5 Jun 2025·Department for Business and Trade·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 55194 on Import Duties: USA, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce (a) regulatory compliance, (b) customs procedures and (c) other non-tariff barriers for UK SMEs accessing the United States market.
ReplyWe are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains, including on SMEs. The US has committed to further negotiations, including on the 10% tariffs introduced on 2nd April. We have announced a range of measures to support SMEs, including access to additional finance through the British Business Bank and sector specific measures. We are also expanding UKEF’s capacity to support business by £20 billion, with £10 billion specifically aimed at businesses impacted by the current US tariffs. Any business which is concerned about what tariff changes mean for them can find clear guidance and support on business.gov.uk.
5 Jun 2025·Department for Work and Pensions·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 51543 on Universal Credit: Fylde, what steps her Department is taking to monitor the impact of the new Fair Repayment Rate for Universal Credit debt deductions on households in Fylde constituency.
ReplyThe Department collects detailed data on deductions from Universal Credit households and will be monitoring the effect of the Fair Repayment Rate over the coming months. We regularly publish official statistics on deductions at the parliamentary constituency level - including the number of Universal Credit households with deductions and average amount deducted. The release scheduled for November 2025 will present deductions data up to August 2025, this is the first release that will show the effects of the Fair Repayment Rate.The latest release of the deductions statistics can be found here:Universal Credit deductions statistics December 2023 to November 2024 - GOV.UK
5 Jun 2025·Department for Work and Pensions·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 51543 on Universal Credit: Fylde, how many Universal Credit claimants have been affected by the change in the Fair Repayment Rate implemented from 30 April 2025 in Fylde constituency.
ReplyThis information is not currently available. The Fair Repayment Rate was implemented on the 30 April 2025 for Universal Credit claims with assessment periods starting on or after this date. However, the transition to the new policy will not be complete for all Universal Credit households until the end of June 2025. We estimate that once the transition to the Fair Repayment Rate is complete, it will benefit 1.2 million Universal Credit households by putting an average of £420 back into their pockets per year.The Department regularly publishes data on Universal Credit deductions. The release scheduled for November 2025 will present deductions data up to August 2025, this is the first release that will show the effects of the Fair Repayment Rate.The latest release of the deductions statistics can be found here:Universal Credit deductions statistics December 2023 to November 2024 - GOV.UK
5 Jun 2025·Home Office·Answered
AskedHow many illegally modified e-bikes have been seized by police in the past 12 months.
ReplyThe Home Office does not centrally collect this data.
4 Jun 2025·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
AskedMedia and Sport, how much funding her Department plans to provide for sports facilities in Fylde in the next 12 months.
ReplyThe Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of where they live, has access to and benefits from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding in areas of greatest need to tackle inactivity levels through community-led solutions.In March, DCMS confirmed an additional £100 million investment in new and upgraded facilities across the UK as part of our Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme. Our delivery partner for the programme in England is the Football Foundation, who plan their investment pipeline using Local Football Facility Plans (LFFPs), which are developed in partnership with local authorities so as to understand the needs of each community. These plans are currently being updated to better reflect demand in 2025.Future funding is subject to the ongoing Spending Review process, with further details to follow in due course.
4 Jun 2025·Home Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54074 on Fraud: Lancashire, whether her Department has assessed the effectiveness of the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit in reducing repeat victimisation in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.
ReplyA constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.
4 Jun 2025·Home Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54074 on Fraud: Lancashire, whether the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit has a (a) presence and (b) partnership with local police forces in (i) Fylde constituency and (ii) Lancashire.
ReplyA constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.
4 Jun 2025·Home Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54074 on Fraud: Lancashire, how many victims of online fraud and scams have received support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire since its inception in 2018.
ReplyA constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.
4 Jun 2025·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54086 on Active Travel: Lancashire, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of funding for Bikeability cycle training for (a) schools and (b) communities in Fylde.
ReplyFollowing the conclusion of the Spending Review, the Department will publish a third cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS3). This will set out the long-term funding for active travel including infrastructure and programmes such as Bikeability. Since 2020 Lancashire County Council has been awarded over £10.5 million of funding to improve the safety and accessibility of infrastructure through the Active Travel Fund. While it is for local authorities to decide where investment is prioritised in their local transport networks, Active Travel England (ATE) works with them through the Design Assurance Process which uses tools, checks and other processes to ensure quality and safety are designed into new and existing infrastructure. ATE is regularly engaged with the Council through our regional engagement managers. Earlier this year ATE published best practice guidance for authorities on how to engage communities on the prioritisation and delivery of schemes. Guidance on monitoring and evaluation has been provided to support authorities in transparently tracking the impact of their funding.
4 Jun 2025·Home Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54074 on Fraud: Lancashire, what the average response time is for victims of online fraud and scams to receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit after reporting an incident.
ReplyA constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.
4 Jun 2025·Home Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54074 on Fraud: Lancashire, how much funding has been allocated to support victims of online fraud and scams through the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit in each of the last five years.
ReplyA constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.
4 Jun 2025·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54086 on Active Travel: Lancashire, whether she plans to increase (a) capital and (b) revenue funding for active travel schemes in Lancashire after the 2025-26 financial year.
ReplyFollowing the conclusion of the Spending Review, the Department will publish a third cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS3). This will set out the long-term funding for active travel including infrastructure and programmes such as Bikeability. Since 2020 Lancashire County Council has been awarded over £10.5 million of funding to improve the safety and accessibility of infrastructure through the Active Travel Fund. While it is for local authorities to decide where investment is prioritised in their local transport networks, Active Travel England (ATE) works with them through the Design Assurance Process which uses tools, checks and other processes to ensure quality and safety are designed into new and existing infrastructure. ATE is regularly engaged with the Council through our regional engagement managers. Earlier this year ATE published best practice guidance for authorities on how to engage communities on the prioritisation and delivery of schemes. Guidance on monitoring and evaluation has been provided to support authorities in transparently tracking the impact of their funding.
4 Jun 2025·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54086 on Active Travel: Lancashire, what funding her Department has approved for improving (a) safety and (b) accessibility through the Fylde Coast’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.
ReplyFollowing the conclusion of the Spending Review, the Department will publish a third cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS3). This will set out the long-term funding for active travel including infrastructure and programmes such as Bikeability. Since 2020 Lancashire County Council has been awarded over £10.5 million of funding to improve the safety and accessibility of infrastructure through the Active Travel Fund. While it is for local authorities to decide where investment is prioritised in their local transport networks, Active Travel England (ATE) works with them through the Design Assurance Process which uses tools, checks and other processes to ensure quality and safety are designed into new and existing infrastructure. ATE is regularly engaged with the Council through our regional engagement managers. Earlier this year ATE published best practice guidance for authorities on how to engage communities on the prioritisation and delivery of schemes. Guidance on monitoring and evaluation has been provided to support authorities in transparently tracking the impact of their funding.
4 Jun 2025·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
AskedFood and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54446 on Environmental Land Management Schemes: Lancashire, what steps his Department plans to take to help ensure that the re-opening of capital grants in summer 2025 is (a) accessible and (b) equitable to (i) smaller farms and (ii) new entrants.
ReplyDefra will introduce maximum grant thresholds for 4 groups of capital items in the standalone capital offer, from summer 2025. The limits will be: £25,000 for items in the water quality, air quality, and natural flood management groups£35,000 for the group including boundary, tree and orchard items These limits increase funding availability for smaller applications. All farmers/land managers are able to apply for the funding later in the Summer of 2025, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria which will be set out in the guidance.
4 Jun 2025·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
AskedMedia and Sport, how much funding her Department allocated for the preservation of historic sites in Fylde in the last 12 months.
ReplyOver the past five years Historic England, an Arms Length Body of DCMS, has provided a total of £1,545,946 to support the Kirkham High Street Heritage Action Zone, delivered by. The final payment of £358,835 was made in July 2024.The Kirkham programme revitalised the town's historic center by restoring 7 traditional shopfronts, conservation of a historic building, and enhancing the high street’s visual character. The programme also fostered community engagement through 5 events, and delivered 2 construction skills training training activities sessions to support local skills development, and created 3 town guides and heritage trails to help residents and visitors explore Kirkham’s unique heritage.13 claims have been paid to 7 Listed Places of Worship in the Fylde constituency area through the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme between June 2024 to May 2025 totalling £42,778.43.The National Lottery Heritage Fund has not made any awards in Fylde in the last 12 months. However, since 1994, the Heritage Fund has awarded a total of £6.7m to 36 projects of all types in the constituency of Fylde.
4 Jun 2025·Home Office·Answered
AskedHow many cases of online fraud and scams were reported in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire in the last 12 months.
ReplyA constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.
4 Jun 2025·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54086 on Active Travel: Lancashire, what measures her Department has put in place to help ensure that the funding allocated to Lancashire County Council for projects in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) other areas is transparently (i) tracked and (ii) reported on.
ReplyFollowing the conclusion of the Spending Review, the Department will publish a third cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS3). This will set out the long-term funding for active travel including infrastructure and programmes such as Bikeability. Since 2020 Lancashire County Council has been awarded over £10.5 million of funding to improve the safety and accessibility of infrastructure through the Active Travel Fund. While it is for local authorities to decide where investment is prioritised in their local transport networks, Active Travel England (ATE) works with them through the Design Assurance Process which uses tools, checks and other processes to ensure quality and safety are designed into new and existing infrastructure. ATE is regularly engaged with the Council through our regional engagement managers. Earlier this year ATE published best practice guidance for authorities on how to engage communities on the prioritisation and delivery of schemes. Guidance on monitoring and evaluation has been provided to support authorities in transparently tracking the impact of their funding.
4 Jun 2025·Home Office·Answered
AskedPursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54074 on Fraud: Lancashire, what steps her Department is taking to raise awareness of the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit's services among residents in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.
ReplyA constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.
4 Jun 2025·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
AskedFood and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support businesses affected by the drought announced on 29 May 2025.
ReplyThe Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. Defra requires water companies to have robust plans to manage droughts and protect customer supplies. This includes early actions such as enhanced leakage management, appropriate balancing of supplies, and effective communications to enable customers to use water wisely.
4 Jun 2025·Department for Education·Answered
AskedWhat steps she is taking to support the teaching of local history in schools.
ReplyThe national curriculum provides a broad framework within which schools have the flexibility to develop the content of their own curricula. Local history is a compulsory element of the history curriculum across key stages 1 to 3, enabling schools to explore topics relevant to their communities. Historic England’s Heritage Schools Programme, funded by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, provides continuous professional development support and resources to help schools teach their local history.The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review wants to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work. The Review Group published an interim report on 18 March, accessible at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-and-assessment-review-interim-report.The Review’s final report with recommendations will be published in the autumn.