Written questions by McMurdock.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a South East allowance for firefighters to support retention in (a) Essex and (b) other areas.

The Government has no role in either setting or agreeing firefighter pay or allowances.The final Local Government Finance Settlement 2024/25 has determined that overall fire and rescue authorities will receive around £2.87 billion this year to continue protecting our communities at the highest standard. Standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities will see an increase in core spending power of £95.4 million in 2024/25. This is an increase of 5.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2023/24. Essex Fire and Rescue Authority will have core spending power of £92.1 million in 2024/25. This is an increase of 5.7 per cent in cash terms compared to 2023/24. Funding allocations for 2025/26 will be set out at the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement in December 2024.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of funding to mitigate the impact of unfunded pay increments for officers hired under the Police Uplift Programme in Essex.

The 2025-26 provisional police funding settlement provides funding of up to £19.5 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an overall increase of up to £1 billion when compared to the 2024-25 settlement, and equates to a 5.5% cash increase, and 3% real terms increase in funding.Essex Police will receive up to £431.1 million in 2025-26, an increase of up to £24.9 million when compared to 2024-25.Additional funding for police forces, including funding for pay awards, should be considered in totality – including both government grants and precept.This Government is committed to maintaining officer numbers. The Police Officer Maintenance grant provides funding to forces that successfully maintain officer headcounts as set out in the Police Funding Settlement. Forces are ineligible to receive funding if they fail to achieve these targets.Based on the last published Police Workforce Statistics total officer numbers across England and Wales, and in Essex police, met officer maintenance requirements.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the proposed 2025/26 funding settlement for Essex Police in the context of (a) the full-year cost of the 2023/24 pay award and (b) pay increments associated with the Police Uplift Programme.

The 2025-26 provisional police funding settlement provides funding of up to £19.5 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an overall increase of up to £1 billion when compared to the 2024-25 settlement, and equates to a 5.5% cash increase, and 3% real terms increase in funding.Essex Police will receive up to £431.1 million in 2025-26, an increase of up to £24.9 million when compared to 2024-25.Additional funding for police forces, including funding for pay awards, should be considered in totality – including both government grants and precept.This Government is committed to maintaining officer numbers. The Police Officer Maintenance grant provides funding to forces that successfully maintain officer headcounts as set out in the Police Funding Settlement. Forces are ineligible to receive funding if they fail to achieve these targets.Based on the last published Police Workforce Statistics total officer numbers across England and Wales, and in Essex police, met officer maintenance requirements.

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing the Police Uplift Programme ringfence clawback arrangement to prevent reduction of officer numbers in police forces (a) in Essex and (b) nationally.

The 2025-26 provisional police funding settlement provides funding of up to £19.5 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an overall increase of up to £1 billion when compared to the 2024-25 settlement, and equates to a 5.5% cash increase, and 3% real terms increase in funding.Essex Police will receive up to £431.1 million in 2025-26, an increase of up to £24.9 million when compared to 2024-25.Additional funding for police forces, including funding for pay awards, should be considered in totality – including both government grants and precept.This Government is committed to maintaining officer numbers. The Police Officer Maintenance grant provides funding to forces that successfully maintain officer headcounts as set out in the Police Funding Settlement. Forces are ineligible to receive funding if they fail to achieve these targets.Based on the last published Police Workforce Statistics total officer numbers across England and Wales, and in Essex police, met officer maintenance requirements.

Communities and Local Government, if she will review the distribution criteria for the Recovery Grant to ensure access to that funding for (a) Essex and (b) other areas with pockets of severe deprivation.

We have announced £1.3 billion of new grant funding in 2025/26 for local government to deliver core services and will provide a real-terms increase in total core spending power of around 3.2%.The Recovery Grant will be allocated to places where, weighted by population, deprivation outweighs council tax raising ability. The grant is intended to be highly targeted, meaning that not all authorities will receive an allocation. We understand this decision will feel hard for some local councils which fall outside the line, but this grant must be considered in the wider context.The government will set out the provisional allocations at the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2025-26 in the usual way towards the end of the calendar year. The government is clear that the Recovery Grant is not full reform and is committed to pursuing a comprehensive set of reforms for public services through a multi-year settlement from 2026-27.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to review the consular support available to families of British citizens who die abroad under suspicious circumstances.

FCDO consular staff offer tailored support to families bereaved through the death of British nationals overseas, including in cases where the authority overseas is investigating a death as suspicious or where the family have concerns about the investigation process overseas. This support can include advising families on how to raise concerns about the local investigation; signpost families on how to seek independent legal advice; and, where appropriate, refer families to relevant partner organisations for further support. FCDO staff can also register interest in the death with local authorities and request information and/or convey any concerns the family may have. The FCDO welcomes feedback on its service and is committed to continuous improvement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department provides to British citizens and their families in cases where (a) suspicious deaths occur abroad and (b) local investigations are perceived to be inadequate.

FCDO consular staff offer tailored support to families bereaved through the death of British nationals overseas, including in cases where the authority overseas is investigating a death as suspicious or where the family have concerns about the investigation process overseas. This support can include advising families on how to raise concerns about the local investigation; signpost families on how to seek independent legal advice; and, where appropriate, refer families to relevant partner organisations for further support. FCDO staff can also register interest in the death with local authorities and request information and/or convey any concerns the family may have. The FCDO welcomes feedback on its service and is committed to continuous improvement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the family of Tyler Kerry following his death in Turkey.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been providing consular support to Mr Kerry's family since 29 November. Due to relevant data protection legislation, we are unable to discuss the details of the support we are providing to Mr Kerry's family. However, FCDO support for bereaved families includes providing guidance on bereavement support; repatriation; and media handling alongside information about relevant police investigations. Our sincere condolences and sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) support the family of Tyler Kerry following his death in Turkey and (b) help ensure that their concerns about the investigation are addressed.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been providing consular support to Mr Kerry's family since 29 November. FCDO support for bereaved families includes providing guidance on bereavement support; repatriation; and media handling alongside information about relevant police investigations. Due to relevant data protection legislation, we are unable to discuss the details of the support we are providing to Mr Kerry's family or our engagement with Turkish authorities. It is for local authorities to conduct investigations relating to deaths in their jurisdiction. UK police can pass on concerns from affected families to overseas counterparts via Interpol. Our sincere condolences and sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Turkish authorities on (a) access to evidence and (b) transparency in the investigation of Tyler Kerry’s death.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been providing consular support to Mr Kerry's family since 29 November. FCDO support for bereaved families includes providing guidance on bereavement support; repatriation; and media handling alongside information about relevant police investigations. Due to relevant data protection legislation, we are unable to discuss the details of the support we are providing to Mr Kerry's family or our engagement with Turkish authorities. It is for local authorities to conduct investigations relating to deaths in their jurisdiction. UK police can pass on concerns from affected families to overseas counterparts via Interpol. Our sincere condolences and sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure a thorough investigation into the death in Turkey of Tyler Kerry.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been providing consular support to Mr Kerry's family since 29 November. Due to relevant data protection legislation, we are unable to discuss the details of the support we are providing to Mr Kerry's family or our engagement with Turkish authorities. It is for local authorities to conduct investigations relating to deaths in their jurisdiction. With the consent of families, we can register our interest in investigations relating to British nationals and request updates on their scope and progress. Our sincere condolences and sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of her planned ticket pricing policies on (a) affordability and (b) ridership for passengers using the C2C train routes in the period after its re-nationalisation.

Most regulated rail fares will increase by 4.6% on 2 March 2025. This will be the lowest absolute increase in three years and delivers a fair balance between taxpayers and passengers. This increase will support the Government’s long-term plans to achieve financial sustainability of the railway. Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway. Through future legislation, we will set out the role Great British Railways will have in fares, ticketing, and other operational aspects of the Railway. Fares and ticketing will continue to be the responsibility of train operators until Great British Railways is established.

Whether her Department has allocated funding for step-free access improvements at stations on C2C routes.

This government is committed to improving the accessibility of Britain’s railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Since its launch in 2006, the Access for All programme has delivered step free upgrades at more than 250 stations across Britain. 11 stations have been upgraded since April 2024 with a further 20 due to complete by the end of March 2025. Ministers are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme and we will ensure MPs and stakeholders are kept informed.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of planned funding for (a) services and (b) infrastructure on C2C train routes in the period following its re-nationalisation.

c2c services are being brought into public ownership, with the date for transfer scheduled for July 2025. The Annual Business Planning round for 25/26 is currently underway where the adequacy of funding for c2c will be considered. Network Rail’s funding for its operation, maintenance and renewal of operational railway infrastructure, including C2C train routes, was set via the comprehensive and bottom-up Periodic Review 2023 process, run by the independent rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road. This funding covers the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029.

What steps her Department plans to take to (a) establish and (b) monitor (i) customer service and (ii) other performance standards on the C2C train routes when they are under public ownership.

c2c services are being brought into public ownership, with the date for transfer scheduled for July 2025. The Annual Business Planning round for 25/26 is currently underway and customer service and other performance standards will be agreed in due course. The Department will continue to hold operators to account for their performance and ensure the best outcomes for passengers.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support people who do not qualify for council funding and are (a) homeless and (b) at risk of homelessness.

Homelessness legislation includes eligibility criteria, consideration of vulnerability and whether someone is intentionally homeless to ensure that resources, including temporary accommodation and access to settled housing, are prioritised effectively and accommodation is there for people who need it most. Some individuals will be ineligible for statutory homelessness assistance due to their immigration status and we recognise that supporting this cohort can present unique challenges. The rules regarding eligibility relating to immigration status, including for those with restricted eligibility, have not changed.The expectation is that migrants coming into the UK should be able to maintain and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds. This reflects the need to maintain the confidence of the general public that immigration brings benefits to our country, rather than costs to the public purse.However, this does not mean support cannot be offered to this group. Any funding we have provided can be used to help anyone, as long as local areas are acting within the law in doing so.The Home Office Homelessness Escalation Service is a dedicated service to help local authorities and service providers to swiftly clarify and resolve the immigration status of individuals if they are rough sleeping or at risk of doing so.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the support services available to victims of modern slavery; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure these services are (a) accessible and (b) fit for purpose.

The UK Government is committed to tackling all forms of modern slavery, holding perpetrators to account, and ensuring that victims are supported to recover and rebuild their lives.Long-term reform will focus on driving up prosecutions and convictions and ensuring tailored and holistic support is available for victims.The Government is taking a range of measures to tackle modern slavery and support victims including, but not limited to:· In England and Wales, the Government provides victims in the National Referral Mechanism with significant support through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC). The Care Quality Commission provides an independent inspection regime to ensure that MSVCC support services are delivered to an appropriate standard.· In Spring 2025 the Government intends to launch an exercise to procure the next victim support contract called the Support for Victims of Modern Slavery service. The Service will deliver a needs-based model that introduces key improvements to support provision directly as a result of survivor and wider stakeholder engagement.· In addition to the statutory support local authorities provide for children who are potential child victims of modern slavery, the Government has rolled out the Independent Child Trafficking Guardian (ICTG) service to two thirds of local authorities in England and Wales. An ICTG's role is to provide an additional source of advice and support for potential child victims of modern slavery (regardless of nationality or immigration status). Since the ICTG service was first piloted in 2017, multiple evaluations have taken place. These evaluations and recommendations have been used to assess the service and to inform its future direction. The latest evaluation was published in May 2024 and can be accessed here: Independent Child Trafficking Guardian (ICTG) MSA evaluation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)[NC1]With regards to our engagement with law enforcement and supply chains:· The Government is determined to increase the prosecution of modern slavery offenders. The Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls met with criminal justice system partners during Anti-Slavery Week to discuss the barriers that prevent prosecutions. The Government is committed to continue working with them to address those barriers and understand what more can be done to support investigations and increase prosecutions.· The Home Office has provided over £19m of dedicated funding, including £1.26m in 2024/25, to the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit since 2016, to help to improve the police's ability to identify victims and to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. The unit has developed bespoke capabilities, including producing tailored training and guidance that is accessible to all police officers.· The Government is in the process of establishing the Fair Work Agency, which will act as the principal body responsible for ensuring compliance with labour rights and standards across all sectors.· The Home Office is also working with a wide group of stakeholders to update the Transparency in Supply Chains statutory guidance. This will further support businesses to produce high quality statements, which are underpinned by effective measures to prevent and effectively respond to instances of modern slavery in supply chains.Internationally, we remain committed to working with partners to jointly tackle modern slavery as a global issue. The UK has close relationships with the Albanian, Vietnamese, and Romanian Governments to address shared priorities on modern slavery. Partnerships with these countries cover initiatives to prevent modern slavery, improve law enforcement cooperation, and support effective reintegration of victims.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure law enforcement agencies are equipped with the necessary (a) training and (b) resources to (i) identify and (ii) tackle modern slavery cases effectively.

The UK Government is committed to tackling all forms of modern slavery, holding perpetrators to account, and ensuring that victims are supported to recover and rebuild their lives.Long-term reform will focus on driving up prosecutions and convictions and ensuring tailored and holistic support is available for victims.The Government is taking a range of measures to tackle modern slavery and support victims including, but not limited to:· In England and Wales, the Government provides victims in the National Referral Mechanism with significant support through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC). The Care Quality Commission provides an independent inspection regime to ensure that MSVCC support services are delivered to an appropriate standard.· In Spring 2025 the Government intends to launch an exercise to procure the next victim support contract called the Support for Victims of Modern Slavery service. The Service will deliver a needs-based model that introduces key improvements to support provision directly as a result of survivor and wider stakeholder engagement.· In addition to the statutory support local authorities provide for children who are potential child victims of modern slavery, the Government has rolled out the Independent Child Trafficking Guardian (ICTG) service to two thirds of local authorities in England and Wales. An ICTG's role is to provide an additional source of advice and support for potential child victims of modern slavery (regardless of nationality or immigration status). Since the ICTG service was first piloted in 2017, multiple evaluations have taken place. These evaluations and recommendations have been used to assess the service and to inform its future direction. The latest evaluation was published in May 2024 and can be accessed here: Independent Child Trafficking Guardian (ICTG) MSA evaluation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)[NC1]With regards to our engagement with law enforcement and supply chains:· The Government is determined to increase the prosecution of modern slavery offenders. The Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls met with criminal justice system partners during Anti-Slavery Week to discuss the barriers that prevent prosecutions. The Government is committed to continue working with them to address those barriers and understand what more can be done to support investigations and increase prosecutions.· The Home Office has provided over £19m of dedicated funding, including £1.26m in 2024/25, to the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit since 2016, to help to improve the police's ability to identify victims and to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. The unit has developed bespoke capabilities, including producing tailored training and guidance that is accessible to all police officers.· The Government is in the process of establishing the Fair Work Agency, which will act as the principal body responsible for ensuring compliance with labour rights and standards across all sectors.· The Home Office is also working with a wide group of stakeholders to update the Transparency in Supply Chains statutory guidance. This will further support businesses to produce high quality statements, which are underpinned by effective measures to prevent and effectively respond to instances of modern slavery in supply chains.Internationally, we remain committed to working with partners to jointly tackle modern slavery as a global issue. The UK has close relationships with the Albanian, Vietnamese, and Romanian Governments to address shared priorities on modern slavery. Partnerships with these countries cover initiatives to prevent modern slavery, improve law enforcement cooperation, and support effective reintegration of victims.

What steps her Department is taking to stop modern slavery practices within supply chains (a) domestically and (b) internationally.

The UK Government is committed to tackling all forms of modern slavery, holding perpetrators to account, and ensuring that victims are supported to recover and rebuild their lives.Long-term reform will focus on driving up prosecutions and convictions and ensuring tailored and holistic support is available for victims.The Government is taking a range of measures to tackle modern slavery and support victims including, but not limited to:· In England and Wales, the Government provides victims in the National Referral Mechanism with significant support through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC). The Care Quality Commission provides an independent inspection regime to ensure that MSVCC support services are delivered to an appropriate standard.· In Spring 2025 the Government intends to launch an exercise to procure the next victim support contract called the Support for Victims of Modern Slavery service. The Service will deliver a needs-based model that introduces key improvements to support provision directly as a result of survivor and wider stakeholder engagement.· In addition to the statutory support local authorities provide for children who are potential child victims of modern slavery, the Government has rolled out the Independent Child Trafficking Guardian (ICTG) service to two thirds of local authorities in England and Wales. An ICTG's role is to provide an additional source of advice and support for potential child victims of modern slavery (regardless of nationality or immigration status). Since the ICTG service was first piloted in 2017, multiple evaluations have taken place. These evaluations and recommendations have been used to assess the service and to inform its future direction. The latest evaluation was published in May 2024 and can be accessed here: Independent Child Trafficking Guardian (ICTG) MSA evaluation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)[NC1]With regards to our engagement with law enforcement and supply chains:· The Government is determined to increase the prosecution of modern slavery offenders. The Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls met with criminal justice system partners during Anti-Slavery Week to discuss the barriers that prevent prosecutions. The Government is committed to continue working with them to address those barriers and understand what more can be done to support investigations and increase prosecutions.· The Home Office has provided over £19m of dedicated funding, including £1.26m in 2024/25, to the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit since 2016, to help to improve the police's ability to identify victims and to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. The unit has developed bespoke capabilities, including producing tailored training and guidance that is accessible to all police officers.· The Government is in the process of establishing the Fair Work Agency, which will act as the principal body responsible for ensuring compliance with labour rights and standards across all sectors.· The Home Office is also working with a wide group of stakeholders to update the Transparency in Supply Chains statutory guidance. This will further support businesses to produce high quality statements, which are underpinned by effective measures to prevent and effectively respond to instances of modern slavery in supply chains.Internationally, we remain committed to working with partners to jointly tackle modern slavery as a global issue. The UK has close relationships with the Albanian, Vietnamese, and Romanian Governments to address shared priorities on modern slavery. Partnerships with these countries cover initiatives to prevent modern slavery, improve law enforcement cooperation, and support effective reintegration of victims.

What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of its policies on tackling modern slavery.

The UK Government is committed to tackling all forms of modern slavery, holding perpetrators to account, and ensuring that victims are supported to recover and rebuild their lives.Long-term reform will focus on driving up prosecutions and convictions and ensuring tailored and holistic support is available for victims.The Government is taking a range of measures to tackle modern slavery and support victims including, but not limited to:· In England and Wales, the Government provides victims in the National Referral Mechanism with significant support through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC). The Care Quality Commission provides an independent inspection regime to ensure that MSVCC support services are delivered to an appropriate standard.· In Spring 2025 the Government intends to launch an exercise to procure the next victim support contract called the Support for Victims of Modern Slavery service. The Service will deliver a needs-based model that introduces key improvements to support provision directly as a result of survivor and wider stakeholder engagement.· In addition to the statutory support local authorities provide for children who are potential child victims of modern slavery, the Government has rolled out the Independent Child Trafficking Guardian (ICTG) service to two thirds of local authorities in England and Wales. An ICTG's role is to provide an additional source of advice and support for potential child victims of modern slavery (regardless of nationality or immigration status). Since the ICTG service was first piloted in 2017, multiple evaluations have taken place. These evaluations and recommendations have been used to assess the service and to inform its future direction. The latest evaluation was published in May 2024 and can be accessed here: Independent Child Trafficking Guardian (ICTG) MSA evaluation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)[NC1]With regards to our engagement with law enforcement and supply chains:· The Government is determined to increase the prosecution of modern slavery offenders. The Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls met with criminal justice system partners during Anti-Slavery Week to discuss the barriers that prevent prosecutions. The Government is committed to continue working with them to address those barriers and understand what more can be done to support investigations and increase prosecutions.· The Home Office has provided over £19m of dedicated funding, including £1.26m in 2024/25, to the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit since 2016, to help to improve the police's ability to identify victims and to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. The unit has developed bespoke capabilities, including producing tailored training and guidance that is accessible to all police officers.· The Government is in the process of establishing the Fair Work Agency, which will act as the principal body responsible for ensuring compliance with labour rights and standards across all sectors.· The Home Office is also working with a wide group of stakeholders to update the Transparency in Supply Chains statutory guidance. This will further support businesses to produce high quality statements, which are underpinned by effective measures to prevent and effectively respond to instances of modern slavery in supply chains.Internationally, we remain committed to working with partners to jointly tackle modern slavery as a global issue. The UK has close relationships with the Albanian, Vietnamese, and Romanian Governments to address shared priorities on modern slavery. Partnerships with these countries cover initiatives to prevent modern slavery, improve law enforcement cooperation, and support effective reintegration of victims.