Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have died while attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK illegally in each year since 2020.
Answered by Michael Tomlinson
The Home Office is aware of a total of 69 persons known to have died while attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats since 2020:
2020: 6 deaths reported
2021: 34 deaths reported
2022: 4 deaths reported
2023: 12 deaths reported
2024: 13 deaths reported (as at 30 April 2024)
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on the timetable for approving the sale of tractors with Immobilisers.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
The Government supported the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which gained Royal Assent on the 20 July. The Act will require immobilisers and forensic marking to be fitted as standard to new agricultural equipment such as All-Terrain Vehicles and quad bikes, to help prevent theft of this equipment and identify the owners of stolen equipment when it is recovered.
The Act provides a power for the Secretary of State to extend the scope of the Act, via secondary legislation, to other large agricultural machinery such as tractors. The necessary secondary legislation will be brought before Parliament in due course.
This legislation will make it harder for criminals to sell on stolen machinery, which will have a deterrent effect, and will have a significant impact on thefts of ATVs by breaking the current cycle of theft between farmers, insurers and manufacturers.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many stolen quadbikes have been recovered due to forensic marking.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
The Home Office does not hold figures on the number of quadbikes recovered due to forensic marking.
This Government is committed to driving down rural crime. We are working closely with the police, industry and others to ensure we are collectively doing everything we can to drive down acquisitive crime, including the theft of quadbikes, agricultural machinery and vehicles.
The Government supported the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which gained Royal Assent on 20 July. The Act will require immobilisers and forensic marking to be fitted as standard to new agricultural equipment such as All-Terrain Vehicles and quad bikes, to help prevent theft of this equipment and identify the owners of stolen equipment when it is recovered.
As part of the Government’s Unleashing Rural Opportunity commitments, the Home Office is providing £200,000 funding to help set up the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU). This will enable the Unit to support forces nationally in their response to rural crimes, such as the theft of farming or construction machinery. Since January 2023, the NRCU has recovered over £5.5m worth of stolen agricultural and construction equipment and vehicles.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will (a) make an assessment of the performance of police forces in issuing firearms and shotgun licences and (b) centralise the responsibility for issuing those licences with the police force that performs the best against the metrics used for that assessment.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.
The issue of how individual forces’ firearms licensing departments deal with applications for firearms certificates is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of each police force concerned. However, I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing and she is working actively with forces with performance related issues.
Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.
In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is planning a thematic inspection of firearms licensing in 2024/25 and case performance is likely to be one of the issues considered and inspected.
The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms licensing fees, which were last increased in 2015 and are now considerably below the cost of the service provided. The key aim of the review is to achieve full cost recovery for the police so that they receive the funding and resources they need to provide a more effective service. The income from new fees will enable police forces to better resource, train and equip their firearms licensing teams. This will help reduce delays in processing applications, as well as supporting public safety.
There are no plans to create a central licensing body to administer firearms licensing.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of delays in the approval of firearm and shotgun licenses on people for whom a license is essential to their livelihood.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.
The issue of how individual forces’ firearms licensing departments deal with applications for firearms certificates is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of each police force concerned. However, I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing and she is working actively with forces with performance related issues.
Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.
In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is planning a thematic inspection of firearms licensing in 2024/25 and case performance is likely to be one of the issues considered and inspected.
The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms licensing fees, which were last increased in 2015 and are now considerably below the cost of the service provided. The key aim of the review is to achieve full cost recovery for the police so that they receive the funding and resources they need to provide a more effective service. The income from new fees will enable police forces to better resource, train and equip their firearms licensing teams. This will help reduce delays in processing applications, as well as supporting public safety.
There are no plans to create a central licensing body to administer firearms licensing.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to establish a compensation scheme for individuals who have had to wait more than one year for their firearm and shotgun licenses.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.
The issue of how individual forces’ firearms licensing departments deal with applications for firearms certificates is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of each police force concerned. However, I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing and she is working actively with forces with performance related issues.
Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.
In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is planning a thematic inspection of firearms licensing in 2024/25 and case performance is likely to be one of the issues considered and inspected.
The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms licensing fees, which were last increased in 2015 and are now considerably below the cost of the service provided. The key aim of the review is to achieve full cost recovery for the police so that they receive the funding and resources they need to provide a more effective service. The income from new fees will enable police forces to better resource, train and equip their firearms licensing teams. This will help reduce delays in processing applications, as well as supporting public safety.
There are no plans to create a central licensing body to administer firearms licensing.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to remove responsibility for issuing firearm and shotgun licenses from West Mercia Police; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.
The issue of how individual forces’ firearms licensing departments deal with applications for firearms certificates is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of each police force concerned. However, I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing and she is working actively with forces with performance related issues.
Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.
In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is planning a thematic inspection of firearms licensing in 2024/25 and case performance is likely to be one of the issues considered and inspected.
The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms licensing fees, which were last increased in 2015 and are now considerably below the cost of the service provided. The key aim of the review is to achieve full cost recovery for the police so that they receive the funding and resources they need to provide a more effective service. The income from new fees will enable police forces to better resource, train and equip their firearms licensing teams. This will help reduce delays in processing applications, as well as supporting public safety.
There are no plans to create a central licensing body to administer firearms licensing.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take to reduce the waiting time for individuals who have been waiting over three years for firearm and shotgun licenses.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.
The issue of how individual forces’ firearms licensing departments deal with applications for firearms certificates is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of each police force concerned. However, I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing and she is working actively with forces with performance related issues.
Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.
In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is planning a thematic inspection of firearms licensing in 2024/25 and case performance is likely to be one of the issues considered and inspected.
The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms licensing fees, which were last increased in 2015 and are now considerably below the cost of the service provided. The key aim of the review is to achieve full cost recovery for the police so that they receive the funding and resources they need to provide a more effective service. The income from new fees will enable police forces to better resource, train and equip their firearms licensing teams. This will help reduce delays in processing applications, as well as supporting public safety.
There are no plans to create a central licensing body to administer firearms licensing.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which police force has the lowest average time taken for issuing firearm and shotgun licenses over the last 12 months.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.
The issue of how individual forces’ firearms licensing departments deal with applications for firearms certificates is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of each police force concerned. However, I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing and she is working actively with forces with performance related issues.
Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.
In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is planning a thematic inspection of firearms licensing in 2024/25 and case performance is likely to be one of the issues considered and inspected.
The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms licensing fees, which were last increased in 2015 and are now considerably below the cost of the service provided. The key aim of the review is to achieve full cost recovery for the police so that they receive the funding and resources they need to provide a more effective service. The income from new fees will enable police forces to better resource, train and equip their firearms licensing teams. This will help reduce delays in processing applications, as well as supporting public safety.
There are no plans to create a central licensing body to administer firearms licensing.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate the Drugs and Firearms Licensing Unit has submitted to the International Narcotics Control Board of the quantity of illicit controlled drugs to be consumed for medical and scientific purposes in each of the last three years.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
The Home Office Drugs and Firearms Licensing Unit (DFLU) enables, through delivery of its licensing functions the lawful use of controlled drugs in the United Kingdom, including internationally controlled narcotic substances. DFLU’s regulatory function does not cover illicit drug use.
UK ‘anticipated needs’ (estimates) of individual drug substances are given in base drug quantities- or the amount of ‘active ingredient’ contained in a raw material, substance or product. Estimated needs of specific medicinal products are not provided to the INCB. Initial estimates are submitted to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) by 30 June each year, for the next calendar year; these are subject to regular review and a process exists for ‘in year’ variations to be requested if there is a demonstrable need for this to be increased. Similarly, adjustments can be made by the INCB in the course of processing Annual Returns information.
Estimates are primarily based on previous years actual ‘use’, which will include domestic production and imports, factoring in UK patient needs and global requirements where a product is to be exported. This information is provided to DFLU by their licensees as part of the ‘Annual Returns’ process. Regular discussions between the Home Office DFLU and officials in the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) occur whereby any shortfalls in our estimates can be raised as needed. This recognises that patient-ready medication is only a component of the estimates submitted.
Estimates, confirmed by the INCB for the calendar year 2023 (for all internationally controlled narcotic drugs) are available at Microsoft Word - EstAug (incb.org). Copies of the previously published INCB issued ‘confirmed estimates’ from January 2022, December 2022 and January 2023 have been placed in the House library.
DFLU did not have to request uplifts for the substance cannabis in either 2022 or 2023 (year to date) as the confirmed estimates adequately met UK needs.
In 2022 a total of 7,762 Kg of cannabis (in base drug form) was imported. Cannabis Based Products for Medicinal use in Humans (CBPMs), in the form of flos (flower) are included in this.
In 2023 a total of 23,890 Kg cannabis (in base drug form) has been confirmed as imported, as of 19 September 2023. Cannabis Based Products for Medicinal use in Humans (CBPMs), in the form of flos (flower) are included in this.