theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_140
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_140

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2025 to Question 33516 on Defence: Finance, whether his plan to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence expenditure in the 2026-27 financial year includes expenditure on the intelligence and security services. \p Luke Pollard: The Prime Minister has announced that the definition of defence spending will be updated to recognise what our security and intelligence agencies do to boost our security, as well as our military. That, combined with the increase to defence spending, will mean that in 2026-27 the UK will spend 2.6% of GDP on NATO-qualifying defence expenditure.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_141
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_141

Kanishka Narayan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP on (a) security and (b) resilience in Vale of Glamorgan constituency. \p Luke Pollard: The increase in defence spending will fund critical investments in areas like autonomous systems, AI, cyber, rebuilding stockpiles and munition reserves, and therefore will support the security and resilience of the whole of the UK, including the Vale of Glamorgan. The full details will be set out in the Strategic Defence Review.

I would like to place on record my thanks to people in the Vale of Glamorgan for their service to our nation and for their support for our national security.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_142
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_142

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Strategic Defence Review will consider the UK's nuclear capability. \p Luke Pollard: As stated in the Strategic Defence Review's published Terms of Reference, the Government has a total commitment to the independent UK nuclear deterrent. The Review is considering the efficiency and effectiveness of the nuclear programme.

As a Government we are proud to have a triple lock commitment to the UK's nuclear deterrent. This comprises continuing the construction of four new Dreadnought Class submarines, maintaining the Continuous at Sea Deterrent; and delivery of all future upgrades needed, including the replacement warhead.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_143
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_143

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which nation has control of base operations at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. \p Luke Pollard: The Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia is a United States defence facility. The responsibilities and authorities for its operations as agreed with the United Kingdom are set out in the 1966 UK-US Exchange of Notes, including the 1976 amendment.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_144
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_144

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department will publish the 2024 update to Parliament on the United Kingdom’s future nuclear deterrent. \p Maria Eagle: The scheduled annual update to Parliament on the United Kingdom’s future nuclear deterrent is undergoing final clearance procedures and will be published in due course.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_145
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_145

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much the (a) UK pays the US and (b) US pays the UK in defence-related expenditure each year. \p Maria Eagle: The Department routinely publishes its regional spend with industry, including North America. In financial year 2023-24 the Department's defence related expenditure with North America was £2.48 billion, of which £2.38 billion was for work taking place in the US. This is just one example of the special relationship between the UK and the US on Defence.

US defence-related expenditure with the UK is not captured centrally and cannot be provided.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_146
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_146

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which water company provides water infrastructure for RAF (a) Wyton, (b) Alconbury and (c) Molesworth. \p Maria Eagle: Water infrastructure service provision is broken down into two elements: maintenance and water supply.

(a) At RAF Wyton, Severn Trent Services both maintains water infrastructure and water supply.

(b) At RAF Alconbury and (c) RAF Molesworth, VIVO maintain the water infrastructure and Anglian Water the water supply.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_147
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_147

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2025 to Question 33149 on Armed Forces: Protective Clothing, what the difference is in the level of protection between the Peltor ComTac XP/XPI ear defender and the General Service Peltor Ear Muff ear defender. \p Maria Eagle: The technical specifications for both the Peltor ComTac XP/XPI and the General Service Peltor Ear Muff are broadly comparable with both offering similar attenuation across the frequency bands. Both items can be worn in conjunction with other hearing protection items.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_148
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_148

Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when each F-35 entered into service. \p Maria Eagle: I am withholding the requested information as it would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_149
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_149

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of Tranche 1 Typhoon jets being repurposed for deployment in Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence has assessed the relative merits and downsides of donating Typhoon Tranche 1 jets to Ukraine multiple times. In August 2023, Denmark and the Netherlands announced they would donate up to 61 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which is significantly greater than the number of Tranche 1 Typhoons in RAF service.

As a result, and following detailed conversations with the Ukrainian Government, the UK has decided to focus on supporting the donation of European F-16s to Ukraine, by providing elementary flying training and English language training for technicians and pilots that will then operate F-16s.

24 Ukrainian pilots have graduated from intensive Fast Jet Lead-in training under the guidance of Royal Air Force instructors.

I attended the graduation of Ukrainian pilots trained by the UK last year and can tell the right hon. Member we should be very proud of our role training them, and proud of the brave individuals we train for supporting their freedom.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_150
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_150

Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK will have to divert troops from other (a) theatres and (b) operations to maintain a presence in Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: The UK is ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary.

I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that I cannot go into any further details at this stage but can say that our focus is on ensuring Ukraine is in as strong a position as possible. When, how and on what terms this war comes to an end can only be decided by negotiations with Ukraine at the heart of them.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_151
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_151

Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK has adequate military resources for a sustained presence in Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: The UK is ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary.

I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that I cannot go into any further details at this stage but can say that our focus is on ensuring Ukraine is in as strong a position as possible. When, how and on what terms this war comes to an end can only be decided by negotiations with Ukraine at the heart of them.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_152
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_152

Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the armed forces on deploying troops to Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: The Secretary of State is supported and advised by the Chief of the Defence Staff on Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and how we can continue to best support Ukraine going forward.

The UK is ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary.

I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that I cannot go into any further details at this stage but can say that our focus is on ensuring Ukraine is in as strong a position as possible. When, how and on what terms this war comes to an end can only be decided by negotiations with Ukraine at the heart of them.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_153
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_153

Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK has sufficient munitions stockpiles to support Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: We inherited a position where the UK had donated, but not necessarily replaced, stockpiles to Ukraine.

The Government is steadfast in our commitment to continue to supply military assistance to Ukraine and we will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends for as long as it takes.

The UK is stepping up and speeding up its military assistance, spending £4.5 billion on military support for Ukraine this year - more than ever before. We have also earmarked an additional £2.26 billion contribution under the ERA loan for military spending.

Most recently the Prime Minister announced a £1.6 billion deal to supply more than 5,000 air defence missiles to Ukraine.

Defence continually manages and analyses its stocks of weapons and munitions against commitments and threats, while also reviewing industrial capacity and supply chains, both domestically and internationally.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_154
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_154

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's statistics entitled Murder, manslaughter and sexual offences in the Service Justice System: 2023, published on 28 March 2024, how many victims of sexual crimes under the age of 18 were based at the Army Foundation College. \p Al Carns: I am sure you will understand that I am unable to release any details concerning alleged victims of sexual offences which could lead to their identification. This is because of statutory restrictions and also to ensure that victims of sexual offences are not deterred from coming forward.

Therefore, in the interests of protecting the anonymity of the victims I will not be releasing information confirming whether or not any of the victims of sexual offences referred to in your question were based at the Army Foundation College at the time of the offence.

I can however advise you that the published figures for victims of sexual offences aged under 18 are based on investigations opened (including referral and non-referral to the Service Prosecuting Authority), and not based on conviction.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_155
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_155

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which countries his Department classifies as threats with regards to offensive cyber operations. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence works closely with HMG partners to monitor, understand and counter the cyber threat to the UK from hostile states and organised criminals. In the last year, disruptive cyber activities against the UK and its partners have been attributed to Russian and Chinese state-affiliated actors; others based in Iran and North Korea also remain a threat to the UK.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_156
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_156

Mel Stride:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the £13.4 billion for the armed forces was calculated based on NATO-qualifying spending; and what his Departmental budget will be in the 2027-28 financial year. \p Luke Pollard: The £13.4 billion increase relates to total NATO qualifying defence spend. This is the increase in cash terms between defence spending in 2027-28 and what the UK spends today.

HMT is currently undertaking the second phase of the Spending Review, which will be announced on 11 June 2025. This will set Departmental budgets for three years from 2026-27 for RDEL and four years for CDEL, including for the Ministry of Defence.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_157
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_157

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2025 to Question 30352 on Deportation: Children, how many people under the age of 18 have been deported since 4 July 2024. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Honourable Member to Answer I gave him on 24 February to Question UIN 30352.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_158
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_158

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal migrants originating from Albania have been returned to Albania since the signing of the Government’s returns agreement in 2022. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office publishes data on returns in the “Immigration System Statistics Quarterly release”. Data on numbers of Albanian nationals returned to their home country can be found in Ret_D01 of the “Returns detailed datasets”. The latest data goes to the end of December 2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_159
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_159

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the number of people that (a) applied for asylum, (b) were granted asylum and (c) were granted other forms of leave to stay in each year between 1995 and 2001. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office publishes data on asylum claims and initial decisions in the ‘Asylum applications, initial decisions and resettlement detailed datasets’ as part of the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Pre-2002 data on asylum claims and initial decisions for main applicants and dependants is published in tables as_01 and as_02 in volume 1 of the Asylum data tables.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_160
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_160

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will provide a list of countries which have refused to accept the return of foreign national offenders from the UK. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office does not hold any such list. The UK has strong returns cooperation with countries across the globe and continuing to build on this cooperation is at the heart of our diplomatic engagement.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_161
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_161

Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many hotel rooms her Department has currently contracted for the purpose of accommodating asylum seekers. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Honourable Member to the Answer she received on the 3 March 2025 to UIN 32327.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_162
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_162

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of deportations did not take place due to the individual renouncing non-UK citizenship in each of the last five years. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Honourable Member to the answer he was given on 28 January to question UIN 25838.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_163
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_163

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Foreign criminals to be deported quicker, published on 3 March 2025, what steps she plans to take to mitigate potential challenges in deporting FNOs who originate from (a) countries with unstable political situations and (b) countries that lack repatriation agreements with the UK. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Government is committed to delivering justice for victims and safer streets for our communities. In the event that a foreign national is found guilty of a crime, we will take strong action against them in the interests of public safety and protection. Any foreign national who is convicted of a crime and given a prison sentence is considered for deportation at the earliest opportunity, and where there are barriers that delay us from enforcing those deportations, we will always do our upmost to overcome them.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_164
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_164

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of Foreign National Offenders are eligible for deportation. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Honourable Member to the Answer given on 6 March to Question UIN 34052.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_165
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_165

Lincoln Jopp:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people who are subject to a live deportation order have applied under the EU Settlement Scheme in Spelthorne. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The information requested is not available from published statistics.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_166
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_166

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to ensure timely information sharing between prison authorities and immigration enforcement agencies. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The sharing of information between the Home Office and HMPPS is essential to carry out the effective operation of the immigration and justice systems.

Foreign national offenders (FNOs) are referred to the Home Office for deportation immediately following sentencing by HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS).

The Home Office has Immigration Prison Teams (IPTs), whose officers are based in prisons and meet regularly with Offender Management Units to discuss and share information about FNOs. In addition, HMPPS have also recently announced a 12-month pilot to ringfence FNO Liaison Officers in roles designed to speed up FNO removals.

The Home Office continues to work closely with HMPPS to maximise removals directly from prison. Between 5 July 2024 and 31 January 2025, 1,557 ERS returns have taken place, which is a 26% increase compared to 1,231 in the same period 12 months prior.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_167
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_167

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to increase (a) transparency and (b) accountability in her Department. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office regularly reports on its performance through the annual report and accounts which are published each year on gov.uk and provide a narrative on the finances and performance of the Home Office.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_168
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_168

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many users there are of the Homes for Ukraine scheme by nationality. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office publishes data on entry clearance visas for the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme by nationality in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on the outcomes of visas are published in table ‘Vis_D02’ of the detailed entry clearance dataset. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. Data is up to the end of 2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_169
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_169

Joe Powell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much her Department has spent on supporting refugees from Ukraine in the 2023-24 financial year. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office did not record the costs of supporting refugees from Ukraine in financial year 2023-24 separately from its wider work in this area, and the requested data could only be isolated and verified now for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_170
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_170

Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has plans to (a) extend and (b) modify the duration of the Ukrainian Visa scheme. \p Seema Malhotra: To provide future certainty, Ukrainians provided with temporary sanctuary in the UK under the Ukraine visa schemes can apply for a further 18 months’ permission to remain in the UK through the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025.

Those granted further permission to remain in the UK under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme will receive the same rights and entitlements to access work, benefits, healthcare and education as provided under the existing Ukraine Schemes.

We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes. This is why the temporary Ukraine Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK.

Individuals with permission under one of the Ukraine schemes have access to standard immigration routes to remain in the UK once their permission expires, in order to complete higher education courses they commence during their initial period of permission.

Individuals will have continued access to student support and home fee status where they can show they have been granted further leave to remain in the UK.

We will, of course, continue to keep the Ukraine Schemes under consistent review in line with developments in the ongoing war.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_171
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_171

John McDonnell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential psychological impact of the updated good character guidance on (a) people in the asylum system and (b) people with leave to remain. \p Seema Malhotra: The assessment of good character has been part of the citizenship process since the British Nationality Act 1981, but each individual continues to have their application considered on a case by case basis, taking these individual circumstances into account.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_172
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_172

John McDonnell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's Good character: caseworker guidance, updated on 13 February 2025, what definition her Department uses of exceptional, compelling, and mitigating circumstances. \p Seema Malhotra: An exceptional case is one where on the facts of the case, the application would normally be refused but there are mitigating circumstances which mean it would be appropriate to grant. The policy guidance contains a non-exhaustive list of examples of where applications may be granted
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_173
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_173

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken since July 2024 to implement (a) recommendation 7 and (b) other recommendations of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review, published on 19 July 2018. \p Seema Malhotra: This government is determined to put right the appalling injustices caused by the treatment of members of the Windrush community, making sure that those affected receive the compensation they deserve quickly, and ensuring cultural change is embedded permanently into the fabric of the Home Office.

We have established a new Windrush Unit in the department who are undertaking a review of all 30 recommendations in the Windrush Lessons Learned Review. This includes an assessment of the response to Recommendation 7. We will assess how far the department has come and identify those recommendations which require more work.

Last month we also launched the recruitment for a Windrush Commissioner, which marks a vital step in resetting the government’s response to the Home Office Windrush scandal. The Commissioner will serve as an independent advocate for those affected, assure delivery of the Windrush Compensation Scheme and hold the department to account as we learn the lessons of the past to drive improvements.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_174
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_174

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the letter from the Metropolitan Police of 10 February 2025 submitted to the Planning Inspectorate's inquiry into the Chinese Embassy planning application, what discussions the Home Office has had with the Metropolitan Police on the application since July 2024. \p Dan Jarvis: The Metropolitan Police and other relevant stakeholders were consulted on the written representations submitted to the Planning Inspector on 14 January.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_175
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_175

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of revising Ukraine visa schemes to create a potential UK settlement pathway, such as where people have no family or home to return to in Ukraine, assessed on a case by case basis. \p Seema Malhotra: The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme opened to applications on 4 February 2025, which enables Ukrainians in the UK under the Ukraine visa schemes to apply for a further 18 months’ temporary permission to remain in the UK.

We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine to assist in the rebuilding of the country. It is important our approach respects these wishes.

This is why the temporary sanctuary Ukraine visa Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK. We continue to keep the Ukraine Schemes under consistent review in line with developments in the ongoing war.

There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_176
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_176

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on the funding for neighbourhood police officers in the financial year 2025-26 and beyond. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The 2025-26 final police funding settlement provides funding of up to £19.6 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an overall increase of up to £1.1 billion when compared to the 2024-25 and represents a 6% cash increase and 3.5% real terms increase in funding.

This includes an additional £230.3 million of funding for territorial police forces to support cover the costs of the increases to National Insurance Contributions.

The Government is committed to ensuring police forces are supported to effectively tackle crime. That is why we have committed £200 million to kickstart the recruitment of 13,000 additional neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs in communities across the country. The Government will work closely with policing to implement the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee and we are setting up a working group with key sector partners, including the College of Policing, NPCC, APCC and HMICFRS.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_177
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_177

Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many social media accounts her Department operates; and how much her Department spent on social media (a) subscriptions and (b) advertisements on each social media platform in each of the last three years. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Government policies and programmes affect the lives of millions of people and in order for them to work, they must be communicated effectively to engage the public and effect positive behaviour change. However, this has to be done with cost efficiency in mind and there are strict rules to ensure value for money on Government advertising.

The Government communicates across a range of media channels in order to reach its target audience effectively. Channels are selected based on whether they will reach the intended audience on a specific issue to have the most impact. Social media is an essential part of government communications and is used to inform the public directly about matters which may affect their lives or interests.

The Home office operates the following social media accounts X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. There are no paid subscriptions linked with these accounts.

The table below sets out the amount the Home Office spent on advertising space on social media platforms over the last 3 years, exclusive of VAT. Advertising was purchased via media buying agency OmniGov.

Home Office

LinkedIn

Meta Platforms

Nextdoor

Pinterest

Reddit Inc.

Snapchat

Tiktok

X (Twitter)

Total

2022

£89,471

£1,196,046

£2,895

£130,995

£472,956

£461,964

£2,354,327

2023

£141,080

£14,784

£6,655

£86,350

£150,644

£48,996

£448,509

2024

£52,093

£260,666

£13,603

£10,381

£203,484

£88,374

£60,235

£688,836
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_178
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_178

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of support for the police to tackle breaches of HGV restrictions. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Police have a range of powers to direct HGV drivers suspected of breaching restrictions off the road and issue fixed penalty notices for breaches. Enforcement of these powers is an operational matter for local forces.

The police are supported in their HGV enforcement activities by the DVSA who also undertake enforcement activity on HGVs and share information and access to databases.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_179
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_179

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports of the illegal selling of weight loss drugs. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Department for Health and Social Care are responsible for policy on human medicines, and the illegal sale and supply of human medicines is recognised as a significant challenge for regulators across the world. Buying medicines, including weight loss medicines, from illegally trading websites can be harmful to health, as the medicines received are generally unlicensed in the United Kingdom, and can contain too little, too much, or incorrect active ingredients.

Some weight-loss medicines (such as Phentermine) are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and therefore a person unlawfully possessing, supplying or producing would be subject to the appropriate penalties. Further information about these penalties can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possession-dealing.

This Government understands the dangers that counterfeit, and illegally imported, drugs can cause. This is why law enforcement agencies, and other partners, work around the clock to stop and intercept illegal products from crossing our borders.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_180

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has a list of organisations or groups that it does not engage with. \p Dame Diana Johnson: There are many organisations that the Home Office does not engage with, but there is no central list of the kind that the Hon Member describes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_181

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her Department's policies on the legal ownership of firearms on people living in rural areas. \p Dame Diana Johnson: On 5 February 2025, increased fees came into effect for firearms licensing applications processed by police forces. This gave effect to a commitment in the Government’s manifesto. It is essential for both public safety and police efficiency that full cost recovery fees were introduced. The need to increase firearms licensing fees to help address shortcomings in firearms licensing was highlighted by the Senior Coroner in his Preventing Future Deaths reports into the fatal shootings in Plymouth in August 2021.

As well as supporting public safety, the increased fees will support police forces to provide an improved service to firearms applicants through better resourced and trained licensing teams. The National Police Chiefs’ Council lead on Firearms Licensing is developing a new performance framework for firearms licensing teams, which will be published in order to provide greater transparency on application turnaround times. This will include for the first time a performance target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.

I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables to make clear that the income from increased fees must be invested into their firearms licensing operations, in the interests of both public safety and to support improvements in the service provided by their firearms licensing teams.

A full impact assessment was published alongside the Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 2025, the Statutory Instrument that brought the new fees into effect.

The impact assessment covers the impact of increased fees on farmers and rural communities. Any future changes to firearms licensing will be subject to further impact assessments in the normal way.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_182

Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, by what date her Department plans to embed domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms in the Thames Valley constabulary area. \p Jess Phillips: Last month, we announced that external domestic abuse specialists have been embedded within the first five police force control rooms under Raneem's Law, to improve the police response to domestic abuse. These forces are Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Humberside and West Midlands.

We intend to use learning from this first phase of implementation to develop our model and inform plans for further national rollout across all 43 forces in England and Wales, as soon as possible. Exact timings for this will be announced in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_183

Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the request by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to call in the planning application for the new Chinese Embassy on national security. \p Dan Jarvis: The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and she will make this quasi-judicial decision independent from the rest of Government.

As set out in a joint letter by the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary to the Planning Inspector on 14 January, the Home Office has considered the breadth of national security issues in relation to the planning application.

It would not be appropriate to comment in further detail on specific matters relating to national security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_184

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 21 February 2025 to Question MHCLG: 23916 on MHCLG: Legal Costs, whether it is her Department's policy that (a) organisations may be classified as extremist but will not be publicly named as such, (b) organisations will not be classified as extremist, (c) Ministers may name organisations as extremist when covered by Parliamentary privilege. \p Dan Jarvis: It has been a long standing rule under successive governments that the Home Office does not comment on specific groups or individual cases.

The government’s focus is to reduce and disrupt the influence of high-harm groups and individuals and the spread of extremist ideologies that can lead to community division and to radicalisation into terrorism. Where there is evidence of purposeful actions that are potentially radicalising others into terrorism or violence, proportionate legislative action will be considered.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_185

Robbie Moore:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria she used to identify the five local areas to hold local inquiries into child sexual exploitation, announced on 16 January 2025. \p Jess Phillips: On 16 January 2025, the Home Secretary announced a funding package to deliver stronger national support for locally-led work on tackling group-based child sexual exploitation. This includes supporting Oldham Council who have confirmed that work to undertake a local inquiry has already begun. We are in the process of consulting with local authorities and relevant stakeholders on the design and delivery of this package and will update the House in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_186

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support working age non-graduates find permanent employment. \p Alison McGovern: The Get Britain Working White Paper set out Governments ambition to reduce economic inactivity and increase the number of people in work.

Key proposals include:

In addition, more pre-employment training courses are being made available to benefit claimants through an expansion of DWP’s Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs). (Up from 80,000 a year in 2021/22 to 2024/25, to 100,000 a year from 2025/26.)

SWAPs offer certain participants in England and Scotland the opportunity of training towards a job in a particular industry, alongside a work placement and a guaranteed interview.

We have set out plans to overhaul our support for employers by hosting summits with representatives across sectors crucial to growth, serving employers through a dedicated team, providing an account manager for employers and commissioning Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead an independent review into the role of employers in reducing health-related inactivity and promoting healthy and inclusive workplaces.

In addition, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is tasked with making work pay through upgrading workers' rights and engaging businesses, with a focus on key sectors to take advantage of new opportunities and promote growth. The DBT's Employment Rights Bill and Industrial Strategy Council aim to make work more secure, boost wages, and help working people thrive.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_187

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Get Britain Working, published in November 2024, when she plans to publish details of the planned public consultation; and what the timeline will be for different mechanisms of stakeholder engagement. \p Alison McGovern: The Get Britain Working White Paper outlines the government's commitment to engage with stakeholders on the detailed policy development and implementation of reforms.

We are engaging with disabled people, and others with relevant expertise and experience, to consider how to address challenges and build a better system. We are working to establish the Disability Advisory Panel which will consult disabled people to ensure their views and voices are at the heart of the design and delivery of our reforms.

To inform our approach, we have met with external and internal stakeholders, including the NHS Confederation, Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel, and representatives from the Disability Charities Consortium and Disabled People’s Organisation Forum England.

Further engagement will begin based on the findings from the Keep Britain Working review discovery phase, which is expected to be published in March 2025.

We are working to develop proposals for reform to the system of health and disability benefits and will set them out in a Green Paper in the spring.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_188

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of social supermarkets on (a) alleviating food poverty and (b) supporting community activities. \p Alison McGovern: Social supermarkets are independent organisations and Department for Work and Pensions does not hold data on their operation. We are committed to tackling food poverty and ending mass dependence of emergency food parcels. To inform this work DWP officials have engaged with a range of organisations including social supermarkets to better understand the complex food poverty landscape.

Voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations like social supermarkets play a unique role in driving community cohesion and giving voice to communities' agency and opportunity to serve. This is why this government has announced a new Civil Society Covenant, to reset the relationship with civil society and build a new partnership that can harness the sector's full potential to rebuild our country and deliver against the government’s 5 missions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_189

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the rate of statutory sick pay. \p Alison McGovern: No one should be forced to choose between their health and financial hardship. Through the Employment Rights Bill we are strengthening Statutory Sick Pay. Up to 1.3 million low-paid employees will now be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay and all eligible employees will be paid from the first day of sickness absence irrespective of their income, benefiting millions of employees.

While the Department has not assessed the adequacy of the rate of Statutory Sick Pay, a Regulatory Impact Assessment and an Equality Impact Assessment of the Statutory Sick Pay measures in the Employment Rights Bill have been undertaken.

The existing rate of Statutory Sick Pay is designed to balance providing support for employees, whilst helping to manage the costs to employers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_190

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance her Department has issued to staff on (a) contacting and (b) assessing benefits claims for (i) victims and (ii) survivors of domestic violence and economic abuse. \p Sir Stephen Timms: All staff have access to regularly reviewed guidance products which includes information on contacting and assessing benefit claims for victims and survivors of domestic and economic abuse.

For broader support, we will signpost claimants to gov.uk to enable them to get the help and advice they need.

The most relevant UC Guidance is attached (059. Domestic abuse-Guidance V28.0)

The relevant Working Age Operational Instructions are also attached (Domestic Abuse and Victims of domestic abuse).

Domestic Abuse Guidance (pdf, 180.5KB)

Domestic Abuse (pdf, 119.0KB)

Victims of Domestic Abuse (pdf, 150.5KB)