Written questions by Brewer.

Pursuant the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68230, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of making misogyny a hate crime; and what impact the cross‑Government Strategy on violence against women and girls has had on the Government’s policy on this matter.

The Government has tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to extend the aggravated offences in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to cover hostility relating to disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity and sex.This makes clear, in law, that offences motivated by hostility towards a victim’s sex or presumed sex will be treated just as seriously as those motivated by hostility towards the other range of protected characteristics in the hate crime regime.This approach complements our wider mission to tackle violence against women and girls, set out in Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-cutting strategy, published 18 December 2025.The VAWG Strategy makes it clear that tackling misogyny, both online and offline, is central to our mission to halve VAWG within a decade and that achieving this requires a whole‑society approach. We are therefore working across government, public services, the private sector and charities to deliver our ambitions.

What work her Department has undertaken to date on the development of the Fraud Strategy; and what the planned timeline is for its completion and publication.

The ‘Fraud Strategy 2026-2029: Disrupting crime, supporting economic resilience and delivering justice’ was published on Monday 9 March 2026 and is available on gov.uk athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fraud-strategy-2026-to-2029

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 90566, on Fraud: Disclosure of Information, whether she plans to publish the names of banks and other organisations that fail to prevent fraud or fail to reimburse victims of fraud.

We work closely with the financial sector to disrupt fraud at its source and prevent financial exploitation. As part of the Strategy, the Government will work with industry to develop new metrics to better measure fraud origination, harm and outcomes. This will improve transparency and accountability across the ecosystem and ensure metrics focus on reducing the level and impact of fraud.Data has also shown that banks are increasingly compensating victims following the introduction of mandatory reimbursement through the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. In the first year of the Authorised Push Payment (APP) reimbursement scheme (from 7th October 2024), 88% of eligible losses were reimbursed, with £173 million returned to victims (APP scams reimbursement dashboard for Q3 2025 | Payment Systems Regulator).The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) published their third APP scams performance report in February, covering 2024 before the mandatory reimbursement requirement. The report show the sending fraud rates and reimbursement rates of the 14 biggest banks in the UK, putting a spotlight on firms that are the highest receivers of fraud: 2024 APP scam performance data – before the reimbursement requirement was implemented.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2025 to Question 90565, on Fraud: Disclosure of Information, for what reason her Department has not made a specific assessment of the potential merits of creating a national online crime agency.

As part of our new Fraud Strategy, we are establishing a new Online Crime Centre (OCC), backed by over £30 million of investment.Led by the Home Office and the NCA, and working closely with the City of London Police, the OCC will unite UK policing, the UK Intelligence Community (including GCHQ, the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Cyber Force) alongside private sector partners from the financial, telecommunications, technology, and cyber industries.The OCC will initially focus on fraud and high-volume cyber crime, by enabling data sharing, trend analysis and intelligence development across partners. Using this enhanced intelligence, the OCC will work nationally and internationally with its participating partners to deliver high-impact law enforcement interventions. It will also use this intelligence to reduce harm, undermine the tools and services used by offenders, support recovery, and prevent repeat victimisation.As set out in the Police Reform White Paper, overall responsibility for fraud will, in due course, transfer to the new National Police Service.

Pursuant to Question 86523, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of delays in Certificate of Sponsorship allocations on lawful Skilled Worker visa holders; and what steps are being taken to support compliant A‑rated sponsors where delays risk affecting a worker’s immigration status.

Applications for Sponsorship Change of Circumstance are currently within our core service standard.We are aware that our priority services, particularly for applications for UCOS, are oversubscribed and are actively reviewing this.

Pursuant to Answer of 25 November 2025 to Question 94124, on Electronic Travel Authorisations: Conferences and Trade Promotion, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme specifically on European business representatives seeking to attend trade events and conferences in the UK.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 25 November 2025 to Question UIN 94124.

What assessment she has been made of the impact of proposed changes to the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain on international nursing staff; and what steps the Department is taking to ensure the UK can retain the nursing workforce.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact on international nursing staff.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received.  This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 104873, what additional steps her Department is taking beyond existing licensing‑authority and police powers to prevent glassware attacks; whether she is considering any new enforceable national measures; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of current Home Office‑led actions in reducing such incidents.

As set out in my earlier response, the police have a responsibility to protect the public by detecting and preventing crime, including violent crime within the nighttime economy. They already have a wide range of powers to do this effectively, including those provided under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 in relation to the possession and use of offensive weapons.The Home Office keeps existing powers under review and would consider any new or emerging evidence as appropriate.

Whether the revised Programme Business Case for the Emergency Services Network has received Departmental and HM Treasury approval.

The Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme’s revised Business Case (PBC 2025) was approved by the Home Office Investment Committee on 18 December 2025.The PBC has subsequently been submitted to HM Treasury and is currently undergoing the Treasury Approval Point process, including consideration by HM Treasury and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.Final government approval is expected following completion of this process in April 2026.The Programme continues to operate within agreed funding and remains subject to the Government’s established assurance and approvals framework.

What steps her Department is taking to help prevent glassware attacks at late night venues.

The police are responsible for protecting the public by detecting and preventing crime. The government expects the police to respond to all allegations made, including those involving violence in the night time economy, and treat them seriously, investigate and consider any arrests or charging decisions as required.The Home Office has responsibility for the Licensing Act 2003, which determines the regime for the licensing of, among others, venues which sell alcohol. The Act sets out four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder; the prevention of public nuisance; upholding public safety and protecting children from harm.Local licensing authorities are responsible for making licensing decisions in England and Wales and ensuring the licensing objectives are upheld. The Government publishes statutory guidance to assist licensing authorities in fulfilling these duties. The guidance sets out matters that should be considered by a licensing authority in relation to public safety. This explicitly includes giving consideration to requiring, as part of a premises licence, the use of plastic containers and preventing customer access to glass bottles.

What steps her Department is taking to prevent glassware attacks at late night venues; and whether her Department plans to engage with the Bottle Stop campaign.

The police are responsible for protecting the public by detecting and preventing crime. The government expects the police to respond to all allegations made, including those involving violence in the night time economy, and treat them seriously, investigate and consider any arrests or charging decisions as required.The Home Office has responsibility for the Licensing Act 2003, which determines the regime for the licensing of, among others, venues which sell alcohol. The Act sets out four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder; the prevention of public nuisance; upholding public safety and protecting children from harm.Local licensing authorities are responsible for making licensing decisions in England and Wales and ensuring the licensing objectives are upheld. The Government publishes statutory guidance to assist licensing authorities in fulfilling these duties. The guidance sets out matters that should be considered by a licensing authority in relation to public safety. This explicitly includes giving consideration to requiring, as part of a premises licence, the use of plastic containers and preventing customer access to glass bottles.The Government regularly engages with a wide range of stakeholders on matters relating to the Licensing Act 2003 and the sale and supply of alcohol.

With reference to the Immigration White Paper S.176, what future steps she plans to take to ensure that workers can more efficiently change sponsors.

As per the Immigration White Paper, we are continuing to explore a range of policy options and their feasibility. Further details will follow in due course as necessary and appropriate.

When the Emergency Services Network will be fully operational, including phone-based location tracking capabilities for emergency responders.

The programme’s priority is to achieve the right balance between credible plans that have user confidence and the need to deliver ESN as quickly and safely as possible to enable the shutdown of Airwave.The Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) has successfully concluded two major re-procurements. In November 2024, the Mobile Services contract was awarded to BT/EE, followed by the award of the User Services contract to IBM in December 2024. With these committed delivery partners firmly on board, ESMCP has made excellent progress into full delivery mode.The programme has finalised a revised Programme Business Case, which has been endorsed by the Senior Users of the three Emergency Services and representatives from the devolved nations. The Business Case is expected to complete departmental and HM Treasury approvals in early 2026. Our user community remains actively engaged in planning the deployment and rollout of the Emergency Services Network (ESN) and ensuring a safe transition from Airwave. Early adoption of a service-ready solution is on track for early 2028, with full transition from Airwave targeted for completion by the end of 2029.

What assessment her Department has made of the impact of the Electronic Travel Authorisation on European business representatives attending trade events and conferences in the UK.

ETAs have been introduced to strengthen the security of our border. They also make travel easier by further digitising our immigration and borders system, ensuring millions of visitors, including business travellers, enjoy a seamless experience. The department does not hold data on numbers of visitors attending trade events and conferences.

What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of measures to deter antisocial behaviour among young people in rural areas, such as North East Hampshire.

Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.Under the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, we are putting neighbourhood officers back into communities, both urban and rural, and restoring public confidence by bringing back community-led, visible policing. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary will receive £5,187,776 as part of the funding settlement for 2025-26.In addition, the Home Office is providing £66.3 million funding in 2025-26 to all 43 forces in England and Wales to deliver high visibility patrols in the areas worst affected by knife crime, serious violence and anti-social behaviour. As part of the Hotspot Action Fund, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary will be in receipt of £1,454,452.Following on from the Safer Streets Summer Initiative, the Home Secretary has announced a “Winter of Action” in which police forces across England and Wales will again partner with local businesses, councils and other agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour and other local issues that matter most to their communities.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of creating a national online crime agency.

The Home Office is considering how best to tackle online crime as part of the upcoming Fraud Strategy, due for publication early next year.This will include options for enhanced collaboration between industry and law enforcement to address online threats effectively.

If she will publish the names of (a) banks and (b) other organisations that fail to (i) prevent fraud and (ii) reimburse victims of fraud.

We work closely with the financial sector to disrupt fraud at its source and prevent financial exploitation. We welcome the actions of the financial services industry in helping to prevent authorised push payment (APP) fraud. Data has also shown that banks are increasingly compensating victims following the introduction of mandatory reimbursement through the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (APP scams reimbursement dashboard for Q2 2025 | Payment Systems Regulator).The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) oversees banks’ compliance with regards to mandatory reimbursement, and they will publish their third APP scams performance report, covering 2024, in December. The reports show the sending fraud rates and reimbursement rates of the 14 biggest banks in the UK, putting a spotlight on firms that are the highest receivers of fraud. Previous reports for 2023 and 2022 can be found here: APP fraud performance data | Payment Systems Regulator.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the time taken in Certificate of Sponsorship allocations for Skilled Worker visa holders in cases where (a) a compliant sponsor with an A-rated licence has submitted a valid request with supporting evidence and (b) delay risks causing a lawful worker to fall out of immigration status.

It is the responsibility of individual businesses to monitor the visa expiry dates of their overseas employees and to take appropriate action to ensure continuity of employment.The published service standard for non-complex Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship (UCoS) allocations and renewals is 18 weeks, as outlined on GOV.UK. Businesses may also opt to use the priority service, which aims to process requests within 5 working days.Responsibility for submitting timely applications or updates lies with the sponsoring business.Where necessary, the Home Office conducts additional checks to maintain the integrity of the immigration system, which may delay the processing of applications to assure ourselves that requests are genuine and full time work and employment will be given to a prospective employee, for their own protection.UK visa sponsorship for employers: Your responsibilities - GOV.UKThe Home Office is currently operating within the published service standards for all Sponsorship applications.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of (a) recording of attempted suicides attended by the police services, (b) support available to police staff who attend traumatic callouts and (c) suicide prevention training requirements for managers in police forces in North East Hampshire constituency.

The Home Office do not collect information centrally on the number of attempted suicides attended by police.This Government has been clear that the health and wellbeing of our police workforce is a priority, and that all those who have faced traumatic incidents in the line of duty receive the support they need.We continue to fund the National Police Wellbeing Service, who have developed an evidenced-based trauma support model which is now available to forces. The Service has also introduced a Trauma Tracker tool to help forces better understand exposure to traumatic incidents and ensure timely support for officers and staff.A National Action Plan for Suicide Prevention and Postvention in policing has been launched, which aims to reduce rates among the police workforce as well as enhancing data recording.Chief Constables have a responsibility to manage their workforce effectively and this includes ensuring appropriate training provision for all officers and staff and ensuring their wellbeing.

With reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper, published on 12 May 2025, whether her Department plans to include employment in the public sector as counting towards the long-term contribution to the country under the points-based system for British National (Overseas) visa holders seeking citizenship.

The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future.We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and further details on the proposed plans for citizenship will be set out in due course.