Every parliamentary written question tabled by Anneliese Dodds this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 101–120 of 417 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle transnational repression in the UK but which relates to other countries by definition.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December 2025 in response to Question 97660.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what definition has her Department used to identify instances of transnational repression.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December 2025 in response to Question 97660.
To what extent have police officers been trained on the subject of transnational repression.
Police and intelligence services have mature mechanisms in place to assess, detect and disrupt state linked threats, including transnational repression, using a wide range of tactics to protect those at risk.Training has been rolled out across all UK police forces, including upskilling of 999 call handlers, to improve frontline identification of state-directed crimes.The police have implemented new processes which ensure they flag and record crime reports that may involve foreign interference; these are triaged locally and escalated to Counter Terrorism Policing specialists where appropriate, strengthening national visibility of reporting trends and methodologies.
Whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of responses from 999 and 111 services to victims in the UK of transnational repression.
If individuals think they are a victim of any form of state directed activity, they should report this to police via the established mechanisms - 101, 999, or at a local police station.We have carefully considered, in consultation with Counter Terrorism Policing, how best to encourage reporting and ensure that reports received are treated seriously and dealt with appropriately.The existing functions have been found to be efficient, effective, and widely recognised, with trained officers and staff dealing with crime reporting on a 24/7 basis. This ensures policing can respond to the situation as it presents, including immediate deployment of police in an emergency if necessary.These existing mechanisms also ensure victims receive the support and protection they need.Translators and language support are embedded within existing reporting mechanisms, and work is underway to ensure those providing interpretation for policing understand the nature of TNR, supporting accurate referral and victim confidence.
What support is available to targets of transnational repression in the UK.
The Government takes the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety very seriously.A range of support and security assistance mechanisms have been developed to protect individuals that are at risk of transnational repression. This assistance is based on threat and varied in its scope and approach, but can include tailored protective security advice, cybersecurity measures, and access to broader public resources. Practical guidance is available on GOV.UK for individuals who believe they may be at risk of TNR, providing clear advice on both physical and online safety and how to report concerns.Anyone who thinks they might be a victim of transnational repression should report incidents or suspicious activity to the Police via 101, at a local police station, or 999 in emergencies.
Whether she has held discussions with victims of transnational repression and with civil society on the implementation of the Department's TNR Guidance.
Engagement with affected individuals, civil society organisations, community representatives and academics informed the Defending Democracy Taskforce’s review of transnational repression and its recommendations. Insights from this engagement helped shape the Government’s response, including the publication of practical guidance on GOV.UK for individuals who believe they may be at risk.The Government continues to engage with civil society and affected individuals at both official and Ministerial levels to refine its understanding of how transnational repression presents in the UK and to ensure that its response, including guidance, remains proportionate, evidence led and responsive to the evolving threat.
What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of existing victim-protection measures for individuals targeted by transnational repression.
The Government takes the safety of individuals who may be at risk of transnational repression (TNR) extremely seriously, and support is always threat‑led and tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. It would not be appropriate to comment on individual security arrangements, but the UK acts swiftly when risks are identified.The Government has published practical guidance on GOV.UK for those who believe they may be at risk, offering advice on physical and online safety, signposting reporting routes, and linking to wider protective security resources, including NCSC and NPSA materials.The Government continues to work with partners, including law enforcement and civil society, to refine its understanding of how TNR presents in practice and to ensure that victim protection measures remain effective, proportionate and responsive to the threat.Anyone who believes they are a victim of state-directed activity should report incidents or suspicious activity to the police via 101, at a local police station, or 999 in emergencies.
What mechanisms her Department has developed for the reporting and monitoring of transnational repression.
The Government is committed to ensuring that individuals who believe they may be victims of transnational repression have access to clear, trusted and effective mechanisms for reporting concerns and receiving support. The Defending Democracy Taskforce’s Review considered, in consultation with Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), how best to encourage reporting and ensure reports are treated seriously and dealt with appropriately.CTP’s assessment, developed in conjunction with the Government, is that the existing 999 and 101 services are the most widely known and accessible routes for contacting the police. These allow call handlers to assess reports and provide the most appropriate response, including immediate action where required, and to refer cases to specialist teams depending on the nature of the activity, including potential state threats.The Government will continue to work closely with policing to strengthen awareness, confidence and capability in responding to transnational repression, while ensuring the approach remains proportionate, effective and focused on protecting those most at risk.
What contact her Department has had with targets of transnational repression in the UK.
Owing to the sensitive nature of this activity and the need to protect individuals, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases.Engagement with affected individuals informed the Defending Democracy Taskforce’s review of transnational repression and its recommendations. This included contact with victims and those directly affected, alongside engagement with civil society organisations, academics and community representatives, to build understanding of how transnational repression presents in the UK and its impact on individuals.The Home Office continues to engage with civil society and affected individuals to refine its understanding of the threat and to ensure the Government’s response remains proportionate, evidence led and responsive as the threat evolves.
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the experience of victims of transnational repression in the UK justice system.
Engagement with victims of transnational repression (TNR) informed the Defending Democracy Taskforce’s review and recommendations. This included engagement with affected individuals, civil society organisations, academics and community representatives.The Government continues to engage with victims and civil society at both official and ministerial levels to ensure its understanding of TNR in the UK remains evidence led and responsive to evolving threats.The Government’s approach is underpinned by a coordinated, whole‑of‑government response, with departments and law enforcement working together to align legal, operational and protective measures. Recognising the significant impact TNR can have on victims, action is being taken to improve awareness and handling across the system, including specialist training for policing and the publication of practical protective security guidance.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK/Indonesia Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership on Critical Minerals, published on 29 November 2024, what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) the British Embassy in Jakarta have had with the Government of Indonesia on the potential impact of nickel mining in North Maluku on the threat to the survival of the uncontacted Hongana Manyawa indigenous people.
The UK and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a Strategic Partnership on Critical Minerals on 29 November 2024. The MoU provides a framework for cooperation on resilient, responsible, and sustainable critical minerals' supply chains. This partnership was further enhanced through the Climate, Nature and Energy Pillar of the Strategic Partnership, launched by the Prime Minister and the President of Indonesia in January, reinforcing both governments' commitment to cooperation on responsible and sustainable critical minerals development.Under this MoU, our Embassy in Jakarta continues to engage Indonesian partners, including the Government, through policy dialogue and technical cooperation to encourage alignment with international standards on responsible mining, including the protection of Indigenous Peoples, like the Hongana Manyawa in North Maluku, and local communities.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to publish the Joint Declaration of Intent on reducing deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon signed by Norway, Peru, Germany and the UK in 2026.
The UK will agree a publication plan for the Joint Declaration with our partners from Peru, Germany and Norway, once all formal processes around the declaration have been completed.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the report by Survival International entitled Uncontacted Indigenous Peoples: at the edge of survival, published in October 2025; and what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to raise this issue with international counterparts and other stakeholders.
The UK voted for the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and supports its principles, including respect for the rights, autonomy and protection of all indigenous people - including those living in voluntary isolation.The UK raises the rights of indigenous people through ongoing diplomatic engagement and works bilaterally and through multilateral institutions to encourage states to meet their international human rights commitments, including in countries where uncontacted indigenous people are present.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials based overseas have had with the governments of countries with uncontacted indigenous peoples on the protection of the rights of those peoples, including Indonesia, India, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela and Brazil.
The UK voted for the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and supports its principles, including respect for the rights, autonomy and protection of all indigenous people - including those living in voluntary isolation.The UK raises the rights of indigenous people through ongoing diplomatic engagement and works bilaterally and through multilateral institutions to encourage states to meet their international human rights commitments, including in countries where uncontacted indigenous people are present.
What if any, review process is available to Sudanese students currently holding UK university offers following the recent policy changes which impact their ability to obtain visas.
The decision to introduce a visa brake on the Student visa route for Sudan and three other nationalities was based on data-driven migration and border security considerations. There are no plans to provide exceptions for prospective students in scope of the brake.By providing 21 days’ notice ahead of the implementation of the visa brake, any prospective Sudanese student who held an offer of study from a licenced student sponsor and a valid Confirmation of Acceptance of Study (CAS), was able to apply for a Student visa as normal ahead of implementation on 26 March.
When the new refugee study and work pathway schemes will open.
In the Restoring Order and Control statement, the Government committed to the creation of safe and legal routes. This included capped routes for refugees and displaced students to come to the UK to study or for work.On 5 March the Home Secretary set out in a speech that starting this Autumn we will be opening a new student refugee route, with the first arrivals in Autumn 2027.Policy development and delivery planning are ongoing. Further details, including on timelines for the work route, will be set out in due course.
If the new community sponsorship safe routes will be open to nationals from Sudan and Afghanistan.
In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to sponsor refugees and displaced persons.The Named sponsorship routes will enable community groups to identify and select refugees and displaced persons to sponsor.Eligibility requirements for the route, including who can be sponsored, have yet to be set. Further details, including eligibility requirements, will be set out in due course.
How many of those in the UK on Skilled Worker and Study visa routes have gone on to claim asylum by nationality, per quarter for the last four quarters.
The Home Office publishes data on visas and asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. The number of Skilled Worker and Study entry clearance visas and extensions, broken down by nationality, is published in table Vis_D02 of the 'Entry clearance visas datasets' and table Exe_D01 of the 'Extensions datasets'. Data on asylum claims broken down by nationality or broken down by route of entry is available in table Asy_D01 and table Asy_D01a of the ‘Asylum claims and initial decisions datasets’. The Home Office does not currently publish a full nationality breakdown for asylum claims by holders of Skilled Worker visas or study visas.Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data. These reviews allow us to balance the production of our regular statistics whilst developing new statistics for future release.
What steps her Department is taking to help reduce the time taken to carry out inquests.
Coroner services are locally funded and administered in each of the 74 coroner areas in England and Wales. Operational issues are the responsibility of the relevant local authority in each area and real-time inquest data is not collated centrally.The Government publishes annual coroner statistics for England and Wales at: Coroners and burials statistics - GOV.UK. The 2025 Statistics will be published on 14 May 2026.The Government is committed to supporting an inquest process which is swift as possible and puts the bereaved at the heart of the process. We recognise the impact of delays on bereaved families and wider systems. We will continue to work closely with the Chief Coroner, local authorities and other key partners to reform and deliver a framework for the future development of coroner services England and Wales. This work will also take into account the implications of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill for the delivery of coroner services and the experience of the bereaved at inquest.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of inquest delays on bereaved families.
Coroner services are locally funded and administered in each of the 74 coroner areas in England and Wales. Operational issues are the responsibility of the relevant local authority in each area and real-time inquest data is not collated centrally.The Government publishes annual coroner statistics for England and Wales at: Coroners and burials statistics - GOV.UK. The 2025 Statistics will be published on 14 May 2026.The Government is committed to supporting an inquest process which is swift as possible and puts the bereaved at the heart of the process. We recognise the impact of delays on bereaved families and wider systems. We will continue to work closely with the Chief Coroner, local authorities and other key partners to reform and deliver a framework for the future development of coroner services England and Wales. This work will also take into account the implications of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill for the delivery of coroner services and the experience of the bereaved at inquest.