Written questions by Pochin.

What progress her Department has made on implementing the Law Commission’s recommendations on hate crime recording.

Hate crime has no place in our society, and the Government is committed to ensuring it is recorded accurately and addressed effectively. The accuracy and consistency of crime recording, including hate crime, is the responsibility of individual police forces, who must comply with the Home Office Counting Rules. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) independently inspects, monitors and reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of the police, including crime recording practices. However, HMICFRS does not publish annual compliance reports specifically on hate crime recording. Home Office statisticians work closely with forces to ensure accurate data is provided for the annual statistical publication on hate crime in England and Wales. The latest release, covering the year ending March 2025, is available on GOV.UK. Hate crime, England and Wales, year ending March 2025 - GOV.UK The College of Policing sets national guidance and standards for policing, including Authorised Professional Practice on hate crime. The Home Office works closely with the College and other policing partners to review and update recording protocols as needed. This ensures forces have clear, consistent guidance for recording hate crime across all protected characteristics. The government is carefully considering the 34 recommendations made by the Law Commission in its 2021 review of hate crime legislation; this does not contain any formal recommendation on how police should record hate crimes.

What discussions she or officials in her Department have had with the College of Policing on updating hate crime recording protocols.

Hate crime has no place in our society, and the Government is committed to ensuring it is recorded accurately and addressed effectively. The accuracy and consistency of crime recording, including hate crime, is the responsibility of individual police forces, who must comply with the Home Office Counting Rules. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) independently inspects, monitors and reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of the police, including crime recording practices. However, HMICFRS does not publish annual compliance reports specifically on hate crime recording. Home Office statisticians work closely with forces to ensure accurate data is provided for the annual statistical publication on hate crime in England and Wales. The latest release, covering the year ending March 2025, is available on GOV.UK. Hate crime, England and Wales, year ending March 2025 - GOV.UK The College of Policing sets national guidance and standards for policing, including Authorised Professional Practice on hate crime. The Home Office works closely with the College and other policing partners to review and update recording protocols as needed. This ensures forces have clear, consistent guidance for recording hate crime across all protected characteristics. The government is carefully considering the 34 recommendations made by the Law Commission in its 2021 review of hate crime legislation; this does not contain any formal recommendation on how police should record hate crimes.

What consideration the Home Office has given to mandating annual publication of police force level data on hate crime recording compliance.

Hate crime has no place in our society, and the Government is committed to ensuring it is recorded accurately and addressed effectively. The accuracy and consistency of crime recording, including hate crime, is the responsibility of individual police forces, who must comply with the Home Office Counting Rules. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) independently inspects, monitors and reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of the police, including crime recording practices. However, HMICFRS does not publish annual compliance reports specifically on hate crime recording. Home Office statisticians work closely with forces to ensure accurate data is provided for the annual statistical publication on hate crime in England and Wales. The latest release, covering the year ending March 2025, is available on GOV.UK. Hate crime, England and Wales, year ending March 2025 - GOV.UK The College of Policing sets national guidance and standards for policing, including Authorised Professional Practice on hate crime. The Home Office works closely with the College and other policing partners to review and update recording protocols as needed. This ensures forces have clear, consistent guidance for recording hate crime across all protected characteristics. The government is carefully considering the 34 recommendations made by the Law Commission in its 2021 review of hate crime legislation; this does not contain any formal recommendation on how police should record hate crimes.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of training provided to police officers on identifying and recording incidents involving gender identity and sex characteristics.

Hate crime has no place in our society, and the Government is committed to ensuring it is recorded accurately and addressed effectively. The accuracy and consistency of crime recording, including hate crime, is the responsibility of individual police forces, who must comply with the Home Office Counting Rules. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) independently inspects, monitors and reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of the police, including crime recording practices. However, HMICFRS does not publish annual compliance reports specifically on hate crime recording. Home Office statisticians work closely with forces to ensure accurate data is provided for the annual statistical publication on hate crime in England and Wales. The latest release, covering the year ending March 2025, is available on GOV.UK. Hate crime, England and Wales, year ending March 2025 - GOV.UK The College of Policing sets national guidance and standards for policing, including Authorised Professional Practice on hate crime. The Home Office works closely with the College and other policing partners to review and update recording protocols as needed. This ensures forces have clear, consistent guidance for recording hate crime across all protected characteristics. The government is carefully considering the 34 recommendations made by the Law Commission in its 2021 review of hate crime legislation; this does not contain any formal recommendation on how police should record hate crimes.

What assessment his Department has made of whether current force levels across the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are sufficient to meet assessed threats.

Our Armed Forces are ready to deter, fight and win - today, tomorrow and together with our allies. Since elected, this Government has been committed to strengthening our Armed Forces. Through the Strategic Defence Review, we have outlined plans to increase the total number of Regular personnel, when funding allows. Additionally, we have embraced a whole-of-society approach to deterrence and defence, reinforcing our collective resilience, and are committed to increasing the number of Active Reserves by 20%, bolstering surge capacity and showcasing the UK's readiness to defend itself. We do not disclose Force levels, but they remain under constant review. However, we do routinely publish our UK Service personnel statistics on strengths, requirements, intake, applications and outflow, by Service available at the link provided below: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2025

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of levels of consistency of police hate crime recording practices across regional police forces.

Hate crime has no place in our society, and the Government is committed to ensuring it is recorded accurately and addressed effectively. The accuracy and consistency of crime recording, including hate crime, is the responsibility of individual police forces, who must comply with the Home Office Counting Rules. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) independently inspects, monitors and reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of the police, including crime recording practices. However, HMICFRS does not publish annual compliance reports specifically on hate crime recording. Home Office statisticians work closely with forces to ensure accurate data is provided for the annual statistical publication on hate crime in England and Wales. The latest release, covering the year ending March 2025, is available on GOV.UK. Hate crime, England and Wales, year ending March 2025 - GOV.UK The College of Policing sets national guidance and standards for policing, including Authorised Professional Practice on hate crime. The Home Office works closely with the College and other policing partners to review and update recording protocols as needed. This ensures forces have clear, consistent guidance for recording hate crime across all protected characteristics. The government is carefully considering the 34 recommendations made by the Law Commission in its 2021 review of hate crime legislation; this does not contain any formal recommendation on how police should record hate crimes.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the publication of (a) academic and (b) professional material that (i) reframes and (ii) recharacterises female genital mutilation on the effective enforcement of the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is clearly and accurately defined in the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. It is a crime, it is child abuse, and it can destroy lives. On Thursday 18 December, we published the VAWG Strategy setting out the strategic direction and concrete actions to deliver on the Government’s VAWG ambition, including on FGM.It is important that we recognise FGM for what it is. It is a procedure that causes irreversible harm where the female genital organs are injured or changed and there is no medical reason for this. It is a very traumatic and violent act and can cause lifelong physical and psychological suffering. The Government’s approach to tackling FGM is focused on preventing these crimes from happening, supporting and protecting survivors and those at risk, and bringing perpetrators to justice. We are clear that we must engage with the specialist sector, and most importantly, engage with those directly affected to ensure we keep victims and survivors at the forefront of our work. This is why we are launching a community engagement campaign to raise awareness of the different types of ‘honour’-based abuse including FGM, and to encourage people to come forward for support.The FGM Act 2003 introduced several measures which demonstrate that FGM is treated as a serious criminal offence and ensure its effectiveness. For example, acknowledging the international and multiple perpetration elements of FGM, the Act created offences for assisting others to perform FGM, including extraterritorial cases.Regarding enforcement, the Act increased the maximum penalty for committing FGM from 5 years to 14 years imprisonment, reflecting the severity of this crime.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 in ensuring that female genital mutilation is treated as a serious criminal offence.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is clearly and accurately defined in the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. It is a crime, it is child abuse, and it can destroy lives. On Thursday 18 December, we published the VAWG Strategy setting out the strategic direction and concrete actions to deliver on the Government’s VAWG ambition, including on FGM.It is important that we recognise FGM for what it is. It is a procedure that causes irreversible harm where the female genital organs are injured or changed and there is no medical reason for this. It is a very traumatic and violent act and can cause lifelong physical and psychological suffering. The Government’s approach to tackling FGM is focused on preventing these crimes from happening, supporting and protecting survivors and those at risk, and bringing perpetrators to justice. We are clear that we must engage with the specialist sector, and most importantly, engage with those directly affected to ensure we keep victims and survivors at the forefront of our work. This is why we are launching a community engagement campaign to raise awareness of the different types of ‘honour’-based abuse including FGM, and to encourage people to come forward for support.The FGM Act 2003 introduced several measures which demonstrate that FGM is treated as a serious criminal offence and ensure its effectiveness. For example, acknowledging the international and multiple perpetration elements of FGM, the Act created offences for assisting others to perform FGM, including extraterritorial cases.Regarding enforcement, the Act increased the maximum penalty for committing FGM from 5 years to 14 years imprisonment, reflecting the severity of this crime.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the use of alternative terminology for female genital mutilation in professional and academic contexts on the application of existing criminal law.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is clearly and accurately defined in the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. It is a crime, it is child abuse, and it can destroy lives. On Thursday 18 December, we published the VAWG Strategy setting out the strategic direction and concrete actions to deliver on the Government’s VAWG ambition, including on FGM.It is important that we recognise FGM for what it is. It is a procedure that causes irreversible harm where the female genital organs are injured or changed and there is no medical reason for this. It is a very traumatic and violent act and can cause lifelong physical and psychological suffering. The Government’s approach to tackling FGM is focused on preventing these crimes from happening, supporting and protecting survivors and those at risk, and bringing perpetrators to justice. We are clear that we must engage with the specialist sector, and most importantly, engage with those directly affected to ensure we keep victims and survivors at the forefront of our work. This is why we are launching a community engagement campaign to raise awareness of the different types of ‘honour’-based abuse including FGM, and to encourage people to come forward for support.The FGM Act 2003 introduced several measures which demonstrate that FGM is treated as a serious criminal offence and ensure its effectiveness. For example, acknowledging the international and multiple perpetration elements of FGM, the Act created offences for assisting others to perform FGM, including extraterritorial cases.Regarding enforcement, the Act increased the maximum penalty for committing FGM from 5 years to 14 years imprisonment, reflecting the severity of this crime.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of extradition law in relation to elected representative.

All extradition requests received by the UK are subject to the same independent legal process for all requested individuals, with clear safeguards and protections set out in the Extradition Act 2003. The UK Government does not intervene in any of these judicial decisions.

Whether she has had discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service on the potential impact of articles in medical journals on the willingness of (a) victims of and (b) witnesses to female genital mutilation to come forward.

Victim and witness confidence is vital to tackling FGM. While the CPS does not comment on individual publications, prosecutors work closely with police and partners under established FGM joint protocols to provide early advice, safeguarding and sensitive handling of evidence. We recognise that victims rarely use the term “mutilation” themselves; language is often drawn out through expert evidence.The CPS understands that in some communities FGM is practised with mistaken belief that is will benefit the girl in some way, but this does not detract from the fact that it causes long term harm and trauma to victims and remains a serious criminal offence. The CPS continues to maintain dedicated prosecution guidance and training to ensure cases are built robustly where the legal test is met.Whilst securing prosecutions is important, protective measures are central to safeguarding victims. Protective measures, such as Forced Marriage Protection Orders, FGM Protection Orders are designed for of these crimes and safeguard them from on-going risk.

Whether the Crown Prosecution Service provides guidance to prosecutors on addressing expert or academic evidence that uses alternative terminology for female genital mutilation in criminal proceedings.

FGM is clearly defined in the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 and CPS prosecutors apply that statutory framework alongside the Code for Crown Prosecutors. CPS’s prosecution guidance for FGM recognises that expert medical evidence may assist a jury on technical matters; however, alternative terminology used in academic or professional contexts does not alter the offence definitions or the legal tests. Prosecutors assess any expert evidence for relevance, admissibility and weight, and will ensure the statutory terminology is used in court.

Whether he has sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service on the potential impact of articles in medical journals on (a) evidential thresholds and (b) prosecutorial decision-making in cases involving female genital mutilation.

The CPS role is to make sure the right person is prosecuted for the right offence. Prosecutors apply the Code for Crown Prosecutors when making charging decisions in all cases, including FGM. The evidential threshold, whether the evidence provides a realistic prospect of conviction, requires prosecutors to consider the reliability and credibility of the evidence. Where relevant to a particular case, prosecutors may consider admissible expert medical evidence. However, academic commentary does not change the legal tests or the CPS decision making framework.

Whether his Department was consulted prior to the publication of the British Medical Journal article concerning terminology used in relation to female genital mutilation.

The Department was not consulted prior to the publication of the British Medical Journal Article concerning terminology used in relation to female genital mutilation.The Government does not tolerate female genital mutilation which can cause extreme and lifelong physical and psychological suffering to women and girls. The focus remains on preventing these crimes from happening, supporting and protecting survivors and those at risk, and bringing perpetrators to justice.This includes a mandatory reporting duty for regulated health professionals to report cases of female genital mutilation in girls under 18 years of age to the police.

Whether NHS England has issued guidance to clinicians on appropriate language to use when recording, reporting and discussing cases of female genital mutilation.

The Home Office, the Department for Education, and the Department of Health and Social Care issued multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation (FGM), which as updated in July 2020. The guidance ensures that health and other staff understand their role in responding to FGM, and that there are policies and procedures in place to protect women and girls who have undergone or are at risk of FGM.NHS England is currently updating the e-learning training for the Healthcare FGM Module for publication in 2026. This training has a section on communication and includes the importance of sensitive language, including asking healthcare staff to check which terminology the woman or girl prefers. The training will provide healthcare staff with the skills to consider, recognise, and discuss FGM with the women and girls they support, and provide sensitive and trauma-informed response.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of additional transparency requirements for extradition decisions concerning individuals holding public office.

All extradition requests received by the UK are subject to the same independent legal process for all requested individuals, with clear safeguards and protections set out in the Extradition Act 2003. The UK Government does not intervene in any of these judicial decisions.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact on public confidence in the rule of law of declining to pursue extradition in cases involving senior public figures.

All extradition requests received by the UK are subject to the same independent legal process for all requested individuals, with clear safeguards and protections set out in the Extradition Act 2003. The UK Government does not intervene in any of these judicial decisions.

If he will take steps to ensure that the PATHWAYS trial does not adversely affect a participant’s future access to NHS care.

The Government is committed to supporting research that delivers a robust, evidence-based understanding of the needs, and support and treatment options for children and young people living with gender dysphoria. A partnership between NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is working to fund and deliver independent research that fulfils that aim.One element of this is the PATHWAYS trial, a carefully designed clinical trial to assess the relative benefits and harms of puberty-suppressing hormones as a treatment option for children and young people with gender incongruence. The trial protocol is publicly available on the NIHR website, at the following link:https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR167530.This positively responds to the Cass Review’s recommendation that a clinical trial, alongside a broader programme of research, was necessary to gather the evidence required into the most effective way to care for this group of children and young people.The trial was designed and will be delivered by an independent research team. This was in conjunction with patient and public involvement as well as independent clinical and legal experts, including those who specialise on medical ethics. This team is responsible for the protocol design, including eligibility criteria, consent, and outcomes.The proposal has been through all the usual review and approval stages ahead of set up and opening to recruitment. These include independent academic peer review, NIHR funding committee consideration, and a full regulatory review, including a focus on ethics. It has obtained approval from the regulatory authorities, including the Health Research Authority Ethics Committee and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

What data sharing agreements are in place governing access to PATHWAYS trial participant data by external researchers or academic institutions.

The Government is committed to supporting research that delivers a robust, evidence-based understanding of the needs, and support and treatment options for children and young people living with gender dysphoria. A partnership between NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is working to fund and deliver independent research that fulfils that aim.One element of this is the PATHWAYS trial, a carefully designed clinical trial to assess the relative benefits and harms of puberty-suppressing hormones as a treatment option for children and young people with gender incongruence. The trial protocol is publicly available on the NIHR website, at the following link:https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR167530.This positively responds to the Cass Review’s recommendation that a clinical trial, alongside a broader programme of research, was necessary to gather the evidence required into the most effective way to care for this group of children and young people.The trial was designed and will be delivered by an independent research team. This was in conjunction with patient and public involvement as well as independent clinical and legal experts, including those who specialise on medical ethics. This team is responsible for the protocol design, including eligibility criteria, consent, and outcomes.The proposal has been through all the usual review and approval stages ahead of set up and opening to recruitment. These include independent academic peer review, NIHR funding committee consideration, and a full regulatory review, including a focus on ethics. It has obtained approval from the regulatory authorities, including the Health Research Authority Ethics Committee and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Whether Ministers approved the commencement of the PATHWAYS puberty blocker trial.

The Government is committed to supporting research that delivers a robust, evidence-based understanding of the needs, and support and treatment options for children and young people living with gender dysphoria. A partnership between NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is working to fund and deliver independent research that fulfils that aim.One element of this is the PATHWAYS trial, a carefully designed clinical trial to assess the relative benefits and harms of puberty-suppressing hormones as a treatment option for children and young people with gender incongruence. The trial protocol is publicly available on the NIHR website, at the following link:https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR167530.This positively responds to the Cass Review’s recommendation that a clinical trial, alongside a broader programme of research, was necessary to gather the evidence required into the most effective way to care for this group of children and young people.The trial was designed and will be delivered by an independent research team. This was in conjunction with patient and public involvement as well as independent clinical and legal experts, including those who specialise on medical ethics. This team is responsible for the protocol design, including eligibility criteria, consent, and outcomes.The proposal has been through all the usual review and approval stages ahead of set up and opening to recruitment. These include independent academic peer review, NIHR funding committee consideration, and a full regulatory review, including a focus on ethics. It has obtained approval from the regulatory authorities, including the Health Research Authority Ethics Committee and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.