theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of people referred for alcohol addiction support. \p Andrew Gwynne: The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities publishes adult substance misuse treatment statistics annually which includes the numbers of adults aged 18 and over in contact with drug and alcohol treatment services in England. The latest publication is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2023-to-2024/adult-substance-misuse-treatment-statistics-2023-to-2024-report

This publication provides an analysis of trends over time. The data over the last ten years for adults newly presenting to treatment for alcohol only and treatment for alcohol and non-opiate drugs shows that from a previous high in 2013/14 of 84,533, the number of new presentations to treatment fell year-on-year between 2014/15 and 2017/18. The number of new presentations remained relatively stable between 2017/18 and 2020/21, before rising continuously since then to a new high of 94,782 in 2023/24. This is the highest number since records began in 2008.

The most recent estimates of alcohol dependence in England from 2019/20 suggest that, of the people with alcohol dependence that could benefit from specialist alcohol treatment, in 2023/24, 80% were not in treatment.

The following table shows the above information in more detail:

Year

Numbers of adults newly presenting to treatment for alcohol only

Numbers of adults newly presenting to treatment for alcohol and non-opiates

Total

2013-14

65,110

19,423

84,533

2014-15

61,404

18,548

79,952

2015-16

57,723

18,822

76,545

2016-17

52,583

18,716

71,299

2017-18

50,656

18,757

69,413

2018-19

52,393

20,215

72,608

2019-20

50,957

21,167

72,124

2020-21

52,220

20,849

73,069

2021-22

56,995

23,234

80,229

2022-23

57,802

24,229

82,031

2023-24

65,108

29,674

94,782

Source: National Drug Treatment Monitoring System

Information on the number of young people under 18 years old being treated for substance misuse, including alcohol, is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/alcohol-and-drug-misuse-and-treatment-statistics
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the cost of electricity on people with health conditions requiring medical devices which use electricity. \p Andrew Gwynne: The Department began an assessment process on patient support for at home medical equipment energy costs in August 2024 with a review of existing policy provision. This work includes consideration of the impact of the cost of running electrical medical equipment at home on vulnerable groups.

At Ministerial direction, the Department is working with the National Health Service, gathering technical data from within the health sector on use, cost and power demand of at home medical devices, to support development of costed policy options.
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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle the import of illegal vapes. \p Andrew Gwynne: The Government is taking concerted effort to tackle the import and sale of illicit vapes. This includes investing up to £3 million over 2023/24 and 2024/25 to support National Trading Standards to deliver a range of enforcement interventions, including the removal of illicit products from the market and intervention at ports. The Government will expand on this by investing a further £30 million in 2025/26 to support tobacco and vapes enforcement action, £10 million of which will go towards bolstering Trading Standards’ ability to tackle illicit tobacco and vapes.

Alongside additional investment we are also taking legislative steps to tackle the illicit market. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides powers to introduce a new retail licensing scheme in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland for tobacco, vapes and nicotine products and to establish a new registration system for tobacco, vaping and nicotine products entering the United Kingdom market. We are also introducing a ban on the sale and supply of single use vapes under environmental legislation.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the unavailability of (a) digital thermometers and blood pressure monitors and (b) other low cost equipment for clinical staff on NHS (i) staff time usage and (ii) efficiency. \p Andrew Gwynne: The Department and NHS England do not currently plan to make an assessment. The Department closely monitors the supply and availability of a broad range of medical devices and equipment continually across the National Health Service in England and the United Kingdom. We continue to work to mitigate any issues and potential impact on patients, clinical staff, and service efficiency.

We have a range of well-established processes and tools in place to help manage disruption to the supply of medical products in the UK as and when they arise. This includes the National Supply Disruption Response, which acts a single point of contact for the health and care system and medical supply industry, in the event of supply disruption which cannot be mitigated via routine contingency measures.
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Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 3.6 of the minutes of the Covid-19 Vaccine Benefit Risk Expert Working Group held on 18 November 2020, if he will publish (a) the 36 questions posed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to Pfizer/BioNTech and (b) any response received from that company. \p Andrew Gwynne: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency does not intend to publish these questions, or any subsequent responses received from the manufacturers.
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Sarah Owen:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure those diagnosed with coeliac disease receive timely and appropriate treatment. \p Andrew Gwynne: The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care.

We have made a commitment that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment within our first term. This includes those waiting for treatment for coeliac disease. As a first step to achieving this, following the Budget, we will deliver an additional two million operations, scans, and appointments across all specialities during our first year in Government, which is equivalent to 40,000 per week.

The Royal College of General Practitioners has an e-learning module on the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease and its immunological comorbidities, which is designed to raise awareness and understanding of the symptoms of coeliac disease amongst general practitioners and primary care professionals and support early diagnosis. The e-learning module highlights that untreated coeliac disease can have important consequences, including small bowel lymphoma and osteoporosis.

The NHS website is also a key awareness tool and contains useful information for the public about coeliac disease, its symptoms and how it is diagnosed and treated. This information is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has guidance on the recognition, assessment and management of coeliac disease, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20

The guidance outlines a number of symptoms which are suggestive of coeliac disease and suggests that any person with these symptoms should be offered serological testing for coeliac disease. The guidance also states that first-degree relatives of people with coeliac disease should also be offered serological testing.
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Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a national screening programme for prostate cancer. \p Andrew Gwynne: Screening for prostate cancer is currently not recommended in the United Kingdom, due to the inaccuracy of the current best test Prostate Specific Antigen.

A UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) review looking at whether to offer screening for prostate cancer is currently underway. This evidence review will cover modelling the clinical effectiveness and cost of several approaches to prostate cancer screening. This will include different potential ways of screening the whole population and targeted screening aimed at groups of people identified as being at higher-than-average risk, such as Black men or men with a family history of cancer.

Once the modelling and evidence review is complete, it will be considered by the UK NSC. Subject to no further revisions being required, the UK NSC plans to look at the findings towards the end of 2025.

Further details of the UK NSC’s evidence review process are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-evidence-review-process/uk-nsc-evidence-review-process
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Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce health inequalities in Knowsley constituency. \p Andrew Gwynne: The United Kingdom faces significant health inequalities, with life expectancy varying widely across and within communities. The Government is committed to building a fairer Britain by tackling the structural inequalities that contribute to poor health, particularly for disadvantaged groups.

Existing initiatives to reduce inequalities in relation to health services in England include NHS England’s ‘Core 20 Plus 5’, which focuses on improving the five clinical areas at most need of accelerated improvement in the poorest 20 percent of the population, along with other underserved population groups identified at a local level, including groups that share protected characteristics, and socially excluded groups such as people experiencing homelessness.

The Office of Health Improvement and Disparities’ North West Regional Team provides system leadership for population health and reducing health inequalities across the North West. Across Cheshire and Merseyside, partners are working together as part of the All Together Fairer collaborative to improve health equity and the social determinants of health through measurable actions for each place to create a fairer, more equitable society.

Knowsley is one of 75 local authorities with high levels of deprivation receiving funding to improve outcomes for families with babies as part of the approximately £300 million Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme.
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Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to prioritise screening for brain tumours. \p Andrew Gwynne: In the United Kingdom, national screening programmes are introduced based on the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee, an independent scientific advisory committee which advises Ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries on all aspects of population and targeted screening and supports implementation.

The UK National Screening Committee has not been asked to look at screening for brain tumours. The Committee welcomes any new published peer reviewed evidence which suggests the case for a new or modified screening programme via its annual call, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-annual-call-submitting-a-screening-proposal/uk-nsc-annual-call-how-to-submit-a-proposal
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Chris Bloore:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve health outcomes for survivors of acquired brain injuries. \p Andrew Gwynne: The Government wants a society where every person, including those with a long-term condition such as an acquired brain injury (ABI), receives high-quality, compassionate continuity of care, with their families and carers supported.

We will change the National Health Service so that it becomes not just a sickness service, but able to prevent ill health in the first place. This will help us be better prepared for the change in nature of disease and allow our services to focus more on the management of chronic, long-term conditions, like ABI, including rehabilitation where appropriate.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently developing guidance ‘Rehabilitation for chronic neurological disorders including acquired brain injury’, which is expected to be published on 16 July 2025. More information is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ng10181

I met the original proponent of the ABI strategy, my Hon. Friend, Sir Chris Bryant MP, on 27 November 2024 to discuss ABI and we had a very fruitful discussion about what might be achievable in the both the short term and the longer term. Sir Chris remains a huge advocate for those that have suffered an ABI and I fully agree with him that the Government should, and importantly will, do more, including showcasing those areas that have effectively integrated post-hospital care and support, including rehabilitation, to other areas where patients are not getting the care and support they deserve.

A decision on next steps on ABI at the national level will be taken in due course.

Meanwhile, we have committed to develop a 10-year plan to deliver an NHS fit for the future. We will be carefully considering input from the public, patients, health staff, and our stakeholders as we develop the plan over the coming months. The engagement process has been launched and I would encourage stakeholders to engage with that process to allow us to fully understand what is not working as well as it should and what the potential solutions are, including on ABI. More information is available at the following link:

https://change.nhs.uk/en-GB/
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Dr Allison Gardner:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve outcomes for patients with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in Stoke-on-Trent. \p Andrew Gwynne: The Department is working with NHS England to deliver interventions to improve outcomes for those with pancreatic cancer across England, including Stoke-on-Trent.

As the first step to ensure faster diagnosis and treatment, we will deliver an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week.

Early diagnosis is imperative to improving outcomes for all types of cancer, especially pancreatic cancer due to the non-specific nature of its symptoms. NHS England is providing a route into pancreatic cancer surveillance for those at inherited high-risk to identify lesions before they develop into cancer. NHS England is additionally creating pathways to support faster referral routes for people with non-specific symptoms and is increasing direct access for general practitioners to diagnostic tests.

NHS England is also funding a new audit into pancreatic cancer, aiming to provide regular and timely evidence to cancer service providers of where patterns of care in England may vary, to increase the consistency of access to treatments and to stimulate improvements in cancer treatment and outcomes for patients.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken help improve rates of early diagnosis of lung cancer. \p Andrew Gwynne: The National Health Service is taking crucial steps to improve cancer outcomes across England, including for lung cancer. The Targeted Lung Health Check is a national NHS screening programme which is designed to identify cancers at an earlier stage with the goal of saving more lives. It will be available to 100% of the eligible population by 2030.

Within the programme so far, detection at stage 1 and 2 stands at 75%, while outside the programme its 29%. When fully rolled out the Lung Cancer Screening Programme will detect approximately 9,000 cancers earlier each year and support the NHS Long Term Plan to detect more cancers earlier.
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Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to appoint a men's health champion. \p Andrew Gwynne: On 28 November 2024, my Rt. Hon. friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced plans for England’s first Men’s Health Strategy at the Men’s Health Summit, held in partnership with Movember and hosted by Arsenal and the Premier League.

We will shortly be launching a call for evidence to seek views on what is currently working and what more needs to be done to support the health of all men. Through the strategy, we will explore all avenues to improve men’s health, including on leadership.
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Sir Christopher Chope:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to stop the spread of the HMPV virus from China. \p Andrew Gwynne: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of many viruses within the United Kingdom that cause illness each winter. It has been in circulation for many decades. Most people have been infected by the age of five and reinfection occurs throughout life.

The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) monitors activity and publishes data every week through the winter period. UKHSA’s long-term surveillance of hMPV in England, through systems covering general practice surgeries and hospital laboratories, indicates that hMPV levels in winter 2024-25 are in line with what we would expect to see at this time of year.

UKHSA has issued general public advice on prevention of transmission of respiratory viruses, this includes the importance of good hand hygiene, catching coughs with tissues, and avoiding vulnerable people while symptomatic. These measures would be expected to reduce transmission of hMPV.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the number of spirometry tests carried out in Community Diagnostic Centres. \p Andrew Gwynne: NHS England continues to support the restoration of local spirometry services and is enhancing capacity through community diagnostic centres (CDCs).

Spirometry tests are a minimum core test required of all standard or large CDCs. The Department does not currently hold validated data on the number of spirometry tests carried out in CDCs but, as part of guidance issued by NHS England in September 2024, CDCs are expected to perform a minimum of 80 spirometry tests a week if open five days a week, and 112 tests if open for seven days a week. The Elective Reform Plan, published on 6 January 2025, also sets out that we will extend the minimum standards for all CDCs to open 12 hours per day, seven days a week. As CDCs move to seven days, in line with expectations set out in the plan, they will increase overall activity in line with guidance.
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James Asser:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle health inequalities in (a) England, (b) London, and (c) West Ham and Beckton constituency. \p Andrew Gwynne: The United Kingdom faces significant health inequalities, with life expectancy varying widely across and within communities. The Government is committed to building a fairer Britain by tackling the structural inequalities that contribute to poor health, particularly for disadvantaged groups.

Existing initiatives to reduce inequalities in relation to health services in England include NHS England’s ‘Core 20 Plus 5’, which focuses on improving the five clinical areas at most need of accelerated improvement in the poorest 20 percent of the population, along with other underserved population groups identified at a local level, including groups that share protected characteristics, and socially excluded groups such as people experiencing homelessness.

The Office of Health Improvement and Disparities’ London Regional Team provides system leadership for population health and reducing health inequalities across London. Partners are working together to deliver the Health and Care Vision for London, which sets out a shared ambition to make London the healthiest global city, and the best global city in which to receive health and care services. The Vision aims to tackle issues that cause poor health and health inequalities.

The Mayor of London has set out his aims and objectives for addressing health inequalities in London. This sets the direction of travel for collaborative working by the Mayor of London, partners and communities to tackle health inequalities.

Newham Local Authority received £34.2 million in Public Health Grant funding in 2024/25. This provides services such as stop smoking, drug and alcohol treatment, health visiting/school nursing, sexual health, and NHS Health Checks among others, all of which contribute to addressing health inequalities. Newham Local Authority, the National Health Service and other partners are working together to improve health equity and address the social determinants of health, including through the ‘50 Steps to a Healthier Newham’ Strategy and the Newham Centre for Health Equity.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) improve access to neurology services for people with multiple sclerosis and (b) increase funding for research into neurological conditions. \p Andrew Gwynne: There are several initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in England, including the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for Neurology, the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, and the Neurology Transformation Programme (NTP).

The GIRFT National Specialty Report made recommendations designed to improve services nationally and to support the National Health Service to deliver care more equitably across the country. The report highlighted differences in how services are delivered and provided the opportunity to share successful initiatives between trusts to improve patient services nationally. In addition, the NTP has developed a model of integrated care for neurology services to support integrated care boards to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients, including providing care closer to home.

Once diagnosed, and with a management strategy in place, most people with MS can be cared for through routine access to primary and secondary care. NHS England commissions the specialised elements of MS care that patients may receive from 27 neurology centres across England. Within specialised centres, neurological multidisciplinary teams ensure patients can access a range of health professionals, including specialist nurses, psychologists, and allied health professionals such as dieticians and speech and language therapists, and that they can receive specialised treatment and support, according to their needs.

The Department delivers research into neurological conditions via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). In 2023/24, the most recent year we have data for, the NIHR spent £72.9 million on research into neurological conditions across research projects, programmes, and infrastructure.

The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including neurological conditions, including MS. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made based on the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.
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Dr Allison Gardner:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to fund improved provisions for addiction support services in Stoke-on-Trent South. \p Andrew Gwynne: In addition to the Public Health Grant, the Department provides additional funding to support drug and alcohol services. In 2024/25 a total of £4,670,913 was allocated to Stoke-on-Trent. This included £2,906,020 for the Supplementary Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery grant, £939,906 for the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant, £589,429 for the Housing Support Grant, £165,719 for the Individual Placement and Support Grant (employment support), and £69,839 for the Inpatient Detoxification Grant. This funding is provided at a local authority level and information on funding at a constituency level is not available. Future targeted funding for drug and alcohol treatment services beyond 2025 will be announced very shortly.

The Government is providing £70 million of additional funding for local authority-led Stop Smoking Services in England in 2024/25, building on existing funding made available via the Public Health Grant. The Government will also provide a further £70 million funding for Stop Smoking Services in 2025/26. As part of this additional funding Stoke-on-Trent has been allocated £381,688 for Stop Smoking Services in 2025/26.

The Department remains focused on ensuring those experiencing gambling-related harm can access the right care at the right time. The introduction of a new statutory levy on gambling operators will provide increased, independent funding to support the improvement and expansion of treatment and support services, with NHS England acting as the main treatment commissioner.
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Adrian Ramsay:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) hospitals and (b) other publicly owned healthcare settings are compliant with the UK Health Security Agency guidance entitled Reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in the workplace, updated on 10 June 2022. \p Andrew Gwynne: Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections, NHS England health and social care providers are required to implement measures that protect patients, residents, and staff while providing assurance to trust boards regarding infection risks and outcomes. This obligation extends to the application of national pathogen-specific guidance, including the UK Health Security Agency’s Reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in the workplace, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reducing-the-spread-of-respiratory-infections-including-covid-19-in-the-workplace

The Code of practice outlines 10 criteria used to assess how registered providers meet regulatory requirements for infection prevention and control, including cleanliness.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21699 on Gonorrhoea: Health Services, what data his Department holds on the cost of treating gonorrhoea to the NHS; and if he will publish that data. \p Andrew Gwynne: The data on the cost of treating gonorrhoea to the National Health Service is not held centrally. This is because most gonorrhoea infections are treated with antibiotics in sexual health services using funding from the Local Authority Public Health Grant. In 2023, there were 85,223 diagnoses of gonorrhoea in sexual health services in England.

For infections and complications requiring treatment in secondary care, the UK Health Security Agency estimates that the cost to the NHS of treating gonorrhoea in secondary care in 2022/23 was approximately £2,000 per in-patient admission. Data on the number of admissions is not held centrally.
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Dr Allison Gardner:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking through the implementation of an alcohol strategy to tackle problem drinking. \p Andrew Gwynne: Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives. The Department will continue to work across Government to better understand how we can best reduce alcohol-related harms.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps with his counterparts in the devolved Administrations to implement a national brain cancer strategy. \p Andrew Gwynne: Health Services across the United Kingdom are devolved. In England, we are developing a 10-year plan to radically reform the National Health Service, and my Rt Hon. friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has been clear that there needs to be a national cancer plan, which will include brain cancer. We are currently in discussions about this plan and its relationship to the 10-Year Health Plan and the Government’s wider health mission.

UK Government Ministers regularly engage with their counterparts in the Devolved Governments. No discussions have been had about a UK-wide national brain cancer strategy.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to include Annatto (E160b) on the list of allergens that must be labelled under UK food labelling regulations. \p Andrew Gwynne: There are many potential food ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction to sensitised people. The current 14 regulated allergens are recognised as being the most common and potent allergens of public health concern across Europe.   Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergen-guidance-for-food-businesses

The prevalence of allergy to the additive Annatto (E160b) is currently unknown in the United Kingdom. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is currently working with the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology and other stakeholders on gathering information on hidden and emerging food allergens which will help in assessing the need for further research and work in this area. If further information is received on the prevalence of Annatto as an allergy we will review this evidence. The FSA continues to monitor the situation closely but has no current recommendations to Ministers on amending the list of 14 regulated allergens.

The FSA continues to work to make it easier for people with food hypersensitivities, namely allergies, intolerances, and coeliac disease, to have access to clear and accurate information which is a fundamental part of their work. Their research is available at the following link:

https://www.food.gov.uk/research/food-hypersensitivity
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Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will undertake a review of the (a) funding model and (b) role of community pharmacies. \p Stephen Kinnock: Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system. The Government is committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and to better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. That includes making prescribing part of the services delivered by community pharmacists.

By 2026 all newly qualified pharmacists will have a prescribing qualification, with additional investment in upskilling the existing workforce to also become independent prescribers. NHS England is currently piloting how prescribing can work in community pharmacy in all integrated care boards, supporting a range of conditions. These pathfinders will then inform any future decisions about the service.

We will shortly be resuming our consultation with Community Pharmacy England regarding the funding arrangements for community pharmacy.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Question 18061, tabled by the hon. Member for Mid Leicestershire on 4 December 2024 for answer on 9 December 2024. \p Al Carns: I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_72

Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of training days undertaken by serving army personnel was in each year since 2015 by rank. \p Luke Pollard: The Army invests significantly in skills, education and training for its people to build the problem-solving attributes, teamwork, resilience, intellect and creativity needed to be successful now and in the future.

A comprehensive professional pipeline trains soldiers and officers from the basics of being a soldier, through progressive levels of trade training, as well as the leadership skills required at all ranks. More broadly, Defence continues to invest in collective training capabilities for its Armed Forces and, under the Future Soldier programme, the Army is modernising collective training to better prepare for the challenges personnel will face in modern warfare.

We do not centrally hold the information in the format that has been requested due to the broad range and scope of training that can be undertaken by all Army personnel, including both individual and collective training.
wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_73

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what forces are committed to defending the High North. \p Luke Pollard: The UK is committed to maintaining a coherent Defence posture, presence, and profile in the High North region. The Royal Marines have conducted annual exercises with Norway for over 50 years to hone their extreme cold weather warfighting skills, supported by assets from Joint Aviation Command. In the last 18 months, P8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers, have all operated in the region. During Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER, the Royal Navy was at the heart of this maritime exercise with HMS Prince of Wales, demonstrating the importance of interoperability. The UK also conducted Icelandic Air Policing with F-35 jets.

In 2025, the UK will continue to develop our already close relationships with our Allies and partners in the High North, as part of NATO, Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and bilaterally. Furthermore, we will continue our profile in the region with Air, Maritime and Land assets operating under NATO and Sovereign command.
wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_74
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_74

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last had discussions with his NATO counterparts on protecting the High North. \p Luke Pollard: Engagement with NATO Allies is central to our approach to defend and deter in the Arctic and High North. Secretary of State for Defence and Defence Ministers regularly engage with their NATO counterparts, including High North countries to discuss how to strengthen deterrence and defence in the region, through NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and bilaterally.
wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_75

David Reed:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 17477 on RFA Argus: Amphibious Vehicles, whether his Department has identified reductions in amphibious capability from the use of RFA Argus in place of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. \p Luke Pollard: The previous administration had no plans for either HMS Albion or HMS Bulwark to return to sea ahead of their leaving service in the 2030s, therefore there has been no reduction in capability.

RFA Argus, alongside Bay Class, is a highly capable ship and will continue to support Royal Marine operations until the introduction of Multi-Role Support Ships in the early 2030s.
wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_76
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_76

Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to compare the (a) recommendations and (b) objectives of (i) Strategic (A) Defence and (B) Security Reviews, (ii) Defence Industrial Strategies and (ii)) Defence Equipment Plans with the Defence outcomes achieved during the last 25 years. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence is committed to learning lessons from previous reviews and their implementation. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR), launched by the Prime Minister on 16 July, is taking a diverse range of views and evidence, including previous reviews, strategies and plans, into account to determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century, deliverable and affordable both within the resources available to Defence and within the trajectory to 2.5%. The SDR will ensure that Defence is central both to the security, and to the economic growth and prosperity, of the UK. The Reviewers will report to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Defence in the spring of 2025, and the Secretary of State will subsequently publish a version of that report to Parliament. More widely, Defence is undertaking the biggest reform programme in over 50 years, creating a stronger UK Defence centre to secure better value for money, better outcomes for our Armed Forces, and be better able to implement the SDR.
wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_77
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_77

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase retention of service personnel. \p Al Carns: The new Government’s work in improving retention and recruitment is part of a package of measures aimed to renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. We are modernising and refining our policies and processes to attract, and then retain the best possible talent, highlighting that Defence is a modern, forward-facing employer which offers a valuable and rewarding career. Our aim is to attract and recruit more, as well as maximise the number of applicants that successfully enter and remain in Armed Forces employment.

We have already awarded the largest Armed Forces pay increase in 22 years, and gone further in announcing a £30,000 financial incentive to a cohort of tri-Service Air Engineers as well as an £8,000 retention payment for a cohort of Army personnel. These measures support the retention of key skills and personnel in Defence through appropriate financial recognition.

The Ministry of Defence and Ministers recognise the significant sacrifices that our military families make in serving our nation, and more retention-positive measures have been introduced. As part of this we have protected the integrity of the Continuity of Education Allowance; the Secretary of State for Defence directed that the cap on current rates be lifted to support the means of mitigating the disruption to Service children’s education, caused by Service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home. The recent repurchase of the SFA estate from Annington Homes will enable the Ministry of Defence the freedom to embark on a substantive programme of redevelopment and improvement of our housing estate to provide quality homes for Service families. Furthermore, we have extended Wraparound Childcare to families serving overseas which will potentially save up to £3,400 annually for Service families. We are developing a suite of future initiatives, to be announced in the spring, that will improve Service life and boost retention with the Armed Forces.
wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_78
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_78

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to extend Continuity of Education Allowance to all service personnel. \p Al Carns: Following the budget statement by the Chancellor on 30 October 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) confirmed it would carry out an in-year re-rating of the continuity of education allowance (CEA), which is a contribution towards boarding education. The methodology used to calculate the new rates remained the same as previous yearly calculations, a weighted average of the fees charged by the top 75% of schools used by CEA claimants.

The MOD will monitor the impact on retention in service for those claiming CEA following the introduction of VAT on independent school fees. This will inform a review of the CEA calculation methodology ahead of revised rates being produced for the new academic year starting September 2025.

The MOD provides the option for all eligible Service personnel to claim CEA as a contribution to boarding education to minimise the disruption to their children’s education caused by service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home. To be eligible, the Service person’s circumstances must fit within specific regulations, especially around accompanied service and family mobility.
wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_79
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_79

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to maintain (a) Service Family Accommodation and (b) training base accommodation in Gosport. \p Al Carns: Service Family Accommodation (SFA).

In the last year, 25 SFA at Gosport were fully refurbished to enable them to be occupied by Service families. Additionally, 241 SFA have had, or are receiving, improvement works to include new boilers, kitchens and bathrooms and redecoration.

In addition, new External Wall Insulation to 68 SFA is due to complete in financial year 2024-25.

The recent repurchase of the SFA estate from Annington Homes will enable the Ministry of Defence the freedom to embark on a substantive programme of redevelopment and improvement of our housing estate to provide quality homes for Service Families.

Training Base Accommodation (Single Living Accommodation (SLA)/ Transit Accommodation).

Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Training Base Accommodation is maintained under the Future Defence Infrastructure Service (FDIS) suite of contracts, which provide for statutory and mandatory preventative maintenance and inspections. The findings of the inspections identify issues in advance of failure and by their nature are preventative.

In addition to preventative maintenance, Service Personnel are encouraged to report any faults or complaints via their contract provider.
wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_80
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_80

Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) veterans and (b) serving personnel who have served as crew on (A) Sea Kings, (B) Pumas and (C) Chinooks have been diagnosed with (i) multiple myeloma, (ii) sarcoma and (iii) blood cancer in the last ten years. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence is undertaking work to determine the number of Serving personnel who have served as air crew and been diagnosed with cancer. I will write to the hon. Member when information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.
wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_81
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_81

Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the sickness rate was for service personnel by rank in each year since 2015. \p Al Carns: This information is not held in the format requested.