Written questions by Dowden.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of licensing laws in deterring retailers from supplying alcohol to individuals who are (a) visibly intoxicated and (b) known to be vulnerable due to addiction.

The Licensing Act 2003 provides the legal framework for the sale and supply of alcohol in England and Wales. Under this framework, businesses must hold a premises licence and comply with conditions designed to uphold the licensing objectives, including the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety.It is already an offence under section 141 of the Act for a person to knowingly sell or attempt to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk, or to allow alcohol to be sold to such a person.There are also substantial powers already available to licensing authorities to address irresponsible or illegal alcohol sales including reviewing a premises licence, imposing additional conditions, suspending a licence, or, in the most serious cases, revoking it.The Government considers that the existing framework provides a robust set of tools to deal with irresponsible retailers, and there are no current plans to introduce additional penalties.

Whether she plans to introduce further penalties, including licence (a) suspension and (b) loss, for retailers found to be supplying alcohol irresponsibly and illegally to customers.

The Licensing Act 2003 provides the legal framework for the sale and supply of alcohol in England and Wales. Under this framework, businesses must hold a premises licence and comply with conditions designed to uphold the licensing objectives, including the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety.It is already an offence under section 141 of the Act for a person to knowingly sell or attempt to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk, or to allow alcohol to be sold to such a person.There are also substantial powers already available to licensing authorities to address irresponsible or illegal alcohol sales including reviewing a premises licence, imposing additional conditions, suspending a licence, or, in the most serious cases, revoking it.The Government considers that the existing framework provides a robust set of tools to deal with irresponsible retailers, and there are no current plans to introduce additional penalties.

What assessment she has made of the impact of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 on the competitiveness and growth of the UK cyber security sector.

The Government recognises the major role UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the UK’s resilience against cyber threats, and it is vital that we support them. I acknowledge the strong sentiment regarding Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA) reform.The Government is conducting an ongoing review of the Computer Misuse Act (CMA). It is crucial that any changes brought forward are proportionate, adaptable to evolving techniques, and do not undermine law enforcement’s ability to take action against cyber criminals. Engagement, including with the cyber security industry, is underway to refine the proposal and ensure it includes strong safeguards to prevent misuse.The Home Office will provide an update on proposals taken forward in due course.

What assessment she has made of the impact of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 on UK cyber resilience, skills and innovation; and what impact the current framework has on the UK’s competitiveness compared with other jurisdictions.

The Government recognises the major role UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the UK’s resilience against cyber threats, and it is vital that we support them. I acknowledge the strong sentiment regarding Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA) reform.The Government is already conducting an ongoing review of the CMA.It is crucial that any changes brought forward are proportionate, adaptable to evolving techniques, and do not undermine law enforcement’s ability to take action against cyber criminals. Engagement, including with the cyber security industry, is underway to refine the proposal and ensure it includes strong safeguards to prevent misuse.The Home Office is progressing work at pace and will provide an update on proposals taken forward in due course.

With reference to proposed changes to the Computer Misuse Act 1990, whether she plans to ensure any potential statutory defence covers cybersecurity researchers who are conducting threat intelligence.

The Government recognises the major role UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the UK’s resilience against cyber threats, and it is vital that we support them. I acknowledge the strong sentiment regarding Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA) reform.The Government is conducting an ongoing review of the Computer Misuse Act (CMA). It is crucial that any changes brought forward are proportionate, adaptable to evolving techniques, and do not undermine law enforcement’s ability to take action against cyber criminals. Engagement, including with the cyber security industry, is underway to refine the proposal and ensure it includes strong safeguards to prevent misuse.The Home Office will provide an update on proposals taken forward in due course.

What support is in place for Iranian nationals seeking to visit family members in the UK.

The Home Office does not currently provide additional support for Iranian nationals seeking to visit family members in the UK. Foreign nationals can apply for a visit visa to visit the UK and the UK welcomes genuine visitors.We are rolling out the use of eVisas for all visitors coming to the UK, which will make it easier for genuine visitors to apply and enter the UK. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have also produced a series of “How to Videos” which offer step by step guides and support for customers to complete eVisa tasks and assist with their UKVI accounts.These “How to Videos” are available on GOV.UK and on streaming platforms such as YouTube, can be translated, and used by all applicants, including Iranian nationals, to support them applying for a Visit Visa to visit family members in the UK.

What steps her Department is taking to protect free speech.

Free speech is a fundamental right and a defining value of our open and diverse society. Our legislation reflects this, enabling individuals to engage in robust debate. However, freedom of speech is a qualified right. It does not extend to language that incites violence, hatred, or criminal behaviour.In November 2025, the Home Secretary announced an independent review of public order and hate crime legislation, led by Lord Macdonald of River Glaven KC. As part of its work, the Review will assess whether existing police powers remain effective, proportionate and used consistently, including in relation to lawful protest, helping to ensure that the legal framework supports the protection of free speech while maintaining public order.The Home Secretary has also announced that non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) are to be replaced in their current form with a more common-sense approach. The review of NCHIs, led by the College of Policing and the NPCC, includes consideration of how to best protect the fundamental right to freedom of expression. A publication of the findings from the College and NPCC is expected in March 2026.

What steps her Department is taking to promote free speech.

Free speech is a fundamental right and a defining value of our open and diverse society. Our legislation reflects this, enabling individuals to engage in robust debate. However, freedom of speech is a qualified right. It does not extend to language that incites violence, hatred, or criminal behaviour.In November 2025, the Home Secretary announced an independent review of public order and hate crime legislation, led by Lord Macdonald of River Glaven KC. As part of its work, the Review will assess whether existing police powers remain effective, proportionate and used consistently, including in relation to lawful protest, helping to ensure that the legal framework supports the protection of free speech while maintaining public order.The Home Secretary has also announced that non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) are to be replaced in their current form with a more common-sense approach. The review of NCHIs, led by the College of Policing and the NPCC, includes consideration of how to best protect the fundamental right to freedom of expression. A publication of the findings from the College and NPCC is expected in March 2026.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of asylum accommodation contracts on the private rented housing market in Hertsmere constituency.

We are working towards a more fair and equitable spread of asylum accommodation across the UK, working in partnership with Local Government through our Place Based engagement structures and asylum accommodation plans.Under those plans and through that engagement structure, we consider a range of local factors including the housing market. Additionally, accommodation sourced through the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts has set requirements for providers to consult with local authorities before procuring each individual property. This consultation process allows local authorities to raise concerns about potential impacts of accommodation.The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of supported asylum seekers accommodated by local authority area, not constituency. These statistics can be found in the Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab).

How many asylum seekers are being housed in homes of multiple occupation in Hertsmere constituency.

We are working towards a more fair and equitable spread of asylum accommodation across the UK, working in partnership with Local Government through our Place Based engagement structures and asylum accommodation plans.Under those plans and through that engagement structure, we consider a range of local factors including the housing market. Additionally, accommodation sourced through the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts has set requirements for providers to consult with local authorities before procuring each individual property. This consultation process allows local authorities to raise concerns about potential impacts of accommodation.The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of supported asylum seekers accommodated by local authority area, not constituency. These statistics can be found in the Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab).

What steps she has taken to help prevent the radicalisation of young people.

The UK’s counter-terrorism strategy is set out in CONTEST, most recently updated in 2023. Prevent is one of four pillars of that strategy. Prevent seeks to intervene early and provide support to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.Channel focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are at risk of radicalisation, with a significant number of young people referred to Prevent for support. In the year ending 31 March 2024, individuals aged 11 to 15 accounted for the largest proportion of the 6,884 referrals to Prevent (2,729; 40%) where age was known, and a slightly larger proportion of both those discussed at a Channel Panel (374; 42%) and those adopted as a Channel case (254; 50%).

What support she is providing to local authorities to help them prevent people from being radicalised.

All Local Authorities in England, Scotland and Wales receive dedicated support from the Home Office to deliver the Prevent duty effectively and in proportion to the level of local risk and threat. This support includes expertise from a network of region-based Home Office Prevent Advisers who work closely with partners to raise Prevent delivery standards. Prevent Advisers also deliver an annual assurance exercise, assessing the extent to which local authorities are meeting the Prevent duty and identifying areas for further support and improvement.Currently, the 28 highest threat areas in England and Wales receive Home Office Prevent funding which supports the provision of dedicated Prevent posts within these local authorities. Some of these local authorities also receive additional funding to support regional working and share their Prevent expertise with other neighbouring local authorities.All local authorities have access to the Preventing Radicalisation Fund. This is a central fund into which local authorities can make bids to support the delivery of targeted Prevent projects in their local area. These projects aim to identify and mitigate local radicalisation risks, including the risk from Islamist Extremism, Extreme Right-Wing and other emerging threats.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of adding wider information on offences involving crossbows in the Annual Data Requirement.

The responses to the call for evidence on the controls on crossbows have been reviewed and we will publish the Government’s response to this shortly.The Home Office collects a wide range of data from police forces in England and Wales under the Annual Data Requirement (ADR). These data include information on homicides where the method of killing was by a crossbow or catapult. The Home Office reviews the data required for policy delivery and publication supplied under the ADR on an annual basis with police forces, and we will consider whether wider information on offences involving crossbows should be added to the ADR in the future.

What her Department’s timetable is for publishing the response to the call for evidence entitled Controls on the use of crossbows on public safety grounds, which closed on 9 April 2024.

The responses to the call for evidence on the controls on crossbows have been reviewed and we will publish the Government’s response to this shortly.The Home Office collects a wide range of data from police forces in England and Wales under the Annual Data Requirement (ADR). These data include information on homicides where the method of killing was by a crossbow or catapult. The Home Office reviews the data required for policy delivery and publication supplied under the ADR on an annual basis with police forces, and we will consider whether wider information on offences involving crossbows should be added to the ADR in the future.

How many and what proportion of police staff are dedicated solely to monitoring social media.

The requested data is not centrally held, and could only be collated for the purpose of answering these queries at disproportionate cost.

How many arrests were made of for online malicious communications in Hertfordshire in 2024.

The requested data is not centrally held, and could only be collated for the purpose of answering these queries at disproportionate cost.

How many arrests were made for online malicious communications in 2024.

The requested data is not centrally held, and could only be collated for the purpose of answering these queries at disproportionate cost.

What the total cost was of police initiatives to monitor social media for malicious communications in the most recent period for which data is available.

The requested data is not centrally held, and could only be collated for the purpose of answering these queries at disproportionate cost.

How many staff are dedicated solely to monitoring social media for malicious communications in Hertfordshire Constabulary.

The requested data is not centrally held, and could only be collated for the purpose of answering these queries at disproportionate cost.

How many and what proportion of police staff regularly monitor social media for malicious communications.

The requested data is not centrally held, and could only be collated for the purpose of answering these queries at disproportionate cost.