Every parliamentary written question tabled by Julian Lewis this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–19 of 19 · Home Office
If she will make it her policy to include the time spent by Ukrainian refugees in the UK since the invasion of Ukraine in the qualifying period necessary to be granted permanent residence.
The Ukraine Schemes were established to provide temporary sanctuary in the UK for Ukrainians and their eligible family members fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. They do not confer refugee status or international protection and are distinct from the asylum ...
If she will make an assessment of the likely impact of the recent changes in immigration rules on the practicability of continuing the rescue from oppressive regimes of academics in danger by awarding fellowships at United Kingdom universities, arranged until now by the Council for At-Risk Academics.
The visa brake will apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, for the Student route, and nationals of Afghanistan for the Skilled Worker route. We understand decision may be disappointing to some people. If fellowship schemes use the specified routes, they will be impacted; schemes that use any other visa routes will be unaffected.
What (a) steps she will take and (b) powers she possesses to protect (i) military bases and (ii) other sensitive locations from the threat posed by the piecemeal purchase of properties in their vicinity by (A) Russian, (B) Chinese and (C) other adversaries.
The first duty of Government is national security. We take the protection of sensitive locations extremely seriously, and we work closely with the police and operational partners to ensure they have the powers they need.The National Security and Investment Act 2021 provides the Government with powers to identify and, where necessary, intervene in acquisitions of entities or assets (including land) that may pose a threat to the UK’s national security. This can, under some circumstances, include properties near sensitive sites.In addition, the National Security Act 2023 protects against activity that could be harmful to the UK in and around the most sensitive sites through new and updated criminal offences, police powers to protect these sites, and a power to designate new sites as prohibited places.
Pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2025 to Question 91895 on Undocumented Migrants: Nationality and Proof of Identity, and with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum of 17 November, Official Report column 468, for what reason that information is not available in an easily accessible format; if he will make it his policy to collect that information in an easily accessible format, particularly with reference to illegal arrivals on small boats; and whether he still plans to write to the Rt hon. Member for New Forest East with the specific percentages.
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.During an oral contribution in Parliament on 17 November I committed to follow up in writing in reference to a question posed by the Rt Hon Member and plan to do this as soon as possible.
What her policy is on the duty of the police to limit the use of amplified noise (a) on multiple occasions, (b) at extreme volumes and (c) in public places, whether in support of (i) political or (ii) non-political objectives; and what rights her Department recognises of other people in the vicinity to (A) go about their business undisturbed and (B) mount equally noisy counter protests nearby if no action is taken to limit the volume and repetitiveness of the disturbance.
The Government is committed to upholding the right to lawful protest, while ensuring that legislation across the framework of public order maintains a balance between freedom of expression and the need to protect the public from serious disruption or harm. The use of these powers and the management of protest is an operational policing matter and police forces work with organisers to plan protests and assess risks, including risks posed by counter protests.The Government has tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill which will require police to take cumulative disruption into account when imposing conditions under s12 or s14 of the Public Order Act 1986, including the the time and route of the protest. This new duty will help to protect communities from repeated disruption caused by protests especially where the same site has been targeted again and again, causing disorder or distress.
Pursuant to the contribution of the Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum of 17 November, Official Report column 468, what percentage of migrants arriving in the UK by illegal means in each month since the general election did so without any reliable documentation of their (a) identity and (b) nationality.
This information is not available in an easily accessible format.However, the Home Office does publish statistics on irregular migration, which include data on Inadequately Documented Arrivals (IDAs). IDAs refer to passengers arriving in the UK by air who are either undocumented, travelling with fraudulent documents, or without the correct documentation required for travel or entry.For data that is available since the July 2024 General Election (Calendar Year Q3 2024 – Q2 2025), there have been 3,266 inadequately document irregular air arrivals.
If he will publish the number of hotels that (a) were used and (b) will be used to house asylum seekers in New Forest East constituency in 2025.
The Home Office has been clear that the use of hotels is a temporary and short-term measure to ensure we meet our statutory obligation to accommodate destitute asylum seekers, while we tackle the systemic challenges due to the previous government’s decisions.Accommodation data is published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels which can be found within the Asy_D11 tab for our most recent statistics release. The data can also be broken down by local authority. Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)
Pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2025 to Question 83220 on Army: Public Records, with regards to the criteria of (a) national security, (b) international relations and (c) sensitive personal data, under which of them is Security Service file PF 44288 on Major General JFC Fuller being withheld.
Although it is Government policy to neither confirm nor deny whether an individual has been subject to investigation by the Security Service, an exception to this policy allows the Security Service to release files to The National Archives that are at least 50 years old, if to do so would not damage national security. The Security Service holds no file for Gen. J.F.C. Fuller that falls within this category.
Whether she has recently received representations from the (a) Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, (b) Royal College of Psychiatrists and (c) Department of Health on the potential clinical use of psilocybin under controlled conditions to treat serious psychiatric illness.
No recent representations on the potential clinical use of psilocybin to treatpsychiatric illness have been made to the Home Office by the AdvisoryCouncil on the Misuse of Drugs, Royal College of Psychiatrists or theDepartment of Health and Social Care.The Government recognises that studies into the potential use of psilocybinas part of the treatment for mental health conditions have been or are being conducted in the UK under Home Office licence.On 16 July, the Government responded to recommendations from theAdvisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) on how best to reducebarriers to clinical research with Schedule 1 drugs, such as psilocybin.
Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October to Question 81237 on Army: Public Records, for what reason his security service personal file (PF 44288) has not been made available by her Department for release to the National Archive.
Government records are normally opened at the National Archives when they are 20-years old but, where they exist, some records are retained or closed, in line with the requirements of the Public Records Act 1958, in order to protect national security, international relations and sensitive personal data.
With reference to representations made by the (a) Amess family, and (b) Father of the House and Rt Hon Member for Rayleigh and Wickford in their contributions to the Sir David Amess Summer Adjournment Debate in the House on 22 July 2025, if she will (i) establish a Public Inquiry into the failure of the Prevent programme in its dealings with the future killer or (ii) extend the terms of reference of the inquiry into the Southport killings, which she announced on 7 April 2025, to cover in addition the (A) murder of Sir David Amess and (B) similarities in the failures adequately to deal with either of the future killers.
Government published the report 'Lessons for Prevent' from the Interim Independent Prevent Commissioner on 16 July, in which Lord Anderson set out his view that the perpetrator's engagement with Prevent prior to the attack on Sir David Amess has been fully explored. The Government will act immediately on Lord Anderson's findings, building on the work that has already been completed following the Home Secretary's statement on Prevent reform in December 2024.Currently, there is no evidence of the perpetrator having any contact with the state in a way that would have alerted authorities to his radicalisation or intent in the intervening years between his time on Prevent and his attack on Sir David. However, this intervening period does merit further exploration, so the Home Secretary has confirmed we will appoint a senior figure to scrutinise all the previous reviews that have taken place. We will act as necessary if any gaps are identified as a result of that process.
What her policy is on the (a) removal and (b) retention of police widows pensions when those in receipt of such pensions (i) cohabit and (ii) remarry.
The 2015 police pension scheme is the scheme currently open to serving police officers. This scheme provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse. The introduction of the 2006 police pension scheme meant that all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme with such survivor benefits.Prior to 2006, the 1987 police pension scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or civil partner remarries or cohabits with another partner. From 1 April 2015, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation.
What her policy is on Ukrainian families invited to the UK following the Russian invasion wishing to seek (a) employment, (b) rental agreements, (c) educational continuity for their children and (d) indefinite leave to remain; and whether time already spent in the UK counts towards qualifying for such leave.
The UK’s Ukraine visa schemes (including the new Ukraine Permission Extension scheme) provide full access to the right to work, rent, access benefits, healthcare, and education in the UK.The Ukraine Visa Schemes provide temporary sanctuary and do not lead to settlement in the UK. We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application. There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a single independent inquiry into the (a) effectiveness of the Prevent programme and (b) adequacy of the handling of the cases involving (i) Axel Rudakubana and (ii) Ali Harbi Ali.
Significant improvements have been made to Prevent over the last few years and a further package of work to strengthen Prevent was announced by the Home Secretary in December 2024. New reforms include the creation for the first time of an independent Prevent Commissioner role. This dedicated permanent oversight function will provide continuous independent scrutiny of Prevent legislation, policy and delivery to maximise Prevent’s effectiveness. To begin this work swiftly, Lord David Anderson KC was announced as the interim Commissioner on 21 January.In relation to the cases raised by the Rt Hon member, we have published the Prevent Learning Reviews into each case and tasked Lord Anderson with conducting a rapid review of both cases. Lord Anderson will identify whether there is further learning regarding the specific handling of each case; examine improvements made to Prevent since each case and determine whether they have sufficiently strengthened the Prevent system; and identify any remaining gaps or shortcomings that require further improvement. This review will be published and swift action will be taken to implement the findings.The Home Secretary has already announced a public inquiry into the Southport attack. We are moving swiftly to set up the inquiry and we expect to announce further details later this month, after consultation with families and others most affected.
What (a) restrictions on freedom of movement and (b) other preventative measures are placed on migrants who have (i) arrived in the UK illegally and (ii) been identified as supporters of foreign terrorist organisations.
We have a range of powers at our disposal including prosecution, detention and removal and will not seek to hesitate to use those, as appropriate, against individuals who arrive here illegally and seek to threaten the security of our country.
When she plans to publish a substantive Answer to Question 20914 on Gender Dysphoria: Surgery, tabled on 18 December 2024.
A response to Parliamentary Question 20914 has now been provided; we apologise for the delay.
What data her Department holds on the number of children travelling to (a) Poland, (b) Turkey, (c) Florida and (d) other countries for gender reassignment surgery in each of the last three years.
The requested data is not centrally held. However, Border Force has a duty under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.We take this duty very seriously and are committed to protect...
How many migrants attempting to enter the United Kingdom illegally in small boats have died in the English Channel in each of the last five years: how many such fatalities were children; and how many
There have been 31 tragedies, since August 2019, where 97 people are confirmed to have died and at least 14 people have been reported as missing at sea, presumed dead, as a result of or linked to attempting these dangerous crossings.Numbers of fatalitiesD...
Under what circumstances an individual arrested for murder is (a) held in custody and (b) released on police bail.
A suspect arrested on suspicion of murder may be held in custody before charge where the custody officer a) is determining whether he has before him sufficient evidence to charge them with the offence for which he was arrested and b) has reasonable grounds for believing that the suspect’s detention is necessary to obtain evidence (for example, witness statements, interview, or medical examination) (PACE section 37). There are statutory limits on the time for which suspects can be held in custody without charge (section 41).A suspect arrested, including on suspicion of murder, may be released within the authorised detention period on conditional or unconditional police bail, pre-charge, a) where there is as yet insufficient evidence to charge a suspect and they are released pending further investigation and b) where the police consider that there is sufficient evidence to charge, but the matter must be referred to the CPS for a charging decision (PACE section 35 and section 37).Preconditions for police bail include the need to prevent offending by the suspect, the need to safeguard victims of crime and witnesses, the need to manage risks to the public and the need to secure the suspect’s surrender to custody (PACE section 50A). Where the individual’s release is required and no pre-conditions for bail are met, they must be released under investigation or subject to no further action (section 37).Where a murder suspect is to be released on pre-charge bail, police should seek the views of close family members of the alleged victim, if it is reasonably practicable to do so, when deciding whether the suspect should be released on bail, and if so whether and what conditions should be imposed (section 47ZZA).Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (CJPOA 1994), suspects who have been charged with murder are not eligible for police bail pending appearance at court for that offence unless exceptional circumstances apply (PACE section 38(1)(c) and section 25 CJPOA 1994). They must be kept in police custody and brought before a court not later, in most cases, than the first sitting after they are charged with the offence (section 46).The rules and procedures relating to police bail are governed by PACE and the Bail Act 1976.