Home Office

Noted (AI summary) • A new Statutory Instrument will add a new condition to firearms and shotgun licences to require the holder to inform the police if they begin to suffer from a new relevant medical condition, or if an existing condition significantly worsens, during the lifetime of the licence. • A new licensing condition will require the licence holder to inform the police if they consult a third-party medical practitioner who is not their GP.

Noted (AI summary) The Department of Transport notes that there are no specific statutory guidance or mandatory distance regulations for yellow lines near junctions. The decision rests with the local authority, and traffic signing is devolved to the Welsh Government. The Minister explains police driver training standards, noting that decisions on crewing are operational matters for Chief Constables. Pursuits resulting in a fatality are referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. South Wales Police acknowledges the concerns about crewing of Road Policing Unit officers during pursuits, but states its training and operational model are designed to ensure public safety and officer competence. They highlight national standards, training, and post-pursuit review processes, while also emphasizing the need to balance operational effectiveness and resource availability, deeming single crewing the most practical option.

Noted (AI summary) The Home Office describes the Police National Database and its use, noting it is a top priority to tackle violence against women and girls and highlighting the new National Policing Centre for VAWG and Public Protection.

Noted (AI summary) Uber Eats uses industry-leading account-sharing detection technology, including real-time identity verification software requiring couriers to take selfies that are compared with their profile photo and monitors for suspicious behaviors that may indicate attempts to circumvent their security controls. Deliveroo has strengthened checks and processes to ensure rider accounts are only used by authorized individuals, including biometric checks and identity verification, and has a dedicated team investigating potential account sharing with minors; they also terminate agreements with riders who allow unregistered substitutes to use their accounts. Just Eat has introduced enhanced checks to ensure substitutes meet requirements set for all couriers, requiring pre-registration, biometric checks, and document submission to prove age and right to work; random biometric screening checks are also performed. HSE acknowledges concerns about rental of permits, employment of minors and lone working, but notes that road traffic accidents are generally a police matter. They highlight existing guidance and legislation, and ongoing work between government and the food delivery industry to improve security checks.

Noted (AI summary) The Home Office is researching the availability of the substance in question and supports the DHSC in delivering the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. Border Force has issued guidance to officers about control actions regarding goods at the border that may assist with suicide. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the concerns regarding the purchase of sodium nitrite but states that the responsibility for these concerns sits within another organization.

Noted (AI summary) The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the concerns about systems for safely receiving overseas patients seeking medical treatment in the UK. The response outlines existing regulatory oversight by the CQC and notes the importance of accurate medical information, but does not commit to specific action. NHS England states that the concerns raised in the report do not fall within their remit, as the receiving hospital was private, but they have made North West London Integrated Care Board aware of the concerns. They also highlight existing national guidance on the repatriation of ill patients from overseas. The FCDO believes a response sits outside of their remit, and is more appropriate for the Department of Health and Social Care.

Noted (AI summary) The Home Office acknowledges the concerns about ketamine's classification and potential harm, notes that it will continue to work with partners to discourage misuse and alert people about the dangers of ketamine, and has commissioned the ACMD to provide an updated harms assessment of ketamine.

Noted (AI summary) Hotpoint states it will support the LFB/AMDEA initiative of digital identification and comply with any future industry-wide regulatory requirements. It will also work with government policy makers, regulators, fire services, manufacturers and other stakeholders to continue to raise the bar for appliance product safety in the UK. AMDEA acknowledges the coroner's concerns and states its commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to enhance product safety. They also note that fire incident data for key appliances is collated annually to identify trends and inform safety improvements. BSI acknowledges the coroner's concerns and explains its role in standardization. The CPL/61 committee considered the request to improve standards for condensate pumps and filters but needs more information regarding the fire investigation before a decision can be made. North Yorkshire Council, as primary authority for Hotpoint, states that testing was conducted on the part in question and that it passed all tests. They have arranged for further testing and state Hotpoint will comply with any changes in the law. The National Fire Chiefs Council states that receiving information from manufacturers on replaced or recalled parts is not within their remit. They support the single recall register and advocate for manufacturers to share risk assessments when patterns of faults are found. OPSS is seeking an update from BSI on the progress of a pilot project trialing a fire-resistant marking approach to enable identification of fire-damaged appliances and supporting their traceability. The Home Office acknowledges the report but states it cannot provide a specific response due to a lack of detail regarding which aspects of information management need to change. CTSI acknowledges the coroner's concerns and describes its role in consumer protection and its support for OPSS. It highlights the need for a national approach to product safety and consumer reporting mechanisms.