Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Government plans to respond to the consultation on unexplained wealth orders.

In the Action Plan for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist finance, published on 21 April, the Government sought the views of respondents on whether unexplained wealth orders (UWOs) should be implemented in the UK, as part of the wider consultation on a range of proposals for tackling these crimes. UWOs would be used to require an individual to explain to the court the origin of his or her assets. This can provide critical information on which law enforcement agencies can build their case.

The Action Plan also sought the views of respondents on whether a new forfeiture power should be created to enable the forfeiture of any assets for which a satisfactory explanation cannot be given to the court. The consultation closed on 2 June, and the Government is currently considering the responses, and engaging with public and private stakeholders to gather wider views. The response to the consultation will be published in due course.