Written questions by Riddell-Carpenter.

What progress her Department is making on the cross‑government taskforce to tackle organised crime and money laundering on high streets.

The Government is committed to working with partners to tackle high street illegality from businesses such as mini marts, barbers, vape shops and similar outlets.Building on recent operational activity (Operation MACHINIZE), led by the National Crime Agency in conjunction with National Police Chief’s Council, in the 2025 Autumn Budget, the Government allocated £10 million per year for three years to tackle high street illegality. This funding includes the creation of the High Streets Illegality Taskforce, enhancements to Trading Standards capabilities and support for at least 45 additional law enforcement officers.Hosted by the Home Office, the cross-government Taskforce is now operational and is working to develop a strategic long-term policy response to money laundering and associated illegality on UK high streets, including other forms of economic crime, tax evasion, and illegal working, tackling the systemic vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.More broadly, following the completion of Economic Crime Plan 2 in March 2026, we expect to publish a new Economic Crime Plan in 2026. Developed jointly with HMT and in partnership with the private sector, the Plan will set a clear direction for strengthening the UK’s approach to tackling money laundering and boosting asset recovery.

What steps her Department is taking to tackle high‑street money laundering.

The Government is committed to working with partners to tackle high street illegality from businesses such as mini marts, barbers, vape shops and similar outlets.Building on recent operational activity (Operation MACHINIZE), led by the National Crime Agency in conjunction with National Police Chief’s Council, in the 2025 Autumn Budget, the Government allocated £10 million per year for three years to tackle high street illegality. This funding includes the creation of the High Streets Illegality Taskforce, enhancements to Trading Standards capabilities and support for at least 45 additional law enforcement officers.Hosted by the Home Office, the cross-government Taskforce is now operational and is working to develop a strategic long-term policy response to money laundering and associated illegality on UK high streets, including other forms of economic crime, tax evasion, and illegal working, tackling the systemic vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.More broadly, following the completion of Economic Crime Plan 2 in March 2026, we expect to publish a new Economic Crime Plan in 2026. Developed jointly with HMT and in partnership with the private sector, the Plan will set a clear direction for strengthening the UK’s approach to tackling money laundering and boosting asset recovery.

What progress her Department has made on creating a public reporting line for illicit high‑street businesses.

The High Streets Illegality Taskforce is working to develop a strategic long-term policy response to money laundering and associated illegality on UK high streets, including other forms of economic crime, tax evasion, and illegal working, tackling the systemic vulnerabilities that criminals exploit. As part of this work, the Taskforce will consider mechanisms to support effective information flows.The public can report concerns about illicit high street businesses to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers UK on 0800 555 111.

What steps her Department is taking to close illicit (a) mini‑marts, (b) barbers, (c) vape shops and (d) other similar outlets.

The Government is committed to working with partners to tackle high street illegality from businesses such as mini marts, barbers, vape shops and similar outlets.Building on recent operational activity (Operation MACHINIZE), led by the National Crime Agency in conjunction with National Police Chief’s Council, in the 2025 Autumn Budget, the Government allocated £10 million per year for three years to tackle high street illegality. This funding includes the creation of the High Streets Illegality Taskforce, enhancements to Trading Standards capabilities and support for at least 45 additional law enforcement officers.Hosted by the Home Office, the cross-government Taskforce is now operational and is working to develop a strategic long-term policy response to money laundering and associated illegality on UK high streets, including other forms of economic crime, tax evasion, and illegal working, tackling the systemic vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.More broadly, following the completion of Economic Crime Plan 2 in March 2026, we expect to publish a new Economic Crime Plan in 2026. Developed jointly with HMT and in partnership with the private sector, the Plan will set a clear direction for strengthening the UK’s approach to tackling money laundering and boosting asset recovery.

Whether her Department has carried out an impact assessment for rules on family visits between the UK and EU member states.

Impact Assessments are published within the Explanatory Memoranda of Statements of Changes to the Immigration Rules on gov.uk: www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-rules-statement-of-changesNo recent changes have been made to the Immigration Rules for EU nationals coming to the UK to visit family via the Standard Visitor route.

What steps her Department has taken to ensure timely and accessible communication of changes to travel and entry requirements for dual nationals, including communication aimed at families with children and non-English speakers.

The Home Office has embedded clear messaging for dual nationals across the ETA communications campaign, and published comprehensive guidance on GOV.UK setting out clearly what dual citizens need to do.  We have published an ETA guide for dual nationals on gov.uk, including at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-guide-for-dual-citizens . There is also guidance on GOV.UK to help people determine whether they or their family members qualify for British citizenship at: https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizenship.We have provided explicit written and spoken guidance to people who naturalise or register as British citizens, including through their application and at citizenship ceremonies, and since the start of the year we have also emailed people who have registered or naturalised in the last 10 years where we hold useable contact details, to alert them to the changing requirements.

What guidance Border Force officers have been issued on handling cases where children arrive at UK ports of entry without British passports but may be entitled to British citizenship by descent.

We have been clear on the requirement for dual British citizens, including children and families, to travel with a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement. This requirement applies equally to all British citizens. 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. This may include assessing an applicant’s claims to hold the right of abode in the UK against existing guidance.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the requirement for dual nationals to enter the UK on a British passport on children and families.

We have been clear on the requirement for dual British citizens, including children and families, to travel with a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement. This requirement applies equally to all British citizens. 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. This may include assessing an applicant’s claims to hold the right of abode in the UK against existing guidance.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that information on rules for dual nationals and the Electronic Travel Authorisation system is clearly signposted on relevant government webpages.

The Home Office has embedded clear messaging for dual nationals across the ETA communications campaign, and published comprehensive guidance on GOV.UK setting out clearly what dual citizens need to do.  We have published an ETA guide for dual nationals on gov.uk, including at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-guide-for-dual-citizens . There is also guidance on GOV.UK to help people determine whether they or their family members qualify for British citizenship at: https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizenship.We have provided explicit written and spoken guidance to people who naturalise or register as British citizens, including through their application and at citizenship ceremonies, and since the start of the year we have also emailed people who have registered or naturalised in the last 10 years where we hold useable contact details, to alert them to the changing requirements.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2026 to Question 103561 on Anti-social Behaviour, what steps her Department is taking to tackle barriers faced by county councils in using (a) closure notices and (b) closure orders under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 in areas where district councils exist.

Referring to the response to question 103561, county councils may already issue a closure notice and apply directly for closure orders in England and Wales providing that there is no district council in the area. Where there is a district council in the area, the county council would be expected to work with the relevant district council to issue the closure notice. Closure orders are made by Magistrates courts, not local councils.We are taking steps, through the Crime and Policing Bill, to enhance the closure power. We are extending the timeframe that relevant agencies can apply to a magistrates’ court for a closure order from 48 hours after service of a closure notice to 72 hours. This will give agencies more time to progress an application for a closure order, protecting the victim and community in the interim while a closure order is sought.We are also extending the power to issue closure notices to registered social housing providers. Currently only local authorities and police can issue closure notices. This is despite registered social housing providers often being the first agency to be aware of the ASB in question. Extending this power to social housing providers helps ensure that the right agencies have the right tools to tackle ASB quickly and effectively, saving police and local authorities time as housing providers will be able to make applications directly.

What steps her Department is taking to help county councils in using closure notices and closure orders under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The closure power, under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, enables police or local councils to quickly close premises which are causing or likely to cause nuisance or disorder.County councils may issue a closure notice and apply directly for closure orders in England and Wales providing that there is no district council in the area.The closure power, along with all the powers in the 2014 Act, is deliberately local in nature, and it is for the relevant local agencies to determine whether its use is appropriate in the specific circumstances.

Whether her Department has considered amending the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to allow county councils to issue closure notices and apply directly for closure orders.

The closure power, under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, enables police or local councils to quickly close premises which are causing or likely to cause nuisance or disorder.County councils may already issue a closure notice and apply directly for closure orders in England and Wales providing that there is no district council in the area.This Goverment keeps all legislative options under review.

How many retailers have been prosecuted for the sale of non-compliant or illegal vaping products in each of the last five years in (a) Suffolk Coastal, (b) Suffolk and (c) East Anglia.

The Home Office does not hold information on prosecutions for the sale of illegal vaping products as the prosecuting authority for such offences is primarily local authority Trading Standards departments.

What steps she is taking to support local police forces to tackle illegal traders on high streets across Suffolk Coastal.

Trading Standards services are provided by local authorities who operate independently from central government. It is for those local teams to work together with local partners, including operationally independent police forces, to decide how they can work together most effectively to tackle illegal trading.The Government continues to prioritise boosting visible local policing. As part of this Government’s Safer Streets Mission, we are restoring neighbourhood policing. We are also ensuring that every community has named, contactable, officers dedicated to tackling the issues facing their communities, strengthening the connections between the police and the local communities they serve.Against the ambitions set out in the Plan for Change, we expect the growth of neighbourhood policing personnel by up to 3,000 full-time equivalent by March 2026 and a further 1,750 FTE in 2026-27, bringing total neighbourhood policing growth to 4,750 FTE by March 2027. For Year two of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant in 2026-27, £363 million has been ringfenced to incentivise forces to grow their neighbourhood policing teams. Suffolk Constabulary will be expected to deliver their share of the national target. Their target figure will be confirmed in due course.Total funding to police forces in England and Wales will be up to £18.4 billion in 2026-27, an increase of up to £796 million compared to the 2025-26 police funding settlement. Suffolk Police will receive up to £192.9 million in 2026-27, which is an increase of £8.6 million (4.7%) on the previous year.

What assessment she has made on whether current enforcement powers available to county council Trading Standards services are sufficient to tackle illegal and illicit trading linked to organised crime on high streets.

The Government recognises the crucial role Trading Standards services play in tackling illegal and illicit trading on our high streets, including activity linked to organised crime.At the recent Budget, the Chancellor committed £30 million over the next three years to strengthen our response to high street criminality and ensure Trading Standards and partners have the tools and resources needed to identify and dismantle organised criminal networks operating on our high street. This includes establishing a cross-government taskforce to disrupt money laundering and related criminality, boosting Trading Standards capabilities, and funding at least 45 law enforcement officers.The taskforce will design systemic interventions to disrupt the threat and consider whether further legislative or operational changes – including in relation to local authorities – are necessary to further protect consumers and legitimate businesses.

Whether her Department has considered introducing a statutory requirement for annual DBS renewals for individuals engaged in regulated activity with children and vulnerable adults.

Criminal record certificates issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) have a vital role to play in reducing the risk of harm but should always be used as part of an organisation’s broader safeguarding practices and policies, including for example taking up references from previous employers.Where an individual joins the Update Service provided by DBS, they are able to keep their certificate up to date by giving employers permission to check if anything has changed on their certificate, as long as the role is in the same workforce as the existing certificate. The Update Service allows employers to undertake instant online checking of DBS certificates. This system regularly re-checks a registered individual and if new information is found triggers a “change in status”. This means that when the employer undertakes a status check, they will be informed that new information has come to light since the DBS certificate was issued and that they should apply for a new DBS check.The Update Service is free to use for volunteers and costs £16 a year for paid employees. Further information and details of how to subscribe can be found at https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.Except in some sectors like health and education, where DBS checks are mandated by the sector through statutory guidance or regulatory requirements, the use of DBS checks is at the discretion of the employer. It is the responsibility of individual sectors and organsations to decide the frequency of checks on their employees working in regulated activity.

What assessment has been made of the safeguarding risks posed by (a) DBS certificates not automatically updating after issue and (b) the current DBS system in general.

Criminal record certificates issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) have a vital role to play in reducing the risk of harm but should always be used as part of an organisation’s broader safeguarding practices and policies, including for example taking up references from previous employers.Where an individual joins the Update Service provided by DBS, they are able to keep their certificate up to date by giving employers permission to check if anything has changed on their certificate, as long as the role is in the same workforce as the existing certificate. The Update Service allows employers to undertake instant online checking of DBS certificates. This system regularly re-checks a registered individual and if new information is found triggers a “change in status”. This means that when the employer undertakes a status check, they will be informed that new information has come to light since the DBS certificate was issued and that they should apply for a new DBS check.The Update Service is free to use for volunteers and costs £16 a year for paid employees. Further information and details of how to subscribe can be found at https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.Except in some sectors like health and education, where DBS checks are mandated by the sector through statutory guidance or regulatory requirements, the use of DBS checks is at the discretion of the employer. It is the responsibility of individual sectors and organsations to decide the frequency of checks on their employees working in regulated activity.

What steps her Department is taking to help older people report scam phone calls.

The Home Office is committed to tackling the threat of fraud, which is why this Government has committed to publishing a new and enhanced Fraud Strategy that addresses the full range of harm that UK citizens face from fraud, including tackling the impersonation of police officers for fraudulent purposes. Reporting of scam calls should be done to Action Fraud, via either their website https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or via telephone on 0300 123 2040. There is also a variety of other ways the public can contact the police about fraud. For example, by phoning 101 at any time for non-emergency enquiries and concerns. There are also opportunities for in-person contact, particularly with neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs.The Government is committed to strong neighbourhood policing and by the end of parliament (2029) there will be 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables in neighbourhood policing roles. As the Prime Minister announced on 10 April, by July, every community will have named and contactable officers dedicated to addressing the issues facing their communities as part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.Every force will ensure that neighbourhood teams spend the majority of their time in their communities providing visible patrols and engaging with local communities and businesses and local people will also have ongoing opportunities raise concerns at regular local beat meetings. It is up to Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents) to make decisions on local police resourcing and estates. They are best placed to make these decisions based on their local knowledge and experience.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) ensure adequate in-person police access for older people seeking to report scam phone calls in communities where police stations have closed and (b) tackle the impersonation of police officers for fraudulent purposes.

The Home Office is committed to tackling the threat of fraud, which is why this Government has committed to publishing a new and enhanced Fraud Strategy that addresses the full range of harm that UK citizens face from fraud, including tackling the impersonation of police officers for fraudulent purposes. Reporting of scam calls should be done to Action Fraud, via either their website https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or via telephone on 0300 123 2040. There is also a variety of other ways the public can contact the police about fraud. For example, by phoning 101 at any time for non-emergency enquiries and concerns. There are also opportunities for in-person contact, particularly with neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs.The Government is committed to strong neighbourhood policing and by the end of parliament (2029) there will be 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables in neighbourhood policing roles. As the Prime Minister announced on 10 April, by July, every community will have named and contactable officers dedicated to addressing the issues facing their communities as part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.Every force will ensure that neighbourhood teams spend the majority of their time in their communities providing visible patrols and engaging with local communities and businesses and local people will also have ongoing opportunities raise concerns at regular local beat meetings. It is up to Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents) to make decisions on local police resourcing and estates. They are best placed to make these decisions based on their local knowledge and experience.