theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_193
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_193

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) expand capacity in dementia diagnostics and (b) facilitate access to new dementia treatments when available. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government is committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the National Health Service to increase diagnostic capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new capacity, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners.   Our Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, builds on the investments already made with an ambitious vision for the future of diagnostic testing. This will include more straight-to-test pathways, increasing and expanding community diagnostic centres (CDCs) and better use of technology. With 170 community diagnostic centres (CDCs) due to be up and running by the end of March 2025, CDCs can take on more of the growing diagnostic demand within elective care. We will also deliver additional CDC capacity in 2025/26 by expanding several existing CDCs and building up to five new ones.

NHS England has a dedicated team in place which has been planning for the roll out of new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, if and when they are approved for use. To prepare for the new generation of dementia treatments in development, NHS England is working to ensure the diagnostic and treatment capacity, clinical pathway redesign and investment are in place to support the adoption of any new licensed and National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended treatments as soon as possible.

NICE and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency have piloted enhanced information sharing arrangements for new disease-modifying treatments enabling the organisations to fully align their processes and make faster decisions on the use of these medicines within the NHS in England.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_194
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_194

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, (a) what percentage of NHS dental appointments for people with disabilities were (i) missed, (ii) cancelled and (iii) delayed in the year 2024 and (b) if he will provide comparative figures for the same year on these metrics for non-disabled people that used NHS dental services. \p Stephen Kinnock: Data is not held on the percentage of National Health Service dental appointments that were missed, cancelled or delayed. The Government recognises that certain groups of patients such as people with disabilities may find it difficult to access dental care. We are committed to ensuring NHS dental services are available to all who need them.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) across England.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_195
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_195

Charlotte Nichols:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the adequacy of access to dental services for children with SEND. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government recognises that certain groups of patients such as people with disabilities may find it difficult to access dental care. We are committed to ensuring National Health Service dental services are available to all who need them.

Community dental services (CDS) are available to people whose additional needs may mean they are not able to be treated at high street dental practices. CDS provide specialised dental services to ensure that everyone can have access to the dental care they need. This may include treatments delivered in hospitals, specialist health centres and mobile clinics, as well as home visits or visits in nursing and care homes.

Integrated care boards are responsible for identifying areas of local need and determining the priorities for investment, including the commissioning of community dental services.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_196
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_196

Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to (a) formally recognise accredited school-based counsellors as part of the children’s mental health workforce and (b) integrate those counsellors into (i) NHS and (ii) education-based mental health services. \p Stephen Kinnock: As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future, we will introduce access to a specialist mental health professional in every school, through expanding NHS-funded mental health support teams, so that every young person has access to early support to address problems before they escalate. We are working with our colleagues at NHS England and the Department for Education to consider options to deliver this commitment.

Department for Education guidance encourages mental health support teams to work with other existing professionals, such as school or college-based counsellors, educational psychologists, school nurses, pastoral care, educational welfare officers, voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, local authority provision, primary care, and NHS children and young people’s mental health services.

It is important for schools to have the freedom to decide what support to offer to pupils based on their needs, drawing on an evidence base of effective practice. This support can include counselling, which can be an effective part of a whole school approach. However, counselling is not suitable for all needs and many pupils also benefit from other in-school support, including from trained pastoral staff and educational psychologists.

In summer 2025, we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again. We will ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_197
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_197

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure NHS England engages directly with ADHD (a) charities and (b) clinicians before finalising the NHS Payment Scheme structure. \p Stephen Kinnock: NHS England is following standard procedure in its consultation on the NHS Payment Scheme. NHS England consults on changes to the payment scheme each year, as it is required to by law. While the legal requirement is just for NHS England to consult commissioners and providers, it does accept responses from other interested parties and members of the general public.

The statutory consultation period of 28 days ended on 28 February 2025. The outcome of the consultation will be published shortly once all responses received have been fully considered and any decisions made about the final Payment Scheme.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_198
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_198

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the availability of (a) CT and (b) MRI scans for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government is committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the National Health Service to increase diagnostic capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new capacity, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners.

Our Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, builds on the investments already made with an ambitious vision for the future of diagnostic testing. This will include more straight-to-test pathways, increasing and expanding community diagnostic centres (CDCs) and better use of technology.

With 170 CDCs due to be up and running by the end of March 2025, CDCs can take on more of the growing diagnostic demand within elective care. We will also deliver additional CDC capacity in 2025/26 by expanding several existing CDCs and building up to five new ones.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_199
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_199

Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish funding by the Better Care Fund to support unpaid carers for (a) 2023 and (b) 2024, by region. \p Stephen Kinnock: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 March 2025 to Question 33291.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_200
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_200

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the total cost to the public purse was of prescribing Ozempic to NHS patients without a diagnosis of diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease in 2024-25. \p Karin Smyth: Information is not collected on the clinical condition a medicine is prescribed for. Ozempic is only licenced for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and guidance is clear that medications licensed to treat type 2 diabetes should not be prescribed for weight loss. The General Pharmaceutical Council, General Medical Council, Health and Care Professions Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council and Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland have issued a joint statement stressing the importance of health and care professionals meeting regulatory standards in relation to these medicines.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_201
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_201

Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will meet with the Lobular Moon Shot Project to discuss funding for lobular breast cancer research. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_202
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_202

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to reform mental health services so that social support is integrated into treatment plans. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_203
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_203

Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to his oral contribution in response to the Question from the hon. Member for North Devon on 20 January 2025, Official Report, column 769, when he will visit North Devon District Hospital. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_204
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_204

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to (a) prevent Integrated Care Boards from deprioritising ADHD assessments due to funding limits and (b) ensure that patients’ rights are upheld if funding limits are reached. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_205
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_205

Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of including nanopore sequencing-based brain tumour methylome classification in the National Genomic Test Directory. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_206
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_206

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 February 2025 to Question 30825 on Ministers: Helicopters, if he will list all the providers that can provide helicopter transport under the terms of the Commercial Air Transport contract. \p Georgia Gould: The Cabinet Office has a general travel contract in place provided by Corporate Travel Management (North) Ltd (CTM) that can arrange travel by various modes. CTM maintains a comprehensive database of pre-approved operators. Owing to security considerations, and the commercially sensitive nature of the contract, CTM is unable to provide details of individual operators.

This contract started in September 2022, under the previous administration. This contract has not been used for helicopter travel by this Government.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_207
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_207

Joe Robertson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2025 to Question 31697 on Department for Work and Pensions: Muslim Council of Britain, if the Prime Minister will have discussions with the Minister for Social Security and Disability on his attendance at that event. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Our policy on engagement with the Muslim Council of Britain has not changed. I refer the Hon Member to the answer of the Rt Hon Member for East Ham on 27 February 2025, Official Report, PQ 31697.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_208
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_208

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to lay a new Official Statistics Order to designate Great British Railways’ statistical outputs as official statistics. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 11th March is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 108.0KB)
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_209
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_209

David Chadwick:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many active businesses were registered in (a) Powys and (b) Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe constituency on the Companies House register in each of the last five financial years. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: As the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster set out in his statement to the House on Friday 19 July, this government is committed to undertaking a comprehensive review of long-term resilience.

The resilience review is considering established practices and policies to improve UK resilience against the full spectrum of risks we face. It is evidence based and is identifying what should be kept, changed or improved to ensure we are best prepared now and into the future. It is considering recommendations from recent inquiries including the Covid-19 Module 1 report and the Grenfell Tower tragedy to ensure the needs of communities and individuals – in particular vulnerable people – are better addressed.

The review will conclude later this year.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_210
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_210

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made on the new integrated transparency platform. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: This Government is fully committed to transparency and ensuring information published is as useful as possible. For example, the Government introduced a central register of ministers’ gifts and hospitality on a monthly basis. These registers are published by the Cabinet Office and are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/register-of-ministers-gifts-and-hospitality#:~:text=The%20Register%20details%20the%20gifts,available%20on%20departmental%20web%20pages.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_211
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_211

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle racial disparities in drug-related stop and search rates. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Disparity in the use of stop and search has reduced significantly in the past five years, but there is still far more work to do. In the year to March 2024, black people were 3.5 times more likely than white people to be stopped and searched on suspicion of carrying drugs. The disparity rate for stop and search as whole (including searches for weapons, stolen goods, etc) is 3.7.

That is why the Government backs the National Police Chief’s Council’s Police Race Action Plan. The Plan aims to foster an anti-racist culture, values and behaviours within policing, which will inform all operational policing practice, improving experiences and outcomes for black people.

On stop and search in particular, the Plan commits chief constables to identifying and addressing stop and search disparities, particularly on drugs searches and the searches of children.

I will be working with police leaders to ensure the aims of the plan are adopted and embedded in all forces.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_212
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_212

Brian Mathew:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to (a) simplify the process and (b) support people making applications for visa extensions for Ukrainian refugees. \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.  Further information on eligibility and application processes is available at Applying to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme - GOV.UK.

Applicants who still have their BRP may be able to reuse previously submitted biometrics (fingerprint and photograph) and may not need to attend a UK Visas and Citizenship Application (UKVCAS) service point. Applicants that apply before their current permission expires will retain the conditions of their current visa whilst their application is under consideration, and these conditions are demonstrated on an applicant’s eVisa.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_213
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_213

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to support police forces to prevent lead theft in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) other rural areas. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Theft, including the theft of lead, is a deeply damaging crime and this Government recognises the distress and disruption it can cause, not only to businesses, but also to local communities and critical infrastructure.

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 was introduced to reduce metal theft by strengthening regulation of the scrap metal industry. The Act requires scrap metal dealers to obtain a licence from their local authority and to verify the identity of those selling the scrap metal; it also bans dealers from paying cash.

Following the introduction of the Act, there was an overall downward trend in metal-related theft offences. The latest figures for the year ending March 2024 are 64% lower than in the previous year.

Furthermore, the sentencing guidelines on theft have been amended to highlight that where theft is of heritage assets or causes disruption to infrastructure, this should be taken into account when assessing the harm.

Historic England is leading on a number of initiatives to tackle heritage crime, particularly theft from church roofs and other buildings primarily in rural locations, and the Home Office and National Police Chiefs’ Council are continuing to work closely with them.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_214
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_214

Jon Trickett:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many of their Department's officials have been seconded from (a) the Institute for Economic Affairs, (b) the Policy Exchange, (c) the Adam Smith Institute and (d) Labour Together since July 2024. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office does not have any seconded staff from these organisations.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_215
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_215

Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help increase interagency working between (a) local authorities, (b) social services and the (c) police to help prevent crime. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Government recognises the vital role that interagency working plays in helping to prevent crime. We have committed to the creation of a new Young Futures Programme, which will embed partnership principles in a network of new Young Futures Hubs and Young Futures Prevention Partnerships.

Prevention Partnerships will drive local multi-agency partnership working, and encourage police, local authorities and other agencies to work in partnership to reduce a young person’s likelihood of becoming involved in crime. This will include effective information sharing between agencies and improved consistency in joined up-working.

Driving down drug-related crime is another key prevention strand of our work. We ensure join-up at a local level through over 100 Combating Drugs Partnerships, which are multi-agency forums that bring together a range of partners at the local level including local authorities, health and police to address drug use and harms.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_216
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_216

Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will extend the Fire Kills campaign to raise awareness of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office’s Fire Kills campaign raises awareness of fire safety advice and seeks to educate people on how to keep themselves and those they care for safe from the risks of fire in the home.

The campaign supports fire and rescue authorities in delivering their statutory duty to promote fire safety through the provision of fire safety resources, materials and campaign initiatives.

Other bodies, such as the Gas Safe Register promote gas safety messages for the public.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_217
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_217

Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) the Government Actuary Department and (b) fire service pension providers have adequate tools to calculate pension entitlements for retired fire service workers. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office works closely with the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) to ensure that all actuarial advice, guidance and tools provided to Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) actively reflect changes to the firefighters’ pension schemes and regulations.

GAD, in partnership with the Home Office, support FRAs by providing appropriate actuarial guidance to pensions administrators, ensuring they have the means to accurately calculate pension entitlements for retired firefighters, where necessary.

While the Home Office has responsibility for overarching policy and legislative changes to the firefighters’ pension scheme regulations, the firefighters’ pension scheme is locally administered by each individual FRA.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_218
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_218

Will Stone:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has received on the potential merits of Minimum Unit Pricing in England; and whether she plans to introduce the policy in England this Parliament. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Under our Health Mission, this government is committed to prioritising public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives.

We are continuing to work closely across government to better understand what can be done to address the drivers of alcohol-related harms.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_219
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_219

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many British citizens had their citizenship revoked in each of the last 10 years. \p Dan Jarvis: The British Nationality Act 1981 provides the Secretary of State with powers to deprive a person of citizenship status only under the circumstances set out at sections 40(2) and 40(3) of the Act. Section 40(2) allows the Secretary of State to deprive any person of British citizenship, should they deem it conducive to the public good to do so.

Detail on the numbers of conducive deprivation orders made under Section 40(2) of the 1981 British Nationality Act, are published in the Government Transparency Report: Disruptive and Investigatory Powers. Eight reports have been published to date providing the number of deprivations of citizenship orders made up until the end of 2023 and can be found at the below:

Year

Source and link

2015

HM government transparency report 2015: disruptive and investigatory powers

2017

Disruptive and investigatory powers: HM government transparency report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

2018

Disruptive and investigatory powers: transparency report 2018 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

2018/19

Transparency report: disruptive

2020

Disruptive powers 2020 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

2021

Counter-terrorism disruptive powers report 2021 - GOV.UK

2022

Counter-terrorism disruptive powers report 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

2023

Counter-terrorism disruptive powers report 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Section 40(3) of the 1981 British Nationality Act, allows for deprivation of citizenship where fraud, false representation or concealment of material facts have been used to obtain British citizenship. Since August 2020 these figures have been published via the Transparency report on asylum data, which can be found using the link below: Immigration and protection data: Q3 2024 - GOV.UK
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_220
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_220

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to increase the (a) transparency and (b) accountability of animal testing facilities. \p Dan Jarvis: The Government publishes a detailed Operational Guidance document on how the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 is administered and enforced and also a Code of Practice for care and accommodation requirements.

An annual statistics publication provides full details on the number of licensed procedures carried out, the species of animals and the purposes for which the procedures have been undertaken.

The Animals in Science Regulator publishes an annual report which contains information on licensing, the audit programme, and management of non-compliance.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_221
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_221

Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made assessment of the potential merits of waiving the Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship salary threshold requirements for civil servants. \p Seema Malhotra: The Government keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, and will set out our policies in each relevant area in the upcoming Immigration White Paper.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_222
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_222

Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of enabling Ukrainian refugees who are living in the UK to obtain the right to remain. \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/answers2025-03-18 conversation_223
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_223

Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of the Seasonal Worker visa scheme on recent trends in the level of worker exploitation. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office keeps all aspects of the Seasonal Worker route under close and ongoing review, including the welfare of participating workers. The Government has noted the contents of the Worker Support Centre Annual Review 2024 and will give due consideration to the issues raised when reviewing the Seasonal Worker route.

A key objective of the route is to ensure that overseas workers are protected against modern slavery and other labour abuses. The sponsor licence regime places a broad range of responsibilities on Scheme Operators to ensure that the rights of migrant workers are protected.

Ministers will continue to engage with a range of interested parties on these issues, including the Seasonal Worker Interest Group.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_224
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_224

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many British citizens gave up their citizenship in each of the last 10 years. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office publishes information on British Citizenship in the Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), including annual figures on granted and refused renunciations of British nationality (see Table Cit_05 of the Citizenship data tables).

Information is available up to 2023. Data for 2024 is due to be published in May 2025. Details on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_225
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_225

Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many UK Visas and Immigration Compliance Unit inspections were carried out in each of the last three years in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales, and (d) Northern Ireland. \p Seema Malhotra: The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_226
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_226

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has allocated funding to support the (a) resettlement and (b) integration of Chagossians in the UK. \p Seema Malhotra: The British nationality route for those of Chagossian decent allows individuals to become British citizens and to build their future in the UK, should they wish to, with the full range of rights and entitlements afforded to any other British citizen.

The Home Office has made funding available to cover costs incurred by local authorities providing statutory support to newly arrived Chagossian British citizens.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_227
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_227

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to improve the accessibility of online electronic travel authorisations for elderly people. \p Seema Malhotra: The ETA application process is quick, light touch and user friendly. Although applications can only be made via the app or internet, applicants are free to ask the assistance of a friend or relative to make an application on their behalf. We regularly review our online application processes to ensure that they are in line with accessibility and usability standards, and provide public information videos on how to apply.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_228
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_228

Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether additional vetting will be implemented for diplomatic visas issued to PRC and HKSAR applicants, specifically screening for connections to transnational repression activities. \p Seema Malhotra: All visa applications are subject to a number of background checks.

Any attempt by any foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated. We have a broad suite of powers to counter foreign interference, including those actions which amount to transnational repression. We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to keep people safe.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_229
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_229

Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will introduce increased criminal sanctions for crypto exchange companies who (a) launder stolen crypto currency and (b) allow (i) criminal gangs and (ii) hostile states to trade cryptocurrencies for other assets. \p Dan Jarvis: Cryptoassets exchanges, like all businesses who launder funds, can be prosecuted under the money laundering offences in Part 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and fined accordingly. In April 2024, new powers came into force to enable law enforcement to more effectively investigate, seize, and recover the proceeds of crime within the cryptoasset ecosystem.

Since 2020, businesses providing cryptoasset services that fall under the scope of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLRs) in the United Kingdom have also been required to register with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and comply with the requirements of the regulations. They must also comply with the UK sanctions regime and are obliged to report any breach of these regimes to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI). They should further consider their obligation to submit a suspicious activity report (SAR) to the UK Financial Intelligence Unit.

More widely, the government has bolstered law enforcement’s capacity and capability to tackle money laundering through cryptoassets. This includes new specialist capability in the NCA and partner agencies, funding public-private crypto collaboration teams in police forces and Regional Organised Crime Units, and the development of a multi-agency operational crypto cell to ensure that knowledge and abilities in investigating cryptoassets are pooled together and all available tools and powers are exploited efficiently.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_230
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_230

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many animals were housed in UK (a) laboratories, (b) breeding centres and (c) universities but not used in scientific procedures in 2023; and how many animals were not used in scientific procedures and euthanised in 2023. \p Dan Jarvis: Cryptoassets exchanges, like all businesses who launder funds, can be prosecuted under the money laundering offences in Part 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and fined accordingly. In April 2024, new powers came into force to enable law enforcement to more effectively investigate, seize, and recover the proceeds of crime within the cryptoasset ecosystem.

Since 2020, businesses providing cryptoasset services that fall under the scope of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLRs) in the United Kingdom have also been required to register with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and comply with the requirements of the regulations. They must also comply with the UK sanctions regime and are obliged to report any breach of these regimes to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI). They should further consider their obligation to submit a suspicious activity report (SAR) to the UK Financial Intelligence Unit.

More widely, the government has bolstered law enforcement’s capacity and capability to tackle money laundering through cryptoassets. This includes new specialist capability in the NCA and partner agencies, funding public-private crypto collaboration teams in police forces and Regional Organised Crime Units, and the development of a multi-agency operational crypto cell to ensure that knowledge and abilities in investigating cryptoassets are pooled together and all available tools and powers are exploited efficiently.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_231
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_231

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will (a) make an assessment of and (b) have discussions with the National Cyber Security Centre on the potential impact of the decision of Apple to discontinue the advanced data protection facility in the UK on (i) cybersecurity for (A) individuals and (B) companies and (ii) UK-US cybersecurity international relations. \p Dan Jarvis: I refer the Honourable Member to the response given to UIN 33378 answered on 3rd March 2025.

The government regularly engages with the NCSC, as the national technical authority for cyber security, for its expert advice on a range of cyber security matters to help make the UK the safest place to live and work online.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_232
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_232

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her Department's policy is on requiring technology companies to implement backdoors into encrypted services. \p Dan Jarvis: I refer the Hon. Member to the response given to UIN 33378 answered on 3rd March 2025.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_233
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_233

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to increase the transparency of the work of the Defending Democracy Taskforce. \p Dan Jarvis: The Defending Democracy Taskforce continues to drive forward a programme of work to address the full range of threats to our democracy.

I will, as Chair of the Taskforce, update Parliament in due course particularly on the work of the Taskforce to tackle harassment and intimidation.

I am also due to give oral evidence to the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy later this month.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_234
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_234

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2025 to Question 36472 on Human Trafficking: Cambridgeshire, if she will publish a breakdown of the nationality of all National Referral Mechanism referrals between 2016 and 2024. \p Jess Phillips: The Home Office publishes National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and Duty to Notify data on a quarterly basis on gov.uk and the National Crime Agencies website.

The Home office have been publishing NRM data since 2019, with the NCA publishing this previously. The Home Office also publish disaggregated data on the UK Data Service which goes back to 2014 with this data included.

This Government has been clear that identifying and supporting victims effectively is a key priority - that is why we have invested in 200 new decision makers to clear the backlog of cases and reduce wait times for victims.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_235
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_235

Alex Burghart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people residing in the UK have indefinite leave to remain. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office publishes statistics relating to indefinite leave to remain in the Immigration system statistics publication.

Data on grants and refusals of settlement can be found in the Settlement data tables. The latest data relates up to the end of 2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_236
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_236

Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to review rules around burning solid fuels in (a) general and (b) smoke control zones. \p Emma Hardy: Domestic combustion remains a major source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions in the UK, and ownership of solid fuel appliances is increasing.

The Government recognises that it is important that we take further action to reduce emissions from domestic burning, and the impact on human health. We are currently evaluating a number of options to reduce emissions of PM2.5 from domestic burning both in and outside of Smoke Control Areas.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_237
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_237

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to take steps to protect green belt land from fire risks when developing battery energy storage systems. \p Emma Hardy: The Government agrees with the need to have robust measures in place to manage the risks associated with facilities that use large numbers of lithium-ion batteries.

The Health and Safety Executive regulates grid-scale lithium-ion batteries within a robust regulatory framework which requires Battery Energy and Storage Systems (BESS) designers, installers, and operators to take the necessary measures throughout all stages of the system’s construction, operation and decommissioning to ensure its health and safety.

Defra is considering further options, including environmental permitting, for managing the environmental and public health risks from fires at BESS sites.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_238
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_238

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February to Question 31434 on Animal Products: Labelling, what discussions he has had with (a) statutory bodies and (b) animal welfare campaign groups on including animal welfare labelling in future food labelling regulations. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government was elected on a mandate to improve animal welfare and has committed to introducing the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation.

The Department is engaging with a range of key animal welfare stakeholders as part of the development of our overarching approach to animal welfare. We will be outlining more details on this in due course.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_239
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_239

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report packaging data system for extended producer responsibility, what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for which there has been a decline in glass volumes in the first six months of 2024. \p Mary Creagh: The 2024 pEPR impact assessment assessed the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole. The illustrative base fees use packaging tonnage data submitted to date by producers on the Report Packaging Data (RPD) online portal for the first six months of 2024. We continue to monitor all data submitted by producers on the RPD portal and will publish an update to the illustrative base fees if the estimates significantly change. We do not have enough of a time series to identify reasons for, or impact on the policy on Placed On Market tonnages. We aim to calculate final fees in June, following regulator checks of the data.
wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_240
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-18 conversation_240

Sojan Joseph:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to enforce the publication of real-time data on sewage released into (a) rivers (b) the sea and (c) other waterways in Kent. \p Emma Hardy: Since 1 January 2025, water companies have been required to publish data related to discharges from all storm overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. The Secretary of State has authorised Ofwat to carry out enforcement action for this duty, in accordance with the powers conferred under sections 18 and 141DA (4) of the Water Industry Act 1991. Ofwat’s enforcement powers provide for a wide range of enforcement activity, including substantial penalties.

Ofwat is monitoring compliance with the duty to report relevant data in real time. Where it detects non-compliance, it will take appropriate enforcement action. In addition to this, the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 has introduced an equivalent duty for water companies to publish data related to discharges from all emergency overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. Once commenced, this duty will be enforced in the same way.