Written questions by Maguire.

What data her Department holds on the number of Metropolitan police officers who have left the service before retirement age in each year, due to the staff rotation policy of the metropolitan police.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness and impact of the Defending Democracy Taskforce.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the potential national security implications of the convictions and sentencing of Bill Yuen and Peter Wai.

Upholding national security and keeping the public safe is the first duty of Government.This case proves the strength of the powers we have to protect us from hostile activity carried out by foreign states and the convictions should send a clear message –...

Whether guidance has been issued to police forces on reducing risk during meetings between police officers and organisers of public protests.

The police are expected to engage with organisers of protests in advance to discuss potential routes, timings and to identify any public safety risks. This engagement informs police decision-making on any conditions they might impose on planned protests t...

What steps her Department is taking to improve safety for Jews in Surrey.

The Government is committed to the safety and security of Jewish communities across the UK, including in Surrey, and to tackling antisemitism wherever it occurs. Everyone should feel safe to practise their faith and participate in public life free from in...

Whether her Department is taking steps to limit the hours that alcohol can be delivered directly to homes.

The Licensing Act 2003 regulates the sale and supply of alcohol. The Government recognises that consumer purchasing habits have evolved in recent years, particularly with a notable growth in alcohol sales made via online platforms and rapid delivery servi...

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of implementing alcohol blocks on delivery service apps and supermarket accounts.

The Licensing Act 2003 regulates the sale and supply of alcohol. The Government recognises that consumer purchasing habits have evolved in recent years, particularly with a notable growth in alcohol sales made via online platforms and rapid delivery servi...

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a pause between the order and delivery of alcohol from delivery apps when the order is over a certain amount.

The Licensing Act 2003 regulates the sale and supply of alcohol. The Government recognises that consumer purchasing habits have evolved in recent years, particularly with a notable growth in alcohol sales made via online platforms and rapid delivery servi...

What support her Department has given to local police officers in light of protests in Surrey.

This Government is committed to protecting the right to peaceful protest, while ensuring public order legislation balances freedom of expression with protecting the public from serious disruption or harm. Under the Public Order Act 1986 the police have powers to manage protests, and it is for individual forces to determine the most appropriate approach based on the specific context.The Home Office engaged with Surrey Police and the National Police Coordination Centre in relation to recent protest activity. The National Police Coordination Centre has recently received additional funding to improve its capabilities, including in relation to intelligence gathering and mobilisation to ensure it can properly support police forces in managing public order risks.The Government is committed to supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of police officers, including during periods of heightened operational demands such as protests. We work closely with policing partners to ensure officers are properly supported. This includes continued funding for the National Police Wellbeing Service, which provides evidence-based guidance, advice, tools and resources to forces, supporting Chief Constables in their duty to safeguard the wellbeing of their workforce.

If she will publish the number of specialist trained police officers in Surrey to support victims of sexual assault.

The College of Policing is responsible for recording the number of specialists trained officers in each police force, such as those with specialist training in responding to sexual offences.The Home Secretary has instructed all police forces in England and Wales, including Surrey, to implement a specialist rape and sexual offences team by 2029. These measures will mean that by the end of this Parliament, victims and their supporters can be confident that, wherever they live police forces have the specialist skills, knowledge and capability to necessary to bring offenders to justice.More broadly, we have committed to strengthen training on violence against women and girls for policing and are working closely with the new National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection to delivery this.

If her Department will reinstate a route to settlement by allowing time spent under the Ukraine Schemes to count towards the 10‑year settlement pathway.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK, including pressures relating to housing, employment and education. The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty and stability, including extending the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and widening the application window to support effective forward planning.From the outset, the Government has been clear that the Ukraine schemes are temporary in nature and do not provide a route to settlement. Time spent in the UK under the Ukraine schemes does not count towards the Long Residence route. This reflects the Ukrainian Government’s wishes for His Majesty’s Government to offer temporary sanctuary, due to their strong desire for the eventual return of its citizens to Ukraine once it is safe to do so.The Government recognises the importance of longer‑term clarity and is actively considering the future position. In doing so, it is drawing on a wide range of evidence from across government, academia, civil society and stakeholder engagement. It will respond in a responsible and considered manner, and intends to make a further statement later this year to support Ukrainians in planning effectively for their futures.

If her Department will introduce a transition visa at the end of the Ukraine Permission Extension period.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK, including pressures relating to housing, employment and education. The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty and stability, including extending the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and widening the application window to support effective forward planning.From the outset, the Government has been clear that the Ukraine schemes are temporary in nature and do not provide a route to settlement. Time spent in the UK under the Ukraine schemes does not count towards the Long Residence route. This reflects the Ukrainian Government’s wishes for His Majesty’s Government to offer temporary sanctuary, due to their strong desire for the eventual return of its citizens to Ukraine once it is safe to do so.The Government recognises the importance of longer‑term clarity and is actively considering the future position. In doing so, it is drawing on a wide range of evidence from across government, academia, civil society and stakeholder engagement. It will respond in a responsible and considered manner, and intends to make a further statement later this year to support Ukrainians in planning effectively for their futures.

What assessment her Department has made on the potential merits of ensuring referral to relevant authorities when evidence from a Statutory Inquiry suggests criminality.

Public inquiries operate independently of criminal proceedings.Findings of an inquiry do not constitute criminal findings, but they can inform subsequent police investigations.Inquiries have processes whereby information indicating potential criminal conduct can be shared directly with the police or other relevant authorities, such as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Whether guidance exists on the circumstances in which individuals identified in official Statutory Inquiries concerning safeguarding failures should be referred for criminal investigation.

Public inquiries operate independently of criminal proceedings.Findings of an inquiry do not constitute criminal findings, but they can inform subsequent police investigations.Inquiries have processes whereby information indicating potential criminal conduct can be shared directly with the police or other relevant authorities, such as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

What assessment she has made of whether current frameworks provide sufficient clarity on the referral of evidence from public inquiries to prosecuting authorities.

Public inquiries operate independently of criminal proceedings.Findings of an inquiry do not constitute criminal findings, but they can inform subsequent police investigations.Inquiries have processes whereby information indicating potential criminal conduct can be shared directly with the police or other relevant authorities, such as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

What assessment her Department has made, in regards to Sudanese student visas, of the potential merits of implementing targeted enforcement based on individual risk assessment rather than a blanket nationality-based suspension.

We value the contribution of the higher education sector and continue to engage regularly with representatives, including Universities UK and the Russell Group, on the challenges the system faces. The visa brake is a temporary, evidence‑led measure and will be lifted only when the Government judges it appropriate to do so.The brake does not apply to those who already hold a valid Student visa, nor to applications submitted before it came into force on 26 March. In order to allow those prospective students with an offer from a licensed sponsor and a valid Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) to apply for visas, we provided 21 days’ notice of the implementation of the visa brakes. There are no plans for any further exceptions to the brake.The decision to introduce the visa brakes was driven by clear evidence of high levels of visa‑linked asylum claims across all four nationalities. In the case of Sudan, in the year ending September 2025, the proportion of asylum claims to visas issued on the student route was 46%, constituting one of the highest visa-linked asylum conversion rates, consistent with a rise across the past five years. This continued and rising asylum risk from this cohort necessitated swift and decisive action through the introduction of a visa brake.

If she will make explicit protections for current visa-holders, those mid-application, and those with existing university offers for students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan.

We value the contribution of the higher education sector and continue to engage regularly with representatives, including Universities UK and the Russell Group, on the challenges the system faces. The visa brake is a temporary, evidence‑led measure and will be lifted only when the Government judges it appropriate to do so.The brake does not apply to those who already hold a valid Student visa, nor to applications submitted before it came into force on 26 March. In order to allow those prospective students with an offer from a licensed sponsor and a valid Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) to apply for visas, we provided 21 days’ notice of the implementation of the visa brakes. There are no plans for any further exceptions to the brake.The decision to introduce the visa brakes was driven by clear evidence of high levels of visa‑linked asylum claims across all four nationalities. In the case of Sudan, in the year ending September 2025, the proportion of asylum claims to visas issued on the student route was 46%, constituting one of the highest visa-linked asylum conversion rates, consistent with a rise across the past five years. This continued and rising asylum risk from this cohort necessitated swift and decisive action through the introduction of a visa brake.

What conversations her Department has had with Universities UK and the Russell Group in regard to the suspension of student visas from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan.

We value the contribution of the higher education sector and continue to engage regularly with representatives, including Universities UK and the Russell Group, on the challenges the system faces. The visa brake is a temporary, evidence‑led measure and will be lifted only when the Government judges it appropriate to do so.The brake does not apply to those who already hold a valid Student visa, nor to applications submitted before it came into force on 26 March. In order to allow those prospective students with an offer from a licensed sponsor and a valid Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) to apply for visas, we provided 21 days’ notice of the implementation of the visa brakes. There are no plans for any further exceptions to the brake.The decision to introduce the visa brakes was driven by clear evidence of high levels of visa‑linked asylum claims across all four nationalities. In the case of Sudan, in the year ending September 2025, the proportion of asylum claims to visas issued on the student route was 46%, constituting one of the highest visa-linked asylum conversion rates, consistent with a rise across the past five years. This continued and rising asylum risk from this cohort necessitated swift and decisive action through the introduction of a visa brake.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of new ETA rules on British dual nationals without a British Passport or Certificate of Entitlement looking to enter the UK.

Dual British citizens travelling to the UK may only evidence their right of abode in the UK with a valid British passport or other passport endorsed with a Certificate of Entitlement to the right of abode. This requirement applies equally to all British citizens, whether or not they hold another nationality. Without this, they are likely to experience delays while permission to travel is verified. We recognise the enforcement of ETAs by carriers is a significant change, and so we have provided additional temporary guidance to carriers on possible alternative documentation and have put in place around the clock support for carriers to prepare for these changes. In line with current practice, on arrival at the UK border, Border Force will still assess a person’s eligibility to enter the UK and conduct additional checks if required.

What steps she is taking to improve travel for dual British Citizens without a British Passport or Certificate of Entitlement looking to enter the UK.

Dual British citizens travelling to the UK may only evidence their right of abode in the UK with a valid British passport or other passport endorsed with a Certificate of Entitlement to the right of abode. This requirement applies equally to all British citizens, whether or not they hold another nationality. Without this, they are likely to experience delays while permission to travel is verified. We recognise the enforcement of ETAs by carriers is a significant change, and so we have provided additional temporary guidance to carriers on possible alternative documentation and have put in place around the clock support for carriers to prepare for these changes. In line with current practice, on arrival at the UK border, Border Force will still assess a person’s eligibility to enter the UK and conduct additional checks if required.