Written questions by Timothy.

What guidance his Department issues to NHS England on extending the legal duty to provide care for asylum seekers to individuals with rejected asylum applications; and whether that guidance is mandatory.

Guidance for the National Health Service has been published, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitlements-migrant-health-guideThe guidance underlines the need for NHS bodies to act in line with the relevant legislation. This includes legislation determining the circumstances under which an individual may continue to be exempt from NHS charges for care when an asylum application has been rejected.

When she plans to respond to the consultation entitled Alcohol in licensed pavement areas, which closed on 11 July 2024.

The Government is carefully considering the results of the recent consultation and will publish these shortly alongside next steps.The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is responsible for pavement licences. The Government supports the use of pavement licences to encourage better use of outdoor space on our high streets, supporting businesses and revitalising the spaces that communities use. We have no plans to change the streamlined application process introduced under the last government.

When she plans to respond to the consultation on Alcohol in licensed pavement areas; and what her policy is on (a) pavement licences and (b) takeaway pints.

The Government is carefully considering the results of the recent consultation and will publish these shortly alongside next steps.The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is responsible for pavement licences. The Government supports the use of pavement licences to encourage better use of outdoor space on our high streets, supporting businesses and revitalising the spaces that communities use. We have no plans to change the streamlined application process introduced under the last government.

What steps she is taking to implement the provisions on foreign interference in the National Security Act 2023 that have yet to be commenced.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave him on 17 December to Question UIN 18703.

What discussions (a) ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisors had with chief constables on the deployment of armed officers at Christmas markets in England and Wales in 2024.

Whilst the Home Office works closely with policing to consider security and to share information where appropriate, the operational deployment of police officers (including armed officers), and security considerations for individual sites, are decisions for operationally independent Chief Constables.

If she will take steps to reform industrial relation practices in the (a) fire and rescue service and (b) police service.

The Government continues to work closely with the relevant police and fire authorities across the country to ensure that they are providing the level of service that the public expect, and that each service has the personnel, resources, equipment and training to do their jobs effectively.Maintaining effective industrial relations is a routine part and objective of this engagement.

If she will make it her policy to reduce the legal age for tattoos to 16 under the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969.

The Home Office keeps all such matters under review.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 December 2024 to Question 19469 on Home Office: Equality and with reference to the Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Guidance, published on 14 May 2024, if she will remove all stand-alone equality, diversity and inclusion roles.

There are no standalone roles related to equality, diversity and inclusion outside of the Home Office HR Function, and those that do function are focused on discharging the Departments statutory obligations under the Equality Act 2010. This is in line with the stipulations in Paragraph 18c of the guidance to which the Hon member’s question refers.

If she will hold discussions with responsible authorities on taking steps to tackle (a) unlawful gambling, (b) unlawful street vendors, (c) unlawful parking and (d) unlicensed pedicabs on Westminster Bridge; and who the responsible authorities are.

The Home Office is unable to provide the information requested. You may wish to direct your query to; the Department for Culture, Media and Sport regarding unlawful gambling, the Department for Transport and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding unlawful parking and the Department for Transport regarding unlicenced pedicabs.The Home Office has no plans to hold talks as this is not a matter for the Home Office.

What industrial disputes are ongoing within (a) their Department and (b) each of the arm’s length bodies connected to their Department; how many (i) staff and (ii) contractors are involved in each dispute; what the form of industrial action is in each dispute; which recognised trade union is involved in each dispute; what the substantive matter is that is being disputed in each case; and what steps he plans to take to end each dispute.

There are currently no ongoing disputes within DWP or arm’s length bodies connected to the Department.

What industrial disputes are ongoing within (a) their Department and (b) each of the arm’s length bodies connected to their Department; how many (i) staff and (ii) contractors are involved in each dispute; what the form of industrial action is in each dispute; which recognised trade union is involved in each dispute; what the substantive matter is that is being disputed in each case; and what steps he plans to take to end each dispute.

There are no ongoing industrial disputes in my Department and the Wales Office has no arm’s length bodies.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 September 2024 to Question 2316 on Equality, whether the socio-economic duty will apply to (a) Police and Crime Commissioners and (b) Police Constables.

The Government is committed to commencing the socio-economic duty in the Equality Act 2010. The duty will require specified public bodies, when making strategic decisions, to consider actively how their decisions might help to reduce the inequalities associated with socio-economic disadvantage. Public bodies specified by the duty include police and crime commissioners established for an area in England. We will consider whether the list of public authorities to which the duty will apply requires updating as part of our research programme and evidence gathering.

Whether her Department has issued guidance to political parties on the United States of America’s Foreign Agents Registration Scheme for campaigning overseas.

Guidance on other country’s regulations is a matter for the country concerned. Information on the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act can be found on the U.S. Department of Justice website.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 October 2024 to Question 7443 on Trade Unions: Subversion, whether the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme will regulate foreign actors seeking to (a) lobby and (b) influence trade unions.

The scheme’s political influence tier seeks to increase transparency of foreign power influence over the core aspects of the UK’s democracy, including elections, political party proceedings, parliamentarians and decisions of the Government, but is limited in scope to ensure its proportionality.However, where a foreign power is specified under the enhanced tier, those acting at the direction of that foreign power to carry out a broad range of activities will be required to register. This could include activities involving lobbying of, or influence over, trade unions.

What industrial disputes are ongoing within (a) their Department and (b) each of the arm’s length bodies connected to their Department; how many (i) staff and (ii) contractors are involved in each dispute; what the form of industrial action is in each dispute; which recognised trade union is involved in each dispute; what the substantive matter is that is being disputed in each case; and what steps he plans to take to end each dispute.

The Ministry of Defence and its Arms Length Bodies have no ongoing industrial disputes with Trades Unions.

Food and Rural Affairs, what industrial disputes are ongoing within (a) their Department and (b) each of the arm’s length bodies connected to their Department; how many (i) staff and (ii) contractors are involved in each dispute; what the form of industrial action is in each dispute; which recognised trade union is involved in each dispute; what the substantive matter is that is being disputed in each case; and what steps he plans to take to end each dispute.

There are no current industrial disputes ongoing within Defra or it’s arm’s length bodies.

What industrial disputes are ongoing within (a) their Department and (b) each of the arm’s length bodies connected to their Department; how many (i) staff and (ii) contractors are involved in each dispute; what the form of industrial action is in each dispute; which recognised trade union is involved in each dispute; what the substantive matter is that is being disputed in each case; and what steps he plans to take to end each dispute.

There are no ongoing industrial disputes within the Attorney General’s Office, Government Legal Department, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, Serious Fraud Office, or Crown Prosecution Service.

What guidance his Department issues to schools and local education authorities on the teaching around the British Empire in the National Curriculum.

The national curriculum for history for key stages 1 to 3 includes references to the British Empire and gives teachers and schools the flexibility to use specific examples to teach pupils about the history of Britain and the wider world.The British Empire could be taught across the three key stages. At key stage 1, pupils should be taught about changes within living memory, events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally, and the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements. At key stage 2, when teaching about the concept of empire and teaching about other empires, further foundations can be developed for the teaching of the British Empire.Teaching about the British Empire can take place across the time periods and themes at key stage 3. Within the statutory themes of ‘the development of Church, state and society in Britain 1509-1745’, ‘ideas, political power, industry and empire: Britain, 1745-1901’, ‘challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day’, there are non-statutory examples of what children might be taught about the British Empire. The British Empire could also be taught within the requirement for the study of an aspect or theme in British history that consolidates and extends pupils’ chronological knowledge from before 1066 and within local history across the three key stages.As part of the flexibility all schools have in teaching the national curriculum, schools and teachers are able to determine which examples, topics and resources to use to stimulate and challenge pupils and reflect key points in history.The department announced a Curriculum and Assessment Review last year. The review’s interim report is due to be published in early 2025, with a final report later in the year.

Innovation and Technology, what industrial disputes are ongoing within (a) their Department and (b) each of the arm’s length bodies connected to their Department; how many (i) staff and (ii) contractors are involved in each dispute; what the form of industrial action is in each dispute; which recognised trade union is involved in each dispute; what the substantive matter is that is being disputed in each case; and what steps he plans to take to end each dispute.

There is currently no industrial dispute within DSIT or any of its Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs). No Trade Union has a current mandate for industrial action in DSIT or its ALBs.There are ongoing disputes between PCS Union and both G4S Security Company (G4S) and International Services System - Facilities Management Services (ISS). G4S and ISS provide facilities management services in DSIT offices and those of other Departments under a contract managed by Government Property Agency. Those disputes are a matter for the union and employers concerned.

What flags she plans to fly outside her Department other than the Union flag in the next 12 months; and on which days each flag will be flown.

Current Home Office ministers have not been consulted on this issue since coming to office, but prompted by the Hon Member’s question, we have advised that there should be no change from the arrangements in place under the previous government, whatever they may have been.