Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mark Sewards this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–19 of 19 · Home Office
What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on police involvement in responding to mental health crises involving children and young people.
As part of our work on policing and mental health the Home Office and its Ministers regularly engage with colleagues in the Department for Health and Social Care on a wide range of issues including mental health crisis including where these involve childr...
Whether it is current policy to conduct internal checks on INTERPOL Wanted Persons Diffusions or Red Notice requests further to those conducted by the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files (C
Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
Whether it is current policy for the National Crime Agency to conduct internal checks on Interpol Wanted Persons Diffusions or Red Notice requests before making them available to UK police forces.
Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
If the National Crime Agency has internal processes in place for determining whether an Interpol Wanted Persons Diffusion or Red Notice request is in conformity with the Interpol charter, particularly
Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
To confirm whether the Home Office has engaged in communications with Interpol’s Notices and Diffusions Task Force (NDTF), regarding new or emerging information on specific Wanted Persons Diffusions o
Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
Pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2026 to Question UIN 109867, whether her department has made any assessment of the need to raise recommendations with Interpol on its obligations under Article 2 o
Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
Pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2026 to Question UIN 109867, whether it has had communications of any nature with the Interpol General Secretariat or Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's File
Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
Whether any UK Home Office or National Crime Agency staff members are currently seconded to the Notices & Diffusions Task Force of the Interpol General Secretariat.
Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
How many investigations are currently underway into potential foreign interference activities linked to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London.
It is the longstanding policy of successive UK Governments that we do not comment on operational, intelligence or security matters.The verdicts in the recent trial represent the first convictions under the National Security Act related to China and send a...
What additional resources have been allocated to (a) Cantonese and (b) Mandarin translation and linguistic capabilities for investigations conducted under the National Security Act 2023.
Counter Terrorism Policing continues to maintain the technological tools and translation capabilities necessary to meet legislative and evidential requirements.CTP are strengthening this capacity, including through the development and deployment of enhanc...
What (a) data protection and (b) privacy safeguards are in place to ensure the security of (i) home addresses and (ii) other personal information belonging to people considered vulnerable to targeting
It is the longstanding policy of successive UK Governments that we do not comment on operational, intelligence or security matters. However, we continually assess potential threats to individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK and are front foote...
What assessment she has made of potential impacts of activities of Iranian state-affiliated media organisations, including Press TV, operating in the United Kingdom on the public; and whether she has considered aligning the UK’s approach with that of allies who have taken action against such entities.
We work closely with a range of partners to tackle malign state-backed influence and interference in our society. Where there is clear evidence that Iranian-linked or aligned organisations are undertaking unacceptable activity, the Government will respond accordingly.We will continue to use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect against these threats. This includes placing Iran on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) to bolster our oversight of Iran’s influence activities. The enhanced tier of the FIRS requires individuals and organisations to register arrangements with specified foreign powers or entities that may pose a risk to the UK's safety and interests. In addition to this, the UK has 550 sanctioned more than 550 Iranian individuals and organisations. This includes the IRGC in its entirety.
What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports that Press TV is being used to identify and assess individuals in the United Kingdom for potential recruitment by Iranian intelligence services; and what steps she is taking to protect UK residents, including members of the Jewish community and Iranian diaspora in the UK, from such activity.
The Government's first priority is our national security, and we will use all the tools at our disposal to protect the UK, and its people, from state threats. Where there is clear evidence that Iranian-linked or aligned organisations are undertaking unacceptable activity, the Government will respond accordingly.The UK has a comprehensive set of measures to counter threats posed by the Iranian regime. The UK has sanctioned over 550 Iran-linked individuals and entities, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has been sanctioned in its entirety. We have placed the entire Iranian State, including its intelligence agencies – the IRGC and MOIS – on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS). Any organisation in the UK that fails to declare a registrable arrangement with the Iranian state will be committing a criminal offence punishable by a substantial fine or up to five years in prison.Furthermore, we engage directly with communities who may be at heightened risk, including members of the Jewish community and the Iranian diaspora. The National Protective Security Authority and Counter Terrorism Policing continue to provide protective security advice and support to individuals and organisations threatened by states.
What steps her Department is taking to support (a) local authorities and (b) police forces in tackling the misuse of nitrous oxide in public places and the associated littering of discarded canisters.
The Government is aware of concerns about nitrous oxide misuse in public places and littering of discarded canisters, which places a burden on communities and local authorities.Nitrous oxide has been controlled as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 since 2023. Under the 1971 Act, nitrous oxide carries penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment for illicit possession and up to 14 years for illicit supply. Exemptions for legitimate use are applicable where there is no intention of wrongful inhalation. The police and other law enforcement agencies are operationally independent, but we expect them to prioritise resources towards tackling crime, including drug related crime.Local authorities are responsible for clearing litter from public and have powers to prosecute littering offenders or issue fixed penalty notices. Littering is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £2,500 on conviction, or a fixed penalty of up to £500.Additionally, the Government is increasing funding for waste crime enforcement and continues to work with police, councils and partners to discourage misuse, support enforcement and reduce associated environmental harm.
What steps her Department is taking to improve enforcement against (a) people and (b) businesses supplying nitrous oxide unlawfully.
Nitrous oxide has been controlled as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 since 2023. It is an offence to produce, supply, possess or import nitrous oxide, regardless of canister size, except for activities explicitly exempt under the 1971 Act.Under the 1971 Act, nitrous oxide carries penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment for illicit possession and up to 14 years for illicit supply. Exemptions for legitimate use are applicable where there is no intention of wrongful inhalation. The police and other law enforcement agencies are operationally independent, but we expect them to prioritise resources towards tackling crime, including drug related crime.The Government also works to reduce harm through public information campaigns, including the 'Talk to FRANK' website. The Home Office works closely with the Department of Health and Social Care ('DHSC') to promote awareness. DHSC have worked with the PSHE Association to develop lesson plans on drugs, alcohol and tobacco which include specific references to the dangers of nitrous oxide. Data shows that recreational use of nitrous oxide among 16 to 24‑year‑olds has fallen to its lowest level since records began.Online sale of illegal drugs is further addressed through the Online Safety Act 2023. Under the 2023 Act, Ofcom can audit systems, require remedial action, and impose strong penalties on companies who fail to address criminality on their platforms - including fines of up to £18m or 10% of global turnover.
What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the sale of (a) knives, (b) swords, and (c) battle axes on third-party online selling platforms.
The Government has been strengthening controls on the online sales of bladed articles, including knives, swords and axes. We commissioned Commander Stephen Clayman, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime, to conduct a review into the online sale and delivery of knives. The review was published on 19 February 2025 and made a number of recommendations.We are taking forward the most pressing recommendations in the report under “Ronan’s Law” a range of measures in the Crime and Policing Bill which will include stricter rules for online sellers of knives, including third party platforms, incorporating strengthening age verification controls and checks through a two-stage checks at the point of purchase and on delivery.We have introduced new legislation in the Crime and Policing Bill to provide the police with the power to require social media, marketplace, and search services to take down illegal knife and offensive weapon content. Failure to remove this material could result in both the company and a designated senior executive facing significant penalties. Further measures in the Bill, include increasing the penalties for illegal sales of knives and introduce a duty on sellers to report online bulk sales of knives.We are also looking to go further, In December last year we launched a consultation on plans to introduce a licensing scheme for those who sell knives or other bladed articles, including importers, retailers and private sellers, making them subject to strict regulations and conditions. The consultation closed on 24 February, and we are currently analysing the responses and will provide a response in due course.Effective law enforcement is also very important. We are therefore supporting the creation of a new police unit, the National Knife Crime Centre to provide a national capability tackling the unlawful sale and marketing of knives and weapons online and links to wider criminality. In 2026/27 we are providing the Centre with £1.75m of funding for its activities.
Whether her Department plans to introduce a new mechanism to restrict the activities of extreme criminal protest groups.
This government is committed to ensuring the police have the powers they need to proportionately manage extreme criminal protests while safeguarding the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.An independent review of public order and hate crime legislation is underway to assess whether current laws remain fit for purpose in light of evolving protest tactics, community impacts, and the need to protect democratic processes. The review is being led by Lord Ken Macdonald of River Glaven KC, former Director of Public Prosecutions and one of the UK’s most respected legal authorities. His independence and expertise will ensure a rigorous and impartial review.The review is expected to report in Spring 2026.
What steps her Department is taking to prevent dangerous car racing.
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for the Government and a key part of the Safer Streets Mission.On 25 February 2025, the Crime and Policing Bill was introduced to Parliament. The Bill includes proposals to give the police greater powers to clamp down on vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour, including dangerous street racing, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles. This will strengthen the law and send a clear message that antisocial street racing will not be tolerated. Excess speed is a major cause of death and serious injury on our roads and anyone who breaks the speed limit should expect to face sanctions.
Whether her Department plans to extend the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
To provide future certainty, Ukrainians who have been provided with sanctuary in the UK under the Ukraine schemes will be able to apply for further permission to remain in the UK through a bespoke Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme due to open in e...