Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance or training is being provided to polling station staff to ensure they can confidently intervene when they observe instances of family voting in polling stations.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Family voting is illegal under the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.

While the vast majority of people vote lawfully, any instance of coercion is unacceptable and undermines confidence in our democratic process. We will continue to work with electoral administrators and the Electoral Commission to ensure our polls are run smoothly, fairly, and securely. We will also continue to work with the Commission and Crimestoppers on the annual ‘Your Vote is Yours Alone’ campaign, which raises awareness among the electorate of the risks of voter fraud, and how to recognise and tackle it.

Independent Returning Officers are responsible for the conduct of elections and the Electoral Commission provides them with extensive guidance on the administration of elections. This includes guidance on how polling staff should respond if they suspect offences are being committed. The Electoral Commission is also responsible for setting standards and monitoring the performance of Returning Officers. The Commission’s performance standards specifically include ensuring polling stations are set up and staff are trained to support voters to vote independently and in secret.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address family voting in (1) general elections, and (2) other elections.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Family voting is illegal under the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.

While the vast majority of people vote lawfully, any instance of coercion is unacceptable and undermines confidence in our democratic process. We will continue to work with electoral administrators and the Electoral Commission to ensure our polls are run smoothly, fairly, and securely. We will also continue to work with the Commission and Crimestoppers on the annual ‘Your Vote is Yours Alone’ campaign, which raises awareness among the electorate of the risks of voter fraud, and how to recognise and tackle it.

Independent Returning Officers are responsible for the conduct of elections and the Electoral Commission provides them with extensive guidance on the administration of elections. This includes guidance on how polling staff should respond if they suspect offences are being committed. The Electoral Commission is also responsible for setting standards and monitoring the performance of Returning Officers. The Commission’s performance standards specifically include ensuring polling stations are set up and staff are trained to support voters to vote independently and in secret.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures are being developed to support voters who may be susceptible to domestic or cultural pressure regarding their vote, particularly women and those with limited English proficiency.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Family voting is illegal under the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.

While the vast majority of people vote lawfully, any instance of coercion is unacceptable and undermines confidence in our democratic process. We will continue to work with electoral administrators and the Electoral Commission to ensure our polls are run smoothly, fairly, and securely. We will also continue to work with the Commission and Crimestoppers on the annual ‘Your Vote is Yours Alone’ campaign, which raises awareness among the electorate of the risks of voter fraud, and how to recognise and tackle it.

Independent Returning Officers are responsible for the conduct of elections and the Electoral Commission provides them with extensive guidance on the administration of elections. This includes guidance on how polling staff should respond if they suspect offences are being committed. The Electoral Commission is also responsible for setting standards and monitoring the performance of Returning Officers. The Commission’s performance standards specifically include ensuring polling stations are set up and staff are trained to support voters to vote independently and in secret.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many individuals classified as closed subjects of interest to MI5 are known to have travelled to the UK in the past, but do not currently reside in the UK.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

It has been a longstanding policy of successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many active subjects of interest to MI5 are known to have travelled to the UK in the past, but do not currently reside in the UK.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

It has been a longstanding policy of successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many individuals classified as closed subjects of interest to MI5 are known to reside in the UK.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

It has been a longstanding policy of successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many active subjects of interest are currently being investigated by MI5.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

It has been a longstanding policy of successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many active subjects of interest to MI5 are known to reside in the UK.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

It has been a longstanding policy of successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of individuals linked to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps currently operating within the United Kingdom.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Though we do not routinely comment on operational matters or specific threats, the UK will always stand up to threats from foreign states. The UK Government continually assesses potential threats to the UK and its residents and will continue to take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms and safety in the UK very seriously.

We recognise the serious threat posed by the IRGC and will not hesitate to take the most effective measures against the Iranian regime and its proxies. The National Security Act 2023 strengthens our powers to counter state threats, including from Iran, and provides the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt these threats.

We continue to take strong action and hold the Iranian regime to account. The UK has imposed more than 550 sanctions on Iranian individuals and organisations who enable such behaviour. This includes the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in its entirety. Last October, the UK sanctioned IRGC financier, Ali Ansari, freezing over £100m in UK property. On 4 March the UK summoned the Iranian Ambassador in response to Iran’s role in recent events across the Middle East.

We have already placed Iran – including the IRGC - on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, meaning anyone acting at the direction of the Iranian state in the UK will need to declare their activities or risk prosecution and imprisonment.

The Government's top priority is our national security, and we will continue to use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect the UK, and its people, from any Iran-linked threats.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many individuals classified as closed subjects of interest have been investigated by MI5 since March 2020.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

It has been a longstanding policy of successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will proscribe the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the UK by the end of 2026.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Iranian regime has long brought horror to the world. Its actions have destabilised the region for decades, sponsored terrorism worldwide, targeted British shipping in the Red Sea, and supported Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Since the start of 2022, the UK has responded to over 20 Iran-backed plots presenting potentially lethal threats to British citizens and UK residents. We recognise the serious threat posed by the IRGC and will not hesitate to take the most effective measures against the Iranian regime.

It is the Government’s long-standing position, under successive administrations, not to comment on the detail of security and intelligence matters, including whether or not a specific organisation is being considered for proscription. However, we are acting decisively to disrupt threats posed by Iran here in the UK. We have placed the Iranian state on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), meaning that anyone working for or directed by the Iranian state to conduct activities in the UK must declare that activity, or risk up to five years in prison. The National Security Act 2023 also strengthens our powers to counter state threats, including from Iran, and provides the security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt these threats.

Furthermore, we have committed to take forward plans recommended by Jonathan Hall KC for a proscription-like power for state and state-linked bodies to tackle malign activity more appropriately than is offered under the existing powers. This will enhance our powers to respond to state-based security threats from the most egregious organisations harming the UK.

The UK now has over 550 sanctions against Iranian linked individuals and entities, including the IRGC, which has been sanctioned in its entirety. Over 220 designations have been imposed since this Government came into office. In concert with international partners, we will use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect the UK, and our interests, from state threats.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to continue the Blue Planet Fund initiative beyond March 2026 at the current level of financial provision.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The UK is taking action to strengthen resilience to environmental risks at home and overseas, investing in ocean protection and supporting the transition to more sustainable food and livelihoods globally. Defra has an official development assistance (ODA) allocation of £115 million per year until 2028‑29. Defra will use a significant portion of this to continue to support a marine portfolio which protects coastal and ocean habitats and reduces poverty in coastal communities. The Blue Planet Fund will continue to work alongside coastal communities to sustainably manage their ocean resources, drive action on plastic pollution, and pilot innovative approaches to mobilise more finance for the ocean. For example, in January 2026, we committed £14 million to eight projects in our OCEAN grant scheme to support locally led solutions to protect the ocean and communities most affected by declining ocean health.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect the Iranian diaspora and journalists in the UK from transnational repression by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The first duty of this Government is to keep the country safe. We will not tolerate any Iran-backed threats on UK soil. We continually assess potential threats to the UK, and take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety incredibly seriously. Attempts by foreign Governments to intimidate, harass or harm individuals, are unacceptable.

The Home Office works closely with other government departments as well as relevant agencies and law enforcement to protect those identified as being at risk. The National Protective Security Authority and Counter Terrorism Policing continue to provide protective security advice and support to individuals and organisations threatened by the Iranian regime and its criminal proxies.

It is vital that journalists are able to continue their jobs without the fear of attack or threat. A free and robust media is essential - for national security, for human rights, and for democratic governance. That is why we remain an important member of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), which we co-founded in 2019.

Anyone who thinks they might be a victim should report incidents or suspicious activity to the Police via 101, a local police station, or 999 in emergencies.

We will continue to prioritise the safety and security of UK citizens and interests, working swiftly and in partnership to confront all aspects of Iran’s hostile actions.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether additional resources will be allocated to counter-terrorism policing to address state-backed espionage activities linked to Iran.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Funding for counter-terrorism policing increased by £140 million in 2025-26 and will increase by a further £52 million in 2026-27, taking the budget to a record £1.2 billion.

This funds a range of capabilities, as well as approximately 800 live investigations, which allows policing to respond swiftly and decisively to hostile state and terrorist threats.

We do not disclose specific breakdowns of funding for security reasons.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threat posed by charities and cultural centres operating in the UK with known or suspected links to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government does not routinely comment on the detail of operational matters or specific threats. But we have been clear that we take threats to, and interference in, the functioning of our democracy and our civil society extremely seriously.

We work closely with a range of partners to tackle malign state-backed influence in our society. Where there is clear evidence that Iranian-linked or aligned organisations are undertaking unacceptable activity, the Government will respond accordingly.

Ministers and officials regularly meet with the Charity Commission to discuss a range of issues relating to the regulation of charities. The Charity Commission is alive to the risks of state threats to the charity sector and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited. The Charity Commission has consistently been clear that it will respond robustly where there has been wrongdoing.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what engagement they have had with Jewish community organisations following the arrests of four men on suspicion of assisting Iranian intelligence by spying on individuals linked to the Jewish community in London.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government have engaged with multiple Jewish leaders following the arrests of four men under the National Security Act. We continue to engage closely with these leaders to ensure that our communities are supported.

The Jewish community and the wider public will understandably be concerned by the arrests on Friday 6 March. We continue to monitor the situation closely and engage with those affected.

Our police and security services are world leading and won’t hesitate to take action to counter any threat to the UK. They will continue to use the full range of tools and powers available to them to keep this country safe. They have the government’s full support as they carry out their vital work. Given the investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment further.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current operational capabilities of the Iranian intelligence services in the UK.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Since the start of 2022, the UK has responded to over 20 Iran-backed plots presenting potentially lethal threats to British citizens and UK residents. We recognise the serious threat posed by the Iranian Intelligence Services and will not hesitate to take the most effective measures against the Iranian regime and its proxies.

Last year the Security Minister outlined the government’s response to the unacceptable threat we face from the Iranian state, and the steps we are taking to ensure that our intelligence and law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to disrupt and degrade Iran’s malign activity on UK soil.

The National Security Act 2023 provides a significant toolkit for our intelligence services and law enforcement agencies in the fight against state threats, including those posed by Iran. This means that the UK is now a harder target for those states which seek to conduct hostile acts against the UK, including espionage, interference in our political system, sabotage and assassination.

The UK now has over 550 sanctions against Iranian linked individuals and entities, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which has been sanctioned in its entirety. Over 220 designations have been imposed since Government came into office reflecting our ongoing commitment to countering Iran’s malign activity and safeguarding British citizens.

We take the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms and safety in the UK very seriously. We will continue to use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect the UK, and its people, from any Iran-linked threats.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threat posed by Iranian intelligence operations in the United Kingdom to the Jewish community.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The UK Government continually assesses potential threats to the UK and its residents. Since the start of 2022, the UK has responded to over 20 Iran-backed plots presenting potentially lethal threats to British citizens and UK residents. It is no secret that there is a long-standing pattern of targeting Jewish and Israeli people internationally by the Iranian Intelligence Services.

We take any threat to these threats extremely seriously. Through the police and the security and intelligence agencies, we will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to address any threat.

Last year, the Security Minister outlined the government’s response to the unacceptable threat we face from the Iranian state, and the steps we are taking to ensure that our intelligence and law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to disrupt and degrade Iran’s malign activity on UK soil.

The UK now has over 550 sanctions against Iranian linked individuals and entities, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which has been sanctioned in its entirety. Over 220 designations have been imposed since Government came into office reflecting our ongoing commitment to countering Iran’s malign activity and safeguarding British citizens.

More broadly, we are taking action to protect our Jewish communities including allocating up to £28 million to the Community Security Trust this year- providing security to schools, synagogues and Jewish communities.

The Government's top priority is national security, and we will continue to use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect the UK, and its people, from any Iran-linked threats.