Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government is taking steps to promote accredited e-bike compliance and inspection training to police forces nationally; and what guidance is being issued to ensure officers can accurately distinguish between road-legal Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles and illegal e-bikes to prevent wrongful seizures.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The training of police officers is an operational matter for Chief Constables and police forces. Police forces are responsible for ensuring that officers have the skills and knowledge necessary to enforce the law effectively and proportionately. This includes ensuring officers understand the distinction between road-legal Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles and illegal e-bikes. Decisions on whether a vehicle meets the legal requirements to qualify as an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle and vehicle seizure are operational matters for the police to determine in accordance with the relevant legislation and policing guidance.
The Home Office works closely with policing partners, including the National Police Chiefs' Council, on issues relating to the enforcement of road traffic and anti-social behaviour legislation. Discussions with policing partners cover a range of issues associated with the unlawful use of vehicles, including illegally modified e-bikes and off-road vehicles. Decisions on any future regulatory measures relating to the sale of such vehicles are primarily matters for the Department for Business and Trade.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has had discussions with (a) police leaders and (b) the National Police Chiefs' Council on potential regulatory measures for the sale of (i) off-road vehicles and (ii) high powered e-bikes.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The training of police officers is an operational matter for Chief Constables and police forces. Police forces are responsible for ensuring that officers have the skills and knowledge necessary to enforce the law effectively and proportionately. This includes ensuring officers understand the distinction between road-legal Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles and illegal e-bikes. Decisions on whether a vehicle meets the legal requirements to qualify as an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle and vehicle seizure are operational matters for the police to determine in accordance with the relevant legislation and policing guidance.
The Home Office works closely with policing partners, including the National Police Chiefs' Council, on issues relating to the enforcement of road traffic and anti-social behaviour legislation. Discussions with policing partners cover a range of issues associated with the unlawful use of vehicles, including illegally modified e-bikes and off-road vehicles. Decisions on any future regulatory measures relating to the sale of such vehicles are primarily matters for the Department for Business and Trade.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the security funding settlements announced for minority faiths for 2026–27; and if she will make it her policy to keep those settlements under review should the threat picture change.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)
The Government is clear that protecting the right of all faith communities to worship freely and without fear is fundamental.
In 2026/27, the Government has made available a record £77.4 million available for the Home Office’s protective security schemes for faith communities. Funding allocations are determined on the basis of police data, threat assessments and wider security advice, helping to ensure that support is targeted towards communities facing the greatest risks from terrorism, hate crime and wider security threats. This vital work sits alongside wider Government measures to strengthen the protection of communities and to tackle hatred in all its forms.
We continue to work closely with policing, security and other partners to monitor the threat picture and strengthen protections for communities where necessary. Funding allocations and protective security arrangements remain under review and will continue to be informed by the latest assessments of risk and operational need.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to work with youth organisations in Scotland to understand the opinions of young Scottish people.
Answered by Melanie Ward - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
The UK Government is committed to ensuring our policies reflect the views and barriers facing young people across Scotland. The Scotland Office maintains regular dialogue with youth organisations and charities, and officials have met with both Includem and Inspiring Scotland this year.
Young people’s experiences of mental health and employment support are directly informing our approach to delivering in Scotland, including extending the Youth Hubs initiative to another 18 areas, bringing the total in Scotland to 28.
This will help ensure even more young people have access to essential mental health support, housing advice, and career guidance, including CV advice so they can fulfil their potential.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has undertaken a recent review of the risks to (a) livestock, (b) property and (c) the environment arising from the release of Chinese lanterns; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a nationwide ban.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Local councils already have powers to apply local controls to restrict or ban the use of sky lanterns (including Chinese lanterns) on council or public land or issue a fixed penalty notice for littering.
Voluntary initiatives aimed at minimising the risks associated with sky lanterns also exist, including the Code of Practice for sky lanterns developed by industry to ensure that they are manufactured to be safe and are sold responsibly.