Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to the policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2024, what the timetable is for the establishment of a dedicated Justice AI Unit.

The Justice AI Unit was established in November 2024.

What DNA information is (a) recorded and (b) stored as part of the Home Office Biometrics programme.

The Forensic Information Databases Service (FINDS) Unit manages the National DNA Database (NDNAD) and other national DNA databases on behalf of policing. The Home Office Biometrics Programme provides maintenance and development support of the IT system which contains the databases.The DNA databases administered by FINDS are as follows:The National DNA Database (NDNAD) holds DNA profile records taken from individuals arrested under the appropriate legislation (e.g. PACE) and also from crime scenes. The data provides the police with matches linking an individual to a crime scene or a crime scene to another crime scene. The Missing Persons DNA Database (MPDD) holds DNA profile records attributed to missing persons; including where an existing record for the missing person is available from the NDNAD, where a DNA profile is able to be developed from the belongings of a missing person, or from the close relatives of the missing person (who will have similar DNA) who have volunteered their DNA to be included on the MPDD. The Vulnerable Persons DNA Database (VPDD) holds the DNA profile records of people who are at risk (or who consider themselves at risk) of harm (for instance due to child sexual exploitation or honour-based abuse) and have asked for their profile to be added to the database. The Centralised DNA Contamination Elimination Database (CED) holds profiles generated from DNA samples provided by police officers and police staff, and from other individuals with potential to introduce contamination into the DNA supply chain, such as staff employed in DNA sampling and processing.

With reference to page 109 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, which (a) units and (b) formations comprise the UK contribution to NATO’s Strategic Reserve Corps.

The Allied Rapid Reaction Corps provides the UK’s Strategic Reserve Corps Command HQ with associated Corps level enablers and subordinate formations. This includes, HQ 3 (UK) Division, HQ 1 (UK) Division, 1st Aviation Brigade, 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, 7 Light Mechanised Brigade and an armoured Brigade. The Army’s modernisation programme is in the process of delivering and enabling a growth trajectory that is being communicated with NATO.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, what discussions she has had with the French authorities on the steps they are taking in order to increase their enforcement activity to prevent small boat crossings.

In their Joint Declaration of the 37th UK-France Summit on 10 July 2025 the Prime Minister and President Macron committed to deepening UK/France cooperation on tackling irregular migration to the UK.As a result of the strengthened relationship between the UK and France, the Home Secretary and her French counterpart meet regularly to discuss measures for tackling small boat crossings in the English Channel, including the delivery of the new returns pilot, and the ongoing French maritime review which will deploy novel and innovative approaches to intercept boats.The Home Office will continue to engage with French counterparts to support the implementation of these measures, with the intention of contributing to efforts aimed at addressing the issue of small boat crossings.

With reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on developing Space Domain Awareness.

A key mission for UK Space Command is to develop capability to enable Space Domain Awareness (SDA) to safeguard our capability and understand potential adversary intent. UK Space Command has worked with the UK Space Agency and Met Office to establish an integrated military and civilian National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC). The NSpOC coordinates SDA capabilities, across multiple sites. UK Space Command is also the regional coordinator of the Meridian Cell as part of the Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) Initiative, which brings together partner nations, industry, commercial and civil to support global SDA collection. UK Space Command also includes command of the No 1 Space Operations Squadron, which monitor’s the space domain to protect on-orbit assets of the UK and its allies, as well as No 2 Space Warning Squadron, at RAF Fylingdales, which provides world-leading Missile Warning and Space Surveillance and Tracking to allies and partners. Most recently, a £65 million deal with CGI UK will deliver the Borealis command, control and data processing system will help the UK military and the UK Space Agency to better monitor and protect satellites, through new software which compiles and processes data from multiple sources, more quickly, to monitor space. The Government have also partnered with the United States and Australia in delivering the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability programme, a set of three global radar sites which will enable detection, identification, and tracking of objects in deep space.

With reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, what progress he has made in delivering a dedicated AI communications plan.

Transparency of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used is fundamental to earning public trust and ensuring the responsible use of AI. We are making progress against our aim to deliver a dedicated AI Communications Plan, which includes establishing internal and external-facing channels that showcase the department’s ethical use of AI. For the internal workforce, we have established a dedicated ‘AI for All’ hub which provides access to training sessions, webinars, and practical resources to support safe, responsible use of AI tools. Separately, our public-facing online hub at ai.justice.gov.uk serves as a central point of engagement for the public and provides updates on the Ministry of Justice’s ethical use of AI.

With reference to her Department's accredited official statistics entitled How many people claim asylum in the UK?, published on 21 August 2025, what assessment she made of the potential implications for her policies of the 8,900 asylum applications from people with a visitor visa.

In the year ending June 2025, UK Visas and Immigration issued 2.2 million Visitor visas. Applicants must satisfy the decision-maker that they are a genuine visitor who will leave the UK at the end of their Visit, and if not the decision-maker will refuse the visa application.The UK keeps its visa system under regular review, and the government has been clear that we will do whatever it takes to tackle the issue of visa abuse.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, when the strategic refresh of the Asylum Accommodation Programme was undertaken.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, which smaller to medium sites are being progressed under the Asylum Accommodation Programme.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 46175 on Sexual Offences Act 2003, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to remove the requirement for the accused to have a penis in order to be charged with rape.

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 provides a robust framework of very serious offences criminalising non-consensual sexual penetration. The offence of rape under section 1 of that Act is committed whenever there is intentional penile penetration of a person’s mouth, anus or vagina without consent or reasonable belief in consent. Intentional sexual penetration of a person’s vagina or anus with something other than a penis and without consent or reasonable belief in consent is criminalised by the offence of assault by penetration under section 2 that Act. “Forced penetration”, where a person forces another to penetrate them with their penis (or something else) is covered by the offence of “causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent” under section 4 of that Act. These three sexual offences are equally serious under the law where penetration is involved and all attract a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The law in this area is rightly robust, well understood and working effectively. We therefore have no plans to amend the legal definition of section 1 rape, but we continue to keep the criminal law under review.

With reference to his Department's press notice entitled UK and Türkiye agree big step towards multi-billion-pound export of Typhoon fighter jets, published on 23 July 2025, what the timeline is for the Typhoon upgrade programme over the next 15 years.

Information regarding upgrades to the Typhoon's systems and equipment will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on building on UK membership of the US-led space coalition under Operation Olympic Defender to help ensure that NATO has an effective space policy.

The UK remains firmly committed to working with international partners and Allies through a range of international fora, including the US-led Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER. Through these partnerships we are building a shared understanding of the evolving space threats, integrating space more effectively into defence operations, and pursuing interoperability and resilience across our defence space capabilities.

With reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on developing command and control at levels of classification above Secret to support UK freedom of action in space.

UK Space Command will invest in and develop a wide range of capability to enable its operations at the required classifications. For reasons of national security, we are unable to comment on projects or programmes which deliver capabilities above the OFFICIAL classification.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of replacing the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts as part of the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme.

Under the Asylum Support and Accommodation Programme (ASAP) now known as Future Asylum Contract Transformation (FACT) Project, a delivery model assessment was undertaken looking at the current Asylum contractual landscape alongside future business needs, this include the current Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts (AASC) service due to the integration of these services alongside other core Asylum Business requirements.As with all Public Sector contracts, re-procurement is required to replace any expiring contracts to ensure value for money solutions to support delivery of future Asylum initiatives.

How many children were (a) arrested, (b) charged and (c) prosecuted for sexual assault, including rape but excluding statutory rape, by (i) age and (ii) gender in each year since 2015.

The information requested on the number of children prosecuted for the offences listed (all forms of violent assault, battery, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, murder and sexual assault offences) by age and gender, can be found at: Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: December 2024 - GOV.UK.The Ministry of Justice does not hold data on the number of children arrested and charged as this is a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. However, some information on arrests and charges can be found within the Crime Outcomes in England and Wales produced by the Home Office.Data centrally held does not include the number of children who were victims of crimes committed by other children, beyond information included in the offence type, nor how many children were murdered by other children, beyond infanticide. Whilst this information may be held in court records, examining individual records would incur disproportionate costs.

With reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of using AI to improve scheduling on prison capacity.

AI tools can quickly create the best schedules by analysing real-time data about staff, capacity, risks, and priorities. We are exploring how this could help with managing prison capacity and other scheduling challenges such as listing in courts and tribunals.

How many children were (a) arrested, (b) charged and (c) prosecuted for (i) all forms of violent assault, (ii) battery, (iii) actual bodily harm and (iv) grievous bodily harm by (A) age and (B) gender in each year since 2015.

The information requested on the number of children prosecuted for the offences listed (all forms of violent assault, battery, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, murder and sexual assault offences) by age and gender, can be found at: Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: December 2024 - GOV.UK.The Ministry of Justice does not hold data on the number of children arrested and charged as this is a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. However, some information on arrests and charges can be found within the Crime Outcomes in England and Wales produced by the Home Office.Data centrally held does not include the number of children who were victims of crimes committed by other children, beyond information included in the offence type, nor how many children were murdered by other children, beyond infanticide. Whilst this information may be held in court records, examining individual records would incur disproportionate costs.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 25 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what steps she has taken with Ofcom to use the Online Safety Act 2023 in the context of the National Security Strategy.

The government is committed to working with Ofcom to ensure the Online Safety Act is implemented quickly and effectively, recognising its vital role in protecting the public and supporting national security.All services in scope of the Act must comply with illegal content duties and, where relevant, safeguard children from harmful content. The illegal harms codes of practice came into effect in March. Services must take steps to prevent users from encountering illegal content or activity. They must apply additional measures for the most serious and prevalent offences, including child sexual exploitation and abuse, terrorism, and threats to kill.

With reference to recommendation 35 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, when he will confirm the intended number of SSN attack submarines.

The final decision will be based on analysis of defence requirements through the Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to the press release entitled Great British Energy to cut bills for hospitals and schools, published on 21 March 2025, over how many financial years the partnership with Great British Energy to increase solar generation across the NHS will take place.

The investment announced by Great British Energy and the UK government in March is for schools and hospitals for the 2025/26 financial year. Beyond 2025/26, we expect decisions on funding and investment to be made by Great British Energy as it becomes fully operational.