Written questions by Paffey.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of alternative arrangements for British dual nationals travelling to the UK who do not hold a British (a) passport and (b) certificate of entitlement but are unable to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation as British citizens.

British citizens seeking to enter the UK may only evidence their right of abode in the UK at the border with a valid British passport, or other passport endorsed with a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode. On 26 February 2026, certificates of entitlement transitioned from physical vignettes in passports to digital records. There are no plans to make alternative arrangements at this time.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) reducing the threshold for a further closure order when a closure order under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 has been issued previously for the same individual and address and (b) otherwise ensuring previous closure orders are taken into account when making decisions on further closure orders.

The closure power can be used by the police and councils to close premises which are being used, or are likely to be used, to commit nuisance or disorder.The closure order is a powerful tool which can restrict access to premises. The closure order can be implemented for a maximum of up to three months (with Magistrates able to extend for a further three months – not to exceed six months in total). Where the anti-social behaviour continues or is expected to continue beyond the six months, the relevant agencies are expected to explore other solutions to prevent further anti-social behaviour, such as Community Protection Notices and Civil Injunctions.Courts can consider previous orders made for the same individual when considering a further closure order.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle (a) insurance fraud and (b) ghost brokers in the motor insurance industry.

The Government recognises the harm caused by insurance fraud, including ghost broking. This is why we have launched an Insurance Fraud Charter with key firms setting out a series of voluntary measures to disrupt and deter insurance fraud. As part of the Stop! Think Fraud public communications campaign, the Government supported a campaign led by the Association of British Insurers, the City of London Police, and the Insurance Fraud Bureau to highlight the signs of Ghost Broking and encourage public reporting to CheatLine. We continue working with law enforcement and industry partners, including the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department, to combat this crime and protect consumers. The Government also launched a cross-government motor insurance taskforce, co-chaired by the Department for Transport and His Majesty’s Treasury, to help drive down the costs of motor insurance and will consider related fraud as part of this. The taskforce is expected to publish its final report in the autumn.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of current fee levels under the Licensing Act 2003; and whether she plans to review that Act to ensure that licensing fees reflect the actual costs incurred by local authorities in processing and enforcing those licences.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that alcohol licensing fees, set under Section 55 of the Licensing Act 2003, are fair, proportionate and reflective of the costs incurred by local authorities in administering the licensing system.A previous consultation by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government explored whether local authorities should have more control over setting statutory fees. The Government is reviewing the consultation’s findings and will assess the wider fee landscape alongside this to inform any potential future changes.

What steps she is taking to tackle the (a) availability of illegal substances for sale via online platforms and (b) purchase of those substances by young people who subsequently die by suicide.

I am grateful for the Hon. Gentleman for raising this important issue, and highlighting the dangers posed by the availability of illegal substances in online marketplaces, and the tragic consequences that can result from their purchase and consumption, both for young people at risk from that threat, and for their families. I would be happy to meet the Hon. Gentlemen to discuss how best we can address these complex issues, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our young people is protected.

What steps she is taking to (a) support families of young people who die by suicide after taking illegal substances bought online and (b) raise awareness in schools and communities of this risk.

I am grateful for the Hon. Gentleman for raising this important issue, and highlighting the dangers posed by the availability of illegal substances in online marketplaces, and the tragic consequences that can result from their purchase and consumption, both for young people at risk from that threat, and for their families. I would be happy to meet the Hon. Gentlemen to discuss how best we can address these complex issues, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our young people is protected.

What steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for visa applications.

We are seeking to ensure visa applications are processed as quickly as possible. Customer service standards exist for all types of visa applications, however the time taken to process a visa application may take longer under certain circumstances such as if the information provided is not accurate or further evidence is required.If there is a delay, the applicant will be notified of this within the current processing times.Data relating to the performance against visa service standards for all types of applications are produced as part of the Migration Transparency publication.These can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data#uk-visas-and-immigration (opens in a new tab).

What steps her Department takes to enable foreign workers to switch sponsors when their original employer ceases trading, particularly where the individual (a) is actively seeking employment and (b) wishes to remain in the UK.

Links to comprehensive guidance are available to companies wishing to obtain sponsor licences and sponsored workers wanting to switch sponsors on the Gov.uk website at: www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

What (a) steps her Department takes and (b) guidance her Department provides to ensure the process of obtaining visa sponsorship licences is accessible to companies.

Links to comprehensive guidance are available to companies wishing to obtain sponsor licences and sponsored workers wanting to switch sponsors on the Gov.uk website at: www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas