Written questions by Tice.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on the (a) resilience of the agricultural supply chain and (b) ability of the sector to meet domestic food demand.

Part (a) - The UK has a resilient food supply chain and is equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. We produce 62% of all the food we need, and 75% of food which we can grow or rear in the UK for all or part of the year. Food security is built on supply from diverse sources, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. UK consumers have access through international trade to food products that cannot be produced here, or at least not on a year-round basis. This supplements domestic production, and also ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security of supply. Defra works with industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. Part (b) - Farmers are the backbone of Britain, and we recognise the strength of feeling expressed by farming and rural communities in recent weeks. We are steadfast in our commitment to Britain’s farming industry because food security is national security. Around 500 claims each year will be impacted and farm-owning couples can pass on up to £3m without paying any inheritance tax. Not only is the Government confident that these reforms will not impact food production, our Budget has set out a £5 billion farming budget over two years – dedicating more money than ever before to sustainable food production.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) diplomatic and (b) operational steps his Department has taken to help secure the release of (i) Emily Damari and (ii) other hostages held by Hamas in the last three months; how many (A) instances of direct engagement and (B) negotiations involving UK officials have taken place in this period; and what measurable outcomes he can provide to demonstrate progress in this area.

We have consistently supported hostage talks, and continue to work alongside our allies and partners in the region, exercising every possible diplomatic lever to see the hostages immediately and unconditionally released. Negotiations remain the best chance to get hostages home to their loved ones, and we call on all parties to return to the negotiating table. It is utterly appalling that hostages taken by Hamas terrorists on 7 October are still being held captive, including one British national, Emily Damari, and three other hostages with strong British links. In support of the ongoing hostage rescue activity, the UK Ministry of Defence conducts surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in airspace over Israel and Gaza. Surveillance aircraft are unarmed, do not have a combat role and are tasked solely to locate hostages.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that parishes in areas without a parish council are (a) consulted on and (b) have the opportunity to provide (i) local insights and (ii) detailed community knowledge during the Planning Inspectorate’s decision-making processes.

In areas with no Parish Council, Parish Meetings can make representations in relation to planning appeals and wider planning consultations.Beyond this, residents in these areas can engage directly with the various decision-making processes. Those that have already made representations to the local planning authority about a planning application or a local plan consultation, will have their representations forwarded direct to the Planning Inspectorate if there is an appeal or in advance of a local plan examination. They will also be notified of the appeal or examination, so that they can make further responses or appear at a hearing or inquiry to give evidence. Indeed, residents appear regularly at public hearings and inquiries, where they are afforded time to speak in front of the Planning Inspector.Community or action groups may also ask to have so-called “Rule 6” status, which entitles them to appear as a formal party to a public inquiry and to cross-examine witnesses.In the case of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, residents can also register to become “interested parties”. This allows them to make representations to the examining panel. They may also ask to speak at the public examination before the examining panel and to attend site visits.

If he will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of compensation for loss of property value as a result of proposed pylon installations in Boston and Skegness constituency.

Landowners, businesses and homeowners that have electrical equipment, such as pylons or towers, sited on their land have the right to compensation for the value of their land, as well as for any losses or expenses incurred. Acquiring authorities can also put in place discretionary schemes offering additional compensation. As compensation is provided by the electricity network licence holders, not the Government, we cannot provide an estimate of potential costs. More broadly, the Government is committed to ensuring that communities who live near new clean energy infrastructure can see the benefits and is currently considering how to deliver this most effectively.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the annual cost of providing (a) housing and (b) welfare support for people residing in the UK illegally; and what steps she is taking to reduce these costs.

The department has made no such estimate. Persons residing in the UK illegally who have no recourse to public funds are not eligible for an allocation of social housing or statutory homelessness assistance.More broadly, the Home Office is responsible for tackling illegal immigration.

What her current budget is for (a) processing illegal immigration cases, (b) managing legal appeals to such cases and (c) deportation operations; and what steps she is taking to increase efficiency in the (i) allocation and (ii) use of this funding.

The Home Office publishes relevant information regarding departmental expenditure on the asylum and immigration systems on a regular basis in its annual reports, the most recent editions of which can be found at the following link: Home Office Annual Report and Accounts 2023 to 2024 (publishing.service.gov.uk).

How many reports have been received by the Citizens Advice consumer hotline on the illegal sale of (a) tobacco products, (b) vape and c) alcohol products in each of the last five years.

Set out in the table below are the number of cases reported to and collected by the Citizens Advice consumer service over the past 5 years. Cases2020/212021/222022/232023/242024/25Tobacco137614711184944787E-cig/Vape4591883375723981400Alcohol1719174917461014766

How many violent crimes committed by non-UK citizens were reported in each of the last 3 years, broken down by police district; and what proportion of these cases resulted in (a) an arrest, (b) a charge and (c) a conviction.

The Home Office collects information on the number of violent offences recorded by the police in England and Wales. It is not possible to identify from these data whether an offence was committed by a non-UK citizen or not.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact on national security of the level of steelmaking capacity in the UK between the (a) closure of blast furnaces and (b) establishment of electric arc furnaces; and what steps he is taking to ensure (i) the security of steel supply for critical infrastructure and (ii) value for money in the purchase of steel for such projects in that transitional period.

The Government recognises the important position our steel companies play in the supply chains for a number of key industries. This is why we are developing a steel strategy. With regards to the transition of Port Talbot, Tata will be importing steel slab and coil for a temporary period whilst the new electric arc furnace (EAF) is being built. We continue to prioritise engagement with British Steel. Neither Tata Steel nor British Steel are currently critical suppliers into UK defence programmes. High quality steel, including for the Royal Navy’s new Dreadnaught class submarines, is already being made by EAF steel producers.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of illegal immigration on (a) local law enforcement and (b) levels of police (i) funding and (ii) manpower required to tackle illegal entry-related cases.

This Government recognises that irregular migration is too high and that is why we are committed to restoring order to the system so that it is faster, fairer, and the rules are properly enforced.Other Border Security partners, including Border Force, Immigration Enforcement and the National Crime Agency, lead on tackling illegal migration. As such, no specific assessment is made regarding the impact illegal migration has on law enforcement.

How many people that entered the UK illegally and were subsequently convicted of a criminal offense have been deported in each of the last three years; and what steps she is taking to expedite the deportation of foreign nationals with criminal records.

The information requested is not available from published statistics.Any foreign national who is convicted of a crime in the UK and given a prison sentence is considered for deportation at the earliest opportunity. Where a person’s criminality does not meet the threshold for deportation, consideration is given to administrative removal.Statistics on the returns of foreign national offenders (FNOs) by nationality and year are published on a quarterly basis. These returns are published in the Returns Detailed Datasets, Year Ending June 2024, which are available at: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).The published statistics include deportations, as well as cases where a person has breached UK immigration laws, and those removed under other administrative and illegal entry powers that have declined to leave voluntarily.Figures on deportations, which are a subset of enforced returns, are not separately available.We have already begun delivering a major surge in immigration enforcement and returns activity to remove people with no right to be in the UK and ensure the rules are respected and enforced.

What recent estimate she has made of the number of people in the UK that have overstayed their visas; if she will make an estimate of the percentage of people in the UK that have overstayed their visas that have been (a) located and (b) deported in the last year; and what further steps she plans to take to (i) track and (ii) enforce compliance among visa holders.

As set out in legislation, an individual is liable to removal from the UK if "the person requires leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom but does not have it". The Home Office does not routinely categorise immigration offenders by the manner in which they became irregular, and to do so could only be achieved at disproportionate cost.We have already begun delivering a major surge in immigration enforcement and returns activity to remove people with no right to be in the UK and ensure the rules are respected and enforced, with 9,400 people returned from 5 July to 28 October 2024.Further data on returns activity is published quarterly and can be found on gov.uk at Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Public Space Protection Orders in reducing antisocial behaviours; and what the evidential basis of that assessment is.

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of tools and powers, including Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) that they can use to respond to anti-social behaviour.In November 2023, the Home Office published a report on GOV.UK which looked at police perceptions of powers within the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which can be found on the GOV.UK website.It is for local authorities to decide how best to effectively implement PSPOs depending on the specific circumstances. They are best placed to understand what is driving the behaviour in question, the impact that it is having, and to determine the most appropriate response.The Government recently announced Respect Orders, which will be introduced in the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill. Respect Orders can be applied for by police and local councils and are issued by the courts. They will enable courts to place wide-ranging restrictions on the behaviour of the most persistent and disruptive ASB offenders. They will include a power of arrest for any suspected breach, meaning officers can take action quickly to disrupt ongoing ASB. Breach will be a criminal offence, which is heard in the criminal courts with a wide range of sentencing options, including community orders, unlimited fines and, for the most severe cases, up to two years’ imprisonment.

What steps her Department is taking to support local bus services in Boston and Skegness constituency.

Improving local bus services is a key part of this government’s growth mission. The government will introduce a Buses Bill later this Parliamentary session. This will put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in Boston and Skegness, to choose the model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising, high-quality partnerships with private operators or local authority ownership. In addition, the government has confirmed £925 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Local authorities can use the £925 million to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities. We have also confirmed over £150 million to introduce a new £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, bringing total government bus investment confirmed at the budget to over £1 billion. The government will continue working closely with local transport authorities including Lincolnshire County Council, and others, to deliver better bus services throughout England.

What information his Department holds on the potential thyroid cancer risk from Mounjaro; when his Department received this information; whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the provision of Mounjaro through the NHS on the risk of thyroid cancer; whether the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has requested information from the US Food and Drug Administration on its interim report on this matter of March 2024; and for what reason the risk-labelling for Mounjaro is different in the UK to that used in the US.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) role is to continually monitor the safety of medicines during their use. We have robust, safety monitoring and surveillance systems in place for all healthcare products. New medicines such as Mounjaro, which contains tirzepatide, are more intensively monitored to ensure that any new safety issues are identified promptly.Thyroid cancer has not been causally linked with Mounjaro or any other medicines that belong to the same therapeutic class as tirzepatide, specifically glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), and it is currently not listed as a side-effect associated with GLP-1RA medicines in the approved United Kingdom prescribing information, also known as the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).A recent European Union review conducted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) included a comprehensive class review of the available evidence related to all types of thyroid cancer, taking into consideration various types of evidence, including large observational studies, literature, clinical trial cases, and post-marketing cases. The EMA reached the decision that the overall evidence was insufficient to establish an association between GLP-1RAs and thyroid cancer. Furthermore, the addition of a precautionary warning to the SmPCs was not agreed upon given the limitations of the currently available evidence, unlike the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approved product information. It is not uncommon for regulators to come to different decisions based on different assessments of risk. This can be due to factors such as differences in patient demographics, usage of a particular medicine in different countries, or differences in inclusion criteria for the product information for medicinal products. The difference in the United States’ labelling, in part, relates to the FDA’s interpretation of the data from animal studies, an area of research that is required for all new medicines prior to approval, and information related to thyroid cancer was added as a precautionary warning. However, the human relevance of the animal data is not known, and this is specified in the UK prescribing information.A signal of thyroid cancer was not observed in the clinical trials for these medicines at the time of licensing, however it was acknowledged that clinical trials are not usually large or long-enough to observe cancer outcomes. Therefore, based on the need for further exploration of the risk about the human relevance, the pharmaceutical companies for all GLP-1RAs have been requested to assess the risk within a collaborative, long-term post-authorisation safety study evaluating medullary thyroid cancer events using United States cancer registries. The results from this study are not expected for a few years and will hopefully provide further information on this risk. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical companies are also monitoring all thyroid cancer types as part of their ongoing routine pharmacovigilance obligations.Based on the current evidence, the benefits of GLP-1 RAs outweigh the potential risks when used for the licensed indications. The risk of thyroid cancer with this class of medicines remains under review by the MHRA and all pharmaceutical companies which hold a licence for a GLP-1RA. As part of our continuous monitoring procedures, we work with our international counterparts, such as the FDA, to gather information on the safety of medicines in other countries. When a safety issue is confirmed, we always act promptly to inform patients and healthcare professionals, and take appropriate steps to mitigate any identified risk.

How many National Insurance Numbers were issued to (a) Bulgarian and (b) Romanian nationals in Boston and Skegness constituency in each year since 2021.

The Department publishes quarterly statistics on National Insurance number allocations to adult overseas nationals entering the UK on Stat-Xplore. The latest statistics, for January 2002 to June 2024, can be compiled by rolling year end to June and nationality down to country level, and are available by Westminster parliamentary constituency (based on the address given at time of National Insurance number registration). Users can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest and, if needed, can access guidance on how to extract the information required.

If he will (a) increase funding for community pharmacies in Boston and Skegness constituency and (b) provide additional support to encourage such pharmacies to take on more responsibilities in (i) patient care and (ii) urgent health advice.

The Government is committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. That includes making prescribing part of the services delivered by community pharmacists, as we shift care from hospitals into the community.Now that the budget for Government has been set, we will shortly be resuming our consultation with Community Pharmacy England regarding the funding arrangements for 2024/25. We are unable to say more until these have been concluded.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the maximum level of commission charge paid to site owners for the sale of park homes on park home owners.

The park homes sector is an important part of the housing market and must be a safe and secure place for residents.The Government recognises that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.The Government will set out its position on this matter in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed Children Not In School register on families who home-educate their children.

The proposals to require every local authority in England to maintain registers of children not in school, which are to be included in the future Children’s Wellbeing Bill, are intended to help local authorities identify all home educating families in their areas, so that they can ensure children are receiving a safe and suitable education. To ensure these registers can operate effectively, parents of eligible children will be required to provide some information to their local authorities but, as part of the implementation of the legislation, the department would engage with stakeholders to ensure that any burdens on families are minimised. In addition, the children not in school proposals will also include a duty on local authorities to provide support to home educating families should they want it, which will help more families to deliver a suitable education, ensuring more children receive the high standard of education they deserve.

What steps her Department is taking to support local bus services in Boston and Skegness.

Improving local bus services is a key part of this government’s growth mission, and the government has set out plans to deliver better bus services, grow passenger numbers and drive opportunity to under-served regions. As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this session. This will put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in Boston and Skegness, to ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them. The Bill will seek to increase the powers available to local leaders to choose the model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising, high-quality partnerships with private operators or local authority ownership. In addition, the government has confirmed an additional £925 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London, bringing total bus investment at the Budget to over £1 billion. Local authorities can use the £925 million to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities. The government will continue working closely with local transport authorities including Lincolnshire County Council, and others, to deliver better bus and public transport services throughout England.