theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the next police and fire commissioner elections will take place where existing boundaries are not co-terminus. \p Jim McMahon: As set out in the English Devolution White Paper, where mayoral geographies align with police force and fire and rescue geographies, Mayors will be, by default, responsible for exercising Police and Crime Commissioner and Fire and Rescue Authority functions.

We will also explore whether a single Mayor can take responsibility for Police and Crime Commissioner and Fire and Rescue Authority functions across two or more police forces or two or more Fire and Rescue Authorities, where this would result in coterminous boundaries, and bring forward any legislative changes as part of the English Devolution Bill.

Where Strategic Authorities do not currently align with these boundaries, or where alignment is not appropriate for new devolution areas, we will take steps to ensure alignment over the longer term.

The timing of elections and the transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner functions will be determined in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she last met with families and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire; and whether she consulted those groups before making a decision on the future of the tower. \p Alex Norris: Learning the lessons from the Grenfell tragedy and ensuring lasting change are key priorities for the government. The Deputy Prime Minister and the Building Safety Minister have hugely valued hearing directly from bereaved families, survivors and residents in the immediate community and would like to thank them for this.

The Deputy Prime Minister is responsible for Grenfell Tower and for making a decision about its future.

This is a deeply personal matter for the people affected and she is committed to keeping their voice at the heart of this process.

In November last year, the Deputy Prime Minister explained she would listen to the views of the community, and consider expert information, before making a decision on the future of the Tower in February. She offered bereaved and survivors the opportunity to meet in-person, or online, at different times and individually when families felt more comfortable with this. She has also spent time with representative groups, residents’ associations, schools and faith leaders. She is grateful to everyone who shared their view and especially to the bereaved and survivors.

Last December, the department published an update of information that would inform her decision to make it available to the community: The future of Grenfell Tower: advice that will inform a decision. Information about how she has taken it into account in her decision is here: Update on the future of Grenfell Tower - GOV.UK

Over the last week, the Deputy Prime Minister has met bereaved families and survivors, and residents in the immediate community, to explain her decision that Grenfell Tower will be carefully taken down. Her priority has been to ensure the community hear this first.

This government remains committed to responding to the needs of the community and will ensure bereaved families, survivors and residents continue to have opportunities to speak with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Building Safety Minister on issues that matter to them most.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent estimate she has made of the number of people in England owed homelessness prevention or relief duty. \p Rushanara Ali: Homelessness levels are far too high. There are far too many living in temporary accommodation - including 560 families and 839 children in Thurrock as of the 30 September 2024. This is symptomatic of the housing crisis we have inherited and is not acceptable. We know being in temporary accommodation can have a devastating impact on people, particularly children. That is why we will take the action needed to tackle this issue, working across government and with local leaders to develop a long-term strategy to put us back on track to ending homelessness.

We are already taking the first steps to get us back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget in October, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. As part of this, we are providing an uplift of £192.9 million to the Homelessness Prevention Grant, bringing total funding for 2025/26 to £633.2 million - the largest investment in this grant since it began.

We are also addressing the use of emergency accommodation for homeless families, including the use of bed and breakfast, through a new £8 million programme of Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots. We are working with the 20 local authorities with the highest levels of B&B use for homeless families to test innovative approaches and kickstart new initiatives.

We are also tackling the root causes of homelessness, including by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. We will also abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions with immediate effect, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

Accredited official statistics on statutory homelessness applications, duties, and outcomes for local authorities in England were published on the 27 February 2025 and can be accessed via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-homelessness.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the criteria were for appointing members of the Digital Centre Design Panel; and whether those members will provide declarations of interests for publication. \p Feryal Clark: The Digital Centre Design Advisory Panel was established to advise, test ideas and constructively challenge our thinking as we develop the new digital centre of government.

DSIT selected individuals who bring a diverse set of views and experience from across the UK tech sector, academics, digital government, regional growth and international voices, including co-chairs Martha Lane Fox and Paul Willmott.

DSIT holds the appointee’s declarations of interest and will publish them in line with Cabinet Office guidance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Alan Mak:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the Director General for Digital Centre Design was involved in the (a) policy and (b) procurement decision to award a contract to Faculty AI in November 2024. \p Feryal Clark: The Director General for Digital Centre Design was not involved in the decision to award a contract to Faculty AI in November 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Alan Mak:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will publish a copy of the full contract with Faculty AI from November 2024; and what the value of that contract is. \p Feryal Clark: The Secretary of State had no role in awarding this contract nor did he have any discussions with the Secretary of State for Education in relation to it. The procurement process was conducted by DSIT officials in line with Cabinet Office rules and processes and ministers were not involved.

The contract commenced in February 2024, five months before last summer’s General Election and the Secretary of State’s appointment.

Details of the contract are publicly available on contract finder, including its value which is £2,344,378.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions his Department has had with trade unions on the digitalisation of Government. \p Feryal Clark: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology regularly discusses workforce matters with trade unions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion entitled Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965, published on 25 February 2019. \p Stephen Doughty: The 2019 ICJ Advisory opinion was not the only long-term challenge we faced, and claims that we negotiated this deal solely because of it are simply wrong. Since 2015, 28 international judges and arbitrators have expressed views on the sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago. Not one has expressed support for the UK claim about sovereignty. Without a deal Mauritius would inevitably pursue a legally binding judgment. This lack of legal certainty would have real-world impacts on base operations and create space for our adversaries. Some of those impacts would be on simple but crucial things, such as securing contractors and getting overflight clearances. Our deal with Mauritius ends this legal uncertainty, and secures the future of the critical base on Diego Garcia well into the next century.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories on 5 February 2025, Official Report, col 760, on the future use of the electromagnetic spectrum, what discussions he has had with the International Telecommunications Union on this matter; and by what process the ITU could change the UK’s access. \p Stephen Doughty: The government does not routinely disclose private discussions with any organisation, nor disclose legal advice it may have received. International organisations, including UN Specialised Agencies such as the International Telecommunication Union, would be required to apply a binding judgment that the UK was not sovereign over the British Indian Ocean Territory. This would have real-world impacts on the protection and security of the base including our ability to operate the electromagnetic spectrum undisturbed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support Tamil asylum seekers detained on Diego Garcia. \p Stephen Doughty: Only three migrants remain left on BIOT temporarily.

Diego Garcia was never a suitable long-term location for migrants given the logistical challenges of providing care in such a remote location with no civilian infrastructure and a UK-US military facility, but their safety and security has been paramount throughout this deeply troubling situation inherited from the previous Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Andrew Ranger:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle foreign interference in politics. \p Stephen Doughty: Protecting the UK and our democratic processes from foreign interference is a priority for this Government and we have several mechanisms in place. The National Security Act 2023 provides the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt state threats. The Government's Defending Democracy Taskforce, chaired by the Minister of State for Security, is focused on safeguarding our democracy from the full range of threats including foreign interference. The Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit (JESP) works between the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) to coordinate election security and preparedness activity including working with the devolved administrations, local authorities and the Electoral Commission. The Government has also committed to enhancing the safeguards against foreign funding of election campaigns and will be bringing forward proposals in due course. The Government also works with like-minded international partners to share expertise and develop tools to build our collective democratic resilience.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has plans to meet with his counterpart from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK's long-standing position is not to recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. This is in accordance with several UN Security Council Resolutions and in line with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey. While there are currently no plans for the Foreign Secretary to meet Mr Ertuğruloğlu, we continue to work with the UN towards a lasting Cyprus Settlement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2025 to Question 28492 on the British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether he shared the (a) initial proposed Treaty and (b) revised Treaty following counter proposals received by the Mauritian government with the new US administration. \p Stephen Doughty: We shared the proposed treaty with the new US Administration upon them taking office.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the UK’s declaration on Article 298 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the jurisdiction of (a) the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and (b) an arbitral tribunal under Annex VII of UNCLOS on UK (i) military and (ii) law enforcement activities. \p Stephen Doughty: By Declaration dated 12 January 1998, the UK chose the International Court of Justice for the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of UNCLOS. By Declaration dated 7 April 2003 the UK exercised the right to exclude from compulsory dispute settlement procedures in UNCLOS "disputes concerning military activities, including military activities by government vessels and aircraft engaged in non-commercial service and disputes concerning law enforcement activities in regard to the exercise of sovereign rights and jurisdiction excluded from the jurisdiction of a court or tribunal under article 297 paragraph 2 or 3". Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 297 address disputes related to marine scientific research and fisheries respectively.

While these exclusions remain in place, they do not prevent all possible legal challenges. It is worth noting that in the event that parties to a dispute concerning the interpretation or application of UNCLOS have chosen different procedures for the settlement of disputes, the dispute must be submitted to an arbitral tribunal unless the parties otherwise agree. Such rulings are binding on the parties.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with his Georgian counterpart on the detention of the Mzia Amaghlobeli. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary and I have consistently raised our concerns about the violence used by the authorities against protesters and journalists in the course of ongoing protests in Georgia. We will continue to do so. Mzia Amaghlobeli's detention is another worrying example of how journalists are intimidated in Georgia in a way which limits media freedom and freedom of expression. Our Embassy in Tbilisi is following Amaghlobeli's case very closely. On 30 January 2025, our Embassy led a statement on behalf of 14 Media Freedom Coalition members, calling for her immediate release and a review of her case.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what security measures his Department has put in place to prevent incursions by hostile states into the proposed buffer zone around Diego Garcia. \p Stephen Doughty: There will be robust security provisions to protect the base, including full UK control over Diego Garcia, control over the electromagnetic spectrum and unrestricted access to and use of the base by the UK and US; a buffer zone around Diego Garcia in which nothing can be built or put in place without UK consent; a robust mechanism and review process to ensure no activity in the other islands can impinge upon base operations; and a prohibition on the presence of foreign security forces on the outer islands, either civilian or military.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date he took the decision to formally invite the new US Administration to review the proposed treaty between the UK and Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory. \p Stephen Doughty: We shared the proposed treaty with the new US Administration upon them taking office.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the reduction in ODA spending on the ability of recipient countries to respond to (a) resource scarcity and (b) food insecurity. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review on the basis of various factors including impact assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Mr James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much Official Development Assistance funding has been spent on countering extremism in Lebanon in each of the last five years.. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK plays a leading role in countering terrorism and violent extremism overseas. Lebanon is one of our key CT partners in the Middle East and over the last five years, HMG has spent over £12 million on countering violent extremism in Lebanon. This breaks down to £2,245,000 in FY 24/25; £1,782,421 in FY 23/24; £1,685,998 in FY 22/23; £2,864,343 in FY 21/22 and £4,074,261 in FY 20/21, across the Integrated Security Fund (ISF) and Counter Terrorism Programme Fund (CTPF).
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much of the 0.3% of gross national income to be spent on official development assistance he plans to allocate to humanitarian aid in Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: As with all Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) spend, new allocations provided to humanitarian partners working in Gaza will be announced in the usual way. The UK has announced £129 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) this financial year, providing vital services to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to Palestinian refugees across the region. The Prime Minister made clear in the House on 25 February that this Government is proud of the UK's pioneering record on overseas development, and we will continue to play a key humanitarian role in Gaza.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take to mitigate the impact of the destruction of educational and cultural facilities in Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are deeply alarmed by the disproportionate impact of the conflict on children in Gaza. Most students have not had access to education since the 7th of October 2023 and at least 88 per cent of school buildings need full or major reconstruction. Education is a priority sector, and we are engaging with partners to ensure children's needs are integrated into Gaza's recovery. Through UK support, over 14,000 children in Gaza now have access to education materials. The destruction of cultural facilities is also highly concerning. We engage regularly with NGOs and civil society, who are best placed to communicate needs and rebuild their communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Apsana Begum:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19048 on Gaza: Israel Defense Forces, whether any products made by Elbit Systems exported before 2 September 2024 were used by Israel Defence Forces in operations in Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Following the suspension of export licences announced on 2 September, there are currently no extant export licences for items that we assess might be for use by the Israel Defense Forces in military operations in the Gaza conflict (except for F-35 components, which have been excluded from the ambit of the suspension). We continue to keep export licences for Israel under continual and careful review.

Licences where there is no clear risk the items could be used in military operations in the conflict remain extant. These cover items such as body armour for NGOs, journalists, components for trainer aircraft, items for re-export to third countries, or non-military controlled items such as technology for commercial aircraft, chemical manufacturing equipment, commercial satellite, and spacecraft components.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Mr James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much Official Development Assistance funding has been spent on countering extremism in Iraq in each of the last five years.. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We share with Iraq an ambition to combat terrorism and violent extremism, including Daesh and the threats it presents to our citizens. As members of the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh, we will continue to work with Iraq to ensure that Daesh cannot re-emerge. Since the 2020-2021 Financial Year, approximately £6million of Official Development Assistance has been utilised to support Countering Violent Extremism activities in Iraq. This includes approximately £70,000 in 2020-21, £1,288,808 in 2021-2022, £2,340,550 in 2022-2023 and just over £2,331,889 in 2023-2024.
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Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Pakistan counterpart on voting rights for Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Promoting the rights of religious minorities is an important part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. I underlined the importance of promoting religious tolerance and harmony when I met Pakistan's Human Rights Minister on 19 November 2024, and discussed this issue in Parliament on 28 November 2024. The British High Commission continues to raise the issue of Ahmadi voting rights with the Pakistani authorities at the highest levels. We have been clear that all Pakistani citizens should be able to exercise their democratic rights and participate in peaceful, inclusive and credible elections.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Robbie Moore:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress he has made on securing consular access for Alaa Abd El-Fattah. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK Government continues to raise Mr Alaa Abd El-Fattah's case at the highest levels with the Egyptian government. We have been consistently clear in calling for his release and continue to press for urgent consular access. The Prime Minister wrote to President Sisi on 26 December 2024 and again on 8 January 2025. The Foreign Secretary raised this case with Egyptian Foreign Minister on 23 January; I raised the case with the Egyptian Ambassador to London on 18 February. National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell also raised this with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 2 January.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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Dan Tomlinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 3369 on Iran: Political Prisoners, whether his Department has taken steps to hold Iran accountable following the executions of (a) Behrouz Ehsani, (b) Mehdi Hassani and (c) other people. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. We have repeatedly called on the Islamic Republic to establish a moratorium on executions, including through a Human Rights Ambassadors joint statement at the Human Rights Council in October 2024. The UK also helped deliver a resolution on the human rights situation in Iran at the UN Third Committee in November 2024. In January, the Foreign Secretary raised human rights directly with his Iranian counterpart. We will continue to raise human rights issues directly with the regime, including through our Ambassador in Tehran.
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Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) arrest and (b) detention of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya in Israel. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are concerned by the reports of the detention of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya and others. I have raised this case with both Israel's Ambassador to the UK, and Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Haskel. Israel must allow medical staff to carry out their work unimpeded, and to travel around Gaza as needed.
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Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on allowing independent monitors to access detention centres housing prisoners from Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment of detainees. The UK has raised this with the Israeli Government as a priority and continues to reiterate calls for Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities. We believe it is critical that the ICRC is given regular access to detainees to deliver on their independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
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Paula Barker:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy to oppose the potential (a) forcible transfer and (b) ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We oppose moving Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states against their will. There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza strip. Palestinian civilians should be able to return to and rebuild their homes and their lives. Our position is clear - we want to see a negotiated two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people, with a sovereign Palestinian state, which includes the West Bank and Gaza, alongside a safe and secure Israel.
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Paula Barker:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of reports of the looting of aid trucks in areas of Gaza that are under Israeli military control; and if he will hold discussions with his Israeli counterpart on this matter. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We welcome reports that looting of aid deliveries in Gaza has reduced. This remains a concern, and we continue to work with partners to monitor this. Israel must now continue to work with partners to ensure law and order is maintained in Gaza so that safe distribution of aid across the Gaza strip is sustained. The Foreign Secretary raised this with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in a call on 22 January.
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Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on upholding the human rights of healthcare workers from Gaza detained in Israel. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK has consistently raised concerns about the impact of this conflict on Gaza's healthcare systems and medical staff, including reiterating the requirement for all parties to uphold International Humanitarian Law. We are also deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment of Palestinian detainees in Israel. I raised our concerns about healthcare workers in Gaza with Israel and urged Israel to clarify the reasons for detention of medical staff from Gaza who are detained in Israel, including cases such as Dr Hussam Abu Safiya. We have consistently called on Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities and will continue to do so.
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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of right to rent checks on non-UK passport holders on (a) the private rental sector and (b) levels of homelessness in Battersea. \p Seema Malhotra: The Right to Rent Scheme was introduced to ensure only those lawfully in the United Kingdom can access the private rented sector, and to tackle unscrupulous landlords who exploit vulnerable migrants, sometimes in very poor living conditions.

The Scheme applies equally to everyone, including British and Irish citizens seeking accommodation in the private rented sector in England. There is an extensive list of documents that tenants can use to prove their right to rent. The Scheme has been independently evaluated twice.

Statistics on levels of homelessness are overseen by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The latest official data on statutory homelessness in England can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-july-to-september-2024.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the report entitled Independent Challenge and Support Panel: Closing Report, published by the National Fire Chiefs Council on 19 February 2025. \p Dame Diana Johnson: I met with Anthea Sully, the Chair of the National Fire Chief’s Council’s (NFCC) Independent Challenge and Support Panel, prior to the report’s publication to discuss the panel’s work and its findings.

I welcomed the work of the panel, and its importance given my previous involvement with this work as the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee and now in my ministerial role.

The Government is committed to working with the fire and rescue sector to drive meaningful culture change.

Both the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and several independent reviews of culture in specific fire and rescue services have concluded that poor culture can lead to operational incompetence and therefore present a risk to public safety.

Following the publication of this report, the Government will work where appropriate to support the sector in the delivery and implementation of the 7 calls to action set out in the report to stop racism, misogyny, and other forms of criminal and unacceptable behaviour in the workplace.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_70
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_70

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2025 to Question 32380 on Cambridgeshire Constabulary: Allowances, what the difference in salary is between a Cambridgeshire police officer and officers from (a) Bedfordshire and (b) Hertfordshire at each rank when South-East allowance is included in the 2024-25 financial year. \p Dame Diana Johnson: There is a national pay structure for all police officers of all ranks in England and Wales. The pay scales with effect from 1 September 2023 are published at Circular 003/2024: Annex F and U, Police Regulations 2003 - GOV.UK.

The pay scales with effect from 1 September 2024 will be published shortly.

In addition to basic pay, determinations made under the Police Regulations 2003 provide that officers in Hertfordshire may receive an allowance of up £3,000 and those in Bedfordshire may receive an allowance of up to £2,000. The amount paid is determined by the chief constable of the relevant force up to the maximum rate provided for in the determinations.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_71
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_71

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has taken steps to request the extradition of (a) Andrew and (b) Tristan Tate from the United States. \p Dan Jarvis: As a matter of long-standing Government policy, I can neither confirm nor deny whether any extradition request has been made or received in respect of any individual or individuals.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_72
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_72

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were granted indefinite leave to remain in 2024. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office publishes information on Settlement in the Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), direct link to the Settlement data tables.

The statistics relate to grants and refusals of settlement and refer to individuals who wish to make their right to remain in the UK indefinite. The latest data relates to year 2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_73

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were awarded British citizenship in 2024. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office publishes information on Citizenship in the Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), direct link to the Citizenship data tables.

The statistics relate to applications, grants and refusals of Citizenship. The latest data relates to year 2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_74
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_74

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of applications to extend student visas were successful in 2024. \p Seema Malhotra: Information on grants and refusals of extensions of stay to study is published in table EXE_D01, within the ‘Extensions detailed datasets’ file, at Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK. The latest publication includes data up to 31st December 2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_75

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number and proportion of spousal visas granted to people who were (a) first and (b) second cousins to their spouse in 2024. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Honourable Member to the Answer I gave him on 20 December 2024 in response to Question UIN 19992.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_76
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_76

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Afghans have been granted (a) indefinite leave to remain and (b) British citizenship since 15 August 2021. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office publishes information on Settlement by nationality in the Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), direct link to the Settlement data tables. The statistics relate to grants and refusals of settlement and refer to individuals who wish to make their right to remain in the UK indefinite.

The Home Office publishes information on Citizenship by nationality in the Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), direct link to the Citizenship data tables. The statistics relate to applications, grants and refusals of Citizenship.

Additionally, the Home Office publishes data on refugees resettled under resettlement schemes in the Asylum and Resettlement data tables.

The latest data relates to year 2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_77
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_77

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential role of international students with Graduate visas in tackling workforce skills shortages in key sectors. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Honourable Member to my response to his question of 24th February 2025 [33207].
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_78
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_78

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has plans to introduce additional safe and legal routes, in the context of recent changes to its good character caseworker guidance. \p Seema Malhotra: The government is committed to supporting the most vulnerable people in the world and safe and legal routes will continue to play a role in our overall migration system. The government’s priority at present is the resettlement and relocation of those already identified as eligible but who have not yet travelled.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_79
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_79

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the number of work visas that will be issued in 2025. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office publishes statistics on the number of work visas issued in the Immigration system statistics quarterly release. See the entry clearance visa data tables.

Future grant rates are very uncertain and liable to change.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_80
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_80

Mr Richard Quigley:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) routes to naturalisation, (b) fee exemptions and (c) special considerations are available to foreign nationals who have completed a period of Crown Service as a civilian working overseas for British Military; and if her Department will make an assessment of whether B1 English tests are necessary for each of visa renewal where the applicant holds existing Ofsted accreditation as an English Teacher. \p Seema Malhotra: Foreign nationals who have completed a period of Crown service overseas are able to apply for naturalisation. British nationality law allows for discretion to be exercised over some of the residence requirements for naturalisation applications, if the customer can demonstrate they were in Crown service.

In most cases, people seeking to settle or naturalise in the UK will need to prove they have the required level of English depending on the route they are applying under. The English language requirement for each visa route is set out within the Immigration Rules for each individual route.

Appendix English Language of the Immigration Rules sets out how an applicant can meet this requirement. The English language requirements for naturalisation applications are set out in The British Nationality (General) Regulations 2003. This includes information about the options available to demonstrate the required level of English.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_81
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_81

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of raising the illegal working civil penalties to employers found to be hiring illegal migrants. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The civil penalties were recently raised in February 2024 to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach from £15,000, and up to £60,000 for repeat breaches from £20,000.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_82
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_82

John McDonnell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were (a) due to be and (b) actually deported on the charter flight to Nigeria and Ghana on 17 October 2024; how many were women; and how many people had force used against them during the operation. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The returns charter flight to Nigeria and Ghana on 17 October 2024 had a capacity of 50 people.

44 people were removed on the flight, seven of whom were women.

There were eight Use of Force incidents recorded during the operation.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_83
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_83

Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Q52 of the oral evidence given by the Permanent Secretary to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 4 February 2025 HC 505, how many (a) rooms and (b) rooms were the ten hotels in question able to accommodate; and what the saving to the public purse will be as a result of their closure. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office publishes numbers on people in hotels. It does not publish or report on number of rooms.

Data on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, and by local authority can be found on GOV.UK as part of the quarterly Immigration system statistics release. The Home Office also publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_84
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_84

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Foreign National Offenders are awaiting deportation. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The requested data is not available in reportable form, but I can confirm that all Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) are referred to the Home Office for deportation consideration immediately following sentencing.

This Government has worked tirelessly to increase the return of those FNOs; between 5 July 2024 and 31 January 2025, there were 2,925 enforced and voluntary returns of FNOs. This is an increase of 21% compared to 2,422 FNO returns in the same period 12 months prior.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_85
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_85

Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 32327 on Asylum: Accommodation, if she will publish (a) the total capacity of (i) rooms and (ii) bed spaces used in each hotel to accommodate asylum seekers on 1 July 2024 and (b) the total capacity of each hotel currently in use for that purpose. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Honourable Member to the Answer she received on the 3 March 2025 to UIN 32327.