Written questions by Morgan.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the removal of dental care professions from the list of eligible occupations under the Skilled Worker visa.

On 12 May, the Government published its Immigration White Paper ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’, and the first set of immigration rules giving effect to the policies in the White Paper was published on 1 July, including raising the skills threshold to RQF 6. At present dentists remain an eligible occupation as that occupation is skilled to RQF 6.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on the effectiveness of NHS dental services of removing occupational codes (a) 3213 and (b) 6113 from the Skilled Worker visa eligibility list from 22 July 2025.

On 12 May, the Government published its Immigration White Paper ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’, and the first set of immigration rules giving effect to the policies in the White Paper was published on 1 July, including raising the skills threshold to RQF 6. At present dentists remain an eligible occupation as that occupation is skilled to RQF 6.

What estimate her Department has made of the number of dental care professionals who will no longer be eligible for visa sponsorship following the immigration rule changes due to come into force on 22 July 2025.

On 12 May, the Government published its Immigration White Paper ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’, and the first set of immigration rules giving effect to the policies in the White Paper was published on 1 July, including raising the skills threshold to RQF 6. At present dentists remain an eligible occupation as that occupation is skilled to RQF 6.

Whether she plans to include dental care professionals in the Temporary Shortage List.

On 12 May, the Government published its Immigration White Paper ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’, and the first set of immigration rules giving effect to the policies in the White Paper was published on 1 July, including raising the skills threshold to RQF 6. At present dentists remain an eligible occupation as that occupation is skilled to RQF 6.

What steps she is taking to reduce rural business crime in North Shropshire constituency.

Rural crime has devastating consequences on countryside communities and the agricultural sector. Through our Safer Streets Mission, rural businesses will be safeguarded, with tougher measures to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing and stronger measures to prevent equipment theft and fly-tipping.Rural communities can also be assured that visible, neighbourhood policing is returning to our communities. On 10 April, the Prime Minister outlined further details about our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, including that by July, every community, including rural communities, will have named and contactable officers dedicated to addressing their issues.This financial year we are providing the first Home Office funding since 2023 for the National Rural Crime Unit, a national policing unit which help forces tackle rural crime priorities and is a great example of farmers and police working together at national and local level.As one part of efforts to help tackle theft of agricultural equipment, we are committed to the implementation of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 to tackle the theft and re-sale of high-value agricultural equipment.In addition, we are providing over £7 million over the next three years to support the police is tackling retail crime. This includes continuing to fund a specialist analysis team within Opal, the national intelligence unit for serious organised acquisitive crime – in partnership with the retail sector – to better understand the tactics used by organised retail crime gangs and identify organised retail crime offenders in every area of the county.

What steps she is taking to tackle illegal drug (a) use and (b) dealing in market towns.

The Government recognises the considerable impact of drug use and dealing on individuals, families and communities across the country, and tackling this is a vital part of our missions to deliver safer streets and improve health outcomes.That is why we are taking a collaborative, cross-government approach to drugs at a national level. We are dedicated to driving down drug-related harms through prevention and treatment, while acting quickly to stop the criminals peddling these harmful substances.Local drugs partnerships across England provide a whole-system, multi-agency response from police, probation, public health, the NHS and other local partners.

If she will take steps to introduce a national strategy to reduce the exploitation of children in county lines drug trafficking.

A crucial part of our Safer Streets mission is tackling the gangs that entice children and young people into crime. That includes those who run county lines through violence and exploitation.An estimated 14,000 children are identified as at risk or involved in child criminal exploitation. That is why this Government’s manifesto included a commitment to introduce a new offence of child criminal exploitation, which we will bring forward as part of the Crime and Policing Bill.Through the County Lines Programme, the Home Office is also targeting exploitative drug dealing gangs whilst breaking the organised crime groups behind this vile trade.The Programme provides specialist support for children and young people to escape county lines and child criminal exploitation and we will deliver on the Government’s manifesto commitment to roll out further support through prevention partnerships to deliver interventions to support children when and where they need it most.Policing activity delivered through the Programme has resulted in over 400 deal lines being closed, the arrest and charge of over 200 deal line holders, and 800 safeguarding referrals of children and vulnerable people.

If she will take steps to introduce a national strategy to deal with the prevalence of illegal drug (a) use and (b) dealing.

The Government recognises the considerable impact of drug use and dealing on individuals, families and communities across the country, and tackling this is a vital part of our missions to deliver safer streets and improve health outcomes.That is why we are taking a collaborative, cross-government approach to drugs at a national level. We are dedicated to driving down drug-related harms through prevention and treatment, while acting quickly to stop the criminals peddling these harmful substances.Local drugs partnerships across England provide a whole-system, multi-agency response from police, probation, public health, the NHS and other local partners.

What is the (a) average and (b) target time taken for a DBS check to be completed in England.

The Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) target is to issue 85% of Basic checks within 2 days, 85% of Standard checks within 3 days, and 80% of Enhanced checks within 14 days.DBS publishes its performance data every quarter. The most recent data for April to June 2024 records the following performance for all applications processed within England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man:Basic check target attained with an average of 88.1%. The 85% target was met on day 2 and the average turnaround time was 0.7 days.Standard check target attained with an average of 88.2%. The 85% target was met on day 3 and the average turnaround time was 1.4 days.Enhanced check target not attained with an average of 75.1%. The 80% target was met on day 21 and the average turnaround time was 12.4 days.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the time taken for DBS checks to be carried out for employers in England.

The DBS measures its progress using a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets agreed by its Board. The KPIs are grouped into four themes: quality, timeliness, value for money, and people. There is a strong focus on the quality and timeliness of its products and services as these are the issues that customers tell DBS are important to them and it is these that ensure the DBS supports the safeguarding of vulnerable groups including children, as effectively as possible. The 2024/25 DBS Business Plan can be viewed at: DBS business plan: 2024-25 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The most recent quarterly datasets showing statistics against internal performance standards can be viewed at: DBS dataset 1: DBS checks, the DBS Update Service, and disputes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The data applies to DBS checks, the Update Service, and disputes.