Written questions by McVey.

What criteria her Department uses to determine which illegal immigrants will be tagged.

When granted immigration bail, an individual may have specific conditions attached to their bail, such as electronic monitoring, a residence restriction or other conditions appropriate to the individual. A breach of any of the bail conditions that are set is an offence under s.24(1) of the Immigration Act 1971.The Immigration Act 2016 Schedule 10 Part 1 paragraphs 2(2) and 2(3) place a duty on the Secretary of State, where appropriate and practical, to electronically monitor those on immigration bail who could be detained because they are subject to either deportation proceedings or a Deportation Order. There is a discretion to apply electronic monitoring (EM) more broadly and this is considered on a case by case basis.

How many (a) fingerprints, (b) photos and (c) DNA samples have been collected from illegal immigrants housed in Cheshire in each of the last five years.

Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

With reference to UKHSA FOI Request Ref: 617 H5 Influenza Vaccine, whether one tender response was received; and what steps he has taken to encourage more responses.

One tender response was received. The requirement for this vaccine specified that the product must be licensed for use in the United Kingdom. At the time the tender was published, only one supplier was able to meet this criterion. This was despite prior engagement with the market ahead of the release of the tender documentation.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) routinely undertakes proactive market and horizon scanning to identify emerging technologies and new suppliers across a range of industries. We remain committed to fostering a competitive environment that encourages innovation, while meeting the scope of the UKHSA to respond to public health outcomes.

With reference to FOI2025/00320, for what reason the Adjuvanted Zoonotic Influenza Vaccine was authorised via UK Regulation 56.

Adjuvanted Zoonotic Influenza Vaccine (Surface Antigen, Inactivated) Seqirus suspension for injection in a pre‐filled syringe (PLGB 47991/0013) was authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency via UK Regulation 56 of The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 on 6 October 2023. This created a duplicate unbranded licence that was identical to Aflunov suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe (PLGB 47991/0004), which was authorised in the United Kingdom on 29 November 2010 by a European Commission decision, following a centralised procedure by the European Medicines Agency (EMA; EMEA/H/C/002094). Subsequent to the granting of this duplicate unbranded licence, further lifecycle management actions were authorised for this licence.

How many drug incidents were recorded in HMP/YOI Styal in each of the last five years.

Drugs pose a significant challenge in prisons, with nearly half of prisoners having an identified drug need. It is therefore crucial we have a multi-pronged approach to tackling drugs, combining security focused activity with treatment and recovery initiatives so that individuals can break the cycle of reoffending and turn their lives around.The scale of the issue is clear, and data on drug finds in prisons has remained consistently high in recent years. We also conduct random mandatory drug testing in prisons to support our understanding of performance in establishments, although volumes are not currently consistently high enough to enable robust, publishable national data on the percentage of positive test results.The number of incidents where drugs were found in prisons, by gender of establishment, between April 2019 to March 2024 were[1]: 12 months ending March 20202021202220232024Male Establishments20,23518,73616,09813,86420,049Female Establishments1,3231,5561,5897901,009Total drug find incidents21,57520,29517,70014,72421,145 The number of drug find incidents at HMP Styal can also be found in the statistics published in the HMPPS Annual Digest: 08_Finds_drug_type_data_tool.ods. It should also be noted that both “illegal drug incidents” and “drug incidents” are being interpreted as drug find incidents for this request and therefore the figures do not represent all drug-related incidents. There are other drug related incidents that can occur within prison.To curb the supply of drugs, a range of security measures have been implemented, including tackling the use of illicit mobile phones which are the single biggest enabler of drug conveyance. These security measures include X-ray body scanners, airport-style Enhanced Gate Security (EGS), X-ray baggage scanners, detection dogs, and specialist equipment to alert staff to the potential presence of drugs on various items and materials.Reducing supply is only part of the solution; we also need to reduce the demand for drugs. To drive down demand and support recovery, there are 85 prisons with Incentivised Substance Free Living Units. These provide a dedicated, supportive environment for any prisoner who wants to live drug-free in prison. To bring together this rehabilitative and security focused approach to tackling drug use, 54 Drug Strategy Leads in key prisons are working to ensure that local drug strategies are effectively implemented.We also conduct targeted drug testing in custody to help keep people safe, and identify individuals who may benefit from a referral for a treatment referral, or inform disciplinary action. Governors and Independent Adjudicators (IA) have a range of options available to them to effectively manage drug taking behaviour, including awarding added days to the time spent in custody (IA only). Rehabilitative activities can also be mandated by governors as a condition of a punishment. Those prisoners who fail to comply with the rehabilitative activity will have their suspended punishment activated. The Government keeps the effectiveness of this process under review.[1] HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV.UKNotes:The figures for drug incidents have been drawn from the HMPPS Incident Reporting System. Care is taken when processing and analysing returns but the detail is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. Although shown to the last case, the figures may not be accurate to that level:(1) Figures include incidents at HMPPS operated Immigration Removal Centres and within the youth estate.(2) It is important to consider with incidents of finds in prisons that an increase in numbers may be as a result of more items being found, as opposed to more items being present. However, any increase in finds is not necessarily attributable to any one particular security counter-measure.(3) The sum of drug find incidents in Male and Female establishments do not equal the total number incidents as there are drug finds from other locations. This includes escort areas and Medway secure training centre, which are included in the total number of drug find incidents.(4) There was a change in the way finds were recorded in March 2022. The reason for the change was to make it easier for prisons to record incidents where multiple items were found within one incident. Each find incident now enables the prisons to select single or multiple types of find initially. For incidents with only a single type of find, the prisons select the type of find from a drop down list, and can now input this information much quicker. For incidents with multiple types of find, it should still be easier for prisons to input this information, so may result in small increases in some of the individual finds categories.(5) The inclusion of new categories and changes to some of the existing categories mean that finds incidents prior to March 2022 are not directly comparable with later figures, so caution needs to be taken when interpreting changes over the years.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of staffing levels at HMP Styal.

The number of prison officers at Bands 3-5 at HMP Styal is currently 97% of the target staffing figure. Recruitment is in progress to fill the vacant positions.Prison staffing models remain under regular review. This includes looking at elements of current staffing arrangements at HMP Styal, to assess how effectively they meet operational needs.Across the prison estate as a whole, the staffing position has greatly improved. At prisons where recruitment challenges remain, we continue to offer an additional supplement to attract new prison officers.

What systems of oversight are in place to enable her Department to monitor drug use in prisons.

Drugs pose a significant challenge in prisons, with nearly half of prisoners having an identified drug need. It is therefore crucial we have a multi-pronged approach to tackling drugs, combining security focused activity with treatment and recovery initiatives so that individuals can break the cycle of reoffending and turn their lives around.The scale of the issue is clear, and data on drug finds in prisons has remained consistently high in recent years. We also conduct random mandatory drug testing in prisons to support our understanding of performance in establishments, although volumes are not currently consistently high enough to enable robust, publishable national data on the percentage of positive test results.The number of incidents where drugs were found in prisons, by gender of establishment, between April 2019 to March 2024 were[1]: 12 months ending March 20202021202220232024Male Establishments20,23518,73616,09813,86420,049Female Establishments1,3231,5561,5897901,009Total drug find incidents21,57520,29517,70014,72421,145 The number of drug find incidents at HMP Styal can also be found in the statistics published in the HMPPS Annual Digest: 08_Finds_drug_type_data_tool.ods. It should also be noted that both “illegal drug incidents” and “drug incidents” are being interpreted as drug find incidents for this request and therefore the figures do not represent all drug-related incidents. There are other drug related incidents that can occur within prison.To curb the supply of drugs, a range of security measures have been implemented, including tackling the use of illicit mobile phones which are the single biggest enabler of drug conveyance. These security measures include X-ray body scanners, airport-style Enhanced Gate Security (EGS), X-ray baggage scanners, detection dogs, and specialist equipment to alert staff to the potential presence of drugs on various items and materials.Reducing supply is only part of the solution; we also need to reduce the demand for drugs. To drive down demand and support recovery, there are 85 prisons with Incentivised Substance Free Living Units. These provide a dedicated, supportive environment for any prisoner who wants to live drug-free in prison. To bring together this rehabilitative and security focused approach to tackling drug use, 54 Drug Strategy Leads in key prisons are working to ensure that local drug strategies are effectively implemented.We also conduct targeted drug testing in custody to help keep people safe, and identify individuals who may benefit from a referral for a treatment referral, or inform disciplinary action. Governors and Independent Adjudicators (IA) have a range of options available to them to effectively manage drug taking behaviour, including awarding added days to the time spent in custody (IA only). Rehabilitative activities can also be mandated by governors as a condition of a punishment. Those prisoners who fail to comply with the rehabilitative activity will have their suspended punishment activated. The Government keeps the effectiveness of this process under review.[1] HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV.UKNotes:The figures for drug incidents have been drawn from the HMPPS Incident Reporting System. Care is taken when processing and analysing returns but the detail is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. Although shown to the last case, the figures may not be accurate to that level:(1) Figures include incidents at HMPPS operated Immigration Removal Centres and within the youth estate.(2) It is important to consider with incidents of finds in prisons that an increase in numbers may be as a result of more items being found, as opposed to more items being present. However, any increase in finds is not necessarily attributable to any one particular security counter-measure.(3) The sum of drug find incidents in Male and Female establishments do not equal the total number incidents as there are drug finds from other locations. This includes escort areas and Medway secure training centre, which are included in the total number of drug find incidents.(4) There was a change in the way finds were recorded in March 2022. The reason for the change was to make it easier for prisons to record incidents where multiple items were found within one incident. Each find incident now enables the prisons to select single or multiple types of find initially. For incidents with only a single type of find, the prisons select the type of find from a drop down list, and can now input this information much quicker. For incidents with multiple types of find, it should still be easier for prisons to input this information, so may result in small increases in some of the individual finds categories.(5) The inclusion of new categories and changes to some of the existing categories mean that finds incidents prior to March 2022 are not directly comparable with later figures, so caution needs to be taken when interpreting changes over the years.

What proportion of prisoners were identified as having used or handled illegal drugs in each of the last five years.

Drugs pose a significant challenge in prisons, with nearly half of prisoners having an identified drug need. It is therefore crucial we have a multi-pronged approach to tackling drugs, combining security focused activity with treatment and recovery initiatives so that individuals can break the cycle of reoffending and turn their lives around.The scale of the issue is clear, and data on drug finds in prisons has remained consistently high in recent years. We also conduct random mandatory drug testing in prisons to support our understanding of performance in establishments, although volumes are not currently consistently high enough to enable robust, publishable national data on the percentage of positive test results.The number of incidents where drugs were found in prisons, by gender of establishment, between April 2019 to March 2024 were[1]: 12 months ending March 20202021202220232024Male Establishments20,23518,73616,09813,86420,049Female Establishments1,3231,5561,5897901,009Total drug find incidents21,57520,29517,70014,72421,145 The number of drug find incidents at HMP Styal can also be found in the statistics published in the HMPPS Annual Digest: 08_Finds_drug_type_data_tool.ods. It should also be noted that both “illegal drug incidents” and “drug incidents” are being interpreted as drug find incidents for this request and therefore the figures do not represent all drug-related incidents. There are other drug related incidents that can occur within prison.To curb the supply of drugs, a range of security measures have been implemented, including tackling the use of illicit mobile phones which are the single biggest enabler of drug conveyance. These security measures include X-ray body scanners, airport-style Enhanced Gate Security (EGS), X-ray baggage scanners, detection dogs, and specialist equipment to alert staff to the potential presence of drugs on various items and materials.Reducing supply is only part of the solution; we also need to reduce the demand for drugs. To drive down demand and support recovery, there are 85 prisons with Incentivised Substance Free Living Units. These provide a dedicated, supportive environment for any prisoner who wants to live drug-free in prison. To bring together this rehabilitative and security focused approach to tackling drug use, 54 Drug Strategy Leads in key prisons are working to ensure that local drug strategies are effectively implemented.We also conduct targeted drug testing in custody to help keep people safe, and identify individuals who may benefit from a referral for a treatment referral, or inform disciplinary action. Governors and Independent Adjudicators (IA) have a range of options available to them to effectively manage drug taking behaviour, including awarding added days to the time spent in custody (IA only). Rehabilitative activities can also be mandated by governors as a condition of a punishment. Those prisoners who fail to comply with the rehabilitative activity will have their suspended punishment activated. The Government keeps the effectiveness of this process under review.[1] HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV.UKNotes:The figures for drug incidents have been drawn from the HMPPS Incident Reporting System. Care is taken when processing and analysing returns but the detail is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. Although shown to the last case, the figures may not be accurate to that level:(1) Figures include incidents at HMPPS operated Immigration Removal Centres and within the youth estate.(2) It is important to consider with incidents of finds in prisons that an increase in numbers may be as a result of more items being found, as opposed to more items being present. However, any increase in finds is not necessarily attributable to any one particular security counter-measure.(3) The sum of drug find incidents in Male and Female establishments do not equal the total number incidents as there are drug finds from other locations. This includes escort areas and Medway secure training centre, which are included in the total number of drug find incidents.(4) There was a change in the way finds were recorded in March 2022. The reason for the change was to make it easier for prisons to record incidents where multiple items were found within one incident. Each find incident now enables the prisons to select single or multiple types of find initially. For incidents with only a single type of find, the prisons select the type of find from a drop down list, and can now input this information much quicker. For incidents with multiple types of find, it should still be easier for prisons to input this information, so may result in small increases in some of the individual finds categories.(5) The inclusion of new categories and changes to some of the existing categories mean that finds incidents prior to March 2022 are not directly comparable with later figures, so caution needs to be taken when interpreting changes over the years.

What steps her Department is taking to tackle illegal drug use in prisons.

Drugs pose a significant challenge in prisons, with nearly half of prisoners having an identified drug need. It is therefore crucial we have a multi-pronged approach to tackling drugs, combining security focused activity with treatment and recovery initiatives so that individuals can break the cycle of reoffending and turn their lives around.The scale of the issue is clear, and data on drug finds in prisons has remained consistently high in recent years. We also conduct random mandatory drug testing in prisons to support our understanding of performance in establishments, although volumes are not currently consistently high enough to enable robust, publishable national data on the percentage of positive test results.The number of incidents where drugs were found in prisons, by gender of establishment, between April 2019 to March 2024 were[1]: 12 months ending March 20202021202220232024Male Establishments20,23518,73616,09813,86420,049Female Establishments1,3231,5561,5897901,009Total drug find incidents21,57520,29517,70014,72421,145 The number of drug find incidents at HMP Styal can also be found in the statistics published in the HMPPS Annual Digest: 08_Finds_drug_type_data_tool.ods. It should also be noted that both “illegal drug incidents” and “drug incidents” are being interpreted as drug find incidents for this request and therefore the figures do not represent all drug-related incidents. There are other drug related incidents that can occur within prison.To curb the supply of drugs, a range of security measures have been implemented, including tackling the use of illicit mobile phones which are the single biggest enabler of drug conveyance. These security measures include X-ray body scanners, airport-style Enhanced Gate Security (EGS), X-ray baggage scanners, detection dogs, and specialist equipment to alert staff to the potential presence of drugs on various items and materials.Reducing supply is only part of the solution; we also need to reduce the demand for drugs. To drive down demand and support recovery, there are 85 prisons with Incentivised Substance Free Living Units. These provide a dedicated, supportive environment for any prisoner who wants to live drug-free in prison. To bring together this rehabilitative and security focused approach to tackling drug use, 54 Drug Strategy Leads in key prisons are working to ensure that local drug strategies are effectively implemented.We also conduct targeted drug testing in custody to help keep people safe, and identify individuals who may benefit from a referral for a treatment referral, or inform disciplinary action. Governors and Independent Adjudicators (IA) have a range of options available to them to effectively manage drug taking behaviour, including awarding added days to the time spent in custody (IA only). Rehabilitative activities can also be mandated by governors as a condition of a punishment. Those prisoners who fail to comply with the rehabilitative activity will have their suspended punishment activated. The Government keeps the effectiveness of this process under review.[1] HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV.UKNotes:The figures for drug incidents have been drawn from the HMPPS Incident Reporting System. Care is taken when processing and analysing returns but the detail is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. Although shown to the last case, the figures may not be accurate to that level:(1) Figures include incidents at HMPPS operated Immigration Removal Centres and within the youth estate.(2) It is important to consider with incidents of finds in prisons that an increase in numbers may be as a result of more items being found, as opposed to more items being present. However, any increase in finds is not necessarily attributable to any one particular security counter-measure.(3) The sum of drug find incidents in Male and Female establishments do not equal the total number incidents as there are drug finds from other locations. This includes escort areas and Medway secure training centre, which are included in the total number of drug find incidents.(4) There was a change in the way finds were recorded in March 2022. The reason for the change was to make it easier for prisons to record incidents where multiple items were found within one incident. Each find incident now enables the prisons to select single or multiple types of find initially. For incidents with only a single type of find, the prisons select the type of find from a drop down list, and can now input this information much quicker. For incidents with multiple types of find, it should still be easier for prisons to input this information, so may result in small increases in some of the individual finds categories.(5) The inclusion of new categories and changes to some of the existing categories mean that finds incidents prior to March 2022 are not directly comparable with later figures, so caution needs to be taken when interpreting changes over the years.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of disciplinary action taken against prisoners found to be using illegal substances.

Drugs pose a significant challenge in prisons, with nearly half of prisoners having an identified drug need. It is therefore crucial we have a multi-pronged approach to tackling drugs, combining security focused activity with treatment and recovery initiatives so that individuals can break the cycle of reoffending and turn their lives around.The scale of the issue is clear, and data on drug finds in prisons has remained consistently high in recent years. We also conduct random mandatory drug testing in prisons to support our understanding of performance in establishments, although volumes are not currently consistently high enough to enable robust, publishable national data on the percentage of positive test results.The number of incidents where drugs were found in prisons, by gender of establishment, between April 2019 to March 2024 were[1]: 12 months ending March 20202021202220232024Male Establishments20,23518,73616,09813,86420,049Female Establishments1,3231,5561,5897901,009Total drug find incidents21,57520,29517,70014,72421,145 The number of drug find incidents at HMP Styal can also be found in the statistics published in the HMPPS Annual Digest: 08_Finds_drug_type_data_tool.ods. It should also be noted that both “illegal drug incidents” and “drug incidents” are being interpreted as drug find incidents for this request and therefore the figures do not represent all drug-related incidents. There are other drug related incidents that can occur within prison.To curb the supply of drugs, a range of security measures have been implemented, including tackling the use of illicit mobile phones which are the single biggest enabler of drug conveyance. These security measures include X-ray body scanners, airport-style Enhanced Gate Security (EGS), X-ray baggage scanners, detection dogs, and specialist equipment to alert staff to the potential presence of drugs on various items and materials.Reducing supply is only part of the solution; we also need to reduce the demand for drugs. To drive down demand and support recovery, there are 85 prisons with Incentivised Substance Free Living Units. These provide a dedicated, supportive environment for any prisoner who wants to live drug-free in prison. To bring together this rehabilitative and security focused approach to tackling drug use, 54 Drug Strategy Leads in key prisons are working to ensure that local drug strategies are effectively implemented.We also conduct targeted drug testing in custody to help keep people safe, and identify individuals who may benefit from a referral for a treatment referral, or inform disciplinary action. Governors and Independent Adjudicators (IA) have a range of options available to them to effectively manage drug taking behaviour, including awarding added days to the time spent in custody (IA only). Rehabilitative activities can also be mandated by governors as a condition of a punishment. Those prisoners who fail to comply with the rehabilitative activity will have their suspended punishment activated. The Government keeps the effectiveness of this process under review.[1] HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV.UKNotes:The figures for drug incidents have been drawn from the HMPPS Incident Reporting System. Care is taken when processing and analysing returns but the detail is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. Although shown to the last case, the figures may not be accurate to that level:(1) Figures include incidents at HMPPS operated Immigration Removal Centres and within the youth estate.(2) It is important to consider with incidents of finds in prisons that an increase in numbers may be as a result of more items being found, as opposed to more items being present. However, any increase in finds is not necessarily attributable to any one particular security counter-measure.(3) The sum of drug find incidents in Male and Female establishments do not equal the total number incidents as there are drug finds from other locations. This includes escort areas and Medway secure training centre, which are included in the total number of drug find incidents.(4) There was a change in the way finds were recorded in March 2022. The reason for the change was to make it easier for prisons to record incidents where multiple items were found within one incident. Each find incident now enables the prisons to select single or multiple types of find initially. For incidents with only a single type of find, the prisons select the type of find from a drop down list, and can now input this information much quicker. For incidents with multiple types of find, it should still be easier for prisons to input this information, so may result in small increases in some of the individual finds categories.(5) The inclusion of new categories and changes to some of the existing categories mean that finds incidents prior to March 2022 are not directly comparable with later figures, so caution needs to be taken when interpreting changes over the years.

How many illegal drug incidents were recorded in prisons by the gender of the prisoner in each of the last five years.

Drugs pose a significant challenge in prisons, with nearly half of prisoners having an identified drug need. It is therefore crucial we have a multi-pronged approach to tackling drugs, combining security focused activity with treatment and recovery initiatives so that individuals can break the cycle of reoffending and turn their lives around.The scale of the issue is clear, and data on drug finds in prisons has remained consistently high in recent years. We also conduct random mandatory drug testing in prisons to support our understanding of performance in establishments, although volumes are not currently consistently high enough to enable robust, publishable national data on the percentage of positive test results.The number of incidents where drugs were found in prisons, by gender of establishment, between April 2019 to March 2024 were[1]: 12 months ending March 20202021202220232024Male Establishments20,23518,73616,09813,86420,049Female Establishments1,3231,5561,5897901,009Total drug find incidents21,57520,29517,70014,72421,145 The number of drug find incidents at HMP Styal can also be found in the statistics published in the HMPPS Annual Digest: 08_Finds_drug_type_data_tool.ods. It should also be noted that both “illegal drug incidents” and “drug incidents” are being interpreted as drug find incidents for this request and therefore the figures do not represent all drug-related incidents. There are other drug related incidents that can occur within prison.To curb the supply of drugs, a range of security measures have been implemented, including tackling the use of illicit mobile phones which are the single biggest enabler of drug conveyance. These security measures include X-ray body scanners, airport-style Enhanced Gate Security (EGS), X-ray baggage scanners, detection dogs, and specialist equipment to alert staff to the potential presence of drugs on various items and materials.Reducing supply is only part of the solution; we also need to reduce the demand for drugs. To drive down demand and support recovery, there are 85 prisons with Incentivised Substance Free Living Units. These provide a dedicated, supportive environment for any prisoner who wants to live drug-free in prison. To bring together this rehabilitative and security focused approach to tackling drug use, 54 Drug Strategy Leads in key prisons are working to ensure that local drug strategies are effectively implemented.We also conduct targeted drug testing in custody to help keep people safe, and identify individuals who may benefit from a referral for a treatment referral, or inform disciplinary action. Governors and Independent Adjudicators (IA) have a range of options available to them to effectively manage drug taking behaviour, including awarding added days to the time spent in custody (IA only). Rehabilitative activities can also be mandated by governors as a condition of a punishment. Those prisoners who fail to comply with the rehabilitative activity will have their suspended punishment activated. The Government keeps the effectiveness of this process under review.[1] HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV.UKNotes:The figures for drug incidents have been drawn from the HMPPS Incident Reporting System. Care is taken when processing and analysing returns but the detail is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. Although shown to the last case, the figures may not be accurate to that level:(1) Figures include incidents at HMPPS operated Immigration Removal Centres and within the youth estate.(2) It is important to consider with incidents of finds in prisons that an increase in numbers may be as a result of more items being found, as opposed to more items being present. However, any increase in finds is not necessarily attributable to any one particular security counter-measure.(3) The sum of drug find incidents in Male and Female establishments do not equal the total number incidents as there are drug finds from other locations. This includes escort areas and Medway secure training centre, which are included in the total number of drug find incidents.(4) There was a change in the way finds were recorded in March 2022. The reason for the change was to make it easier for prisons to record incidents where multiple items were found within one incident. Each find incident now enables the prisons to select single or multiple types of find initially. For incidents with only a single type of find, the prisons select the type of find from a drop down list, and can now input this information much quicker. For incidents with multiple types of find, it should still be easier for prisons to input this information, so may result in small increases in some of the individual finds categories.(5) The inclusion of new categories and changes to some of the existing categories mean that finds incidents prior to March 2022 are not directly comparable with later figures, so caution needs to be taken when interpreting changes over the years.

Communities and Local Government, how much Government funding was allocated to Knutsford Town Council in each of the last three years.

Knutsford Town Council was awarded a £560,000 grant in September 2023 through the Community Ownership Fund help fund the refurbishment of the Market Hall.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of solar radiation modification technologies on the atmosphere.

Given the significant uncertainty around the possible risks and impacts of deployment on the climate and environment, the Government is not deploying SRM and has no plans to do so.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much money has been spent in overseas aid on roads in each of the last five years.

FCDO Official Development Assistance in Road Infrastructure 2020 to 2024YearSpend per Year in £ Million202055.2202155.8202226.7202322.1202411.2Source: FCDO Aid Management Platform.

How many and what proportion of claims have been submitted to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme for (a) fatalities and (b) illnesses for Covid 19 vaccines.

As of 31 March 2025, 19,895 claims had been submitted to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme relating to COVID-19 vaccination. 18,724, or 94% of these claims, were submitted for illnesses relating to COVID-19 vaccination and 1,171, or 6% of these claims, were submitted for fatalities relating to COVID-19 vaccination.As of 31 March 2025, 958 claims had been submitted to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme relating to vaccinations other than COVID-19 vaccination. 903, or 94% of these claims, were submitted for illnesses relating to vaccinations other than COVID-19 vaccinations and 55, or 6% of these claims, were submitted for fatalities relating to vaccinations other than COVID-19 vaccination.

Whether the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has received the final post-authorisation safety study report for the BNT162b2 covid-19 vaccine.

A post-authorisation safety study is a study that is carried out after a medicine has been authorised to obtain further information on a medicine's safety, or to measure the effectiveness of risk-management measures.A total of 22 clinical studies are included, or were previously included, as additional pharmacovigilance activities in the Risk Management Plan (RMP) for the Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccine. Of these studies, nine are reported as phase one, two, or three studies. Of the remaining studies, 10 are safety studies and three are vaccine effectiveness studies. Seven studies are ongoing, and 15 have been completed.Milestones for these studies, including the due date of the submission of the final clinical study reports, are outlined in the RMP. The final study report for the clinical study Post Conditional Approval Active Surveillance Study Among Individuals in Europe Receiving the Pfizer BioNTech Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccine is due to be submitted to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency by 30 September 2025.

For what reason Primodos was not within the terms of reference of the Hughes Report: options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh, published on 7 February 2024.

The Government is hugely sympathetic to the families who believe that they or their children have suffered following the use of hormone pregnancy tests.The previous administration did not ask the Patient Safety Commissioner, Dr Henrietta Hughes, to look at redress for hormone pregnancy tests as part of the Hughes Report, because a causal link between hormone pregnancy tests and adverse outcomes in pregnancy has not been demonstrated. An Expert Working Group of the independent Commission on Human Medicines reviewed the available scientific evidence in 2017 and concluded that it does not support a causal association. This position was reaffirmed in its most recent review in November 2024. However, we are committed to reviewing any new scientific evidence that comes to light.

With reference to the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority case rulings with reference (a) AUTH/3815/8/23 and (b) 3886/3/24 on Moderna’s NextCOVE trial in children, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of those rulings on the nature of his Department's future work with that company on mRNA (i) research and (ii) development.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Health Research Authority, and the Research Ethics Committee (REC) review and approve clinical trials on the basis of the benefits and risks, in line with the UK Clinical Trials regulatory (UK CTR) framework.The safety of those participating in clinical trials is the MHRA’s first priority, and our oversight of trial conduct is informed by the trial’s sponsor efficiently notifying us of safety issues during the conduct of their trial.Sponsors and investigators involved in the conduct of clinical trials are expected to have robust processes to ensure compliance with The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations, which includes compliance with the provision and use of documentation that has been approved for use by a REC.Where doubts about the safety, conduct, or scientific validity of a clinical trial are identified, the MHRA may take action, in line with the UK CTR, which could include requiring changes to be made to the trial protocol, or suspension or termination of a trial.

With reference to paragraph 3.7 of the minutes of the Covid-19 Vaccine Benefit Risk Expert Working Group held on 18 November 2020, if he will publish the risk-based evaluation for the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine.

The reactogenicity of vaccines refers to their capacity to produce common or “expected” adverse reactions following vaccination such as fever, tiredness, and a sore arm at the vaccination site. These reactions, and the frequency with which they occur, are listed in section four of the vaccine package leaflet, which states what possible side effects people may experience. Regarding the reference to reactogenicity in paragraph 3.19 of the minutes of the COVID-19 Vaccine Benefit Risk Expert Working Group held on 18 November 2020, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published information for the recipients of the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine, as well as for healthcare professionals. These documents detail the reactogenic nature of the vaccines, and are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61c518a0e90e071971e2561e/Temporary_Authorisation_Patient_Information_BNT162_18_0_UK_Clean.pdfhttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61c51662d3bf7f1f7bc0ac8b/Temporary_Authorisation_HCP_Information_BNT162_19_0_UK_Clean.pdfThe MHRA also regularly published coronavirus vaccine summaries of Yellow Card reporting throughout the pandemic. Amongst many other matters regarding the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines, the reactogenic nature of the vaccines was regularly discussed in these communications, which are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reportingRegarding paragraph 3.7 of these same minutes, the MHRA published product information for the COVID-19 vaccines on the GOV.UK website when regulatory approval was given, starting from 2 December 2020 when the Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccine was the first COVID-19 vaccine in the world to be approved. On this day, the risk-based evaluation for the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine referenced in this paragraph of the minutes was published as part of a summary of the public assessment report for the COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer/BioNTech, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19/summary-public-assessment-report-for-pfizerbiontech-covid-19-vaccine

With reference to paragraph 3.19 of the minutes of the Covid-19 Vaccine Benefit Risk Expert Working Group held on 18 November 2020, if he will publish the communications undertaken to inform recipients of the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine about its highly reactogenic nature.

The reactogenicity of vaccines refers to their capacity to produce common or “expected” adverse reactions following vaccination such as fever, tiredness, and a sore arm at the vaccination site. These reactions, and the frequency with which they occur, are listed in section four of the vaccine package leaflet, which states what possible side effects people may experience. Regarding the reference to reactogenicity in paragraph 3.19 of the minutes of the COVID-19 Vaccine Benefit Risk Expert Working Group held on 18 November 2020, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published information for the recipients of the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine, as well as for healthcare professionals. These documents detail the reactogenic nature of the vaccines, and are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61c518a0e90e071971e2561e/Temporary_Authorisation_Patient_Information_BNT162_18_0_UK_Clean.pdfhttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61c51662d3bf7f1f7bc0ac8b/Temporary_Authorisation_HCP_Information_BNT162_19_0_UK_Clean.pdfThe MHRA also regularly published coronavirus vaccine summaries of Yellow Card reporting throughout the pandemic. Amongst many other matters regarding the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines, the reactogenic nature of the vaccines was regularly discussed in these communications, which are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reportingRegarding paragraph 3.7 of these same minutes, the MHRA published product information for the COVID-19 vaccines on the GOV.UK website when regulatory approval was given, starting from 2 December 2020 when the Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccine was the first COVID-19 vaccine in the world to be approved. On this day, the risk-based evaluation for the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine referenced in this paragraph of the minutes was published as part of a summary of the public assessment report for the COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer/BioNTech, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19/summary-public-assessment-report-for-pfizerbiontech-covid-19-vaccine