Written questions by Nichols.

With reference to the Government response to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' report, Barriers to Research Part 2: Schedule 1 Controlled Drugs, published on 16 July 2025, whether the Barriers to Research Working Group has met with the new cross-government working group to discuss implementation of those recommendations.

The Government responded to ACMD recommendations on reducing barriers to clinical research with Schedule 1 drugs in July 2025. A cross-government officials group is in place and is developing the policy and has engaged with other departments, agencies, stakeholders and international partners. The Government remains committed to implementing the recommendations and will publish further plans in due course.

With reference to the Government response to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' report, Barriers to Research Part 2: Schedule 1 Controlled Drugs, published on 16 July 2025, what progress her Department has made on (a) establishing the proposed pilot scheme to exempt universities and hospitals from the requirement to obtain a Home Office licence for research involving Schedule 1 controlled drugs, (b) creating an exemption for clinical studies with MHRA, HRA and Research Ethics Committee approval, (c) reviewing the domestic and import/export licensing system, and (d) developing the framework to assess the impact of those policy changes.

The Government responded to ACMD recommendations on reducing barriers to clinical research with Schedule 1 drugs in July 2025. A cross-government officials group is in place and is developing the policy and has engaged with other departments, agencies, stakeholders and international partners. The Government remains committed to implementing the recommendations and will publish further plans in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the reclassification of ketamine as a class B drug on (a) the rate of its usage among (i) 16 to 59-year-olds and (ii) 16 to 24-year-olds, (b) the average street price of ketamine and (d) its illicit availability in each year since 2015.

My reply to my honourable friend's previous questions as to what assessment the Home Office had made of the potential impact of the reclassification of ketamine on these four matters confirmed that we had not carried out such an exercise and that the drivers of the availability, market price and prevalence of drugs are complex.As to any future assessments, in January 2025 my predecessor asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to provide an updated assessment on the harms of ketamine, and I would expect its report to provide an holistic assessment of that drug.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the reclassification of ketamine as a class B drug on the rate of usage among 16 to 59 year olds annually since 2015.

Ketamine is a dangerous substance, which can cause irreversible bladder damage and in some cases death. Ministers are very concerned about the harms ketamine causes and on 16 October 2025 the Department for Health and Social Care launched a campaign to alert young people to the dangers of that drug (as well as counterfeit medicines containing synthetic opioids, and THC vapes).Ketamine was moved from Class C to Class B within Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA) in 2014, following a review of its harms by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The ACMD noted that “although there is limited evidence of ketamine misuse causing social harm, evidence of physical harm (mainly chronic bladder toxicity but also an increase in acute toxicity) has increased”.We have not carried out an assessment of the effects of that reclassification. The drivers of the availability, market price and prevalence of drugs are complex. The control of drugs under the MDA is an important means of reducing their availability and gives law enforcement the powers to target criminals involved in supplying harmful substances. In 2024 there were 2,014 prosecutions and 1,507 convictions in England and Wales for offences relating to the possession and trafficking of ketamine.In January 2025 the Government asked the ACMD to provide an updated harms assessment of ketamine. The ACMD carried out a public call for evidence in August and we expect to receive its report by the end of 2025. We will carefully consider its recommendations.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the reclassification of ketamine as a class B drug on the rate of usage among 16 to 24 year olds annually since 2015.

Ketamine is a dangerous substance, which can cause irreversible bladder damage and in some cases death. Ministers are very concerned about the harms ketamine causes and on 16 October 2025 the Department for Health and Social Care launched a campaign to alert young people to the dangers of that drug (as well as counterfeit medicines containing synthetic opioids, and THC vapes).Ketamine was moved from Class C to Class B within Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA) in 2014, following a review of its harms by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The ACMD noted that “although there is limited evidence of ketamine misuse causing social harm, evidence of physical harm (mainly chronic bladder toxicity but also an increase in acute toxicity) has increased”.We have not carried out an assessment of the effects of that reclassification. The drivers of the availability, market price and prevalence of drugs are complex. The control of drugs under the MDA is an important means of reducing their availability and gives law enforcement the powers to target criminals involved in supplying harmful substances. In 2024 there were 2,014 prosecutions and 1,507 convictions in England and Wales for offences relating to the possession and trafficking of ketamine.In January 2025 the Government asked the ACMD to provide an updated harms assessment of ketamine. The ACMD carried out a public call for evidence in August and we expect to receive its report by the end of 2025. We will carefully consider its recommendations.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the reclassification of ketamine as a class B drug on the average street price of ketamine annually since 2015.

Ketamine is a dangerous substance, which can cause irreversible bladder damage and in some cases death. Ministers are very concerned about the harms ketamine causes and on 16 October 2025 the Department for Health and Social Care launched a campaign to alert young people to the dangers of that drug (as well as counterfeit medicines containing synthetic opioids, and THC vapes).Ketamine was moved from Class C to Class B within Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA) in 2014, following a review of its harms by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The ACMD noted that “although there is limited evidence of ketamine misuse causing social harm, evidence of physical harm (mainly chronic bladder toxicity but also an increase in acute toxicity) has increased”.We have not carried out an assessment of the effects of that reclassification. The drivers of the availability, market price and prevalence of drugs are complex. The control of drugs under the MDA is an important means of reducing their availability and gives law enforcement the powers to target criminals involved in supplying harmful substances. In 2024 there were 2,014 prosecutions and 1,507 convictions in England and Wales for offences relating to the possession and trafficking of ketamine.In January 2025 the Government asked the ACMD to provide an updated harms assessment of ketamine. The ACMD carried out a public call for evidence in August and we expect to receive its report by the end of 2025. We will carefully consider its recommendations.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the reclassification of ketamine as a class B drug on its illicit availability.

Ketamine is a dangerous substance, which can cause irreversible bladder damage and in some cases death. Ministers are very concerned about the harms ketamine causes and on 16 October 2025 the Department for Health and Social Care launched a campaign to alert young people to the dangers of that drug (as well as counterfeit medicines containing synthetic opioids, and THC vapes).Ketamine was moved from Class C to Class B within Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA) in 2014, following a review of its harms by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The ACMD noted that “although there is limited evidence of ketamine misuse causing social harm, evidence of physical harm (mainly chronic bladder toxicity but also an increase in acute toxicity) has increased”.We have not carried out an assessment of the effects of that reclassification. The drivers of the availability, market price and prevalence of drugs are complex. The control of drugs under the MDA is an important means of reducing their availability and gives law enforcement the powers to target criminals involved in supplying harmful substances. In 2024 there were 2,014 prosecutions and 1,507 convictions in England and Wales for offences relating to the possession and trafficking of ketamine.In January 2025 the Government asked the ACMD to provide an updated harms assessment of ketamine. The ACMD carried out a public call for evidence in August and we expect to receive its report by the end of 2025. We will carefully consider its recommendations.

If she will make it her policy to require the introduction of traceable labels on nitrous oxide canisters to track the point of sale.

I refer the Hon Member to the updated response issued to PQ 49048.

If she will make it her policy to introduce traceable labels on nitrous oxide canisters to allow the authorities to know the point of sale.

With apologies for the previous answer, nitrous oxide is controlled as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and it is an offence to produce, supply, offer to supply, possess, possess with intent to supply, import and export nitrous oxide, where the intention is for it to be used for its psychoactive effects. The Home Office is not responsible for labelling or tracking nitrous oxide in the many contexts in which its use is legitimate. This would fall to government departments and regulators for the relevant sectors.

If she will consider transferring responsibility for the misuse of drugs to the Department of Health and Social Care.

Responsibility for drug policy is shared across a number of departments and both the Home Office and the Department for Health and Social Care have important roles to play in setting policy to tackle drug use and to reduce drug-related crime and drug health harms. The Home Office is the lead department for the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and associated drug legislation, working with other departments as appropriate where changes in the law are required.Illicit drug use affects the whole of society, and this Government is taking a collective response which will help our key missions to deliver safer streets, improve health outcomes and contribute to opportunities and growth through reducing crime and saving lives.

What role Young Futures Hubs and Young Futures Prevention Partnerships will play in the government's plans to tackle violence against women and girls.

The Government has committed to the creation of a new Young Futures Programme, which will establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and Young Futures Prevention Partnerships, to intervene earlier to ensure vulnerable and at-risk children and young people are identified and offered support in a more systematic way, as well as creating more opportunities for young people in their communities, through the provision of mental health and careers support.The new Young Futures Hubs will bring together the support services that tackle the underlying needs of vulnerable children and young people and make them more accessible to those that need them. In doing so, the hubs will promote children and young people’s development, improve their mental health and wellbeing, and prevent them from being drawn into crime. Prevention Partnerships will drive local multi-agency partnership working, improve evidence-based commissioning via existing and innovative mapping exercises and ensure the right support is available to children at-risk of knife crime, ASB and violence against women and girls.

What assessment she has made of the contribution of youth services in preventing and tackling violence against women and girls.

As referenced in my response to the answer I gave to question UIN 28128, the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy will set out our strategic direction and concrete actions to deliver our ambition to halve VAWG in the next decade.We are considering a range of policy options across government to prevent these crimes including education for young people around healthy relationships and consent, community interventions and tackling online VAWG. That includes looking at how we can work most effectively with youth services and through the Young Future Hub programme to deliver this ambition.

Whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on the potential merits of expanding the Online Safety Act 2023 to tackle violence against women ans girls.

I refer the Honourable Member to the Answer I gave on 10 February to Question UN 27910.

What estimate she has made of the number of police officers in 2027.

Police forces in England and Wales are expected to maintain officer numbers, as per the officer maintenance grant. The Government is currently working with police forces on setting an accurate baseline for neighbourhood policing numbers.

What estimate she has made of the number of children of British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport holders who are unable to access the BNO visa scheme because they (a) were born before 1 July 1997 and (b) do not hold a BNO passport of their own.

The Home Office publishes data on the 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 currently hold data on the number of children of BN(O) passport holders who were born before 1 July 1997 and who do not hold a BN(O) passport.The British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route reflects the UK’s historic commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status and, has enabled thousands of eligible Hong Kongers and their family members to come to the UK to live, study and work in virtually any capacity, on a pathway to citizenship. We remain committed to this work while we decide on the future of departmental policies.

If she will take urgent steps to allow children of British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa holders who (a) were born before 1 July 1997 and (b) do not hold a BNO passport of their own to access the BNO visa scheme.

The Home Office publishes data on the 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 currently hold data on the number of children of BN(O) passport holders who were born before 1 July 1997 and who do not hold a BN(O) passport.The British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route reflects the UK’s historic commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status and, has enabled thousands of eligible Hong Kongers and their family members to come to the UK to live, study and work in virtually any capacity, on a pathway to citizenship. We remain committed to this work while we decide on the future of departmental policies.

If she will reintroduce the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill.

The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 gained Royal Assent on 20 July 2023.We are committed to implementing the Act, which aims to prevent the theft and re-sale of high-value equipment, particularly for use in an agricultural setting. I recently met with Ruth Bailey, CEO of Agricultural Engineers Association on the 5th November 2024.The Act requires secondary legislation before it can come into effect. We will be carefully considering the views of those who may be affected by the legislation and its regulations, to understand the potential implications and determine the scope of the legislation.

Whether her Department plans to take steps to include first aid education in Young Futures Hubs; and what steps she is taking to consult with the voluntary sector on the 10-year knife crime plan.

The Government is committed to rolling out a Young Futures Programme, made up of local prevention partnerships and a network of Young Futures Hubs across the country. These will bring together services to help improve the way that children and young people can access the support they need.This is a cross-government endeavour and expertise is being brought together from across departments to deliver on this manifesto commitment. The Government will be engaging with national and local partners, local communities and children and young people to explore options for the design and delivery of the hubs. This co-design will support local areas to meet local needs.The Government is also launching a new Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime. The Coalition will bring together campaign groups, families of people who have tragically lost their lives to knife crime, young people who have been impacted and community leaders, united in their mission to save lives and make Britain a safer place for the next generation.It will work with experts to develop an extensive understanding of what causes young people to be drawn into violence, providing vital evidence that will drive government policy and help to hold the government to account on its knife crime commitments.

What meetings she has had with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs since 5 July 2024.

The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention met the Chair of the ACMD, Professor Owen Bowden-Jones on the 29th October 2024, as part of this Government’s wider work on tackling the harms associated with drug misuse.Regular meetings with the ACMD or its Chair will be held as appropriate, in accordance with the important work it does in assessing the evidence of drug harms.The government will consider outstanding and forthcoming reports carefully.The ACMD is independent. The publication of its annual report is a matter for the ACMD.

If she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies on tackling drug-related harms of all of the recommendations made by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs between 2010 and 2014.

The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention met the Chair of the ACMD, Professor Owen Bowden-Jones on the 29th October 2024, as part of this Government’s wider work on tackling the harms associated with drug misuse.Regular meetings with the ACMD or its Chair will be held as appropriate, in accordance with the important work it does in assessing the evidence of drug harms.The government will consider outstanding and forthcoming reports carefully.The ACMD is independent. The publication of its annual report is a matter for the ACMD.