Written questions by Morello.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of allowing police forces to release details of a suspect's (a) ethnicity, (b) nationality and (c) immigration status on the fairness of subsequent trials.

The Home Office does not direct operational policing decisions, including those related to the disclosure of information about a person suspected or charged with committing an offence. These matters rightly fall under the purview of Chief Constables.The murders and subsequent riots in Southport in July 2024 raised questions about how the Government may best counter misinformation and disinformation without creating a risk of being in contempt of court in relation to ongoing criminal proceedings. There are restrictions on what can be said before and during a trial to ensure that trials are fair and justice is delivered. At the same time, however, social media is putting these long-established rules under strain, especially in cases such as Southport where partial or inaccurate information appears online.The NPCC and the College of Policing issued interim guidance to police forces in August, which aims to support forces in managing sensitive investigations and mitigating risks associated with them.The interim guidance encourages police forces to confirm a suspect’s ethnicity and nationality (where known or recorded) in certain high-profile or sensitive investigations where they determine it is necessary to maintain public safety and reassure the public.

Whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the current police funding formula in meeting the needs of (a) rural areas and (b) West Dorset.

The funding formula used for distributing Home Office Police Main Grant to police forces in England and Wales as part of the annual police settlement divides funds between different activities that the police undertake. A portion of total funding is also distributed according to population sparsity, to address the specific needs of rural forces.This Government is committed to ensuring that policing has the resources it needs. Dorset Police will receive up to £194.8 million in 2025-26, an increase of up to £14.7 million when compared to 2024-25.The Chancellor has announced a real terms increase in police spending power over the next three years. The allocation of funding to police forces remains an important consideration and as with previous years more details on force funding allocation for 2026-27 will be made via the provisional police funding settlement later in the year.

What recent discussions she has had with the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner on police station closures and funding in West Dorset.

Decisions regarding the management of local police resourcing and estates, including police stations, is a matter for Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents). They are best placed to make these decisions based on their knowledge of local need and their experience, in line with their existing budgets. The Home Office does not collect data on the number or location of police stations, or the impact of their closure.Police stations are just one of the ways in which people can access their local police, including reporting online and by phone 24/7 via 999 for emergencies and 101 for non-emergency calls.A key part of the Government’s Safer Streets Mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing, The commitments set out in the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee are now making a considerable difference to the service communities receive from their neighbourhood policing teams. We have also provided £200 million in FY 2025/26 to support the first steps of delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales by the end of the Parliament. This increase in neighbourhood policing, alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will strengthen the connections between the police and the communities they serve.

How many police stations have closed in West Dorset constituency since 2010.

Decisions regarding the management of local police resourcing and estates, including police stations, is a matter for Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents). They are best placed to make these decisions based on their knowledge of local need and their experience, in line with their existing budgets. The Home Office does not collect data on the number or location of police stations, or the impact of their closure.Police stations are just one of the ways in which people can access their local police, including reporting online and by phone 24/7 via 999 for emergencies and 101 for non-emergency calls.A key part of the Government’s Safer Streets Mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing, The commitments set out in the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee are now making a considerable difference to the service communities receive from their neighbourhood policing teams. We have also provided £200 million in FY 2025/26 to support the first steps of delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales by the end of the Parliament. This increase in neighbourhood policing, alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will strengthen the connections between the police and the communities they serve.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that rural areas receive adequate police funding to maintain (a) visible and (b) accessible policing.

The funding formula used for distributing Home Office Police Main Grant to police forces in England and Wales as part of the annual police settlement divides funds between different activities that the police undertake. A portion of total funding is also distributed according to population sparsity, to address the specific needs of rural forces.The Chancellor has announced a real terms increase in police spending power over the next three years. The allocation of funding to police forces remains an important consideration and as with previous years, more details on force funding allocations for 2026-27, including decisions on police force funding allocations, will be made via the provisional police funding settlement later in the year.It is the responsibility of Chief Constables and locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), including Mayors who exercise PCC or equivalent functions, to take decisions around their resourcing and estates. They are best placed to make decisions with their communities based on their local knowledge and experience.

Whether she plans to review funding allocations to police forces to ensure that rural areas receive sufficient resources to maintain (a) police stations and (b) community policing.

The funding formula used for distributing Home Office Police Main Grant to police forces in England and Wales as part of the annual police settlement divides funds between different activities that the police undertake. A portion of total funding is also distributed according to population sparsity, to address the specific needs of rural forces.The Chancellor has announced a real terms increase in police spending power over the next three years. The allocation of funding to police forces remains an important consideration and as with previous years, more details on force funding allocations for 2026-27, including decisions on police force funding allocations, will be made via the provisional police funding settlement later in the year.It is the responsibility of Chief Constables and locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), including Mayors who exercise PCC or equivalent functions, to take decisions around their resourcing and estates. They are best placed to make decisions with their communities based on their local knowledge and experience.

If she will undertake a review of police funding allocations in West Dorset constituency.

The funding formula used for distributing Home Office Police Main Grant to police forces in England and Wales as part of the annual police settlement divides funds between different activities that the police undertake. A portion of total funding is also distributed according to population sparsity, to address the specific needs of rural forces.This Government is committed to ensuring that policing has the resources it needs. Dorset Police will receive up to £194.8 million in 2025-26, an increase of up to £14.7 million when compared to 2024-25.The Chancellor has announced a real terms increase in police spending power over the next three years. The allocation of funding to police forces remains an important consideration and as with previous years more details on force funding allocation for 2026-27 will be made via the provisional police funding settlement later in the year.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of police station front counter closures on community policing in rural areas.

Decisions regarding the management of local police resourcing and estates, including police stations, is a matter for Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents). They are best placed to make these decisions based on their knowledge of local need and their experience, in line with their existing budgets. The Home Office does not collect data on the number or location of police stations, or the impact of their closure.Police stations are just one of the ways in which people can access their local police, including reporting online and by phone 24/7 via 999 for emergencies and 101 for non-emergency calls.A key part of the Government’s Safer Streets Mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing, The commitments set out in the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee are now making a considerable difference to the service communities receive from their neighbourhood policing teams. We have also provided £200 million in FY 2025/26 to support the first steps of delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales by the end of the Parliament. This increase in neighbourhood policing, alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will strengthen the connections between the police and the communities they serve.

What the policy objective is of advising police forces to release (a) ethnicity and (b) other details of suspects before trial.

The Home Office does not direct operational policing decisions, including those related to the disclosure of information about a person suspected or charged with committing an offence. These matters rightly fall under the purview of Chief Constables.The NPCC and the College of Policing issued interim guidance to police forces in August, which aims to support forces in managing sensitive investigations and mitigating risks associated with them.The interim guidance encourages police forces to confirm a suspect’s ethnicity and nationality (where known or recorded) in certain high-profile or sensitive investigations where they determine it is necessary to maintain public safety and reassure the public.

If her Department issue updated guidance for rural local authorities as part of the proposed review of Contest.

The delivery of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, is kept under constant review. Specific guidance will be considered at the point of publication of future iterations of the strategy.

How many students from Gaza that were awarded UK scholarships in the 2024-25 academic year are unable to take up their places due to lack of access to biometric enrolment facilities.

The Home Office does not currently publish information on the number of Gaza students with UK scholarships for 2024-25 who are unable to enrol due to the absence of biometric facilities.The Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival in the UK for all Chevening scholars from Gaza.  We are in the process of doing the same for a group of students in Gaza who have been awarded fully funded scholarships covering course fees and living costs at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn 2025. The Government is doing everything it can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK. The situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.

Whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on biometric processing for students from Gaza seeking to take up scholarships in the UK.

The Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival for all Chevening Scholars from Gaza.We are in the process of doing the same for a group of students who have been awarded fully funded scholarships covering course fees and living costs at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn 2025.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is doing everything it can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK, while accepting that the situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.

What steps her Department is taking to provide safe routes for students from Gaza who have secured UK scholarships but are currently unable to meet biometric requirements.

The Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival for all Chevening Scholars from Gaza.We are in the process of doing the same for a group of students who have been awarded fully funded scholarships covering course fees and living costs at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn 2025.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is doing everything it can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK, while accepting that the situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of granting biometric deferrals for students from Gaza who have been awarded UK scholarships but are unable to access biometric facilities.

The Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival for all Chevening Scholars from Gaza.We are in the process of doing the same for a group of students who have been awarded fully funded scholarships covering course fees and living costs at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn 2025.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is doing everything it can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK, while accepting that the situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.

Whether her Department plans to improve cross-border intelligence-sharing between regional counter-terrorism units and devolved Administrations.

Counter-terrorism – like all issues of national security – is a reserved matter. The UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, outlines the importance of working together with the devolved governments on a shared strategic response to the threat of terrorism posed across the UK. Regional counter-terrorism units work around the clock with the UK intelligence agencies, local communities and partners to keep us safe. For security reasons, we do not comment on specifics of intelligence or operations.

How many people referred to the Prevent programme were identified as linked to far-right extremism in the last 12 months.

Prevent aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It works to ensure that people who are susceptible to radicalisation are offered appropriate interventions and support, and that communities are protected against radicalising influences.In the year ending March 2024, a total of 1,314 people were recorded as having been referred to Prevent due to extreme right-wing concerns. The Home Office produces annual statistics setting out the number of individuals referred to Prevent by type of concern. Below are the latest published figures, year ending March 2024.This information, together with further information about Prevent referrals and Channel cases can be found on GOV.UK Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent Programme statistics - GOV.UK.Referrals for the period April 2024 to March 2025 will be released later this year in the upcoming publication “Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent Programme: to March 2025”. As per official statistics guidelines under the Code of Practice for Statistics, we are unable to release these statistics ahead of the formal publication date. More information on this forthcoming publication will be pre-announced on the statistics release calendar which can be found on the GOV.UK website: Statistics release calendar (www.gov.uk).

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of counter-terrorism training provided to frontline emergency services in non-metropolitan areas.

Our emergency services regularly train together to test different scenarios. We keep our preparedness under constant review, and the response to a range of terrorist threats is exercised regularly at both local and national levels, allowing responder organisations to learn lessons and embed best practice.

Whether her Department has issued guidance for local councils to deal with far-right extremism in community groups.

The Home Office recognises the importance of this issue, and the Prevent Duty Guidance notes that “Extreme Right-Wing ideology is resurgent.”Prevent tackles the ideological causes of terrorism and provides early intervention for people at risk of radicalisation. We work continually to ensure Prevent is ready to respond to all radicalisation risks. This includes developing our understanding of the range of factors that lead to someone being drawn into terrorism.Prevent is run locally by experts who understand the risks and issues in their area, and how best to support their communities. These experts include local authorities, the Police, charities and community organisations.Prevent provides funding for all local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to address radicalisation risks through targeted projects, under the Preventing Radicalisation Fund.In the year March 2023 to March 2024, 19% of Prevent funded projects focused solely on building resilience to Extreme Right-Wing (ERWT) ideology, and a further 57% focussed on both Islamist Extremist (IE) and ERWT ideology.In the current funding year March 2025 to March 2026, the Home Office has received 78 project bids from local authorities. Of those bids, 15% solely focus on Extreme Right Wing ideology with a further 54% of bids covering both Islamist Extremism and Extreme Right Wing ideologies.Our Prevent local delivery model ensures every local authority has ready access to expertise, guidance and support in tackling local radicalisation and extremism risks via a team of region-based expert Prevent Advisers, who work hand-in-hand with local partners across England, Scotland and Wales.By working with and upskilling these local experts who best understand the risks and issues in their area, we are improving our ability to help frontline workers identify and protect those most susceptible to radicalisation.Analytical teams within the Home Office assess all available information, including material from these local experts, in order to maintain the most up to date picture of the current risks and threats pertaining to radicalisation. This includes issues affecting rural areas and communities, and at a regional level across England, Scotland and Wales.Due to operational and legal sensitivities, the Home Office does not publish specific details of the current intelligence assessment picture.

Whether she plans to commission new research into the drivers of far-right radicalisation among young men in rural areas.

The Home Office recognises the importance of this issue, and the Prevent Duty Guidance notes that “Extreme Right-Wing ideology is resurgent.”Prevent tackles the ideological causes of terrorism and provides early intervention for people at risk of radicalisation. We work continually to ensure Prevent is ready to respond to all radicalisation risks. This includes developing our understanding of the range of factors that lead to someone being drawn into terrorism.Prevent is run locally by experts who understand the risks and issues in their area, and how best to support their communities. These experts include local authorities, the Police, charities and community organisations.Prevent provides funding for all local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to address radicalisation risks through targeted projects, under the Preventing Radicalisation Fund.In the year March 2023 to March 2024, 19% of Prevent funded projects focused solely on building resilience to Extreme Right-Wing (ERWT) ideology, and a further 57% focussed on both Islamist Extremist (IE) and ERWT ideology.In the current funding year March 2025 to March 2026, the Home Office has received 78 project bids from local authorities. Of those bids, 15% solely focus on Extreme Right Wing ideology with a further 54% of bids covering both Islamist Extremism and Extreme Right Wing ideologies.Our Prevent local delivery model ensures every local authority has ready access to expertise, guidance and support in tackling local radicalisation and extremism risks via a team of region-based expert Prevent Advisers, who work hand-in-hand with local partners across England, Scotland and Wales.By working with and upskilling these local experts who best understand the risks and issues in their area, we are improving our ability to help frontline workers identify and protect those most susceptible to radicalisation.Analytical teams within the Home Office assess all available information, including material from these local experts, in order to maintain the most up to date picture of the current risks and threats pertaining to radicalisation. This includes issues affecting rural areas and communities, and at a regional level across England, Scotland and Wales.Due to operational and legal sensitivities, the Home Office does not publish specific details of the current intelligence assessment picture.

Whether her Department plans to increase funding for technology to detect early online radicalisation in rural communities.

The Home Office is strengthening action to tackle online radicalisation and protect young people from harm. The Independent Prevent Commissioner, Lord Anderson, recommended that we explore how evidence of online activity can be used to identify potential subjects for Prevent. To fulfil this, we will take steps to strengthen our approach to tackling online radicalisation through working with tech companies, like-minded international partners, and consider new approaches to identifying and supporting susceptible individuals online. This includes developing new capabilities to better equip Prevent to manage online radicalisation risks across all of our communities.This renewed focus on online threats reflects the fact that the threat posed by radicalisation is not confined to a relatively small number of local authorities and is in fact increasingly diffuse. A local authority does not need to be high threat to be high risk. In response to this, we have evolved our Prevent local delivery model to ensure every local authority, including those in rural areas, has ready access to expertise, best practice, and support in tackling local radicalisation risks. Even while we continue to provide additional support and direct funding to those with the highest risk.