Written questions by Onwurah.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the 2026–27 police funding settlement in enabling Northumbria Police to bring officer numbers remain back to pre-2010 levels; and how many police forces in England and Wales will have officer numbers above pre-2010 levels at the end of 2026-27.

The Government’s Safer Streets Mission sets a clear expectation for policing to deliver safer communities and improved public confidence. An effective, well-supported police service is central to achieving this. That is why forces should have the right resources to tackle crime and keep communities safe.Through the police funding settlement, a total of £442.4 million will be available to Northumbria Police in 2026/27, an increase of £20.2 million compared to 2025/26. This represents a 4.8% cash increase.We are focused on what police officers are doing, rather than achieving arbitrary officer headcount targets and are putting officers where people want to see them.We have scrapped arbitrary officer headcounts, which has led to forces hiring officers and, in some cases, putting them in back-office roles. Some 12,000 warranted police officers are now working in support roles across England and Wales. We are instead focussed on putting 13,000 additional policing personnel in neighbourhood roles across England and Wales by the end of this Parliament. By February 2026, we had delivered more than 3,100 additional police officers and PCSOs into neighbourhood roles. (Growth under the Neighbourhood Policing Programme, as at 28 February 2026: management information - GOV.UK)We are also expanding police use of AI and automation technologies. In the Police Reform White Paper we announced £115m over the next three years, led by the creation of “Police AI”, a new national centre for AI in policing focused on supporting police forces rapidly but responsibly use AI to improve their efficiency and effectiveness, resulting in better public safety outcomes for local communities. Taken together this investment package is expected to free up at least 3,000 FTE (or 6 million officer hours) a year by 2028/29.

Whether recruitment agencies are permitted to sponsor Highly Skilled Worker Visas under current immigration rules.

The basis on which UK employers holding a Skilled Worker sponsor licence can sponsor skilled workers to come to the UK is set out in the relevant Sponsor Guidance. This can be found on Gov.uk at: Sponsorship: guidance for employers and educators - GOV.UK

Under what mechanisms is InterMarine able to sponsor Highly Skilled Worker Visas .

The basis on which UK employers holding a Skilled Worker sponsor licence can sponsor skilled workers to come to the UK is set out in the relevant Sponsor Guidance. This can be found on Gov.uk at: Sponsorship: guidance for employers and educators - GOV.UK

What discussions she has had with mobile phone companies on improving anti-theft technology.

The Government is determined to crack down on snatch theft and other crimes which target people's mobile devices. It is working closely with industry and law enforcement to help reduce these crimes.The Government hosted a mobile phone summit on 6 February, at which all participants, including law enforcement, the Mayor of London, mobile manufacturers and other technology companies, agreed to collaborate in tackling this problem. Since the summit, the Government has continued to engage closely with relevant partners as they progress their work to develop solutions to break the business model of mobile phone thieves.The Minister for Policing and Crime and officials continue to hold discussions to monitor progress with relevant partners, including technology companies; most recently this month.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2025 to Question 88639, how many eVisa error correction webforms have been completed since 12 December 2024.

The Department publishes a range of data on its digital status programme and will be, in due course, publishing management information on the volumes of eVisa error corrections webforms received.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 85760 on Visas: Digital Technology, when the eVisa error form was introduced; and how many of those forms have been received.

Between 1st November 2024 and 12th December 2024 customers could use the former Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) error form to report issues to UKVI on both their eVisa and their BRPs. A standalone eVisa error correction webform was then rolled out by UK Visas and Immigration on 12th December 2024.The Department publishes a range of data on its digital status programme and will be, in due course, publishing management information on the volumes of eVisa error corrections webforms received.

What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the eVisa system since its rollout; and whether any complaints have been received on (a) accessibility issues and (b) inaccuracies in eVisa records.

We are committed to ensuring that the transition to eVisas is as smooth as possible for all status holders. The Home Office has a robust support model in place to facilitate this transition that strives to ensure that all people, including the most vulnerable, are properly supported as we transform our immigration system. All our digital status online services are designed to be compliant with relevant accessibility legislation. People who need support can contact the UKVI Resolution Centre to request that an account is created for them so they can access their eVisa. They can also get help to access their eVisa from Grant Funded Organisations or Local Authorities, or through the Assisted Digital Service if they are digitally excluded. We have increased the number of support services available to vulnerable people and have delivered £4m of grant funding to 72 voluntary and community sector organisations across the UK. In response to feedback from users, we have also provided information and guidance videos on GOV.UK which show all users how to access and use their UKVI account. If a person notices any inaccurate details in their eVisa, for example, their eVisa is showing a wrong date of birth or immigration status, or they cannot see their eVisa after creating their UKVI account, they should report the error as soon as possible via: eVisas: access and use your online immigration status: Report an error with your eVisa - GOV.UK Once the eVisa error form has been submitted, we prioritise the resolution of their issue and people will receive an email notification when the error or issue has been resolved.

When the Government plans to publish an updated strategy on violence against women and girls; and whether she plans to included policies on (a) improving access to sexual violence services and (b) support for child sexual abuse victims within that strategy.

This Government has been clear that the level of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in our country is intolerable, and we are treating it as the national emergency that it is.The new VAWG Strategy will set the direction for the next decade, driving forward the Government’s bold ambition to halve VAWG within ten years. This is a landmark commitment that demands a truly transformational approach. It’s vital we get it right. We’re working towards publication of the Strategy as soon as possible and I will continue to keep the House updated on its development and forthcoming publication.Support for victims of VAWG crimes will be a core part of the new Strategy. This includes victims of sexual violence and child sexual abuse and exploitation. Tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation will be covered in the VAWG Strategy, as well as being the subject of its own distinctive and transformative workstream specific to those horrendous crimes. That includes acting on the recommendations of both the IICSA and Baroness Casey Audit into the evil of grooming gangs and child sexual exploitation and abuse.Additionally, the Ministry of Justice has committed funding to the Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Centre in 2025/26 to develop and deliver evidence-based training and resources for those working with victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and continues to invest in specialist sexual violence support services via the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund and ringfenced grants to Police and Crime Commissioners who allocate funds locally.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 July to Question 67336 on Crime, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative in reducing (a) town centre criminality, (b) shop theft, (c) street crime and (d) anti-social behaviour.

The Home Office have developed a multi-strand analytical approach to measure the progress of the Safer Summer Streets Initiative (SSSI) to reduce shop theft, street crime and ASB.PCCs and police forces are providing the Home Office with monthly light-touch monitoring data and qualitative insights related to the initiative. Additionally, Home Office analysts will analyse data already reported to the Home Office via the Police Annual Data Requirement (ADR) on crime volumes and positive outcomes related to relevant offences.The department is actively monitoring the impact of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative (SSSI), capturing a wide range of enforcement and engagement activity, as well as tracking crime trends and positive outcomes in targeted town centre areas. While we are working closely with police forces and local partners to collect data, it is too early to draw conclusions about the initiative’s impact. The initiative concludes on 30 September, and meaningful assessment will require time to account for reporting lags and data processing.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of adopting modes of English language assessment based on at-home proficiency tests within the planned Home Office English Language Test tender.

The Home Office is conducting market engagement and research to help inform the English Language Test tender process. This includes assessing various testing methodologies and delivery options to ensure the most appropriate and secure arrangements are put into the tender requirements.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of incorporating remote digital testing platforms into the forthcoming Home Office English Language Test contract on cybersecurity; and what steps she plans to take to ensure (a) data security and (b) fraud prevention across the 142 countries in which the test will be administered.

The Home Office is conducting market engagement and research to help inform the English Language Test tender process. This includes assessing various testing methodologies and delivery options to ensure the most appropriate and secure arrangements are put into the tender requirements.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the use of l non-SELT, unregulated English language tests for admission to UK higher education institutions on (a) universities and (b) students.

Student sponsors with a track record of compliance can self-assess degree level and above students’ English language ability. The assessment must confirm English ability equivalent to level B2, or above, of the Common European Framework for Language Learning in reading, writing, speaking and listening.A review of English language sponsor self-assessment testing methods on the Student route is in progress.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Safer Streets Summer Blitz on crime levels in Elswick.

The Safer Streets Summer Initiative will see a drive to reduce town centre criminality, shop theft, street crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) across England and Wales.Running from 30 June to the end of September, it is focused on preventing crime and ASB in town centres through visible policing and swift, meaningful consequences for offenders. Crucially, this is a partnership-led approach. Police and Crime Commissioners and Deputy Mayors have submitted delivery plans outlining how they will work with councils, schools, health services, businesses, transport providers, and community organisations to tackle ASB, retail crime, and street crime.We are monitoring activity monthly through national and local data to evidence outcomes of the Initiative. We will also be capturing local qualitative insights to understand progress and share learning across police forces and partners.Across Northumbria police force area there are seventeen locations taking part in the Safer Streets Summer Initiative, including Elswick.

What estimate her Department has made of the average market value of off-road bikes that have been (a) seized and (b) destroyed under powers introduced in 2025 to help tackle antisocial behaviour.

Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission to take back our streets.The Crime and Policing Bill will give the police greater powers to clamp down on anti-social behaviour involving vehicles, including off-road bikes, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles. Subject to parliamentary approval, the Crime and Policing Bill is expected to secure Royal Assent around the turn of the year.On 28 May 2025, we published a consultation on amendments to secondary legislation on proposals to allow the police to dispose of seized vehicles such as off-road bikes, which have been used anti-socially from 14 days to 48 hours. We expect any changes to secondary legislation to come into force in early 2026.The Home Office does not hold data on the number or value of off-road bikes that have been seized or destroyed under existing powers.

What plans she has to review (a) the rate of police pay and (b) the adequacy of technical and mental health support provided to police officers.

The Government has received the Police Remuneration Review Body's (PRRB) report for this year, and we are carefully considering the recommendations before providing a response in due course. The Government is still awaiting the report of the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) with respect to Chief Officers.The Government accepted the Review Bodies’ headline recommendation in 2024 of a 4.75% consolidated pay increase.Chief Officers have a duty of care to manage their workforce effectively, including ensuring the wellbeing of all their officers and staff. This Government has been clear that the health and wellbeing of our police workforce is a priority, and we are committed to making improvements in wellbeing support for officers and staff.All officers receive pre-deployment mental health training and through the Police Covenant, all forces now meet the Occupational Health (OH) foundation level standards. Measures are also in place to ensure forces continually develop and improve their OH standards.We continue to fund the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS), which supports forces in identifying areas of greatest mental health risk, building resilience, and providing timely support. This includes initiatives such as the 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Support Line pilot, designed to offer urgent assistance to officers and staff when they need it the most.

What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on levels of upfront visa costs for researchers.

Home Office officials and ministers consult widely with their counterparts across government on all aspects of the immigration system.

How many people that have received negative asylum decisions have subsequently become homeless in Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West constituency in the last 12 months.

The information requested is not centrally held, and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of standardising the legal definition of criminal child exploitation for the purposes of having consistent national statistics on criminal child exploitation.

This Government is committed to tackling child criminal exploitation (CCE) and going after the gangs who are luring children into violence and crime. Data from the Department for Education's Children in Need statistics allow us to estimate there were around 14,500 children that have been identified as at risk or involved in child criminal exploitation in 23/24.We are delivering on our manifesto commitment to introduce a new offence of child criminal exploitation which was included in the Crime and Policing Bill. The offence will define CCE (in terms of its constituent elements) for the purpose of prosecuting offenders under this offence. A specific new CCE offence will also more clearly identify the volumes of victims and perpetrators of CCE, thus helping to improve the overall data available on this issue.As part of the CCE offence we will be taking a power for the Secretary of State to issue statutory guidance. We intend for this to also provide guidance on the definition of CCE, including illustrative examples of common forms and methods of CCE.

Whether the membership of the Technology Advisory Board has changed since June 2023.

I refer the Hon. Member to Question UIN 30994 answered on 24 February 2025.

Who are the members of the Technical Advisory Board.

The membership of the Technical Advisory Board (TAB) is listed on the TAB’s GOV.UK webpage:https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/technical-advisory-board/about/membership