theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_359
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_359

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much was allocated to Three Rs funding in the 2024-25 financial year; and how much he plans to allocate in the 2025-26 financial year. \p Feryal Clark: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has a diverse portfolio of direct investments in the 3Rs and supports research that underpins advancements in this area. From April 2020 - 2025 UKRI invested ~£10m /year in the NC3Rs. The combined investment in this area in 2024/25 is expected to be ~£26m, including additional £5m funding to the NC3Rs from DSIT. We cannot confirm the 2025/26 allocation, as UKRI is currently conducting a strategic review of the NC3Rs to determine the optimal level of future investment. This approach ensures decisions are informed by rigorous analysis and are aligned with UKRI’s long-term goals.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_360
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_360

Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how Innovate UK supports (a) start-ups and (b) scale-ups in meeting the requirements of potential investors. \p Feryal Clark: Innovate UK has several targeted approaches to support innovative SMEs that increase their investment readiness. From 2020-2024, SMEs supported by Innovate UK Business Growth have raised over £9bn in private sector investment. In its current spending review planning, Innovate UK is further prioritising how their overall support is strengthened to provide a smooth innovation journey from start-up to scale-up alongside working in closer partnership with other ecosystem partners such as the Scale-up Institute and British Business Bank.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_361
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_361

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Data (Use and Access) Bill on the development of artificial intelligence models. \p Chris Bryant: Compliance, productivity and familiarisation costs savings of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning reforms in the Data (Use and Access) Bill have been considered and can be found in the indirect benefits and costs sections of the impact assessment (IA). The ethical assessment can also be found in the impact on individuals section. The assessment of the effect on different organisations by size and sector can be found in the small and micro business assessment section of the IA here (particularly, Table 14, 24, 25, 26 & 34).
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_362
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_362

Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when his Department received the Sullivan Review of Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender, published on 19 March 2025. \p Feryal Clark: The Review was received by the department on 23rd September 2024.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_363
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_363

Tonia Antoniazzi:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the Sullivan Review. \p Feryal Clark: The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government.

We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_364
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_364

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to develop reduced threat level hard body armour plates. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence will deliver a Personal Hard Armour Framework (PHA-F). This framework will enable the inclusion of emerging technologies and future requirements. Reduced threat level hard body armour plates could therefore be considered in the future under PHA-F.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_365
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_365

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 37603 on Ammunition: Lost Property and Theft, if he will list incidents recorded on the Defence Incident Management Database since 5 July 2024. \p Luke Pollard: Since 5 July 2024 to 31 March 2025 11,763 security incidents have been raised and recorded in the Defence Incident Management Database. When any type of security incident is raised, it is reviewed by security personnel and subjected to an initial security risk assessment, with further action taken on a proportionate basis. As has been the policy for successive Governments, for security reasons we would not publish details of suspected or reported security incidents.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_366
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_366

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of US tariffs on (a) current, (b) pending and (c) future contracts held by his Department. \p Maria Eagle: Officials remain engaged with our suppliers to continually monitor the situation. This Government will continue to hold discussions with the US administration on a wider economic deal that strengthens our existing fair and balanced trading relationship.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_367
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_367

Brian Leishman:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2025 to Question 36262 on Ministry of Defence: Israel, what the purpose of the meeting was; and who the senior British official was who attended. \p Luke Pollard: The Israeli Air Force delegation, led by their Head of Personnel Division, visited Ministry of Defence Main Building to meet and receive a briefing from the Defence Human Resources Transformation Team, as part of their visit to the UK focussing on HR and People issues.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_368
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_368

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether the Military Strategic Headquarters will have its own secretariat. \p Maria Eagle: The detailed requirement for the Military Strategic Headquarters organisational structure is in development and will include a secretariat function. This will be drawn from existing resource within the Department.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_369
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_369

John Glen:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of divestment in the UK defence industry as a consequence of (a) the Paris Climate Agreement and (b) UK Climate Transition Benchmarks. \p Maria Eagle: We have not carried out an assessment into the impacts of divestment in the UK’s Defence Industry due to (a) the Paris Climate Agreement and (b) UK Climate Transition Benchmarks. This is because we see no conflict between investment in Defence and sustainable investment. The Defence Industrial Strategy - Statement of Intent, published in December 2024, identified the mobilisation of additional private sector investment as essential to the Government’s agenda to strengthen our nation’s defences and grow our economy.

Reducing the carbon footprint of Defence is not differentiated from this investment. Accelerating the development and adoption of dual use energy and circular economy technologies can deliver operational advantage and resilience while reducing emissions. For example, trials integrating alternative fuel sources and renewable energy technology can further unlock an ability to operate for longer periods without resupply and at greater reach across a dispersed battlefield.

Our ambition is for a better, more integrated, more innovative and more resilient defence industry and we will be publishing a Defence Industrial Strategy aligned to this ambition.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_370
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_370

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether he plans to publish the Defence Industrial Strategy before the post of National Armaments Director has been filled. \p Maria Eagle: The National Armaments Director Group, set up on 1 April 2025, will fix the broken procurement system within the Ministry of Defence and make defence an engine for economic growth in every corner of the UK. It will bring together teams delivering the national 'arsenal', the Government's Defence Industrial Strategy and end to end acquisition under one leader, the National Armaments Director.

Recruitment for a permanent National Armaments Director is ongoing. They will take up the role after appointment once the appropriate notice period from any previous employment has been served.

On current plans, the Defence Industrial Strategy will be published in late-Spring 2025.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_371
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_371

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason Royal Marines within the Littoral Response Group will be equipped with the Sig Sauer MCX rather than the L403A1-AIW. \p Maria Eagle: The L143A2 (Sig Sauer MCX) is a flexible capability that is far more specialised and can be tailored to fit niche and mission specific roles required by the UK Commando Force (UKCF). It is therefore better suited to the specialist maritime roles of the Littoral Response Group (LRG).

The L403A1 is the new general purpose firearm of the UKCF, and is therefore less suited to some of the specialist roles that the LRG fulfils.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_372
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_372

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for the creation of a third frontline F-35 squadron. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 March 2025 to Question 37763.

F-35 Aircraft: Procurement (docx, 15.8KB)
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_373
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the Defence budget is spent on Government Major Projects Portfolio programmes. \p Maria Eagle: Information on the costs of the Department's Defence Major Programmes for financial year 2024-25 is still being collated.

I will write to the hon. Member once this is complete.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_374
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_374

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Professor Alice Sullivan's review entitled Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to establish a new non-departmental public body to (a) standardise and (b) improve the effectiveness of the work of the (i) Council of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations and (b) the Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations. \p Al Carns: The 2019 Review of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCAs) was published on 24 March 2020 and placed in the Library of the House. The Review recommended that the Council of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (CRFCA) and the 13 RFCAs should be merged into a single Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), with a National Office and a set of regional organisations. The review can be found at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-the-reserve-forces-cadets-associations-2019.

The NDPB implementation work was paused in March 2023 due to it failing to obtain a legislative slot in the last Parliament, but this work has now re-commenced, and we are currently progressing work on the required legislation.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_375
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_375

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to develop buoyant body armour plates for use in maritime operations. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence will deliver a Personal Hard Armour Framework (PHA-F). This framework will enable the inclusion of emerging technologies and future requirements. Buoyant plates could, therefore, be considered in the future under PHA-F.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_376
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_376

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 42031 on Ukraine: Peacekeeping Operations, what definition his Department uses of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: A just and lasting peace in Ukraine should be in accordance with the UN Charter. This must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, including by preventing renewed Russian aggression.

As the Prime Minister said in Paris on 27 March 2025, “robust and credible security arrangements are the best way to ensure that any deal ends in a lasting peace", and "Ukraine must be able to defend itself and deter future Russian aggression".

The UK is taking a leading role in supporting efforts to achieve such a peace and to build a coalition of the willing to support Ukraine’s future security.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_377
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_377

Mel Stride:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether capital departmental expenditure by his Department can fund an expansion in the size of the armed forces; and how much and what proportion of the additional defence expenditure announced at the Spring Statement (a) is expected to and (b) could potentially fund an expansion in the size of the armed forces. \p Luke Pollard: Any expansion in the size of the Armed Forces would predominantly result in an increase to resource spending rather than capital spending. However, the capitalisation of workforce costs directly employed in bringing a capital asset into service is allowed under International Accounting Standards. Further detail on how the Department applies workforce capitalisation can be found in the Annual Report and Accounts, available here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66aa3e400808eaf43b50db19/Ministry_of_Defence_annual_report_and_accounts_2023_to_2024.pdf

The £2.2 billion uplift to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) budget for 2025-26 will support investment in:

· Enhancing the UK's programme of joint exercises with NATO allies to ensure we are ready to respond together to the threats we now face.

· Investment in advanced technology such as Directed Energy Weapons, which will revolutionise our Armed Forces' capabilities.

· Capitalising on the opportunity presented by the buy-back of the MOD Service Families housing stock, to refurbish the defence estate and provide our military families with the homes they deserve.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_378
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_378

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on the (a) upkeep and (b) maintenance of HMS Dagger since 5 July 2024. \p Maria Eagle: The volume of detailed information requested is such that it will take time to consider in full. Consequently, I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_379
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_379

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the rules of engagement are for the armed forces under Operation CABRIT. \p Luke Pollard: I hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that for operational security reasons I cannot comment on the specific rules of engagement for the Armed Forces under Operation CABRIT.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_380
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_380

Brian Leishman:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when an Israeli Air Force aircraft last landed at an RAF station in the UK; and what its purpose was. \p Luke Pollard: For operational security reasons and as a matter of policy, the Ministry of Defence will neither confirm, deny, nor comment on any foreign nations’ military aircraft movement or operations within UK airspace or UK overseas bases, whether they may or may not have happened.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_381
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_381

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many incidents of Russian military activity in (a) the North Sea, (b) the English Channel, (c) the Irish Sea and (d) the North Atlantic his Department has recorded per month for the last 24 months. \p Luke Pollard: The Royal Navy continuously monitors UK waters and stands ready to respond to the presence of Russian vessels. For reasons of national security, we cannot disclose the specific number of incidents of Russian military activity recorded during any given period.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_382
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_382

Margaret Mullane:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of service life on non-UK nationality families of serving personnel. \p Al Carns: This Government recognises and values the vital support which all Service families provide to our Armed Forces, which enables them to serve our country both in the UK and overseas in order to maintain national security.

We are therefore committed through the Armed Forces Covenant to continuously work to improve the lives of the Armed Forces community in conjunction with other Government Departments, and work is currently underway to fully extend the legal duty further.

For our non-UK families, much of that work focusses on their UK immigration status, and the Ministry of Defence works very closely with the Home Office to ensure that those who serve or have served in the Regular Armed Forces and their families are not disadvantaged by Service life. This includes special Immigration Rules Appendix HM Armed Forces which offer a number of advantages for families such as being exempt from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge to access NHS services; being granted visas for entry to the UK valid for up to 60 months compared to 30 months on other family routes; being able to count time outside the UK on accompanied overseas assignments towards future Settlement or naturalisation applications; and children born in the UK or qualifying territories to Serving personnel are British by birth.

Support and information is also available to families on a range of issues including relocation, accommodation, education and NHS facilities through the Single Services, the HIVE Information Centres, the new Families Hub and the Families Federations.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_383
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_383

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reported comments by President Macron on 27 March 2025. \p Luke Pollard: France is one of the UK's most important European partners. The UK continues to work closely with France to lead Europe's efforts on Ukraine's long term defence. UK and French led planning is ongoing and discussions continue around military planning of air, sea and land forces that would be required to support a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_384
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_384

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the potential economic impact on Bedfordshire of increased defence spending. \p Maria Eagle: We are ensuring UK defence is on the cutting-edge of technology and innovation, with Defence spending meeting our military needs, supporting 434,000 jobs across the breadth of the UK and increasing the productive capacity of the UK economy to drive sustainable, long-term growth. The Ministry of Defence’s allocation of the 2.5% uplift will be agreed as part of the Spending Review.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_385
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_385

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of (a) Challenger 2, (b) Warrior, (c) Boxer and (d) protected patrol vehicles were (i) fit for service and (ii) not fit for service in each year since 2015. \p Maria Eagle: We do not routinely disclose a breakdown of total capability fleets in the interests of security and operational effectiveness.

However, the total fleet figures of Challenger 2, Warrior and Protected Mobility Vehicles since 2016 can be found in the annual UK Armed Forces Equipment and Formations statistics. This is accessible here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-armed-forces-equipment-and-formations.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_386
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_386

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March to Question 39042 on Helicopters: Finance, if he will outline the prioritisation decisions made by the multiple front line commands to lay out an estimated budget for (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26. \p Maria Eagle: Prioritisation decisions made by front line commands regarding spending on rotary wing will take account of capability requirements, as well as the Accounting Officer principles set out in Managing Public Money.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_387
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_387

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) of his Department's civilian personnel, (b) Armed Forces personnel and (c) external private contractors work on recruitment for the (i) Royal Navy, (ii) British Army, (iii) Royal Air Force and (iv) Royal Marines. \p Luke Pollard: The requested information is presented in the table below. A separate return for the Royal Marines is not available as Royal Navy and Royal Marines recruiting are combined under the Royal Navy Recruit and Attract organisation.

Army

Royal Navy

Royal Air Force

Regulars

417

228

250

Reservists

84

266

105

Civil Servants

18

35

67

Contractors

708

17*

14*

*Note: contractors provide a range of outsourced Services, some held jointly. For the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force we hold no details on the numbers of individuals who work for the provider on each contract.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_388
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 38652 on Multi-role Support Ships: Procurement, whether external consultants were involved in the renaming process. \p Maria Eagle: The name change from Multi-role Support Ship to Multi-role Strike Ship (MRSS) took effect on 25 February 2025. No external consultants were involved.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_389
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether UK Defence Innovation will be an arm’s length body. \p Maria Eagle: No. UK Defence Innovation will report to the National Armaments Director in the Ministry of Defence, as part of the new operating model being established through Defence Reform.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_390
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_390

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Spring Statement published on 26 March 2025, where the 37,000 new military homes will be located. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking an extensive review of its Service Family Accommodation portfolio. To ensure a strategic and structured approach is taken, all options will be assessed during the review. The Defence Housing Strategy will be published Summer 2025.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_391
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_391

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on allegations of medical monitoring of nuclear test veterans since 2022. \p Al Carns: The Government is deeply grateful to all those who participated in the UK nuclear testing programme. We recognise their Service and the huge contribution they have made to the UK’s security.

I am fully committed to meeting Nuclear Test Veterans, organisations that represent them, and Parliamentarians to discuss the important issue of records. I held a meeting with a Nuclear Test Veteran organisation most recently on 31 March 2025, and I look forward to further engagement, including with Members of Parliament.

We understand the range of concerns from members of the Nuclear Test Veteran community and their families. The records exercise is a priority. While there is no ringfenced budget associated with this exercise, I have directed teams across the Ministry of Defence and Atomic Weapons Establishment to deliver the records exercise in a meaningful way so that I can then update Nuclear Test Veterans and this House about what information the Department holds in relation to the medical testing of Service personnel who took part in the UK nuclear weapons tests. Many officials from across the Department are involved in roles ranging from supporting the recall of files from various archives, to analysing the files. Collating information on the number of officials involved would be time consuming and detract from those officials delivering the records exercise itself.

At this stage, we cannot confirm when the records exercise will be complete. We are not currently certain how many files need to be reviewed, and the content of those files varies significantly over time and between the Services, which were under separate Ministries during the period of the nuclear tests.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_392
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_392

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the merits of the former Secretary of State's plans to purchase more Airbus A400M aircraft. \p Maria Eagle: All capability requirements, including those for tactical airlift, are being considered as part of the Strategic Defence Review process.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_393
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_393

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the new support hub for SMEs will be operational. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 March 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) to Question 34903.

Defence: Procurement (docx, 15.8KB)
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_394
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on issuing payments under the LGBT Veterans Financial Recognition Scheme. \p Al Carns: The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme launched on 13 December 2024. As of 31 March 2025, 917 applications had been received. Fighting With Pride, the Royal British Legion and Veterans UK are providing ongoing support to veterans with their applications.

The process of gathering evidence and records for the creation of casefiles is underway for these applications. This is the largest part of the process as this requires the collation of information from a variety of sources, including historical records.

Terminally ill veterans are being prioritised and we expect payments to begin for these veterans by the end of April 2025.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_395
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_395

Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to increase investment in renewable infrastructure projects. \p James Murray: The Prime Minister’s Plan for Change sets out our ambitious but achievable target of Clean Power by 2030.

The Clean Power Action Plan demonstrates the significant investment requirements to reach this target, including in renewable infrastructure, and actions we will take to facilitate this.

We have already taken action to remove the de-facto ban on onshore wind in England, approved major solar projects, and delivered a record-breaking renewables auction.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_396
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_396

Margaret Mullane:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will postpone changes to the taxation of double-cab pick-up trucks for 12 months. \p James Murray: Following a judgement by the Court of Appeal, Double Cab Pick Ups must be treated as cars, rather than goods vehicles, for certain tax purposes, based on their primary suitability.

The government has no plans to legislate to postpone the change and treat DCPUs as goods vehicles, as this would depart from the broader principles underpinning the Court of Appeal’s judgement, and be a significant tax break worth hundreds of millions per year.
wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_397
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_397

Mary Kelly Foy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of reviewing (a) car and (b) other vehicle taxes to ensure non-emission producing vehicles are not charged higher rates than emission producing vehicles. \p James Murray: The Government uses the tax system to support a variety of objectives including our legally binding climate targets and the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

From 1 April 2017, a reformed Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) system was introduced for new cars. The changes in April 2017 were applied to new cars only, meaning that the tax treatment of existing cars was not affected. Under the reformed VED system, new cars pay a variable first year rate according to the emissions of the vehicle, with the most polluting currently paying over £5,400, and zero emission models currently pay £10.

Since the introduction of the current VED system in 2017, standard rates have risen in line with inflation only, meaning drivers have not experienced a real terms increase.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced changes to the VED first year rates from 1 April 2025, to introduce higher rates for hybrid and petrol/diesel vehicles for 2025-26, and a freeze to the rate for zero emission vehicles until 2029-30.

The Budget also announced new company car tax rates for 2028-29 and 2029-30, which gradually increase the rates for both petrol/diesel and electric vehicles whilst restricting incentives for hybrid vehicles.

Cars are also treated according to their emissions under the capital allowances system; and company cars made available for private use are taxed according to their CO2 emissions under the benefit in kind regime.

Emissions-producing vehicles are generally subject to fuel duty, which is levied on petrol and diesel they use.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Michelle Welsh:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed increase in employer National Insurance contributions on early years providers. \p James Murray: A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.

Early years providers play a crucial role in driving economic growth. The Government has committed to delivering the expansion of government-funded childcare and opening 3,000 new school-based nurseries in this parliament. At the Budget, the Chancellor announced that total funding will rise to over £8 billion in 2025-26 to support providers. On top of this, the Department for Education confirmed an additional £75 million of funding in 2025-26 to support the sector deliver the final phase of expanded childcare entitlements from September 2025. Alongside this, rates for the early years pupil premium have also been increased by over 45%, equivalent to up to £570 per eligible child per year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Chris Law:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37200 on Agriculture: Seasonal Workers, whether HMRC has made an assessment of the potential impact of productivity related pay on (a) hourly wage calculations and (b) payslips for seasonal agricultural workers. \p James Murray: When HMRC undertake compliance activity, evidence is gathered to determine the hourly rates of pay. We do not hold specific data on seasonal workers from our compliance activity.

HMRC continues to crack down on employers who ignore the law, ensuring workers receive the wages to which they are entitled.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_400

Navendu Mishra:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to (a) reduce the backlog at the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and (b) improve the efficiency of VOA services. \p James Murray: The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is currently on target to deliver the next business rates revaluation in 2026 across England and Wales.

The VOA is committed to continually learning and further improving its services. It is replacing IT systems with modern cloud-based platforms that will deliver significant efficiencies. At the same time, it is enhancing digital services to make it easier for customers to self-serve.

In addition, it is managing demand by recruiting new people, moving existing staff to where there is the greatest customer need, ensuring hardship cases are prioritised and upskilling its workforce so they can handle multiple types of cases and work more flexibly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the expected contribution of the National Wealth Fund to economic growth in Bedfordshire between 4 July 2024 and 4 July 2029. \p James Murray: Growth is the government’s number one mission, and the National Wealth Fund is a key lever for helping to deliver the investment underpinning this.

The National Wealth Fund is committed to supporting the Government's growth and clean energy missions. Importantly, the impact and long-term benefits of many of its investments will be felt UK-wide, not just in the location where the individual deal is situated.

Since July 2024, the NWF has committed £1.8 billion, supporting almost 10,000 jobs across the UK.

The National Wealth Fund has not estimated its expected impact in Bedfordshire specifically, but further detail on the National Wealth Fund’s impact can be found in its Annual Report & Accounts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-08 conversation_402

Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to reform Air Passenger Duty to prevent passengers travelling in a Premium Economy cabin from paying the same rate as passengers travelling in a First Class and Business Class cabin. \p James Murray: Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines, not individual passengers, and is the principal tax on the aviation sector. It is expected to raise £4.2 billion in 2024-25 and it aims to ensure that airlines make a fair contribution to the public finances, particularly given that tickets are VAT free and aviation fuel incurs no duty. The distance-based band structure ensures that those who travel furthest, and in the greatest comfort, incur a greater tax liability.

There are three rates of duty for each destination band depending on the class of travel. The reduced rate applies to all travel in the lowest class of travel available on the plane for seat pitches less than 1.016 metres. The standard rate applies to travel in any non-economy class of travel or where the seat pitch is more than 1.016 metres (40 inches). This includes premium economy, as well as first class and business class.

When making changes to taxes the Government has to consider a wide range of factors, including administrative burdens and complexity. The Government keeps all taxes under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Spring Statement 2025 on the number of children in poverty. \p Darren Jones: Living standards, measured by Real Household Disposable Income (RHDI) per capita, are growing at their fastest quarterly rate in two years and are forecast to rise at more than twice the pace this Parliament compared to the last.

The Government’s ambition is to tackle child poverty over this Parliament.

The Ministerial Taskforce is developing a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing child poverty and exploring the levers available to tackle the root causes of child poverty.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 36218 on Film: Business Rates, if she will make an estimate of how many film studios have a rateable value of less than £500,000. \p James Murray: This data is published on gov.uk as at 31 March 2024. In the 2024 stock of properties publication, the following zip file contains counts (rounded to the nearest 10) for each special category code, including film and tv studios, broken down by rateable value band in England and Wales:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67a2038f7da1f1ac64e5fe4e/ndr_stock_scat_la_2024.zip
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make a comparative assessment of the Standard Rate of Air Passenger Duty between the UK and (a) Germany, (b) France, (c) Italy and (d) Spain. \p James Murray: Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines and is the principal tax on the aviation sector. It is expected to raise £4.2 billion in 2024-25.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates for 2026-27, including a partial adjustment to help compensate for two recent years of inflation that was higher than expected. APD rates are set in advance using forecasts of inflation, and so with actual inflation being significantly greater than forecast in 2022 and 2023, APD rates fell in real terms.

The Government is clear that APD is an appropriate tax that ensures airlines make a fair contribution to the public finances, particularly given that tickets are VAT free and aviation fuel incurs no duty. Other countries also have different forms of aviation taxes.

The Government keeps all taxes under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the cost to the exchequer of extending the Air Passenger Duty exemption for children under 16 years old to (a) Premium Economy and (b) any other cabin class travel. \p James Murray: Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines, not individual passengers, and is the principal tax on the aviation sector. It is expected to raise £4.2 billion in 2024-25 and it aims to ensure that airlines make a fair contribution to the public finances, particularly given that tickets are VAT free and aviation fuel incurs no duty. The distance-based band structure ensures that those who travel furthest, and in the greatest comfort, incur a greater tax liability.

Children under 16 years old on the date of the flight, and in the lowest class of travel, are exempt from APD. This means that no APD will be paid on that passenger by the airline to the UK government. If children under 16 years old are travelling in any other class (such as premium economy) or in business jets, they are not exempt. Children under 2 years old without a seat are exempt from Air Passenger Duty for all classes of travel.

Airline operators declare the number of chargeable passengers by destination band and by rate. They do not break down chargeable passengers by age, and therefore this is not information that HMRC collects.

The government has published annual statistics and analysis on airline passenger numbers and Air Passenger Duty (APD) receipts in the UK which are administered by HM Revenue and Customs. It is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-passenger-duty-bulletin.

As with all taxes, APD is kept under review and any changes are announced by the Chancellor at fiscal events.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help tackle the practice of landlords repeatedly occupying properties for short periods of time in order to claim further Empty Property Relief. \p James Murray: This government will not tolerate tax avoidance. We are committed to ensuring that every person and every business pays their fair share.

Most businesses pay the rates that are due, but a minority abuse the system, through either avoidance or evasion, to reduce their bills or avoid paying rates altogether. This imposes an unfair burden on the majority and prevents funding from reaching local services.

In its response to the 2023 Business Rates Avoidance and Evasion consultation, the government noted that abuse of Empty Property Relief (EPR) through repeated artificial occupation was a significant avoidance challenge. To tackle this the government extended the reset period (the period of occupation required to be eligible for further EPR) from six weeks to thirteen weeks from 1 April 2024 in England. The government will keep this change and the treatment of empty properties under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to extend the National Insurance contributions holiday for businesses that employ veterans after April 2026. \p James Murray: The government keeps all taxes under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March to Question 38340 on Foreign Relations: China, how many meetings with Chinese government officials have taken place at her Department since September 2024, broken down by (a) month and (b) subject of meeting. \p Emma Reynolds: As stated in my Answers of 14 and 24 March, UK Officials regularly engage with Chinese counterparts in order to further UK interests, cooperating on areas of mutual interest and challenging on areas where we disagree.

This government is taking a consistent, long-term and pragmatic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China. It is only right that we engage with China where there are clear UK and global interests, including on international stability, climate, health and bolstering our trade relationship.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-08)

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Laurence Turner:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 42342 on Railways: Public Expenditure, if her Department will make the calculations for each of the last five years for which figures are available. \p Darren Jones: It is possible to reproduce English regional railway expenditure excluding HS2 for the last five years using the Country and Regional Analysis (CRA) dataset. The table below shows the impact for the most recent CRA publication from November 2024:

Railway spending for English regions in £s per capita, excluding HS2

ITL Region

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

North East

118

224

188

239

255

North West

171

222

206

203

202

Yorkshire and the Humber

124

239

197

196

214

East Midlands

102

197

160

156

159

West Midlands

160

238

226

216

221

East of England

215

423

342

308

325

London

528

687

633

683

665

South East

235

433

333

301

299

South West

142

222

165

149

168

England

226

353

301

298

302