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The Government, in consultation with the Territories and other stakeholders, has developed a strategy of re-engagement: strengthening links between the Territories and the UK; strengthening governance; and enhancing support to the Territories. This White Paper sets out priorities for action in terms of defending the Territories; supporting successful economic development; preserving the Territories' rich environmental heritage and addressing the challenges of climate change; making government work better; community issues; and strengthening links with international and regional organisations or other countries. Taking this forward will require a partnership between the UK Government and Territory Governments. The UK wants to strengthen political engagement between Ministers in the UK and the Territories, particularly through the proposed Joint Ministerial Council, and is determined to live up to its responsibilities to the Territories

The Home Affairs Committee reports that well-designed legislation which regulates and restricts the legal supply of firearms can help to reduce gun crime. The committee recognises that thousands of people use firearms responsibly for recreation and in their work. It has no intention of restricting such activity. However, the committee today concludes that interpreting and applying the current 34 pieces of legislation governing the control of firearms places an "onerous burden" on the police and on members of the public who wish to abide by the law, because it is "so complex and confused". In particular, the committee recommends introducing one licensing system to cover all firearms which require a licence and identifies age restrictions on firearms use as a particular area of uncertainty. Although the majority of firearms-related crimes are not committed with licensed firearms, the committee is also concerned about the use of legally-owned weapons in domestic shootings, including those related to domestic abuse. The Committee has several recommendations including: a review of the minimum age limits on the use of firearms and eligibility for firearms certificates; recommends tighter restrictions and clearer guidance to the police on the granting of firearms and shotgun licences to individuals who have engaged in criminal activity; considering requiring the police to consult the domestic partners of licence applicants in making the decision as to whether to grant a licence; suggests that the Government considers requiring advocates raising the fees charged to applicants so that it covers the costs of licensing, to ensure that police spending cuts do not jeopardise the rigour of the licensing process. Finally, the committee was concerned at evidence of the significant criminal threat posed by reactivated and converted firearms, in response to tighter regulations on genuine lethal weapons.

Dated December 2013

This report by the Home Office, HM Treasury, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Office for National Statistics has been produced as a cross-departmental submission to the inquiry being conducted by the House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs into the economic impact of immigration in the UK. The report includes chapters on public finance and net fiscal impacts; macroeconomic impacts; labour market, productivity and skills impacts; sectors and occupations; demographic impacts; the economic impact of illegal immigration; improving immigration data; and government policy on immigration. The Office for National Statistics has also produced a separate statistical submission as a background paper to this report.

Crown Dependencies : Eighth report of session 2009-10, report, together with formal minutes, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

Incorporating HC 508-i-iv, session 2006-07. For Volume 1, see (ISBN 9780215520807)

This report follows on from last year's report published in November 2011 after the August riots. The Ending Gang and Youth Violence programme which came from the report was designed to provide peer support to the 29 areas across the country facing the biggest challenges in relation to youth violence and gangs. Ten million pounds of Home Office funding was re-prioritised for 2012-13 to help these areas build their capacity to respond effectively to their particular local issues. This programme built on the work already underway to reduce youth violence in three police force areas, London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands under the Communities against Guns, Gangs and Knives programme. This report sets out the collective achievements since last November - in terms of national, cross-government policy and in terms of particular actions in local areas, facilitated or otherwise supported by the frontline Ending Gang and Youth Violence team. It also looks at building on this success over the next year and beyond. Decisions about the support to local areas after April 2013 will be made in the context of Government budgetary considerations following the Chancellor's statement in December. The report looks at making it happen locally, partnership working and information sharing, youth violence and health, the Criminal Justice response, women, girls and gangs, and understanding what works. There is also a summary of actions set out in this report.

Cutting crime is the sole objective that the Government has set for the police. Serious and organised crime is a national threat that requires a multi-agency national response. Social and economic costs of drugs, drug-related crime, trafficking of vulnerable young women into prostitution and credit card fraud are estimated at between £20 billion and £40 billion. This paper outlines the intent to create a powerful new body of operational crime fighters. The National Crime Agency (NCA) will set the national operational agenda for fighting serious and organised crime. Headed by a senior chief constable, the Agency will have strong two-way links with local police forces and other law enforcement agencies. It will be home to a multi-agency intelligence capability drawing on existing resources. It will build and maintain a comprehensive picture of the threats, harm and risk to the UK from organised criminals. It will have the authority to co-ordinate police and other agencies to ensure networks of organised criminals are disrupted and prevented from operating. The NCA will have specialist operational capabilities, including a dedicated cyber crime unit. The latest technology will be harnessed to ensure that intelligence gathering and analytical capabilities match the threat from criminals seeking to evade detection. Sharing intelligence, capabilities, expertise and assets, the NCA will comprise distinct commands for Organised Crime, Border Policing, Economic Crime, and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, each with its own priorities. The NCA will be fully operational in 2013.

This is the fourth National Statistics annual report which highlights the variety of work carried out by statisticians and other analysts in the Government Statistical Service (GSS) during the year 2003-04. It considers the progress made in implementing the statistical plans set out in the National Statistics Work Programme for 2003/04 to 2005/06, across three main areas of work: major developments in cross-cutting departmental or theme boundaries; work carried out under the aegis of the 12 National Statistics Theme Groups; and quality improvements carried out in the context of the National Statistics Quality Review Programme.