theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of funding provided by his Department to (a) LAFIYA-UK and (b) other health programmes in Nigeria. \p Anneliese Dodds: The UK has worked to strengthen the health sector in Nigeria for over two decades, with the current flagship Lafiya programme reaching 40 million people across Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Borno and Yobe states. It does this by firstly strengthening existing health systems; secondly by providing extra resilience in healthcare for particularly vulnerable areas in Northern Nigeria; and finally, by improving access to family planning across Nigeria. All programmes in the health sector in Nigeria are reviewed annually for their effectiveness in line with all FCDO-funded programmes. In its most recent annual review, Lafiya scored an A+ rating.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the annual budget of the Soft Power Council is. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The first meeting of the Soft Power Council on 15 January was financed from within existing budgets. As the Council is a new area of activity, we continue, jointly with the Department for Culture Media and Sport, to work up a comprehensive spending review bid that will determine the Soft Power Council budget in due course.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-Nigeria strategic partnership on future trends in the level of aid distribution in Nigeria. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Nigeria-UK Strategic Partnership is intended to provide a comprehensive framework for achieving our shared objectives and further strengthening the bilateral relationship. One of the core pillars of the Strategic Partnership is a modernised development partnership. The UK and Nigeria have committed to work together to enhance good governance, reduce poverty and humanitarian need, and support human capital development. Nigeria and the UK are committed to a partnership that encourages long-term and sustainable development by building local institutional capacity and capability to address needs and priorities. To achieve this, the UK will continue to provide Nigeria with Official Development Assistance (ODA).
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Stephen Gethins:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support children in countries impacted by climate change. \p Anneliese Dodds: We are focused on tackling the climate and nature emergencies and global development challenges together with partners, working for peace and preventing conflict, and supporting the most vulnerable. We know that children are disproportionately at risk from the effects of climate change, and children and young people will be at the forefront of shaping a resilient, sustainable future. The UK-led Glasgow Climate Pact urges Parties and stakeholders to ensure meaningful youth participation and representation in multilateral, national and local decision-making processes.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how his Department (a) tracks and (b) reports on the use of UK foreign aid funds in (a) Bangladesh and (b) other countries with known corruption risks; and what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that funds are not (i) diverted and (ii) misappropriated. \p Catherine West: The official source of data on UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend (commonly referred to as foreign aid spend) is the Accredited Official Statistics publication "Statistics on International Development: Final UK Aid Spend" which includes a breakdown of bilateral ODA by benefitting country, including Bangladesh. The data is also reported to the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in line with our obligations as a DAC member.

The FCDO has a low appetite for fraud risks. This reflects our willingness to only accept the risks necessary for effective delivery, given our commitment to managing public money well. We take our responsibilities on counter-fraud seriously, and we expect our external partners to do the same.

To help ensure that our ODA funding reaches its intended recipients, the FCDO maintains high standards of programme delivery and risk management. This includes, but is not limited to, maintaining clear audit trails, investigating suspicions or credible allegations of fraud, bribery, and corruption, maintaining financial oversight of programmes, and carrying out formal reviews of programmes to ensure that UK funds are being used for the purposes intended. The FCDO ensures that our delivery partners have robust fraud policies in place, and our due diligence assessments cover their ability to manage downstream partners.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure that freedom of religion or belief is (a) protected and (b) maintained internationally. \p Anneliese Dodds: The UK remains strongly committed to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral fora, our bilateral work, and our programme funding, including the FCDO John Bunyan Fund, a designated programme for FoRB-focused overseas projects. The appointment of David Smith MP as the Special Envoy for FoRB is a clear signal of the UK's ongoing commitment to these efforts.
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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority will retain independent commissioners. \p Darren Jones: The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) will combine the functions of the National Infrastructure Commission and Infrastructure and Projects Authority. NISTA will bring oversight of strategy and delivery into one organisation, driving more effective delivery of infrastructure across the country.

On 17 January 2025, the Prime Minister announced in a Written Ministerial Statement that NISTA will be a joint unit of HM Treasury and Cabinet Office, effective from 1 April 2025. Further detail on the work and governance of NISTA will be announced in due course.
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Munira Wilson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department plans to take to support family owned small and medium sized enterprises with changes in the level of (a) the National Living Wage and (b) Business Property Relief. \p James Murray: At Autumn Budget, the Government took a number of difficult but necessary decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to restore economic stability, fix the public finances, and support public services. These were tough decisions given the situation we inherited from the previous administration, but the Government has done so in a way that makes the tax system fairer and more sustainable.

Specifically to support small and medium businesses, including family businesses, the Budget announced generous tax reforms including more than doubling the employment allowance to £10,500, maintaining the Small Profits Rate and marginal relief at their current rates and thresholds, maintaining the Annual Investment Allowance, and freezing the small businesses multiplier for 2025-26.

The government has protected smaller family businesses from BPR changes, providing a very significant level of relief with the first £1 million of business assets continuing to receive 100% relief and then 50% thereafter.

Each year, the independent Low Pay Commission produces recommendations to the Government on the National Living Wage rates. At Autumn Budget, the Government accepted the LPC’s recommendations on the rates in full, meaning that NLW rate will rise to £12.21 per hour from April 2025.
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Phil Brickell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue HMRC estimates has been lost due to tax evasion facilitated through overseas territories in the last five years. \p James Murray: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the size of the tax gap, which is the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid. The tax gap statistics are published annually and are available at: Measuring tax gaps 2024 edition: tax gap estimates for 2022 to 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Table 7.1 of the online tables shows the illustrative tax gap time series by behaviour, including evasion. The tax gap for evasion was £5.5 billion in tax year 2022 to 2023. The online tables are available at: Measuring tax gaps tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

HMRC does not separately estimate the tax gap due to tax evasion facilitated through overseas territories.

HMRC uses a wide range of civil powers to tackle evasion whilst it carries out criminal investigations for the most serious cases where it is appropriate to do so.
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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to ensure Inheritance Tax is not charged on death in service payments paid to relatives of armed forces personnel. \p James Murray: Members of the armed forces deserve our gratitude for their service and a pension that ensures dignity in retirement.

The Government will bring most unused pension funds and death benefits payable from a pension into a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes from 6 April 2027. Inheritance tax is already applied to death in service benefits for some pension schemes.

Estates of service personnel will benefit from the normal nil-rate bands, reliefs, and exemptions available. For example, the nil-rate bands mean an estate can pass on up to £1 million with no inheritance tax liability and the general rules mean any transfers, including the payment of death benefits, to a spouse or civil partner are exempt fully from inheritance tax. There is also a full exemption from inheritance tax when a member of the armed forces dies from a wound inflicted, accident occurring, or disease contracted on active service.
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Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure that funds potentially owed by Roman Abramovich to HMRC are (a) investigated and (b) reclaimed. \p James Murray: I cannot comment on specific taxpayers or provide comment on individuals or businesses.

However, at the Budget, the Government announced the most ambitious ever package to close the tax gap, to raise £6.5 billion in additional tax revenue per year by 2029-30.

This includes recruiting 5,000 additional compliance staff to make sure people pay the tax that is due, including against serious offshore non-compliance and fraud by the wealthy. Offshore evasion is an international issue that calls for international solutions

The UK is leading international efforts to improve global transparency and we are committed to ensuring everyone pays the right tax under the law, regardless of wealth or status.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that Arm's Length Bodies are value for money. \p Darren Jones: The Chancellor has launched Phase 2 of the Spending Review, covering 2026/27 to 2028/29. This will zero-base all spending, including Arm’s-Length Bodies, conducting a full line-by-line review of all public spending to assess whether it is a priority for this government and represents value for money for the taxpayer. The Spending Review will conclude on 11 June 2025.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the transparency of public spending on Arm’s Length Bodies. \p Darren Jones: The government recognises the importance of transparency across public spending, including Arm’s-length bodies (ALBs). Information on ALB expenditure is published within each body’s annual report.

The process for budget setting and for preparing and approving annual reports for ALBs are dependent on their classification status and their source of income.

Further information on the reporting requirements for ALBs can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6763fa1f3229e84d9bbde88d/MASTER_FINAL_DRAFT_2025-26_FReM_DECEMBER_2024_RELEASE.pdf

Further information on how each type of ALB should produce accounts can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a74d700e5274a59fa715592/Classification-of-Public_Bodies-Guidance-for-Departments.pdf
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James McMurdock:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the cost-effectiveness of her Department's Arm's Length Bodies. \p Darren Jones: The Chancellor recently launched Phase 2 of HM Treasury’s departmental Spending Review covering 2026/27 to 2028/29. The conditions of the Review require a zero-based, line-by-line review of all departmental spending to assess whether it is a priority for this government and represents value for money for the taxpayer. This approach extends to the department’s Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs). The Spending Review will conclude on 11 June 2025.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage of holders of Skilled Worker visas are net contributors to the Exchequer. \p Emma Reynolds: The Migration Advisory Committee advises government on migration issues. In their 2024 annual report, they estimated the average skilled worker migrant has a positive net fiscal impact of £16,300.

Their analysis does not provide a distributional breakdown within Skilled Worker visa holders.
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Mr Luke Charters:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has plans to change the access to (a) Junior ISAs and (b) Child Trust Funds for parents of SEND young adults. \p Emma Reynolds: Access to Junior ISAs (JISA) and Child Trust Funds (CTF) for parents of young adults with special educational needs and disabilities is already possible in certain circumstances.

Where a young adult lacks mental capacity, including due to a disability, the law requires parents or a guardian to have legal authority to make decisions on their behalf about financial assets or property. This includes in relation to accessing funds held in a CTF or a JISA

The Ministry of Justice has published a toolkit on gov.uk explaining the process for parents and guardians of disabled children to obtain legal authority if no other arrangements are in place. The Ministry of Justice has worked with The Investment and Savings Alliance (TISA) to promote the toolkit with parents and carers, and is working with the Department for Work and Pensions on ways to inform parents and carers about the relevant legal processes as their young person approaches the age of 18.

The Government continues to keep all aspects of savings policy under review.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2024 to Question 14298 on Workplace Pensions: Inheritance Tax, whether the pension scheme established under The Pensions Increase (Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC) Regulations 2013 is UK registered. \p James Murray: The pension scheme referred to is an unregistered UK statutory defined benefit scheme,  with terms akin to those of the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (JUPRA).  Defined benefit schemes   do not have a dedicated fund which can be inherited as defined contribution schemes do.  Lump sum death benefits under the pension scheme referred to, which are received after the member is no longer in  service, are already subject to inheritance tax.
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Lincoln Jopp:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of floating solar panels on reservoirs. \p Michael Shanks: The Clean Power Action Plan calls for the rapid acceleration of solar deployment to 45-47 GW by 2030, which will require significant increases in all types of solar.

The UK has already seen successful floating solar PV projects, such as the Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir. The Government is following with interest the ongoing research into floating solar PV deployment, whilst recognising current challenges with regards to technology and cost.

The joint Government/Industry Solar Taskforce is looking at this technology and other innovative solar solutions. These will be highlighted in the Solar Roadmap, due for publication in Spring.
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Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help prevent North Sea oil and gas workers leaving the UK. \p Michael Shanks: The Government’s priority is a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea in line with our climate and legal obligations, which drives towards our clean energy future of energy security, lower bills, and good, long-term jobs, with no community left behind.

The Office for Clean Energy Jobs is supporting the delivery of an industry-led Energy Skills Passport as part of this transition. It is an important step to help workers transition from carbon-intensive industries to new clean energy sectors as part of the Government's Clean Power 2030 mission.

Great British Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, recognising the expertise, skilled workforce, and diversity of projects already in place.
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Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that Aberdeen’s skilled North Sea oil and gas workforce is supported to transition into jobs in (a) carbon capture and storage and (b) hydrogen in the Scottish Cluster. \p Michael Shanks: The Office for Clean Energy Jobs is supporting the delivery of an industry-led Energy Skills Passport as part of a fair, orderly and prosperous transition. This is an important step to help workers transition from carbon-intensive industries to new clean energy sectors as part of the Government's clean energy mission 2030.

The government is working with the Scottish government, Renewable UK and Offshore Energies UK, to identify how to expand the passport in the future, offering strategic direction based on policy ambition such as the Clean Power 2030 target, which could include incorporating clean energy sectors like CCUS and hydrogen.

Great British Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, recognising the expertise, skilled workforce, and diversity of projects already in place.
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Charlie Maynard:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy that Carbon Capture and Storage plans are assessed under principle H of schedule B of the Subsidy Control Act 2022. \p Sarah Jones: Where a subsidy relates to the decarbonisation of emissions linked to industrial activities in the United Kingdom, My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State is required by the Subsidy Control Act 2022 to consider Principle H – it is not a question of policy - and he will continue to comply with his statutory duties in this regard.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the judgement in the petitions of Greenpeace Ltd and Uplift [2025] CSOH 10, what discussions he has had with the North Sea Transition Authority to ensure that regulatory requirements following that judgement minimise barriers to investment in UK oil and gas production. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: etails of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support community energy projects. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government recognises the role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change, Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan will also partner with and provide funding and support to community groups, Local Authorities and Mayoral Combined Authorities to develop renewable energy projects and up to 8 GW of cleaner power.

This will build on our existing support for the community energy sector; this includes the £10 million Community Energy Fund, which enables communities across England to access grant funding to develop local renewable energy projects for investment.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of fire regulations on Lithium Ion battery storage in the (a) commercial and (b) domestic sector. \p Michael Shanks: There is a robust framework governing the fire safety of lithium-ion battery storage.

The Health and Safety Executive regulates commercial batteries within a framework which requires industry to act at all stages of the battery’s deployment to ensure safety. Of particular relevance, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (2002) set out requirements to protect workers and others from fire risks.

Domestic-scale batteries for consumers are covered under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, making producers responsible for ensuring product safety. The Office for Product Safety and Standards and Local Authority Trading Standards have powers to remove unsafe batteries from sale.
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John Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to. \p Michael Shanks: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has nil spend on external public relations since 5 July 2024. DESNZ conducts all public relations in house and does not use any external providers/firms.

The Department’s Arm’s Length Bodies record and publish their own spend data on public relations. This information is not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to ensure that the revised environmental assessments for the (a) Rosebank and (b) Jackdaw fields reflect the potential emissions reductions achieved by domestic oil and gas production compared to higher-emission imports. \p Michael Shanks: It would not be appropriate to comment on individual projects as this risks prejudicing future regulatory decision-making by the Government and the independent North Sea Transition Authority.

The Government acted quickly to respond to the Finch judgment on scope-3 emissions and consult on updated guidance. The consultation closed on 8 January 2025 and the Government is working to have the guidance in place as soon as possible. Once the updated guidance is in place, the assessment of environmental statements for offshore Oil and Gas projects can be resumed.
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Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans his Department has to support the installation of rooftop solar panels. \p Michael Shanks: Accelerating deployment of rooftop solar panels is key to the Government’s Clean Energy mission.

New building standards will be introduced to ensure that all newly built houses and commercial buildings are fit for a net zero future. These standards are expected to encourage the installation of solar panels. A call for evidence about solar canopies in car parks will be published shortly. The Solar Roadmap will also contain further recommendations for industry and government to support the increased installation of rooftop solar panels.

Details of other relevant policies, including the Warm Homes Plan and the work of Great British Energy, will be announced in due course.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to ensure that the (a) Jackdaw and (b) Rosebank oil and gas projects can proceed. \p Michael Shanks: It would not be appropriate to comment on individual projects as this risks prejudicing future regulatory decision-making by the Government and the independent North Sea Transition Authority.

The Government acted quickly to respond to the Finch judgment on scope-3 emissions and consult on updated guidance. The consultation closed on 8 January 2025 and the Government is working to have the guidance in place as soon as possible. Once the updated guidance is in place, the assessment of environmental statements for offshore Oil and Gas projects can be resumed.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with (a) Equinor, (b) Shell, and (c) Ithaca Energy on the regulatory process for reassessing the environmental impact of the (i) Rosebank and (ii) Jackdaw fields. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to accelerate the environmental reassessment process required for the (a) Rosebank and (b) Jackdaw oil and gas fields. \p Michael Shanks: It would not be appropriate to comment on individual projects as this risks prejudicing future regulatory decision-making by the Government and the independent North Sea Transition Authority.

The Government acted quickly to respond to the Finch judgment on scope-3 emissions and consult on updated guidance. The consultation closed on 8 January 2025 and the Government is working to have the guidance in place as soon as possible. Once the updated guidance is in place, the assessment of environmental statements for offshore Oil and Gas projects can be resumed.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential economic implications of delay to the (a) Jackdaw and (b) Rosebank oil and gas projects. \p Michael Shanks: It would not be appropriate to comment on individual projects as this risks prejudicing future regulatory decision-making by the Government and the independent North Sea Transition Authority.

The Government acted quickly to respond to the Finch judgment on scope-3 emissions and consult on updated guidance. The consultation closed on 8 January 2025 and the Government is working to have the guidance in place as soon as possible.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to issue a decision on the new environmental approvals required for the (a) Rosebank and (b) Jackdaw oil and gas fields. \p Michael Shanks: It would not be appropriate to comment on individual projects as this risks prejudicing future regulatory decision-making by the Government and the independent North Sea Transition Authority.

The Government acted quickly to respond to the Finch judgment on scope-3 emissions and consult on updated guidance. The consultation closed on 8 January 2025 and the Government is working to have the guidance in place as soon as possible. Once the updated guidance is in place, the assessment of environmental statements for offshore Oil and Gas projects can be resumed.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the impact of potential delays to the (a) Rosebank and (b) Jackdaw oil and gas projects on the UK’s (i) future energy needs and (ii) ability to regulate energy market pricing. \p Michael Shanks: It would not be appropriate to comment on individual projects as this risks prejudicing future regulatory decision-making by the Government and the independent North Sea Transition Authority.

The Government acted quickly to respond to the Finch judgment on scope-3 emissions and consult on updated guidance. The consultation closed on 8 January 2025 and the Government is working to have the guidance in place as soon as possible. Once the updated guidance is in place, the assessment of environmental statements for offshore Oil and Gas projects can be resumed.
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Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when Scottish industries will be able to decarbonise operations using the Scottish Cluster. \p Sarah Jones: We are committed to supporting UK industry to decarbonise, enabling the country to take advantage of new opportunities that can promote growth and wealth creation, and protecting thousands of jobs in regions and industries across the UK. The Scottish Cluster Acorn has received £40 million in development funding in recent years, and officials continue to engage with the cluster to understand their plans. Following the announcement in October 2024 of funding for the initial Track 1 cluster configurations, further decisions for continued CCUS deployment, including for Track 2 clusters, will be taken in due course.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_104

Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff in his Department are responsible for (a) processing and (b) responding to Freedom of Information Act requests; and if he will make an estimate of the annual cost to the public purse of this work. \p Michael Shanks: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero does not have a specific number of staff tasked with processing and responding to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. On receipt, FOI requests are allocated to officials in the area of the Department relevant to the subject of the request, who then provide the response.

The Department’s Information Rights Team (IRT) provides advice and assistance to staff on the application of information rights legislation. The IRT consists of seven members of staff.

FOI requests vary considerably from case-to-case in terms of complexity and effort required to provide a response. It is not possible to estimate the annual cost of responding to all the FOI requests the department receives.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_105
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_105

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential long-term impact of repeated legal challenges to approved oil and gas sector sector projects on that sector; and what steps he is taking to help provide greater regulatory certainty for investors. \p Michael Shanks: The Department has not carried out any sector-specific assessment of this type. However, we recognise the importance of striking the right balance between ensuring ongoing access to justice and protections against genuine issues of propriety.

That is why we have worked at speed to consult on updated environmental guidance so we can resume assessments as quickly as possible. We will also publish a consultation on our commitment not to issue new licences to explore new fields in due course. Our aim is a fair, orderly and prosperous transition that provides certainty to industry.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_106
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_106

Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the total installed capacity is of combined-cycle gas turbine power stations in the UK; how much of that capacity is from plants commissioned in the last (a) five and (b) 20 years; and what the projected total capacity requirement is expected to be by 2029. \p Michael Shanks: Data on combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power stations are published in the Digest of UK Energy Statistics.

Modelling analysis from the National Energy System Operator, which covers Great Britain, suggests around 35GW of unabated gas capacity, which includes CCGTs as well as other types of gas generators, will need to be available by 2030 to maintain security of supply.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_107
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_107

Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will carry out a review of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to ensure alignment with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate; and if he will take steps to ensure that the ETS is reviewed in time to facilitate the deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. \p Sarah Jones: Aircraft operators that use eligible sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can currently claim a reduction in their UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) obligations. In June 2023, the UK ETS Authority committed to review its approach to SAF, acknowledging the significance of the SAF Mandate to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. The Authority will consult on a range of options in due course.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_108
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_108

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department made a formal response to the Treasury's consultation on reforms to (a) inheritance tax and (b) the application of inheritance tax on Death in Service payments for armed forces personnel. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence has not made a formal response to HM Revenue and Customs’ technical consultation. The Ministry of Defence regularly engages with the Treasury on a range of matters, it is not practice to make a formal response to public consultations from other Government Departments.

Armed Forces personnel whose death is attributable to active Service are exempt from inheritance tax.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_109
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_109

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the contractual end date is for the principle members of the Strategic Defence Review team. \p Luke Pollard: The Reviewers will make their final report to the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Defence Secretary in the Spring of 2025. The Defence Secretary will then publish a version of that report to Parliament. It will then be implemented by the Department.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_110
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_110

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department received representations on the potential merits of renaming HMS Achilles. \p Luke Pollard: Potential ship names are proposed by the Royal Navy's Ships Names and Badges Committee who make suggestions based on historical information and civic affiliations. The seventh boat in the Astute class is to be called “Achilles”. The name was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badges Committee, shared with Ministers and approved by His Majesty the King. As Minister for the Armed Forces, following approval by his Majesty the King, I issued Official Direction to implement the change. There will be a small cost (less than £1000) for the renewing of the Achilles badge. No other costs have been identified for the name change.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_111
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_111

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will hold discussions with the Prime Minister on sending British troops to Ukraine in peacekeeping roles. \p Luke Pollard: The Defence Secretary has regular discussions with the Prime Minister about UK support to Ukraine.

It would be inappropriate to comment further on speculation about the future. Our focus is on putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position in 2025 and supporting Ukraine's defence against Putin’s full scale invasion. It would be inappropriate to speculate about the content of those discussions. However, the Prime Minister remains committed to putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position through 2025.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_112
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_112

Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential long-term impact of increasing UK defence spending on (a) economic growth, (b) innovation and (c) job creation in the defence sector. \p Maria Eagle: The Government recognises the vital role Defence plays not only in our national security but also in delivering economic growth to all nations and regions of the United Kingdom.

Peace and security are the essential preconditions of long-term economic growth. Added to this, Ministry of Defence (MOD) expenditure with industry supports over 200,000 jobs across the United Kingdom, many of which are outside London and the South East. Overall, 68% of MOD UK industry spending goes to areas outside London and the South East. The £2.6 billion spent on R&D in 2023-24 will also contribute to innovation that both keeps the country safe and leads to spillovers into the wider economy.

The Ministry of Defence will bring forward a Defence Industrial Strategy that ensures Defence contributes fully to the Government’s number one mission to drive economic growth.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_113
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_113

Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what comparative assessment he has made of the level of defence expenditure in (a) the UK and (b) Russia; and what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Government's commitment to increase defence expenditure to 2.5% of GDP. \p Luke Pollard: The UK currently spends 2.3% of GDP on defence, and the Government is committed to setting a pathway to 2.5% this Spring.

Russia's own public assessment forecast their military expenditure at over 7% of GDP in 2024, with some sources estimating that as much as 9% of Russian GDP is being spent on defence. However, the public figures almost certainly do not tell the full story about Russian expenditure or the true burden on the Russian economy.

These figures are not directly comparable as the UK follows NATO's definition of defence spending, Russia does not.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_114
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_114

John Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to. \p Al Carns: A full Departmental response is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Public Relations spend is managed locally across the various departments within the Ministry of Defence, and Arms Lengths Bodies within their own individual budgets. Public relations activity is a subset of communication spend. As such, this data is not held. The Government Communication Service encourages the prioritisation of low and no cost public relations activities wherever possible.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_115
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_115

Brian Mathew:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of asking Avon Protection to produce a further 200,000 gas masks for soldiers in Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: Russia has publicly admitted to the use of Riot Control Agents on the battlefield against Ukraine, and there are multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin. In December last year, a Technical Report confirming the use of Riot Control Agents in Ukraine was published by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The UK has been at the forefront of international support and assistance to Ukraine. In the first few months of Russia's illegal invasion, UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) provided respirators and decontamination kits to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as other protective measures to enhance Ukraine's protective capabilities against chemical weapons.

In December 2024, following a direct request for UK Assistance by Ukraine, the MOD announced further funding for the procurement of respirators and other equipment to protect Ukraine's forces. This is being procured jointly with international partners through the G7 led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Our commitment to Ukraine is unwavering and we continue to work closely with our international partners, both bilaterally and in multilateral forums, to coordinate counter-CBRN support and assistance to Ukraine.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_116
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_116

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many 3M Combat Arms Earplugs V2 his Department has purchased in the last five years. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence holds no records of any 3M Combat Arms Earplugs V2 being purchased in the past five years.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_117
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_117

Rebecca Long Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2024 to Question 18945 on Ministry of Defence: Recruitment, how his Department measures the performance of those executive search firms. \p Al Carns: For Senior Civil Servant (SCS) appointments using an Executive Search firm, performance is measured as described in the commercial agreement. Each commercial agreement (via the cross-Government Executive Search RM6290 framework) includes clear terms of business and expectations, and fees are only paid on completion of agreed deliverables.

All SCS recruitment activity, including those managed by an Executive Search firm, is overseen by either a Civil Service Commissioner (SCS Pay Bands 2 to 4) or a Ministry of Defence Campaign Manager (SCS Pay Band 1), including regular meetings with appointed Executive Search firms throughout various operational stages to check in on process, candidate support and adherence to policy.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_118
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_118

Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff in his Department are responsible for (a) processing and (b) responding to Freedom of Information Act requests; and if he will make an estimate of the annual cost to the public purse of this work. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence (MOD), due to its size and complexity, does not operate a central team responsible for answering all Freedom of Information (FOI) requests received by the Department nor is there a central budget for handling FOI requests. Every business area within MOD plays a part in managing FOI requests who wholly or in part contribute to the processing of FOI requests, including Departmental Secretariats who also have responsibility for Parliamentary correspondence.

Given this, annual costs are not held and are subsumed into each Defence organisations business operating budgets and it would not be possible to make an estimate of the annual cost of this work.