Written questions by Akehurst.

What steps her Department has taken to ensure that the visa sponsorship process includes checks against intelligence assessments of Iranian-linked networks.

Awaiting answer.

Whether UK shipyards will be (a) invited and (b) supported to tender for the Border Force’s new patrol vessel programme.

Awaiting answer.

Whether she is taking steps to ensure that the contract to renew the Border Force coastal patrol fleet will be awarded to domestic shipyards.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2026 to Question 117978 on Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, how many registrations have been entered on the enhanced tier since the scheme's inception; and which countries have been identified on the enhanced tier.

The Foreign Influence Registration scheme came into force on 1 July 2025 with Russia and Iran specified on the enhanced tier.The Government do not intend to provide details of registrations beyond those that appear on the public Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) register, as doing so could identify information not intended to be published and undermine the scheme’s objectives. Registrations under the enhanced tier are not published unless they relate to political influence activities; there are also circumstances in which publication will not occur, for example where publication could create a risk to the safety or interests of the UK.An annual report on the operation of FIRS will be laid before Parliament. This will include, among other things, the number of registrations under both tiers, the number of information notices issued, and the number of people charged and prosecuted for failing to comply with the scheme’s requirements. The first report will be published as soon as practicable after 30 June 2026.

How many registrations have been made under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme; and how many of those registrations have included the Islamic Republic of Iran.

As of the 5th of March, there are 11 registrations on the FIRS public register. We will not provide details of registrations beyond that which is on the public register as to do so could identify information not intended to be published and undermine the scheme’s objectives.Registrations under the enhanced tier will not be published, unless they relate to political influence activities. There are also circumstances where exceptions to publication may apply, for example, where publication could create a risk to the safety or interests of the UK.However, the Government will be publishing an annual report setting out, among other things, the number of registrations under both tiers, number of information notices issued, the number of persons charged with an offence and the number of persons convicted of an offence.The first report will be published as soon as practicable after 30 June 2026.

If her Department will develop a transnational repression framework to enable the police to recognise and tackle transnational repression.

The Defending Democracy Taskforce’s review into transnational repression (TNR), which concluded in May 2025, has found that the UK already has appropriate tools and system‑wide safeguards in place to robustly counter this threat. The review also sets a clear strategic direction which is improving the Government’s response to TNR.The review found that the Police have mature mechanisms to detect, assess and respond to threats from foreign states, with the ability to escalate potential TNR cases to Counter Terrorism Policing specialists. Building on the findings of the review, we have since strengthened our response further by rolling out training across all 45 territorial police forces, including upskilling of 999 call handlers, to improve frontline identification and response to state-directed threats.We will continue working with the police to strengthen awareness, confidence and capability, while keeping our response proportionate, effective and focused on protecting those most at risk. Anyone who believes they are a victim of state-directed activity should report incidents or suspicious activity to the police via 101, at a local police station, or 999 in emergencies.

How the siting and operation of the proposed new vehicle base will improve the logistical servicing of Derwentside IRC; and what interim arrangements are being made to improve escorting and transport moves to and from Derwentside IRC.

The current service delivery model for immigration escorting is to locate vehicle bases at or near Immigration Removal Centres, where most escorting movements begin and end. The nearest vehicle base to Derwentside IRC is currently more than 100 miles away, which makes servicing the centre logistically challenging. Once operational, the new vehicle base is expected to improve escorting efficiency for that location. Until the vehicle base is operational, escorting requirements will continue to be met through other vehicle bases, supported by the flexible deployment of staff / vehicles and close coordination with our contracted escorting provider to ensure movements are carried out safely and securely and in a timely manner.

How many investigations have been opened under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme into (a) the Islamic Human Rights Commission, in the context of Iran’s Al-Quds Day in the UK, (b) David Miller, in the context of the Iranian state channel Press TV and (c) other activities connected to Iran.

It is longstanding policy that the Government does not comment on individual cases.Iranian state-owned organisations do not automatically have to register with FIRS. Individuals or entities will only need to register under FIRS if they are carrying out activities in the UK at the direction of the Iranian state.The Government will be publishing an annual report setting out, among other things, the number of registrations, number of information notices issued, the number of persons charged with an offence and the number of persons convicted of an offence. The first report will be published as soon as practicable after 30 June 2026.

Whether the Islamic Human Rights Commission is required to register under the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.

It is longstanding policy that the Government does not comment on individual cases.Iranian state-owned organisations do not automatically have to register with FIRS. Individuals or entities will only need to register under FIRS if they are carrying out activities in the UK at the direction of the Iranian state.The Government will be publishing an annual report setting out, among other things, the number of registrations, number of information notices issued, the number of persons charged with an offence and the number of persons convicted of an offence. The first report will be published as soon as practicable after 30 June 2026.

Whether people who act as (a) anchors, (b) presenters and (c) regular contributors for Press TV are required to register under the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.

It is longstanding policy that the Government does not comment on individual cases.Iranian state-owned organisations do not automatically have to register with FIRS. Individuals or entities will only need to register under FIRS if they are carrying out activities in the UK at the direction of the Iranian state.The Government will be publishing an annual report setting out, among other things, the number of registrations, number of information notices issued, the number of persons charged with an offence and the number of persons convicted of an offence. The first report will be published as soon as practicable after 30 June 2026.

For what reason she considers that further legislation is required to help tackle threats of terrorism by (a) the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and (b) other state bodies.

The National Security Act 2023, includes a broad range of tools to ensure law enforcement and our intelligence agencies have the powers they need to counter all malign foreign actors, including the IRGC.However, the Government is determined to enhance our powers as necessary. For that reason, we commissioned Jonathan Hall KC (the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation) to conduct a review evaluating what powers under terrorism legislation could be emulated to tackle state-based security threats to the UK. Mr Hall KC recommended introducing a State Threats Proscription-style Tool that would be more effective in disrupting state-linked organisations, along with other proposals.The Government is committed to taking forward his proposals as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

When she plans to create a new power of proscription to cover state threats.

As the previous Home Secretary set out in her oral statement on 19 May 2025, the Government is committed to taking forward legislation to implement all of the recommendations made by Jonathan Hall KC, Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation, in his review of legislation to address state-based security threats to the UK.One of the recommendations made by Jonathan Hall KC, was to create a State Threats Proscription-Style Tool which will more appropriately tackle threats from state-linked entities, and which will provide operational partners with enhanced capabilities to disrupt the activities of the most egregious organisations. We will bring forward legislation as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

What demographic information is held about the subjects of DBS checks in England and Wales.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is operationally independent from the Home Office and as such the Home Office does not hold any demographic information about the subjects of DBS checks in England and Wales. The DBS itself only holds demographic information that is mandatory for the processing of disclosure checks and barring referrals.

If she will review the adequacy of legislation related to the policing of the operations of (a) Palestine Action and (b) other direct action groups.

Whilst the right to protest is a fundamental part of our democracy, this right does not extend to activities that promote violence or criminal damage.The decision to investigate potential criminal activity is a matter for the police, who are operationally independent of government. Home Office Ministers cannot interfere in operational decisions of this nature, as to do so could undermine their independence.However, the Government will always support the police in using their powers as robustly as possible to prevent crime and maintain public order and safety where appropriate.

If her Department will take steps to help stop (a) Palestine Action’s direct action training days and (b) the spread of violent direct action training materials.

Whilst the right to protest is a fundamental part of our democracy, this right does not extend to activities that promote violence or criminal damage.The decision to investigate potential criminal activity is a matter for the police, who are operationally independent of government. Home Office Ministers cannot interfere in operational decisions of this nature, as to do so could undermine their independence.However, the Government will always support the police in using their powers as robustly as possible to prevent crime and maintain public order and safety where appropriate.

What steps she has taken to disrupt the activity of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in the UK.

We do not routinely comment on the detail of operational matters or specific threats. But national security is the first duty of any government, and we take any malicious activity that might pose a significant threat to our security and public safety extremely seriously.Iran’s malign activity, including the activities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The UK has more than 450 sanctions designations in place on Iranian individuals and entities, in response to the regime's human rights violations, nuclear weapons programme, malign influence internationally and state threats. The UK has also sanctioned the IRGC in its entirety, with the IRGC Intelligence Chief most recently being sanctioned this month.The National Security Act 2023 provides a significant toolkit for our intelligence services and law enforcement agencies in the fight against state threats. This means that the UK is now a harder target for those states which seek to conduct hostile acts against the UK, including espionage, interference in our political system, sabotage and assassination.In concert with partners, the UK Government will continue to use all tools at our disposal to protect the UK and its overseas interests against any threats from the Iranian state.