Written questions by Stafford.

What steps she has taken to ensure that (a) the Border Force and (b) UK national security agencies are aware of the identities of high-risk individuals released in prisoner exchanges in the Middle East.

The Home Secretary has not had any engagement with Israeli authorities to discuss these matters. Since October 2023, a specialist team of experts from the FCDO have been providing support to family members in the UK and Israel. Officials have offered support to the hostage families forum, including through ministerial and senior official engagement.We have also connected the families with specialist agencies and organisations that can offer practical and psychological support, including FCDO-funded partner Hostage International.The Home Office uses various tools to detect and disrupt travel by terrorists, by criminals and by individuals excluded from the UK; previously deported from the UK; or using lost, stolen or revoked documents and visas. This includes the use of domestic and international watchlists.It is a longstanding policy that HMG does not comment on the specific data held on the watchlist, how the data is used, or its source, as to do so would be harmful to the national security of the UK.

What discussions she has had with the Israeli authorities on the sharing of (a) intelligence, (b) biometric data and (c) watchlists in relation to people released under prisoner agreements related to conflict in the Middle East.

It is the long-standing policy of successive governments not to comment publicly on discussions related to the UK sharing intelligence with international partners. The Home Office uses various tools to detect and disrupt travel by terrorists, by criminals and by individuals excluded from the UK; previously deported from the UK; or using lost, stolen or revoked documents and visas. This includes the use of domestic and international watchlists. It is a longstanding policy that HMG does not comment on the specific data held on the watchlist, how the data is used, or its source, as to do so would be harmful to the national security of the UK.

How she plans to maintain the integrity of UK borders while fulfilling international obligations towards asylum seekers, in the context of evolving security risks.

All asylum and human rights claims are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations so that we do not remove anyone to a country where they would face persecution or serious harm. All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to confirm their identity and to link it to their biometric details for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks. These checks are critical to the delivery of a safe and secure immigration system.The Home Office conducts mandatory identity and security checks on all irregular arrivals. We capture the given identity, and biometric (facial and fingerprint) data. This biographic and biometric data is checked and compared against relevant Home Office systems and police databases, including domestic and international data so we can establish whether the person is a known threat to public safety. Checks are conducted by the Home Office for a number of purposes, primarily for effective immigration control, safeguarding national security, and preventing, detecting and investigating serious and organised crime.Anyone convicted of a ‘particularly serious crime’, defined as being convicted by a final judgment and sentenced to a period of imprisonment of at least 12 months, and are considered a danger to the UK, will be denied asylum and considered for removal from the UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions her Department has had with their Vietnamese counterparts on the use of counter-terrorism laws to target (a) Montagnard Indigenous Peoples and (b) Christian religious minorities in the country.

The UK Government continues to raise concerns with the Vietnamese authorities about the use of national security legislation to target Montagnard Indigenous Peoples and Christian religious minorities. These issues were most recently raised by the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West MP, during meetings with Vice Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang in London on 17 March 2025 and in Hanoi on 23-24 October 2024. The UK also raised the case of Y Quynh Bdap, a Montagnard activist facing extradition from Thailand, in our statement at the UN Human Rights Council in September 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken with international partners to support imprisoned human rights supports in China, in the context of reports of (a) torture and (b) denial of medical treatment.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 1 September to Question 70115.

Communities and Local Government, what recent steps he has taken to support (a) religious freedom and the (b) protection of minority faith groups.

Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right. Everyone in Britain has the right to feel safe and at ease where they live. The Government is committed to protecting individuals’ right to practise their religion freely and will not tolerate religious hatred in any form. Those who incite religious hatred will face the full force of the law.Faith Groups in England and Wales that are particularly vulnerable to religiously or racially motivated hate crime are eligible for funded protective security measures through the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme. This scheme offers physical security enhancements, such as CCTV, intruder alarms, and secure perimeter fencing.An Antisemitism Working Group has been established to advise the Government on effective strategies to tackle hate against Jewish communities. Additionally, the government continues to work with the independent advisor Lord Mann in combating antisemitism through meaningful engagement with diverse communities.The Government has also established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of Anti-Muslim Hatred. The working group have engaged widely to ensure their proposed definition accounts for the variety of backgrounds and experiences of communities across the United Kingdom.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to encourage the formation of an independent investigation into the 10 October 2025 attack on the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Rabwah, Pakistan.

We are aware of the recent attack at Baitul Mahdi Mosque in Rabwah and continue to monitor the situation with concern. Our High Commission in Islamabad regularly raises the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels, and has raised this incident with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister. I raised my concern over violence against the Ahmadiyya community in a meeting with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister in August. We continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to fully investigate incidents of violence, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims and their families. On the international stage, the UK continues to highlight freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) violations and abuses through our position at the UN, G7 and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her polices of the armed attack on the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Rabwah, Pakistan, on 10 October 2025.

We are aware of the recent attack at Baitul Mahdi Mosque in Rabwah and continue to monitor the situation with concern. Our High Commission in Islamabad regularly raises the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels, and has raised this incident with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister. I raised my concern over violence against the Ahmadiyya community in a meeting with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister in August. We continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to fully investigate incidents of violence, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims and their families. On the international stage, the UK continues to highlight freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) violations and abuses through our position at the UN, G7 and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Pakistani counterpart on the (a) safety and (b) protection of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, in the context of the recent attack in Rabwah.

We are aware of the recent attack at Baitul Mahdi Mosque in Rabwah and continue to monitor the situation with concern. Our High Commission in Islamabad regularly raises the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels, and has raised this incident with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister. I raised my concern over violence against the Ahmadiyya community in a meeting with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister in August. We continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to fully investigate incidents of violence, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims and their families. On the international stage, the UK continues to highlight freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) violations and abuses through our position at the UN, G7 and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to raise recent violence against Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

We are aware of the recent attack at Baitul Mahdi Mosque in Rabwah and continue to monitor the situation with concern. Our High Commission in Islamabad regularly raises the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels, and has raised this incident with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister. I raised my concern over violence against the Ahmadiyya community in a meeting with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister in August. We continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to fully investigate incidents of violence, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims and their families. On the international stage, the UK continues to highlight freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) violations and abuses through our position at the UN, G7 and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of mobile banking services in towns where there is no permanent banking hub.

Banking has changed significantly in recent years with customers benefitting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. However, the Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets and is committed to championing sufficient access for all. That is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament with more than 240 hubs announced so far, and more than 180 already open. Decisions on the location of banking hubs are made independently by LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network, through an access to cash assessment. LINK assesses a community's access to cash needs when a cash service, such as a bank branch closes, or if LINK receives a request from a community. This assessment may lead to a recommendation for the establishment of a banking hub in that community. Any member of the public can submit a community request for an access to cash review in their area via LINK's website. Some banks choose to provide further points of access to banking in a way they think is best for their customers, such as through community banking services via pop-ups in community centres and libraries, or operate mobile banking vans to serve more remote areas. The Post Office Banking Framework also allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Customers can therefore access everyday banking services in a variety of ways, including telephone banking, digital channels such as mobile or online banking and in person via bank branches, banking hubs and the Post Office.

If he will mandate the Health and Safety Executive to issue updated guidance on outdoor working and sun exposure to include the use of high factor sunscreen.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) currently provides guidance for outdoor workers and sun exposure on both its main website pages and as a short leaflet entitled Keep your top on - Health risks from working in the sun (INDG147), both of which recommend the use of high-factor sunscreen.I have directed HSE to update its own guidance so that it aligns with the advice provided by the NHS of using sunscreen of at least SPF30.

If he will mandate the Health and Safety Executive to audit businesses employing outdoor workers to ensure that high factor sunscreen is provided on site.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recognises the health risks posed by working in the sun in industries such as agriculture and construction. HSE’s guidance is informed by the NHS’s position and is available here: Skin at work: Outdoor workers and sun exposure - HSE. The information in HSE's guidance encourages employers of outdoor workers to include sun protection advice in routine health and safety training and advises workers to keep covered up during the summer months. Where possible direct exposure to the sun should be avoided, for example by working in the shade. Employers should assess the risks and determine the best control measures. Sunscreen with a protection factor of SPF30 or above, as per NHS guidelines, should be used to complement these measures and deal with any residual risk, but not as the primary protective measure. HSE has a range of tools as its disposal to ensure employers are acting in accordance with their legal duties.

What steps she is taking to help consistent teaching of (a) safe and unsafe exposure to the sun and (b) how to reduce the risk of sun damage as outlined in the mandatory PHSE curriculum for primary schools.

As part of the revised relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance, published on 15 July, schools must now teach facts about safe and unsafe exposure to the sun, and how to reduce the risk of sun damage, including skin cancer. In secondary school, the curriculum builds on this, and in addition covers the importance of pupils taking responsibility for their own health.

If she will make it her policy to extend the teaching of sun safety to secondary schools.

As part of the revised relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance, published on 15 July, schools must now teach facts about safe and unsafe exposure to the sun, and how to reduce the risk of sun damage, including skin cancer. In secondary school, the curriculum builds on this, and in addition covers the importance of pupils taking responsibility for their own health.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that all primary schools are keeping children safe from the exposure to the sun during the school day.

Schools are responsible for safeguarding children in their care. We expect all schools to make sensible decisions about sun safety when temperatures are high.The department’s Education Hub website signposts the UK Security Agency’s advice for teachers and other educational professionals on looking after children before and after hot weather, and the Health and Safety Executive’s advice for schools as employers.We also expect schools to engage parents and pupils in discussions about what precautions are acceptable, including how schools adhere to the UK Security Agency’s advice around whether staff should administer sunscreen to younger pupils, whether children are allowed to carry their own sunscreen or cover up, wear sunglasses and a hat.The department has no plans to introduce a national sun safe policy for primary schools. We believe schools are best placed to determine what measures are practical within the context of their school to minimise the risks arising from pupils being exposed to the sun during the school day.

If she will make it her policy that all primary schools must adopt a national sun safe policy.

Schools are responsible for safeguarding children in their care. We expect all schools to make sensible decisions about sun safety when temperatures are high.The department’s Education Hub website signposts the UK Security Agency’s advice for teachers and other educational professionals on looking after children before and after hot weather, and the Health and Safety Executive’s advice for schools as employers.We also expect schools to engage parents and pupils in discussions about what precautions are acceptable, including how schools adhere to the UK Security Agency’s advice around whether staff should administer sunscreen to younger pupils, whether children are allowed to carry their own sunscreen or cover up, wear sunglasses and a hat.The department has no plans to introduce a national sun safe policy for primary schools. We believe schools are best placed to determine what measures are practical within the context of their school to minimise the risks arising from pupils being exposed to the sun during the school day.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the 2023 changes to VAT on gym memberships on independent gyms.

In 2023, the courts decided that sports and leisure services supplied by local authorities are non-business activities and are not subject to VAT. There was no change in the VAT treatment of gym membership. However, before the change was implemented for local authority services, HMRC analysed in detail the relevant economic circumstances of the sports and leisure sector, and the conclusion was that removing the requirement to charge VAT on local authority sports and leisure activities would not significantly distort competition in the sector, partly because the sector was already subject to significant structural variations for reasons not confined to tax or VAT. Following the 2023 change, HMRC held a series of positive meetings with stakeholders from the sector to address any concerns or questions that they had about the change.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Bank of England’s proposed retail holding caps on stablecoins on (a) consumer financial freedoms, (b) the competitiveness of UK fintech and (c) the risk of driving digital asset innovation offshore.

The Government recognises that facilitating stablecoin innovation is important for UK competitiveness, and continues to engage with the regulators, including the Bank of England, to ensure a coherent regulatory framework that works for businesses and consumers. The Government will bring forward legislation later this year to create a financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets in the UK, including stablecoins.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the higher business rates multiplier for larger premises on (a) the prices of essential goods, (b) shop closures, (c) regional employment levels and (d) footfall in town centres.

The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so the Government will introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties in 2026/27 - those with RVs of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but cover the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants. The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes and broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.