theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_14

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the probation service in Lancashire. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Lancashire is part of the North West region of the Probation Service. The North West region has developed a Quality Improvement Plan that prioritises and focuses improvement activity. It includes actions derived from internal audits and reports by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation. Progress is regularly monitored, assured and supported by regional and national, Performance, Assurance and Risk functions.

Data on probation performance are published at regional and national level. Performance statistics for Probation Delivery Units in Lancashire in 2023-24 are shown in the table below:

Performance Measure

Target  (%)

Lancashire Performance (%)

PS02 SL004 Initial appointment for community sentences

95.0%

97.0%

PS02 SL005 Initial appointment for releases from custody

95.0%

96.7%

PS02 SL006 Initial sentence plan for community sentences and releases

95.0%

73.1%

PS02 SL007R Monthly appointments offered

95.0%

91.3%

PS02 SL010 Timely risk management plans (recall reports part B)

90.0%

93.2%

PS02 SL011 Timely parole reports

90.0%

94.9%

PS02 SL012R Completion of targeted interventions for people convicted of sexual offences

70.0%

66.8%

PS02 SL013 Requirements completed by sentence expiry

85.0%

82.4%

PS02 SL014 Housed on release from custody

90.0%

85.1%

PS02 SL015a Settled accommodation at 3 months post release or disposal (custodial sentences)

80.0%

72.6%

PS02 SL015b Settled accommodation at 3 months post release or disposal (community sentences)

80.0%

86.6%

PS02 SL016 Employed at 6 weeks post release from custody

19.0%

23.1%

PS02 SL017a Employed at 6 months post release or disposal (custodial sentences)

32.0%

34.9%

PS02 SL017b Employed at 6 months post release or disposal (community sentences)

37.0%

44.4%

PS02 SL023 Pre-release sentence plans for enhanced cases

59.0%

33.9%

PS03 SL022R POM/COM handover meeting

93.0%

61.9%

PS04 SL026 Unpaid work assessment

90.0%

91.6%

PS04 SL027 Unpaid work starts within 15 business days of sentence

80.0%

89.1%

PS04 SL028 Unpaid work stand downs

2.5%

[x]

PS04 SL029 Unpaid work completions within 12 months

75.0%

62.0%

PS05 SL031 Accredited programme starts [targeted]

89.0%

[x]

PS05 SL033 Accredited programme completions [targeted]

57.0%

[x]

PS09 SL040R Recording protected characteristics

95.0%

100.0%

Note:

Outcomes for the North West Region and National probation (including scorecard rating) can be found at: Community Performance Annual, update to March 2024 - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_15

Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 to strengthen legal protections for (a) children and (b) parents fleeing domestic abuse under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Government is aware of concerns around the operation of the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention in situations where there are allegations of domestic abuse.

Published judgments demonstrate that courts in the UK take into account domestic abuse when assessing the grave risk of harm exception under Article 13(b) of the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention.

The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit, as the operational Central Authority for England and Wales under the 1980 Hague Convention on behalf of the Lord Chancellor, carries out the administrative work required under the Convention; the Central Authority has no role in the assessment of grave risk of harm.

The UK has been leading efforts to consider these issues internationally, including via a Forum held in South Africa last year, part-funded by the Government, and will be taking an active role in the organisation of a second Forum in Brazil later this year.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_16

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of procurement contracts were awarded to UK companies in the 2024-25 financial year. \p Alex Davies-Jones: Within financial year 2024-2025, the Ministry of Justice awarded 601 contracts to suppliers for provision of goods and services across the justice sector. 591 (98.3%) of these contracts were awarded to UK companies.

Details of central government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023 above £12,000 inc VAT are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service. This includes a note of the winning supplier.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_17

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 55645 on Legal Aid Scheme: Rural Areas, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the £6 million legal support grant funding reaches legal aid deserts in rural areas. \p Sarah Sackman: Citizens in England and Wales should be able to access legal aid services regardless of where they live, provided they meet the relevant eligibility criteria. The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) is responsible for commissioning legal aid services, and it monitors the numbers of providers in each procurement area and across all categories of law. It takes operational action where it can, to respond to market pressures that may arise and works closely with the Ministry of Justice on policy solutions concerning the supply of legal aid.

Greater use of technology can enable people to access a wide range of specialist advice from across the country. For example, legal advice for education, discrimination, housing and debt issues is always available through the Civil Legal Advice telephone service, wherever you are in England and Wales.

As part of the £24 million increase for criminal solicitors implemented in 2024, the Ministry of Justice is paying for travel time for solicitors who work or commute to work in a small number of scheme areas with fewer than two legal aid providers, as well as the Isle of Wight.

The Department continues to monitor office locations and travel distances between providers and clients as part of its assessment of geographical coverage.

The Government’s grant funding of over £6 million going to 60 frontline organisations in 2025/26 funds charitable, benevolent or philanthropic organisations delivering legal support and information services in relation to a range of social welfare legal problems. Organisations include some local Citizen’s Advice centres, Shelter and Law Centres, who provide legal support services across England and Wales, including in rural areas, with some organisations also providing outreach services. Online services delivered by organisations like AdviceNow also provide support and information to individuals in relation to civil, family and tribunal matters regardless of location. The Advicenow website includes information about how to get legal aid in relevant areas of law and signposts users to further information and support.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_18

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has considered extending eligibility for the Children’s Funeral Fund to include babies lost before 24 weeks’ gestation; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing financial support to parents arranging funerals for pregnancy losses occurring from 20 weeks onward. \p Alex Davies-Jones: Losing a baby is an unimaginably painful experience for any family. To help ease the financial burden during such a difficult time, the Children’s Funeral Fund for England provides support towards the cost of a funeral.

The Fund, established under the Social Fund (Children’s Funeral Fund for England) Regulations 2019, uses the definition of stillbirth set out in section 41 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953. This definition applies to babies lost after 24 weeks of pregnancy and is consistent with the Department for Work and Pensions Funeral Expenses Payment scheme.

The Department remains committed to regularly keeping the operation of the Children’s Funeral Fund under review to ensure it continues to meet the needs of bereaved families with compassion and care.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_19

Dr Rupa Huq:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to ensure that awards made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority are paid out in a timely manner. \p Alex Davies-Jones: I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave on 3 July 2025 to Question 63019.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_20

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many road-traffic fatalities were recorded by the Isle of Wight coroner in each of the last five years; for each case, on what dates a forensic collision investigator’s report was (a) commissioned and (b) completed; and whether the inquest has been held. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The annual number of short-form inquest conclusions of “road traffic collision” for each coroner area in England and Wales is available in the Coroner Statistics which are published each May for the preceding calendar year (Coroners and burials statistics - GOV.UK).

The number of such conclusions (and, therefore, relevant completed inquests) recorded in the Isle of Wight coroner area in each of the last five calendar years is as follows:

2024 – 1

2023 – 1

2022 – 2

2021 – 1

2020 – 0

The Ministry of Justice does not hold information on related investigations. However, the coroner will typically suspend their investigation into a death pending the completion of any related investigatory processes, primarily to avoid duplication of process.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_21

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information her Department holds on the number of post-mortem imaging scans that have been carried out in the Isle of Wight coroner area in each of the last five year; and in how many of those cases imaging was not able to determine the cause of death. \p Alex Davies-Jones: Coronial post-mortem examinations are carried out on a fee paid basis by specialist practitioners from within the cadre of pathologists in England and Wales who undertake post-mortem work.

In the last five years, the number of post-mortem examinations relating to the Isle of Wight coroner areas which used less invasive techniques (including, but not limited to, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans) was:

Year

PM with Less Invasive Techniques

PM Less Invasive Techniques Only

2024

2

1

2023

0

0

2022

1

1

2021

0

0

2020

0

0

The Ministry of Justice does not hold information on the number of cases in the Isle of Wight where the cause of death was not revealed by imaging techniques, where they were used.

The Government acknowledges the significant challenges currently affecting post-mortem pathology services across England and Wales. It is firmly committed to driving meaningful progress on this complex, cross-cutting issue as a matter of urgency. This includes engagement with relevant Ministerial colleagues to identify and implement a sustainable, long-term solution.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_22

Ms Stella Creasy:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answers of (a) 23 July 2024 to Question 612 and (b) 4 November 2024 to Question 11600 on Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, when section 31 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 will come into force. \p Alex Davies-Jones: Now that the Data (Use and Access) Act has passed through Parliament, we are progressing work to implement this measure.

We will write to the Member shortly to outline our plan and timescale for implementation.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_23

Edward Morello:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to review (a) anti-money laundering laws and (b) guidance applicable to property lawyers. \p Emma Reynolds: Under the Money Laundering Regulations, estate agents and legal professionals must apply customer due diligence measures to mitigate the risk that property purchases are used to launder the proceeds of crime. These measures include checking and verifying the identity of buyers and sellers and assessing the purpose and intended nature of the transaction. The Regulations enable a proportionate, risk-based approach to customer due diligence, meaning conveyancers and others should actively assess and respond to the specific risks in each transaction. The Legal Sector Affinity Group (LSAG) guidance provides detailed advice to legal professionals on how to comply proportionately with these requirements in property transactions. HM Treasury has regular discussions with representatives of regulated sectors, including conveyancers, to ensure the Regulations remain proportionate and effective.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_24

Mr Gagan Mohindra:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to preserve the protections afforded to victims of fraud through the Financial Ombudsman Service's fair and reasonable remit during the current review into that service. \p Emma Reynolds: On 15 July the government set out the conclusions and next steps of the Economic Secretary’s review of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fs-sector-strategy-review-of-the-financial-ombudsman-service

The review concluded that in the majority of cases, the FOS fulfils its role as a simple, impartial dispute resolution service. However, in a small but significant minority of cases, the FOS is acting as a quasi-regulator. To stop this the government is now consulting on a package of reforms to the FOS, to improve the regulatory coherence between the FOS and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and provide greater certainty and predictability for firms and consumers.

The review also concluded that the FOS should retain the ‘Fair and Reasonable’ test for determining cases. The government is proposing to adapt the test to align it more closely to the FCA’s rules where, as the UK’s dedicated conduct regulator for financial services, the FCA has an objective to ensure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers and continues to prioritise fighting financial crime.

The government is committed to ensuring the FOS continues to provide customers with a cost-free route to easily resolve disputes with firms, including in cases relating to fraud.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_25

Stephen Gethins:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with her Belgian counterpart on releasing frozen Russian assets for use by Ukraine. \p Emma Reynolds: The Chancellor regularly speaks to her G7 and European counterparts to progress matters in the UK national interest.

Supporting Ukraine and increasing economic pressure on Russia remains a priority.

The Government is firmly committed to ensuring Russia pays for the damage it has caused, and is causing, in Ukraine. The UK, together with our G7 allies, has committed to keeping Russia’s sovereign assets immobilised in our respective jurisdictions until Russia pays for this damage.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_26

Edward Morello:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of anti-money laundering regulations on transaction times in property conveyancing. \p Emma Reynolds: Under the Money Laundering Regulations, estate agents and legal professionals must apply customer due diligence measures to mitigate the risk that property purchases are used to launder the proceeds of crime. These measures include checking and verifying the identity of buyers and sellers and assessing the purpose and intended nature of the transaction. The Regulations enable a proportionate, risk-based approach to customer due diligence, meaning conveyancers and others should actively assess and respond to the specific risks in each transaction. The Legal Sector Affinity Group (LSAG) guidance provides detailed advice to legal professionals on how to comply proportionately with these requirements in property transactions. HM Treasury has regular discussions with representatives of regulated sectors, including conveyancers, to ensure the Regulations remain proportionate and effective.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_27

Noah Law:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to increase the personal allowance in 2028-29. \p James Murray: The Government is committed to keeping taxes for working people as low as possible while ensuring fiscal responsibility. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_28

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to protect HMRC-held personal data from unauthorised access. \p James Murray: HMRC have strict security standards, and have appropriate technical, physical and managerial procedures in place to safeguard and secure personal information.

HMRC limit access to personal information to those persons, or agents who have a business or legal need to do so. For customer-facing services, this includes identity checking procedures and access controls, such as voice biometrics and multi-factor authentication.

Fraudsters use the HMRC brand to target individuals with fake correspondence, phishing emails, text messages and telephone calls. We publish phishing and scams guidance on GOV.UK, showing how to recognise scams, report issues and stay safe online.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_29

Jim Allister:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the potential combined impact of the (a) Windsor Framework (i) red and (ii) green lane border crossing requirements and (b) the implementation of the EU Import Control System 2 from 1 September 2025 on costs to businesses. \p James Murray: The Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the new safety and security system for certain goods moving by air, maritime, road or rail into Northern Ireland.

Businesses moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland can access the free-to-use Trader Support Service (TSS), who will continue to support businesses to meet the arrangements under the Windsor Framework and safety and security declarations, including ICS2. This means that businesses using the TSS to bring goods into Northern Ireland will not need to register for ICS2.

As per the new arrangements for consumer parcels moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland that came into effect on 1 May 2025, safety and security declarations continue to not be required.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_30

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the energy profits levy on government revenue. \p James Murray: The Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) forecast at Spring Statement 2025 estimated that revenues from the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) will be £10.8 billion between 2025-26 and 2029-30. This is in addition to more than £10 billion in tax revenues already raised through the EPL since its introduction.

A full breakdown of revenue projections for all North Sea oil and gas taxes is available in the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook, published at Spring Statement 2025 (https://obr.uk/efo/economic-and-fiscal-outlook-march-2025/). Information on tax receipts already raised by the EPL is published and regularly updated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) (https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/governmentpublicsectorandtaxes/publicsectorfinance/datasets/appendixdpublicsectorcurrentreceipts).
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_31

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the net fiscal impact of changes to inheritance tax for family owned businesses in each year to 2029-30. \p James Murray: The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.

This measure is forecast to raise an additional £230m in 2026-27, £495m in 2027-28, £520m in 2028-29, and £520m in 2029-30.

The OBR does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact. Additional information is also published in the OBR Economic and Fiscal Outlook, from paragraph 3.20 to 3.23:

https://obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/OBR_Economic_and_fiscal_outlook_Oct_2024.pdf.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_32

Dan Norris:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many small e-commerce packages passed through customs in the UK from China in 2024. \p James Murray: Consignments imported into the UK that are valued at £135 or less are not subject to customs duty and are predominantly imported through a simplified customs declaration. As part of this, multiple goods can be bulk declared without providing the total number of consignments. Therefore, HMRC does not routinely collect customs data on the number of imports from China that are worth less than £135.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_33

Ms Stella Creasy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) one day first fixed penalties and (b) 30 day late payment penalties were issued in each of the last five years, broken down by constituency. \p James Murray: The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_34

Ms Stella Creasy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) one day first fixed penalties and (b) 30 day late payment penalties were cancelled in each of the last five years, broken down by constituency. \p James Murray: The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_35

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to retain Small Business Rates Relief at its current level for the duration of this Parliament. \p James Murray: Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) is available to businesses with a single property with a rateable value (RV) below the threshold of £15,000. If a business expands to a second property, it retains SBRR on the first property for 12 months. Following that, the business is not eligible for SBRR unless additional properties have an RV below £2,899 and their total property portfolio has an RV below £20,000 (£28,000 in London). Currently, over a third of properties (more than 700,000) pay no business rates as they receive 100 per cent SBRR, with an additional c.60,000 benefiting from reduced bills as this relief tapers.

The Government is committed to retaining SBRR, which is a permanent relief set down in legislation. As highlighted in the Transforming Business Rates Discussion Paper published at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government is interested in hearing stakeholders’ views on the extent to which the current system acts as a barrier to investment and specifically, whether the current eligibility criteria for SBRR impacts businesses' incentives to invest and expand into a second property.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_36

Steff Aquarone:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of case backlog at the Valuation Office Agency; and what steps she is taking to reduce this. \p James Murray: The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is working as quickly as possible to clear cases, and moving staff to where there is the greatest customer demand. The VOA is focusing on the oldest cases first, and where customers are facing financial hardship.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_37
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_37

Nadia Whittome:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that HMRC processes tax refunds within a (a) reasonable and (b) transparent timeframe. \p James Murray: HMRC recognises that tax refunds are important for customers, and aims to process repayments as a priority.

HMRC’s correspondence service standard is to respond to 80% of priority post within 15 working days.

Monthly performance against this standard is published at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-monthly-performance-reports
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July to Question 66215 on Defence: Finance, what is the total financial quantum of the amount of money which will count towards Defence spending in 2027 as a result of the inclusion of the Single Intelligence Account in the Defence budget from 2027. \p Darren Jones: The Government has committed to spending 2.6% GDP on NATO qualifying defence spending by 2027.

By 2027, the full Single Intelligence Account (SIA) budget will count towards NATO qualifying defence spending. Details of the SIA budget from 2026 to 2030 can be found in the Spending Review 2025 document, available here:

Spending Review 2025 (HTML) - GOV.UK

Annual NATO expenditure by country is reported to NATO and published on the NATO website.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_39

James Cartlidge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July to Question 66218 on Defence: Finance, whether all of the £5.1 billion stated under the column for 2027/28 as the Single Intelligence Account budget, in Table 5.1 of the document referred to, will be included in the defence budget from 2027. \p Darren Jones: I direct the Hon. Member to my answer to question 66218, which sets out that the Single Intelligence Account budget is not being added to the defence budget.

However in 2027/28, the Single Intelligence Account budget will counted as NATO qualifying defence spending.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_40

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress she plans to make on the implementation of the 10 year infrastructure strategy by the end of 2026. \p Darren Jones: This government is committed to implementing the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy published in June. By the end of 2026, we will have delivered several of its key reforms, moving to improve project delivery, and provide industry stakeholders with increased confidence to invest in UK infrastructure and jobs.

The 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy sets out further details of the Government’s plans, which is available at the following link: CP 1344 – UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_41

Samantha Niblett:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Office for Value for Money has made of the potential impact of restrictive licensing practices on Departmental spend on digital transformation. \p Darren Jones: The Office for Value for Money (OVfM) is a time limited unit in HM Treasury that was set two roles at Autumn Budget 2024: making targeted interventions at Spending Review 2025 and developing recommendations for reforming the spending framework.

The OVfM has not made an assessment of the potential impact of restrictive licensing practices on departmental spend on digital transformation. Given the OVfM is a small, time limited team, it has needed to focus on a limited set of issues, deploying resources efficiently to target areas where the it can have most impact. Officials across departments consider the value for money of specific policies and external interactions using existing tools.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_42

Ben Lake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 66247 on Public Expenditure: Wales, when her Department plans to publish a new release of Block Grant Transparency data. \p Darren Jones: The Block Grant Transparency publication breaks down all changes in the devolved governments’ block grant funding from the 2015 Spending Review to Main Estimates 2023-24. The most recent report was published in July 2023.

The next publication will include a breakdown of devolved governments’ funding since the 2015 Spending Review up to and including Spending Review 2025 and will be published in due course.

Block Grant Transparency:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/block-grant-transparency-july-2023
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_43

Lee Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much their Department has spent on translating documents into languages other than (a) English and (b) other native UK languages in each year since 2023; and what these languages were. \p James Murray: HMT cannot identify any costs relating to translating documents into languages other than (a) English and (b) other native UK languages in each year since 2023.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_44

Victoria Collins:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has considered appointing an Independent Commissioner to review unresolved concerns from former Equitable Life policyholders on the (a) methodology and (b) distribution of compensation under the Equitable Life Payment Scheme. \p Torsten Bell: The Equitable Life Payment Scheme has been fully wound down and closed since 2016 and there are no plans to reopen any decisions relating to it. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_45

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people have been relocated to the UK from Afghanistan under the (a) Afghan relocations and assistance policy, (b) Afghan citizens resettlement scheme and (c) Afghanistan Response Route schemes. \p Luke Pollard: When the Taleban seized control in 2021, many thousands of people who served and supported our British Armed Forces were left in Afghanistan.

The UK made a commitment to honour the moral obligation we owe to those Afghans who stood with us, there was cross party support for this at the time.

In February 2022, under the previous Government a spreadsheet with names of individual applicants for ARAP – the resettlement scheme for Afghan citizens who worked for or with the UK Armed Forces in Afghanistan – was emailed outside of official government systems.

This was mistakenly thought to contain the names of a small number of applicants, but in fact the email contained personal information linked to c18700 applicants of ARAP and its predecessor scheme, the Ex-Gratia Scheme (EGS). The data related to applications made on or before 7 January 2022.

A very small section of this spreadsheet appeared online on 14th August 2023, which is when the Government first became aware that the MOD's ARAP case working spreadsheet had been mistakenly included with the original email.

The previous government decided to seek an injunction concerning the breach on 25th August 2023. The High Court granted a super injunction as a result. The previous Government also set up a new secret resettlement route to bring those affected to the UK. Former Ministers started work on this in Autumn 2023 and it was up and running by April 2024.

This Secretary of State then commissioned an independent Policy Review from ex Deputy chief of Defence Intelligence Paul Rimmer. This began earlier this year and concluded and was presented to Ministers in June. The review examined the overall policy context in spring 2025, three years since the data incident and concluded that it appears “highly unlikely” that merely being on the dataset would be grounds for targeting.

As the Defence Secretary outlined in his oral statement dated 15 July 2025, the Rimmer review was a very significant element in the Government’s decision to change policy to close the ARR, though not the sole element. This was not a decision taken lightly. We have now made the matter public so it can be subject to full Parliamentary scrutiny.

From 2021 to the end of June 2025, under the Afghan Resettlement Programme, there have been 13,200 arrivals through the ACRS, 19,000 through ARAP and 3,400 through the ARR. The number of ARR arrivals are included in the overall figures for ARAP, so previous published statistics have presented an accurate picture of total arrivals.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_46

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Government press release entitled New Storm Shadow and missile cooperation to boost jobs as UK and France reboot defence relationship, published on 9 July 2025, who will command the new 50,000 strong combined joint force. \p Luke Pollard: Detailed planning of the Combined Joint Force (CJF), evolving from the currently existing Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF), is currently under way with French colleagues following Thursday’s announcement.

The current command structure of the CJEF under its Concept of Employment (CONEMP) is of a single operational commander provided by either the UK or France, appointed by both nations. It should be noted the CJEF is not a standing force, but made up of high-readiness forces available when it is deployed.

All UK Service Chiefs, including VCDS and Commander Strat Comm, were consulted ahead of the agreement to create the CJF. Most significantly, on 24 March 2025 at the third annual UK-France All Chiefs meeting in London, the proposal was discussed with all of the French and UK Military Chiefs of Staff.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_47

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled New Storm Shadow and missile cooperation to boost jobs as UK and France reboot defence relationship, published on 9 July 2025, on what date the newly signed declaration will be signed. \p Luke Pollard: Detailed planning of the Combined Joint Force (CJF), evolving from the currently existing Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF), is currently under way with French colleagues following the UK-France declaration announcement. We are working to define an ambitious timeline for establishing the CJF and reaching full operational capability. For extant CJEF tasks up to 10,000, which the new CJF inherits, the force reached full operational capability in 2010.

The Lancaster House 2.0: Declaration on Modernising UK-French Defence and Security Cooperation was agreed and published on 10 July 2025.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_48

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the planned block 4 upgrade for F-35B will facilitate the carriage of the (a) Meteor missile system or (b) any other UK-built munitions. \p Maria Eagle: Block 4 modernisation will include the integration of UK-unique weapons and upgrades to air-to-surface and air-to-air weaponry.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_49

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Ministry of Defence staff embedded in the F-35 Joint Program Office in Washington D.C. can track where UK-made spare parts are sent. \p Maria Eagle: The Department does not provide the breakdown of individual UK roles within international programme offices.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_50

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Government press release entitled New Storm Shadow and missile cooperation to boost jobs as UK and France reboot defence relationship, published on 9 July 2025, whether Commander Strategic Command was consulted prior to the agreement to create the 50,000 strong combined joint force. \p Luke Pollard: Detailed planning of the Combined Joint Force (CJF), evolving from the currently existing Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF), is currently under way with French colleagues following Thursday’s announcement.

The current command structure of the CJEF under its Concept of Employment (CONEMP) is of a single operational commander provided by either the UK or France, appointed by both nations. It should be noted the CJEF is not a standing force, but made up of high-readiness forces available when it is deployed.

All UK Service Chiefs, including VCDS and Commander Strat Comm, were consulted ahead of the agreement to create the CJF. Most significantly, on 24 March 2025 at the third annual UK-France All Chiefs meeting in London, the proposal was discussed with all of the French and UK Military Chiefs of Staff.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_51

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's definition of Initial Operational Capability is for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet; and what specific criteria must be met. \p Maria Eagle: I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The Initial Operational Capability is clearly defined and the RAF is working to ensure the necessary supporting requirements are in place so that it can be met at the earliest opportunity. However, in general terms, it will factor a range of milestones on airframe capability; personnel force growth; infrastructure and support contracts; crew training and competence in role; deployability and interoperability.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_52

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the resilience of supply chains supporting the construction and maintenance of defence infrastructure. \p Maria Eagle: MOD uses ‘SCRIPT’; a Supply Chain Resilience Intelligent Performance Tool, designed to map and monitor the resilience of the Defence supply chain. The tool allows the department to assess and assure the resilience of the supply chain on an ongoing basis.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_53

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Departments is taking to assess the feasibility of retrofitting existing platforms for autonomous capability. \p Maria Eagle: The Strategic Defence Review recognised that the RAF must stay at the leading edge of combat air's evolution, through the transition from exclusively crewed combat air platforms to a Future Combat Air System (FCAS) with a mix of crewed, uncrewed, and increasingly autonomous platforms, integrated into the UK's digital targeting web. The future of the RAF lies in accelerating its adoption of the latest technology and innovation. That will be considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan, and in subsequent force development work.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_54

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of defence infrastructure contracts were awarded to UK-based suppliers in the last financial year. \p Maria Eagle: Of 219 contracts awarded in Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) in financial year 2024-25, 97.72% (214 contracts) were awarded to Suppliers with a UK based address.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_55

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the operational effectiveness of his Department's (a) water and (b) wastewater services contracted with third party providers. \p Maria Eagle: Project Aquatrine is the collective project name of three Public Private Partnership agreements between strategic water and wastewater suppliers and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Project Aquatrine established strategic management of water and sewerage services across the MOD estate. The project has clearly defined objectives and Key Performance Indicators to track progress and ensure accountability.

It has been successful in achieving its objectives of improving water and wastewater services across MOD sites in Great Britain. Key successes include reduced leakage, improved water quality, and increased efficiency.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_57

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Government press release entitled New Storm Shadow and missile cooperation to boost jobs as UK and France reboot defence relationship, published on 09 July 2025, what will be the command structure of the 50,000 strong combined joint force. \p Luke Pollard: Detailed planning of the Combined Joint Force (CJF), evolving from the currently existing Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF), is currently under way with French colleagues following the UK-France declaration announcement.

The current command structure of the CJEF under its Concept of Employment (CONEMP) is of a single operational commander provided by the UK or France, appointed by both nations, following nomination from the CJEF Strategic Coordination Team (SCT) which is jointly led for the UK by Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Strategy and Operations) and for France by SCOPS.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_58

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the pres notice entitled New Storm Shadow and missile cooperation to boost jobs as UK and France reboot defence relationship, published on 9 July 2025, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that UK-based defence supply chain SMEs are able to bid for contracts in relation to the UK-France missile co-operation agreement. \p Maria Eagle: Due to the nature of these procurements a number of exemptions from the procurement regulations will be applied, meaning that associated opportunities will be restricted, with a number of contracts being awarded single source.

That said UK based companies within the Storm Shadow supply chain, stand to benefit from this new agreement.

The Government’s forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy will continue to examine how best to prioritise and promote UK based businesses across current and future Defence capabilities.
wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-21 conversation_59

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of adopting the 6.8mm calibre on the personal weapon system infrastructure of the Army. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 April 2025 to Question 45196, which explains that Project GRAYBURN is in its concept phase with the aim of identifying and understanding capability requirements. As part of this phase, various rifle calibres are being considered. The implications of a potential calibre change, including infrastructure, will be balanced against performance requirements.

Army: Rifles (docx, 16.3KB)