Written questions by Downie.

With reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what criteria her Department will use to define communities when considering community sponsorship for refugees.

The Government’s Asylum and Returns Policy Statement published on 17 November 2025 announced transformative changes to Safe and Legal routes that will fundamentally reshape how the UK offers opportunities to refugees and receiving communities. Work is underway at pace to operationalise these new routes, and further details will be provided in due course.

With reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, how her Department will evaluate Artificial Intelligence to determine the age of migrants prior to use.

Assessing age is a complex task and no method or combination of methods can definitively determine age. In order to strengthen the age assessment system, the Home Office is exploring facial age estimation technology. Work has been commissioned to test and trial this technology to understand its capabilities. The testing and assurance will be key in informing policy development and to ensure its use is proportionate. The technology will not be used in isolation but is intended to provide additional information to the decision maker. The Government will issue further information regarding testing and assurance in due course.

With reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what criteria her Department will use to assess the capacity and ability of communities to welcome refugees.

The Government’s Asylum and Returns Policy Statement published on 17 November 2025 announced transformative changes to Safe and Legal routes that will fundamentally reshape how the UK offers opportunities to refugees and receiving communities. Work is underway at pace to operationalise these new routes, and further details will be provided in due course.

With reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what processes will be put in place to verify the legitimacy of (a) organisations and (b) communities wishing to act as sponsors for refugees.

The Government’s Asylum and Returns Policy Statement published on 17 November 2025 announced transformative changes to Safe and Legal routes that will fundamentally reshape how the UK offers opportunities to refugees and receiving communities. Work is underway at pace to operationalise these new routes, and further details will be provided in due course.

With reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what process her Department will use to designate whether a country is a safe home country.

The asylum and returns policy statement sets out the intention to deal swiftly with protection claims that are made by nationals of manifestly safe countries in an attempt to frustrate their removal. This policy does not relate to any designation of a specific country as manifestly safe, but rather a holistic assessment of whether there is a basis on which a prolonged assessment of a claim is required, for example through an additional interview. This is distinct from existing legislative provisions (under s94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002) which allow all or part of a country to be designated as safe, for the purposes of assessing whether a claim should be certified as clearly unfounded.

With reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025. what support her Department is planning to give to communities to increase their (a) capacity and (b) ability to welcome refugees.

The Government’s Asylum and Returns Policy Statement published on 17 November 2025 announced transformative changes to Safe and Legal routes that will fundamentally reshape how the UK offers opportunities to refugees and receiving communities. Work is underway at pace to operationalise these new routes, and further details will be provided in due course.

With reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what support will be provided to UK-based family members when making an asylum application for a non-UK based relative under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

There is no provision within our Immigration Rules for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum. Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach – that is the fastest route to safety.The refugee family reunion route has been temporarily suspended while the Government undertakes a full review and reform of the current family rules to ensure we have a fair and properly balanced system.

What steps he is taking to ensure the compatibility of his Department's guidance on political crowdfunding for people on Universal Credit with Article 3 of Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Money received personally by an individual through crowdfunding, including for their political purposes, is generally treated as capital in Universal Credit, and can affect eligibility and payment amounts if a customer’s total capital exceeds £6,000. There are no plans to review these rules.

What guidance his Department has issued on whether people on Universal Credit are entitled to raise funds for the purpose of standing for election.

Funding received and managed by local and national political parties would not be taken into account in assessing an individual’s entitlement for Universal Credit (UC). Money received personally by an individual, including for their political purposes, is generally treated as capital in UC, and can affect eligibility and payment amounts if a customer’s total capital exceeds £6,000. There are no plans to review these rules.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleague to ensure people on Universal Credit have equal access to fundraising for the purpose of standing for election.

People on universal credit are not disqualified from standing for elections. With regards to accessing fundraising for the purposes of standing for election, the Electoral Commission have published clear guidance on the rules around donations, which apply to all candidates.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure people on Universal Credit are able to stand for election.

People on universal credit are not disqualified from standing for elections. With regards to accessing fundraising for the purposes of standing for election, the Electoral Commission have published clear guidance on the rules around donations, which apply to all candidates.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Chinese-owned companies producing wind turbines in the UK on national security.

The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously with the UK being one of the most reliable and safest energy systems, and one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must. I also refer my hon Friend to the replies given on 10 March to Question UIN 34722 and on 11 March to question UIN 34972.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of conducting a cross-departmental assessment of the security implications of Chinese investment in UK renewable energy infrastructure.

The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously with the UK being one of the most reliable and safest energy systems, and one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must. I also refer my hon Friend to the replies given on 10 March to Question UIN 34722 and on 11 March to question UIN 34972.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Chinese-owned companies establishing turbine manufacturing sites in the UK on national security.

The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously with the UK being one of the most reliable and safest energy systems, and one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must. I also refer my hon Friend to the replies given on 10 March to Question UIN 34722 and on 11 March to question UIN 34972.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Chinese companies supplying cellular modules for use in the UK’s critical national infrastructure on national security.

The Prime Minister has emphasised that national security is the first duty of our government. The Government has a broad set of tools to safeguard our Critical National Infrastructure, including The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021, The Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018, The Procurement Act 2023 and The Product Security and Telecommunications Act 2022.The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will also be introduced when parliamentary time allows, to deliver a step change in the UK’s national security, requiring essential and digital services in scope to have robust cyber security practices and standards. This will include empowering regulators to designate critical suppliers, ensuring that the most important suppliers to essential and digital services are subject to the regulatory regime.Any device with a cellular module that is incorporated into the network or systems of UK Critical National Infrastructure will need to comply with that network’s cyber security practices and standards and as such should have robust security controls in place. If such a device falls within scope of The Product Security and Telecommunications Act 2022 then it will also need to comply with the requirements of that Act.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Chinese-manufactured smart devices in the UK's critical national infrastructure on national security.

National security is the first duty of our government.Under the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, any connected device intended to be used by consumers must meet three basic requirements: no universal default or easily guessable passwords; transparency about the minimum length of time manufacturers will provide security updates; and information on how to report security vulnerabilities directly to manufacturers.The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology launched a Call for Views on 12 May 2025 on proposals to strengthen the cyber security of enterprise connected devices. Research commissioned in 2021 by DSIT of 400 businesses showed significant gaps in device security practices with 58% of businesses not requiring security checks when purchasing connected devices. Our Call for Views included a draft Code of Practice, developed with the National Cyber Security Centre, which sets out 11 security principles for manufacturers, covering areas like secure updates, authentication, data protection, and device integrity. Feedback is being considered, and a government response will be published in due course.The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will also be introduced when parliamentary time allows, to deliver a step change in the UK’s national security, requiring essential and digital services in scope to have robust cyber security practices and standards. This will include empowering regulators to designate critical suppliers, ensuring the most important suppliers to essential and digital services are subject to the regulatory regime.

What steps his Department is taking to support the parents and carers of children with severe health conditions.

Supporting children with severe health conditions can be a heartbreaking time for families. The Department for Business and Trade is currently developing a consultation on employment rights for carers, including specific measures for the parents and carers of seriously ill children. This will consider what employment rights may help families in such distressing situations. The consultation will take place in 2026.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of raising Statutory Sick Pay for the parents and carers of children with severe health conditions.

Statutory Sick Pay provides financial support to individual employees who are sick or incapable of work. It is not designed to provide financial support for parents or carers who are not able to work because their child is sick or has a health condition. Parents who cannot work because their child is sick, rather than being directly incapable of work due to sickness themselves, have a number of options open to them such as asking their employer if they can work flexibly or requesting to take emergency leave. Parents may also be eligible to apply for welfare benefits, such as Carer's allowance or Universal Credit, depending on their circumstances. The Department for Business and Trade is currently developing a consultation on employment rights for carers, including specific measures for the parents and carers of seriously ill children. This will consider what employment rights may help families in such distressing situations. The consultation will take place in 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of legislation protecting livestock in the UK as compared to other OECD nations.

The UK is widely recognised as one of the global leaders in animal health and welfare. We are a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health, and we have a broad legislative base, associated strategies and contingency plans enabling us to protect livestock from animal disease threats. Defra is committed to maintaining and improving the UK's high standards of animal health and welfare. The Prime Minister has announced that we will be publishing an animal welfare strategy by the end of the year.

How many Universal Credit health element applicants (a) had Parkinson's as their primary condition and (b) were found eligible in the last (i) three, (ii) six and (iii) twelve months.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.