Written questions by Morris.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure compliance with statutory homelessness data returns.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions his Department has had with the 18 local authorities which did not return data for the Statutory Homelessness Detailed Local Authority Data 2024-25 dataset on th

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of delays in security and vetting processes on staffing levels across the prison estate.

Awaiting answer.

What steps is the Minister taking to improve the speed of security and vetting checks for prison service applicants.

Awaiting answer.

How many people have been waiting (a) more than three months, (b) more than six months and (c) more than 12 months for security and vetting clearance required for employment in the prison service.

Awaiting answer.

How many people are awaiting completion of security and vetting checks before commencing employment within His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the statistical analysis of prison leavers in England entitled Prison leavers in substance misuse treatment: 4-week outcomes – report, published 23 April 2026.

Awaiting answer.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the (a) independence, (b) integrity and (c) expertise of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

The independence of the ACMD is essential to making recommendations on the control of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs. The ACMD’s integrity is maintained by a joint working protocol between Ministers and the Committee which governs the roles, responsibilities and expectations of the ACMD and those to whom it delivers advice. As part of this the Minister for Policing and Crime, routinely reviews ACMD advice and recommendations.In 2024 the Home Office’s Chief Scientific Adviser initiated a review which examined and made recommendations on how the department commissions, uses and feeds back on advice from its Science Advisory Councils.The adequacy of ACMD’s advice is assured through maintenance of a committee with comprehensive expertise. ACMD appointments are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and are subject to the principles laid out in the Governance Code on Public Appointments.Membership is refreshed through regular rounds of recruitment including for a new chair appointed in 2025. Recruitment processes seek to ensure the widest possible pool of candidates are considered for roles. In accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments process, members are recruited through free and open competition and appointed following Ministerial approval.

What her planned timeline is for responding to (a) the report entitled Ketamine: An updated review of use and harms published by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on 28 January 2026 and (b) the recommendations therein.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (‘ACMD’) published its review of the use and harms of ketamine on 28 January. The report provides a detailed assessment of the evidence on harms and trends in use and includes 15 recommendations.Ministers will consider the recommendations carefully and will respond to the report as soon as possible. In advance of that, in October 2025 the Department for Health and Social Care launched a campaign to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of ketamine misuse, and law enforcement is taking action against the threat from criminal gangs supplying the drug.

With reference to the report entitled Ketamine: An updated review of use and harms published by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on 28 January 2026, what (a) research and (b) consultations were undertaken as part of the decision-making process.

As the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is independent of Government, its internal and decision-making processes are matters for the ACMD.

Whether her Department collects data on complaints involving police interactions with neurodivergent people.

The Home Office does not collect data on complaints involving police interactions with neurodivergent individuals.As the public body responsible for overseeing the police complaints system in England and Wales, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is responsible for collecting police complaints data.The IOPC publishes annual statistics on police complaints, which include some information on complainants. These are available at: https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/our-work/research-and-statistics/police-complaints-statisticsData on neurodivergence is not published within the IOPC’s police complaints statistics, however, they may hold further information that is not routinely published.

What recent discussions she has had with the National Police Chiefs' Council on improving police responses to neurodivergent (a) victims, (b) witnesses and (c) suspects.

The College of Policing set the professional standards for police in England and Wales. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework. All new recruits must complete this training which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.The College further promotes the need for frameworks to assess vulnerability, to aid in consistent identification, support decision making, and to trigger appropriate safeguarding action. Such principles and practices are set out in a number of college products, including the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice.The National Police Chiefs’ Council has also produced an e-learning course and a glossary of terms on neurodiversity, which are available to all police officers.Policing is operationally independent, and it is a matter for the chief constables of each force to decide which additional training their officers should undertake.The Home Office is a member of the National Neurodiversity Working Group chaired by the National Police Chiefs Council lead for Neurodiversity.

What guidance her Department has issued to police forces on de-escalation techniques when interacting with neurodivergent people during police incidents.

The College of Policing set training and guidance on arrest, de-escalation and the dangers of using restraint techniques on vulnerable individuals.Before officers can be authorised to use force they must pass a comprehensive training programme, which includes how to assess the potential vulnerability of individuals they engage with, including neurodivergent people and people with, learning disabilities or poor mental health. Officers are trained to identify and adapt their approach accordingly, in these circumstances.When officers take the decision to use force they are accountable through the law for their actions and must be able to justify their use of force as reasonable, proportionate and necessary in all circumstances.

What guidance her Department provides to custody sergeants on determining whether a neurodivergent detainee requires an appropriate adult.

The guidance provided to custody officers is set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) Code C and supporting College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice. This forms part of the wider framework on the safe detention and treatment of individuals in police custody, including identifying vulnerability and assessing fitness for detention. Further details can be found at: https://www.college.police.uk/app/detention-and-custody.Under PACE Code C, custody officers must assess, as soon as practicable, whether a detainee is mentally vulnerable or mentally disordered, and therefore requires an appropriate adult. This is based on the individual’s ability to understand their rights, the procedures being applied, and to participate effectively in the investigative process.The Code does not define eligibility by specific conditions. Instead, custody officers must make an individual assessment of vulnerability, taking into account behaviour, communication, and any known or disclosed needs. Where a detainee is neurodivergent and this may impair their understanding or communication, they may fall within the definition of mental vulnerability and require an appropriate adult.Custody officers are expected to request an appropriate adult whenever there is any doubt about a detainee’s capacity to understand or participate effectively. An appropriate adult must be present for key procedures when a detainee has been assessed as mentally vulnerable.The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) have established a National Neurodiversity Working Group whose work includes supporting police forces to design and deliver a service to be proud of relating to neurodivergent victims, witnesses, suspects, and residents. Through this working group the NPCC are seeking to pull together examples and knowledge of good practice, to help share thinking to help each autonomous force find solutions to their local challenges. They have also produced an e-learning course and a glossary of terms on neurodiversity, which are available to all police officers.Liaison and Diversion services commissioned by NHS England operate in police custody suites to help identify and support vulnerable individuals, provide advice to custody staff, and enable referral to appropriate services

What proportion of police forces provide specialist neurodiversity training beyond the minimum national requirements.

The College of Policing set the professional standards for police in England and Wales. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework. All new recruits must complete this training which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.The College further promotes the need for frameworks to assess vulnerability, to aid in consistent identification, support decision making, and to trigger appropriate safeguarding action. Such principles and practices are set out in a number of college products, including the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice.The National Police Chiefs’ Council has also produced an e-learning course and a glossary of terms on neurodiversity, which are available to all police officers.Policing is operationally independent, and it is a matter for the chief constables of each force to decide which additional training their officers should undertake.The Home Office is a member of the National Neurodiversity Working Group chaired by the National Police Chiefs Council lead for Neurodiversity.

Whether her Department plans to introduce mandatory neurodiversity awareness training for all frontline police officers and call handlers.

The College of Policing set the professional standards for police in England and Wales. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework. All new recruits must complete this training which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.The College further promotes the need for frameworks to assess vulnerability, to aid in consistent identification, support decision making, and to trigger appropriate safeguarding action. Such principles and practices are set out in a number of college products, including the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice.The National Police Chiefs’ Council has also produced an e-learning course and a glossary of terms on neurodiversity, which are available to all police officers.Policing is operationally independent, and it is a matter for the chief constables of each force to decide which additional training their officers should undertake.The Home Office is a member of the National Neurodiversity Working Group chaired by the National Police Chiefs Council lead for Neurodiversity.

What safeguards exist to reduce the risk of unnecessary (a) arrest and (b) restraint of neurodivergent people during police encounters.

The College of Policing set training and guidance on arrest, de-escalation and the dangers of using restraint techniques on vulnerable individuals.Before officers can be authorised to use force they must pass a comprehensive training programme, which includes how to assess the potential vulnerability of individuals they engage with, including neurodivergent people and people with, learning disabilities or poor mental health. Officers are trained to identify and adapt their approach accordingly, in these circumstances.When officers take the decision to use force they are accountable through the law for their actions and must be able to justify their use of force as reasonable, proportionate and necessary in all circumstances.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of training provided to frontline police officers on recognising and responding to neurodivergent people, including autistic people and people with ADHD.

The College of Policing set the professional standards for police in England and Wales. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework. All new recruits must complete this training which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.The College further promotes the need for frameworks to assess vulnerability, to aid in consistent identification, support decision making, and to trigger appropriate safeguarding action. Such principles and practices are set out in a number of college products, including the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice.The National Police Chiefs’ Council has also produced an e-learning course and a glossary of terms on neurodiversity, which are available to all police officers.Policing is operationally independent, and it is a matter for the chief constables of each force to decide which additional training their officers should undertake.The Home Office is a member of the National Neurodiversity Working Group chaired by the National Police Chiefs Council lead for Neurodiversity.

With reference to the Government’s objective of delivering “the biggest wave of insourcing for a generation”, which specific previous wave of insourcing the Government is using as a comparator, and what assessment it has made of the timing and scale of that wave.

The Government’s policy of delivering the highest wave of insourcing in a generation reflects a clear commitment in Labour’s ‘Make Work Pay’ agenda and will see an end to the previous administration’s policy of outsourcing by default. Central to this is the introduction of a Public Insourcing Test, as announced on 26 March, which will see all Government departments assess if services can be better delivered in-house. Alongside this, departments will produce and publish robust insourcing strategies. Detailed guidance will be published in the updated Sourcing Playbook this summer, and my officials have been engaging across Government to ensure the implementation of both the Public Interest Test and insourcing strategies can commence rapidly.

Media and Sport, what estimate her Department has made of the number of betting and gaming customers required to submit financial documents under Financial Risk Assessments; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those assessments on customer experience.

The Government remains committed to supporting the implementation of key measures in the 2023 white paper, including the introduction of Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs), which are not currently in place.The white paper recognised the “chilling effect” that asking customers for bank documents can have. This is why it set out an alternative approach to assessing financial risk which would be much more frictionless.The white paper proposed less than 3% of customer accounts would undergo an assessment – targeting the highest spending accounts. The Gambling Commission’s pilot showed that of these 3%, 97% would have a frictionless assessment process. Those customers would not be required to take any actions, including providing documents. Operators would only be unable to conduct an assessment in a frictionless way for 1 customer in every 1,000 accounts, significantly better than anticipated in the white paper. As the independent regulator, the Gambling Commission will decide how to implement FRAs based on the best available evidence.