Written questions by Robertson.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of requiring technology companies to build backdoors into encrypted systems on public (a) safety and (b) privacy.

The UK has a longstanding position of protecting people’s privacy whilst also ensuring action can be taken against child sexual abusers and terrorists.The suggestion that cybersecurity and access to data by law enforcement are at odds is false. The Investigatory Powers Act contains robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy and ensure that data is only obtained on an exceptional basis and only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so. It is entirely possible to have robust cyber security measures that guard against access to data by malicious actors whilst also ensuring data can be disclosed in response to specific authorised requests. Home Office Ministers and senior officials regularly meet with key stakeholders, including technology companies, on a range of policies and issues.Details of ministerial meetings are published on a quarterly basis on gov.uk.

Whether he plans to establish a full investigation into exploitation within social care.

We have seen unacceptable increases in unethical practices and exploitation in the adult social care sector. The Government is delivering legislation to improve employment rights, and the Fair Work Agency in the Employment Rights Bill will bring together existing state enforcement functions and, over time, take on enforcement of a wider range of employment rights.The Department also continues to work closely with regulators, local authorities, other departments, and enforcement bodies to share concerns and intelligence about illegal or unethical practices in adult social care. The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority investigates reports of worker exploitation and illegal activity, such as human trafficking, modern slavery, forced labour, as well as offences under the National Minimum Wage Act, working with HM Revenue and Customs, and the Employment Agencies Acts, working with the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate. The Home Office has also begun delivery of new measures, meaning that any business employing overseas workers found guilty of serious employment law breaches, such as failing to comply with National Minimum Wage, will have action taken against them, up to and including having their visa sponsorship licences refused or revoked.

Media and Sport, how many staff in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have been permitted to undertake diversity-related network time during core working hours.

The majority of staff time spent on diversity staff networks is voluntary and unpaid. We have 11 staff in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport who have been permitted to undertake diversity-related network time during core working hours.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that backdoor access to encrypted data is not misused by unauthorised actors.

The UK has a longstanding position of protecting people’s privacy whilst also ensuring action can be taken against child sexual abusers and terrorists.The suggestion that cybersecurity and access to data by law enforcement are at odds is false. The Investigatory Powers Act contains robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy and ensure that data is only obtained on an exceptional basis and only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so. It is entirely possible to have robust cyber security measures that guard against access to data by malicious actors whilst also ensuring data can be disclosed in response to specific authorised requests. Home Office Ministers and senior officials regularly meet with key stakeholders, including technology companies, on a range of policies and issues.Details of ministerial meetings are published on a quarterly basis on gov.uk.

How many staff in her have been permitted to undertake diversity-related network time during core working hours.

Currently 7 National Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Networks are given pro rata time allocation annually to support respective network activity. Each Committee has 2 Co-Chairs and up to 10 Committee members.Two members of staff also have 5% pro-rata time allocation to lead a Civil Service staff Network.

With reference to the Answer of 30 September 2024 to HL1115 Home Office: Equality, how many staff in his Department have been permitted to undertake diversity-related network time during core working hours since 1 January 2025.

The requested data is not readily available and could only be obtained for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.The majority of staff time spent on diversity staff networks is voluntary and unpaid.

With reference to the Answer of 27 September 2024 to Question HL1116 on Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Equality, how many staff in his Department have been permitted to undertake diversity-related network time during core working hours since 1 January 2025.

The majority of staff time spent on diversity staff networks is voluntary and unpaid. All staff in the Department can take part in diversity-related network activities during core working hours with agreement from their line manager. There are currently 40 Chairs and Champions across 11 diversity networks. These staff are given a weekly pro-rata time allocation of 10% to support respective network activity. The Department values its diversity networks and is committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in partnership with them.

What steps her Department plans to take to ensure that Government access to encrypted data is compliant with human rights standards.

The UK has a longstanding position of protecting people’s privacy whilst also ensuring action can be taken against child sexual abusers and terrorists.The suggestion that cybersecurity and access to data by law enforcement are at odds is false. The Investigatory Powers Act contains robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy and ensure that data is only obtained on an exceptional basis and only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so. It is entirely possible to have robust cyber security measures that guard against access to data by malicious actors whilst also ensuring data can be disclosed in response to specific authorised requests. Home Office Ministers and senior officials regularly meet with key stakeholders, including technology companies, on a range of policies and issues.Details of ministerial meetings are published on a quarterly basis on gov.uk.

What steps her Department is taking to protect people's (a) privacy and (b) security in the context of Government access to encrypted data.

The UK has a longstanding position of protecting people’s privacy whilst also ensuring action can be taken against child sexual abusers and terrorists.The suggestion that cybersecurity and access to data by law enforcement are at odds is false. The Investigatory Powers Act contains robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy and ensure that data is only obtained on an exceptional basis and only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so. It is entirely possible to have robust cyber security measures that guard against access to data by malicious actors whilst also ensuring data can be disclosed in response to specific authorised requests. Home Office Ministers and senior officials regularly meet with key stakeholders, including technology companies, on a range of policies and issues.Details of ministerial meetings are published on a quarterly basis on gov.uk.

Whether she has had recent discussions with (a) technology companies, (b) legal experts and (c) privacy advocates on the potential implications for her policies of requiring companies to create backdoors into encrypted systems.

Home Office Ministers and senior officials regularly meet with key stakeholders, including technology companies, legal experts and privacy advocates, on a range of policies and issues.Details of Ministerial meetings are published on a quarterly basis on gov.uk.

With reference to the Answer of 27 September 2024 to Question HL1114 on Treasury: Equality, how many staff in her Department have been permitted to undertake diversity-related network time during core working hours since 1 January 2025; and what proportion of working time they are permitted to spend on that activity.

Participation in staff networks is voluntary and carried out in addition to an employee’s job role.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2025 to Question 31697 on Department for Work and Pensions: Muslim Council of Britain, if the Prime Minister will have discussions with the Minister for Social Security and Disability on his attendance at that event.

Our policy on engagement with the Muslim Council of Britain has not changed. I refer the Hon Member to the answer of the Rt Hon Member for East Ham on 27 February 2025, Official Report, PQ 31697.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 26 September 2024 to Question HL1117 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Equality, how many staff in his Department have been permitted to undertake diversity-related network time during core working hours since 1 January 2025.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not hold the data requested. The majority of staff time spent on diversity staff networks is voluntary and unpaid.

Which Ministers have met with security staff workers and their representatives to discuss possible strikes.

The Cabinet Office regularly discusses workforce matters with Civil Service trade unions. The Cabinet Office does not keep records of other departments’ ministers’ meetings.

What steps he has taken to minimise disruption to government business during the security staff strike.

The hard work of security guards and other staff keeps the government running. The Government Property Agency has been working to ensure impacted buildings continue to operate safely and securely during the industrial action.

When she plans to answer Questions (a) 31696 and (b) Question 31697 on Department for Work and Pensions: Muslim Council of Britain, tabled on 13 February 2025.

Questions 31696 and 31697 were answered on 27 February.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 31747 on Radicalism, tabled on the 13 February 2025.

I responded to Question 31747 on the 26 February 2025.

When she plans to answer Question 31252 on Home Office: Equality, tabled on 12 February 2025.

The Home Office answered PQ 31252 on 27 February; within the 5-day deadline for Ordinary Written Parliamentary Questions.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 31228 on Wolves: Conservation, tabled on 12 February 2025.

Question 31228 was answered on 27 February 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 30823 on National Parks, tabled on 11 February 2025.

Question 30823 was answered on 4 March 2025.