Written questions by Kearns.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of creating a (a) single, (b) centralised and (c) digitised firearms licensing body to replace the current system of 44 separate licensing authorities.

The Government has no plans to introduce a new national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland.This framework is supported by Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

What the immigration status was for Dan Tesfalul at the time he was sentenced for the rape of a woman in Norwich in May 2024.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Kamren Khan at the time he was charged with multiple rapes of a child between April and July 2025.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Sadeq Nikzad when he raped a minor in Falkirk in October 2023.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Ziad Khawla at the time he was charged with the rape of a minor in Belfast.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Khaliz Ali Alshimery at the time he committed rape in November 2023.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Rabie Knissi when he was sentenced for a sexual offence committed in March 2024.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu at the time he was charged with three counts of sexual assault.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Hamada Salah at the time he was sentenced for a sexual offence.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

Whether she has had discussions with police forces on moving the criminal investigation by South Yorkshire Police into the alleged abuse of grooming gang victims by South Yorkshire Police officers to an independent body.

Following discussions between the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), South Yorkshire Police, and the National Crime Agency (NCA), it has been formally agreed that the investigation will now be carried out by the NCA under the direction and control of the IOPC.In line with the Inquiries Act 2005, the Chair of the National Inquiry into Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, once appointed, will play a central role in shaping the inquiry’s Terms of Reference. These will be published in draft and consulted on with stakeholders, including victims and survivors, before being finalised. The Inquiry will have full statutory powers to investigate systemic and institutional failings wherever they are found. Where the Inquiry finds evidence of potential criminal wrongdoing, it will provide the material to the relevant police force for investigation.

Whether the scope of the National Grooming Gang Inquiry will include investigations into alleged abuse inflicted on grooming gang victims by police officers.

Following discussions between the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), South Yorkshire Police, and the National Crime Agency (NCA), it has been formally agreed that the investigation will now be carried out by the NCA under the direction and control of the IOPC.In line with the Inquiries Act 2005, the Chair of the National Inquiry into Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, once appointed, will play a central role in shaping the inquiry’s Terms of Reference. These will be published in draft and consulted on with stakeholders, including victims and survivors, before being finalised. The Inquiry will have full statutory powers to investigate systemic and institutional failings wherever they are found. Where the Inquiry finds evidence of potential criminal wrongdoing, it will provide the material to the relevant police force for investigation.

When she expects the Police Remuneration Review Body Report to be published.

On 1 August, the previous Home Secretary announced that the Government has accepted the PRRB’s recommendations in full, including a 4.2% consolidated pay increase for police officers (up to and including the rank of Chief Superintendent), effective from 1 September 2025.To support forces with the cost of the pay award, the Home Office is providing additional funding of £120m in 2025/26.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20277 on Mohamed Iidow, what the immigration status was for Mohamed Lidow at the time he committed the manslaughter and rape of Natalie Shotter.

We do not comment on individual cases. We have a responsibility not to disclose any information relating to an individual's immigration or citizenship status, as well as complying with our general duty of confidentiality.

What the immigration status was for Ayman Adams when he sentenced for a sexual assault in Wakefield.

We do not comment on individual cases. We have a responsibility not to disclose any information relating to an individual's immigration or citizenship status, as well as complying with our general duty of confidentiality.

What discussions she has had with police forces on the adequacy of the advice they give to Hong Kong democracy activists on (a) speaking at and (b) attending rallies against the behaviour of the Chinese Communist Party.

The management of demonstrations, including any advice given to individuals attending or speaking at rallies, is an operational matter for the police.

What steps her Department is taking to help protect (a) farming and (b) food production sites from illegal drone flying by vegan activists.

The Home Office, working closely with policing, has built a national counter-drone capability to equip police with the capabilities they need to detect and mitigate the illegal or malicious use of drones. These capabilities comprise a range of specialist equipment, vehicles, and personnel to ensure a flexible and effective response across UK policing to any potential drone-related incident.The public should report any suspicious drone activity by calling 101. They should explain the situation to the call handler, identifying the time and location of the drone. In an emergency, the public should call 999.Flying a drone safely and within regulations by an appropriately registered pilot is legal in the UK. The Drone and Model Aircraft Code, which gives guidance on the circumstances in which drone flying is and is not illegal, is available from the Civil Aviation Authority’s website.

Whether the proposed duty to report child abuse in the Crime and Policing Bill would apply to all (a) religious and (b) faith-based bodies.

Ministers have met with a number of interested Parliamentarians to discuss clauses 45-54 of the Crime and Policing Bill, including a member of the Lords Spiritual. We will continue to engage with faith groups that and other organisations to help them manage the implementation of the new duty.The duty will apply to individuals undertaking relevant activity with children, including in religious and faith-based settings. There are no exceptions made within the law on the basis of how and where disclosures are received.

Whether the proposed duty to report child abuse in the Crime and Policing Bill would apply to disclosures made in religious confessionals.

Ministers have met with a number of interested Parliamentarians to discuss clauses 45-54 of the Crime and Policing Bill, including a member of the Lords Spiritual. We will continue to engage with faith groups that and other organisations to help them manage the implementation of the new duty.The duty will apply to individuals undertaking relevant activity with children, including in religious and faith-based settings. There are no exceptions made within the law on the basis of how and where disclosures are received.

What meetings her Ministers have held with (a) religious or faith-based bodies and (b) their representatives on the proposed duty to report child abuse legislation in the Crime and Policing Bill.

Ministers have met with a number of interested Parliamentarians to discuss clauses 45-54 of the Crime and Policing Bill, including a member of the Lords Spiritual. We will continue to engage with faith groups that and other organisations to help them manage the implementation of the new duty.The duty will apply to individuals undertaking relevant activity with children, including in religious and faith-based settings. There are no exceptions made within the law on the basis of how and where disclosures are received.

What recent progress she has made on the establishing the local grooming gang inquiries.

Our focus is to deliver meaningful change for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation, including by grooming gangs. That means protecting more children, getting justice for victims and pursuing and punishing the perpetrators of these abominable crimes.On 8 April I made a statement to Parliament setting out a detailed update on Government action to tackle child sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as a progress update on the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. This included an update on our work to develop a new best practice framework, backed by additional funding, to support local authorities that want to undertake local inquiries or other related activities, including the independent local inquiry commissioned by Oldham Council, for which we have already announced our support.To develop this framework, we have engaged with a range of experts, victims and survivors, drawing on the lessons from local independent inquiries like Telford, Rotherham and Greater Manchester. We are now in the process of testing the framework with stakeholders, including local areas, to ensure it will effectively facilitate work improve local responses to grooming gangs offending. We will publish the details of the framework and the national fund next month.The Home Secretary also wrote to all local authorities in the country last month to update them on the actions we have taken in this area, and ask them to review their own local progress in tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation, and investigating historic cases of those crimes.