Written questions by Blake.

What conversations she has had with representatives from the Metropolitan Police about the Vashi diamonds case.

The Home Office does not have any record of the Home Secretary having any conversations with representatives from the Metropolitan Police about the Vashi diamonds case. Operational decisions on case investigations are matters for operationally independent police forces. It would be inappropriate for the Home Office to intervene or direct police forces on whether individual cases should or should not be investigated.This Government is committed to tackling fraud and we have published a new Fraud Strategy which sets out a comprehensive plan to stop fraud at its source, protect the public, and deliver justice for victims. Over the next three years, we will invest £250 million to strengthen our fight against fraud.

What transitional measures her Department is considering to mitigate the impact of new rules that British citizens with dual nationality must enter the UK with their British passport.

We recognise the potential impact of changing travel requirements on dual British nationals who are seeking to travel to the UK without a valid British passport. We have therefore issued temporary operational guidance to carriers, who may at their own discretion accept some expired British passports as alternative documentation. Individuals who have previously had a British passport can apply for an emergency travel document if they urgently need to enter the UK.Beneficiaries of the EU Withdrawal Agreement may enter the UK on production of a valid EU passport or (in the case of EEA and Swiss nationals) a national identity card and their valid EUSS status.

With reference to her Department's consultation entitled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, published on 28 November 2025, whether accrued lawful residence under Appendix Long Residence will be recognised for those already close to settlement; and what transitional arrangements will apply to long-term residents already on the Long Residence Route who are close to qualifying for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

The earned settlement model, proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, announced changes to the mandatory requirements and qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. A public consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 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. The consultation sought views on whether there should be transitional arrangements for those already on a pathway to settlement. Transitional arrangements refer to temporary measures or rules put in place to manage the shift from one system, or policy framework, to another. Details of the earned settlement model, including any transitional arrangements for those already in the UK, will now be finalised, following the consultation.The final model will also be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.

Whether the Government plans go give additional powers to policing forces to deal with allegations of (a) trespassing and (b) modern slavery and human trafficking, in the context of the commencement of the abolition of the Vagrancy Act 1824.

This Government is repealing the outdated Vagrancy Act and introducing new offences which deal with specific risks.Repealing the Vagrancy Act 1824 will leave a gap for the police to tackle organised begging and trespassing, which police have highlighted as a particular concern.We have therefore introduced, in the Crime and Policing Bill, a new offence of facilitating begging for gain and a new criminal offence of trespassing with intent to commit a criminal offence.

What plans her Department has to review the countries eligible for (a) the Registered Traveller service and (b) automatic use of e-gates.

eGates continue to provide a safe, secure and efficient way for millions of British and Irish citizens, and nationals of the EU/EEA, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA and Registered Traveller service members to enter the UK each year. The Government keeps eGate and Registered Traveller service eligibility under review to ensure we are balancing border security with passenger flow.As set out in the ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System White Paper’, we have an ambitious vision to revolutionise the UK Border by using technology and increasing the use of automation to make visible changes to border security, flow and the passenger experience.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the National and International Cities grant to the Metropolitan Police for policing the capital city.

The Metropolitan Police face increased demands on resources from policing the capital city and, as part of the 2025-26 police funding settlement, the Metropolitan Police will receive £248.7 million through the National and International Capital City grant, an increase of £63.3 million when compared to the 2024-25 settlement.Overall, the Metropolitan Police will receive up to £3.8 billion in funding in 2025-26, an increase of up to £226.9 million when compared to the 2024-25 police settlement.

Whether she plans to reform pay policies at the National Crime Agency.

This Government is committed to supporting the National Crime Agency in the fight against serious and organised crime. A strong pay framework is vital to enable the Agency to deliver its role of disrupting and dismantling the most harmful organised crime groups in and impacting on the UK.As announced alongside the National Crime Agency pay award on 29 July 2024, measures are underway to develop a set of comprehensive proposals for reform of the existing pay structure at the Agency. Once finalised, the government will seek to implement these proposals in a timely fashion.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle the theft of mobile phones.

Set against soaring levels of snatch thefts and pickpocketing, crimes which commonly involve the theft of mobile phones, we have announced a Home Office Mobile Phone Theft Summit, drawing together tech companies and law enforcement to see what more can collectively be done to break the business model of mobile phone thieves.As part of our Safer Streets Mission, this government is determined to crack down on theft and other crimes that make people feel unsafe in our communities, including strengthening neighbourhood policing, tackling anti-social behaviour and restoring public confidence.Through our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, there will be thousands of additional police officers, police community support officers and Special Constables.