criminal offences in the UK. Others have blocked a deportation because their healthcare needs, including mental healthcare, cannot be fully met in their country of origin.

To retain public confidence, the ECHR and other instruments must evolve to face modern challenges. We are working with key partner countries over concerns that the interpretation of “inhuman or degrading treatment” has extended in scope, limiting their ability to make sovereign decisions on migration in their own democracies. The criteria, for considering healthcare needs, including mental healthcare, will be set out in due course.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the number and proportion of Bangladeshi asylum seekers who arrived in the UK on a) visas or b) other leave in the year to June 2025. \p Alex Norris: This government has already taken action to stem the surge in asylum claims from visa holders, including record numbers of credibility interviews and mandating a genuine study requirement for short term student routes. The number of student visa holders claiming asylum has reduced every quarter since this government took office.

By changing our protection offer, we are making it fairer for those who comply with the Rules. A person who enters the UK on a visa and continues to qualify will be on a faster route to settlement if they remain on that route, rather than claiming asylum. Claiming asylum will no longer provide the advantages that it does under the current system.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, under the Immigration Platform Technologies programme, what are the three integrated modern technology services that have been delivered. \p Alex Norris: The three integrated modern technology services that were delivered by IPT are:

Please see 6 September 2022: Immigration Platform Technologies (IPT) Programme Accounting Officer Assessment - GOV.UK for further details.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department took following the approval of the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme Delivery Model Assessment final report by the programme board on 30 June 2025. \p Alex Norris: Following the Delivery Model Assessment (DMA), the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme has been focussed on the high-level design of an operating model that uses recommendations from the DMA, alongside more recent market engagement. This process has now moved into a detailed design phase, to develop an operating model that is ready for implementation, whilst continuously validating the approach.
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Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how judges are protected if they experience (a) intimidation and (b) harassment. \p Sarah Jones: The Secretary of State regards judicial office holders’ safety with great importance. There are a range of judicial security policies and procedures in place to protect judicial office holders in court, outside of court and online.

The Police work jointly with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and the Judicial Office to deliver appropriate safeguarding arrangements for judicial office holders who are the victim of a crime and/or subject to harassment, intimidation or threat as a result of their judicial role. The agreement between the three agencies which forms the framework for delivery of these safeguarding measures is known as the Judicial Harassment Protocol.

The Protocol enables appropriate and proportionate safeguarding measures to be applied where such as:

The police are working alongside the Ministry of Justice and HMCTS as key members of the Security Taskforce, commissioned by the Lady Chief Justice and chaired by Deputy Senior Presiding Judge Mrs Justice Yip, to consider opportunities for further improvement in this crucial area.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 78673 on Travellers: Caravan Sites, if he will publish his Department's engagements with the National Police Chief’s Council including (a) notes of meetings and (b) exchanges of correspondence. \p Sarah Jones: The Home Office regularly engages with the National Police Chiefs’ on policy issues relating to operational policing.

The Government is working on a response to the Court’s judgment. In the Crime and Policing Bill Committee stage debate on 17 November, Home Office Minister Lord Hanson committed to set out the Government’s response to the judgment ahead of the Report stage of the Bill.

In considering the Court’s judgment, the Government will carefully balance the rights of individuals to live a private life without discrimination, while recognising the importance of protecting public spaces and communities affected by unauthorised encampments.
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Chris Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of trends in the number of experiments using animals that were carried out in Wales in 2024; and whether she will be taking steps to reduce these numbers. \p Dan Jarvis: In 2024, 25,718 regulated scientific procedures involving living animals were carried out in Wales, a decrease from 31,940 in 2023.

The Home Office regulates under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) to assure compliance with the robust protections afforded to animals used in science and to administrate the licensing framework. Licences to test on animals are only granted where applicants comply with the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement. Animals can only be used where there is no non-animal alternative, numbers are minimised, and where the most refined methods of testing are used to minimise harms.

The Government has published the strategy, "Replacing animals in science, A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods" which will accelerate the roll out of safe and effective alternatives to phase out animal testing in all but exceptional circumstances. Available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/replacing-animals-in-science-strategy/replacing-animals-in-science-a-strategy-to-support-the-development-validation-and-uptake-of-alternative-methods
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_218

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has been made of the impact of social media algorithms on levels of extremism in the UK. \p Dan Jarvis: The Home Office invests resources in understanding extremism and radicalisation, including work with international partners and external academics. Through this we look closely at the impact of social media algorithms on levels of extremism in the UK, but it is difficult to prove empirically or universally. The Online Safety Act requires online platforms to consider, as part of their illegal content and child safety risk assessments, how their algorithms impact exposure to illegal content and content harmful to children.

The Government is closely monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the OSA and remains committed to strengthening our laws if it does not deliver the necessary protections to ensure a safer online environment.

The Home Office is committed to countering extremism in all its forms where it divides communities and inflames tensions. Regardless of the worldview it draws from, if an ideology is causing harm by radicalising others into hatred, violence and extremism we will take action to prevent this and to safeguard susceptible individuals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_219

Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, following the seizure of the property belonging to Rifaat al-Assad in Mayfair, London, in 2020 by UK authorities, who is currently the legal owner of that property and who is responsible for managing it. \p Dan Jarvis: The Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) provides law enforcement agencies with a wide range of powers to restrain and recover criminal assets, such as property.

Restraint orders ensure that suspected criminal property cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of whilst investigations and other proceedings are ongoing. In some circumstances the Court can appoint a receiver to manage the property during proceedings, including potential sale if a confiscation order is subsequently made, the defendant may also need to sell property without the involvement of a receiver as a result of a confiscation order.

The Home Office cannot comment on individual cases and questions relating to them should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency or prosecutorial body.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_220

Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, under what legal power the Government seized the property belonging to Rifaat al-Assad in Mayfair, London following his conviction for money laundering and embezzling public funds in France in 2020. \p Dan Jarvis: The Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) provides law enforcement agencies with a wide range of powers to freeze, seize and recover criminal assets, such as property.

These include restraint orders, property freezing orders, recovery and confiscation orders. Over 250 agencies have had POCA powers extended to them, including the National Crime Agency, police forces, HMRC and the Serious Fraud Office.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_221

Pete Wishart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the current estimated waiting time is for an application for security under the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme; and what steps are being taken to reduce the waiting time. \p Dan Jarvis: This Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion at their chosen place of worship, and to making our streets and communities safer.

Global and domestic events have heightened security concerns within Muslim communities, which has led to a significant increase in demand for the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme since its launch.

Additionally, following the violent disorder last year, we set up rapid security services to safeguard mosques and other places of worship. Delivering this support to a large number of mosques has unfortunately contributed to delays in processing applications for longer-term security measures.

I can assure you the Home Office is working as quickly as it can to process applications to the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_222

Sojan Joseph:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of checks on goods coming into the UK at Sevington on the protection of a) public health and b) animal health. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Border checks undertaken by competent authorities at the Sevington SPS Border Control Post are an important element of the system designed to manage biosecurity risks.

The Sevington facility is enabling the implementation of SPS controls at the border on EU goods under the Border Target Operating Model which are providing assurance that the underlying systems of controls are working as intended. These controls include import conditions, certification signed by veterinarian and plant certification authorities in exporting countries, risk assessments, border checks, and other intelligence led controls.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_223

Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she intends to publish the Animal Welfare Strategy. \p Dame Angela Eagle: This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation. As set out by the Prime Minister, we will publish our Animal Welfare Strategy this year which will set out our priorities for animal welfare.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_224

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what investigations her Department has made into alternative to the culling of healthy flocks of caged birds in areas of wider avian flu outbreak. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Culling is the most effective means of controlling and stamping out an avian influenza outbreak together with movement restrictions, high standards of biosecurity, separation of poultry from wild birds and surveillance.

Preventative vaccination for avian influenza may be an option for the future but will not be viable for the 2025/2026 risk season. Defra has established a cross government and industry taskforce to explore future vaccination options. The taskforce published its initial report on 24 July. The report recommends a series of actions, including a vaccination trial in turkeys, before a final recommendation can be made.

Currently, vaccination of poultry and captive birds against avian influenza, excluding those in licensed zoos in England, is not permitted. Defra continue to invest in avian influenza research, and we continue to monitor vaccine usage both in Europe and globally, as well as the effectiveness of other disease control measures taken.

Any future decisions on disease control measures, including the use of vaccination, will be based upon the latest scientific, ornithological, and veterinary advice.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_225

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of funding to national park authorities in England. \p Mary Creagh: We recognise that the Defra core grant is vital to support England’s National Park Authorities.

In the 25/26 financial year, the government is providing £45.2 million of core funding to the 10 National Park Authorities, with a capital uplift of up to £15 million to support their contribution to protecting 30% of land by 2030. We have also extended programmes such as Farming in Protected Landscapes, providing £30 million to support projects in our National Landscapes and National Parks, until March 2026. We are also committed to working with Protected Landscapes organisations to unleash other income sources.

Defra has invested over £2m in a ‘Green Finance Accelerator’ comprised of National Parks Partnerships and the National Landscapes Association to provide the capacity, tools and expertise needed to increase private investment in nature.

Funding beyond April 2026 is being determined through an ongoing internal business planning process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_226

Patrick Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much money has been allocated to the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund in 2025, 2026 and 2027. \p Dame Angela Eagle: £46.7 million was allocated to the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund in 2025. Funding for future years is yet to be decided and is subject to departmental business planning.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_227

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to protect livestock in West Dorset from distress and injury caused by fireworks. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Halesowen, PQ UIN 89247.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_228

Aphra Brandreth:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of poultry and egg imports from Ukraine on the UK market following the extension of tariff free access in February 2024. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Under our Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine, tariffs on all goods are temporarily removed until March 2029, except for poultry and eggs, where the liberalisation is due to end on 31 March 2026.

Ukrainian imports of poultry and eggs currently constitute a small proportion of the UK’s total imports of these products. We consistently consider the views of industry and impact of imports on the UK market from all countries, including from Ukraine. We will continue to take these views into account as part of our policy development process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_229

Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the UK’s deforestation regulations are fair and workable for smallholder farmers internationally. \p Mary Creagh: The Government recognises that action to prevent UK consumption of forest risk commodities driving deforestation should minimise the impacts on smallholder farmers. The UK works with smallholder farmers to improve sustainable practices and encourage forest-friendly businesses. The UK also funds and co-chairs the Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade Dialogue with a specific working group focused on smallholder support, facilitating government to government dialogue to build collaboration to reduce risks of smallholder exclusion from sustainable supply chains. The Government is currently considering its approach to addressing the impact of the use of forest risk commodities in our supply chains and will set out its approach in due course.