Written questions by Thomas.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of capping annual net-migration into the United Kingdom.

I refer the Hon Member to the Answer provided on 05 December to Question UIN 16705.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of deporting foreign nationals resident in the UK that engage in activities contrary to British values.

It is already government policy to pursue deportation where a foreign national:is convicted of an offence that has caused serious harm or if, the person has not yet been convicted of an offence, there is compelling circumstantial evidence that the person’s conduct or presence in the UK has or will cause serious harm;is a persistent offender;poses a threat to national security;is involved in gun crime or serious drug offending (regardless of the length of sentence received); orhas participated in or facilitated a sham marriage. In this Government’s first six months in office, we removed 2,580 foreign national offenders, a 23% increase on the same period twelve months prior.

If she will make it her policy to not build new asylum accommodation in Bromsgrove constituency.

The Government has no plans to build new asylum accommodation at the current time.Home Office relies on pre-existing accommodation to house asylum seekers.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of charging asylum seekers for costs associated with their settlement in the UK.

Current Home Office policy in this area remains the same as that in place under the previous government.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of increasing firearms license fees on firearms license holders.

On 15 January, the Government laid a statutory instrument before Parliament that will increase fees charged by police forces to provide full-cost recovery for firearms licensing applications, giving effect to a commitment in the Government’s manifesto. The new fees will come into force on 5 February 2025.The fees were last increased in 2015 and they no longer meet the cost of the service provided. It is essential for both public safety and police efficiency that full cost recovery fees are introduced so that service improvements can be made. The need to increase firearms licensing fees to help address shortcomings in firearms licensing was highlighted by the Senior Coroner in his Preventing Future Deaths reports into the fatal shootings in Plymouth in August 2021.The NPCC Lead on Firearms Licensing is developing a new performance framework for firearms licensing teams. In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services will later this year be undertaking a thematic inspection of police forces’ arrangements in respect of firearms licensing.A full impact assessment, which covers the impact of increased fees on the shooting community, was published alongside the statutory instrument.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of excluding China from the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme on UK national security.

The Government is currently working at pace to implement the scheme, which is expected to commence in 2025. The proposed foreign entities to be included in the scheme will be subject to formal debate and agreement by both Houses of Parliament in due course.

What steps she is taking to reduce the waiting time for firearms license applications.

On 15 January, the Government laid a statutory instrument before Parliament that will increase fees charged by police forces to provide full-cost recovery for firearms licensing applications, giving effect to a commitment in the Government’s manifesto. The new fees will come into force on 5 February 2025.The fees were last increased in 2015 and they no longer meet the cost of the service provided. It is essential for both public safety and police efficiency that full cost recovery fees are introduced so that service improvements can be made. The need to increase firearms licensing fees to help address shortcomings in firearms licensing was highlighted by the Senior Coroner in his Preventing Future Deaths reports into the fatal shootings in Plymouth in August 2021.The NPCC Lead on Firearms Licensing is developing a new performance framework for firearms licensing teams. In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services will later this year be undertaking a thematic inspection of police forces’ arrangements in respect of firearms licensing.A full impact assessment, which covers the impact of increased fees on the shooting community, was published alongside the statutory instrument.

How many additional police officers her Department plans to fund in West Mercia by the end of 2025.

As part of our Safer Streets Mission we will put neighbourhood police back on the beat, with 13,000 additional officers, PCSOs and special constables in neighbourhood policing roles across England and Wales.Last week the Prime Minister announced that £100...