theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to including a tiered assessment model within the education, health and care plan process. \p Catherine McKinnell: For too long the education system has not met the needs of all children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with parents struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve. The department knows that parents have struggled to get the right support for their children, particularly through long and difficult education, health and care (EHC) plan processes.

Schools, further education colleges, sixth form colleges and 16 to 19 academies are required to identify and address the special educational needs (SEN) of the pupils they support and, in the case of mainstream settings, to use their best endeavours to make sure that a child or young person who has SEN gets the support they need.

All schools should apply the ‘graduated approach’ outlined in the SEND Code of Practice, which means identifying a child’s needs, planning appropriate support, implementing that support and reviewing it regularly to ensure it continues to meet the identified needs. Through this, schools should develop personalised approaches to supporting the unique needs of individual pupils. The Code can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/xx-xxxx-xxxx/SEND_Code_of_Practice_January_2015.pdf.

If necessary, a local authority can be asked to carry out an EHC needs assessment. If a local authority is planning to undertake an assessment of a child or young person’s SEN, it will be to help to ensure that they receive appropriate support both now and in the future. They will do this by looking at what difficulties the child or young person is encountering, assessing the support that is currently in place and considering what else may be needed. The local authority will involve appropriate professionals from the school or college, health and social care in this assessment, to obtain as complete a picture as possible of the child or young person’s needs.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is working closely with experts on reforms, recently appointing a Strategic Advisor for SEND, who will play a key role in convening and engaging with the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children and families as we consider the next steps for the future of SEND reform.
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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential benefits and disbenefits for (a) prospective and (b) current students of international student recruitment agencies operating in the UK. \p Janet Daby: The government welcomes international students, who enrich our university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with our domestic students and make a significant economic contribution to the UK.

Higher education (HE) providers are autonomous institutions, which have the choice to use education recruitment agents when recruiting international students. Agents provide valuable services including marketing, promotion and support in identifying qualified students.

The department is working with the Home Office to ensure that education recruitment agents meet the needs of prospective and current international students. This will include requiring HE providers who use them to adhere to the stringent Agent Quality Framework, a code of practice developed by the HE sector which sets out overarching principles for how providers should manage their commercial arrangements with agents.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to develop financial literacy education in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools to improve financial resilience in younger people. \p Catherine McKinnell: I refer the hon. Member for South Basildon and East Thurrock to the answer of 06 January 2025 to question 21188.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the cost to local authorities is of housing children in privately run children's homes. \p Janet Daby: The department publishes data on local authority expenditure on looked after children. This data is published here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/la-and-school-expenditure#explore-data-and-files.

The department does not hold data on the cost to local authorities of housing children in privately run children’s homes. In total, local authorities spent £8.1 billion on looked after children in 2023/24, including £3.1 billion on residential care.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has plans to improve SEND information, advice and support services for families. \p Catherine McKinnell: Under the Children and Families Act (2014), it is a legal requirement that all local authorities have a Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) to ensure families are provided with the support they need to participate in discussions about their own support, such as their or their child's education, health and care plan and more strategic discussions about the wider support on offer locally, for example the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) local offer.

The department funds training and support for SENDIASS services through a contract with specialist charities which support parents and carers of children with SEND. This contract is led by Contact, a national charity who we also fund to run a national telephone helpline, offering impartial information, support and advice on SEND to families.
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Matt Bishop:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to encourage reading for pleasure by (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils. \p Catherine McKinnell: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Forest of Dean to the answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 19139.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to implement dedicated SEND units in mainstream schools. \p Catherine McKinnell: This government is committed to encouraging schools to set up special educational needs (SEN) units or resourced provision to increase capacity in mainstream schools. These are SEN provisions within mainstream schools, formally recognised by the local authority and which receive high needs funding.

In December 2024, the department announced £740 million of capital investment to allow more pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to achieve and thrive in mainstream schools, including through SEN units and resourced provision.

SEN units and resourced provision have an important role to play in a more inclusive mainstream system, enabling children to benefit from and remain part of mainstream education and wider school life whilst still receiving the additional support that they need.

The department knows that there are many excellent examples of mainstream schools delivering specialist provision through SEN units and resourced provision and that schools and local authorities are interested in setting up more of this type of provision. We will work with the sector to increase capacity and extend best practice across the system.
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Chris Coghlan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help children from SEND schools into (a) work and (b) further education. \p Catherine McKinnell: This government is committed to ensuring that all learners have access to a world-class education that sets them up for life and supports them to achieve positive outcomes.

The department knows that with the right preparation and support, the overwhelming majority of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are capable of sustained, paid employment. All professionals working with them should share that presumption, and should provide the career advice and support that help young people to progress in their education, to develop the skills and experience and achieve the qualifications, that they need to succeed in their careers.

The department supports schools and college careers leaders, including special schools, to develop high-quality careers programmes, including careers advice, for children, young people and young adults with SEND and put in place a personalised support and transition plan. The programmes use a wide range of imaginative approaches, such as taster opportunities, work experience, mentoring, exploring entrepreneurial options, role models and inspiring speakers that are crucial to raise aspirations and broaden employment horizons helping young people transition to work or further training.

As part of the commitment to developing the skills children and young people with SEND need as they move into adult life, the department is building capacity in supported internships, aiming to double the number of internships each year to around 4,500 to support more young people with education, health and care plans to gain the skills to transition into employment.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps are taken to inform local (a) doctors and (b) police when children in care are relocated by a local authority to a privately run children's home. \p Janet Daby: Regulation 7 of the ‘The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010’ outlines local authorities’ responsibilities in respect of the health and wellbeing of looked after children. The responsible local authority must ensure looked after children receive appropriate health care services according to their health plan, including medical and dental care, and health advice. They must also arrange for a registered medical practitioner, nurse, or midwife to review the child’s health and provide a written report every 6 months before the child’s fifth birthday and every 12 months after the child’s fifth birthday.

Specifically, under Regulation 13 of the above Regulations, the responsible authority must give written notification of the child’s placement before that placement takes place (or within 5 days if the placement is made in an emergency) to the following parties: NHS England and the integrated care board (or the local health board for a child in Wales) for both the current and new areas; the child’s registered medical practitioner and, if applicable, the new medical practitioner; any educational institution attended or to be attended by the child. The written notification of the placement arrangements should include a summary of the proposed arrangements and objectives, and for an accommodated child, it should also outline the agreed arrangements for ending the placement.
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Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, published on 30 October 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on special educational needs transport providers. \p Catherine McKinnell: Home-to-school travel is an integral part of the school system. It provides a valuable service on which many families rely. The department is grateful to the many transport operators for the crucial role they play in ensuring that children receive the education that they need to help them thrive.

Departmental officials engage regularly with local authorities to understand the challenges they face and will continue to monitor this situation. The department does not expect there to be a significant impact on home-to-school travel for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Local authorities are responsible for arranging home-to-school travel and deliver this through a range of in-house services and external providers.

The government recognises the need to protect the smallest employers. It has more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500, which means that more than half of businesses with National Insurance liabilities will either gain or see no change next year. Businesses will still be able to claim employer National Insurance contributions relief, where eligible.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many private dwellings have been converted into children's homes in Leicestershire in each of the last five years. \p Janet Daby: Neither the department nor Ofsted keep a record of the number of homes that are converted into children’s homes.
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Chris Coghlan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information her Department holds on what (a) oversight and (b) scrutiny there is over Surrey County Council's education department. \p Catherine McKinnell: In terms of educational performance of schools maintained by local authorities, the department exercises oversight of the performance of schools, informed by Ofsted’s inspections, rather than of local authority education departments. The department’s support and intervention guidance sets out the roles and responsibilities of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, and local authorities in relation to school performance. It sets out expectations about how the local authorities will work with the department to support underperforming schools.

In relation to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) service delivery, the department and NHS England have been supporting local areas to improve for a number of years. This includes monitoring, support and challenge following an inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission that identifies areas for improvement.

Surrey’s most recent local area SEND inspection was in September 2023 and found that the local area partnership’s arrangements lead to inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people. The department, working alongside NHS England, has put in place systems to track the progress that the Surrey Partnership is making against these areas for improvement and offer support. For example, the department has appointed a SEND advisor who will continue to provide support and advice to the local authority as they make improvements.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department plans to take to provide (a) educational and (b) training support to apprentices, in the context of of recent trends in the level of Level 7 funding. \p Janet Daby: This government is committed to spreading opportunities and economic growth with the support of a strong skills system. The government is reforming the current apprenticeship offer to ensure that more young people can benefit from high quality training.

The new growth and skills offer will deliver greater flexibility for both learners and employers in England and will be aligned with the government’s industrial strategy, creating routes into good jobs in growing industries. As a first step, the department will be introducing new foundation apprenticeships for young people, as well as shorter duration apprenticeships, in targeted sectors. These flexibilities will provide high quality entry pathways for young people, help more people learn new high quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country. The department will set out more detail in due course.

This government has an extremely challenging fiscal inheritance. There are tough choices that need to be taken on how funding should be prioritised in order to generate opportunities for young people that enable them to make a start in good, fulfilling careers. The government will therefore be asking more employers to step forward and fund a significant number of level 7 apprenticeships themselves. The department is taking advice from Skills England, who engaged with employers on funding for level 7 apprenticeships over the autumn, and the department expects to make a final decision on affected apprenticeships shortly. Learners who have started these apprenticeships will be funded through to completion.
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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an impact assessment for the EU Regulation on General Product Safety. \p Justin Madders: Our assessment of the impact of the updated GPSR remains that it largely formalises how businesses are operating in the UK and that where businesses need to make changes, in most cases, they are already adapting to continue trading with the EU. The measures are therefore likely to have limited impact in practice. We have provided guidance, which we will keep under review, and are engaging businesses directly to ensure they are supported to trade freely across the UK and with the EU.
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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much his Department has spent on increasing awareness of the EU Regulation on General Product Safety. \p Justin Madders: The Department has received more than 500 queries on the new GPSR since June 2024, with the majority coming in December 2024. Officials have responded to these queries in a timely manner.

Government has been raising awareness of the regulation through its own channels as well as through trusted stakeholders, which falls under standard operating costs for the Department. We have published guidance on GPSR in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and continue to engage directly with businesses.
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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the release of the investment reserve of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme to its trustees. \p Sarah Jones: I met with the Chair and Trustee representatives of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) on 16 December where they outlined their proposals for changes to the Scheme. We will work with the BCSSS Trustees to consider their proposals once the new Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme arrangements have been agreed.
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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when she plans to meet the trustees of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme. \p Sarah Jones: I met with the Chair and Trustee representatives of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) on 16 December where they outlined their proposals for changes to the Scheme. We will work with the BCSSS Trustees to consider their proposals once the new Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme arrangements have been agreed.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department offers paternity leave to its staff from their first working day. \p Michael Shanks: To be eligible for 2 weeks paid paternity leave in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, an employee must have worked continuously for the Civil Service for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due, or for at least 26 weeks up to the week their spouse, civil partner or partner was matched with a child for adoption. Employees who have already completed continuous service in another Civil Service organisation at the point of joining the Department could qualify for paternity leave on their first day of service.

In addition to paternity leave, fathers, civil partners or partners have a statutory right to time off to attend up to two ante-natal or pre-adoption appointments from their first day of employment.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill comes into effect.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether their Department offers its staff shared parental leave from their first working day. \p Michael Shanks: To be eligible for shared parental leave in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, each parent must have at least 26 weeks continuous employment with their respective employer by the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth or adoption matching date. They must also still be working for the same respective employer (for Civil Servants continuous service applies to other Civil Service employers) when they intend to take the leave.

Some employees could qualify for shared parental leave on their first day of service where they have built up qualifying service in another Civil Service organisation.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill comes into effect.
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Alison Griffiths:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department offers protection to staff from unfair dismissal from their first working day. \p Michael Shanks: All dismissals are handled in line with current legislation and appropriate Codes of Practice. Where an employee feels they may have been unfairly dismissed, appropriate internal appeal routes may be instigated.

Where an employee is unable to solve a problem internally they may be able to go to an employment tribunal to claim unfair dismissal, as set out in legislation.

This position will be reviewed when unfair dismissal rights are updated in line with the Employment Rights Bill when this comes into effect.
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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential local ecological impact of the proposed Lime Down Solar Farm in South Cotswolds constituency. \p Michael Shanks: The Lime Down Solar Farm is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project which is expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for examination in the third quarter of 2025. As part of the examination process the Examining Authority appointed by the Planning Inspectorate will consider the potential local ecological impact of the proposal as one of its potential impacts. At the end of the examination process, the Examining Authority will submit its Report to the Secretary of State, who will make his decision based on a careful consideration of all the material planning considerations.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will ask the Office for National Statistics to make an assessment of the potential impact of the purchase of the Wylfa power station site by Great British Nuclear on the public sector classification of the borrowing for that nuclear programme. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Nuclear purchased the Wylfa site in 2024, which is recorded as an asset on the Government's balance sheet. As part of its SMR competition, GBN is negotiating with four shortlisted companies, with final decisions to be taken in the spring. No decisions have yet been taken on projects or sites.
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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the pause to the applications process for new entrants to the connections queue from 29 January 2025 announced by the National Energy Systems Operator on 15 January 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this decision on (a) data centre projects and (b) energy-intensive infrastructure projects. \p Michael Shanks: The short pause on connection applications is a necessary, transitional step in delivering fundamental connections reforms that, if approved by Ofgem, could reduce the connections queue by up to half and will enable accelerated connections for many generation and demand projects. The pause does not apply to demand projects and therefore will not impact data centre or energy-intensive infrastructure projects.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether proposals to temporarily close parts of St Anne’s beach to lay cables to connect the Morgan and Morecambe windfarm to its substations includes provisions to compensate affected business owners. \p Michael Shanks: All relevant information on the Morgan and Morecambe transmission assets can be found on the appropriate project page of the Planning Inspectorate website. The developers set out their proposals for a contingency fund to address temporary business disruptions caused by necessary construction works in their Development Consent Order Application documents.[1]

[1] https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/EN020032/EN020032-000632-D1.1_MMTA_Annex%201%20Morgan%20Offshore%20Wind%20Limited%20Property%20Cost%20Estimate.pdf
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress National Grid Electricity Transmission have made on (a) proposals to connect the transmission grid in north Wales to the south and (b) agreements with generators on connection contracts. \p Michael Shanks: As a private transmission owner National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) develops project proposals in England and Wales where a transmission need is identified by the National Energy System Operator (NESO). In all proposals evidence demonstrating due consideration of alternative options is required. In this case proposals remain in early development.

NESO submitted proposals to Ofgem to reorder the connection queue, which would impact on generator connection agreements. Ofgem is expected to announce its decision in March.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of installing solar panels on the roofs of (a) car parks, (b) warehouses (c) and council-owned buildings in Surrey. \p Michael Shanks: The Government will assess the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence this year.

New standards will be introduced this year which will amend the energy efficiency standards in the Building Regulations in England. This will ensure all new homes and buildings, including warehouses and council-owned buildings, in England are zero-carbon ready.

Further details about how the Government will increase the deployment of solar panels will be set out in the forthcoming Solar Roadmap.
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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to improve the energy efficiency of homes in rural areas. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government has committed £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency. This includes £500 million of funding towards our new Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) which will provide support for low-income households living in privately owned EPC band D-G homes both on and off the gas grid in England. The WH:LG will be delivered from 2025 to 2028 by eligible local authorities.

Rural homes are also supported through current energy efficiency schemes including the Energy Company Obligation and Home Upgrade Grant.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to extend the Warm Home Discount beyond 2026. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The current Warm Home Discount scheme period comes to an end in March 2026. Since the scheme began in 2011, over £4 billion has been provided in support to eligible households. The Warm Home Discount is expected to support over 3 million households in Great Britain over winter 2024/25, funded through a levy on all domestic gas and electricity customers. It remains an important support mechanism as energy bills remain high. We will consult later this year on the future of the scheme beyond 2026.
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Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help ensure Great British Energy creates jobs in industrial communities. \p Michael Shanks: Through its investment and development activities, Great British Energy (GBE) will support companies to provide opportunities for high quality, well-paid work, in the projects the company supports, in supply chains and in local communities through the Local Power Plan. As an operationally independent company, GBE will choose the projects it supports across the UK. I am confident that the benefits will be felt in local and national economies, including our industrial heartlands. The decision to headquarter GBE in Aberdeen has already given confidence to industry, as Sarens PSG has announced the opening of a Centre of Excellence in Aberdeen that will train wind farm workers.
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Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK offshore oil and gas industry’s investment in renewable energy. \p Michael Shanks: Making Britain a clean energy superpower is one of the five missions of this Government, and oil and gas companies will have an important role to play in the energy transition.

We have begun the biggest ever investment in offshore wind and are moving ahead with new industries including carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen which will attract further private investment. A number of integrated energy companies already invest across a range of clean energy technologies in the UK and elsewhere. The department does not provide a commentary on these investments.
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Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to reduce energy bills for businesses. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers, including business consumers, permanently.

In the short term, the Government wants to provide businesses with better protection from being locked into expensive energy contracts and more redress when they have a complaint. We closed a consultation in November regarding the regulation of Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs), such as energy brokers, aimed at enhancing consumer protections, particularly for non-domestic consumers. A government response will follow in due course once all feedback has been reviewed.

From 19 December 2024, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees can now access free support to resolve issues with their energy supplier through the Energy Ombudsman. This means that 99% of UK businesses can now access this service, with outcomes ranging up to £20,000 in financial awards.

The Government recognises that some businesses may be struggling to pay their bills. These businesses should contact their supplier to discuss their options, including ‘blend and extend’ contracts, where the higher unit rate is blended with a new lower rate, spreading the cost over the course of a long contract.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many properties are not connected to the national (a) gas and (b) electricity grid in South Holland and The Deepings constituency. \p Michael Shanks: The Department publishes estimates of the number of domestic properties not connected to the gas network in Great Britain by constituency. In 2023, an estimated 12,000 domestic properties (23%) in South Holland and The Deepings constituency were not connected to the gas network. Equivalent figures for the electricity network are not published.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-29)

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Mrs Sureena Brackenridge:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has received on changes to minimum income requirements for family visas. \p Seema Malhotra: On the 10th September 2024, the Home Secretary commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules.

The MAC has completed a call for evidence which gathered the views of stakeholders and those affected by changes to family rules and saw more than 2,000 responses. The comments received will inform the review being conducted by the MAC.

There have also been representations in the form of parliamentary questions and written correspondence both from members of both houses and members of the public.

On 20 January Members of Parliament took part in a debate regarding the MIR in Westminster Hall.

The findings of the MAC review will be carefully considered by Ministers alongside other representations received.

There will be no changes to the current threshold of £29,000, until the MAC review is complete.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-29 conversation_142

Yasmin Qureshi:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what options are available to people applying for a Schengen visa who do not have access to their e-Visa due to technical issues. \p Seema Malhotra: It is important for all who are travelling to check the entry, exit and transit requirements of other countries, and they may be asked to show evidence of their UK immigration status to authorities in the country they are travelling to. It is a matter for individual countries to set their own policies on what evidence they will accept but we have extensively engaged with them, through FCDO, about what the transition to eVisas mean, and continue to do so. People should check what an individual country’s requirements are before travelling or applying for a visa.

We have advised other countries that there are multiple evidence sources that they may consider accepting as proof of a person’s UK immigration status, including:

As a temporary measure, to reassure people that they will be able  to travel without any issue during the transition period, we will allow carriers such as airlines to accept a BRP or BRC which expires on or after 31 December 2024 as valid evidence of permission to travel, provisionally until 31 March 2025. This will be kept under review. They should also keep their expired BRP as it may be helpful for future applications to stay in the UK. People can use their expired BRP to create their UKVI account and access their eVisa.

We are actively resolving any technical issues as and when they arise. If anyone does have issues accessing their eVisa or UKVI account and they need to prove their UK immigration status when applying for a Schengen visa, there are several options available to them. They should check that their eVisa is correct here: Check your eVisa is correct before you travel - GOV.UK and if not, they can report an error with their eVisa using the ‘Report an error with your eVisa - GOV.UK webform. Alternatively, they can contact the UKVI Resolution Centre for assistance with technical issues related to their online immigration status, and where necessary, to verify their status through alternative means if needed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-29 conversation_143

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on steps to help tackle knife crime in the devolved nations. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Halving knife crime is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.

Policing and justice in Northern Ireland, apart from national security, is a devolved matter but the Home Office works with a wide range of partners to share best practice and knowledge.

I will work with my Northern Ireland Ministerial colleagues on this important Government priority.
wrans/answers2025-01-29 conversation_144
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-29 conversation_144

Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department offers paternity leave to its staff from their first working day. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Yes, subject to certain eligibility criteria, including having at least 26 weeks’ continuous service ending with the ‘qualifying week’ as set out in the legislation; and continuing to work in the department from the qualifying week until the date the baby is born or is placed for adoption. Some Home Office employees could qualify from their first day of service because they already have qualifying service with another Civil Service organisation.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-29 conversation_145

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether their Department offers its staff shared parental leave from their first working day. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office applies the statutory eligibility criteria for shared parental leave. Some employees may qualify for statutory shared parental leave from their first day of service with the Home Office because they already have service with another Government department.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.
wrans/answers2025-01-29 conversation_146
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-29 conversation_146

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what national security mitigations she plans to take in the context of the Chinese embassy planning application. \p Dan Jarvis: China’s planning application to convert the former Royal Mint buildings into its new UK embassy has been called-in by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, in line with established planning policy. The planning decision sits solely with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in her independent, quasi-judicial role.

We are clear that national security is the first duty of Government. It has been our core priority throughout this process. The Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary submitted written representations to the Planning Inspector on 14 January. That letter is clear that the Home Office has considered the breadth of national security issues but within those conditions would not be appropriate to comment in further detail on any specific matters relating to national security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-29 conversation_147

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to inform local communities before migrants are housed in hotel accommodation in that area. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office has a statutory obligation to provide destitute asylum seekers with accommodation and subsistence support whilst their application for asylum is being considered.

The Home Office liaises with statutory partners, including local authorities, through Multi Agency Forums and Regional Strategic Migration Partnerships (SMP) on matters relating to its asylum accommodation footprint.  SMPs are Local Government led partnerships funded by, but independent of, the Home Office, whose role is to coordinate and support delivery of national programmes in asylum and refugee schemes as well as agreed regional and devolved migration priorities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-29 conversation_148

Matt Bishop:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to roll out automatic number plate recognition cameras in (a) Forest of Dean and (b) other rural constituencies. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The National ANPR infrastructure is governed by national standards which are available here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-anpr-standards. Prior to the deployment of ANPR cameras an assessment must identify a need, which could include the impact on local crime, community confidence, serious organised crime, or national security.

Police Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies are responsible for ensuring additional static ANPR cameras within their area are appropriate in line with national standards and the Data Protection Act. The Home Office has no plan to alter this arrangement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-29 conversation_149

Matt Bishop:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Police Federation's press release entitled Pensions update from the Police Federation of England and Wales, published on 3 December 2024, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the irregularities in pension eligibility between the (a) legacy pension system and the (b) CARE pension scheme 2015. \p Dame Diana Johnson: There are many differences between the 2015 CARE police pension scheme and the legacy police pension schemes, including the age at which benefits can normally be drawn. The main public service pension schemes – including the police pension schemes – were reformed following the recommendations of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission.

The 2015 scheme offers valuable pensions, improves affordability and sustainability, and is fairer to lower and middle earners. It is backed by the taxpayer, index-linked, and offers guaranteed benefits on retirement.

There are also valuable protections for the benefits that members have accrued in their legacy schemes, including the point at which they can draw benefits.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-29 conversation_150

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 22767 on Border Security Command, what aspect of system leadership the Border Security Command provides to the police; and with which police forces it is working in partnership. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The objective of system leadership in the context of border security is to ensure that all partners are working toward a single coordinated plan and unified response to border threats, particularly organised immigration crime.

Tackling threats to our border security is not exclusive to individual police forces which is why we work with the chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, similarly the National Crime Agency, Immigration Enforcement and Border Force should not be distinct in this regard. As set out in the Delivering Border Security statement published on gov.uk, the BSC as system leader will drive priorities across the border security system, ensuring the system has the appropriate resources, powers, capabilities, and mandates in place across the piece to deliver on priorities set by the Government.