Written questions by Onn.

What assessment she has made of the consistency of training and professional standards required of security personnel who require a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence and those working in security roles that do not require SIA licensing.

The private security industry plays a crucial role in keeping the public safe and it is critical that there is a high standard of regulatory oversight of the industry. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) provides such oversight by operating the regulatory regime set up by the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA).This oversight includes setting minimum standards for mandatory training for roles within scope of the regime, and ensuring individuals seeking to work in designated roles have completed the training required, as well as running criminal record and other checks to ensure that SIA licence holders are ‘fit and proper’ individuals who have the relevant skills and knowledge needed to perform their role.Businesses seeking to supply private security operatives under a contract for services must ensure all their partners, directors, managers and supervisors are licensed by the SIA, as well as any frontline staff who perform certain security roles specified in the PSIA Act 2001 (for example door supervisors and security guards).The SIA is currently conducting a 5-year review of training standards to ensure skills keep pace with emerging threats and will be working closely with experts and the industry on this. The SIA maintains regular engagement with the Home Office throughout this review.Furthermore, the Government remains committed to delivering the intended outcomes of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, including Monitored Recommendations 7 and 8 which relate to licensing of in-house operatives and security businesses. The Home Office launched a 12-week public consultation on 18 December 2025 to help better understand the impact of the proposals for change.The consultation aims to inform proposals that will ensure high quality oversight of the private security industry, while ensuring any new costs and regulatory burdens are proportionate and consider impact on business.

What consideration her Department has made of possible exemptions for health care workers on indefinite leave to remain rules to ensure sufficient staffing levels remain within the NHS.

The earned settlement model is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026. Details of the earned settlement scheme will be finalised following that consultation. The final model will also be subject to an economic impact assessment, which we have committed to publish in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85820 on Marriages and Civil Partnerships: LGBT+ People, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the guidance on registering births to same-sex couples who conceive after marriage is applied consistently across all local registration offices.

The General Register Office for England and Wales provide handbooks, regular publications, and training products for registrars covering the full range of registration duties. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring their staff deliver services in accordance with the guidance.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure registrars receive clear (a) guidance and (b) training on registering births to same-sex couples who conceive after marriage.

The General Register Office for England and Wales provides handbooks and e-learning products to registrars. These cover the whole range of registration duties.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold on the ability of veterinary practices to recruit staff; and what appeals process is available where salary thresholds do not reflect local pay levels.

Practices sponsoring veterinarians for Skilled Worker applications post 22nd July 2025 will need to offer a salary of at least £49,500 to meet the requirements.There are salary discounts available for “New entrants” at the start of their careers. If they meet any of these requirements then instead of the £49,500 salary requirement vets could qualify with a minimum pay of £34,600.A technical annex (www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex) was published alongside the Immigration White Paper setting out the impact of some of the key policy changes.The national salary thresholds are set at the median levels according to the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, and are in place to ensure that resident workers’ wages should not be undercut and also to protect overseas workers from being exploited as low-cost labour.On 2 July we asked the independent Migration Advisory Committee to advise on future salary requirements for Skilled Worker visas.

What the minimum salary requirement is for overseas-qualified veterinary surgeons to be eligible for Skilled Worker visas.

Practices sponsoring veterinarians for Skilled Worker applications post 22nd July 2025 will need to offer a salary of at least £49,500 to meet the requirements.There are salary discounts available for “New entrants” at the start of their careers. If they meet any of these requirements then instead of the £49,500 salary requirement vets could qualify with a minimum pay of £34,600.A technical annex (www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex) was published alongside the Immigration White Paper setting out the impact of some of the key policy changes.The national salary thresholds are set at the median levels according to the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, and are in place to ensure that resident workers’ wages should not be undercut and also to protect overseas workers from being exploited as low-cost labour.On 2 July we asked the independent Migration Advisory Committee to advise on future salary requirements for Skilled Worker visas.

What steps she is taking (a) ensure the safeguarding of beagles at MBR Acres during periods of extreme warm weather and (b) phase out the use of dogs in clinical trials.

Licensed establishments are responsible for the welfare of animals in their care at all times, including during extreme weather. Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), all such establishments must comply with legal requirements and standards set out in the Home Office’s published Operational Guidance and Code of Practice.These documents require establishments to have contingency plans for temperature extremes to ensure animal welfare. Establishment licence holders must ensure sufficient trained staff are in place to maintain high standards of care and facility management.Daily checks by competent personnel are mandated under Standard Condition 4 to monitor animal welfare and environmental conditions, with prompt action required to address any issues. Standard Condition 18 requires that any breaches or potential breaches of licence conditions be reported to the Secretary of State.The Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) monitors compliance through regular audits, including both announced and unannounced visits, to assess animal welfare and adherence to ASPA.The Government is committed to working towards a vision of phasing out the use of animals in science. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is engaging with stakeholders to finalise a strategy to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternatives to animal testing which is scheduled for publication later this year.

What the average response time was to public complaints submitted to her Department in the last 12 months.

Performance against service standards in relation to replies to customer complaints for UKVI, Immigration Enforcement and Border Force (excluding His Majesty’s Passport Office) is available from published data and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/migration-transparency-data#uk-visas-and-immigration

What information her Department holds on the impact of youth services on the number of reports of anti-social behaviour in the last ten years.

The Government is committed to rolling out a new Young Futures programme, including a network of Young Futures Hubs which will bring together services to help improve the way young people can access the support they need.We will be engaging with local communities, the police, charities, and other key partners to support the design of the hubs and explore options for their delivery. This will include considerations of the most suitable locations as well as how best to engage with those young people who would benefit most from their support.Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) is also a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.We will put thousands of neighbourhood police and community support officers into local communities, to tackle the crimes blighting our town centres and high streets, with tough new powers for the police to crack down on resistant offenders. This will be also key to disrupting youth ASB through engaged and visible neighbourhood officers.The Home Office does not hold data on the impact of youth services on the number of reports of ASB.