Written questions by Lowe.

What criteria were used to determine whether foreign nationals should be denied entry to the UK in connection with the Unite the Kingdom rally on 16 May 2026.

Awaiting answer.

What routes of (a) appeal and (b) review were available to foreign nationals refused entry in connection with the Unite the Kingdom rally on 16 May 2026.

Awaiting answer.

Whether records are held of discussions between Ministers and officials regarding the decisions to refuse entry to foreign nationals in connection with the Unite the Kingdom rally on 16 May 2026; and whether she plans to publish those records.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of refusing entry to foreign nationals attending the Unite the Kingdom rally on 16 May 2026 on freedom of expression.

Awaiting answer.

Whether she plans to publish the risk assessments underpinning decisions to refuse entry to foreign nationals intending to attend the “Unite the Kingdom” rally on 16 May 2026.

Awaiting answer.

Whether her Department uses a formal appraisal or assessment framework when determining whether an individual’s presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good.

The Home Secretary has the power to exclude a person who is not a British citizen if their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good. The Immigration Rules also provide for the refusal of Electronic Travel Authorisations, entry clearance or permission at the border if a person’s character, conduct or associations mean it is undesirable to grant them entry to the UK.Decisions to exclude a person or refuse or cancel Electronic Travel Authorisations, permission on the grounds that their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good are made in accordance with published policy, which can be accessed via the following links:Exclusion from the UK – decisions and orders: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK,Electronic Travel Authorisation Guidance,Grounds for refusal or cancellation of entry clearance: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK.

What engagement, if any, her Department had with foreign nationals prior to decisions to refuse their entry to the UK in connection with the “Unite the Kingdom” rally on 16 May 2026.

Awaiting answer.

Whether she plans to publish the risk assessments underpinning decisions to refuse entry to foreign nationals intending to attend the “Unite the Kingdom” rally on 16 May 2026.

Awaiting answer.

Whether her Department plans to publish (a) guidance and (b) criteria for future decisions on the entry of foreign nationals attending political demonstrations.

The Home Secretary has the power to exclude a person who is not a British citizen if their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good. The Immigration Rules also provide for the refusal of Electronic Travel Authorisations, entry clearance or permission at the border if a person’s character, conduct or associations mean it is undesirable to grant them entry to the UK.Decisions to exclude a person or refuse or cancel Electronic Travel Authorisations, permission on the grounds that their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good are made in accordance with published policy, which can be accessed via the following links:Exclusion from the UK – decisions and orders: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK,Electronic Travel Authorisation Guidance,Grounds for refusal or cancellation of entry clearance: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK.

What assessment she has made of the consistency of the application of the “not conducive to the public good” threshold across different immigration decision‑making processes.

The Home Secretary has the power to exclude a person who is not a British citizen if their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good. The Immigration Rules also provide for the refusal of Electronic Travel Authorisations, entry clearance or permission at the border if a person’s character, conduct or associations mean it is undesirable to grant them entry to the UK.Decisions to exclude a person or refuse or cancel Electronic Travel Authorisations, permission on the grounds that their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good are made in accordance with published policy, which can be accessed via the following links:Exclusion from the UK – decisions and orders: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK,Electronic Travel Authorisation Guidance,Grounds for refusal or cancellation of entry clearance: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of decisions on refusing entry to foreign nationals attending political rallies.

Awaiting answer.

What minimum English language proficiency requirements apply to (a) police officers and (b) police community support officers in England and Wales; and whether her Department, or any relevant inspectorate, has undertaken audits or assessments in the last five years of the ability of non-native English-speaking officers to communicate effectively in English with members of the public.

This Government is committed to ensuring consistent, high standards for entry into the police.In respect of police officers, regulations currently require chief officers to satisfy themselves that all new recruits are competent in written and spoken English.In respect of Police Community Support Officers, PCSO’s will typically have at least a Level 2 qualification or equivalent (e.g. GCSE grade A-C) in English prior to joining.We continue to work closely with the College of Policing to ensure standards are regularly reviewed to ensure they meet operational requirements. The College is currently consulting on a new national standard for English and Maths to ensure a consistent approach across all forces.

What minimum English language proficiency requirements apply to (a) Border Force officers and (b) immigration enforcement staff; and whether her Department has conducted any audits or assessments in the last five years of the ability of non-native English-speaking staff in those roles to communicate effectively in English with members of the public.

Border Force roles are classified as reserved posts and are therefore open only to UK nationals. Individuals who have settled status in the UK are required to meet English language requirements as part of the UK nationality process. This requirement is assessed by an approved provider at an authorised test centre. As a result, there is no separate English language requirement for Border Force roles, as this criterion will already have been met through the UK nationality process.While no specific audit has been undertaken, communication proficiency is assessed through a robust recruitment and training process and ongoing performance management processes.With regard to reading and writing proficiency, operational roles require GCSEs in English and Mathematics. While non-operational roles do not necessarily include GCSE requirements, they typically require specific skills, experience, or professional expertise that would exceed GCSE-level standards.

What recent assessment she has made of the value for money to the taxpayer of her Department conducting repeated site assessments for asylum accommodation on sites that do not proceed in (a) England and (b) Great Yarmouth constituency.

Home office undertakes routine assurance checks before committing to any accommodation particularly any large sites learning lessons from the past. Cost of these checks will be relatively modest but essential particularly in ruling out unsuitable options.The Asylum Accommodation Plans are the mechanism via which the Home Office works towards achieving Full Dispersal and thus, a fair and balanced distribution of asylum accommodation across all local authorities nationally.The Asylum Accommodation Plans are underpinned by an indexing model which accounts for a multitude of pressures within local authorities, including – availability of housing, levels of homelessness, availability of GP and dentists as well as levels of community cohesion. Development of the plans was informed by engagement with a range of national, regional and local stakeholders, to ensure that the evidence base was reflective of broader local authority feedback.For the safety and security of those we accommodate and staff, it is our longstanding policy not to disclose information about sites which may or may not be utilised by the Home Office.The Home Office publishes all available information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.

Whether her Department is currently considering providing accommodation for asylum seekers in Great Yarmouth borough.

The Asylum Accommodation Plans are the mechanism via which the Home Office works towards achieving Full Dispersal and thus, a fair and balanced distribution of asylum accommodation across all local authorities nationally.The Asylum Accommodation Plans are underpinned by an indexing model which accounts for a multitude of pressures within local authorities, including – availability of housing, levels of homelessness, availability of GP and dentists as well as levels of community cohesion. Development of the plans was informed by engagement with a range of national, regional and local stakeholders, to ensure that the evidence base was reflective of broader local authority feedback.For the safety and security of those we accommodate and staff, it is our longstanding policy not to disclose information about sites which may or may not be utilised by the Home Office.The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of supported asylum seekers accommodated in each local authority area, including those in dispersal properties. These statistics can be found at Immigration system statistics data tables Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

What expenditure has been incurred by her Department on assessments of asylum accommodation sites in Great Yarmouth that did not proceed.

Home office undertakes routine assurance checks before committing to any accommodation particularly any large sites learning lessons from the past. Cost of these checks will be relatively modest but essential particularly in ruling out unsuitable options.The Asylum Accommodation Plans are the mechanism via which the Home Office works towards achieving Full Dispersal and thus, a fair and balanced distribution of asylum accommodation across all local authorities nationally.The Asylum Accommodation Plans are underpinned by an indexing model which accounts for a multitude of pressures within local authorities, including – availability of housing, levels of homelessness, availability of GP and dentists as well as levels of community cohesion. Development of the plans was informed by engagement with a range of national, regional and local stakeholders, to ensure that the evidence base was reflective of broader local authority feedback.For the safety and security of those we accommodate and staff, it is our longstanding policy not to disclose information about sites which may or may not be utilised by the Home Office.The Home Office publishes all available information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of laws to address cases in which parents or carers intentionally conceal, obscure, or fail to disclose a child’s procurement or possession of knives or other prohibited weapons.

There is no existing standalone legal duty to compel a parent, carer or any other bystander to report any criminality, including the procurement or possession of knives and weapons.Where parents are unable or unwilling to respond to potential safeguarding risk relating to knives, the strength of the system around the child (including schools, children’s services, police and youth justice) is vital in spotting concerns and linking children to support.The Government keeps legislation around knives under constant review. We are clear that knives should not be sold to those under 18 and measures in the Crime and Policing Bill (currently going through Parliament) are strengthening the legislation in this area by introducing a new two-step age verification process for online sale and delivery of knives. This will require buyers to provide a copy of their identification document, alongside a current photo, which will be verified at the point of sale and on delivery. It will be unlawful to deliver a parcel containing a knife to anyone except the verified buyer or to leave it on the doorstep or with a neighbour.We are also creating a new offence of possessing a knife with the intention to commit unlawful violence, a duty on sellers to report bulk sales, and giving the police a new power to seize knives when they believe they are likely to be used in connection with unlawful violence. Additionally, measures are being introduced to provide the police with the power to require social media, marketplaces, and search services to take down content about illegal knives and offensive weapons.In relation to bringing forward new legislation, the Chair of the Southport Inquiry recommended that the Law Commission review the merits of legal reform to introduce a legal duty on specified categories of person to report the criminality of another person. The Government will provide a full response to the recommendations from the Phase 1 report by the summer 2026.

If she will consider bringing forward legislation jointly with the Secretary of State for Justice to help tackle cases in which parents or carers knowingly conceal from law-enforcement authorities a child’s procurement or possession of knives or other prohibited weapons.

There is no existing standalone legal duty to compel a parent, carer or any other bystander to report any criminality, including the procurement or possession of knives and weapons.Where parents are unable or unwilling to respond to potential safeguarding risk relating to knives, the strength of the system around the child (including schools, children’s services, police and youth justice) is vital in spotting concerns and linking children to support.The Government keeps legislation around knives under constant review. We are clear that knives should not be sold to those under 18 and measures in the Crime and Policing Bill (currently going through Parliament) are strengthening the legislation in this area by introducing a new two-step age verification process for online sale and delivery of knives. This will require buyers to provide a copy of their identification document, alongside a current photo, which will be verified at the point of sale and on delivery. It will be unlawful to deliver a parcel containing a knife to anyone except the verified buyer or to leave it on the doorstep or with a neighbour.We are also creating a new offence of possessing a knife with the intention to commit unlawful violence, a duty on sellers to report bulk sales, and giving the police a new power to seize knives when they believe they are likely to be used in connection with unlawful violence. Additionally, measures are being introduced to provide the police with the power to require social media, marketplaces, and search services to take down content about illegal knives and offensive weapons.In relation to bringing forward new legislation, the Chair of the Southport Inquiry recommended that the Law Commission review the merits of legal reform to introduce a legal duty on specified categories of person to report the criminality of another person. The Government will provide a full response to the recommendations from the Phase 1 report by the summer 2026.

Whether she plans to review current guidance and training to ensure that equality considerations do not inhibit proportionate and effective statutory action in safeguarding and youth justice contexts.

Where there are safeguarding concerns, or where youth justice services are involved with an individual, decisions on these cases must be based on the individual circumstances of the case alone. Protected characteristics, such as ethnicity, should not influence the judgement of risk relating to that individual, or the assessment of whether statutory provision should be made.As the Home Secretary said in the House of Commons debate on the Southport Inquiry, the only factors that should be taken into account are the potential risks posed by an individual and how best to manage those risks.The Department for Education is developing a set of practice standards and training for Lead Child Protection Practitioners (LCPPs). The standards will describe the knowledge and skills expected of LCPPs to work effectively in Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams, to take evidence-informed child protection decisions. The standards will reflect the importance of not letting social bias or professional anxiety influence actions or outcomes when working with children and adults from different cultural and racial backgrounds.Youth justice services are supported to identify and assess safeguarding risk through case management guidance.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of law and statutory guidance to ensure that safeguarding, youth justice and mental health agencies can share relevant risk information without parental consent where necessary to protect public safety and prevent serious harm; and whether she plans to (a) clarify and (b) strengthen information sharing powers in such cases.

Where existing statutory frameworks underpin safeguarding processes, there is no requirement for parents or carers to co-operate. However, parental or carer consent is not required for agencies to share information relating to safeguarding and child protection. This is set out in Department for Education guidance on information sharing for safeguarding practitioners.Government is making this even clearer through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which includes a new Information Sharing Duty for the purposes of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and will be accompanied by statutory guidance to support frontline practitioners to understand their responsibilities.Where a safeguarding concern has been identified relating to a child or young person, or there is suspected criminality relating to knife-related violence, multi-agency and law-enforcement partners can share information and conduct investigations without the consent of the relevant parent or guardian.In relation to Youth Justice processes, there are legal obligations that can be placed on parents and carers, to ensure that any risk relating to a minor can be appropriately managed. A court can issue a Parenting Order in a number of different circumstances, where children are engaged in criminal or antisocial behaviour. Parenting Orders require the parent or guardian to attend counselling or parenting support sessions and comply with other requirements the court considers necessary. Non-compliance can lead to breach proceedings in court and is punishable with a fine.Criminal orders that are placed on a child or young person themselves are applied by the court and generally (with few exceptions) parental or carer consent is not required.Where there are concerns that a child or young person is involved in criminality, and to protect public safety and prevent harm, the police will take forward their enquiries as appropriate, and parental or carer cooperation is not required to share information, conduct an investigation, place a minor under caution, or charge a minor with a criminal offence.The law already provides significant stop and search and wider enforcement powers, enabling police to disrupt immediate risk and remove weapons from the streets, including without the need for reasonable suspicion. Police can also arrest suspects, seize weapons, and evidence, and conduct searches of persons and premises where legal thresholds are met. These powers apply to children as well as adults. Where these powers are used on children, they are subject to additional statutory safeguards under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and its Codes of Practice to protect welfare and ensure proportionality.The Southport Inquiry Phase 1 report, published on 13 April, considers in detail the actions of the perpetrator’s parents and many of the issues raised here. The Chair has rightly raised the challenging question of how to minimise the risk that parents may choose not to co-operate or report concerns to safeguarding agencies such as social care or healthcare, or the police about their child having knives or other weapons, and has made two recommendations relevant to parents.In relation to future changes to strengthen oversight and powers, Government is considering these recommendations alongside the others in the report and will respond by summer 2026.