theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_605
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_605

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help improve the reliability of bus services. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government knows how important, reliable bus services are enabling people to access education, work and vital services. The Government is committed to delivering better bus services across the country, including in rural areas across England.

The Government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill will put passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in rural areas. The Bill includes a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services.

As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated over £1 billion to support and improve bus services in 2025/26 and keep fares affordable. This includes £712 million for local authorities that can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. The East Midlands Combined Authority has been allocated £40.5 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including expanding services and improving reliability.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review. On 11 June, the Government confirmed additional funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_606
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_606

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help tackle (a) untaxed and (b) abandoned vehicles on public roads. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) operates a comprehensive package of measures to tackle untaxed vehicles. These range from the use of automatic number plate recognition cameras, the wheelclamping and the removal and impounding of untaxed vehicles and court prosecutions. The DVLA works closely with the police and local authorities to address untaxed vehicles at local levels and to share intelligence to target untaxed vehicles.

The latest information available, published in December 2023, showed that 98.7 per cent of vehicles across the UK were correctly licensed, an evasion rate of just 1.3%. More information is available at Vehicle excise duty evasion statistics: 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

The removal of abandoned vehicles is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. The police also have the powers to remove immediately any vehicle that is causing an obstruction, is likely to cause danger or is broken down or abandoned without lawful authority.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_607
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_607

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will review the April 2023 Code of Practice for Inspections in relation to the capping of inspection charges for defective reinstatements at two cycles. \p Simon Lightwood: In April 2023, the Department for Transport introduced a performance-based inspections regime to improve the quality of reinstatements following street works. Under this system, utility companies with higher defect or failure rates are subject to increased inspection frequencies, while those with strong compliance records are inspected less frequently. This approach ensures that inspection resources are targeted where they are most needed and creates a financial incentive for companies to meet statutory standards, as they are required to cover the cost of inspections.

The regime is underpinned by the updated Code of Practice for Inspections and supported by data from the Street Manager platform, which enables authorities to monitor performance and adjust inspection rates quarterly based on inspection outcomes.

Given that the regime has only been in place for a short period, we believe it is appropriate to evaluate its effectiveness in delivering better quality reinstatements before considering further changes. While the existing two-cycle inspection cap was previously agreed with stakeholders as a balanced approach, we recognise that operational challenges may have evolved. We will undertake a formal review of the regime’s impact working closely with local authorities, utility companies, and the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) to ensure that reinstatements meet the required standards and that poor quality work is addressed swiftly and fairly.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_608
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_608

Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of vehicles involved in road traffic crashes within the last five years had no registered keeper. \p Simon Lightwood: The information requested is not held by the Department.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_609
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_609

Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to prevent off-road motorcycles being declared as (a) used vehicles and (b) components of vehicles. \p Simon Lightwood: There is no legal requirement for vehicles to be registered and licensed if they are used exclusively off the public roads. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) does operate a voluntary registration scheme for off-road vehicles, which can assist in the identification of complete, stolen off-road motorcycles.

To qualify to register an off-road vehicle, the vehicle can be new or used but it must be complete. It is not possible to register component parts. A declaration that the vehicle will only be used off road is also required.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_610
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_610

Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of drivers failed to notify the DVLA of a change of vehicle keeper or ownership in the preceeding five years. \p Simon Lightwood: The latest available data shows that of the 52,898,866 vehicles on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s vehicle database, 49,270,958 are contactable and traceable based on the information held on the DVLA’s records. Of the remainder it is estimated that around 2,889,000 vehicles are in the motor trade where a vehicle can legitimately have no registered keeper.

Information on the number of people who did not notify the DVLA of a change of keeper is not available.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_611
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_611

Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of lower-cost imports of electric buses from (a) China and (b) other countries on the competitiveness of UK manufacturers; and what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) procurement and (b) subsidy programmes support domestic industry while still delivering value for money. \p Simon Lightwood: The international market is key to spurring and driving innovation, as well as competitive pricing and enabling UK manufacturers to win orders around the world. Data gathered through the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programme suggests that UK bus manufacturers are not being undercut by international suppliers, with prices being broadly comparable. UK-based bus manufacturers have also benefitted most from the Department’s funding programmes.

To support the domestic Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) industry, the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel was established in March 2025. The Expert Panel brings together industry experts and local leaders to ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing.

The Expert Panel is looking at how social value can be embedded in the heart of the bus procurement process to ensure every pound of public money spent on ZEBs delivers the greatest possible benefit for our communities and the economy.

Section 17 of the Subsidy Control Act prevents state subsidies being given with conditions on using domestic over imported goods or services. This means that when providing subsidies, local transport authorities cannot impose conditions to require that bus operators receiving the subsidies must buy British buses.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_612
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_612

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department (a) has considered and (b) plans to consider expanding requirements for lifesaving equipment in vehicles used for public or quasi-public purposes. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department is not considering mandating public vehicles to carry defibrillators. In England outside London, commercial bus operators provide the majority of bus services and have responsibility for managing their fleets. Any decision on whether to fit buses with defibrillators is one for operators to make, and some have taken the decision to equip their depots with these.

Similarly, it would be the decision for individual taxi and private hire vehicle operators to decide to carry defibrillators.

The Department also encourages train operating companies to equip their stations with defibrillators where possible, and both Network Rail and train operators have made progress towards this in recent years.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_613
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_613

Stephen Gethins:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing vehicle tax exemption applications to be made online. \p Simon Lightwood: Customers who receive the enhanced rate mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and whose vehicles are already licensed in the disabled taxation class can renew their vehicle excise duty (VED) exemption online.

Those customers who receive the standard rate mobility component of PIP, which entitles them to a 50% reduction in the rate of VED payable, or those who receive the enhanced rate mobility component but are applying to license their vehicle in the disabled tax class for the first time must do so at the Post Office or by sending their application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Facilitating these applications to be made online requires the electronic exchange of data held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) with the DVLA. Officials are considering how to improve the ability for customers in receipt of PIP to transact with the DVLA.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_614
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_614

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the average time taken to approve Special Use Airspace applications for Beyond Visual Line of Sight uncrewed air system operations under Civil Air Publication 1616 in the latest period for which data is available. \p Keir Mather: The CAA assesses Special Use Airspace applications, including those for BVLOS operations, under the CAP1616 process to ensure safety, proportionality, and fairness for all airspace users.

The CAA is currently consulting on reforms to CAP1616, including a more proportionate approach to BVLOS airspace, to improve clarity, efficiency, and transparency while maintaining safety.

Application timescales vary depending on complexity and completeness, with straightforward cases often completed within weeks to a few months

The CAA continues to support safe, innovative BVLOS operations in line with the UK’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_615
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_615

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with the Civil Aviation Authority on the effectiveness of its processes in relation to Special Use Airspace applications to use uncrewed air systems for NHS medical logistics. \p Keir Mather: My officials continue to work closely with the Civil Aviation Authority to improve the airspace change process. My department is undertaking a full review of the regulatory framework for airspace change, with the aim of streamlining and improving the airspace change process for uncrewed air systems operations and trials. My department will consult on these changes later this year
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_616
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_616

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will review the 2023 Code of Practice for Inspections to ensure that (a) the performance-based sample inspection regime does not allow utility companies to offset local failure rates against national averages and (b) sufficient incentives remain for companies to rectify defects quickly and efficiently. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport keeps all statutory guidance under regular review, including the 2023 Code of Practice for Inspections. The performance-based sample inspection regime introduced in April 2023 is designed to ensure that undertakers are inspected proportionately to their performance at the local level. Inspection rates are calculated by each highway authority based on the undertaker’s failure rate in that specific area, and cannot be offset by performance elsewhere. This ensures that poor performance in one locality is not masked by better results nationally. The Code also includes provisions to incentivise prompt and effective defect rectification. These include financial penalties, non-compliant reinstatement inspections, and escalation procedures for unresolved defects. We remain committed to working with stakeholders to ensure the inspection regime continues to uphold high standards, promote accountability, and support the efficient maintenance of the highway network.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_617
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_617

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many penalties have been issued for using a rental e-scooter without holding a provisional or full UK driving licence with a category Q entitlement in each of the last three years. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government does not hold centralised data on the number of penalties issued for using rental e-scooters without a valid driving licence. Local police forces are best placed to provide information on any penalties issued in their respective areas.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_618
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_618

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of electricity network charging costs on the (a) financial viability of electric bus operations and (b) transition away from diesel vehicles. \p Simon Lightwood: We are committed to expanding the electricity network to support the electrification of transport and are working closely with bus operators and DESNZ about electricity provision for depots. Due to lower operating costs of battery electric buses compared to diesel buses, this makes them an attractive option for bus operators.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_619
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_619

Catherine West:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking increase legal protections against violence and abuse at work for public transport workers. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government is committed to ensuring that public transport workers feel safe and are safe at work. There is no place for abuse or assault of any worker. The Department for Transport is working with industry and the British Transport Police on the railway to ensure it remains a safe environment for rail staff and passengers.

Through the Bus Services (No.2) Bill, we propose to mandate training for staff working in the bus industry, including drivers and those who deal directly with the travelling public, on how to recognise and respond to incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour on public transport. We intend to make clear that training will require a person to take steps to prevent crime or anti-social behaviour only where it is safe to do so.

The law is also clear that everyone should be protected from assault and harassment. In addition, there is a statutory aggravating factor for assaults against any public facing worker, including transport workers, which is provided by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

It is essential that staff continue to report any instances of abuse or violence to the police so it can be investigated and offenders brought to justice.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_620
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_620

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with local councils to help (a) prevent over-licensing and (b) to maintain (i) quality and (ii) safety standards for private hire vehicle drivers. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government is responsible for setting the regulatory structure within which licensing authorities in England administer the taxi and private hire vehicle licensing regime. All applicants for a taxi or private hire vehicle driver’s licence must be deemed fit and proper to hold one. Under this system licensing authorities have the flexibility to set the standards they consider are appropriate. The Department for Transport issues statutory and best practice guidance to assist licensing authorities with this function, to promote safe and accessible services through proportionate regulation.

As recommended in the statutory guidance, all taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities in England have advised the Department that for drivers they require the highest level of vetting available, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and a check of both the children’s and adults’ Barred Lists. The statutory guidance recommends that a licensing authority’s test of a driver’s language proficiency should cover both oral and written English language skills. This is so drivers can understand policies and guidance related to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and can apply them to identify and act on signs of exploitation.

The best practice guidance recommends that licensing authorities should require taxi and private hire vehicle drivers to undertake training and/or assessment focussed on driver attitudes and behaviours. Where an authority has specific concerns about the driving ability of a driver, for example through passenger complaints, it would be appropriate for the authority to consider whether the driver in question should undertake a practical driving ability training course or assessment to address those concerns.

The Department for Transport will legislate to tackle inconsistent standards of taxi and private hire vehicle driver licensing more broadly. We are considering all options including out of area working, national standards and enforcement – seeking the best overall outcomes for passenger safety. In the interim the Department is reviewing licensing authorities’ compliance with existing guidance and determining how the statutory guidance on protecting children and vulnerable adults can be strengthened to further protect the public.

A consultation on making all local transport authorities responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, which would increase consistency in licensing and make better use of enforcement powers, will be launched shortly.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_621
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_621

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has plans to introduce measures which aim to minimise the time taken for emergency services to be able to attend to accidents as part of the upcoming Road Safety Strategy. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. More details will be set out in due course.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_622
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_622

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support legitimate number plate suppliers in (a) stopping cloning and (b) upholding legal standards. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime, including the use of cloned number plates.

The law requires that anyone who supplies number plates for road use in the UK must be registered with the DVLA. It is a legal requirement for number plate suppliers to carry out checks to ensure that number plates are only sold to those who can prove they are entitled to the registration number. Number plate suppliers must also keep records of the plates they have supplied. Selling a number plate without carrying out these required checks carries a maximum penalty of a fine of £1,000 and the potential removal from the Register of Number Plate Suppliers (RNPS).

Officials are also considering options to ensure a more robust, auditable RNPS process which would enable tighter checks on number plate suppliers. On-road enforcement for offences relating to the display of number plates is a matter for the police. The DVLA assists the police and Trading Standards in their enforcement against number plate suppliers, including those who trade illegally. When notified, the DVLA will investigate and pass on intelligence to the police who are responsible for investigating this criminal matter.

Anyone who thinks their number plate may have been cloned should contact the police immediately. Any fines received should be returned to the issuing authorities. The DVLA can provide customers with letters that can be used as supporting evidence and can also provide a replacement registration number where appropriate.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_623
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_623

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the trend in the number of reports of suspected number plate (a) cloning and (b) misidentification. \p Lilian Greenwood: It is an offence to use a vehicle displaying cloned number plates which is punishable by an unlimited fine and/or up to two years in prison.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime, including the use of cloned number plates. The evidence being gathered will be considered when evaluating potential future action to help address this important issue.

It is important to note that not every case of a misidentified registration number will be a case of cloned number plates. While some reports may relate to cloned number plates, others may be the result of administrative errors, for example incorrect entry of registration numbers.

Anyone who thinks their number plate may have been cloned should contact the police immediately and return any fines received to the issuing authorities. If there is a possibility that the number plate has been cloned, the DVLA can provide customers with letters that can be used as supporting evidence and can also provide a replacement vehicle registration number.

Information on the suspected number of cloned number plates is not available by region or geographic location.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_624
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_624

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of (a) the prevalence of illegally modified number plates and (b) the adequacy of current enforcement and detection mechanisms; and whether she plans to review the associated penalties. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime and to quantify the number of illegal plates that may be in circulation.

The law requires that anyone who supplies number plates for road use in the UK must be registered with the DVLA. It is a legal requirement for number plate suppliers to carry out checks to ensure that number plates are only sold to those who can prove they are entitled to the registration number. Number plate suppliers must also keep records of the plates they have supplied. Selling a number plate without carrying out these checks carries a maximum penalty of a fine of £1,000 and the potential removal from the Register of Number Plate Suppliers (RNPS).

The safety of all road users is a top priority for the Government. As part of the development of our Road Safety Strategy, the Government is considering a range of policies relating to motoring offences, and we will set out next steps for the strategy in due course. Officials are also considering options to ensure a more robust, auditable RNPS process which would enable tighter checks on number plate suppliers. On-road enforcement for offences relating to the display of number plates is a matter for the police.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_625
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_625

Leigh Ingham:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has she made of the differences in access to public transport facilities in (a) towns and (b) cities. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department recognises the importance of having a well-connected, integrated and accessible transport provision available across the country. We are developing a long-term transport strategy to set the vision for domestic transport in England which will consider the variances in transport needs among different communities, including towns and cities.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_626
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_626

Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of parking facilities for HGV drivers in the North West. \p Simon Lightwood: The National Survey of Lorry Parking, which was published on 29 September 2022, is the Department for Transport’s primary evidence base on the availability of HGV parking facilities. The survey showed an average shortage across England of around 4,500 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022 and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.

The Survey recorded 37 on site lorry parking facilities in the North West with a utilisation rate of 80%.

The HGV Parking Matched Funding Grant Scheme (MFGS) was launched in 2022 to fund investment in: HGV driver welfare facilities, lorry parking provision, site security, and decarbonisation. The scheme is supporting operators across 30 counties in England, including the North West.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_627
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_627

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the impact of increasing electric vehicle usage on (a) environmental and (b) local infrastructure in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Keir Mather: As well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, electric vehicles eliminate tailpipe emissions, improving air quality in local areas in comparison to petrol and diesel vehicles.

In terms of infrastructure, Surrey County Council, which includes Surrey Heath constituency, was allocated over £3 million through the Government’s Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to leverage additional private investment and expand the amount of EV charging infrastructure across the area. We also recently announced a £25 million Electric Vehicle Pavement Channel Grant which is intended to empower local authorities to adopt pavement channels as part of their local charging solutions. Surrey County Council were allocated £225,000 to support the installation of pavement channels.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_628
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_628

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will update the delivery plan for Highways England 2020-2025. \p Simon Lightwood: National Highways published its Delivery Plan for the Interim Period, April 2025 to March 2026, on its website on Thursday 17th July 2025.

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/media/2k0f3ya4/interim-period-delivery-plan-2025-26.pdf

The Department will publish the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) by the end of March 2026. Following this, National Highways will produce its next Delivery Plan covering 2026-2031.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_629
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_629

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 134 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what locations are included within the Strategic Base. \p Al Carns: A complete list of locations for the Strategic Base is not available at this time as this list is dependent on the detail in each specific outload’s requirements.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_630
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_630

Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has shared footage from RAF surveillance planes over Gaza with the Foreign Office's International Humanitarian Law Cell. \p Al Carns: Since the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who were kidnapped.

In support of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence conducted surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza from December 2023. The surveillance aircraft were always unarmed, did not have a combat role, and were tasked solely to locate hostages.

Following the agreement of the Gaza peace plan between Israel and Hamas, and the release of remaining hostages, the Ministry of Defence has ceased surveillance flights over Gaza. The last fight took place on the 10 October 2025.

We thank our UK personnel for their dedication and professionalism. I am unable to disclose the information requested as to do so would undermine Defence’s ability to respond to hostage rescue scenarios in the future.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_631
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_631

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential capability of the proposed Lockheed Martin F-55. \p Luke Pollard: The Strategic Defence Review set out that Typhoon will be replaced by a sixth-generation jet, to sustain UK interests in this specialist sector and exploit emerging technology through partnerships such as the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). We will develop a new Defence Investment Plan to take onboard the Review's vision and recommendations and turn them into a delivery plan.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_632
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_632

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many quick reaction alert launches there have been from RAF (a) Coningsby and (b) Lossiemouth in each month of 2025. \p Al Carns: The table below details the number of quick reaction alert launches, in each month of 2025:

2025

RAF Lossiemouth

RAF Coningsby

January

1

0

February

0

0

March

0

0

April

2

0

May

0

0

June

0

0

July

0

0

August

0

1

September*

1

1

* To 30 September 2025
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_633
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_633

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the (a) scale and (b) nature of Russian drone capabilities; and what assessment his Department has made of their potential impact on UK national security. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence keeps all potential threats from hostile states under review to help protect the UK, but we do not comment on any details that could be useful to adversaries. Protecting CNI is an important pillar of work in the Home Defence Programme, which is led by the Cabinet Office and aims to develop a cross-government plan to strengthen the nation's security preparedness and resilience in order to deter threats to and defend the UK homeland. Defence works closely on this with the Cabinet Office.

We maintain robust measures at Defence sites, including counter-drone capabilities.

We constantly monitor UK airspace to identify and respond to any credible threat to its integrity. There are multi-layered and multi-domain measures in place to protect UK airspace, including through 24-hour surveillance and Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon jets.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_634
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_634

Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the flight path of the RAF surveillance plane that overflew Gaza on 1 April 2024. \p Al Carns: Since the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who were kidnapped.

In support of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence conducted surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza from December 2023. The surveillance aircraft were always unarmed, did not have a combat role, and were tasked solely to locate hostages.

Following the agreement of the Gaza peace plan between Israel and Hamas, and the release of remaining hostages, the Ministry of Defence has ceased surveillance flights over Gaza. The last fight took place on the 10 October 2025.

We thank our UK personnel for their dedication and professionalism. I am unable to disclose the information requested as to do so would undermine Defence’s ability to respond to hostage rescue scenarios in the future.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_635
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_635

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 128 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a single counter-intelligence unit by November 2025. \p Al Carns: There has been a concerted effort of stakeholder engagement across Defence, alongside partners, to ensure the Department is ready to establish a new Defence CI Unit (DCIU) to tackle the threats we face. There are a number of internal decisions to review, and I will make an announcement on the intelligence recommendations from the Strategic Defence Review, including the DCIU by the end of the year that will strengthen our mission to be secure at home, and abroad.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_636
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_636

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76091 on Defence: Plymouth and Yorkshire, when his Department plans to announce the next wave of regions eligible for Defence Growth Deals; and whether the same assessment criteria will apply. \p Luke Pollard: Any additional Defence Growth Deals will be announced, should fiscal and economic circumstances permit in the next Parliament, the selection of eligible regions will be informedby the assessment criteria for Defence Growth Deals. This criteria will be robustly assessed against our ambitions set out in the plan for change to increase living standards in every region and nation in the UK and making Defence an Engine for Growth.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_637
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_637

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the defence dividend on Huntingdon constituency. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring the increased investment in defence translates into more British jobs, increased skills and a stronger and more resilient defence industrial base, supported by major procurement reforms. We hope that all constituencies will benefit from increased defence investment including Huntington

Investment decisions will be set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy which will be published later this year.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_638
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_638

Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to announce the location of the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence is continuing to consult with a range of stakeholders, including the devolved government, to finalise the details of the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal. Once finalised, the focus and scope of the Defence Growth Deal will be announced.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_639
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_639

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76091 on Defence: Plymouth and Yorkshire, whether his Department conducted a public consultation or engaged with local stakeholders before selecting the initial five regions. \p Luke Pollard: Prior to the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Department conducted a public consultation with over 200 responses and there was significant engagement and collaboration between local and national government officials to identify and develop specific proposals for each nation and region.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_640
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_640

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a Cadet Forces Day as part of Armed Forces Week. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: Whilst the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Cadet Forces are not part of the Armed Forces, they do firmly belong within the wider Defence family. It is therefore appropriate that they are recognised accordingly and we are planning to explore the viability of using Armed Forces Week to further raise awareness of the Cadet Forces. Cadets already contribute to Armed Forces Week, typically through locally organised events, and we will continue to encourage this.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_641
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_641

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Fund, updated on 8 July 2025, what modifications would be required to aircraft carriers in order to facilitate long-range precision missiles capable of being fired from the carrier deck. \p Luke Pollard: Project VANTAGE has recently been established as the maritime element of the UK’s One Way Effectors (OWE) programme, which are long-range uncrewed systems.

VANTAGE is an iterative programme, with the first phase focussed on demonstrating OWE launch from a Royal Navy vessel. If successful, VANTAGE will look to exploit the demonstration in a core programme from a range of Royal Navy Vessels, including the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers.

Subsequent phases of VANTAGE will focus on spiral development of the capability, keeping pace with evolving threats and counter OWE systems, as well as the potential of a modular construct, with interchangeable launchers, effectors, munitions and sensor packages which would require minimal change to shipping to accommodate OWE.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_642
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_642

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme on the level of military cooperation between the UK and France. \p Luke Pollard: The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme is a vital programme within the UK-French Lancaster House agreement. This programme develops a key collaboration on two next generation deep strike and anti-ship weapons that will offer increased opportunities for co-operation for both the Air and Naval Forces of France and UK, building upon the success of the joint UK Storm Shadow and France SCALP missiles currently in operational use.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_643
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_643

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on seeking partners with which to develop the overhead, persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability needed for effective Integrated Air and Missile Defence in the Euro-Atlantic. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence regularly engages with our Euro-Atlantic partners to discuss air and missile threats. The development of an Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability set will be pursued both on a sovereign basis and through partner nation collaboration. The associated investment will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on all aspects of the Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_644
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_644

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's recruitment targets for each branch of the armed forces are for (a) 2025-26 and (b) 2026-27. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) 2025 is clear that Defence must now meet the longstanding challenge of recruiting and retaining new generations with different requirements. We are committed to the vision that long-term success depends on reconnecting society with the Armed Forces and the purpose of Defence, and for recruitment the focus should be on speed, drastically shortening the period between applicants expressing interest and joining. We have already implemented conditional offers of employment in 10 days from a candidate’s application, and provisional training start dates in 30 days if they desire it.

To provide a response regarding the period 2025-26, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 7 April 2025 to Question 43215 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-04-01/43215

We are currently engaged in planning activity to determine recruitment targets for 2026-27

From Full-Service Implementation in 2027, the previously announced Armed Forces Recruiting Service (AFRS) will deliver against annual recruitment targets and demand, which will be set by the three Services via the Command Recruiting Support Plan (CRSP). The CRSP is generated and approved in conjunction with the single Services, with AFRS containing a mechanism to adjust demand during each Recruiting Year.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_645
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_645

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the future (a) structure, (b) role and (c) responsibilities of the Veterans’ Advisory and Pensions Committees. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: We are reviewing the functions and activities of the Veterans Advisory Pension Commission in relation to wider departmental priorities for the Armed Forces Community. This includes the new VALOUR initiative and the Covenant Legal Duty Extension. The review aims to enhance and simplify the support provided to all members of the community.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_646
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_646

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the risk to UK strategic capability from the global precision weapons of hostile nations. \p Al Carns: The threat from global precision weapons is advancing, proliferating and converging. As a response, the Strategic Defence Review announced an investment of £1 billion to enhance our homeland air and missile defence. This investment will be prioritised appropriately as part of the future Integrated Force. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on all aspects of the Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_647
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_647

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people eligible under the ARAP scheme are still awaiting relocation. \p Luke Pollard: On 9 October 2025, there were circa. 4,200 applicants and their family members who had received notification of eligibility under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme and were awaiting relocation to the UK.

The figure is an estimate, as complete family details are not available yet for all eligible applicants. Additionally, officials are still processing cases and so the figure is subject to change as further eligibility decisions are granted.