Written questions by McDougall.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of extending the settlement qualifying period from five to ten years on the community integration of British National (Overseas) visa holders.

The British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route was launched on 31 January 2021 in response to China’s passing of the National Security Law. The route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status at the point of Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997.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.Further details of all measures announced in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in the normal way in due course, and where necessary, will be subject to consultation.

With reference to clause 6(a) of the UK-USA Economic and Prosperity Deal, published on 8 May 2025, whether she plans to direct Border Force to search direct cargo flights from Xinjiang to the UK to ensure they are not carrying goods made with forced labour.

Border Force does not routinely assess whether goods on freight entering the UK may have been made using forced labour, but we work closely with law enforcement partners to share intelligence to ensure all goods abide by customs and excise rules.The Government encourages businesses to monitor their global supply chains with rigour, uncover and remedy any instances of modern slavery they may find. Under Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, commercial businesses who operate in the UK and have a turnover of £36 million or more must report annually on the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains by publishing an annual modern slavery statement.The Home Office has recently published updated Transparency in Supply Chains statutory guidance. This new guidance is more comprehensive, practical and ambitious – calling on businesses to go further and faster. This will support businesses to produce high quality statements, which are underpinned by effective measures to prevent and effectively respond to modern slavery.The Government will continue to assess and monitor the effectiveness of new policy tools that are emerging to ensure we can best tackle environmental harms and human rights abuses, including forced labour, in supply chains. The Government regularly engages with a wide range of stakeholders and its international partner governments on these issues. The Government will consult thoroughly with interested stakeholders as it considers any further action.

What steps she is taking to protect Jewish communities from terrorist attacks.

In her speech to the annual dinner of the Community Security Trust on 26 March, the Home Secretary made clear the Government’s commitment to protect Jewish communities against antisemitic attacks and other security threats. The full speech is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/home-secretary-speech-at-the-community-security-trustThe Jewish Community Protective Security (JCPS) Grant provides protective security measures (such as security personnel services, CCTV and alarm systems) at synagogues, Jewish educational establishments and community sites. It is managed on behalf of the Home Office by the Community Security Trust.From 2024/25 to 2027/28, the Community Security Trust has been allocated £18 million annually through the JCPS Grant to continue this important work. We continue to work closely with the CST to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities across the UK.

If she will consider extending statutory regulations so that all social media platforms are covered by legislation on hate crime.

We have robust legislation in place to deal with threatening, abusive, or harassing behaviour and incitement to hatred, including laws to tackle perpetrators who stir up racial and religious hatred and hatred based on sexual orientation. Importantly, the law also ensures that people are protected against criminal activity, including threatening and abusive behaviour both online and offline.Hate crime is listed as a “priority offence” in the Online Safety Act 2023. These priority offences reflect the most serious and prevalent illegal content in relation to which companies must take proactive steps to ensure their services are not used to facilitate or commit these types of crime. Under their new Online Safety Act legal duties, online platforms need to put in place systems and processes to proactively prevent, identify, and remove priority illegal content and activity online. This includes safety by design measures to mitigate the likelihood of the most serious illegal content from appearing on platforms in the first place. They also need to have systems and processes to take down other illegal content.The Government funds the National Online Hate Crime Hub which supports individual local police forces in dealing specifically with online hate crime. The Hub provides expert advice to police forces to support them in investigating these abhorrent offences.

Whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of legislation covering hate crimes at providing police with sufficient powers to pursue incidents that occur on social media platforms.

We have robust legislation in place to deal with threatening, abusive, or harassing behaviour and incitement to hatred, including laws to tackle perpetrators who stir up racial and religious hatred and hatred based on sexual orientation. Importantly, the law also ensures that people are protected against criminal activity, including threatening and abusive behaviour both online and offline.Hate crime is listed as a “priority offence” in the Online Safety Act 2023. These priority offences reflect the most serious and prevalent illegal content in relation to which companies must take proactive steps to ensure their services are not used to facilitate or commit these types of crime. Under their new Online Safety Act legal duties, online platforms need to put in place systems and processes to proactively prevent, identify, and remove priority illegal content and activity online. This includes safety by design measures to mitigate the likelihood of the most serious illegal content from appearing on platforms in the first place. They also need to have systems and processes to take down other illegal content.The Government funds the National Online Hate Crime Hub which supports individual local police forces in dealing specifically with online hate crime. The Hub provides expert advice to police forces to support them in investigating these abhorrent offences.

What assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the High Court ruling that Part 4 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

As with all cases of this nature, we are now carefully considering the judgment in order to determine the best way forward.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the safety of British Hong Kongers.

The safety and security of Hong Kongers in the UK, including Carmen Lau and Tony Chung, is of the upmost importance. The UK will always stand up for the rights of the people of Hong Kong.As a matter of long-standing policy, we do not comment on the existence, or details, of security arrangements for any individuals. We continually assess potential threats and take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety very seriously. Without drawing inference to this case, any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated. Wherever we identify such threats, we will use any and all measures, including through our world-class intelligence services, to mitigate risk to individuals.

Whether her Department plans to provide support to (a) Carmen Lau and (b) Tony Chung in the context of targeted acts of intimidation from the Chinese State towards them.

The safety and security of Hong Kongers in the UK, including Carmen Lau and Tony Chung, is of the upmost importance. The UK will always stand up for the rights of the people of Hong Kong.As a matter of long-standing policy, we do not comment on the existence, or details, of security arrangements for any individuals. We continually assess potential threats and take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety very seriously. Without drawing inference to this case, any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated. Wherever we identify such threats, we will use any and all measures, including through our world-class intelligence services, to mitigate risk to individuals.

What data her Department holds on the number of Hong Kongers resident in the UK under the British National (Overseas) visa scheme by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority.

The Home Office publishes data on the British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route as part of the ‘Immigration System Statistics’ quarterly release, in the entry clearance visas and extensions detailed datasets. The Home Office does not hold data on the number of Hong Kongers resident in the UK under the BN(O) route by parliamentary constituency or by local authority.

With reference to the oral evidence of 7 January 2025 given by Shein to the Business and Trade Select Committee, HC 370, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the compliance by Shein with slave labour legislation.

The Government is committed to tackling modern slavery, ensuring that victims are provided with the support they need to begin rebuilding their lives and that those responsible are prosecuted. All businesses should monitor their supply chains with rigour to uncover, report where appropriate, and remedy any instances of modern slavery they may find in their operations and supply chains.Under Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, commercial businesses who operate in the UK and have a turnover of £36m or more must report annually on the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains by publishing an annual modern slavery statement. Businesses must ensure their statement has been approved by the Board, signed by a director and is available via the homepage of their website. They should publish the statement within 6 months of their financial year end.While Section 54 was primarily designed to increase transparency, allowing scrutiny by consumers, investors, and civil society, the Government is considering how it can strengthen the Section 54 regime, including penalties for non-compliance.The Home Office is currently working with a wide group of stakeholders from business, academia, and civil society to update the Section 54 Modern Slavery Act statutory guidance. This will further support businesses to produce high quality statements, which are underpinned by effective measures to prevent and effectively respond to instances of modern slavery in supply chains.

Whether she plans to review the salary threshold for the visa sponsorship programme.

The Home Secretary confirmed on 30 July that the Government will be retaining the increase to the general salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa route brought in by the previous government. The general salary thresholds are updated on an annual basis to keep track with the latest available salary data and pay scales to account for overall wage increases.

If she will remove Asma Assad's UK citizenship.

We do not comment on individual cases.But in the wider issue raised, the Home Office acted swiftly to temporarily pause decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation.We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues.While all asylum claims are routinely considered on their individual merits, it is standard procedure to deny protection to anyone who has committed crimes against peace, war crimes, crimes against humanity, other serious crimes abroad or acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

What support her Department provides to UK residents threatened by agents of authoritarian regimes overseas.

The first duty of any government is to keep the country safe and protect its citizens. The UK does not tolerate attempts by any state to threaten or intimidate UK residents. We continually assess potential risks and take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety very seriously. This involves taking a proactive approach to countering the most acute forms of state-directed threats to individuals.We will continue to implement measures in the National Security Act 2023, which make the UK a harder target for those states which seek to conduct hostile acts.Home Office officials work closely with operational partners, the FCDO and other government departments to ensure that UK residents are safe and secure. Where individuals have concerns for their safety, they are advised to contact their local police in the first instance.

What support her Department has provided to British citizens from Hong Kong living in the UK who have had bounties placed on their heads by the Chinese government.

It is the first duty of government to keep its citizens safe. Attempts to intimidate and silence individuals in the UK by foreign powers, including China, are unacceptable. The protection of individuals’ freedoms, and safety is of the upmost importance. Where individuals are identified as being of heightened risk, we are proactive in the deployment of protective security guidance and other measures as appropriate. Anyone who is concerned for their safety should contact the police in the first instance.

What discussion she has had with Cabinet colleagues on preparations for the next Modern Slavery Victim Care contract.

The Government has robust internal assurance processes in place to manage and assure projects and programmes. The programme to procure a replacement for the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (Support for Victims of Modern Slavery (SVMS)) is following these assurance processes, which includes approval from and discussion with key Government Departments. The SVMS programme has also spoken to Cabinet Office throughout the preparations for going to market and as part of the approval processes.The Home Office has undertaken a thorough market health assessment and conducted extensive supplier engagement for the SVMS programme, comprising a mix of Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and private sector organisations. The Home Office’s approach is to keep the opportunity open to different types of organisations – including charities and private sector - to ensure the Government harnesses the full range of capabilities across the supply chain delivering the best outcomes for victims of modern slavery. By adopting this approach, the SVMS programme will ensure it secures sustainable and resilient solutions that deliver economic and social value for UK taxpayers.For further information on the Government’s project assurance process and business case development guidance please see here: The Green Book and accompanying guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What assessment she has made of the potential suitability of the private sector for delivering services under a Modern Slavery Victim Care contract.

The Government has robust internal assurance processes in place to manage and assure projects and programmes. The programme to procure a replacement for the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (Support for Victims of Modern Slavery (SVMS)) is following these assurance processes, which includes approval from and discussion with key Government Departments. The SVMS programme has also spoken to Cabinet Office throughout the preparations for going to market and as part of the approval processes.The Home Office has undertaken a thorough market health assessment and conducted extensive supplier engagement for the SVMS programme, comprising a mix of Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and private sector organisations. The Home Office’s approach is to keep the opportunity open to different types of organisations – including charities and private sector - to ensure the Government harnesses the full range of capabilities across the supply chain delivering the best outcomes for victims of modern slavery. By adopting this approach, the SVMS programme will ensure it secures sustainable and resilient solutions that deliver economic and social value for UK taxpayers.For further information on the Government’s project assurance process and business case development guidance please see here: The Green Book and accompanying guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).