Written questions by Glover.

How many beagles have been approved for use in scientific research over the a) past five years and b) each year within.

The Home Office publishes non-technical summaries for each project licence granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. These are published quarterly and include information on the species and the approved number of animals expected to be used over the lifetime of the project licence. These are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/non-technical-summaries-of-projects-granted-under-aspa. The Home Office also publishes annual statistics on the use of animals in science as Accredited Official Statistics. These contain information on the number of procedures conducted, including breakdowns by species of animals (including beagles) and by purpose. The statistics report both the total number of procedures conducted and the number of animals used for the first time in a given year. The statistics are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-of-scientific-procedures-on-living-animals. This Government remains firmly committed to working towards the phasing out of animals in science. The strategy, ‘Replacing animals in science’, sets specific targets to reduce the use of dogs by 2030, while ensuring the UK continues to support safe and effective scientific and medical research.

What assessment they have made of the reasons for delays in processing applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the Settlement Protection route for Syrian nationals.

On 11 December 2024, the Home Office paused all decisions on Settlement Protection applications from Syrian nationals whilst we assessed the country situation.This was a necessary step while there was no stable, objective information available to make robust assessments of risk on return to Syria. We resumed decision-making on 14 July 2025, following the publication of updated country information.It has been a long-standing position that safe return reviews must be conducted when considering settlement protection applications. The Home Office is in the process of writing out to applicants to gather further evidence where it is required. Applications are being considered in chronological order based on the date of application. Due to the substantial cohort of cases, approximately 3,500 in total, the department requires some time to address the outstanding applications.The Home Office is considering applications based on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations.  Due to the significant change in the country’s situation, there could be instances where further evidence may need to be gathered to assess these applications and determine if there is an ongoing need for protection.Applicants may be required to complete an interview, in order to provide information to progress claims and support a decision.  In a small number of cases, applicants who have completed their interview may be required to provide additional information, where insufficient evidence upon which to make a decision is available.In line with our international obligations, we will not remove anyone to their own or any other country where they have a well-founded fear of persecution or are at risk of serious harm.

What data the Home Office holds on the number of occasions police officers have been required to work on their rest days.

The Home Office does not collect data centrally on how often police officers are required to work on their rest days.

What discussions she has had with bodies representing police officers on remuneration.

The Government expects the Police Remuneration Review Body to submit its report by the end of May. The Government will give very careful consideration to its recommendations before announcing a final decision.Home Office Ministers have regular meetings with those who represent police officers, to discuss a range of relevant issues as part of the process of policy development and delivery.As part of Government transparency information about meetings is published on a quarterly basis on gov.uk.

When she expects the Police Remuneration Review Body to next report.

The Government expects the Police Remuneration Review Body to submit its report by the end of May. The Government will give very careful consideration to its recommendations before announcing a final decision.Home Office Ministers have regular meetings with those who represent police officers, to discuss a range of relevant issues as part of the process of policy development and delivery.As part of Government transparency information about meetings is published on a quarterly basis on gov.uk.

Whether she plans to publish policy guidance following the end of the consultation on proposed earned settlement reforms.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received.  This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

How much it is costing the police to house dogs that have been confiscated under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The Home Office does not hold data on the total cost to policing for housing dogs confiscated under the Dangerous Dogs Act.I would refer the hon member to the response previously provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UIN: 74382.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing police forces with new enforcement powers to seize (a) unsafe and (b) non-compliant e-bikes.

Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission to take back our streets. Any form of anti-social, dangerous or inconsiderate behaviour involving vehicles is a serious issue.Our Crime and Policing Bill will give the police greater powers to clamp down on all vehicles, including e-bikes, involved in anti-social behaviour including street racing, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles.On 28 May, the Government launched a six-week consultation on proposals to allow the police to dispose of seized vehicles such as e-bikes, which have been used anti-socially from 14 days to 48 hours. Combined, these proposals will help tackle the scourge of vehicles ridden anti-socially and illegally by sending a clear message to would be offenders and local communities that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of re-nationalisation of forensic services in England and Wales.

The forensics market plays an important role in the provision of services in England and Wales and we have no plans to nationalise it, but we are looking at whether a new National Centre of Policing might include national capabilities such as forensics.

Whether she has had discussions with Eurofins Forensic Services Limited on the market for forensic services to police forces in England and Wales.

The Home Office has routine discussions with commercial forensic providers on issues relating to the forensics market, including through the Association of Forensic Science Providers which represents companies including Eurofins Forensic Services.