Written questions by Martin.

Whether her Department has allocated funding towards a public awareness campaign for the commencement of the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act on 1st April 2026.

Public sexual harassment is a crime that often leaves victims, who are disproportionately likely to be women, feeling very unsafe. That is why tackling it is an important part of our mission on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).Our “Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls”, published on 18th December 2025, committed to commence the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 on 1 April 2026. This includes publication of the statutory guidance for police on the same day, which is a requirement of Section 2 of the Act. We are working directly with policing to ensure everything is in place to support them in enforcing the aggravated offence from 1 April 2026.The Government recognises the importance of challenging and changing the behaviour of perpetrators of public sexual harassment. That is why we are exploring opportunities to further raise public awareness of the Act and are exploring introducing a public sexual harassment awareness course to be offered to perpetrators to challenge and address their behaviours and reduce offending.

If she will provide training to police forces in connection with the commencement of the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act on 1 April 2026.

Public sexual harassment is a crime that often leaves victims, who are disproportionately likely to be women, feeling very unsafe. That is why tackling it is an important part of our mission on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).Our “Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls”, published on 18th December 2025, committed to commence the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 on 1 April 2026. This includes publication of the statutory guidance for police on the same day, which is a requirement of Section 2 of the Act. We are working directly with policing to ensure everything is in place to support them in enforcing the aggravated offence from 1 April 2026.The Government recognises the importance of challenging and changing the behaviour of perpetrators of public sexual harassment. That is why we are exploring opportunities to further raise public awareness of the Act and are exploring introducing a public sexual harassment awareness course to be offered to perpetrators to challenge and address their behaviours and reduce offending.

What her proposed timeline is for issuing guidance to police forces on the commencement of the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act on 1 April 2026.

Public sexual harassment is a crime that often leaves victims, who are disproportionately likely to be women, feeling very unsafe. That is why tackling it is an important part of our mission on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).Our “Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls”, published on 18th December 2025, committed to commence the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 on 1 April 2026. This includes publication of the statutory guidance for police on the same day, which is a requirement of Section 2 of the Act. We are working directly with policing to ensure everything is in place to support them in enforcing the aggravated offence from 1 April 2026.The Government recognises the importance of challenging and changing the behaviour of perpetrators of public sexual harassment. That is why we are exploring opportunities to further raise public awareness of the Act and are exploring introducing a public sexual harassment awareness course to be offered to perpetrators to challenge and address their behaviours and reduce offending.

What steps she is taking to make (a) the police, and (b) the public aware of the commencement of the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act on 1 April 2026.

Public sexual harassment is a crime that often leaves victims, who are disproportionately likely to be women, feeling very unsafe. That is why tackling it is an important part of our mission on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).Our “Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls”, published on 18th December 2025, committed to commence the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 on 1 April 2026. This includes publication of the statutory guidance for police on the same day, which is a requirement of Section 2 of the Act. We are working directly with policing to ensure everything is in place to support them in enforcing the aggravated offence from 1 April 2026.The Government recognises the importance of challenging and changing the behaviour of perpetrators of public sexual harassment. That is why we are exploring opportunities to further raise public awareness of the Act and are exploring introducing a public sexual harassment awareness course to be offered to perpetrators to challenge and address their behaviours and reduce offending.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of a public awareness campaign around the commencement of the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act on 1 April 2026 in (a) deterring perpetrators, and (b) encouraging victims to come forward.

Public sexual harassment is a crime that often leaves victims, who are disproportionately likely to be women, feeling very unsafe. That is why tackling it is an important part of our mission on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).Our “Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls”, published on 18th December 2025, committed to commence the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 on 1 April 2026. This includes publication of the statutory guidance for police on the same day, which is a requirement of Section 2 of the Act. We are working directly with policing to ensure everything is in place to support them in enforcing the aggravated offence from 1 April 2026.The Government recognises the importance of challenging and changing the behaviour of perpetrators of public sexual harassment. That is why we are exploring opportunities to further raise public awareness of the Act and are exploring introducing a public sexual harassment awareness course to be offered to perpetrators to challenge and address their behaviours and reduce offending.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of withdrawing the visa concession for temporary employment as shearers on the welfare of (i) sheep and (ii) alpacas.

We understand the importance of safe and timely shearing to protect animal welfare. The sheep shearing concession had been operating for 14 years and closed after the 2025 shearing season as it is reasonable to expect that over this period a long-term sustainable solution had been found to identify this workforce gap.The Government expects the sector to meet these needs through the domestic workforce and individuals with existing general work rights, such as dependants or Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders, who are free to take up work as a sheep or alpaca shearer subject to the relevant visa restrictions.

Whether the proposed earned settlement requirements will apply retrospectively to Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders who relocated under the original scheme.

The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 years’ residence, subject to meeting the mandatory requirements.We are seeking views on earned settlement through the public consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement and will continue to listen to the views of Hong Kongers. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation, including any transitional arrangements and the requirements for income thresholds.Once the changes are implemented, we will publish clear guidance for BN(O) visa holders to help them understand any new requirements.In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply, including the current B1 English language requirement.

Whether she has considered applying the proposed income threshold for the earned settlement scheme on a household basis rather than an individual basis for Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders.

The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 years’ residence, subject to meeting the mandatory requirements.We are seeking views on earned settlement through the public consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement and will continue to listen to the views of Hong Kongers. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation, including any transitional arrangements and the requirements for income thresholds.Once the changes are implemented, we will publish clear guidance for BN(O) visa holders to help them understand any new requirements.In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply, including the current B1 English language requirement.

Whether her Department plans to provide guidance to Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders regarding the proposed B2 English language requirement; and whether people who have already taken or planned to take the B1 test will be affected by this change.

The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 years’ residence, subject to meeting the mandatory requirements.We are seeking views on earned settlement through the public consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement and will continue to listen to the views of Hong Kongers. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation, including any transitional arrangements and the requirements for income thresholds.Once the changes are implemented, we will publish clear guidance for BN(O) visa holders to help them understand any new requirements.In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply, including the current B1 English language requirement.

Whether the proposed earned settlement scheme will include non-employment income such as rental, dividends, and interest when assessing income thresholds.

The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 years’ residence, subject to meeting the mandatory requirements.We are seeking views on earned settlement through the public consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement and will continue to listen to the views of Hong Kongers. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation, including any transitional arrangements and the requirements for income thresholds.Once the changes are implemented, we will publish clear guidance for BN(O) visa holders to help them understand any new requirements.In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply, including the current B1 English language requirement.

What discussions her Department has had with (a) police forces and (b) community groups on the potential impact of Respect Orders on community cohesion.

Respect Orders, which were introduced in the Crime and Policing Bill in February, will be behavioural court orders which focus on combatting anti-social behaviour. We have undertaken extensive consultation with policing partners, including the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), and other key stakeholders in the Anti-social Behaviour sector to ensure the Respect Order will be as effective as possible.Respect Orders will enable courts to ban adult offenders from engaging in harmful anti-social behaviour. They can also compel adult perpetrators to take action to address the root cause of their behaviour.Breach of the order will be a criminal offence, allowing the police to arrest anyone suspected of breach. Courts will have a wide range of sentencing options, including community orders, unlimited fines and, for the most severe cases, imprisonment.The Respect Order will be piloted prior to national rollout to ensure it is as effective as possible.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 56005 on Visas: Health Professions, what provisions are in place to appeal visa applications for dependents of skilled health workers that were rejected due to issues with birth certificates issued by the country of origin.

Individuals in those circumstances are entitled to apply for an administrative review of the decision. If they wish to challenge the outcome of that review, they can apply for judicial review.There is no right to an appeal or an administrative review of a decision to reject an invalid application. Such decisions are subject to judicial review.

How many visa applications for dependents of skilled health workers were rejected due to issues with birth certificates issued by the country of origin in 2024.

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of implementing the Firearms Act 2023 without a transitional period to apply for personal firearm certificates on miniature rifle clubs.

The Firearms Act 2023 introduced legislation to strengthen firearms controls by making it a requirement for the operator of a miniature rifle range to have a firearm certificate and undergo police licensing checks.The Firearms Act 2023 was commenced on 1 May 2025 and police forces had been preparing for implementation in advance of this date, including by considering applications from miniature rifle club operators prior to commencement to ensure that operators could comply with the requirements of the new legislation.

If her Department will take steps to review the potential impact of the provisions of the British National (Overseas) visa on (a) the adequacy of settlement pathways, (b) levels of access to citizenship for UK-born children of BNO visa holders and (c) eligibility for citizenship by people with historical citizenship arrangements.

We keep all aspects of the immigration system under review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing mandatory business licensing for the private security sector.

The Government is committed to reviewing the recommendations of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, including Monitored Recommendation 8, with a view to delivering better uniformity of standards in the private security industry, enhanced provision of security services, and effective counter-terrorism measures.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of agreeing with (a) the European Union and (b) individual Schengen Area countries to allow British citizens to stay up to 180 days without a visa.

The European Union is responsible for visa policy in relation to short stays in the territory of Schengen states, including visa requirements. Short stays are stays of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period, as set out in EU legislation. The UK and the EU operate independent visa policies.

Whether she will make an assessment on the potential merits of exempting British National (Overseas) passport holders from Electronic Travel Authorisation.

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme was introduced on 25 October 2023 to enhance our ability to screen travellers upstream and stop those who pose a threat from travelling to the UK.ETAs were expanded to British National (Overseas) BN(O) passport holders on 27 November 2024 and are currently a requirement for travel to or transit, landside, via the UK. We keep all policies under review.

What her planned timetable is for the implementation of the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023.

The Government is committed to halving levels of violence against women and girls in a decade. An important part of this ambition is tackling public sexual harassment which often leaves people, disproportionately women, feeling very unsafe. The Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 is intended to make this type of harassment a specific offence.As with any new criminal justice legislation, an implementation period is necessary to ensure all processes, systems and guidance are updated - including drawing up statutory guidance. We will confirm next steps on implementation of the Act at the earliest opportunity.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of moving responsibility for drugs policy to the Department of Health and Social Care.

Responsibility for drug policy is shared across a number of departments and both the Home Office and the Department for Health and Social Care have important roles to play in setting policy to tackle drug use and to reduce drug-related crime and drug health harms. The Home Office is the lead department for the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and associated drug legislation, working with other departments as appropriate where changes in the law are required. We have no plans to change this.Illicit drug use affects the whole of society, and this Government is taking a collective response which will help our key missions to deliver safer streets, improve health outcomes and contribute to opportunities and growth through reducing crime and saving lives.