Written questions by Anderson.

Which areas in the UK are most prevalent for money laundering activity (a) Turkish barbers and (b) other organisations.

Regional Organised Crime Units and police forces across England and Wales have identified cash intensive business such as barbershops being exploited by criminals seeking to launder money. In March, the National Economic Crime Centre coordinated a three-week crackdown against barbershops and other cash intensive business involving 19 different police forces and Regional Organised Crime Units, as well as national agencies including HMRC, Trading Standards and Home Office Immigration Enforcement. In total, 380 premises were visited across the three-week operation, with officers securing freezing orders over bank accounts totalling more than £1m, executing 84 warrants and arrested 35 individuals. Officers also seized more than £40,000 in cash, 200,000 cigarettes, 7,000 packs of tobacco, over 8,000 illegal vapes and two vehicles.This is the first phase of targeted action against criminals and organised crime groups who use high-street businesses to launder criminal funds, and the NECC is committed to continue working with Policing and partners across the UK to reduce this threat.

If she will introduce step free access at Kirkby-in-Ashfield railway station.

This government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.In May 2024, the previous government selected 50 stations for initial feasibility work for potential upgrades as part of our Access for All programme. This did not include Kirkby-in-Ashfield railway station.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many people have been (a) fined and (b) received criminal records for breaking laws on log burning in each of the last five years.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs does not hold a centralised record of fines or criminal records related to burning solid fuels, including wood.

With reference to the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the legalisation of self-driving vehicles on people whose jobs require driving.

The development of self-driving vehicle technology has the potential to support our Plan for Growth, creating up to 38,000 high-quality jobs, and unlocking £42 billion for the UK economy by 2035. Additional benefits will include reducing human error – which causes nearly 9 in 10 road collisions – and offering new, flexible transport options, particularly for those with limited mobility. We expect that the introduction of self-driving vehicles will be gradual, given the current readiness of the technology. We are committed to continued engagement with affected groups, including representatives for taxi, bus and private hire vehicle drivers, as we develop and implement the secondary legislation underpinning the Act.

What data her Department holds on the proportion of people reliant on public transport in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire, (c) the East Midlands, (d) England and (e) the UK.

The Department for Transport holds no direct data or estimates of reliance on public transport. The National Travel Survey (NTS), overseen by the Department, collects data on the proportion of households who have no access to a car or van for England (22% in 2023) and East Midlands (21% in 2023). NTS data is not available at constituency, county or UK level. The 2021 Census for England and Wales, overseen by the Office for National Statistics, also collected data on the proportion of households with no cars or vans, as shown in the table below. AreaProportion of households with no cars or vansAshfield20.6%Nottinghamshire18.3%East Midlands19.1%England23.5%

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of AI on creative industries.

The government has laid out its assessment of this issue in several debates this year and has published a consultation on the subject of AI and Copyright. AI is increasingly being used as a tool in the creative process, from music and film production to publishing, architecture and design. As of September 2024 more than 38% of Creative Industries businesses said they have used AI technologies, with nearly 50% using AI to improve business operations.It may foster innovation and efficiency but it may also significantly disrupt the sector. Under the Data (Use and Access) Bill the government has committed to setting out a detailed economic impact assessment and a report on the use of copyright material for AI training. Our Secretary of State has also committed to a series of roundtables with DSIT Secretary of State Peter Kyle with representatives from across the CIs, to ensure our brilliant artists benefit in working with the AI sector to harness the opportunities this technology provides.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of legalising recreational cannabis on (a) physical health, (b) mental health, (c) the NHS and (d) antisocial behaviour.

No.

How many young people he expects to (a) come to the UK from Europe and (b) go to Europe from the UK as a result of a youth experience scheme with the EU and UK.

We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped as well as time-limited. We have also been clear that it should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes with countries like Australia and New Zealand. The exact parameters will be subject to negotiation, but any scheme will need to be in the UK’s national interests.

How many hectares of arable farmland have been reallocated to (a) solar panels and (b) wind turbines since July 2024; and how many he plans to reallocate in the next four years.

The Government does not hold the information requested.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that Jewish people in the UK are not (a) physically and (b) verbally attacked.

There is no excuse for violence or abuse driven by antisemitic hatred and discrimination, and we support the police in taking the strongest possible action against those crimes.In her speech to the annual dinner of the Community Security Trust on 26 March, the Home Secretary made clear the Government’s commitment to protect Jewish communities against antisemitic attacks and other security threats - https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/home-secretary-speech-at-the-community-security-trustThe Jewish Community Protective Security (JCPS) Grant provides protective security measures (such as security personnel services, CCTV and alarm systems) at synagogues, Jewish educational establishments and community sites. It is managed on behalf of the Home Office by the Community Security Trust.From 2024/25 to 2027/28, the Community Security Trust has been allocated £18 million annually through the JCPS Grant to continue this important work. We continue to work closely with the CST to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities across the UK.

What steps she is taking to ensure the safety of staff at the Israeli embassy in London.

We take all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of diplomatic staff, however we do not comment on operational and security matters concerning individual locations and personnel.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to secure the release of Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity.

Since day one, this Government has been clear that we need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, better protection of civilians, significantly more aid consistently entering Gaza, and a path to long-term peace and stability. The remaining hostages must be released and the only way to return them safely is through a deal. The UK is playing an active role in coordination with our international partners and continues to urge all parties to re-engage in ceasefire negotiations to get the hostages out and to secure a permanent end to the conflict.

What the difference in funding levels is for research into (a) lobular and (b) ductal breast cancer.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department of Health and Social Care invests over £1.6 billion per year in health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.The level of funding for research generally depends on funding applications received. The NIHR continues to welcome high quality, high impact funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including lobular cancer and ductal breast cancer.The Department of Health and Social Care has invested £29 million into the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NIHR Biological Research Centre from 2022 to 2027, supporting their research on cancer and lobular breast cancer. This is complemented by wider investments into breast cancer research including, for example, a £1.3 million project to determine whether an abbreviated form of breast magnetic resonance imaging can detect breast cancers missed by screening through mammography, again including lobular breast cancer.Current NIHR funded research into breast cancer covers aspects of prevention, detection, treatment and follow-up care, which are relevant to both lobular and ductal breast cancer. Of 29 currently active studies, totalling £49.54m in funded awards, there is currently one active study designed to look at the impact of screening on ductal breast cancer diagnosis and treatment specifically.On 4 February 2025, the Department announced that nearly 700,000 women across the country will take part in a world-leading trial to test how cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools can be used to catch breast cancer cases earlier. The Early Detection using Information Technology in Health (EDITH) trial is backed by £11 million of Government support via the NIHR.The Department of Health and Social Care recognises that further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and disease processes of cancer, including lobular and ductal breast cancer, to unlock pathways for developing new treatments. This type of discovery research is supported by the Medical Research Council, which is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, via UK Research and Innovation, though funding decisions are made independently from Government.

What steps his Department is taking to increase funding for research into lobular breast cancer.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department of Health and Social Care invests over £1.6 billion per year in health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.The level of funding for research generally depends on funding applications received. The NIHR continues to welcome high quality, high impact funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including lobular cancer and ductal breast cancer.The Department of Health and Social Care has invested £29 million into the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NIHR Biological Research Centre from 2022 to 2027, supporting their research on cancer and lobular breast cancer. This is complemented by wider investments into breast cancer research including, for example, a £1.3 million project to determine whether an abbreviated form of breast magnetic resonance imaging can detect breast cancers missed by screening through mammography, again including lobular breast cancer.Current NIHR funded research into breast cancer covers aspects of prevention, detection, treatment and follow-up care, which are relevant to both lobular and ductal breast cancer. Of 29 currently active studies, totalling £49.54m in funded awards, there is currently one active study designed to look at the impact of screening on ductal breast cancer diagnosis and treatment specifically.On 4 February 2025, the Department announced that nearly 700,000 women across the country will take part in a world-leading trial to test how cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools can be used to catch breast cancer cases earlier. The Early Detection using Information Technology in Health (EDITH) trial is backed by £11 million of Government support via the NIHR.The Department of Health and Social Care recognises that further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and disease processes of cancer, including lobular and ductal breast cancer, to unlock pathways for developing new treatments. This type of discovery research is supported by the Medical Research Council, which is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, via UK Research and Innovation, though funding decisions are made independently from Government.

What his Department's long-term strategy is to help tackle the risk of lobular breast cancer.

Improving early diagnosis of cancer, including lobular breast cancer, is a priority for the Government. The Department will improve cancer survival rates and hit all National Health Service cancer waiting time targets, so that no patient waits longer than they should.We are working with cancer partners, including charities and patient representative bodies, to develop a National Cancer Plan. The plan will include more details about how to improve outcomes for all tumour types, including lobular breast cancer.

Whether her Department holds data on changes in bus usage in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England since the increase in the bus fare cap.

The bus fare cap was increased in January 2025. Currently, the only available data relating to bus usage after this date comes from the Domestic Transport Usage by Mode publication available on GOV.UK, which contains daily figures at the Great Britain outside London level only. No data are held on bus usage at (a) constituency level. On 19 June, daily data for (b) Nottinghamshire are due to be published on GOV.UK for the first time as part of the new Daily local bus passenger and trip statistics publication. In November, annual data for the year ending March 2025 covering (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England are due to be published on GOV.UK as part of the regular Annual bus statistics publication.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of online taxi app companies on (a) independent taxi companies and (b) their drivers.

Government supports choice for passengers in the taxi and private hire vehicle sector. It is a matter for taxi drivers if they wish to use a taxi app company as an intermediary between them and the passenger. All private hire vehicle journeys must be pre-booked through a licensed operator. It is for private hire vehicle drivers to decide which operators they wish to work with, subject to licensing requirements. The Department’s taxi and private hire vehicle survey provides information on the numbers of licensed taxi and private hire vehicle drivers, vehicles and private hire vehicle operators and how these have changed since the adoption by passengers and the sector of new technology.

What steps she is taking to ensure that people (a) in Ashfield constituency and (b) nationwide have access to face to face banking services.

The Government recognises the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, businesses and high streets in Ashfield and across the UK. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 160 are already open. Banking hubs offer everyday counter services provided by Post Office staff, allowing people and businesses to withdraw and deposit cash, deposit cheques, pay bills and make balance enquiries. They also contain dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank to carry out wider banking services. Where a branch closure is announced or a community has submitted a cash access assessment request, LINK, the independent industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments, assesses a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions where it considers that a community requires additional cash services, such as a banking hub or deposit service. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.

What assessment has she made of the potential impact of money laundering by Turkish barber shops on (a) the community and (b) the wider economy.

Money laundering not only enables serious and organised crime and national security threats but impacts our communities by drawing people into crime, gangs, and exploitation. It also undermines the integrity of our financial system and impacts on economic prosperity and growth. Driving it down is an important part of this Government’s key missions to deliver safer streets and economic growth.We know that cash intensive businesses such as barber shops can be exploited by criminals who seek to launder their cash enabling them to profit from their illegal activities. Addressing cash-based money laundering is therefore one of the strategic priorities of the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), which sits within the National Crime Agency. In March, the NECC coordinated a three-week crackdown against barbershops and other cash intensive business across England and Wales involving 19 different police forces and Regional Organised Crime Units, as well as national agencies including HMRC, Trading Standards and Home Office Immigration Enforcement. In total, 380 premises were visited across the three-week operation, with officers securing freezing orders over bank accounts totalling more than £1m, executing 84 warrants and arresting 35 individuals. Officers also seized more than £40,000 in cash, 200,000 cigarettes, 7,000 packs of tobacco, over 8,000 illegal vapes and two vehicles.This is the first phase of targeted action against criminals and organised crime groups who use high-street businesses to launder criminal monies, and the NECC is committed to continue working with Policing and partners to reduce this threat.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54343 on Tobacco: Smuggling, how many and what proportion of those referrals resulted in the revocation of the business's economic operator registration.

The majority of referrals received so far have been in respect of businesses who do not hold an economic operator registration because they do not sell, or intend to sell, any legitimate tobacco products. Under The Tobacco Products (Traceability and Security Features) Regulations 2019, a valid Economic Operator ID (EOID) holder who breaches the requirements on a second or subsequent occasion, may have their EOID registration revoked for either 6 months or 5 years. No referrals have met this criterion so far.