Written questions by Timothy.

How many people were convicted for possession of firearms for each year from 2020 to 2024; and how many people did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for possession of firearms.

The information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types)b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.

How many people were convicted for possession of knives for each year from 2020 to 2024; and how many people did tot receive an immediate custodial sentence by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for possession of knives.

The information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types)b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.

How many people were convicted for stealing from the person of another for each year from 2020 to 2024; and how many people did not receive an immediate custodial sentence by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for stealing from the person of another.

The information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types)b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.

How many people were convicted for (a) criminal damage and (b) arson in each year from 2020 to 2024; and how many people did not receive an immediate custodial sentence by year of conviction and number of previous occasions the offender has been convicted for (i) criminal damage and (ii) arson from 2020 to 2024.

The information requested is provided in the attached excel tables. These tables include data covering the period 2020 – 2024 on:a) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence (all disposal types)b) The number of offenders who were convicted of the specified offence but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence, by the number of previous convictions for that specified offence.This data is not regularly published or held in an easily accessible format. The information supplied has been sourced from a bespoke retrieval from the Police National Computer database.

How much NHS trusts in England spent in total on interest payments relating to Private Finance Initiative contracts in each of the last five financial years.

The information requested is not held centrally. Trust accounts data is published online, along with a breakdown of the Unitary Charge payments, including interest payments, at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/financial-accounting-and-reporting/nhs-providers-tac-data-publications/

How many NHS trusts in England spent more on repayments under Private Finance Initiative contracts than on medicines in the most recent financial year for which figures are available.

The information requested is not held centrally. Annual payments, which include facilities management services, under Private Finance Initiative contracts are published annually by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pfi-and-pf2-projects-2024-summary-dataExpenditure on medicines is held by NHS England.

How many weapons have been confiscated by prison officers since 5 July 2024, broken down by individual prison.

As data on the distinct number of weapons confiscated is not held centrally, the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.Statistics on the number of incidents of weapon finds in prison, which could include multiple weapons per incident, are, however, published. Information on finds of contraband, including weapons, are included as part of the HMPPS Annual Digest. The ‘Finds in Prison – Incidents Data Tool’ can be used to show the number of incidents of weapon finds by prison broken down by calendar month. The most recent release includes data to March 2025. The next publication will also include the period April 2025 to March 2026.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hmpps-annual-digest-april-2024-to-march-2025Prisons in England and Wales have a range of specialist staff and equipment to tackle the smuggling of drugs, mobile phones, weapons and other contraband into prisons. This includes X-ray body scanners, airport-style Enhanced Gate Security, X-ray baggage scanners, detection dogs, and other specialist equipment to alert staff to the potential presence of drugs on a range of items and materials

How many stab vests have been issued to prison officers since 5 July 2024, broken down by individual prison.

Following a serious incident at HMP Frankland in April 2025, the Department acted quickly to review the use of protective body armour (PBA) across the estate. As a result, we have introduced a significant expansion in provision, with PBA now mandated for staff working in the highest-risk areas of the long-term high security estate, including Close Supervision Centres, Separation Centres and Segregation Units.This builds on existing use in high-risk operational contexts such as planned use of force and national tactical deployments. Our approach is risk-based and evidence-led, ensuring that protective equipment is prioritised for those staff facing the greatest threat, while remaining practical and effective in operational environments.We are committed to delivering the Deputy Prime Minister's pledge to equip up to 10,000 staff with PBA. As of 26 March, we have issued protective body armour to 514 named staff members and 264 spare sets for cross deployment. Information about the provision of PBA broken down by prison is shown in the table below. PrisonPersonal IssueSpareBelmarsh2212Frankland7136Full Sutton7336Garth1312Gartree1512Isle of Wight1312Long Lartin2612Lowdham Grange1912Manchester5124Swaleside1912Wakefield5024Whitemoor4824Woodhill9436Total514264

How many religious chaplaincies have permitted the Islamic Human Rights Commission to send religious materials to prisons in England and Wales.

Decisions on whether any external materials may be provided are taken by individual establishments. They are subject to governor approval, national policy on faith and pastoral care, security requirements, and extremism safeguards. All proposed materials are assessed by chaplaincy teams in conjunction with prison security staff, including scrutiny against the Inappropriate Materials Guidance and oversight by Prevent Leads and Chaplaincy headquarters, and may be refused or withdrawn where concerns arise.HMPPS chaplaincy teams do not request or use materials from the Islamic Human Rights Commission in prisons.

If he will list the organisations authorised to send religious and welfare packs to prisons in England and Wales for (a) Ramadan and (b) Eid.

Decisions on whether any external materials may be provided are taken by individual establishments. They are subject to governor approval, national policy on faith and pastoral care, security requirements, and extremism safeguards. All proposed materials are assessed by chaplaincy teams in conjunction with prison security staff, including scrutiny against the Inappropriate Materials Guidance and oversight by Prevent Leads and Chaplaincy headquarters, and may be refused or withdrawn where concerns arise.HMPPS chaplaincy teams do not request or use materials from the Islamic Human Rights Commission in prisons.

What proportion of meat served in prisons has been (a) halal and (b) kosher in each year since 2020, broken down by individual prison.

As this data is not held centrally the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.The Food in Prison Policy Framework requires that prisoners are provided with meals that meet an individual’s religious, cultural, and medical dietary needs. Prisons provide a multi-choice, pre-select menu for the lunchtime or evening meal which must reflect the diverse needs of the establishment’s population. When a Halal meat or poultry menu choice is offered, an alternative meat or poultry choice which is not Halal must be provided at the same meal.All prisons across England and Wales provide prisoners with a choice of at least five meal options at both lunch and the evening meal. As a minimum, these options include: one meat dish, one vegan dish, one vegetarian dish, one Halal dish, and one additional alternative option.

When she plans to respond to the letter of 18 December 2025 from the hon. Member for West Suffolk.

The correspondence from the hon. Member for West Suffolk is receiving attention and a response will be issued as soon as it is practical to do so.

How many (a) chaplains, (b) rabbis, (c) imams, (d) other religious ministers have been attached to each prison in England and Wales in each year since 2010.

His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) recognises that faith and belief can support rehabilitation and may act as a protective factor in reducing re-offending.The statutory duties of prison chaplains are set out in the Prison Act 1952 and reflected in the Prison Rules 1999 and Young Offender Institution Rules 2000. They include visiting prisoners on reception; when held in segregation or residential healthcare; and before release.HMPPS does not hold a complete historical record, by establishment and year, of the number of chaplains since 2010, as there is no operational requirement to do so. Chaplaincy provision is arranged locally according to operational need, and includes employed, sessional and voluntary chaplains, totalling over 1,200 people.

Whether the costs arising from his role as Deputy Prime Minister are being met from the department’s budget.

As outlined on gov.uk, the Deputy Prime Minister acts on behalf of the department and also deputises for the Prime Minister. Engagements completed on the Prime Minister's behalf, including international visits, are generally paid for by the Cabinet Office.

How many legal aid providers have represented appellants in the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber in each year since 2020.

Information about the number of distinct provider offices completing at least one case in the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) in each financial year since 2020 can be found in the table below:Financial Years Number of provider offices 2020-212522021-222352022-232272023-242172024-25224Legal aid for immigration and asylum services, including proceedings before the First Tier Tribunal is subject to both a legal merits test and an assessment of the individual’s financial circumstances.

How much legal aid funding has been provided to appellants in the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber in each year since 2020, broken down by (a) ethnicity, and (b) nationality of the appellant.

Legal aid expenditure in respect of cases before the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) broken down by ethnicity is set out in the annexed table. Data is self-reported to the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) by applicants or their legal aid solicitor, it is not verified by the LAA. It is not mandatory for applicants to complete the Equality and Diversity section of an application. Where this has been left blank ethnicity is recorded as ‘unknown’.Legal aid funding is not paid directly to the individual in receipt of legal aid. Legal aid is only paid to legal providers for the provision of legal advice and representation. Data in the annexed table therefore reflects expenditure relating to bills submitted by legal aid providers.Information relating to nationality of applicants is not centrally held.

How much funding has been provided to legal aid providers to represent appellants in the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber in each year since 2020, broken down by (a) ethnicity, and (b) nationality of the appellant.

Legal aid expenditure in respect of cases before the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) broken down by ethnicity is set out in the annexed table. Data is self-reported to the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) by applicants or their legal aid solicitor, it is not verified by the LAA. It is not mandatory for applicants to complete the Equality and Diversity section of an application. Where this has been left blank ethnicity is recorded as ‘unknown’.Legal aid funding is not paid directly to the individual in receipt of legal aid. Legal aid is only paid to legal providers for the provision of legal advice and representation. Data in the annexed table therefore reflects expenditure relating to bills submitted by legal aid providers.Information relating to nationality of applicants is not centrally held.

What estimate has his department made of the size of the (a) youth custody population, (b) youth secure estate for the next five years.

During the last 12 months, the population of the youth secure estate has varied in the range 440 to 510. Work on future projections is in hand, but owing to the small numbers involved and consequent volatility, there are difficulties in generating robust figures. Later this year, we will set out our plans for wider reforms to youth custody, to deliver better outcomes for children, communities and taxpayers. This will include consideration of the future shape and configuration of the youth secure estate.

How many prison inmates have had illicit relationships with prison officers in each year since 2010, broken down by offence group.

The table below shows the number of prisoners in the last six years recorded as being involved in proven cases where a member of prison staff has been convicted of Misconduct in Public Office. No data is held for years prior to 2020. Year of case outcome202020212022202320242025Number of prisoners055171022 An inappropriate relationship is defined as any relationship that compromises a staff member’s ability to perform their duties appropriately. Where officers fall below our high standards, we do not hesitate to take robust action. We are catching more of the minority who break the rules with our Counter Corruption Unit and stronger vetting. The figures in this table have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

How many racially and religiously aggravated offences against Christian people and places of worship have been (a) recorded, and (b) prosecuted in each year since 2020, broken down by the (i) ethnicity, (ii) nationality, and (iii) faith of the offender.

The Home Office collects and publishes information on the number of religious hate crimes targeted at Christians recorded by the police in England and Wales. Information is not centrally held on the number of people prosecuted for these offences, nor the ethnicity, nationality or faith of the offender.The latest published statistics on the number of offences recorded are available here: Hate crime, England and Wales, year ending March 2025 - GOV.UKIt is not possible to tell, from the data held centrally, whether or not an offence was committed against a Christian place of worship.