Written questions by Mierlo.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of overall funding allocated to Thames Valley Police; and whether she plans to review regional difference in police (a) pay and (b) allowances as part of future funding settlements.

The 2025-26 final police funding settlement provides an overall increase of up to £1.2 billion when compared to the 2024-25 settlement. Thames Valley Police will receive up to £627.4 million, an increase of up to £40.8 million from 2024-25.The Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) and Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) make recommendations to the Government on the appropriate level of pay and allowances for police officers.The pay review bodies gather and invite parties to submit evidence to inform their decisions. This includes both written and oral evidence from the Government, police employers and police staff associations. They weigh the evidence, consider independent research, and formulate detailed recommendations.We are committed to the Pay Review Body process and the Government appreciates and values the independent, expert advice and contribution that the pay review bodies make.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the South East allowance for police officers in Thames Valley Police.

The Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) and Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) make recommendations to the Government on the appropriate level of pay and allowances for police officers.The pay review bodies gather and invite parties to submit evidence to inform their decisions. This includes both written and oral evidence from the Government, police employers and police staff associations. They weigh the evidence, consider independent research, and formulate detailed recommendations.We are committed to the Pay Review Body process and the Government appreciates and values the independent, expert advice and contribution that the pay review bodies make.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of revising Ukraine visa schemes to create a potential UK settlement pathway, such as where people have no family or home to return to in Ukraine, assessed on a case by case basis.

The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme opened to applications on 4 February 2025, which enables Ukrainians in the UK under the Ukraine visa schemes to apply for a further 18 months’ temporary permission to remain in the UK.We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine to assist in the rebuilding of the country. It is important our approach respects these wishes.This is why the temporary sanctuary Ukraine visa Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK. We continue to keep the Ukraine Schemes under consistent review in line with developments in the ongoing war.There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of provisions for registration of deaths to ensure that (a) bereaved people are able to meet the requirement to notify a death within five days of the statutory relevant date and (b) the burden on the recently bereaved is minimised as far as possible.

Since the implementation of the death certification reforms in September 2024, the 5-day statutory time period for an informant to register a death commences when the registrar receives a completed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) from a Medical Examiner, or notification from a Coroner.Monitoring by the General Register Office for England and Wales confirms that current appointment availability for the bereaved with registrars in Local Authorities to be available to register deaths is adequate, but the Government is continuing to work towards the electronic registration of deaths to minimise the burden on bereaved family members at a difficult time, as set out by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.

With reference to the report entitled 12 Years of Modern Slavery, published by Kalayaan on 16 June 2024, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of reinstating the pre-2012 visa regime for migrant domestic workers.

We keep all policies and immigration routes under review. There are a number of protections in place for overseas domestic workers (ODWs) designed to minimise the risk of exploitation.ODWs are able to change their employer without notifying the Home Office, to ensure those who need to escape unsuitable conditions can do so quickly and without additional administration. Employers of ODWs must act in accordance with UK employment law, including the National Minimum Wage.Workers who find themselves a victim of modern slavery are protected by the National Referral Mechanism and may be eligible to apply for permission to stay as a Domestic Worker who is a Victim of Modern Slavery.