Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people claimed asylum by religion in each of the last five years.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office publishes available data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on asylum claims is published in table Asy_D01 of the ‘Asylum applications, initial decisions and resettlement detailed datasets’. The latest data relates to 2024. Information on how to use the datasets can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbooks.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has issued guidance to (a) immigration officers and (b) caseworkers on the compatibility of an asylum claimant's (i) views on (A) democracy, (B) free speech and (C) gender equality and (ii) other (1) cultural and (2) religious views with long-term residence in the UK.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

All asylum decision-making guidance, including our policy on extremism (contained within Exclusion (Article 1F) and Article 33(2) of the Refugee Convention guidance), is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/asylum-decision-making-guidance-asylum-instructions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of dentistry in Great Yarmouth constituency.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Dental Statistics - England 2023/24, published by the NHS Business Services Authority on 22 August 2024, is available at the following link:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324

As Lord Darzi made clear in his independent investigation of the National Health Service in England, there are wide variations in the number of NHS dentists per population in different areas of the country. Rural and coastal communities particularly lack access to NHS dentistry. This is certainly the case in Norfolk and Waveney, where the integrated care board has 31.5 dentists per 100,000 population, compared to an average of 49.5 per 100,000 across England.

We have announced a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to require Departments to publish disaggregated statistics on public service usage by immigration status.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Office for National Statistics collects and publishes just under 50% of our national statistics. The rest of our national statistics are collected and published by each relevant department.

There are no plans to change the current requirements for departments.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to UK-India trade deal, if she will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of the exemption for Indian people working in the UK from National Insurance contributions for three years.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The OBR will certify the impact of the trade deal including the Double Contributions Convention in the usual way at a fiscal event, once the deal is finalised and ratified. The agreement to negotiate a Double Contributions Convention was made in the context of the wider deal, which will bring billions into the economy.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether their Department plans to amend its policies on access to (a) toilets, (b) changing facilities and (c) other single-sex spaces in (i) Departmental buildings and (ii) other buildings within their Department’s remit following the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department welcomes the Supreme Court's ruling and the clarity that it brings. We will review our internal policies wherever necessary, ensuring that they follow the clarity provided by the ruling and comply with the latest legal position. We will also ensure that the protections which remain in place for trans people to live free from discrimination and harassment, including in relation to their employment, are also taken into account.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Prevent referrals related to Islamic extremism resulted in (a) prosecutions and (b) removals from the country in the last three years; and what steps her Department is taking to improve the enforcement of removal orders.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

Prevent aims to intervene early to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. The Prevent Duty sits alongside long-established safeguarding duties on professionals to protect people from a range of harms. It helps to ensure that people who are susceptible to radicalisation are supported as they would be under safeguarding processes. A Prevent referral does not amount to an accusation of criminality.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to review the Government's provision of sex-specific (a) facilities and (b) services in government buildings, in the context of the UK Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements.

We will consult with our Government Legal Department and Kings Counsel Lawyers who specialise in employment law.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the long-term cost to the public purse of (a) military logistics, (b) equipment support, (c) personnel risk, (d) reconstruction liabilities and (e) other costs arising from proposals for UK ground deployment to Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is committed to providing at least £3 billion a year in military support to Ukraine. As the Defence Secretary has made clear in the Commons, Ukraine’s security is our security, and we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. The UK will also provide £2.26 billion in additional military support to Ukraine for financial year 2025-26 through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration loan. Additional support is being provided through UK Export Finance guaranteed loans.

Other Government Departments are also providing non-military support to Ukraine including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Business and Trade.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has had discussions with NATO allies on the potential impact of the (a) capture, (b) injury and (c) killing of UK personnel while operating in Ukraine on the potential for (i) escalation and (ii) retaliation.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Secretary regularly speaks with his NATO counterparts on practical plans for how our militaries can support security guarantees for Ukraine’s future.

The UK is playing a leading role in accelerating work on security arrangements for Ukraine. This includes putting our own troops on the ground if necessary.

Advanced operational planning within the Coalition of the Willing, which is not NATO led, remains ongoing for options across land, sea and air, and to regenerate the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to ban Sharia courts.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Government has no plans to regulate or restrict religious processes (such as sharia courts) where all parties consent to those processes. This is consistent with Britain’s long history of freedom of worship and religious tolerance.

Sharia Courts are not part of the judicial system in England and Wales.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost to the public purse was of monitoring the MI5 watchlist in the latest period for which data is available.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Chancellor confirmed in the Spring Statement on 26 March 2025 that the Single Intelligence Account, which provides funding for MI5, SIS and GCHQ, would increase this year to £4.6 billion. Funding for CT Policing, who work closely with MI5, also increased to £1.2 billion this year.

It is a longstanding policy not to discuss the costs and resources associated with specific capabilities such as domestic and international watchlists. Detailed breakdowns of funding allocations for the UK Intelligence Community and CT Policing are not published for security reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether their Department plans to amend its policies on access to (a) toilets, (b) changing facilities and (c) other single-sex spaces in (i) Departmental buildings and (ii) other buildings within their Department’s remit following the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

16 April 2025 saw the Supreme Court ruling that sex is to be understood as biological sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010. The Ministry of Defence notes and will follow this ruling.

It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), as Britain’s equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers. Ministers will consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it following further work in light of this ruling.

The Government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for Government buildings.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the Royal Navy’s capacity to intercept small boats in the Channel carrying people seeking unlawful entry to the UK.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Home Office is the lead gGvernment department responsible for border security and migration.

It has established the Border Security Command to strengthen global partnerships and enhance the UK’s efforts to investigate, arrest, and prosecute people smugglers profiting from the dangerous movement of people across the channel.

Defence assets are procured for Defence tasks.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign nationals with (a) settled and (b) asylum status have been convicted of terrorism-related offences since 2010.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

Obtaining the information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will issue guidance to the police on ensuring that peaceful expressions of (a) opinions that may cause religious offence and (b) other opinions are not treated as hate crimes.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

On the matter of guidance to the police, I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 16 May to Question 5882-84.

On the matter of police investigation, the Home Office collects information on crimes and their outcomes recorded by the police but does not hold information on the nature of their investigations.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of civil servants have received formal performance ratings of underperforming or equivalent in each department in each of the last five years.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Departments have delegated responsibility for monitoring and reporting on civil servants performance ratings via their internal governance arrangements.

Information on how many civil servants in departments have received formal performance ratings of underperforming is therefore not held centrally.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has recorded any instances of police investigating people for speech deemed offensive to religious groups in the last five years.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

On the matter of guidance to the police, I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 16 May to Question 5882-84.

On the matter of police investigation, the Home Office collects information on crimes and their outcomes recorded by the police but does not hold information on the nature of their investigations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of asylum seekers granted leave to remain in the UK since 2010 who have returned to their country of origin for (a) visits, (b) holidays and (c) family reunions; and whether her Department takes steps in such cases to reassess refugee status.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office does not centrally hold the requested data, and could only collate it through manual searching of historic case files, at a disproportionate cost to the taxpayer.

However, I can assure the Hon Member that, where someone has protection status in the UK, revocation action can be taken at any time if there is sufficient evidence to justify such action. All cases are considered on a case-by-case basis and protection status will be revoked in circumstances where there is no remaining protection need.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, if she will ensure that a (a) full debate takes place in and (b) divisible motion is agreed by the House of Commons before deploying UK ground forces to Ukraine.

Answered by Lucy Powell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

There is a longstanding convention on war powers which this government respects.

I refer the Hon. Member to the words of the Prime Minister on 3rd March 2025 during the statement on Ukraine (available at: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-03-03).

The Prime Minister (Official report, col.28)
"We will, of course, put details before the House when we get to that stage—if we get to that stage."

The Prime Minister (Official report, col.38)
"My position on the sustained deployment of our troops is that this House would of course want to discuss that and vote on that, but we are nowhere near that stage at the moment."

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to ensure that asylum seekers in publicly-funded accommodation do not (a) promote and (b) practise the (i) rejection of British law, (ii) subjugation of women, (iii) persecution of religious minorities and (iv) other forms of religious extremism.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

No one in the UK is allowed to engage in conduct that breaks the law, regardless of the type of accommodation in which they live.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department holds on the prevalence of (a) forced marriage, (b) domestic abuse and (c) educational disadvantage affecting Muslim women; and what steps her Department is taking to help tackle the (i) cultural and (ii) religious barriers that prevent these women from seeking (A) legal and (B) social support.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Crime Survey for England and Wales for the year ending March 2024 estimates that 5.2% of Muslim women experienced domestic abuse in the last year, compared to a prevalence rate of 6.6% for the adult female population as a whole. In 2023, the Home Office commissioned a feasibility study to examine whether it is possible to produce robust prevalence estimates for forced marriage. We are currently considering the next steps and will set these out in due course. The Home Office does not collect data related to the educational disadvantage.

We fund a number of organisations for specific victim cohorts, including 'by and for' services supporting specific minority groups, including services for Black and Asian women.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2025 to Question 47976 on Prison: Crimes against the Person, if she will provide a further breakdown by nationality.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The number of individuals involved in incidents of an assault on staff within prisons in England and Wales, by nationality, for 2020 to 2024, can be found in the accompanying table.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many cases of communicable diseases were recorded in new arrivals to the UK in the last five years by visa status.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK Health Security Agency does not collect or hold data on communicable disease by visa status for new arrivals to the United Kingdom.

Advice on communicable disease screening and vaccinations for new arrivals to the UK is available in the Migrant Health Guidance, published on the GOV.UK website, and available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/assessing-new-patients-from-overseas-migrant-health-guide

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will ensure that blasphemy laws are not reintroduced.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has been clear that there is no blasphemy law in England, and we will not introduce one. Everyone has a fundamental right to freedom of speech. All language adopted by government must be accurate and acknowledge British citizens’ unchanging right to freedom of speech and expression.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

DWP has a statutory duty to provide language services to its customers in line with the Equality Act. The aim of the service is to provide spoken and written translation services for staff and customers who are deaf, hard of hearing or do not speak English as a first language in order to access DWP services. Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. DWP has no plans to move away from this statutory duty.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people under active surveillance for potential extremist activity are foreign nationals; and what proportion of those people entered via asylum routes.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

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

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of new GP registrations were made by non-UK nationals in each of the last five years.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not hold data regarding the number and proportion of National Health Service general practitioner registrations that were for non-United Kingdom nationals.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people deported for criminal offences in the last five years had previously been granted (a) asylum and (b) humanitarian protection.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The requested data is not centrally held, and could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Home Office data systems for collecting and processing data on foreign national offenders in the immigration system are currently being upgraded to improve the quality of information held by the department. For more information, please see this recently published note.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of SEND support recipients were children of non-UK nationals in the latest year for which data is available.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The department does not hold information on the nationality of parents of children with special educational needs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average cost per pupil was of providing English as an Additional Language support in state schools in the most recent academic year.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Each year, schools receive core funding from the department to cover their expenditures, which includes teacher salaries, support staff, school resources, and other expenses. The funding schools receive is not ringfenced for any specific form of expenditure and it is for each school to determine how this money will be best used to support their individual children.

The overall core schools budget (CSB) is increasing by £3.2 billion in 2025/26, meaning the CSB will total over £64.8 billion, compared to almost £61.6 billion in 2024/25.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil servants across all departments were awarded performance bonuses in the financial year 2024-2025.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Departments are responsible for administering any in year and end of year performance bonuses to their staff. The majority of departments are in the process of finalising performance markings for the 2024/25 performance year, which will determine who will be eligible for an end of year performance bonus. Departments should therefore hold the information requested by Autumn 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the proportion of new housing demand that is attributable to net migration since 2010.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government does not routinely publish assessments of the factors that influence housing demand.

Boosting the supply of homes of all tenures must be at the heart of any strategy to meet housing demand which is why the government’s Plan for Change includes a hugely ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament.

The government is determined to address the dire inheritance left by its predecessor and restore order to the asylum and immigration systems, delivering lower net migration.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil servants were subject to formal disciplinary proceedings in each of the last three years.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Individual departments are responsible for their own discipline policies and guidance in place, which include details of formal processes and procedures. These will be aligned to the Civil Service Code and the Civil Service Management Code which set out the standards and behaviour expected from all employees. Departments will collect information as required in their own department in accordance with GDPR.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools in England had a majority of pupils without English as a first language in (a) the most recent year for which figures are available and (b) 2005.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The department publishes school-level data on the number and percentage of pupils who have English as an additional language in state-funded schools. This information is available in the ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics’ publication, based on the January school census. The latest figures can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2023-24.

School-level data for 2005 is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-pupil-and-their-characteristics-2002-to-2009-data.

English as an additional language does not mean a pupil’s first language is a language other than English, but that they are exposed to another language in the home.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of (a) income tax, (b) VAT and (c) National Insurance revenue was generated by non-UK nationals in the last 10 years; and what information her Department holds on the proportion of public spending on non-UK nationals in the last 10 years.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC previously published Income Tax, NICs, tax credits and Child Benefit statistics for non-UK nationals. This release was discontinued in 2023 following user consultation.

HMRC currently publish UK payrolled employments by nationality, region, industry, age and sex.

The nationality of the final consumer of goods and services does not appear on VAT returns.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of population changes due to immigration on public transport (a) capacity and (b) congestion levels in urban centres.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department models future demand for transport based on the Common Analytical Scenarios (CAS), which are a wide range of plausible scenarios related to population, the economy, behavioural change and decarbonisation. DfT publish the National Road Traffic Projections (NRTP) which are a set of estimates of road traffic using the CAS, these include estimates of urban congestion. Rail analysis also accounts for population and demographic change when estimating future capacity impacts. The population forecasts used at the DfT are published by the Office of National Statistics and include changes in population arising from births, deaths and immigration and other demographic changes.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to protect academic and student freedom of speech in schools and universities.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

This government is absolutely committed to freedom of speech and academic freedom in schools, universities and beyond. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, confirmed to Parliament on 15 January the government’s plans for future of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, which will create a more proportionate, balanced and less burdensome approach to protecting academic freedom and freedom of speech.

On 28 April, the Secretary of State signed commencement regulations, bringing the following provisions into force from 1 August 2025:

• Strengthened higher education (HE) provider duties in relation to securing freedom of speech and academic freedom and promoting the importance of freedom of speech and academic freedom.
• A requirement for HE providers to put in place effective codes of practice on freedom of speech and academic freedom.
• A ban of non-disclosure agreements in HE for staff and students where there is a complaint about bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct.
• A requirement for the Office for Students to promote free speech and enable it to give advice and guidance on it.

Schools have a statutory duty to ensure a balanced presentation of political issues, but older pupils can engage with the political issues provided activity is conducted sensitively and not targeted at others. The promotion of fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs is considered by Ofsted in their inspections.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of grooming gang convictions since 2005 have involved perpetrators born outside the UK.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Government takes the issue of child sexual exploitation extremely seriously and is committed to ensuring that all perpetrators are brought to justice, regardless of their background.

It is not possible to identify an offender’s place of birth, or whether their offending was part of a grooming gang, from centrally collated convictions data.

The Government is focused on delivering meaningful change for victims impacted by these horrendous crimes and we must do so in a way that is unburdened by cultural sensitivities. This includes legislative reforms to strengthen mandatory reporting as part of our implementation of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse recommendations. A progress update on this work was published on 8 April 2025.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

DBT employ teams based in priority markets around the world and those teams often use local language skills to help UK businesses access opportunities to export their goods and services globally. Likewise, they will use local language skills to promote the UK to a global audience, and in particular to attract high value investment to the UK.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has provided guidance to (a) local authorities and (b) community cohesion officers on the application of religious offences to (i) lawful speech, (ii) art, and (iii) protest in public spaces.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have regular engagement with local authorities on a range of issues including social cohesion and people are expected to express their views concerning religion and beliefs respectfully including exercising the appropriate restraints within the confines of the law when providing criticism.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

No, translation and interpretation for a range of languages other than English (‘non-UK’ languages) is, and will continue to be, required to provide a wide variety of services across multiple areas of Defence.

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Services which DSIT offers to the public are set out on GOV.UK. Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will list the days of (a) cultural and (b) religious significance publicly marked by the Prime Minister (i) since 4 July 2024 and (ii) for the next 12 months.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Days of cultural and religious significance are frequently marked by the Prime Minister. Please see the @10DowningStreet X account for regular updates.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice has statutory obligations to provide language services where they are needed in the delivery of justice services.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an estimate of the proportion of migrants that do not meet functional English language standards on their arrival in the UK.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total cost to the public purse was for English language teaching for adult (a) migrants and (b) irregular migrants in the last five years.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department holds information on neighbourhoods where most residents do not speak English as a first language.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of asylum claimants granted leave to remain without meeting a minimum standard of English in the last five years.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of successful visa applicants required no proof of English language proficiency in the last five years.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there are any exemptions for English language tests in visa application processes.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of English language proficiency on long-term integration outcomes for migrants.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery. The Government’s Immigration White Paper sets out plans for the new English Language requirements across a range of routes, and makes clear our belief that the ability to speak English is critical for anyone wishing to integrate successfully into our communities.

However, there are some circumstances when it is essential to provide translation sources, for example when dealing with young women who have been trafficked into the UK against their will and subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation, and who require support and care after being rescued from those situations.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Regarding services provided by my department in particular, the Attorney General’s Office does not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Prime Minister will meet victims of rape gangs at Number 10 Downing Street.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on gov.uk as part of the government’s transparency agenda. For actions this Government is taking to help victims, I refer the Hon. Member to the oral statement made by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department [my Hon. Friend, the Member for Birmingham Yardley] on the 8 April 2025.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to increase the frequency of spot checks on taxi and private hire drivers to identify people working illegally.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office issues guidance to local authorities on preventing illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector. The guidance can be found on GOV.UK at: Licensing authority guide to right to work checks - GOV.UK

Enforcement visits are intelligence led and undertaken across all employment sectors. The Home Office is committed to increasing illegal working enforcement visits across a range of sectors throughout 2025-2026.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people working as (a) private hire and (b) taxi drivers are subject to immigration status checks; and how many enforcement actions have been taken against drivers found to be working illegally in each of the last three years.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office issues guidance to local authorities on preventing illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector. The guidance can be found on GOV.UK at: Licensing authority guide to right to work checks - GOV.UK

Enforcement visits are intelligence led and undertaken across all employment sectors. The Home Office is committed to increasing illegal working enforcement visits across a range of sectors throughout 2025-2026.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department issues to local licensing authorities on checking the (a) right-to-work and (b) immigration status of applicants for (i) taxi and (ii) private hire vehicle licences.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office issues guidance to local authorities on preventing illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector. The guidance can be found on GOV.UK at: Licensing authority guide to right to work checks - GOV.UK

Enforcement visits are intelligence led and undertaken across all employment sectors. The Home Office is committed to increasing illegal working enforcement visits across a range of sectors throughout 2025-2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 49171 on Coastal Erosion: Hemsby, if he will meet the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth to discuss the shoreline management for Hemsby.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

I met the hon. Member on 12 September to discuss coastal erosion in his constituency. I will ensure that the hon. Member has a meeting with relevant officials.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG uses language services to provide spoken and written translation services for those who are deaf, hard of hearing or do not speak English as a first language where required in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information her Department holds on the proportion of Universal Credit recipients that are not proficient in English; and what support in learning English is provided.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department does not hold information about the proportion of Universal Credit recipients that are not proficient in English.

Skills are essential to helping claimants get into and progress in work. Work Coaches offer all claimants a wide range of support, including referral to essential skills provision like English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). They engage in skills discussions with claimants to provide tailored, flexible advice and support.

DfE funds ESOL provision for adults 19+ through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF). Individuals aged 19 and over can be fully funded or co-funded to study ESOL depending on their employment status and salary, and provided they meet the residency criteria set out in the ASF Funding and Performance Management Rules.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information her Department holds on the proportion of jobseekers from overseas with limited English language skills that remain unemployed 12 months after their arrival in the UK.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 13th May is attached.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit: Explainer, updated on 19 May 2025, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact on (a) UK fish exports and (b) domestic fish processing businesses.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Over 70% of all UK seafood by value is exported to the EU. Removing the need for Export Health Certificates and border checks saves time and money – especially for fresh and live seafood that needs to reach markets quickly. This agreement has secured practical wins for the seafood sector – cutting costs, reducing delays, and protecting key quota, and providing business certainty – while also unlocking broader economic benefits that support UK growth and livelihoods.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit: Explainer, updated on 19 May 2025, what discussions he has had with representatives of the fishing industry on the new 12-year access arrangement.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Secretary of State and Fisheries Minister meet regularly with representatives from across the UK fishing industry. During meetings with fishing industry representatives the implementation of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement is often discussed, including (but not limited to) the setting of annual fishing opportunities, the work of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries, and the end of the fisheries access adjustment period in 2026. Most recently, the Secretary of State and Fisheries Minister spoke with key industry representatives on 19 May.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing reforms to limit the use of police investigations in cases where there is (a) no corroborating evidence and (b) a significant delay in reporting.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office is unable to comment on or intervene in individual police investigations, so as not to undermine Policing’s operational independence. Where a police force investigates an individual, we expect the force to determine how best to support those involved throughout and after conclusion of the investigation.

The Magistrates Court Act 1980 prescribes that for all summary offences, the information or complaint must be laid within six calendar months of the commission of the alleged offence. Most crimes do not have a time limit for reporting them, which ensures the criminal justice system can appropriately investigate and respond to crimes.

The Criminal Law Act 1967 categorises wasting police time as an offence, this includes making false reports. Perverting the course of justice can also be considered where a person does an act or series of acts which tends to or was intended to pervert the course of justice. It is for the police and CPS to determine when or if these offences have taken place.

This Government’s Safer Streets mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, halving serious violence and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly make (a) false and (b) malicious complaints for (i) political and (ii) reputational purposes.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office is unable to comment on or intervene in individual police investigations, so as not to undermine Policing’s operational independence. Where a police force investigates an individual, we expect the force to determine how best to support those involved throughout and after conclusion of the investigation.

The Magistrates Court Act 1980 prescribes that for all summary offences, the information or complaint must be laid within six calendar months of the commission of the alleged offence. Most crimes do not have a time limit for reporting them, which ensures the criminal justice system can appropriately investigate and respond to crimes.

The Criminal Law Act 1967 categorises wasting police time as an offence, this includes making false reports. Perverting the course of justice can also be considered where a person does an act or series of acts which tends to or was intended to pervert the course of justice. It is for the police and CPS to determine when or if these offences have taken place.

This Government’s Safer Streets mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, halving serious violence and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the merits of conducting a review into the (a) reputational and (b) mental health impact of being investigated for an offence without being charged.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office is unable to comment on or intervene in individual police investigations, so as not to undermine Policing’s operational independence. Where a police force investigates an individual, we expect the force to determine how best to support those involved throughout and after conclusion of the investigation.

The Magistrates Court Act 1980 prescribes that for all summary offences, the information or complaint must be laid within six calendar months of the commission of the alleged offence. Most crimes do not have a time limit for reporting them, which ensures the criminal justice system can appropriately investigate and respond to crimes.

The Criminal Law Act 1967 categorises wasting police time as an offence, this includes making false reports. Perverting the course of justice can also be considered where a person does an act or series of acts which tends to or was intended to pervert the course of justice. It is for the police and CPS to determine when or if these offences have taken place.

This Government’s Safer Streets mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, halving serious violence and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to prevent the misuse of police time and resources through (a) unfounded and (b) politically motivated allegations.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office is unable to comment on or intervene in individual police investigations, so as not to undermine Policing’s operational independence. Where a police force investigates an individual, we expect the force to determine how best to support those involved throughout and after conclusion of the investigation.

The Magistrates Court Act 1980 prescribes that for all summary offences, the information or complaint must be laid within six calendar months of the commission of the alleged offence. Most crimes do not have a time limit for reporting them, which ensures the criminal justice system can appropriately investigate and respond to crimes.

The Criminal Law Act 1967 categorises wasting police time as an offence, this includes making false reports. Perverting the course of justice can also be considered where a person does an act or series of acts which tends to or was intended to pervert the course of justice. It is for the police and CPS to determine when or if these offences have taken place.

This Government’s Safer Streets mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, halving serious violence and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of politically motivated police complaints on public confidence in the impartiality of the criminal justice system.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office is unable to comment on or intervene in individual police investigations, so as not to undermine Policing’s operational independence. Where a police force investigates an individual, we expect the force to determine how best to support those involved throughout and after conclusion of the investigation.

The Magistrates Court Act 1980 prescribes that for all summary offences, the information or complaint must be laid within six calendar months of the commission of the alleged offence. Most crimes do not have a time limit for reporting them, which ensures the criminal justice system can appropriately investigate and respond to crimes.

The Criminal Law Act 1967 categorises wasting police time as an offence, this includes making false reports. Perverting the course of justice can also be considered where a person does an act or series of acts which tends to or was intended to pervert the course of justice. It is for the police and CPS to determine when or if these offences have taken place.

This Government’s Safer Streets mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, halving serious violence and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department holds information on the breakdown of applicants in social housing by first language.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department does not hold data on the number of applicants for social housing by first language.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of fast-tracking Crown Prosecution Service advice in (a) politically sensitive and (b) time-critical investigations.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

It is vital that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which is rightly operationally independent from Government, makes decisions as quickly as possible after a careful consideration of all relevant facts. As Solicitor General, I review and monitor CPS performance including timeliness of charging decisions on a quarterly basis. All prosecution decisions are taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, and the CPS must always aim to make their decisions as quickly and efficiently as possible.

It is right that any case review is undertaken with the utmost care and, whereas some cases may be straightforward, others will have large volumes of evidence that can take time for investigators to identify and gather, often with the support of investigative advice from the prosecutor. That evidence then needs to be reviewed by the prosecutor, often with complex legal issues to resolve. While every case will be different, prosecutors must be even-handed in their approach, and they have a duty to protect the rights of suspects and defendants, while providing the best possible service to victims.

This Government is committed to reducing delays across the system and driving forward wider improvements and efficiencies to improve outcomes and secure swift and effective justice for victims, witnesses, suspects, defendants and the public.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that individuals who are subject to police investigations are provided with appropriate (a) legal and (b)reputational protections.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

Those under police investigation are entitled to free, independent, legal advice at the police station, through the provision of criminal legal aid. Legal aid is a vital part of the justice system and enables individuals, who need it most, to have access to publicly funded legal assistance to uphold their legal rights.

The Department has taken significant steps to support the criminal legal aid profession. In December 2024, we announced that criminal legal aid solicitors will receive up to £92 million more a year, subject to consultation, to support the sustainability of the criminal legal aid market. The consultation is now live and closes on 4 July 2025. The funding is in addition to the £24 million increase we announced in November 2024 for criminal solicitors. This latest commitment reflects the vital work that is undertaken by those who provide criminal legal aid and demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding the legal needs of those who rely upon their services.

In relation to reputational protections for individuals who are subject to police investigations, the Government is unable to comment on or intervene in individual police investigations, so as not to undermine the Police’s operational independence. Where a police force investigates an individual, the force is expected to use their judgement on how best to support those involved throughout and after conclusion of the investigation.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the proportion of halal food served in schools.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department does not collect information on the proportion of halal food served in schools.

The government sets out required minimum standards for school food in the School Food Standards. The standards do not specify food requirements in terms of cultural and religious needs. Headteachers, governors and their caterers are best placed to make decisions about their school food policies, taking into account cultural, religious and special dietary needs and by working with parents.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether their Department plans to amend its policies on access to (a) toilets, (b) changing facilities and (c) other single-sex spaces in (i) Departmental buildings and (ii) other buildings within their Department’s remit following the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Providers should note and follow the ruling.

It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers. Ministers will consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it following further work in light of this ruling.

The government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for government buildings.

Imprisonment of Lucy Connolly

Maintaining institutional neutrality of publicly funded buildings and spaces

Mauritius Treaty

Interception of small boats by France

UK-EU Summit (No. 2)

Dementia Action Week 2025