Andy Slaughter MP: written questions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of legal aid provision for refugees required to reapply for Leave to Remain every 30 months; and what additional funding she plans to provide in light of t

Answer: The Government has introduced reforms to the protection system to ensure that protection is provided where it is needed, while also creating a fair and sustainable immigration system.With regards to costs and legal aid provision, only people who stay on C...

Answered 13 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to protect and support the mental health of asylum seekers housed in military accommodation.

Answer: The Home Office recognises the mental health challenges faced by people seeking asylum and has a strategic team focussing on asylum seeker mental health. This team works closely with accommodation providers, NGOs, health partners and lived experience grou...

Answered 15 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of housing asylum seekers in military accommodation on social cohesion and community integration.

Answer: The Home Office regularly works in collaboration with local authorities and other partners including the police to ensure that accommodation sites are successfully managed and the impact upon the local community is minimised. This includes a comprehensive...

Answered 13 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to expand the Community Sponsorship scheme as part of the refugee resettlement strategy; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of that scheme’s capacity to provide an effe

Answer: As announced on 27 June, the refugee study and named community sponsorship routes will open to applications from prospective lead sponsors this autumn, with arrivals expected from autumn 2027 onwards. The new routes will operate alongside the existing UK ...

Answered 13 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the revenue to be generated from proposals in the Immigration and Asylum Bill for asylum seekers to contribute towards their accommodation costs; and what projections her

Answer: The Government has introduced reforms to the protection system to ensure that protection is provided where it is needed, while also creating a fair and sustainable immigration system.With regards to costs and legal aid provision, only people who stay on C...

Answered 13 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the additional structural, operational and staffing costs associated with requiring refugees to reapply for Leave to Remain every 30 months.

Answer: The Government has introduced reforms to the protection system to ensure that protection is provided where it is needed, while also creating a fair and sustainable immigration system.With regards to costs and legal aid provision, only people who stay on C...

Answered 13 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to prevent the backlog of asylum appeals from increasing as a result of the establishment of a new appeals body and the associated structural and staffing changes.

Answer: We expect a phased transition, in which the First Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) continues to hear existing appeals, in parallel with the new Independent Immigration Appeals Authority taking on new cases. This will ensure continuity and he...

Answered 13 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, (a) what is the intended timeline for publication of the Older Prisoners Strategy and (b) what engagement his department intends to undertake with end of life care providers relating to the health care of older p

Answer: The Ministry of Justice is taking forward the development of an Older Prisoners Strategy, in line with the recommendation of the recent Independent Sentencing Review. As part of this work the Department is engaging closely with NHS England, health and soc...

Answered 29 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many family mediators are currently recorded by the Legal Aid agency as registered to provide legally-aided family mediation.

Answer: This Government recognises the vital role that legal aid and mediation plays in supporting individuals to resolve their family disputes. We know that the civil and family legal aid market, including family mediation, is facing challenges and we are taking...

Answered 22 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that members of the public seeking to use family mediation are aware of the importance of selecting a mediator with Family Mediation Council accreditation.

Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that all those engaging in mediation can obtain the services of a suitably qualified mediator and has recently confirmed continued funding for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.This scheme gives all those who qual...

Answered 22 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking with the Family Mediation Council to promote the value of family mediation to separating and divorcing couples.

Answer: The Ministry of Justice works closely with the Family Mediation Council (FMC) to ensure that the information provided to all eligible couples when they enter the Family Court system regarding the benefits of non-court dispute resolution, including family ...

Answered 22 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he will take to improve access to legally aided family mediation for couples who are separating or divorcing.

Answer: This Government recognises the vital role that legal aid and mediation plays in supporting individuals to resolve their family disputes. We know that the civil and family legal aid market, including family mediation, is facing challenges and we are taking...

Answered 22 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will increase the rates paid to family mediators who offer legally aided mediation.

Answer: This Government recognises the vital role that legal aid and mediation plays in supporting individuals to resolve their family disputes. We know that the civil and family legal aid market, including family mediation, is facing challenges and we are taking...

Answered 22 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to help tackle the shortage of legal aid providers in the area of family mediation.

Answer: This Government recognises the vital role that legal aid and mediation plays in supporting individuals to resolve their family disputes. We know that the civil and family legal aid market, including family mediation, is facing challenges and we are taking...

Answered 22 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential economic contribution of recreational paddlesport to local economies; and what steps she is taking to protect access to waterways used by paddl

Answer: The Government believes that opportunities to play sport and get physically active should be available to everyone, including taking part in paddlesport. We know our waterways are vital for keeping the country active, which is why we are committed to prot...

Answered 15 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure the Access to Nature Green Paper includes provisions for increased public access to unregulated inland waterways.

Answer: This Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors and the benefits of blue spaces for people’s health and wellbeing. As set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, Defra will explore the feasibility of increasing access...

Answered 16 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, (a) how many prisons in England have undertaken voluntary self-assessment against the Dying Well in Custody Charter since 2024, and (b) what plans are in place to ensure that the Charter is implemented consistent

Answer: HM Prison & Probation Service, in partnership with the NHS, has revised the Dying Well in Custody Charter Self-Assessment Toolkit. This voluntary toolkit includes good practice examples and is designed to support local partnership activity.Information...

Answered 11 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to answer given to Question UIN 97116 on 5 December 2025, what discussions her officials have had with their Saudi counterparts regarding (a) the execution of

Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December 2025 in response to Question 97116. The UK continues to oppose the use of capital punishment in all circumstances.

Answered 28 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed UK–Gulf Cooperation Council trade agreement on (a) labour standards in partner countries and (b) what steps were taken to

Answer: The Government is a staunch defender of worker protections and has made clear that we will not compromise on these through our FTA programme.As part of the UK-GCC FTA, we are seeking commitments which reaffirm our international obligations at the Internat...

Answered 28 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March to Question UIN 113475 on Western Sahara: Self Determination of States, if will she raise with the UN Security Council that any autonomy pla

Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 2 April to Question 121704, and on 4 March to his own Question 113475.

Answered 27 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March to Question UIN 113475 on Western Sahara: Self Determination of States, whether she has received information on the expanded autonomy propos

Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 2 April to Question 121704, and on 4 March to his own Question 113475.

Answered 27 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the joint letter by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and 25 partner organisations in M

Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to Question 100851 on 6 January 2026.

Answered 27 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria her Department uses when determining whether to call for the release of individuals detained overseas for activities related to the exercise of their human righ

Answer: Each case reported to the UK Government is assessed on its own merits, and there are no fixed criteria of the type the Hon Member describes.

Answered 17 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 September to Question UIN 74747 on Western Sahara: Visits Abroad, whether the blocking of visits by (a) parliamentarians, (b) researchers, (c) jo

Answer: The UK remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights globally, including in Morocco and Western Sahara.In the joint UK-Morocco strategic dialogue communiqué of 1 June 2025, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate...

Answered 26 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 September to Question UIN 74744 on Western Sahara: Self Determination of States, whether she has received any information from Morocco on the det

Answer: No. We continue to engage with all relevant parties in support of the UN-led process to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the princip...

Answered 4 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of Critical Time Intervention programmes for local authorities on preventing homelessness amongst people leaving prison.

Answer: We recognise the importance of public sector organisations working closely together to support people during key transition points. Within the National Plan to End Homelessness, we have worked collaboratively across Government to set ambitious targets to ...

Answered 25 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her counterpart to Bahrain on (a) the protection of the rights of and (b) access to medical treatment for (i) Ebrahim Sharif, (ii) Dr Abdulj

Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided to questions 100851 on 6 January 2026, and HL12137 on 2 December 2025.

Answered 13 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has set a timeline for publication of legislation to reverse the effects of R (on the application of PACCAR Inc and others) v Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Answer: We intend to introduce legislation to clarify that Litigation Funding Agreements (LFAs) are not Damages-Based Agreements when Parliamentary time allows. This will mitigate the effect of the PACCAR judgment and improve access to justice by reassuring funde...

Answered 10 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take legislative steps to reverse the effects of R (on the application of PACCAR Inc and others) v Competition Appeal Tribunal and provide for the changes to apply retrospectively.

Answer: We intend to introduce legislation to clarify that Litigation Funding Agreements (LFAs) are not Damages-Based Agreements when Parliamentary time allows. This will mitigate the effect of the PACCAR judgment and improve access to justice by reassuring funde...

Answered 10 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to implement proportionate regulation of third-party litigation funding agreements in this parliament.

Answer: We have carefully considered the recommendations from the Civil Justice Council's review and, as well as seeking to mitigate the effects of the PACCAR judgment, we wanted to tighten up regulation of third-party litigation funding.We intend to introduce le...

Answered 9 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assurances the UK has received from the US authorities that UK personnel at the Civil Military Co-ordination Centre will not be assisting or participating in actions that could breach International Law or In

Answer: The Civil Military Co-ordination Centre (CMCC) is a US-led body supporting the humanitarian response to Gaza and delivery of the 20-point plan. The UK team engage routinely with their US and other international counterparts to understand and monitor the w...

Answered 12 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assurances the UK has received from the US authorities that CMCC drone surveillance monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza will identify and record potential violations whether by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, other milit

Answer: The small team of UK personnel embedded in US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) engages continually with their US counterparts to ensure a sustainable ceasefire, delivery of humanitarian aid and progress in building Gaza's stability. Drone sur...

Answered 12 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's planned timelines are for considering the introduction of a national social tariff for water bills; and whether she is taking steps to ensure that the potential d

Answer: This Government is committed to protecting the most vulnerable and is working with industry to keep support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers are supported. As such, we have carried out a consultation on reforms to WaterSure - the s...

Answered 6 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to release the White Paper on water reform in January 2026.

Answer: The Government will respond to the Independent Water Commission’s final recommendations in full via a White Paper shortly and a new water reform bill, bringing forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, investors and the envir...

Answered 6 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his department is taking steps to deliver the recommendation from the Independent Sentencing Review of increased funding for the voluntary sector to support the Probation Service.

Answer: I recognise the valuable role of the thousands of Voluntary Sector organisations that work in partnership with Prisons and Probation to provide vital support to people serving their sentence in prison and returning to the community. We welcome the Indepen...

Answered 5 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed expansion of electronic monitoring of offenders in helping to (a) reduce reoffending and (b) support rehabilitation.

Answer: In support of the Sentencing Bill, the Ministry of Justice will significantly expand the use of electronic monitoring as a vital tool for probation to ensure offenders are managed safely in the community.This expansion builds on the Department’s long-stan...

Answered 5 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to include measures to help tackle the resale of live event tickets in the forthcoming King’s Speech.

Answer: This Government is committed to putting fans back at the heart of live events and we recently announced a series of measures to end the scourge of ticket touting and protect consumers on the ticket resale market. We will legislate to introduce these measu...

Answered 15 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to answer given to Question UIN 77478 on 14 October 2025, what discussions her officials have had with their Saudi counterparts regarding (a) the execution of

Answer: The Government continues to monitor individual cases of concern in Saudi Arabia, and we regularly raise human rights with the Saudi authorities, including at ministerial level.

Answered 11 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on the basis of what evidence was the estimate of a 20 per cent time saving for judge only trials made, including the following evidence referred to in the Leveson report (i) the quantitative analyses, (ii) the q

Answer: Hearing cases without a jury negates the need for jury selection, judges explaining legal concepts to jurors, and jury deliberation. There is no denying that these add to the time it takes to hear a case.The latest figures show offences heard by magistrat...

Answered 8 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring shops to hide knives for sale from public view.

Answer: Since 2016 there has been a voluntary agreement between the Home Office and most major high street retailers on the responsible sale of knives. The purpose of the agreement is to set out best practice around the sale of knives, including age verification ...

Answered 28 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of prisoners were (a) released into homelessness and (b) homeless three months after release in each quarter since January 2022.

Answer: We are taking a number of steps to reduce numbers of those being released from prison homeless, including measures to improve joint processes and guidance across prisons, probation and local authorities. Overall statutory responsibility for housing and ho...

Answered 24 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of people needing homelessness relief from local authorities on release from prison.

Answer: We are taking a number of steps to reduce numbers of those being released from prison homeless, including measures to improve joint processes and guidance across prisons, probation and local authorities. Overall statutory responsibility for housing and ho...

Answered 24 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Civil Military Coordination Centre at Kiryat Gat on coordinating aid delivery into Gaza.

Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 28 October to Question 84235.

Answered 20 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what Britain’s role is in the Civil Military Coordination Centre at Kiryat Gat.

Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 28 October to Question 84235.

Answered 20 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the terms of reference are for the Civil Military Coordination Centre at Kiryat Gat.

Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 28 October to Question 84235.

Answered 20 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she last asked her Bahraini counterpart to allow a research mission by a UN Special Rapporteur to consider the human rights situation in Bahrain.

Answer: We continue to encourage all countries to engage constructively with UN mechanisms, including Special Rapporteurs, as part of their international commitments. The UK remains committed to supporting progress on human rights.

Answered 18 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the UN Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council entitled Situation concerning Western

Answer: The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process led by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Mr Staffan de Mistura in support of finding ...

Answered 30 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the report by the UN Secretary-General entitled Situation concerning Western Sahara, publishe

Answer: The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process led by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Mr Staffan de Mistura in support of finding ...

Answered 30 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the provisions in the Employment Rights Bill on backlogs in the employment tribunals.

Answer: The Employment Rights Bill is part of the Government’s commitment to Make Work Pay. The Bill includes measures that strengthens the rights of workers, which we expect will increase demand in the Employment Tribunal.To address rising demand in the Employme...

Answered 15 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many outstanding cases there have been in the Employment (a) Tribunal and (b) Appeal Tribunal in each of the last five years.

Answer: Data on open caseload for the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeals Tribunal is published in Tribunals Statistics Quarterly and data to March 2025 can be found in table S_4 of the main tables here: Tribunals statistics quarterly: January to March 202...

Answered 15 Oct 2025