Written questions by Cleverly.

Whether she has a policy on naming organisations (a) regarded as extremist and (b) subject to non-engagement.

The Home Office cannot comment on specific groups or individual cases.This Government takes the threat from extremism very seriously. As a society we must not permit those that radicalise others into violence and terrorism to act with impunity. The Government is committed to tackling those who spread views that promote violence and hatred against individuals and communities in our society, and that radicalise others into terrorismEach department must consider their own due diligence when choosing to engage with any organisation or individual.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 85948 on Immigration: English Language, whether the English language requirements would apply to asylum seekers.

The English language requirements will not apply to asylum seekers. As a signatory to the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), we are legally obliged to consider all asylum claims admitted to the UK asylum system and to consider people’s human rights in all circumstances where a person would be removed from the UK. This is irrespective of a person’s ability to speak English, and it ensures that we do not remove anyone to their own or any other country where they would face persecution or serious harm. Every asylum claim admitted to the UK asylum system is carefully considered on its individual merits. Protection is normally granted where a claimant has a well-founded fear of persecution under the Refugee Convention, or a claimant faces a real risk of serious harm. Those found not to need protection are refused. Once appeal rights are exhausted, they are expected to leave the UK. Otherwise, they will be liable for enforcement action and removal. English language proficiency is a requirement across a range of other immigration routes. Full details, including the list of routes and acceptable evidence, is available in the official guidance on Assessing the English Language requirement (accessible version) - GOV.UK.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 78673 on Travellers: Caravan Sites, if he will publish his Department's engagements with the National Police Chief’s Council including (a) notes of meetings and (b) exchanges of correspondence.

The Home Office regularly engages with the National Police Chiefs’ on policy issues relating to operational policing.The Government is working on a response to the Court’s judgment. In the Crime and Policing Bill Committee stage debate on 17 November, Home Office Minister Lord Hanson committed to set out the Government’s response to the judgment ahead of the Report stage of the Bill.In considering the Court’s judgment, the Government will carefully balance the rights of individuals to live a private life without discrimination, while recognising the importance of protecting public spaces and communities affected by unauthorised encampments.

With reference to the press release entitled £10 million boost to protect Muslim communities, published on 23 October 2025, over how many financial years the funding will be allocated; and whether it will be subject to a bidding mechanism.

In 2025/26, £29.4 million is available through the Protective Security for Mosques scheme and for security at Muslim faith schools. In addition, up to £10 million of emergency funding has been made available for Muslim communities to further strengthen security measures at their places of worship and other community sites.This additional funding is available for financial year 2025/26 only.Mosques and associated Muslim community centres where regular worship takes place are eligible to apply for the scheme through the application form on gov.uk. The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme provides protective security measures such as security personnel services, CCTV, intruder alarms and secure perimeter fencing.

With reference to the press release entitled Record funding to protect Jewish communities, published on 16 October 2025, over what period is the up to £10 million of funding to be allocated; and through which mechanisms will the funding be allocated.

Following the horrific terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue, the Prime Minister announced £10 million of emergency funding on 16 October as part of a wider package of measures to combat antisemitism in the UK.The funding will be provided to the Community Security Trust (CST) through the Jewish Community Protective Security (JCPS) Grant and is intended to be used within this financial year. The funding brings the total allocated through the JCPS Grant in 2025/26 to £28 million.The additional funding will support increased security staffing and enhanced protective measures around Jewish sites, including synagogues, schools, and community centres. These measures include security personnel, CCTV, alarm systems, and floodlights.

Whether strategic authorities will have a role in the (a) provision and (b) allocation of asylum accommodation.

Yes.

Pursuant to the answer of 11 September 2025 to Question 71489 on Police: Finance, what the estimated cash value of council tax receipts for policing in England is in (a) 2026-27, (b) 2027-28 and (c) 2028-29.

As set out in the Spending Review 2025 document, police spending power is projected to increase by an average 1.7% per year in real terms. Police spending power includes projected spending from additional income, including estimated funding from the police council tax precept.The cash value of council tax receipts for policing in England will be subject to individual decisions from directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) as part of their annual budget setting process. To inform those decisions, the 2026-27 police precept referendum limit for PCCs in England will be confirmed as part of the forthcoming police funding settlement later this year.

What formal arrangements exist between (a) the Home Office, (b) the NHS and (c) Braintree Community Hospital for (i) scanning and (ii) x-rays of asylum seekers at Wethersfield Airbase.

Asylum seekers have access to health and social care services from point of arrival in the UK and the Home Office work closely with the NHS, local authorities and contractors to ensure that asylum seekers can access the support they need. In relation to Wethersfield, financial support is being provided to the NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board.There are varying entitlements to secondary healthcare services across England and the devolved governments. Specific examples can be found on NHS entitlements: migrant health guide - GOV.UK.Extensive work has been undertaken with local and national health partners including the Multi Agency Forum (MAF) to work through the specifics of healthcare provision being provided at Wethersfield. The health and social care subgroup of the MAF was set up specifically to look at how we minimise the impact on local health services and facilitate primary healthcare on site, However, in specific circumstances, residents can be required to use local NHS facilities.

When she plans to respond to the letter from the Rt hon. Member for Braintree of 8 September 2025 on Wethersfield.

I apologise to my Rt Hon friend for the delay. He will receive a response by 28 October 2025.

If she will make it her policy to allow all licensed pubs and restaurants to provide (a) off-sales and (b) take-away pints.

The Government recognises the important role that pubs and restaurants play in local communities and the wider economy. The temporary easement introduced during the pandemic, which allowed on-trade premises to provide off-sales without a variation, expired on 31 March 2025.Businesses wishing to offer off-sales or takeaway pints can apply to vary their existing premises licence through existing processes under the Licensing Act 2003 for £89. New licence applicants already have the ability to request a license for both ‘on’ and ‘off’ sales at no additional cost.

With reference to the press release entitled Red tape slashed to revamp high streets with new cafes and bars, published on 26 July 2025, whether she plans to amend the statutory guidance entitled Revised guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (February 2025), published on 27 February 2025.

On 31 July, the Government published a report by a Licensing Taskforce which explored how we may deliver a more proportionate, consistent and transparent licensing regime with the aim of boosting growth.The Government response, published alongside the Taskforce report, accepted the majority of the Taskforce’s priority recommendations, subject to further work and engagement, including consultation where required.That work is now underway and will include consideration of any changes to the guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 that may be required.

Whether she plans to retain existing restrictions on the number of asylum seekers housed at the former RAF Wethersfield site.

Any updates on the future use of the Wethersfield site will be announced in the normal way, and representatives of the local community, including the Rt Hon Gentleman, will also be informed of any such updates.

Whether she plans to propose an extension to the commissioning date of the Asylum Reception Centre at the former RAF Wethersfield.

Any updates on the future use of the Wethersfield site will be announced in the normal way, and representatives of the local community, including the Rt Hon Gentleman, will also be informed of any such updates.

Whether she plans to inform (a) Parliament and (b) the local community prior to any changes to the agreed cap on the number of asylum seekers at the Wethersfield site.

Any updates on the future use of the Wethersfield site will be announced in the normal way, and representatives of the local community, including the Rt Hon Gentleman, will also be informed of any such updates.

When her Department plans to close the Asylum Reception Centre at the former RAF Wethersfield site; and what steps she is taking to ensure that the decommissioning is within the timescale outlined in the Special Development Order.

Any updates on the future use of the site will be announced in the normal way.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce small boat crossings.

I refer the Rt Hon Gentleman to the Statements made by the Home Secretary when moving the Border Security Asylum and Immigration Bill for its second reading on 10 February 2025, and when reporting on the UK’s hosting of the Organised Immigration Crime summit on 31 March 2025.

What recent estimate she has made of the total cost of providing accommodation for asylum seekers in hotels in each of the next five years; and what these costs were in each of the past five years.

The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at HO annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

How many asylum seekers who have had their applications rejected have been deported from the UK since July 2024; and what steps is she taking to increase such deportations in the next six months.

The Home Office has recently published the number of asylum related returns between 05 July 2024 and 22 March 2025 in Returns from the UK from 5 July 2024 to 22 March 2025 - GOV.UK.

What discussions she has had with her international counterparts on third-country processing arrangements for people seeking to claim asylum in the UK.

The Government will continue to work with international partners to tackle the global migration crisis. The Home Secretary has convened an international summit focussed on Organised Immigration Crime, bringing together Interior ministers and law enforcement experts from across the world to develop our combined response to the gangs who facilitate this vile trade in human lives.

With reference to her Oral Statement of 22 July 2024 on Border Security and Asylum, Official Report, columns 384-387, how many people who would have been eligible for (a) processing and (b) relocation to Rwanda have remained in the UK.

I refer the Rt Hon Gentleman to the Statement form the Home Secretary on 22 July 2024, to which this question refers, and which explains the fundamental flaw in the premise of his question, namely that – during his own time as Home Secretary, he was unable to establish a way to make the Rwanda scheme operational, and as such, the categories referred to in this question do not exist.Nevertheless, the Rt Hon Gentleman will be pleased to note that – since coming to office – this Government has ensured the removal of more than 24,000 people with no right to be in the UK, the highest nine-month total for returns since January to September in 2017.