Written questions by Anderson.

What recent discussions her Department has had with representative groups of the Windrush generation on the compensation process.

Last year, the Government reiterated its renewed commitment to ensuring everyone who was affected by the Home Office Windrush scandal receives every penny of the compensation to which they are entitled at the earliest point possible and members of the Windrush generation receive the support they deserve swiftly and with dignity. The Scheme has since taken forward several actions to honour that commitment.The Home Office continues to listen and respond to feedback from affected communities and stakeholders to ensure that the Scheme is operating effectively for those affected. The changes made to the Scheme in December 2020, August 2022 and October 2025, mean people receive significantly more money more quickly. We have significantly accelerated our claims processing and continue to reduce waiting times. Our ongoing improvements are aimed at ensuring claimants receive timely outcomes. These significant and positive policy changes were made following consultation with claimants and stakeholders. Detailed information on the changes was shared in the Written Ministerial Statement by Lord Hanson, published on 27 October 2025.Information on the progress made by the Windrush Compensation Scheme is published as part of the monthly Transparency Data release. The latest published data, covering the period up to the end of September 2025, is available here: Windrush Compensation Scheme data: September 2025 - GOV.UKSince announcing the Government’s commitment to deliver on its manifesto promises to the Windrush Generations in October 2024, Ministers have also been determined to hear directly from impacted communities and individuals. Reverend Clive Foster MBE was appointed as the first UK Windrush Commissioner on 18 June 2025, fulfilling a manifesto commitment. His crucial role ensures that the voices of those affected remain at the heart of efforts to deliver justice and lasting change. Furthermore, over the past 12 months, the Windrush Compensation Scheme has attended over 95 engagement events, including the Windrush National Organisation Conference, to promote awareness of the scheme. The Home Office has also worked closely with organisations through the Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund to improve access to advocacy and support for claimants. Home Office Ministers have held one to one meetings, attended Windrush events and exhibits, and on three occasions the Home Office has opened its doors to host Windrush events.All staff undertake a training programme which includes a module providing a history of Windrush and what happened prior to the launch of the Compensation Scheme. It includes clips of people from the Windrush generation, as well as case studies, to provide insights into the way people have been affected. Once staff have completed this programme, they follow a structured mentoring programme which further develops Decision Makers’ skills and knowledge.

What steps she is taking to report on the progress of the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Last year, the Government reiterated its renewed commitment to ensuring everyone who was affected by the Home Office Windrush scandal receives every penny of the compensation to which they are entitled at the earliest point possible and members of the Windrush generation receive the support they deserve swiftly and with dignity. The Scheme has since taken forward several actions to honour that commitment.The Home Office continues to listen and respond to feedback from affected communities and stakeholders to ensure that the Scheme is operating effectively for those affected. The changes made to the Scheme in December 2020, August 2022 and October 2025, mean people receive significantly more money more quickly. We have significantly accelerated our claims processing and continue to reduce waiting times. Our ongoing improvements are aimed at ensuring claimants receive timely outcomes. These significant and positive policy changes were made following consultation with claimants and stakeholders. Detailed information on the changes was shared in the Written Ministerial Statement by Lord Hanson, published on 27 October 2025.Information on the progress made by the Windrush Compensation Scheme is published as part of the monthly Transparency Data release. The latest published data, covering the period up to the end of September 2025, is available here: Windrush Compensation Scheme data: September 2025 - GOV.UKSince announcing the Government’s commitment to deliver on its manifesto promises to the Windrush Generations in October 2024, Ministers have also been determined to hear directly from impacted communities and individuals. Reverend Clive Foster MBE was appointed as the first UK Windrush Commissioner on 18 June 2025, fulfilling a manifesto commitment. His crucial role ensures that the voices of those affected remain at the heart of efforts to deliver justice and lasting change. Furthermore, over the past 12 months, the Windrush Compensation Scheme has attended over 95 engagement events, including the Windrush National Organisation Conference, to promote awareness of the scheme. The Home Office has also worked closely with organisations through the Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund to improve access to advocacy and support for claimants. Home Office Ministers have held one to one meetings, attended Windrush events and exhibits, and on three occasions the Home Office has opened its doors to host Windrush events.All staff undertake a training programme which includes a module providing a history of Windrush and what happened prior to the launch of the Compensation Scheme. It includes clips of people from the Windrush generation, as well as case studies, to provide insights into the way people have been affected. Once staff have completed this programme, they follow a structured mentoring programme which further develops Decision Makers’ skills and knowledge.

What recent training has been provided to staff administering the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Last year, the Government reiterated its renewed commitment to ensuring everyone who was affected by the Home Office Windrush scandal receives every penny of the compensation to which they are entitled at the earliest point possible and members of the Windrush generation receive the support they deserve swiftly and with dignity. The Scheme has since taken forward several actions to honour that commitment.The Home Office continues to listen and respond to feedback from affected communities and stakeholders to ensure that the Scheme is operating effectively for those affected. The changes made to the Scheme in December 2020, August 2022 and October 2025, mean people receive significantly more money more quickly. We have significantly accelerated our claims processing and continue to reduce waiting times. Our ongoing improvements are aimed at ensuring claimants receive timely outcomes. These significant and positive policy changes were made following consultation with claimants and stakeholders. Detailed information on the changes was shared in the Written Ministerial Statement by Lord Hanson, published on 27 October 2025.Information on the progress made by the Windrush Compensation Scheme is published as part of the monthly Transparency Data release. The latest published data, covering the period up to the end of September 2025, is available here: Windrush Compensation Scheme data: September 2025 - GOV.UKSince announcing the Government’s commitment to deliver on its manifesto promises to the Windrush Generations in October 2024, Ministers have also been determined to hear directly from impacted communities and individuals. Reverend Clive Foster MBE was appointed as the first UK Windrush Commissioner on 18 June 2025, fulfilling a manifesto commitment. His crucial role ensures that the voices of those affected remain at the heart of efforts to deliver justice and lasting change. Furthermore, over the past 12 months, the Windrush Compensation Scheme has attended over 95 engagement events, including the Windrush National Organisation Conference, to promote awareness of the scheme. The Home Office has also worked closely with organisations through the Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund to improve access to advocacy and support for claimants. Home Office Ministers have held one to one meetings, attended Windrush events and exhibits, and on three occasions the Home Office has opened its doors to host Windrush events.All staff undertake a training programme which includes a module providing a history of Windrush and what happened prior to the launch of the Compensation Scheme. It includes clips of people from the Windrush generation, as well as case studies, to provide insights into the way people have been affected. Once staff have completed this programme, they follow a structured mentoring programme which further develops Decision Makers’ skills and knowledge.

What criteria her Department has used as a basis for its assessment of the effectiveness changes to the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Last year, the Government reiterated its renewed commitment to ensuring everyone who was affected by the Home Office Windrush scandal receives every penny of the compensation to which they are entitled at the earliest point possible and members of the Windrush generation receive the support they deserve swiftly and with dignity. The Scheme has since taken forward several actions to honour that commitment.The Home Office continues to listen and respond to feedback from affected communities and stakeholders to ensure that the Scheme is operating effectively for those affected. The changes made to the Scheme in December 2020, August 2022 and October 2025, mean people receive significantly more money more quickly. We have significantly accelerated our claims processing and continue to reduce waiting times. Our ongoing improvements are aimed at ensuring claimants receive timely outcomes. These significant and positive policy changes were made following consultation with claimants and stakeholders. Detailed information on the changes was shared in the Written Ministerial Statement by Lord Hanson, published on 27 October 2025.Information on the progress made by the Windrush Compensation Scheme is published as part of the monthly Transparency Data release. The latest published data, covering the period up to the end of September 2025, is available here: Windrush Compensation Scheme data: September 2025 - GOV.UKSince announcing the Government’s commitment to deliver on its manifesto promises to the Windrush Generations in October 2024, Ministers have also been determined to hear directly from impacted communities and individuals. Reverend Clive Foster MBE was appointed as the first UK Windrush Commissioner on 18 June 2025, fulfilling a manifesto commitment. His crucial role ensures that the voices of those affected remain at the heart of efforts to deliver justice and lasting change. Furthermore, over the past 12 months, the Windrush Compensation Scheme has attended over 95 engagement events, including the Windrush National Organisation Conference, to promote awareness of the scheme. The Home Office has also worked closely with organisations through the Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund to improve access to advocacy and support for claimants. Home Office Ministers have held one to one meetings, attended Windrush events and exhibits, and on three occasions the Home Office has opened its doors to host Windrush events.All staff undertake a training programme which includes a module providing a history of Windrush and what happened prior to the launch of the Compensation Scheme. It includes clips of people from the Windrush generation, as well as case studies, to provide insights into the way people have been affected. Once staff have completed this programme, they follow a structured mentoring programme which further develops Decision Makers’ skills and knowledge.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that the partnership with the United Arab Emirates on tackling illicit finance is aligned with the objectives set out in the UK’s Economic Crime Plan, 2023 to 2026.

The UK-UAE Illicit Finance Partnership incorporates objectives from the Economic Crime Plan 2 (ECP2), which sets the UK’s whole-system response to economic crime. Strong progress was made against ECP2 objectives during the UK-UAE Illicit Finance Dialogue in September 2025, when the UAE visited London to advance talks on cooperation in areas such as asset recovery and fraud. As a global financial centres, the UK and UAE have joint responsibility to tackle illicit finance through our partnership, while achieving strategic outcomes set out in the Economic Crime Plan 2.

What processes are in place to review the effectiveness of the new co-operation with the United Arab Emirates in disrupting cross-border money laundering and terrorist financing activities.

The UK-UAE Partnership to Tackle Illicit Financial Flows is long-standing. Engagement to strengthen international cooperation on illicit finance is a Government-wide approach, and cooperation between the UK and UAE includes cross-Department Ministerial oversight. The UAE’s and UK’s next mutual evaluations by the Financial Action Task Force will be in 2026 and 2027 respectively, which will provide an independent assessment of the effectiveness of our respective anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing regimes, including international cooperation.

What steps her Department is taking to work with community groups on the knife crime amnesty initiative in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

The Government is operating extended surrender arrangements throughout July focused on Greater London, West Midlands and Greater Manchester, as the three highest areas of knife crime in England and Wales. These arrangements involve a mobile surrender van which is being operated by the charity Faz Amnesty to allow people to anonymously surrender knives and weapons along with the provision of surrender bins in partnership with the charity Word 4 Weapons. Faz Amnesty will be looking to work across wider locations in the future.We are also running a separate surrender and compensation scheme to allow the public to surrender ninja swords and claim compensation at designated police stations across England and Wales. The list of designated police stations, including those within Thames Valley Police is available on Gov.UK at: Ninja sword surrender and compensation scheme - GOV.UK

What the reporting arrangements are between the Windrush Commissioner and ministers.

On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.

Whether the Windrush Commissioner is expected to make recommendations to government on future policy relating to affected communities.

On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.

Whether the Windrush Commissioner’s role includes oversight of cultural change initiatives within her Department.

On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.

How the Windrush Commissioner will provide regular progress updates on the implementation of the Government’s response to the Windrush scandal to Parliament.

On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.

Whether the Windrush Commissioner will have access to departmental data relating to the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.

What formal mechanisms have been established to enable the Windrush Commissioner to engage with affected individuals and community organisations.

On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.

What steps her Department is taking to allocate the £20 million fund to services supporting victims of abuse in (a) Buckinghamshire and (b) Milton Keynes.

On Monday 12 May, we announced a £19.9m funding boost to support thousands more victims of violence against women and girls (VAWG). This funding will help victims access specialist services . This includes £6m for specialist helplines to support victims of VAWG across England and Wales, £2m for a Flexible Fund administered by Women’s Aid Federation England, which offers direct cash payments to victims fleeing abuse across England and Wales, and £2.4 million for the Supporting Migrant Victims Scheme, a national programme that supports migrant victims of abuse who are unable to access public funds. This comprehensive national package reflects our commitment to ensuring that all victims and survivors - regardless of their background, circumstances or postcode - can access the support they need.Regarding investment into local services, on 28 November 2024 the Government announced a £30m funding increase to the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Grant, bringing the total investment to £160m in 2025-26. This will enable local authorities to invest in essential support in frontline safe accommodation services. Furthermore, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales also receive annual grant funding from the MOJ’s victim and witness budget to commission local support services for victims of all crime types. PCCs are best placed to understand their local communities and providers and to commission appropriate support to meet that need.

What steps her Department is taking to support community groups in Milton Keynes to prevent youth involvement in violent crime.

Halving knife crime over the next decade is a key part of the Government’s Safer Streets Mission. Driving down youth-related violence across the UK, including in Milton Keynes, will play a key role in meeting this ambition.Through the Young Futures Programme, the Government will introduce Prevention Partnerships across the country, including in Thames Valley, to intervene earlier and ensure that children and young people vulnerable to being drawn into crime are identified and offered support in a more systematic way.As we design the Young Futures Programme, we will ensure that it learns from and builds on the work of the Violence Reduction Units (VRUs). VRUs bring together partners, including representatives from local education institutions and from the voluntary and community sector, to understand and tackle the drivers of serious violence in their area.In 2025/26 the Home Office is investing £1.5m in grant funding to Thames Valley VRU, alongside £280k to continue the implementation of the Serious Violence Duty.This funding will support delivery of a range of early intervention and prevention programmes, which includes continuation of a Focussed Deterrence intervention in Milton Keynes. This project will be targeted at young people who carry knives and providing them with tailored multi-agency support to desist from violence, alongside enforcement measures. Funding will also support the development and roll out of training for parents, schools and community groups in Thames Valley on the signs of criminal exploitation, in order that young people at risk are identified and supported.Alongside investment in local violence prevention approaches, we are also committed to removing weapons from our streets. Stop and search is a vital tool for tackling crime. Last year 16,066 stop and searches led to offensive weapons or firearms being found and taken off our streets.On 24 September 2024 we implemented the ban on zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes, and from 1 August 2025 it will also be illegal to sell or own ninja swords. We have announced “Ronan’s Law” a range of measures which will include stricter rules for online sellers of knives including strengthening age verification controls and checks through a two-stage age verification system at the point of purchase and on delivery, and we are also intending to consult later this year on a registration scheme for online sellers of knives.With measures in the Crime and Policing Bill 2025 we are increasing the penalties for illegal sales of knives, creating a new offence of possessing a knife with the intention to commit unlawful violence and are giving the police a new power to seize knives when they believe they are likely to be used in connection with unlawful violence.

What steps her Department is taking to support schools in Milton Keynes in delivering anti-violence education programmes.

Halving knife crime over the next decade is a key part of the Government’s Safer Streets Mission. Driving down youth-related violence across the UK, including in Milton Keynes, will play a key role in meeting this ambition.Through the Young Futures Programme, the Government will introduce Prevention Partnerships across the country, including in Thames Valley, to intervene earlier and ensure that children and young people vulnerable to being drawn into crime are identified and offered support in a more systematic way.As we design the Young Futures Programme, we will ensure that it learns from and builds on the work of the Violence Reduction Units (VRUs). VRUs bring together partners, including representatives from local education institutions and from the voluntary and community sector, to understand and tackle the drivers of serious violence in their area.In 2025/26 the Home Office is investing £1.5m in grant funding to Thames Valley VRU, alongside £280k to continue the implementation of the Serious Violence Duty.This funding will support delivery of a range of early intervention and prevention programmes, which includes continuation of a Focussed Deterrence intervention in Milton Keynes. This project will be targeted at young people who carry knives and providing them with tailored multi-agency support to desist from violence, alongside enforcement measures. Funding will also support the development and roll out of training for parents, schools and community groups in Thames Valley on the signs of criminal exploitation, in order that young people at risk are identified and supported.Alongside investment in local violence prevention approaches, we are also committed to removing weapons from our streets. Stop and search is a vital tool for tackling crime. Last year 16,066 stop and searches led to offensive weapons or firearms being found and taken off our streets.On 24 September 2024 we implemented the ban on zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes, and from 1 August 2025 it will also be illegal to sell or own ninja swords. We have announced “Ronan’s Law” a range of measures which will include stricter rules for online sellers of knives including strengthening age verification controls and checks through a two-stage age verification system at the point of purchase and on delivery, and we are also intending to consult later this year on a registration scheme for online sellers of knives.With measures in the Crime and Policing Bill 2025 we are increasing the penalties for illegal sales of knives, creating a new offence of possessing a knife with the intention to commit unlawful violence and are giving the police a new power to seize knives when they believe they are likely to be used in connection with unlawful violence.

What steps her Department is taking to remove dangerous weapons from the streets in Milton Keynes.

Halving knife crime over the next decade is a key part of the Government’s Safer Streets Mission. Driving down youth-related violence across the UK, including in Milton Keynes, will play a key role in meeting this ambition.Through the Young Futures Programme, the Government will introduce Prevention Partnerships across the country, including in Thames Valley, to intervene earlier and ensure that children and young people vulnerable to being drawn into crime are identified and offered support in a more systematic way.As we design the Young Futures Programme, we will ensure that it learns from and builds on the work of the Violence Reduction Units (VRUs). VRUs bring together partners, including representatives from local education institutions and from the voluntary and community sector, to understand and tackle the drivers of serious violence in their area.In 2025/26 the Home Office is investing £1.5m in grant funding to Thames Valley VRU, alongside £280k to continue the implementation of the Serious Violence Duty.This funding will support delivery of a range of early intervention and prevention programmes, which includes continuation of a Focussed Deterrence intervention in Milton Keynes. This project will be targeted at young people who carry knives and providing them with tailored multi-agency support to desist from violence, alongside enforcement measures. Funding will also support the development and roll out of training for parents, schools and community groups in Thames Valley on the signs of criminal exploitation, in order that young people at risk are identified and supported.Alongside investment in local violence prevention approaches, we are also committed to removing weapons from our streets. Stop and search is a vital tool for tackling crime. Last year 16,066 stop and searches led to offensive weapons or firearms being found and taken off our streets.On 24 September 2024 we implemented the ban on zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes, and from 1 August 2025 it will also be illegal to sell or own ninja swords. We have announced “Ronan’s Law” a range of measures which will include stricter rules for online sellers of knives including strengthening age verification controls and checks through a two-stage age verification system at the point of purchase and on delivery, and we are also intending to consult later this year on a registration scheme for online sellers of knives.With measures in the Crime and Policing Bill 2025 we are increasing the penalties for illegal sales of knives, creating a new offence of possessing a knife with the intention to commit unlawful violence and are giving the police a new power to seize knives when they believe they are likely to be used in connection with unlawful violence.

What funding has been allocated to community safety initiatives in (a) Buckinghamshire and (b) Milton Keynes.

Funding of £627.4 million has been allocated to Thames Valley Police in 2025-25, an increase of up to £40.8 million when compared to the 2024-25 funding settlement.It is for locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners, or Mayoral equivalents, to make decisions on how they use their funding and deploy their resources using their knowledge of local need.

What assessment she has made of recent trends in levels of rural crime rates in Buckinghamshire in the last five years.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes estimates, from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), on the proportion of adults who had been a victim of crime. This is broken down by whether the household was located in a rural or urban location. The latest data can be found here:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesannualtrendanddemographictables/currentData is not available for county areas such as Buckinghamshire.This Government is determined to tackle rural crime and is committed to safeguarding rural communities, with tougher measures to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing, and stronger laws to prevent farm theft.We are taking a new approach by working closely with the National Police Chief’s Council to develop the next iteration of the Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy, to ensure the government’s Safer Streets Mission benefits every community no matter where they live, including rural communities.This new financial year the Home Office will be providing the first funding since 2023 for the National Rural Crime Unit (£365,000) as well as continuing funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit (£450,000). This will allow these specialist units to continue their work in tackling rural and wildlife crime which can pose unique challenges for policing given the scale and isolation of rural areas.

How many additional police officers have been recruited under the Police Uplift Programme in Thames Valley Police.

Table U2 of the data tables accompanying the final ‘Police Officer Uplift’ release, covering the position as at 31 March 2023, provides a breakdown of additional officers recruited through the Police Uplift Programme by month since October 2019. These data can be accessed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64b6d5d30ea2cb000d15e560/police-officer-uplift-final-position-as-at-march-2023-tables-260723.ods. Data are provided on a headcount basis and broken down by Police Force Area.During the Police Uplift Programme, Thames Valley recruited 784 additional police officers attributable to the Police Uplift Programme. This was against an allocation to recruit 609 additional police officers for the three-year programme.Reporting on the size and composition of the police workforce continues on a bi-annual basis in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales.