The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 214 tabled · 214 answered

Written questions by Olney.

Every parliamentary written question tabled by Sarah Olney this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.

Department:All (214)Department for Transport (32)Department of Health and Social Care (29)Department for Work and Pensions (24)Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (21)Department for Business and Trade (21)Treasury (19)Home Office (15)Cabinet Office (14)Ministry of Justice (9)Department for Education (8)Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (6)House of Commons Commission (5)

Showing 115 of 15 · Home Office

5 Mar 2026·Home Office·Answered
Asked

What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of funding for domestic abuse services.

Reply

The Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy committed to invest more than £1 billion over the next three years to support victims, including: £550 million for victims’ services from the Ministry of Justice;£499 million for safe accommodation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.This sits alongside wider investments, across government, to support victims.

3 Mar 2026·Home Office·Answered
Asked

How does the Home Office learn of, or uncover, incidents of transnational repression.

Reply

We continually assess potential threats in the UK and draw on a multisource model to build a comprehensive picture of that threat.The Government works closely with law enforcement, government departments, international partners, civil society and affected individuals to strengthen our understanding of reporting trends and methodologies, identify patterns of behaviour, and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent transnational repression (TNR). A dedicated team has now been established within the Home Office to coordinate this work and act as a focal point across HMG.The Government will continue to deepen its understanding of TNR and ensure that the systems used to detect, deter and counter this activity remain effective and proportionate.Anyone who believes they are a victim of state-directed activity should report incidents or suspicious activity to the police via 101, at a local police station, or 999 in emergencies.

3 Mar 2026·Home Office·Answered
Asked

If she will set the processes by which the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme collects data from individuals.

Reply

Those registering under FIRS do so through a dedicated IT platform. Comprehensive guidance on the scheme has been published on gov.uk. This includes guidance on what data needs to be registered and what data will appear on the public register.In addition, the Home Office has published a Privacy Information Notice setting out how data provided under the scheme is handled (https://foreign-influence-registration-scheme.service.gov.uk/Privacy).This includes how personal information inputted into registrations will be collected and stored securely in accordance with Home Office guidance and data policies.

2 Feb 2026·Home Office·Answered
Asked

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2026 to Question 107739, if he will clarify what productivity and effectiveness service improvements are used with the assistance of AI.

Reply

Artificial intelligence (AI) is used across a number of Home Office services to support productivity, improve effectiveness, and enhance service delivery. In immigration operations, we have developed bespoke tools for specific teams to improve the asylum decision making process, with the pilot suggesting that up to an hour can be saved per case when reviewing interview transcripts and searching for country policy information.AI is also used in other business areas to support productivity and effectiveness, as set out in the response to UIN 73677.The Home Office continues to introduce AI-enabled tools, including the rollout of Microsoft Copilot to assist in routine administrative tasks, help summarise information, and improve search and analysis. We will continue to explore the appropriate and responsible use of AI to enhance effectiveness and strengthen the delivery of our services.

22 Jan 2026·Home Office·Answered
Asked

Whether her Department uses artificial intelligence for decision making on immigration applications.

Reply

Where appropriate, we use AI to improve productivity and effectiveness in our public services. All applications made under the Immigration Rules are considered and decided by trained human decision-makers.

9 Dec 2025·Home Office·Answered
Asked

With reference to her statement, entitled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, of 20 November, if she will explain the impact of the changes on pathways to settlement on the children of British National (Overseas) visa holders.

Reply

The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 years’ residence, subject to meeting the mandatory requirements. Children of BN(O) visa holders will also remain on the 5-year path to settlement in line with their parents.We are seeking views on earned settlement through the public consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, including on how dependants should be accommodated within an earned settlement system, and will continue to listen to the views of Hong Kongers. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation.In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply.

25 Nov 2025·Home Office·Answered
Asked

With reference to the Settlement Pathway announced on 20 November 2025, if she will define the requirement for indefinite leave to remain applicants to have no debt in the UK, specifically in relation to mortgages, student loans and business loans.

Reply

A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, the statement accompanying our current public consultation on earned settlement, sets out that applicants seeking to settle in the UK should have no current litigation, NHS, tax or other government debt.Further detail on the earned settlement model will be finalised following the conclusion of that public consultation.

13 Oct 2025·Home Office·Answered
Asked

What discussions her Department had with the Mayor of London on the planned closure of front counters in police stations in London.

Reply

Decisions regarding the management of local police resourcing and estates, including police stations, is a matter for Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents).They are best placed to make these decisions based on their knowledge of local need and their experience.

4 Jun 2025·Home Office·Answered
Asked

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of her Department's White paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, on British National (0verseas) Visa holders.

Reply

The British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route was launched on 31 January 2021 in response to China’s passing of the National Security Law. The route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status at the point of Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997.The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future.Further details of all measures announced in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in the normal way in due course, and where necessary, will be subject to consultation.

4 Jun 2025·Home Office·Answered
Asked

With regards to her Department's White Paper on Restoring control over the immigration system, published 12 May, if she will publish further information on how changes to the (a) standard qualifying period for settlement to 10 years will affect people already in the UK, (b) pathway to settlement will affect non-UK dependants and (c) qualifying period base on Points-Based contributions will affect applicants.

Reply

We will reform our settlement and citizenship rules by expanding the Points-Based System and increasing the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years.Individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society.We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and further details on the proposed scheme will be provided at that time.

30 May 2025·Home Office·Answered
Asked

What steps she is taking to help ensure that (a) police and (b) independent schools can share data in relation to (i) Operation Encompass and (ii) the implementation of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.

Reply

The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 introduced a duty on all 43 police forces to make Operation Encompass notifications to schools after attending a domestic abuse incident in a child’s home before the start of the next school day.The Home Office is currently planning the commencement of the duty. This will include considering what guidance or training police forces may require to ensure a consistent approach with all schools.

25 Mar 2025·Home Office·Answered
Asked

If she will review and strengthen crossbow regulation.

Reply

The Home Office conducted a call for evidence on strengthening controls on crossbows on public safety grounds, between 14 February to 9 April 2024.The responses have been reviewed and we will shortly publish the Government’s response, which will include what action we intend to take alongside a summary of the responses received.

12 Feb 2025·Home Office·Answered
Asked

How many constituencies in London do not have a police station located within them.

Reply

The Home Office does not centrally collect data on the number or location of police stations.It is up to Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents) to make decisions on local resourcing and estates, including police stations. They are best placed to make these decisions based on their local knowledge and experience.Police stations are just one of the ways people can access their local police services, including reporting online and by phone 24/7.

12 Feb 2025·Home Office·Answered
Asked

What the average police response times were to reported incidents in the SW13 postcode area in Barnes in each year since 2010.

Reply

The Home Office does not hold data centrally on police response time at a national or local level.Chief Constables are responsible for determining the allocation of resources for operational policing and managing their response times, in line with the priorities set out by their Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).The Home Secretary set out in her announcement of major police reforms her intentions for a dedicated government unit to improve performance across policing and make our streets safer. This new unit will monitor performance, including police response times, a key issue for the public that is currently not consistently monitored and managed.

23 Jan 2025·Home Office·Answered
Asked

Which 100 wards in London are the furthest distance from a police station.

Reply

The Home Office does not hold centrally, and could only collate and verify it for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.It is up to Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners to make decisions on local resourcing and estates, including police stations. They are best placed to make these decisions based on their local knowledge and experience.Police stations are just one of the ways people can access their local police services, including reporting online and by phone 24/7.

Sources
SourceUK Parliament Members API
MethodQuestion and answer text as published. Question preamble (“To ask the…”) trimmed for readability; answers shown in full.