Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the dependents of doctors eligible for the earned settlement scheme will be able to qualify for faster settlement routes.
Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The earned settlement model, proposed in A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026.
A Fairer Pathway to Settlement proposes a reduction in qualifying period for settlement for those in public service occupations.
However, full details of the earned settlement scheme, including treatment of dependants, will be finalised following that consultation.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has issued guidance to the police on identifying whether someone they are interviewing has (a) autism spectrum disorder and (b) a learning difficulty and needs an appropriate adult.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Police And Criminal Evidence (PACE) Codes of Practice provide a definition of a vulnerable person. In summary, it includes adults who may have difficulty understanding the full implications of their arrest, detention, voluntary attendance for interview or the exercise of their rights. A detainee who is classified as vulnerable must be supported by an appropriate adult when they are detained in police custody or have attended a location voluntarily for an interview. The appropriate adult is expected to support, advise and assist the detainee when they are asked to provide information or participate in custody procedures.
The College of Policing has included guidance on responding to incidents involving people experiencing mental illness and learning disabilities. Introduction and strategic considerations | College of Policing . This includes a National Autistic Society guide from criminal justice professionals who may come into contact with people on the autism spectrum – as victims, witnesses, suspects or offenders.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council have established a National Neurodiversity Working Group whose work includes supporting police forces to design and deliver a service to be proud of relating to neurodivergent victims, witnesses, suspects, and residents. They have also produced an e-learning course and a glossary of terms on neurodiversity, which are available to all police officers.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will consider the introduction of mandatory autism awareness training for staff working in the police.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Training on mental ill health and autism is already integrated throughout the initial police learning programme which all new recruits must complete.
Policing is operationally independent, and it is a matter for the chief constables of each force to decide what additional training their officers should undertake. The National Police Chiefs’ Council has produced an e-learning course and a glossary of terms on neurodiversity, which are available to all police officers.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has considered the potential merits of allowing Palestinians to (a) apply for visas online and (b) provide biometrics after arrival in the UK.
Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Government is keeping all existing visa pathways under review in response to events in Gaza. Palestinians who wish to settle in the UK can do so via the existing routes available. More information on all routes available for a person to apply to work, study or settle/join family in the UK can be found on the GOV.UK website: Visas and immigration - GOV.UK.
People requiring a visa will need to make an online visa application and submit their biometrics (digital photograph and fingerprint) at a Visa Application Centre (VAC), prior to travel to the UK.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made on supporting Palestinians with UK job offers to leave Gaza.
Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Government is keeping all existing visa pathways under review in response to events in Gaza. Palestinians who wish to settle in the UK can do so via the existing routes available. More information on all routes available for a person to apply to work, study or settle/join family in the UK can be found on the GOV.UK website: Visas and immigration - GOV.UK.
People requiring a visa will need to make an online visa application and submit their biometrics (digital photograph and fingerprint) at a Visa Application Centre (VAC), prior to travel to the UK.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of police in-house forensic provision.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The provision of high quality, timely forensic evidence is vital for an effective criminal justice system that prevents crime, prosecutes suspects, and gives victims the justice they deserve.
Hardworking police and forensic scientists do an excellent job delivering these vital services every day. However, we are confident we can achieve more for the public.
The Government have announced the creation of a new National Centre of Policing that will bring together crucial support services, including forensics, that local police forces can draw upon, to raise standards, and improve efficiency.
We have appointed a national forensic science lead who will transform our approach by helping to create creating a new model of delivery with the police and forensic leaders to raise standards and improve efficiency, and ultimately build greater public confidence in our criminal justice system.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will consider establishing a National Forensics Service.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The provision of high quality, timely forensic evidence is vital for an effective criminal justice system that prevents crime, prosecutes suspects, and gives victims the justice they deserve.
Hardworking police and forensic scientists do an excellent job delivering these vital services every day. However, we are confident we can achieve more for the public.
The Government have announced the creation of a new National Centre of Policing that will bring together crucial support services, including forensics, that local police forces can draw upon, to raise standards, and improve efficiency.
We have appointed a national forensic science lead who will transform our approach by helping to create creating a new model of delivery with the police and forensic leaders to raise standards and improve efficiency, and ultimately build greater public confidence in our criminal justice system.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will consider creating a national forensics strategy.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The provision of high quality, timely forensic evidence is vital for an effective criminal justice system that prevents crime, prosecutes suspects, and gives victims the justice they deserve.
Hardworking police and forensic scientists do an excellent job delivering these vital services every day. However, we are confident we can achieve more for the public.
The Government have announced the creation of a new National Centre of Policing that will bring together crucial support services, including forensics, that local police forces can draw upon, to raise standards, and improve efficiency.
We have appointed a national forensic science lead who will transform our approach by helping to create creating a new model of delivery with the police and forensic leaders to raise standards and improve efficiency, and ultimately build greater public confidence in our criminal justice system.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to improve the process for moving geographical samples between Britain and the EU.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It is not the responsibility of the Home Office to monitor geographical samples such as soil and water.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to facilitate the visa process for (a) non-British workers working for British companies within UK territorial waters and (b) British workers working in other countries’ territorial waters for short periods of time.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The government’s longstanding position has been that foreign nationals need permission to work in UK waters. Workers should apply for the appropriate visa before coming to work in the UK.