Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many private investigators have been questioned by police over allegations of assisting Russia in the last 12 months; and what steps his Department is taking to tackle companies that assist (a) Russia and (b) other sanctioned countries.

The Home Office does not hold information on how many private investigators have been questioned by police over allegations of assisting Russia.

Departments across HMG including FCDO, HMT (through OFSI), DBT, DFT, HMRC, Home Office, and NCA, work together to ensure that UK companies are compliant with UK sanctions, including through guidance, engagement, civil enforcement and criminal prosecution.

The launch of the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) by DBT will further enhance guidance and engagement with industry, as well as civil enforcement of trade sanctions.

Legislation is being enhanced to expand the powers to impose civil monetary penalties for breaches of both trade and transport sanctions measures.