theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Deirdre Costigan:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to help tackle pay disparities for disabled people. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Tackling pay disparities for disabled people is a major focus, hence bringing forward measures to address them in the King’s Speech.

In March, we launched a consultation on proposals to introduce mandatory disability pay gap reporting for large businesses.

Through the upcoming Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, we will make the right to equal pay effective for disabled people. Our Call for Evidence, launched in April, seeks views on this.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how many (a) phones, (b) laptops and (c) other electronic devices have been lost by their Department since 5 July 2024. \p Dame Nia Griffith: For the Cabinet Office the figures are:

Device

Laptop

Mobile

Other

Number Lost

39

91

2

These are the devices reported by staff of the Cabinet Office as lost since July 5th 2024. Some of these devices may have been found since their initial reporting.

Office for Equality and Opportunity are part of the Cabinet Office and as such, lost/stolen laptops will be reported within the Cabinet Office data
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps her Department is taking to support employers in providing single-sex workplace facilities for biological women. \p Dame Nia Griffith: The Supreme Court’s ruling has brought clarity for women and employers. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has already committed to supporting organisations, including workplaces, with updated guidance; we will work closely with the EHRC as they develop this. All government departments should follow the clarity the ruling provides.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many Senior Civil Service vacancies have been filled through the succession select tool. \p Feryal Clark: Zero Senior Civil Servant vacancies have been filled through the succession select tool; it does not form part of the recruitment or selection process for Senior Civil Servants. It is a tool used to aid internal talent management and is not used to fill vacancies.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to reduce animal testing on decapod crustaceans in scientific research. \p Feryal Clark: The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”, which is a long-term goal.

The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year.

The use of animals in research is regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which covers all living vertebrates and cephalopods but does not currently include decapods. Government strategy will cover species protected under ASPA, but this does not limit additional species from being protected as understanding of sentience evolves.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans he has for (a) digital identity cards and (b) a national identity database. \p Feryal Clark: The Government has no plans to create digital identity cards or a national identity database.
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the (a) total and (b) per capita public expenditure on life sciences was in each of the last five years by region. \p Feryal Clark: Public expenditure on life sciences is funded by various public organisations. The Government does not aggregate data from these organisations regarding their total, regional and per capita expenditure.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with private transportation companies on the use of AI in (a) recruitment and (b) performance management. \p Feryal Clark: We are committed to boosting the responsible adoption of AI across all parts of the economy.

As the Government takes the AI Opportunities Action Plan forward, the Secretary of State and the rest of his department will continue to engage widely with stakeholders in all sectors. We are, and will continue to be, engaged with stakeholders to encourage AI adoption across the entire economy.

Ministerial meetings are published according to normal transparency requirements on the GOV.UK website.
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Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many responses there were to the consultation on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence which closed on 25 February 2025. \p Feryal Clark: The Government received 11,587 responses to the consultation on copyright and AI. This total includes online survey responses and email submissions.

A small number of the email submissions received were associated with online survey responses (providing supporting evidence, for example), so the total number of distinct responses will be slightly lower than 11,587.
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Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to include media literacy programmes in (a) local and (b) regional strategies. \p Feryal Clark: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology coordinates media literacy activity across government, aiming to embed media literacy in cross-cutting strategies.

Government is adopting a holistic approach to digital inclusion, integrating related policy on digital skills and media literacy. The Digital Inclusion Action Plan outlines steps towards delivering digital inclusion for everyone in the UK, including supporting community initiatives to boost digital skills and media literacy.

Under updated media literacy duties, Ofcom is also developing a ‘place-based’ model to embed media literacy into community digital strategies, working with the Good Things Foundation to support Digital Inclusion Hubs with media literacy.
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Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to hold discussions with (a) PETA and (b) other animal protection organisations on its cross-Departmental strategy to phase out animal testing. \p Feryal Clark: The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”, which is a long-term goal. The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year, and is engaging animal welfare organisations in developing this plan. The Government will also be hosting a roundtable with representatives from these organisations to discuss the strategy, including PETA.
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Chris Hinchliff:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Data, Use and Access Bill on the long-term sustainability of the music and arts sector. \p Sir Chris Bryant: The Data (Use and Access) Bill does not contain any provisions relating to the music and arts sectors.
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate he has made of the (a) quality and (b) total area coverage area for (i) 5G and (ii) other wireless data reception in Mid Dorset and North Poole constituency; and what steps he is taking to help improve 5G coverage in those areas. \p Sir Chris Bryant: According to Ofcom’s Connected Nations report (published on 5 December 2024) 92% of the Mid Dorset and North Poole constituency has 4G geographic coverage from all four mobile operators, while 85% of the constituency has 5G geographic coverage from at least one operator. I have raised my concerns about the accuracy of their coverage reporting with Ofcom and I welcome their continuing efforts to make improvements.

The government wants all areas of the UK to benefit from good quality mobile coverage. Our ambition is for all populated areas, including communities in Mid Dorset and North Poole constituency, to have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030.

Improving 5G coverage is primarily the responsibility of the mobile network operators, but we continue to challenge and work with the mobile industry and are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework to support investment and competition in the market.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many copies of The Morning Star are purchased by the House of Commons each day. \p Nick Smith: The House of Commons purchases five copies of the Morning Star each day. These are made available in different locations around the Estate.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on increasing the women's healthcare workforce to ensure services can meet rising demand and deliver the NHS 10-Year Plan. \p Seema Malhotra: The Ministers for Women and Equalities work closely with colleagues from DHSC on a number of areas to improve women’s health, as we put women’s equality at the heart of our missions.

Through our 10 Year Health Plan, we are delivering our manifesto commitment that never again will women’s health be neglected, and we set out how the NHS will meet the health needs of women. This includes turning the commitments in the existing Women's Health Strategy into tangible action, such as taking urgent action to tackle gynaecology waiting lists through the Elective Reform Plan and setting out how we will eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through the new cervical cancer plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether the membership of the Women’s Business Council reflects geographical diversity; and what steps she took to encourage businesswomen from the North West to apply. \p Seema Malhotra: The Women’s Business Council was established to advise the government on maximising women’s contribution to economic growth. The Council’s members are senior business people and entrepreneurs who are leaders on gender equality in the workplace.

This Government is committed to strong regional membership - which can drive opportunities for growth right across the country. Current members are based in the north west, south west and the south east and we will continue to look for inspirational leaders from across the UK as the Council’s work progresses.
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Kirsteen Sullivan:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) regulations and (b) guidance for the Employment Rights Bill will require relevant employers to consider whether people with menstrual health conditions are adequately supported by workplace equality action plans. \p Seema Malhotra: We recognise the impact that many different conditions related to menstruation can have on a woman’s ability to perform at her best; introducing action plans will encourage steps that benefit women with these conditions. Crucially, we believe that plans will open up space to have broader discussions about women’s health in the workplace.

In formulating action plans, and accompanying guidance, we will recognise that there are actions that can help people in a range of circumstances. Officials have been engaging with employers as well as a range of organisations in the women’s health space, including those looking specifically at menstrual conditions, as part of policy development. They will continue to do so as the work progresses, and when devising supporting guidance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure climate adaptation plans are in place across all sectors to prevent adverse impacts on (a) women’s health and (b) pregnancy outcomes. \p Seema Malhotra: Under the UK Climate Change Act 2008, the Government produces a UK Climate Change Risk Assessment every five years, followed by a National Adaptation Programme, setting out actions by relevant government departments to address the risks identified in the latest risk assessment. The third National Adaptation Programme, published in 2023, outlines the policies and actions that departments are taking to manage climate impacts on a range of sectors, including health outcomes.

Amplifying the voices of those whose views are often most marginalised, empowering them as decision-makers, advocates and leaders, is critical for an effective climate and nature response. Climate change mitigation, adaptation and environmental protection also provide opportunities for equality and empowerment. To tackle climate change effectively, in the UK and around the world, it is vital to address gendered inequalities in the distribution of resources and to promote rapid gains in women’s economic empowerment.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on tackling racial disparities in maternity care in the UK. \p Seema Malhotra: Officials in the Office for Equality and Opportunity and the Department of Health and Social Care are working collaboratively to tackle this issue.

The government is clear there is a need to reform maternity and neonatal care to tackle the systemic issues that entrench inequalities and contribute to poor care for women and babies. This is why a key area of focus for the National Maternity Investigation will be addressing the devastating inequalities that women from Black, Asian and deprived backgrounds face.

On 28 August the Office for Equality and Opportunity published research into the drivers of confidence in maternal care services in England to gain evidence from ethnic minority women on their experiences of using maternal care services. This can be found on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/confidence-in-maternity-care-services-engagement-with-ethnic-minority-women-and-maternity-staff
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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for the Home Department to tackle violence against women and girls. \p Seema Malhotra: Equalities Ministers and their officials are working closely with the Home Office, and other Government departments to develop a cross-government strategy on tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), to be published in the Autumn.
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Sarah Hall:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of menopause support services. \p Seema Malhotra: We are committed to prioritising women’s health as we reform the National Health Service.

NHS England is working on menopause workforce support packages for employees and developing a range of tools and interventions that will help to upskill more GPs in menopause care, including awareness of mental health symptoms during menopause, and improve access to treatments. We are also using Community Diagnostic Centres to pilot pathways for women that suffer from post-menopausal bleeding.

We also know that support in the workplace during the menopause can be crucial. Which is why we will: require large employers to detail the steps they are taking to support their staff as part of an action plan; and, publish guidance for small and medium employers on the measures they should consider to enable women to better manage their symptoms.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the style guide entitled Writing about ethnicity, updated in October 2024, for what reason the reference to communities was removed. \p Seema Malhotra: The ‘Writing about ethnicity’ style guide is kept under review, in order to ensure it aligns with government communication preferences.

The guide was updated by the Office for Equality and Opportunity in October 2024.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with stakeholders on the potential impact of pay transparency requirements on workplace equality. \p Seema Malhotra: As part of our ongoing commitment to advancing workplace equality, we launched a Call for Evidence on Equality Law, including questions on pay transparency. This will help us to better understand how increased transparency may impact women, ethnic minorities, disabled people, and other groups in the workplace.

We are now analysing responses to the Call for Evidence, which closed on 30 June, and will give careful consideration as to whether additional pay transparency measures would be proportionate and effective in improving pay equality in Great Britain.

We thank all respondents—individuals, employers, trade unions, and civil society—for their valuable input.
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Patricia Ferguson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether there is a safe evacuation route that allows Palestinian academics to be evacuated from the Occupied Palestinian Territories to allow them to take up positions at universities in the UK. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are working urgently to support Chevening Scholars and fully-funded scholarship holders in Gaza who have offers from British universities to leave and take up their places in the UK. We are doing everything we can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK, but the situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging. All individuals who enter the UK are subject to robust security checks and have to submit their biometrics ahead of travel.
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John McDonnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55524 on Gaza: Genocide, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of this policy on Government decision making. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Our policy remains as set out in the answer to which the Right Hon Gentleman refers.
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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing the maximum income threshold for free school meals eligibility for children in families with no recourse to public funds in line with the eligibility criteria introduced on 4 June 2025. \p Olivia Bailey: This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty. The department has now announced that we are extending free school meals (FSM) to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit from September 2026. Providing over half a million children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds with a free, nutritious lunchtime meal every school day will also lead to higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes, meaning children get the best possible education and chance to succeed in work and life.

Children from households with no recourse to public funds can receive FSM, subject to meeting income criteria set by the department in our published guidance.

The department does not hold exact figures for FSM-eligible children from households with no recourse to public funds. In total, 2.2 million school pupils are eligible to receive FSM on the basis of low income. This figure includes children who are eligible under the criteria for households with no recourse to public funds.
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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of staff in her Department have flexible working arrangements; and how many of those work compressed hours. \p Josh MacAlister: Flexible working arrangements are a core part of the Civil Service employment offer. These arrangements play a vital role in attracting top talent to government roles and support the delivery of high quality public services.

Whilst comprehensive data on all flexible working arrangements across the department is not currently available, the table below provides a snapshot of staff working part-time or compressed hours as at 31 August 2025.

Full-time employees

5,588

68.6%

Part-time employees

1,351

16.6%

Employees working compressed hours

1,211

14.9%
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children were referred to the Prevent duty in schools in the last 12 months; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of referrals on (a) ethnic minority pupils, (b) neurodiverse pupils, (c) teaching staff and (d) safeguarding responsibilities. \p Olivia Bailey: Annual Prevent Programme statistics are published by the Home Office each year and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/individuals-referred-to-prevent-to-march-2024.

The education sector, in the year ending 31 March 2024, made 2,788 referrals.

The department publishes comprehensive advice and made a range of resources freely available on our Educate Against Hate website to support teachers in protecting children from extremism and radicalisation. We also have a team of regional co-ordinators who work directly with education institutions in England to provide advice, support and training to ensure providers are well equipped to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of issuing guidance to (a) local authorities and (b) holiday club providers on enabling families to retain holiday club places without having to pay for additional weeks they do not intend to use. \p Olivia Bailey: Through our Plan for Change, the government is committed to giving every child the best start in life. On 28 August 2025, we confirmed over £600 million for the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme for the next three financial years, from 2026/27. This equates to just over £200 million each year.

We will communicate specific regional funding allocations in due course to ensure that children across the country can participate in HAF.

Local authorities and their providers have flexibility about how they deliver provision to best serve the needs of children and families in their area. The department encourages all local authorities to have a rich mix of provision catering for children with different interests and of different ages. There should also be good geographical spread across the local authority but with increased supply in areas with higher levels of families eligible for free school meals.

The multi-year funding commitment will provide local authorities with security and flexibility, enabling more strategic planning, innovation, and long-term partnerships to support increased value for money. Alongside the funding allocation we will also issue our updated guidance, which sets out how this funding can be used and builds on what we are learning from the very best provision across the country.
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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of staff in her Department did not meet the minimum office attendance target in the latest period for which data is available; and what sanctions her Department issues to staff who do not meet this target. \p Josh MacAlister: On 24 October 2024, the Cabinet Office announced that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service. Senior managers will continue to be expected to be in the office more than 60% of the time. If people do not meet that reasonable expectation, as with any management instruction, it should be dealt with via existing management processes and, ultimately, with disciplinary action should there be sustained failure to comply.

Decisions on the working arrangements within individual departments are delegated matters, but the department’s approach is aligned with this wider expectation and managers are empowered to address non-compliance through informal conversations or formal warnings depending on the nature and seriousness of the issue.

Data on average office occupancy is available on a quarterly basis at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-headquarters-occupancy-data.
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Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average increase in social housing rents was in Gosport constituency in 2024-25. \p Matthew Pennycook: Government policy limits how much rents are permitted to increase each year for Social Rent and Affordable Rent homes let by registered providers of social housing.

In 2024-25, these rents were permitted to increase by up to CPI+1% based on the CPI rate in September 2023 (6.7%), which meant that rents were permitted to increase by up to 7.7%.

The Regulator of Social Housing collects annual data from registered providers of social housing regarding their rents, which can be viewed by local authority area. Data for the year 2024-25 is scheduled to be released on 28 October. Statistics for previous years, along with a look-up tool, can be found on gov.uk here.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will commission an inquiry into the (a) (i) conduct and (ii) accountability of housebuilders who go into administration and (b) impact of that administration on homeowners left without adequate (A) legal, (B) title and (C) infrastructure protections. \p Matthew Pennycook: Most new build homes are issued with a 10-year new-build warranty which may protect homeowners against builder insolvency leading to failure in completing the build. Some warranties cover the buyer’s deposit in the event the buyer has exchanged contracts off-plan, and the developer becomes insolvent before completing the build.

Where developers face financial difficulties before development is completed, we would expect local authorities to work with administrators to help unblock sites and restart housing delivery to complete the development. As part of their responsibilities local authorities should consider how to mitigate risks around infrastructure delivery including looking at the timing of infrastructure completion on site and considering whether it is appropriate to require developers to set aside bonds which can be used to complete infrastructure should the developer be unable to do so.

Land may become ‘ownerless’ where a developer has become insolvent and then liquidates. The Law Commission announced on 4 September 2025 that they will undertake a project on ownerless land as part of their 14th Programme of Law Reform, which will aim to clarify the law in this area.
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Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions she has had with Homes England on the (a) design and (b) delivery of the 10-year Affordable Homes Programme. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department is working closely with both Homes England and the Greater London Authority to finalise the design of the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme. We will publish a full prospectus in Autumn 2025 and open for bids in the winter.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many days the Union Flag was flown on his Department's main sites in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025 to date. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra follows Government guidance which sees a Union Flag flying daily at the main sites which have the facility to do so.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to protect badger populations in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Mary Creagh: Defra is not taking action specific to Surrey Heath. However, nationally we are taking action to protect badgers. Badger persecution is one of the seven UK wildlife crime priorities. The UK Badger Persecution Priority Delivery Group, of which Defra is a member, recently re-launched its Operation Badger initiative. This aims to increase awareness of criminal activity such as illegal trapping, poisoning, and sett disturbance that threaten badgers and to educate and encourage reporting of suspected crimes against badgers.

The Government has also acted quickly to start work on a comprehensive new bovine TB strategy for England, to continue to drive down disease rates to save cattle and farmers’ livelihoods and end the badger cull by the end of this Parliament.
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Maya Ellis:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to allocate adequate resources to support households at risk of flooding in Ribble Valley constituency. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities and other stakeholders continue to work in partnership with local communities to deliver innovative and alternative flood risk management practices. This includes Natural Flood Management measures, demonstrated most notably in Ribchester with an £80,000 investment. Advice and support are given to flood action groups, and the Environment Agency continue to issue flood warnings to residents. Collectively, all these measures serve to reduce the risk of flooding for households within the Ribble Valley.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

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Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of levels of digital connectivity on farmer's ability to use animal health monitoring systems. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra continues to work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) on connectivity issues facing the rural and farming communities. DSIT’s Shared Rural Network has already delivered 4G coverage to over 95% of UK landmass, enabling rural businesses and communities to thrive. However, there are still rural parts of the UK where there is either limited or no mobile coverage, and DSIT will continue to work with the industry to deliver new coverage to these communities. This Government wants to ensure there is high quality mobile connectivity across the UK, including in rural areas. This is why our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030.

Furthermore, to improve connectivity in rural areas, Project Gigabit is the Government’s programme to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. This includes farms and other rural businesses. The improved broadband connectivity delivered through Project Gigabit will benefit the farming community through boosting productivity, optimising farming processes, monitoring livestock and improving communications with consumers and suppliers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-24 conversation_24

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year. \p Sarah Jones: AI is being used for a range of purposes in the Home Office to improve business delivery as part of overall digital improvements in the department with well-established systems such as e-Gates, to allow entry at the Border; in our passport service, to support online applications; triage tools, which route cases to the appropriate teams; and the Child Abuse Image Database (CAID) Classifier, which helps police officers grade child sexual abuse material (CSAM) more swiftly and reduces their exposure time to harmful content

The Home Office continues to introduce AI tools, including the rollout of Microsoft Copilot to assist in day-to-day activities. We have also provided bespoke tools to specific teams to support asylum decision making.

We are also running several AI trials to test their potential for wider productivity and quality improvements in existing business processes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-24 conversation_25

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the costs of the design phase of the National Armaments Director Group; and when that phase is will conclude. \p Luke Pollard: This Government is delivering the deepest defence reforms in over 50 years. On 31 March 2025 the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group was stood up – creating a new export to end acquisition system design to cut waste and fix the broken procurement system this Government inherited.

Andy Start was appointed interim NAD and had been acting as NAD since the NAD Group was stood up on 31 March 2025. He conducts, all of the responsibilities the Head of the NAD Group must, regardless of the fact he is an interim appointment.

To the end of August 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) expended £4.2 million in workforce costs on the establishment of the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. This expenditure was drawn from existing resource within MOD, and is not a net increase for the Department. This expenditure is broken down into Enabling Workstreams (£3.1 million) and Organisational Change (£1.1 million).

In addition, in the same period the Department spent £0.5 million on external assistance in support of the establishment of the NAD Group.

The NAD Group design phased is scheduled to conclude on 31 March 2026, at which point costing will be able to be confirmed.

The Department has incurred no additional cost as a result of operating the NAD Group under Andy Start.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-24 conversation_26

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 64587 on Defence Growth Board, tabled on 2 July 2025. \p Luke Pollard: I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-24 conversation_27

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project EVE. \p Luke Pollard: Project EVE is an innovative Communications & Information Systems (CIS) network which digitally connects front-line Commando Forces and supporting elements within 3 Cdo Brigade to globally dispersed Command and Control (C2) elements. EVE will be fielded by the Army’s Very High Readiness forces under Project CAIN for 16X.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-24 conversation_28

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the delivery of the future air superiority effectors programme. \p Luke Pollard: The Future Air Superiority Effectors programme is currently in pre-concept phase, and work is actively underway to establish a concept phase.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-24 conversation_29

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to replace the remaining in-service Tranche 1 Typhoons. \p Luke Pollard: The remaining in-service Tranche 1 Typhoons have a planned out of Service date of 2027. Upon Tranche 1 retirement, Typhoon will continue to serve as the backbone of the UK's Combat Air Force until at least the 2040s.

To ensure it remains at the cutting edge of capability, the UK is planning significant investment in the Typhoon through-life equipment programme. This includes the delivery and integration of the advanced European Common Radar System Mark 2 (ECRS Mk2) radar, which will enhance the aircraft's operational effectiveness.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-24 conversation_30

Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department holds contracts with Straight Flight Nevada Commercial Leasing LLC. \p Luke Pollard: As the hon. Member will recall from the previous answer. I cannot comment on these matters for reasons of operational security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-24 conversation_31

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the lead time is between purchasing and delivery for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile missiles. \p Luke Pollard: I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand but I am withholding this information on the grounds of National Security as disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Ministry of Defence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-24 conversation_32

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 14 of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what growth spillover benefits he plans to unlock in Huntingdon constituency. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth. However, we have made no assessment of growth spillover effects in the Huntingdon constituency, or any constituency level at this stage.

The Defence Industrial Strategy published on 8 September 2025 clearly set out how we are making defence an engine for growth - investing more money in key defence areas and regions across the UK to create good jobs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-24 conversation_33

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on how many days the Union Flag was flown on his Department's main buildings in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025 to date. \p Karin Smyth: The Union Flag was flown 360 days on the Department’s main building in 2024 and, as of 10 September 2025, has been flown 242 days in 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-24 conversation_34

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to confirm the cost of the redundancy package for staff being made redundant from (a) NHS England and (b) his Department. \p Karin Smyth: Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the abolition of NHS England, we are clear on the need for a smaller centre, as well as scaling back integrated care board running costs and National Health Service provider corporate cost reductions to reduce waste and bureaucracy.

Good progress is being made, with the Department and NHS England having announced voluntary exit and expressions of interest schemes respectively.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_1

Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the Global Rights Compliance report entitled Risk at the Source: Critical Mineral Supply Chains and State-Imposed Forced Labour in the Uyghur Region, published on 11 June 2025. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: This government will continue to speak up on human rights in China, including the repression of people in Xinjiang, and will continue to hold China to account.

The new Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure the supply of critical minerals vital for the UK's economic growth and clean energy transition. The strategy will promote responsible and transparent supply chains, including through greater adoption of responsible business practices to protect local communities and the environment.

We will continue to assess and monitor the effectiveness of the UK's existing measures, alongside the impacts of new policy tools, to ensure we can best promote responsible business practices and take action where appropriate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_2

Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the cyber security sector will be included in the industrial strategy. \p Sarah Jones: The Industrial Strategy will focus on eight growth-driving sectors. Digital and Technologies has been identified as one of those eight sectors, the UK being the third country in the world to have a tech sector valued at over $1trillion. Within those growth sectors, the Government will prioritise sub-sectors that meet our objectives and where there is evidence that policy can address barriers to growth.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_3

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what budget was allocated to the Office for Investment in the spending review 2025. \p Sarah Jones: £3.8 billion was allocated to The Department for Business and Trade as part of the Spending Review, which includes funding for the Office for Investment (OfI). As set out previously, (9th June), the OfI's budget for FY 2025/6 is £24,671,291.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_4

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with business organisations on the impact of regulatory compliance costs on (a) profitability and (b) competitiveness. \p Justin Madders: Last year the Government launched a Call for Evidence on the UK's regulatory landscape to hear directly from business how regulation could be improved. In March we launched our Action Plan for Regulation, committing to cut administrative costs of regulation for business by 25%, giving them essential time back to focus on growing their businesses. The Secretary of State and I held a call with businesses and representative organisations, including Airbus, the British Retail Consortium and UK Space, to hear their feedback on the Action Plan. Officials in my department continue to engage regularly to support our regulatory reform agenda.