Written questions by Begum.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 11671 on Lord Walney, whether she has discussed with Lord Walney (a) his role as the Independent Adviser on Political Violence and Disruption, (b) political violence and disruption, (c) legislation relating to political violence and disruption and (d) policing of political violence and disruption.

The Counter-Extremism Sprint has included a review of the advice the Government receives from a variety of sources on policy in this area, including the Independent Advisor on Political Violence and Disruption.The Government is currently considering the findings from the Sprint, and Lord Walney remains in post while that work is ongoing.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has taken steps to provide aid to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Sudan.

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is widespread and underreported in Sudan. Cases have increased significantly since the start of the conflict, particularly in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan. As part of the UK's Official Development Assistance to Sudan and neighbouring countries, which now stands at £226.5 million, we provide support to survivors of SGBV through partners such as UNICEF, the Danish Refugee Council and the Sudan Humanitarian Fund. On 26 September, the UK convened an event at the UN General Assembly with Dutch and Swiss partners to address conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan, drawing international attention to the plight of women and girls and stressing the importance of survivor-centred, local and women-led response efforts. The UK also co-led a Resolution at the UNSC with Sierra Leone on the protection of civilians which failed to pass due to a Russian veto. We have also pivoted our existing programmes to focus more on prevention of SGBV, protection and care for rape survivors, including the provision of clinical treatment, dignity kits and psycho-social services.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 11671 on Lord Walney, whether Lord Walney is participating in the review of the role of the Independent Adviser on Political Violence and Disruption through the Counter-Extremism sprint.

The Counter-Extremism Sprint has included a review of the advice the Government receives from a variety of sources on policy in this area, including the Independent Advisor on Political Violence and Disruption.The Government is currently considering the findings from the Sprint, and Lord Walney remains in post while that work is ongoing.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has taken steps to provide aid to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Palestine.

We are deeply concerned by allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians. The UK has consistently called for these reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors, and for all parties to take a survivor-centred approach. Lord Collins, who was appointed as the Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) on 15 November, attended the Conference of the International Alliance on PSVI in Colombia on 25-26 November and made a clear recommitment to the UK's support of PSVI. The UK is committed to alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza, providing vital services to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank through partner agencies. Assistance includes support to pregnant women, distribution of dignity kits for women and girls, and mental health, and psychosocial support (MHPSS). The UK's partners, UNICEF, UNRWA, WFP and the ICRC, have gender sensitive strategies in place, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of sexual and gender-based violence being committed by Israeli forces against Palestinian women.

We are deeply concerned by allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians and the disproportionate impact of the conflict on women, children and vulnerable populations. The UK unequivocally condemns any alleged violations and abuses, including sexual violence, and calls for all reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors. In March, the UK led calls for a UN Security Council emergency debate on sexual violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Lord Collins, who was appointed as the Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) on 15 November, attended the Conference of the International Alliance on PSVI in Colombia on 25-26 November and made a clear recommitment to the UK's support of PSVI. Following our decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel on 2 September, the Foreign Secretary has raised and continues to raise our concerns around International Humanitarian Law compliance with the Israeli government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his European counterparts on steps to help implement the arrest warrant for (a) Benjamin Netanyahu, (b) Yoav Gallant and (c) Mohammed Deif issued by the International Criminal Court on 21 November 2024.

We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. It is for all ICC States Parties to consider how to meet their obligations under the Rome Statute, including on cooperation with the Court. The Government engages with other States Parties on such matters via the ICC Assembly of States Parties.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to the incoming United States Administration on steps to help implement the arrest warrant for (a) Benjamin Netanyahu, (b) Yoav Gallant and (c) Mohammed Deif issued by the International Criminal Court on 21 November 2024.

We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. The UK is a State Party to the Rome Statute, and we will always comply with our legal obligations. The Government will engage with the current and incoming US Administration on all our priorities.

When the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch will publish its interim report in relation to its investigation on the fatal injury to a crew member on a Malta-registered RoRo cargo vessel while loading freight vehicles in Purfleet on 13 July 2024.

The accident on the Laureline happened on 13/07/2024. The Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is required to make every effort to publish a full report as soon as possible and in any case within 12 months of the accident. If this is not possible then an interim report is issued at the 12 month point. MAIB does not generally issue interim reports outside of this timeframe.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to registered social landlords.

The Government has confirmed that we will take action to introduce new access to information requirements for social housing tenants. This will enable social housing tenants of private registered providers, such as housing associations, to access the information they need about their homes from their landlords. The Government will set out further details of these requirements in due course.

How many people were deported to Bangladesh between 19 July 2024 and 29 August 2024.

The Home Office publishes data on enforced returns and asylum-related enforced returns in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’.Quarterly data on enforced returns by destination are published in table Ret_D02 of the ‘returns detailed datasets’. This data covers the period 2004 to June 2024.Data on asylum-related enforced returns for the top 10 nationalities, ranked by volume, are published in table Ret_04 of the ‘returns summary datasets’. This data is for the year ending June 2024.Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.Deportations are a subset of returns (defined in the ‘user guide glossary’). The published statistics refer to enforced returns which include deportations, as well as cases where a person has breached UK immigration laws, and those removed under other administrative and illegal entry powers that have declined to leave voluntarily.The Home Office and FCDO are in regular communication regarding migration issues. FCDO travel advice is aimed at British nationals and is not the relevant test for deciding protection claims. The Home Office remains satisfied that Bangladesh is currently safe for returns of those with no legal basis to stay in the UK.

Whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on foreign travel advice for Bangladesh published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office between 19 July 2024 and 29 August 2024.

The Home Office publishes data on enforced returns and asylum-related enforced returns in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’.Quarterly data on enforced returns by destination are published in table Ret_D02 of the ‘returns detailed datasets’. This data covers the period 2004 to June 2024.Data on asylum-related enforced returns for the top 10 nationalities, ranked by volume, are published in table Ret_04 of the ‘returns summary datasets’. This data is for the year ending June 2024.Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.Deportations are a subset of returns (defined in the ‘user guide glossary’). The published statistics refer to enforced returns which include deportations, as well as cases where a person has breached UK immigration laws, and those removed under other administrative and illegal entry powers that have declined to leave voluntarily.The Home Office and FCDO are in regular communication regarding migration issues. FCDO travel advice is aimed at British nationals and is not the relevant test for deciding protection claims. The Home Office remains satisfied that Bangladesh is currently safe for returns of those with no legal basis to stay in the UK.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of removing the requirement to register to vote on the level of participation in general elections.

The Government has no plans to remove the requirement to register to vote and has therefore made no such assessment. The electoral register is the foundation of our democratic processes, showing who is eligible to vote in which elections. The Government is nonetheless committed to improving how registration works, including the use of data and online services to help increase registration levels so that everyone who is eligible to vote can vote.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing guidance to newly-naturalised citizens on the requirement to register to vote before they can participate in general elections.

The Government is committed to improving electoral registration and is actively exploring ways to do so.

If she will hold discussions with the Port of London Authority on its compliance with section three of the Ports Good Governance Guidance, published in March 2018, in the context of its practice of charging for river works licenses for balconies that overhang the River Thames.

The Department regularly engages with the Port of London Authority on a number of topics, including the PLAs approach to overhanging balconies on the river. As there is going to be a public inquiry around the PLA Harbour Revision Order, where the topic of River Work licenses is likely to be raised it would be premature to take any substantive action, should that be appropriate, until the inquiry has concluded.

How many people seeking asylum were deported to Bangladesh from 19 July 2024 to 29 August 2024.

The Home Office publishes data on enforced returns and asylum-related enforced returns in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’.Quarterly data on enforced returns by destination are published in table Ret_D02 of the ‘returns detailed datasets’. This data covers the period 2004 to June 2024.Data on asylum-related enforced returns for the top 10 nationalities, ranked by volume, are published in table Ret_04 of the ‘returns summary datasets’. This data is for the year ending June 2024.Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.Deportations are a subset of returns (defined in the ‘user guide glossary’). The published statistics refer to enforced returns which include deportations, as well as cases where a person has breached UK immigration laws, and those removed under other administrative and illegal entry powers that have declined to leave voluntarily.The Home Office and FCDO are in regular communication regarding migration issues. FCDO travel advice is aimed at British nationals and is not the relevant test for deciding protection claims. The Home Office remains satisfied that Bangladesh is currently safe for returns of those with no legal basis to stay in the UK.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward regulations on the (a) sourcing and (b) stocking of repair parts for lifts by registered social housing providers.

Registered providers of social housing are required to meet the regulatory standards set by the Regulator of Social Housing. The Safety and Quality Standard requires providers to provide an efficient, effective and timely repairs, maintenance and planned improvements service for the homes and communal areas for which they are responsible, which could include lifts.The Government recently committed to introducing a competence and conduct standard to ensure that social housing staff have the right skills and experience and that social housing tenants can hold their landlords to account for their high quality services and homes. We will also bring forward a consultation as soon as possible setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard, which will apply to both the social and private rented sectors.

How many and what proportion of pregnant women held in prison between 2023 and 2024 were on remand.

The HMPPS Annual Digest 2023/2024 reports a total number of 229 self-declared pregnant prisoners recorded between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.Custody type data were available for 91% of these prisoners, 71 (34%) of which were found to be on remand when their pregnancy was declared to HMPPS.[1][2]There are now dedicated Pregnancy and Mother and Baby Liaison Officers in all women’s prisons as well as mandated multidisciplinary care planning for pregnant women.The Lord Chancellor announced the creation of a Women’s Justice Board to address the distinct needs of women in the criminal justice system. The Board will have the goal of fewer women in prison and more supported in the community. It will initially focus on early intervention; community solutions including residential alternatives to custody; and improving outcomes for young adult women, and pregnant women and mothers of young children.Whilst there will always be some, including those who are pregnant, who need to be in custody, we must ensure they are given the best chance possible to tackle the drivers of their offending and to contribute meaningfully to society.Notes:[1] Due to different data collection methods we have considered a matching record to be the closest remand record within 7 days of the first pregnancy declaration date.[2] The figures in this table have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

When the Joint Working Group on Home Affairs with Bangladesh has met in the last 12 months.

The first UK-Bangladesh Joint Working Group (JWG) on Home Affairs was held on 16 May and will be held on an annual basis. During the dialogue, and in compliance with Home Office disclosure and confidentiality guidance and the Immigration Rules, asylum and migration issues were discussed. To date, the Standard Operating Procedure for returns, signed at the JWG, has yet to be fully implemented by the Government of Bangladesh, though returns to Bangladesh continue in the meantime. The Home Office and FCDO are in regular communication regarding human rights issues in Bangladesh. FCDO travel advice is aimed at British nationals and is not the relevant test for deciding protection claims. The Home Office remains satisfied that Bangladesh is currently safe for returns of those with no legal basis to stay in the UK.

How many people have been deported to Bangladesh as a result of the returns agreement dated 16 May 2024.

The first UK-Bangladesh Joint Working Group (JWG) on Home Affairs was held on 16 May and will be held on an annual basis. During the dialogue, and in compliance with Home Office disclosure and confidentiality guidance and the Immigration Rules, asylum and migration issues were discussed. To date, the Standard Operating Procedure for returns, signed at the JWG, has yet to be fully implemented by the Government of Bangladesh, though returns to Bangladesh continue in the meantime. The Home Office and FCDO are in regular communication regarding human rights issues in Bangladesh. FCDO travel advice is aimed at British nationals and is not the relevant test for deciding protection claims. The Home Office remains satisfied that Bangladesh is currently safe for returns of those with no legal basis to stay in the UK.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 2525 on Bangladesh: Armed Forces and Police, how many members of the Bangladeshi (a) police and (b) rapid action battalion have been trained at Sandhurst in the last ten years.

No Bangladeshi International Officer Cadets who have been trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the last ten years were members of the Bangladeshi Police or Rapid Action Battalion, either at the point of commencement or on completion of training. The Department does not hold records on whether these personnel went on to join the Bangladeshi Police or Rapid Action Battalion following completion of training.