Every parliamentary written question tabled by James McMurdock this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 3,481–3,500 of 3,514 · this parliament
What proportion of the Overseas Development Assistance budget was spent on accommodating asylum seekers in the UK in the most recent year for which figures are available.
I refer the Hon Gentleman to the FCDO’s publication of final UK Overseas Development Assistance for 2023, published in September 2024, and available at the following link:Statistics on International Development: final UK ODA spend 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the affordability of the BBC licence fee for people on lower incomes; and if she will make an assessment of the potential steps she can take to increase the affordability of the licence fee for those people.
The Government remains committed to the licence fee for the remainder of the current Charter period.As part of the next Charter Review, the government will engage with the BBC and others to consider how to ensure the BBC thrives well into the next decade and beyond. This will include discussions on a range of important issues, including future funding models for the BBC and its fairness for licence fee payers.
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for national security of the proportion of funding for universities from China.
The United Kingdom welcomes international partnerships and students, including from China, who make a very positive impact on the UK’s higher education (HE) sector, our economy and society as a whole. However, we will always protect our national security interests, human rights and values.As a matter of longstanding policy, the department does not comment on the detail of national security assessments. The department recognises the potential for overseas interference in our HE sector. We are committed to ensuring ways to increase transparency and improve HE providers’ overall resilience and economic security, whilst respecting the autonomy of universities.A key element of the government’s International Education Strategy is diversification. Universities must ensure they have appropriate processes in place to manage risks associated with dependence on a single source of funding, whether that is from a single organisation or a single country. The Office for Students is responsible for monitoring and reporting on the financial sustainability of HE providers in England to ensure they have an up to date understanding of the sustainability of the sector.The government is carrying out an audit of the UK’s relationship with China as a bilateral and global actor, to improve our ability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses.
What steps his Department is taking to increase value for money in procurement.
Through the Strategic Defence Review we will reform our approach to procurement to deliver defence capabilities at greater pace, leverage rapidly changing technology, and take a One Defence approach to our requirements to secure the best possible value for money. We will bring forward a Defence Industrial Strategy that aligns our security and economic priorities, and deliver a lean, end-to-end integrated acquisition system that gets more defence output for every defence pound spent.
How many people who arrived in the UK by small boats are (a) male and (b) female.
The Home Office publishes data on returns of foreign national offenders (FNOs) in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly release’. Data on total returns of FNOs by nationality can be found in table Ret_D03 of the ‘returns detailed datasets’, with the latest data going up to the end of June 2024. Figures on FNO returns are not broken down by return type, and include enforced returns, voluntary returns and a small number of FNOs refused entry at port and subsequently returned.Deportations are a specific subset of total FNO returns which are enforced either following a criminal conviction or when it is judged that a person’s removal from the UK is conducive to the public good. The deportation order prohibits the person returning to the UK until such time as it may be revoked.The Home Office does not regularly publish information about FNO appeals. However, in February 2022 an ad-hoc transparency piece on FNO lodged and allowed appeals, covering the period 2008 to 2021, was released. This provides numbers of FNO appeals lodged, and the numbers of those which are subsequently allowed, and of those how many were allowed on human rights grounds only, broken down by financial year of the appeal lodged date.Data on the number of individuals arriving in the UK by small boat broken down by sex is published in table Irr_D01 of the ‘Irregular migration detailed datasets’. This release covers the period 2018 to June 2024.
If he will make a comparative assessment of energy prices for steel production in (a) the UK, (b) China, (c) Germany and (d) the US.
The Government recognises that this continues to be a worrying time for the steel sector facing pressures due to global energy prices. We are committed to minimising energy costs for steel, and all energy intensive industries, to help ensure they remain strong and competitive. Further support through the new British Industry Supercharger should be worth (on average) around £24-£31 Per MegaWatt Hour (MWh) for eligible businesses, closing the competitive gap with their international competitors.
If she will take steps to ensure that student visas are not used solely to gain residence in the UK.
To obtain permission on the Student route prospective Students must demonstrate that they have a sufficient level of English, funds to maintain themselves, relevant qualifications, a genuine intention to study and be sponsored by a licensed college or university.The Student route is a temporary immigration route and does not lead to settlement in the UK. There are no plans to change this. However, students may apply to extend their leave on other routes to remain in the UK provided they meet the requirements.We continuously review and strengthen visa and compliance requirements on our study routes to ensure they best serve the UK and reflect the public’s priorities.
Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of freeports on the economy.
As part of the monitoring and evaluation of the Freeports programme, MHCLG commissioned an initial analysis of the expected economic impact of Freeports based on the Full Business Cases submitted by Freeports and approved by the UK Government.The analysis projected that the eight English Freeports would create around 60,000 new and additional jobs (net direct jobs) and support a further 42,000 jobs across the supply chain. This would support a total of around £6.6 billion additional GVA per year. Scottish Green Freeports and Welsh Freeports will be incorporated into this analysis once they have completed the business case process, and the initial analysis is being refined through more detailed modelling carried out by Cambridge Econometrics.To date, Freeports have attracted £6.4 billion in private investment, which will create over 7,200 jobs. The impact of Freeports will be closely monitored and evaluated as set out in the Freeports monitoring and evaluation strategy.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much aid his Department has provided to China in the last five years.
Between 2019 and 2023, total Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend to China was £206.2 million, including on Chevening scholarships and British Council activity. In April 2021, the FCDO committed to cut ODA funded programmes in China by 95 per cent from the 2021-22 financial year. No funding goes to the Chinese authorities.
How many foreign national offenders of which nationality were deported in each of the last five years.
The Home Office publishes data on returns of foreign national offenders (FNOs) in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly release’. Data on total returns of FNOs by nationality can be found in table Ret_D03 of the ‘returns detailed datasets’, with the latest data going up to the end of June 2024. Figures on FNO returns are not broken down by return type, and include enforced returns, voluntary returns and a small number of FNOs refused entry at port and subsequently returned.Deportations are a specific subset of total FNO returns which are enforced either following a criminal conviction or when it is judged that a person’s removal from the UK is conducive to the public good. The deportation order prohibits the person returning to the UK until such time as it may be revoked.The Home Office does not regularly publish information about FNO appeals. However, in February 2022 an ad-hoc transparency piece on FNO lodged and allowed appeals, covering the period 2008 to 2021, was released. This provides numbers of FNO appeals lodged, and the numbers of those which are subsequently allowed, and of those how many were allowed on human rights grounds only, broken down by financial year of the appeal lodged date.Data on the number of individuals arriving in the UK by small boat broken down by sex is published in table Irr_D01 of the ‘Irregular migration detailed datasets’. This release covers the period 2018 to June 2024.
How many and what proportion of attempted deportations of foreign national offenders by her Department have been successfully challenged on Article 8 ECHR grounds in each of the last ten years.
The Home Office publishes data on returns of foreign national offenders (FNOs) in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly release’. Data on total returns of FNOs by nationality can be found in table Ret_D03 of the ‘returns detailed datasets’, with the latest data going up to the end of June 2024. Figures on FNO returns are not broken down by return type, and include enforced returns, voluntary returns and a small number of FNOs refused entry at port and subsequently returned.Deportations are a specific subset of total FNO returns which are enforced either following a criminal conviction or when it is judged that a person’s removal from the UK is conducive to the public good. The deportation order prohibits the person returning to the UK until such time as it may be revoked.The Home Office does not regularly publish information about FNO appeals. However, in February 2022 an ad-hoc transparency piece on FNO lodged and allowed appeals, covering the period 2008 to 2021, was released. This provides numbers of FNO appeals lodged, and the numbers of those which are subsequently allowed, and of those how many were allowed on human rights grounds only, broken down by financial year of the appeal lodged date.Data on the number of individuals arriving in the UK by small boat broken down by sex is published in table Irr_D01 of the ‘Irregular migration detailed datasets’. This release covers the period 2018 to June 2024.
Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an alternative funding scheme to the BBC licence fee.
The Government remains committed to the licence fee for the remainder of the current Charter period.As part of the next Charter Review, the government will engage with the BBC and others to consider how to ensure the BBC thrives well into the next decade and beyond. This will include discussions on a range of important issues, including future funding models for the BBC and its fairness for licence fee payers.
What recent steps her Department has taken to provide rehabilitation support to children who have lived in care who are (a) in police custody and (b) serving custodial sentences.
The latest data for the year ending March 2023 shows that 2% of children in care aged 10 to 17 were convicted or subject to youth cautions or youth conditional cautions during the year, down from 3% in 2019. This compares to 1% of all children aged 10 to 17 in the general population. Latest data also shows that 3% of care leavers were in custody, which is the same as in 2019. Surveys estimate that around 25% of the adult prison population was in care at some point during their childhoods.In 2019, the department, along with the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice, published a joint national protocol on reducing the criminalisation of children in care, which can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/765082/The_national_protocol_on_reducing_unnecessary_criminalisation_of_looked-after_children_and_care_.pdf. The protocol is designed to prevent unnecessarily criminalising already highly vulnerable children and young people where possible. It sets out best practice for avoiding the criminalisation of looked-after children and care leavers up to the age of 25.Furthermore, NHS England commission liaison and diversion services in custody suites across all English police forces to identify people of all ages who have mental health issues, learning disabilities, substance misuse or other vulnerabilities when they first come into contact with the criminal justice system. These services then support these individuals to access appropriate health and social care services.In police custody, appropriate adults play an important role in safeguarding the rights, entitlements and welfare of detained children. This includes providing support, advice and assistance to the detainee, observing whether the police are acting properly and fairly, assisting detained children when communicating with the police and helping them to understand their rights and ensuring that those rights are respected and protected.In the Youth Custody Service, all children in custody are supported via the evidence-based Framework for Integrated Care (SECURE STAIRS) and Constructive Resettlement.The evidence-based Framework for Integrated Care (SECURE STAIRS) introduced trauma-informed ways of working that emphasise the importance of positive relationships between staff and children as a way of supporting their care, wellbeing and potential for change.Constructive Resettlement complements the Framework for Integrated Care (SECURE STAIRS) by providing personalised support, such as by recognising the effects of traumatic experiences on the child, to underpin the structural support provided, for instance, through the provision of a place to live. Staff also support effective resettlement in the community by taking a strengths-based approach and acknowledging that the child may need a variety of support and interventions to keep them and other people safe and enable them to successfully integrate in their communities.
What steps he is taking to support food producers from (a) Essex and (b) the UK to increase exports.
DBT’s offer of export support for Food & Drink businesses in Essex and the whole of the UK includes: educational support via our Export Academy, 1-2-1 support from International Trade Advisors and our extensive overseas network, with trade advisors promoting UK food in over 100 countries. Overseas we deliver a large programme of trade shows, missions and events to increase exports in the sector. In addition, our UK Export Finance agency helps companies access export finance, with a dedicated finance manager covering Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.
What steps her Department is taking to support people with autism spectrum disorder conditions into work.
We recognise that autistic people face particular barriers to employment, which is reflected in a poor overall employment rate. In our plan to make work pay, we committed to raising awareness of neurodiversity in the workplace. We have a range of specialist initiatives to support neurodivergent people to stay in work and get back into work. Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres, Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care. Employers will also be a large part of our success in this work. Our current support to employers includes a digital information service for employers, and the Disability Confident scheme. We will be considering how to enhance our work with employers in the months ahead.
What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of neighbourhood policing levels in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
The Home Secretary has made a clear commitment to strengthen neighbourhood policing through the introduction of a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which will includes getting thousands more neighbourhood police personnel back to the beat, as part of the Government’s Safer Streets mission.
What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of train stations in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
The Department has made no recent specific assessment of the adequacy of train stations in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
What steps she is taking to help protect access to high street banks for the (a) elderly and (b) disabled.
Access to financial services is key to ensuring that all people, including those who are disabled or elderly and require in-person services, can fully participate in society. This 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. These hubs will provide individuals who need face-to-face support with critical cash and banking services. Over 160 banking hubs have been announced so far, with 100 expected to open by Christmas. Cash Access UK, who oversee banking hub rollout, work to ensure that their physical premises and services are accessible, and meet the needs of customers.
What steps her Department is taking to improve the provision of SEND support for children in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
Departmental officials meet regularly with representatives from Essex and Thurrock local area partnerships to discuss their education, health and care (EHC) plan performance, annual review processes, sufficiency strategy and their wider support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Departmental officials challenge Essex and Thurrock about impact where appropriate and share best practice to provide support. Essex has recently announced investment of £2.9 million for additional assistance and resources to improve timeliness of the EHC plan process.Thurrock is also part of the Delivering Better Value (DBV) in SEND programme, which provides £1 million in grant funding to support local authorities to provide more effective SEND services by meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND at an early stage and with the right level of support. The department monitors Thurrock’s progress in the DBV programme through quarterly reporting and meetings with the local authority. Thurrock is also involved in the supported internship programme and has a number of young people starting specialist internships at Amazon.This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to taking a community-wide approach in collaboration with local area partnerships, improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs.
What steps she plans to take to tackle anti-social behaviour in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission to take back our streets.We will put thousands of new neighbourhood police and community support officers back on the beat in local communities, and ensure that residents have a named officer they can turn to when things go wrong.We will crack down on those causing havoc on our high streets by introducing tougher powers via a Crime and Policing Bill, including new Respect Order to tackle repeat offending.