The Prison Service absolutely needs to be modernised, which is why we are building new digital prison services that will support the transformation of core prison operations and offender management; developing tactical AI-enabled tools for frontline staff to improve accuracy and efficiency; and exploring the use of biometric technology to improve public safety.

The Fair Work Agency (FWA) has taken on the former Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority’s responsibility for enforcing legislation relating to labour exploitation and modern slavery.

Workers on Overseas Domestic Worker visas have the same protections and rights under employment law as British and settled workers. All employers are expected to comply with UK employment law.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 provides a robust legal framework for safe and effective information sharing and data gathering between specified bodies. The FWA will use this framework to help inform and make decisions on future priorities.

The “Modern Slavery: Statutory Guidance for England and Wales (under s49 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015) and Non-Statutory Guidance for Scotland and Northern Ireland” is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that it remains current and effective for decision-makers and first responders.

Following the conclusion of the Call for Evidence on the Identification of Victims of Modern Slavery, we are considering the evidence received and how identification and referrals can be improved.

Overseas Domestic Workers who find themselves a victim of modern slavery can be referred into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) by a designated First Responder.

The UK benefits from a strong and diverse energy supply, with only 1% of our crude oil and gas coming from the Gulf, but the essential lesson of this conflict is that while we are dependent on fossil fuel markets, we are exposed as a country, because prices for oil and gas, wherever it comes from, are set on the international market, affecting families and businesses. For our energy security, the answer must be to go further and faster towards home-grown clean power that we control.

There is provision for 50 full-time equivalent Strategic Housing Specialists in England and Wales. Nine of these provide intervention within the twelve prisons in the female estate. The provision of Strategic Housing Specialists is regularly reviewed to ensure consistent coverage of the resettlement estate.

There is provision for 50 full-time equivalent Strategic Housing Specialists in England and Wales. Nine of these provide intervention within the twelve prisons in the female estate. The provision of Strategic Housing Specialists is regularly reviewed to ensure consistent coverage of the resettlement estate.

This government has been clear that identifying and protecting victims of modern slavery is a priority for this government.

Obtaining the specific information requested regarding those in detention with a positive reasonable ground’s decision is not something that can be provided easily.

The government publishes regular statistics on the number of referrals into the system alongside the outcomes of those decisions. Those can be found on gov.uk – the most recent publication covering the period July-September 2025 show that the average time taken from referral to reasonable grounds decision was 6 days across both competent authorities.

This government has been clear that identifying and protecting victims of modern slavery is a priority for this government.

Obtaining the specific information requested regarding those in detention with a positive reasonable ground’s decision is not something that can be provided easily.

The government publishes regular statistics on the number of referrals into the system alongside the outcomes of those decisions. Those can be found on gov.uk – the most recent publication covering the period July-September 2025 show that the average time taken from referral to reasonable grounds decision was 6 days across both competent authorities.

I recognise the huge pressure that asylum hotels have placed on communities. This Government are committed to exiting asylum hotels by the end of the Parliament. We have already halved the number of hotels in use since the peak under the Conservative party, but I would like to go faster. That is why I am exploring the use of large sites, including military sites.

Border Force have, and continue to, hit freight inspection targets and expect that this performance will be maintained throughout the remainder of the financial year.

The Fair Work Agency will take on the full remit of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).

Collaborating with other government bodies will be crucial to the Fair Work Agency effectively enforcing employment rights. We have ensured it will be able to share information with specified bodies where disclosures are relevant to their statutory function.

The Government is committed to ensuring the Fair Work Agency has what it needs to do its job. The Bill therefore provides for the transfer of existing staff to ensure we retain the relevant expertise.

The Fair Work Agency will take on the full remit of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).

Collaborating with other government bodies will be crucial to the Fair Work Agency effectively enforcing employment rights. We have ensured it will be able to share information with specified bodies where disclosures are relevant to their statutory function.

The Government is committed to ensuring the Fair Work Agency has what it needs to do its job. The Bill therefore provides for the transfer of existing staff to ensure we retain the relevant expertise.

The Identification of Victims of Modern Slavery Call for Evidence launched on 16 July 2025. It invites views on an effective system where victims are recognised early and accurately so they can be protected and receive appropriate assistance and support towards their recovery from exploitation.

The Call for Evidence is structured around three themes:

1) Definitions of victims of modern slavery;

2) Initial identification of victims of modern slavery; and

3) Formal identification of victims of modern slavery.

The full list of questions in the Call for Evidence is available at Identification of victims of modern slavery - GOV.UK. The Call for Evidence includes questions on the National Referral Mechanism decision-making process, including Reasonable Grounds and Conclusive Grounds decisions.

The Call for Evidence will be open for a 12-week period, meaning submissions can be provided up until Wednesday 8 October 2025.

Insights gathered through the Call for Evidence and wider stakeholder engagement will inform longer-term policy development.

This Labour government’s mission is to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child, at every stage across the UK.

Earlier this month, the Minister for Early Education and I met with NI Education Minister Givan in Belfast to discuss childcare and areas of shared learning between the two governments.

The NI Education Minister recently announced £55m for measures which will include an extension of the Childcare Subsidy Scheme to cover school-age children in Northern Ireland, which I welcome.

Our new changed jobcentres will serve the whole of Great Britain. The changes that we are bringing forward will mean more personalised help for everyone, but especially young people. Frontline work coaches who help young people need better technology and more time to help them find the best opportunities. The goal of our changes is to better serve employers and young people.

Officials and I continue to maintain regular engagement with the Scottish Government on many issues. While sewage overflow monitoring is a devolved matter for Scotland, we continue to share best practice wherever appropriate. The SNP Government should follow this Government’s lead and introduce robust legislation to clean up their waterways.