Every parliamentary written question tabled by James McMurdock this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 2,041–2,060 of 3,503 · this parliament
What plans he has to publish data on convictions and sentencing outcomes for immigration offences.
The Ministry of Justice routinely publishes data on prosecutions, convictions and sentencing at criminal courts in England and Wales in the Outcomes by Offences data tool. This tool includes convictions and sentencing for immigration offences and can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics.
What data he holds on the reoffending rates of individuals convicted of offences relating to illegal entry into the UK.
Providing this would incur disproportionate costs.More broadly the Government is tackling the root causes of reoffending by investing in a range of services which address offenders’ underlying criminogenic needs and support their rehabilitation journey. This includes education, employment, accommodation and access to substance misuse treatment.
Pursuant to Answer of 8th December 2025 to Question 95558, how many of the 153 individuals returned to France under the agreement have subsequently attempted to re-enter the UK illegally.
Anyone who re-enters illegally may face immediate detention and, where appropriate, we will seek to expedite removal. This will not count as a new removal in the reciprocal scheme. The system is working: two individuals who returned to the UK having already been removed were detected, detained, and their cases were expedited for return. We continue close cooperation with France to strengthen border security and disrupt criminal smuggling gangs. Our ongoing partnership with French law enforcement has prevented over 21,000 crossing attempts to the UK this year.
Innovation and Technology, what plans her Department has made to use decentralised data storage systems in the implementation of the digital ID scheme.
We will work closely with expert stakeholders, including the Information Commissioner’s Office and the National Cyber Security Centre, to make the programme as effective and secure as possible. Our approach will involve a federated data model, to ensure privacy and security.Overall responsibility for the scheme sits with the Cabinet Office who will be launching a public consultation in the new year, which will seek views on the design, build and delivery of the system.
Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on steps to safeguard against data breaches following the implementation of the proposed Digital ID scheme.
Privacy and security will be core to the design of a new digital credential. We are working with the UK’s leading security experts – including the National Cyber Security Centre – to build a system with higher protections against identity fraud than ever before. Ensuring that security arrangements keep pace with the changing threat landscape will be central to the scheme.Overall responsibility for the scheme sits with the Cabinet Office who will be launching a public consultation in the new year.
What estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of the digital ID scheme on number of hours saved through streamlining public interaction with state services.
The scope of the digital ID scheme is still in development. The new scheme will be inclusive, secure and useful. It will give people more control over their data than they have now, and it will help to make public services easier to access.
What steps his Department plans to take to support people with (a) limited or no smartphone access and (b) no prior valid form of ID through the implementation of the digital ID scheme.
The digital ID scheme will be underpinned with the principle that no one should be left behind. Making this system work for everyone will be a top priority, including those who don't have smartphones, are elderly, or are less digitally confident, so everyone will benefit from simpler, safer access to services.We recognise that not everyone has the same level of digital access or confidence, and that’s why the scheme will be accompanied by a major government digital inclusion drive.
What recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the implementation of Digital ID in Northern Ireland.
The Government intends to work closely with each of the Devolved Governments. My colleague, the Minister for Digital Government and Data, Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, was in Northern Ireland on 7 October 2025. He had meetings with representatives across parties in the Northern Ireland Executive, where the issue of the Government's proposed digital ID scheme was discussed. The Government has made a commitment that the new government-issued digital ID will respect the Good Friday Agreement and the Common Travel Area.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97400 on Local Government: Essex, what discussions were had prior to the decision taken on the new date of mayoral elections on the potential impact on cooperation between new and existing strategic authorities.
The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater Essex and elsewhere on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) setting out the significant powers the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to deliver for their communities prior to the inaugural election of the Mayor. We will continue to encourage close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP and other Mayoral Strategic Authorities elsewhere in England, ahead of the inaugural mayoral elections. This will assist DPP areas to learn from other Mayoral Strategic Authorities.As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.Police and Crime Commissioners will continue in their roles and deliver for their areas, and will be expected to work with local leaders in new mayoral strategic authorities once established. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire functions at the correct time. The strategic authorities will be required to comply with existing legislation regarding financial controls and be required to set up audit and scrutiny committees to oversee the work of the Strategic Authority.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97715 on Local Government: Essex, what safeguards will be in place to ensure the initial funding for Greater Essex is fairly spent, in the context of the postponement of the 2026 mayoral election.
The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater Essex and elsewhere on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) setting out the significant powers the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to deliver for their communities prior to the inaugural election of the Mayor. We will continue to encourage close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP and other Mayoral Strategic Authorities elsewhere in England, ahead of the inaugural mayoral elections. This will assist DPP areas to learn from other Mayoral Strategic Authorities.As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.Police and Crime Commissioners will continue in their roles and deliver for their areas, and will be expected to work with local leaders in new mayoral strategic authorities once established. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire functions at the correct time. The strategic authorities will be required to comply with existing legislation regarding financial controls and be required to set up audit and scrutiny committees to oversee the work of the Strategic Authority.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97447 on Local Government: Essex, whether the planned interim voting arrangements for the mayoral strategic authority were considered prior to the decision to move the mayoral election date to 2028.
The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater Essex and elsewhere on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) setting out the significant powers the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to deliver for their communities prior to the inaugural election of the Mayor. We will continue to encourage close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP and other Mayoral Strategic Authorities elsewhere in England, ahead of the inaugural mayoral elections. This will assist DPP areas to learn from other Mayoral Strategic Authorities.As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.Police and Crime Commissioners will continue in their roles and deliver for their areas, and will be expected to work with local leaders in new mayoral strategic authorities once established. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire functions at the correct time. The strategic authorities will be required to comply with existing legislation regarding financial controls and be required to set up audit and scrutiny committees to oversee the work of the Strategic Authority.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97401 on Local Government: Essex, what discussions his Department had with Thurrock Council regarding the costs incurred by their preparations for the 2026 mayoral election in Greater Essex.
The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater Essex and elsewhere on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) setting out the significant powers the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to deliver for their communities prior to the inaugural election of the Mayor. We will continue to encourage close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP and other Mayoral Strategic Authorities elsewhere in England, ahead of the inaugural mayoral elections. This will assist DPP areas to learn from other Mayoral Strategic Authorities.As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.Police and Crime Commissioners will continue in their roles and deliver for their areas, and will be expected to work with local leaders in new mayoral strategic authorities once established. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire functions at the correct time. The strategic authorities will be required to comply with existing legislation regarding financial controls and be required to set up audit and scrutiny committees to oversee the work of the Strategic Authority.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97401 on Local Government: Essex, what discussions were had with Southend Council regarding the costs incurred by their preparations for the 2026 mayoral election in Greater Essex.
The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater Essex and elsewhere on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) setting out the significant powers the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to deliver for their communities prior to the inaugural election of the Mayor. We will continue to encourage close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP and other Mayoral Strategic Authorities elsewhere in England, ahead of the inaugural mayoral elections. This will assist DPP areas to learn from other Mayoral Strategic Authorities.As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.Police and Crime Commissioners will continue in their roles and deliver for their areas, and will be expected to work with local leaders in new mayoral strategic authorities once established. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire functions at the correct time. The strategic authorities will be required to comply with existing legislation regarding financial controls and be required to set up audit and scrutiny committees to oversee the work of the Strategic Authority.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97394 on Local Government: Essex, whether local councils were first informed that mayoral elections would not proceed in 2026 (a) on 3 December 2025 or (b) before 3 December 2025.
The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater Essex and elsewhere on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) setting out the significant powers the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to deliver for their communities prior to the inaugural election of the Mayor. We will continue to encourage close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP and other Mayoral Strategic Authorities elsewhere in England, ahead of the inaugural mayoral elections. This will assist DPP areas to learn from other Mayoral Strategic Authorities.As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.Police and Crime Commissioners will continue in their roles and deliver for their areas, and will be expected to work with local leaders in new mayoral strategic authorities once established. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire functions at the correct time. The strategic authorities will be required to comply with existing legislation regarding financial controls and be required to set up audit and scrutiny committees to oversee the work of the Strategic Authority.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer to Question 97396 on Local Government: Essex, what role Essex's Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner will be expected to take in Greater Essex's mayoral strategic authority, in the context of the decision to hold the inaugural elections for the proposed Greater Essex Mayoral Strategic Authority in 2028.
The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater Essex and elsewhere on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) setting out the significant powers the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to deliver for their communities prior to the inaugural election of the Mayor. We will continue to encourage close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP and other Mayoral Strategic Authorities elsewhere in England, ahead of the inaugural mayoral elections. This will assist DPP areas to learn from other Mayoral Strategic Authorities.As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.Police and Crime Commissioners will continue in their roles and deliver for their areas, and will be expected to work with local leaders in new mayoral strategic authorities once established. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire functions at the correct time. The strategic authorities will be required to comply with existing legislation regarding financial controls and be required to set up audit and scrutiny committees to oversee the work of the Strategic Authority.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97401 on Local Government: Essex, what discussions he has had with Essex County Council on the costs incurred by their preparations for the 2026 mayoral election in Greater Essex.
The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater Essex and elsewhere on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) setting out the significant powers the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to deliver for their communities prior to the inaugural election of the Mayor. We will continue to encourage close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP and other Mayoral Strategic Authorities elsewhere in England, ahead of the inaugural mayoral elections. This will assist DPP areas to learn from other Mayoral Strategic Authorities.As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.Police and Crime Commissioners will continue in their roles and deliver for their areas, and will be expected to work with local leaders in new mayoral strategic authorities once established. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire functions at the correct time. The strategic authorities will be required to comply with existing legislation regarding financial controls and be required to set up audit and scrutiny committees to oversee the work of the Strategic Authority.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97387 on Local Government: Essex, when discussions began on whether to no longer proceed with the mayoral elections in 2026.
The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater Essex and elsewhere on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) setting out the significant powers the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to deliver for their communities prior to the inaugural election of the Mayor. We will continue to encourage close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP and other Mayoral Strategic Authorities elsewhere in England, ahead of the inaugural mayoral elections. This will assist DPP areas to learn from other Mayoral Strategic Authorities.As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.Police and Crime Commissioners will continue in their roles and deliver for their areas, and will be expected to work with local leaders in new mayoral strategic authorities once established. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire functions at the correct time. The strategic authorities will be required to comply with existing legislation regarding financial controls and be required to set up audit and scrutiny committees to oversee the work of the Strategic Authority.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97395 on Local Government: Essex, whether local councils in areas due to have their 2026 mayoral election cancelled were consulted before the decision to defer that election until 2028 was taken.
The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater Essex and elsewhere on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) setting out the significant powers the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to deliver for their communities prior to the inaugural election of the Mayor. We will continue to encourage close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP and other Mayoral Strategic Authorities elsewhere in England, ahead of the inaugural mayoral elections. This will assist DPP areas to learn from other Mayoral Strategic Authorities.As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.Police and Crime Commissioners will continue in their roles and deliver for their areas, and will be expected to work with local leaders in new mayoral strategic authorities once established. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire functions at the correct time. The strategic authorities will be required to comply with existing legislation regarding financial controls and be required to set up audit and scrutiny committees to oversee the work of the Strategic Authority.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97397 on Local Government: Essex, what discussions were had on the option of holding Greater Essex's mayoral election in 2027.
The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater Essex and elsewhere on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) setting out the significant powers the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to deliver for their communities prior to the inaugural election of the Mayor. We will continue to encourage close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP and other Mayoral Strategic Authorities elsewhere in England, ahead of the inaugural mayoral elections. This will assist DPP areas to learn from other Mayoral Strategic Authorities.As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.Police and Crime Commissioners will continue in their roles and deliver for their areas, and will be expected to work with local leaders in new mayoral strategic authorities once established. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire functions at the correct time. The strategic authorities will be required to comply with existing legislation regarding financial controls and be required to set up audit and scrutiny committees to oversee the work of the Strategic Authority.
What estimate his Department has made of the proportion of children in deep material poverty that will be lifted out of that level of poverty by 2030 in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
The Department does not hold data on the number of children in deep material poverty broken down by geographical region or constituency. Estimates are available for the number of children and households that are expected to gain from the removal of two-child limit at constituency level here Poverty impacts of social security changes at Budget 2025 - GOV.UK. As deep material poverty is impacted by a range of un-modellable factors, such as families’ broader resources, support networks and financial resilience, it is not possible to model reductions in deep material poverty in the same way as for relative low income. Instead, we have provided analysis on number of children in deep material poverty who will gain from the strategy, which can be found at the link above. It is unacceptable that two million children are in deep material poverty, lacking the basic essentials - such as a warm home and healthy food. We estimate that 1.4 million children in deep material poverty will see an increase in household income as a result of the modelled measures in the Strategy.