Written questions by Timothy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to merge the Groceries Code Adjudicator and the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator as part of her Department's Farm Profitability Review.

The department is committed to an evidence-based approach to regulating the supply chain and to ensuring that producers and businesses are treated fairly. The statutory review of the effectiveness of the Groceries Code Adjudicator by the Department for Business and Trade is currently under way, and any future decisions will be informed by its findings. The Government is carefully considering all of the recommendations made in the independent Farming Profitability Review, including those relating to the roles and governance arrangements of the Groceries Code Adjudicator and the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator. A Government response to the review will be set out as part of the Farming Roadmap.

What his Department plans to do about the number of prisoners spending time on remand exceeding the Custody Time Limit of 6 months.

The use of remand is a judicial matter and decisions regarding it are up to the judiciary, whose independence from government is well-established. There are well established processes for extending Custody Time Limits. Applications must be approved by independent judges and defendants have the right to oppose any application.

Pursuant to the answer of 23 December 2025 to written question 93136, how much funding has been allocated to the RISE Advisor budget by key expenditure items.

This government is focused on driving high and rising standards through our Plan for Change, to enable every child to achieve and thrive.Our targeted regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) programme is ensuring schools who need it most are getting the support they need to improve.Over 360 schools have already benefited from RISE, supported by 65 advisers, experienced leaders across the schools sector.£4.8 million has been allocated to the RISE Adviser budget for the 2025/26 financial year. Budgets for future years will be set through business planning.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce regional disparities in life expectancy.

The Government is taking bold action to tackle the social determinants of health to build a fairer Britain, where everyone lives well for longer. We are committed to increasing the amount of time people spend in good health and preventing premature deaths, with a vision of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background or location, live longer, healthier lives. We know everyday life poses greater health risks to the most disadvantaged in society, and that the current model of care works least well for those who already experience disadvantage and are far more likely to have complex needs. To help tackle this, we will distribute National Health Service funding more equally locally, so it is better aligned with health need. We will free up funding to allow us to move resources more quickly to areas of higher health need, through our plan to remove deficit support funding, worth £2.2 billion in 2025/26, starting from financial year 2026/27.We know that the Carr-Hill formula is considered outdated, and evidence suggests that general practitioners serving in deprived parts of England receive on average 9.8% less funding per needs adjusted patient than those in less deprived communities, despite having greater health needs and significantly higher patient-to-GP ratios. This is why we are currently reviewing the formula to ensure that resources are targeted where they are most needed.

With reference to her Department's written statement entitled Investment in high needs place of 15 December 2025, what evidential basis her department is using to promote internal alternative provision for pupils with specialist needs in mainstream schools.

The department has announced at least £3 billion for high needs capital between 2026/27 and 2029/30, which is intended to create facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more flexible support adapted to suit the pupils’ needs, alongside expanding or creating special and alternative provision schools.Pupil support units are used as a planned intervention to support pupils with additional needs, including behaviour difficulties, and to improve their engagement with mainstream education.The department has reviewed the existing evidence base, including findings from the department's school and college voice omnibus surveys, and third-party reports.The department’s ‘Explorative research into In-School Support Units’ found that improvements in outcomes were perceived to span behaviour, attendance and attainment, as well as softer outcomes including improvements in feelings of belonging.We are working with the sector to develop guidance applicable to pupil support units.

With reference to written statement 1163, on what grounds the Government approved the Eton Star academy projects in Dudley and Oldham.

All free school projects were evaluated in line with consistent criteria focusing on assessing the need for places and value for money. This included considering whether projects would provide a distinctive local offer and whether they would risk negatively impacting other local schools or colleges.

Pursuant to written question 100178, if she will publish the criteria used by her Department to evaluate (a) the need for places, (b) value for money, (c) whether they would provide a distinctive or innovative education offer and (d) whether they would negatively affect other local schools.

We have written to trusts, local authorities and members of Parliament setting out the position on individual projects, as well as offering more detailed feedback. The department considered whether there was a strong need for the school in the medium term. We assessed published School Capacity data (SCAP24), in line with the department’s longstanding approach to assessing pipeline projects, as well as other data from local authorities, such as plans for future housing developments. We also considered forecast costs of delivering each school, delivery issues such as finding a suitable site and whether projects would provide a distinctive local offer or risk negatively impacting other local schools. Final decisions on projects where a ‘minded to cancel’ letter was issued, will be made once trusts and local authorities have had the opportunity to submit any new evidence. Representations should be made by 30 January 2026.

Pursuant to written question 93138, what her planned timetable is for publication of the (a) terms of reference and (b) membership of the regional improvement for standards and excellence Operations Working Group.

The department will publish the terms of reference, membership details and minutes of the first meeting of the Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence Operations Working Group by the end of January 2026. Minutes for future meetings with be published following each meeting.

When she plans to respond to the letter of 2 January 2026 from the hon. Member for West Suffolk.

The Home Office will make public the findings from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services on the information and intelligence used by West Midlands Police to assess and categorise the Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv match on 6 November, and how accurately this reflected intelligence received from the Netherlands Police, as soon as this is provided.The Home Office does not hold any information on whether the Muslim Brotherhood or other organisations subject to government non-engagement shared information with West Midlands Police in relation to this match.Similarly, the Home Office does not hold any information on discussions between West Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police, MI5, Cabinet Office, or the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre in relation to this match.A reply to the Honourable Member for West Suffolk’s letter of 2 January 2026 will be sent in due course.Section 40 of the Police Act 1996 enables the Home Secretary to direct a PCC or Mayor where a force is failing, in exceptional circumstances.The power for the Home Secretary to require a police authority to call on a Chief Constable to retire was removed through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and the power to dismiss Chief Constables now rests with Police and Crime Commissioners.The Home Secretary has already taken action and commissioned HMICFRS to review the information and intelligence used by West Midlands Police.The findings from this are due to be provided on 12 January.

Whether the Undersea Infrastructure Security (UIS) Oversight Board report to ministers in (a) his department, and (b) other government departments.

The senior official-level Undersea Infrastructure Security Oversight Board will escalate issues to Cabinet Office ministers and the National Security Council as required.

Pursuant to the oral answer of 26 November 2025, Official Report, House of Lords, Column 1331, on West Midlands Police: Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans, what information her Department holds on whether (a) the Muslim Brotherhood and (b) other organisations subject to Government non-engagement shared information with West Midlands Police in relation to the Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League game of 6 November 2025.

The Home Office will make public the findings from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services on the information and intelligence used by West Midlands Police to assess and categorise the Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv match on 6 November, and how accurately this reflected intelligence received from the Netherlands Police, as soon as this is provided.The Home Office does not hold any information on whether the Muslim Brotherhood or other organisations subject to government non-engagement shared information with West Midlands Police in relation to this match.Similarly, the Home Office does not hold any information on discussions between West Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police, MI5, Cabinet Office, or the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre in relation to this match.A reply to the Honourable Member for West Suffolk’s letter of 2 January 2026 will be sent in due course.Section 40 of the Police Act 1996 enables the Home Secretary to direct a PCC or Mayor where a force is failing, in exceptional circumstances.The power for the Home Secretary to require a police authority to call on a Chief Constable to retire was removed through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and the power to dismiss Chief Constables now rests with Police and Crime Commissioners.The Home Secretary has already taken action and commissioned HMICFRS to review the information and intelligence used by West Midlands Police.The findings from this are due to be provided on 12 January.

Pursuant to the oral answer of 26 November 2025, Official Report, House of Lords, Column 1331, on West Midlands Police: Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of giving directions under Section 40 of the Police Act 1996 to dismiss the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police.

The Home Office will make public the findings from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services on the information and intelligence used by West Midlands Police to assess and categorise the Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv match on 6 November, and how accurately this reflected intelligence received from the Netherlands Police, as soon as this is provided.The Home Office does not hold any information on whether the Muslim Brotherhood or other organisations subject to government non-engagement shared information with West Midlands Police in relation to this match.Similarly, the Home Office does not hold any information on discussions between West Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police, MI5, Cabinet Office, or the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre in relation to this match.A reply to the Honourable Member for West Suffolk’s letter of 2 January 2026 will be sent in due course.Section 40 of the Police Act 1996 enables the Home Secretary to direct a PCC or Mayor where a force is failing, in exceptional circumstances.The power for the Home Secretary to require a police authority to call on a Chief Constable to retire was removed through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and the power to dismiss Chief Constables now rests with Police and Crime Commissioners.The Home Secretary has already taken action and commissioned HMICFRS to review the information and intelligence used by West Midlands Police. The findings from this are due to be provided on 12 January.

Pursuant to the oral answer of 26 November 2025, Official Report, House of Lords, Column 1331, on West Midlands Police: Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans, what information her Department holds on discussions between West Midlands Police and (a) the Metropolitan Police, (b) MI5, (c) Cabinet Office and (d) the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre on the Ajax v Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League game in November 2024.

The Home Office will make public the findings from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services on the information and intelligence used by West Midlands Police to assess and categorise the Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv match on 6 November, and how accurately this reflected intelligence received from the Netherlands Police, as soon as this is provided.The Home Office does not hold any information on whether the Muslim Brotherhood or other organisations subject to government non-engagement shared information with West Midlands Police in relation to this match.Similarly, the Home Office does not hold any information on discussions between West Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police, MI5, Cabinet Office, or the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre in relation to this match.A reply to the Honourable Member for West Suffolk’s letter of 2 January 2026 will be sent in due course.Section 40 of the Police Act 1996 enables the Home Secretary to direct a PCC or Mayor where a force is failing, in exceptional circumstances.The power for the Home Secretary to require a police authority to call on a Chief Constable to retire was removed through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and the power to dismiss Chief Constables now rests with Police and Crime Commissioners.The Home Secretary has already taken action and commissioned HMICFRS to review the information and intelligence used by West Midlands Police.The findings from this are due to be provided on 12 January.

When she plans to publish the report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services on the intelligence gathered by West Midlands Police on the Ajax v Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League game in November 2024.

The Home Office will make public the findings from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services on the information and intelligence used by West Midlands Police to assess and categorise the Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv match on 6 November, and how accurately this reflected intelligence received from the Netherlands Police, as soon as this is provided.The Home Office does not hold any information on whether the Muslim Brotherhood or other organisations subject to government non-engagement shared information with West Midlands Police in relation to this match.Similarly, the Home Office does not hold any information on discussions between West Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police, MI5, Cabinet Office, or the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre in relation to this match.A reply to the Honourable Member for West Suffolk’s letter of 2 January 2026 will be sent in due course.Section 40 of the Police Act 1996 enables the Home Secretary to direct a PCC or Mayor where a force is failing, in exceptional circumstances.The power for the Home Secretary to require a police authority to call on a Chief Constable to retire was removed through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and the power to dismiss Chief Constables now rests with Police and Crime Commissioners.The Home Secretary has already taken action and commissioned HMICFRS to review the information and intelligence used by West Midlands Police.The findings from this are due to be provided on 12 January.

If he will publish the (a) terms of reference and (b) membership of the Undersea Infrastructure Security Oversight Board.

The Undersea Infrastructure Security Oversight Board provides a joined-up function and sets strategic direction across government on undersea infrastructure security. The core membership includes key government stakeholders with an interest in undersea infrastructure security. This includes representation from DSIT, DESNZ, MOD, Defra, DFT, Home Office, Royal Navy and others as required. It is chaired and convened by the Cabinet Office.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 December to Question 96893, when she will publish the aggregated information on programme-level performance measures and key performance indicators for RISE advisors.

This government is focused on driving high and rising standards through our Plan for Change, to enable every child to achieve and thrive.Our targeted RISE programme is ensuring schools who need it most are getting the support they need to improve. We will publish an interim process evaluation report in the spring, but we are continuing to evaluate and listening to a range of feedback directly informing the program. We will publish further process evaluation interim reports and expect to publish a final process evaluation report in 2028.

With reference to written statement HCWS1163 made on 15 December 2025, how much government funding has been given to date to each of the 28 mainstream free school projects ahead of their cancellation.

The department provides capital funding for the acquisition of sites/land and the construction of free schools. Where sites have been secured, details and costs of acquisitions will be set out on the Land Registry website. The department also publishes contract details and costs for all free school projects on Contracts Finder.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential level of overlap of proposals for appointing Public Safety Commissioners in mayoralties with the position of Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.

Where a mayor is responsible for Police and Crime Commissioner functions, they must appoint a Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, who works with them to oversee policing. Where mayors are also responsible for fire and rescue, they can delegate this to the DMPC. This means one individual can lead on policing and fire.The Public Safety Commissioner (PSC) will be a new optional appointment, whose role would be to lead on the ‘public safety’ area of competence for a mayor, including matters beyond policing and fire. They could be delegated fire functions but not policing.This gives mayors a choice on how to best deliver public safety in their area. They could delegate all their public safety functions to the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime or appoint a separate Public Safety Commissioner to manage non-policing functions, such as fire.

How many foreign nationals have had their visas revoked since 2010, broken down by type of grounds for refusal.

The Home Office do not currently publish data in relation to decisions to cancel permission to enter or permission to stay. The information requested can’t be obtained without disproportionate cost.

How many local authority presumption free schools have been established since central applications were closed last year, broken down by (a), primary, (b) secondary, (c) post-16, and (d) special schools.

The number of free schools that have been opened through the free school presumption process since July 2024 is as follows:Primary23Secondary0All-through1Post-160Special8Alternative provision1 For comparison, the number of presumption free schools that were established in the previous academic year (2023/24) was:Primary12Secondary0All-through1Post-160Special1Alternative provision0