Home Office

It is the longstanding policy of successive UK Governments that we do not comment on operational, intelligence or security matters.

The verdicts in the recent trial represent the first convictions under the National Security Act related to China and send a strong message that the full force of the law will be applied to anyone who carries out hostile acts in the UK on behalf of any foreign state.

It is the longstanding policy of successive UK Governments that we do not comment on operational, intelligence or security matters.

The verdicts in the recent trial represent the first convictions under the National Security Act related to China and send a strong message that the full force of the law will be applied to anyone who carries out hostile acts in the UK on behalf of any foreign state.

It is the longstanding policy of successive UK Governments that we do not comment on operational, intelligence or security matters. However, we continually assess potential threats to individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK and are front footed in identifying and investigating such threats. Wherever threat is identified, we use all appropriate measures, including through our world class police and intelligence services, to mitigate risk to individuals.

Any attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas, undermining democracy and the rule of law, will never be tolerated and will be thoroughly investigated.

The Home Office and DSIT work closely on online harms and ensuring people are safe online from fraud. This includes the Online Safety Act which is in the process of implementation. Since March 2025, Ofcom have been enforcing the illegal content codes which includes fraud committed through user generated content on social media platforms. Ofcom will also be consulting on further codes to prevent fraudulent advertising on these platforms this year.

The Government launched the Fraud Strategy in March, which sets out how we will work with all partners, including tech companies and industry, to make the UK a much harder place for fraudsters to operate.

Report Fraud is the new national reporting service for fraud and for cyber crime operated by City of London Police. Reports submitted to Report Fraud are considered by the service’s National Crime Analysis Service and evaluated to assess the information available which could assist an investigation.

Where there is enough evidence available and a viable lead, the case is sent to the appropriate police force or other law enforcement partners to consider whether enforcement activity should take place.

Whilst the HO will provide oversight of the service and its performance to ensure an appropriate standard of service for the public, City of London Police are operationally independent and the Home Office does not have any authority over decisions on whether to refer a report of fraud to police force to consider an investigation.

Report Fraud are unable to disclose the thresholds they use as this would give criminals information which would allow them to be confident of evading justice.

The Home Office coordinates the government’s counter-drone policy. We lead work to understand potential risks posed by the misuse of drones and emerging technologies to ensure we have the right capabilities, personnel, training and powers to address these risks.

In 2019, the Home Office supported the creation of the National Police Chiefs' Council Counter-Drones Unit to provide strategic leadership to policing on counter-drones capabilities; how and when the police use their powers and capabilities is an operational matter. The Home Office maintains the importance of operational independence and does not routinely comment on operational decision making or individual force funding decisions. However, the Home Office does work closely with the police to ensure that they provide the appropriate information and training to local forces who may need to respond to reports of the possible misuse of drones.

The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act, National Security Act, and upcoming Armed Forces Bill provide police and others with powers to respond to drone misuse. We consistently look for opportunities to update legislation and ensure that police have the powers they need.

The Home Office coordinates the government’s counter-drone policy. We lead work to understand potential risks posed by the misuse of drones and emerging technologies to ensure we have the right capabilities, personnel, training and powers to address these risks.

In 2019, the Home Office supported the creation of the National Police Chiefs' Council Counter-Drones Unit to provide strategic leadership to policing on counter-drones capabilities; how and when the police use their powers and capabilities is an operational matter. The Home Office maintains the importance of operational independence and does not routinely comment on operational decision making or individual force funding decisions. However, the Home Office does work closely with the police to ensure that they provide the appropriate information and training to local forces who may need to respond to reports of the possible misuse of drones.

The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act, National Security Act, and upcoming Armed Forces Bill provide police and others with powers to respond to drone misuse. We consistently look for opportunities to update legislation and ensure that police have the powers they need.

The Licensing Act 2003 regulates the sale and supply of alcohol. The Government recognises that consumer purchasing habits have evolved in recent years, particularly with a notable growth in alcohol sales made via online platforms and rapid delivery services.

The Department for Health and Social Care, which has responsibility for policy on health harms, and the Home Office are looking at how current licensing rules apply to these services and monitoring emerging evidence on the impact they may be having on people’s health. I am clear that we will act where necessary to protect public safety.

To this end, I will shortly hold a roundtable jointly with the Minister for Public Health and Prevention to consider solutions with healthcare professionals and experts in the field.

The Licensing Act 2003 regulates the sale and supply of alcohol. The Government recognises that consumer purchasing habits have evolved in recent years, particularly with a notable growth in alcohol sales made via online platforms and rapid delivery services.

The Department for Health and Social Care, which has responsibility for policy on health harms, and the Home Office are looking at how current licensing rules apply to these services and monitoring emerging evidence on the impact they may be having on people’s health. I am clear that we will act where necessary to protect public safety.

To this end, I will shortly hold a roundtable jointly with the Minister for Public Health and Prevention to consider solutions with healthcare professionals and experts in the field.

The Home Office does not collect data on complaints involving police interactions with neurodivergent individuals.

As the public body responsible for overseeing the police complaints system in England and Wales, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is responsible for collecting police complaints data.

The IOPC publishes annual statistics on police complaints, which include some information on complainants. These are available at: https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/our-work/research-and-statistics/police-complaints-statistics

Data on neurodivergence is not published within the IOPC’s police complaints statistics, however, they may hold further information that is not routinely published.

The College of Policing set the professional standards for police in England and Wales. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework. All new recruits must complete this training which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.

The College further promotes the need for frameworks to assess vulnerability, to aid in consistent identification, support decision making, and to trigger appropriate safeguarding action. Such principles and practices are set out in a number of college products, including the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council has also produced an e-learning course and a glossary of terms on neurodiversity, which are available to all police officers.

Policing is operationally independent, and it is a matter for the chief constables of each force to decide which additional training their officers should undertake.

The Home Office is a member of the National Neurodiversity Working Group chaired by the National Police Chiefs Council lead for Neurodiversity.

The College of Policing set the professional standards for police in England and Wales. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework. All new recruits must complete this training which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.

The College further promotes the need for frameworks to assess vulnerability, to aid in consistent identification, support decision making, and to trigger appropriate safeguarding action. Such principles and practices are set out in a number of college products, including the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council has also produced an e-learning course and a glossary of terms on neurodiversity, which are available to all police officers.

Policing is operationally independent, and it is a matter for the chief constables of each force to decide which additional training their officers should undertake.

The Home Office is a member of the National Neurodiversity Working Group chaired by the National Police Chiefs Council lead for Neurodiversity.

The College of Policing set the professional standards for police in England and Wales. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework. All new recruits must complete this training which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.

The College further promotes the need for frameworks to assess vulnerability, to aid in consistent identification, support decision making, and to trigger appropriate safeguarding action. Such principles and practices are set out in a number of college products, including the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council has also produced an e-learning course and a glossary of terms on neurodiversity, which are available to all police officers.

Policing is operationally independent, and it is a matter for the chief constables of each force to decide which additional training their officers should undertake.

The Home Office is a member of the National Neurodiversity Working Group chaired by the National Police Chiefs Council lead for Neurodiversity.

The College of Policing set the professional standards for police in England and Wales. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework. All new recruits must complete this training which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.

The College further promotes the need for frameworks to assess vulnerability, to aid in consistent identification, support decision making, and to trigger appropriate safeguarding action. Such principles and practices are set out in a number of college products, including the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council has also produced an e-learning course and a glossary of terms on neurodiversity, which are available to all police officers.

Policing is operationally independent, and it is a matter for the chief constables of each force to decide which additional training their officers should undertake.

The Home Office is a member of the National Neurodiversity Working Group chaired by the National Police Chiefs Council lead for Neurodiversity.

Report Fraud is the new and improved national police reporting service for fraud and cybercrime which launched on 4 December 2025. Report Fraud uses the latest technology to enhance the reporting experience, providing report updates for victims, and improves the speed and quality of information shared with police, increasing the chances of successful investigation by police forces and prosecution.

The Home Office regularly reviews the performance of Report Fraud with the City of London Police and will continue to engage with them to ensure the service is delivering improved outcomes for victims and strengthening the national response to fraud. The service offers better management information to track and monitor service performance and a new performance dashboard which supports the Home Office in monitoring outcomes and identifying emerging fraud threats.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (‘ACMD’) published its review of the use and harms of ketamine on 28 January. The report provides a detailed assessment of the evidence on harms and trends in use and includes 15 recommendations.

Ministers will consider the recommendations carefully and will respond to the report as soon as possible. In advance of that, in October 2025 the Department for Health and Social Care launched a campaign to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of ketamine misuse, and law enforcement is taking action against the threat from criminal gangs supplying the drug.

The retention and deletion of custody images is currently governed by the statutory Police and Information Management Code of Practice, and the associated College of Policing’s Management of Police Information (MoPI) guidance and Authorised Professional Practice. These require forces to retain images only where necessary and proportionate and to review and delete them in line with assessed continuing policing need. Individuals are also able to apply to the police to have their custody image deleted, where they believe continued retention is not necessary.

The Government intends to bring forward a new legal framework to underpin law enforcement use of biometrics.

The Home Office does not hold data on whether the people in the gallery of custody images on the Police National Database have been charged or convicted.

The Home Office does not centrally record the number of applications withdrawn, nor amendments to project licence applications by reference to specific issues raised during or after assessment, including the availability of non‑animal alternative methods. The Regulator advises that withdrawn applications are very rare, while amendments to applications form a routine part of the assessment process.

All applications are subject to multiple stages of review prior to submission to the Home Office, including the delivery of legal responsibilities of the applicant to the principles of replacement, scrutiny by an establishment’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body and sign off by the establishment licence holder. This means that proposals where non-animal alternatives are available will not be progressed for application.

Applications may be amended and it is common for there to be at least one iteration of the original application before it can be granted. This would be based on discussions between the Regulator and the applicant and could be about any aspect of the licence. It is also common for amendments to be made to licences after they are granted.

In 2024, 472 licences were granted and 905 amendments made (post grant). Data for 2025 will be published in the Animals in Science Regulation Unit’s annual report.

The Home Office has not made an estimate of the number of proposed projects involving dogs that do not proceed to licence application stage following review by Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies (AWERBs) due to the availability of non-animal alternative methods.

Project licence applicants are, in law, responsible for robustly considering the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3Rs) when developing proposals before submission to the establishment AWERB. AWERBs operate within establishments and are a further internal check on advising the establishment licence holder and other duty holders on the application of the principles of the 3Rs before any project licence application is submitted to the Home Office.

Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police. There will be times when it is necessary to use such powers, to prevent and detect crime, protect officers or the public. The Government is clear that they must be exercised fairly, respectfully and lawfully, and particularly for strip-searches on children, with regard for the child’s welfare and dignity.

We recognise concerns about where children may be treated as older than they are because of their size, build or other characteristics. We are considering measures that will aim to reduce any implied emphasis on physical appearance when officers assess age and to support a more objective, child-centred approach in practice.

We recognise that repeat strip searches of children can cause significant harm. The Home Office now collects annual data on the use of strip search in custody and under stop and search. The expansion of the Annual Data Requirement has strengthened the quality and consistency of information collected on strip searches, enabling clearer scrutiny of police practice and better-informed safeguarding assessments. Police forces are now required to provide more detailed and consistent data on searches conducted both in custody and under stop and search powers. We are considering further safeguarding measures for repeat strip searches and to improve data recording and collection so that they can be better identified, scrutinised and reviewed.

We recognise that failures to meet statutory safeguards are unacceptable. As part of our manifesto commitments, we are considering a package of measures to introduce new legal safeguards around strip searching children and young people. These reforms will strengthen safeguarding, improve accountability and oversight, and provide greater clarity and consistency in the use of these powers.

Police forces are operationally independent, and decisions on the handling of individual cases, including misconduct and complaints, are a matter for the police and the relevant oversight bodies. There is an established framework for referring the most serious matters to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and due process must be followed in each case.

Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police. There will be times when it is necessary to use such powers, to prevent and detect crime, protect officers or the public. The Government is clear that they must be exercised fairly, respectfully and lawfully, and particularly for strip-searches on children, with regard for the child’s welfare and dignity.

We recognise concerns about where children may be treated as older than they are because of their size, build or other characteristics. We are considering measures that will aim to reduce any implied emphasis on physical appearance when officers assess age and to support a more objective, child-centred approach in practice.

We recognise that repeat strip searches of children can cause significant harm. The Home Office now collects annual data on the use of strip search in custody and under stop and search. The expansion of the Annual Data Requirement has strengthened the quality and consistency of information collected on strip searches, enabling clearer scrutiny of police practice and better-informed safeguarding assessments. Police forces are now required to provide more detailed and consistent data on searches conducted both in custody and under stop and search powers. We are considering further safeguarding measures for repeat strip searches and to improve data recording and collection so that they can be better identified, scrutinised and reviewed.

We recognise that failures to meet statutory safeguards are unacceptable. As part of our manifesto commitments, we are considering a package of measures to introduce new legal safeguards around strip searching children and young people. These reforms will strengthen safeguarding, improve accountability and oversight, and provide greater clarity and consistency in the use of these powers.

Police forces are operationally independent, and decisions on the handling of individual cases, including misconduct and complaints, are a matter for the police and the relevant oversight bodies. There is an established framework for referring the most serious matters to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and due process must be followed in each case.

Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police. There will be times when it is necessary to use such powers, to prevent and detect crime, protect officers or the public. The Government is clear that they must be exercised fairly, respectfully and lawfully, and particularly for strip-searches on children, with regard for the child’s welfare and dignity.

We recognise concerns about where children may be treated as older than they are because of their size, build or other characteristics. We are considering measures that will aim to reduce any implied emphasis on physical appearance when officers assess age and to support a more objective, child-centred approach in practice.

We recognise that repeat strip searches of children can cause significant harm. The Home Office now collects annual data on the use of strip search in custody and under stop and search. The expansion of the Annual Data Requirement has strengthened the quality and consistency of information collected on strip searches, enabling clearer scrutiny of police practice and better-informed safeguarding assessments. Police forces are now required to provide more detailed and consistent data on searches conducted both in custody and under stop and search powers. We are considering further safeguarding measures for repeat strip searches and to improve data recording and collection so that they can be better identified, scrutinised and reviewed.

We recognise that failures to meet statutory safeguards are unacceptable. As part of our manifesto commitments, we are considering a package of measures to introduce new legal safeguards around strip searching children and young people. These reforms will strengthen safeguarding, improve accountability and oversight, and provide greater clarity and consistency in the use of these powers.

Police forces are operationally independent, and decisions on the handling of individual cases, including misconduct and complaints, are a matter for the police and the relevant oversight bodies. There is an established framework for referring the most serious matters to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and due process must be followed in each case.

Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police. There will be times when it is necessary to use such powers, to prevent and detect crime, protect officers or the public. The Government is clear that they must be exercised fairly, respectfully and lawfully, and particularly for strip-searches on children, with regard for the child’s welfare and dignity.

We recognise concerns about where children may be treated as older than they are because of their size, build or other characteristics. We are considering measures that will aim to reduce any implied emphasis on physical appearance when officers assess age and to support a more objective, child-centred approach in practice.

We recognise that repeat strip searches of children can cause significant harm. The Home Office now collects annual data on the use of strip search in custody and under stop and search. The expansion of the Annual Data Requirement has strengthened the quality and consistency of information collected on strip searches, enabling clearer scrutiny of police practice and better-informed safeguarding assessments. Police forces are now required to provide more detailed and consistent data on searches conducted both in custody and under stop and search powers. We are considering further safeguarding measures for repeat strip searches and to improve data recording and collection so that they can be better identified, scrutinised and reviewed.

We recognise that failures to meet statutory safeguards are unacceptable. As part of our manifesto commitments, we are considering a package of measures to introduce new legal safeguards around strip searching children and young people. These reforms will strengthen safeguarding, improve accountability and oversight, and provide greater clarity and consistency in the use of these powers.

Police forces are operationally independent, and decisions on the handling of individual cases, including misconduct and complaints, are a matter for the police and the relevant oversight bodies. There is an established framework for referring the most serious matters to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and due process must be followed in each case.

The Government takes all necessary steps to ensure that legislation is developed in line with its statutory obligations, including the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Equality impacts were considered as part of the development of the amendment to police powers in relation to unauthorised encampments.

The Home Office keeps under review what information can appropriately be published but does not routinely publish internal advice or assessments that inform policy development.

The Home Office coordinates the government’s counter-drone policy. We lead work to understand potential risks posed by the misuse of drones and emerging technologies to ensure we have the right capabilities, personnel, training and powers to address these risks.

In 2019, the Home Office supported the creation of the National Police Chiefs' Council Counter-Drones Unit to provide strategic leadership to policing on counter-drones capabilities; how and when the police use their powers and capabilities is an operational matter. The Home Office maintains the importance of operational independence and does not routinely comment on operational decision making or individual force funding decisions. However, the Home Office does work closely with the police to ensure that they provide the appropriate information and training to local forces who may need to respond to reports of the possible misuse of drones.

The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act, National Security Act, and upcoming Armed Forces Bill provide police and others with powers to respond to drone misuse. We consistently look for opportunities to update legislation and ensure that police have the powers they need.

The Home Office coordinates the government’s counter-drone policy. We lead work to understand potential risks posed by the misuse of drones and emerging technologies to ensure we have the right capabilities, personnel, training and powers to address these risks.

In 2019, the Home Office supported the creation of the National Police Chiefs' Council Counter-Drones Unit to provide strategic leadership to policing on counter-drones capabilities; how and when the police use their powers and capabilities is an operational matter. The Home Office maintains the importance of operational independence and does not routinely comment on operational decision making or individual force funding decisions. However, the Home Office does work closely with the police to ensure that they provide the appropriate information and training to local forces who may need to respond to reports of the possible misuse of drones.

The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act, National Security Act, and upcoming Armed Forces Bill provide police and others with powers to respond to drone misuse. We consistently look for opportunities to update legislation and ensure that police have the powers they need.

The Home Office has no plans to host events commemorating Aliyah Day.

The number of apprentices that enrolled onto apprenticeship programmes within the department in each calendar year is as follows:

Year Apprentice Enrolments

2022 475

2023 890

2024 944

2025 233

Apprenticeship enrolments have reduced due to workforce controls, a prolonged pause of the Public Sector Operational Delivery Officer apprenticeship (which previously accounted for 70–80% of starts), and reform changes to available standards. Data includes all 39 apprenticeship standards used across the Home Office.

The Hon Member received an answer on April 29, 2026.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

The Government is committed to tackling all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation, ensuring victims and survivors receive appropriate care and support and pursuing offenders and bringing them to justice.

Operation Fernbridge was a police‑led investigation that has now closed. The Operation resulted in one conviction for the sexual assault of a child at Grafton Close. Decisions about the scope, conduct and timing of individual police investigations are a matter for the police, who are operationally independent of Government.

The Government expects the police to robustly investigate all allegations of child sexual abuse and are investing in a range of capabilities to improve the policing response. More generally, the Government is driving forward work to act on the recommendations and learnings from IICSA, as part of a broader comprehensive approach to preventing, identifying and responding to all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation, as set out in in the ‘Tackling child sexual abuse: progress update’ published in April 2025.

The Government is committed to tackling all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation, ensuring victims and survivors receive appropriate care and support and pursuing offenders and bringing them to justice.

Operation Fernbridge was a police‑led investigation that has now closed. The Operation resulted in one conviction for the sexual assault of a child at Grafton Close. Decisions about the scope, conduct and timing of individual police investigations are a matter for the police, who are operationally independent of Government.

The Government expects the police to robustly investigate all allegations of child sexual abuse and are investing in a range of capabilities to improve the policing response. More generally, the Government is driving forward work to act on the recommendations and learnings from IICSA, as part of a broader comprehensive approach to preventing, identifying and responding to all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation, as set out in in the ‘Tackling child sexual abuse: progress update’ published in April 2025.

The borderless nature of the internet and the rapid spread of unlawful terrorist material means that threats online remain persistent. The Government is clear that terrorist propaganda and material have no place on the internet, and continues to take robust action in response.

The Home Office works to influence industry partners to increase action to tackle online content used to radicalise, recruit and incite terrorism by providing threat assessment, insight and support.

Under the Online Safety Act, tech companies are accountable to Ofcom, the independent online safety regulator, to keep their users safe, and they need to remove and limit the spread of illegal content, including terrorist material.

Only linear TV channels listed on a regulated electronic programme guide (such as Freeview) require a broadcasting licence and must comply with Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code. LuaLua TV is currently only streamed via a website, not a broadcast channel.

The Home Office will be publishing updated Areas of Research interest later this year.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

The Home Office provides funding to Local Authorities through several grant agreements, including those for Asylum, Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children, and former Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children Care Leavers. However, we do not publicly publish grant payment levels by individual local authority. For Northern Ireland, these funds are paid directly to the Northern Ireland Executive Office, which is then responsible for distributing them to each area as they see fit.