theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2025 to Question 38049 on Non-departmental Public Bodies, if he will list the 249 non-departmental public bodies operating as of March 2025. \p Georgia Gould: The Cabinet Office publishes an annual arms length body landscape analysis, which includes non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) around a year in arrears. The most recently published landscape analysis was published on 17 December 2024 and is available here. The list of every ALB that exists as of March 2025 is due to be published in 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the declarations of interest of each member of the Child Poverty Taskforce. \p Ellie Reeves: The Child Poverty Taskforce is a ministerial taskforce and members' interests are published regularly, in line with the Ministerial Code.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2024 to Question 18221 on Supreme Court: Judgments, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Supreme Court ruling on the (a) practices of the Cabinet Office and (b) its Arms Length Bodies. \p Georgia Gould: As the ruling has no direct impact on the Cabinet Office, no considerations have been made as yet. The Cabinet Office will consider the impact, on the department and its Arms Length Bodies, in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to review Civil Service human resources policies, in the context of the UK Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025. \p Georgia Gould: The Cabinet Office review and update policy where necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements, including the UK Supreme Court Judgment in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to introduce capability-based pay in the civil service. \p Georgia Gould: The government believes pay and reward structures should incentivise expertise and high performance. The Cabinet Office is reviewing capability-based pay arrangements that already exist in the Civil Service to analyse their impact on organisations that have implemented such arrangements already.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2025 to Question 39582 on Public Appointments, if he will provide the information in relation to public appointment competitions within the remit of (a) his Department and (b) 10 Downing Street. \p Georgia Gould: It is important that any recommendations made by Advisory Assessment Panels, and any exchanges they have with Ministers, remain confidential to ensure the flow of free and frank advice during the public appointment process. To uphold this confidentiality, disclosure of such information would likely affect the effectiveness of central government and other public services and will therefore not be released.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Treasury approval processes are that decide on whether an Arm’s-Length Body can become a non-departmental public body. \p Georgia Gould: The approvals process for new arm’s-length bodies (ALBs), including non-departmental public bodies, is outlined in the Public Bodies Handbook - Part 2. This is a jointly led process between the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury.

The government is additionally conducting a review of all ALBs, including proposals for new ones, to assess them against four principles: (1) Ministers should have direct policy control over decisions that affect the public, (2) duplication across the state should be minimised, (3) stakeholder engagement is not sufficient rationale for an ALB, and (4) some advice should be independently delivered. This is part of the plan to streamline the state by closing, merging or repatriating public bodies into departments unless their separate existence can be justified.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the wage bill of the (a) Civil Service, (b) central Government Departments and (c) public sector was in (i) June 2024 and (ii) the latest period for which data is available. \p Georgia Gould: Salary data for the Civil Service is published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics, an Accredited Official Statistics release, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2024. The most recent estimated salary cost figures as at 31st March 2024 were provided in response to Peter Bedford MP’s question on 16th October 2024. Civil Service Statistics 2025 is due to be published on 30 July 2025.

The Cabinet Office does not hold information on the wage bill for the wider public sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to restructure his Department to reduce Departmental expenditure. \p Georgia Gould: We are reorganising the Cabinet Office into a more strategic, specialist, and smaller department as part of our plan to deliver £110 million in annual departmental expenditure savings by the 2028/29 financial year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government intends to lay a new Official Statistics Order to designate the National Centre of Policing’s statistical outputs as official statistics. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22nd April is attached.

PQ46746 / 46747 (pdf, 107.1KB)
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether people eligible for the infected blood compensation scheme will retain access to (a) disability grants, (b) dependent children payments and (c) other support scheme benefits. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Any payments received from the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme are disregarded from means tested benefit assessments. This means that compensation payments made through the Scheme will not adversely impact on the means tested benefits received by either infected or affected people.

Those currently on the Infected Blood Support Schemes will continue to receive their discretionary payments until they receive a compensation offer from IBCA. The compensation will take into account any discretionary payments received under the support schemes when calculating a compensation award.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which non-departmental public bodies are (a) planned to have been created and (b) scheduled to come into operation by 5 July 2025. \p Georgia Gould: The full list of new arm’s-length bodies proposed by this government can be found in Baroness Anderson’s response to HL6032.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 37814 on Public Bodies: Reviews, which reviews have been paused. \p Georgia Gould: The Public Bodies Review Programme closed as planned on 31st March 2025, and we will no longer be tracking reviews proposed as part of this programme.

On the 7th of April 2025, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced a process to rapidly review every arms length body across government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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John Lamont:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will consider a public procurement initiative to increase (a) production and (b) jobs growth for British (i) manufacturers and (ii) workers. \p Georgia Gould: The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and the products they produce, ensuring they have the best opportunities to win UK public contracts and deliver high-quality goods and services.

Our new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) encourages contracting authorities to consider how procurement can foster economic growth, support small businesses, strengthen UK supply chains and drive delivery of the Government’s Industrial Strategy and missions. We have also recently announced a package of further measures to demonstrate how central government will implement the NPPS, further helping British firms succeed.

Furthermore, our modern Industrial Strategy will set out how public procurement can support growth and investment in key sectors of the economy by encouraging innovation and the development of new technologies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2024 to Question 19408 on 10 Downing Street: Staff, how many (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers are assigned to work on foreign policy matters. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 17 December 2024, Official Report, PQ 19408.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason Huntingdon was chosen for the Prime Minister’s town centre walk around on 10 April 2025. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Neighbourhood Policing announcement was made by the government on 9 April. A link to the announcement made on 9 April can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-put-neighbourhood-bobbies-back-on-beat

The visit in question on 10 April was not an official government visit and therefore no civil service support was provided.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Seamus Logan:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to implement the recommendations of the report by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights entitled Concluding observations on the seventh periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 3 March 2025. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Relevant departments are currently considering the Committee’s concluding observations in detail. The Government will give written responses to three priority areas that the Committee has identified for specific follow-up by 2027.

The Government will respond to the rest of the recommendations before the UK’s next reporting cycle starts in 2030.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2024 to Question 19635 on Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review, if he will publish the full terms of reference. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Prime Minister announced on 25 February in the House that a single national security strategy would be published before the NATO summit in June 2025. A full terms of reference for the National Security Strategy will not be published, however the Strategy’s core aims are to:

Cohere national security related reviews into a single narrative.

Articulate the Government’s priorities in the national security space with the aim of making sure the country is safer, growing securely, and increasingly resilient against interconnected threats.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to reduce the number of people working (a) on national security and (b) in the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: As set out in the Plan For Change, this Government’s first duty is to make the UK safer, more secure, and resilient against growing and interconnected threats.

The Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary has announced plans to restructure and reorganise the Cabinet Office to make it more efficient and more effective. This programme is currently underway.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the breakdown of the Government Car Service operational fleet is by vehicle (a) make, (b) model, (c) year and (d) fuel type. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: For security reasons, any details that could lead to the identification of Government cars are not provided.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many times the Prime Minister has visited Huntingdon constituency since 5 July 2024. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 10 March 2025, Official Report, PQ 34994.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April to Question 43215 on Armed Forces: Recruitment, what his Department's targets are for applications for (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Army and (c) the Royal Air Force in the 2025-26 financial year. \p Luke Pollard: The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. We have made a series of announcements to improve recruitment since July 2024.

The Army’s target for applications for all streams (Regular soldier, Regular Officer, Army Reserve soldier and Officer) for Recruiting Year 2025-26 is 198,000 (rounded).

Whilst neither the Royal Navy nor Royal Air Force set formal targets for volume of applications, both closely monitor other recruitment metrics including attendance at the various suitability assessments and performance against intake targets. In addition, the RAF has a KPI for achieving a target for Expressions of Interest, set for their marketing contractors. This data is used to hold each Service to account and to forecast progress using known assessment pass rates and overall conversion rate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the E7 Wedgetail Programme. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois) on 4 February 2025 to Question 26432.

Boeing E-7 (docx, 16.5KB)
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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps to increase levels of production of (a) air defence and (b) land attack missiles. \p Maria Eagle: The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is looking hard at the threats we face and the capabilities we need to meet the challenges, threats and opportunity of the 21 century. The SDR will ensure the UK is secure at home and strong abroad, now and for years to come.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK's cruise missile production capacity. \p Maria Eagle: The UK will continue to maintain a close relationship with its domestic and international industry partners on all aspects of the adequacy of the defence industrial supply chain required to support our capabilities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will have discussions with Cabinet colleagues on safeguarding civilian national infrastructure required for the (a) mobilisation and (b) deployment of the armed forces. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence has robust plans for mobilising and deploying the Armed Forces in response to events and crises, both at home and abroad. The Ministry of Defence works closely with other Government Departments, including the Cabinet Office, as well as the owners and operators of civilian national infrastructure, to ensure plans include safeguarding of vital sites and infrastructure.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Fleet Solid Support Programme. \p Maria Eagle: Successful delivery of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship programme, which is currently in the design phase, remains a priority. The recent acquisition of Harland & Wolff (H&W) by Navantia UK (NUK), following the administration of H&W, has provided greater certainty to the delivery of the FSS programme and protects UK’s shipbuilding capability.

The works to recapitalise the Belfast shipyard have restarted since NUK’s takeover of the four H&W yards in January 2025. This investment will further strengthen UK capability, modernising the shipbuilding facilities in Belfast and leading to increased productivity and capacity.

Design work is progressing well and production of the first FSS ship is expected to begin in 2025, with all three vessels bolstering the Royal Fleet Auxiliary over the coming decade.

Following the administration and takeover of H&W, the Government has worked closely with NUK on the future of the FSS programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary, on commercial terms, to ensure the programme’s continued delivery with the least possible delay. Extensive work is being undertaken to understand the full impact on the programme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the European Common Radar System Mk2 Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The European Common Radar System Mk2 prototype system has completed a successful initial flight test campaign demonstrating maturity in key capability areas. Development of the production standard system remains on track.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The first tranche of the Chinook Capability Sustainment programme to deliver 14 new build heavy assault Chinook helicopters remains on course to deliver Initial Operating Capability in May 2029 and Full Operating Capability in October 2030.

Following Ministerial re-approval of the programme in May 2024, production of the simulators has progressed to plan and construction of the first two Chinook H-47 (Extended Range) aircraft has commenced in Philadelphia, with the first aircraft due to be delivered in 2027. Training of UK aircrew instructors in the US is due to commence in August 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Lightning Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The declaration of Full Operating Capability for the first procurement phase is scheduled to occur no later than 31 December 2025, with graduation as a Government Major Projects Portfolio programme by 31 March 2026. The first procurement phase of 48 aircraft continues to be delivered.

617 Squadron and 809 Naval Air Squadron have now embarked on HMS Prince of Wales for Operation Highmast. This mission will involve exercises with allies across Europe and Asia, solidifying the UK's crucial role in NATO and global defence. It will be the largest ever operational deployment of a fifth-Generation air wing component aboard a single aircraft carrier in history.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the A400M programme. \p Maria Eagle: The delivery of all 22 A400M Atlas airframes is now complete and they are in frontline service.

In co-ordination with the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, the A400M Programme off-boarded from the Government Major Projects Portfolio on 31 March 2025.

The UK remains committed to the six-Partner Nation agreement for A400M and signed the 'Global Deal' in September 2024 to confirm the final standard of aircraft, commit to the global spares support contract for the coming years and the first spiral upgrade to assure A400M remains at the forefront of technology.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Defence Estate Optimisation Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Department continues to deliver on its commitment to invest in its military estate with six infrastructure projects in construction, and four surplus sites sold in the current Parliament.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of US tariffs on the UK defence manufacturing industry. \p Maria Eagle: The Government is assessing the impact of, and our response to, US tariffs across the full spectrum of UK manufacturing industries, including the defence sector. The United States remains the United Kingdom's foremost defence and security partner. The UK has a strong and balanced trading relationship with the US worth £315 billion which supports 2.5 million jobs across both countries. This Government is seeking to negotiate an agreement with the US to deepen our economic relationship, while ensuring all options are considered in response to tariffs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Future Combat Air System programme. \p Maria Eagle: Progress continues to be made on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The core platform, that will sit at its heart, is being delivered through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

The GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) to oversee delivery on behalf of our partner governments, Japan and Italy, has been created. Additionally, on 13 December, BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC), reached an agreement to form a new company under a business joint venture for GCAP, subject to regulatory approvals.

Both the GIGO and the proposed Industry Joint Venture will have their Head Quarters in Reading.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Brimstone 3 programme. \p Maria Eagle: Brimstone 3 remains in the Demonstration and Manufacture phase. The first safe separation firing from the Typhoon aircraft is expected to occur in summer 2025, prior to the weapons system being fielded on Protector in Quarter four 2025 and Typhoon in Quarter four 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of pre-pack administration procedures on the defence supply chain. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence recognises the importance of ensuring our supply chains are resilient to shocks and threats, and that we can have confidence in their ability to deliver and maintain the critical outputs we require. We work closely with our defence suppliers to ensure continuity of supply for our programmes, though it is not for Government to intervene in supply chains as a result of industry transactions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press notice entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published on 18 April 2025, what criteria his Department plans to use to decide which homes will be renovated under the New Consumer Charter. \p Maria Eagle: A combination of factors will be considered when selecting Service Family homes for renovation under the new Consumer Charter.

All homes will be assessed against factors including condition, thermal efficiency, age, safety, and modernity as well as whether the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has an enduring requirement for them; ensuring a geographical spread of investment across the UK; and a mixture of Officer and Other Rank properties.

The Department will prioritise 1,000 of the worst homes, with renovation work starting at the beginning of Summer 2025 and being completed by the end of the year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press notice entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published on 18 April 2025, what steps he is taking to encourage the development of surplus military land. \p Al Carns: Ministry of Defence (MOD) works closely with Local Authorities to secure alternative development for sites post military use, this includes securing allocations in Local Plans, public consultation as part of master planning, and where appropriate working with development partners. the MOD is also working in partnership with Homes England to accelerate the release of public land.

The Government has set out its ambitions to unlock thousands of new homes on surplus defence land, including via the creation of a new taskforce between MOD, HM Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press notice entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published on 18 April 2025, what the total projected cost is of the new Defence Housing Strategy in each of the next five years. \p Al Carns: The Defence Housing Strategy is planned for publication later this year.

It will set out a roadmap to deliver a generational renewal of military accommodation; the projected costs of which are under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press notice entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published on 18 April 2025, what steps his Department is taking to allocate a named housing officer for every family. \p Al Carns: Better and clearer communication for Service families, including a named Housing Officer for every Service family who they can contact for specific housing related queries, is one of the seven commitments announced in the new Consumer Charter.

Work is currently underway to review Housing Officer's duties, roles and responsibilities along with the current Housing Officer structure. A new Housing Officer Vision has been rolled out via recent Housing Officer workshops.

Service families will know who their Housing Officer is and how to contact them, either by telephone and email, or through local initiatives (including housing surgeries, open offices, online consultations and coffee mornings, estate and community walks).

Final detail will be set out in the Defence Housing Strategy following consultation with Military personnel and their families.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the New Consumer Charter for families in military homes. \p Al Carns: The New Consumer Charter is part of a new Defence Housing Strategy and will be published later this year.
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John Glen:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2025 to Question 33375 on Environment Protection: Finance, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) divestment and (b) the UK green finance framework on (i) the economic viability of the UK defence industry and (ii) defence procurement costs. \p Maria Eagle: This Government is clear that we see no conflict between sustainable investment and investment in our world-leading defence sector. The new Defence Industrial Strategy will align the UK’s economic and security priorities and unlock the potential of every region and nation across the UK. This will include creating the conditions needed for the private sector to invest more, and pro-actively, in the defence sector.

The Trade Association ADS’s first Defence Environment, Social and Governance Charter Report highlighted the positive contribution that the defence industry is making to supporting our environment and our communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_195

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will conduct an audit of defence Critical National infrastructure to identify whether they contain Chinese-made components. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence regularly reviews its critical supply chains to identify and mitigate risks to defence capability, including defence Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). We utilise the full suite of economic and security tools to manage national security risks to our assets, including the National Security and Investment Act and advice from the National Technical Authorities (NCSC and NPSA) on best practice for CNI security and resilience.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_196

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Spearfish Upgrade Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence has made significant progress in implementing the Spearfish Upgrade Programme, focusing on enhancing the capabilities of the Spearfish torpedo system to meet evolving defence requirements. The integration of the Spearfish Mod 1 torpedo with the submarine's combat system has been demonstrated through in-water firings.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_197

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Sea Venom Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The first successful guided firing of Sea Venom took place at the Aberporth range in Wales in October 2024, marking a significant milestone in the integration of Sea Venom onto Wildcat. Initial Operating Capability is on schedule to be declared by June, aligned to the Carrier Strike Group 25 deployment, with Full Operating Capability expected by 2029.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_198

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Spearcap 3 Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The SPEAR Cap 3 programme remains in the Demonstration and Manufacture phase. The first SPEAR 3 Guided Firing took place missile from a BAE Systems-operated Typhoon in October 2024 at a test range in Sweden. Plans for the subsequent Guided Firing trials are on track with scheduled dates in summer 2025 at the same Swedish range. Hardware has been delivered by MBDA to Lockheed Martin in the US to support F-35B integration activity including on aircraft flights planned for summer 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_199

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Submarine Waterfront Infrastructure Future programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Submarine Waterfront Infrastructure Future (SWIF) programme will deliver substantial infrastructure upgrades at HM Naval Base Devonport, as part of a wider significant investment programme to restore capacity and resilience to support the maintenance of our submarine fleet. The design phase of the SWIF programme is coming to a close and we are now starting the construction stage. This comes on the back of the restoration of 9 Dock to undertake submarine deep maintenance and 15 Dock to enable operational maintenance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_200

Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which medical conditions his Department considers categorised under the term Gulf War Syndrome. \p Al Carns: Gulf War Syndrome is an umbrella term which refers to a cluster of medically unexplained chronic symptoms reported by veterans of the 1991 Gulf War conflict. These symptoms vary widely between individuals and therefore there is no prescribed list of medical conditions/and or symptoms categorised under this umbrella term.

The following link provides the background which sets out the history and research into the matter: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/gulf-veterans-illnesses
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_201

Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on improving the time taken for new UK armed forces recruits to receive a formal job offer. \p Luke Pollard: The Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and we are focused on improving Armed Forces recruitment. Defence is committed to reducing the time taken for candidates to pass through Armed Forces recruitment processes and enter Service. Recent policies have included setting an ambition to make a conditional offer of employment to candidates within 10 days, and a provisional training start date within 30 days if they desire it.

The median time taken to pass through recruitment and enter Service has been significantly reduced from a peak of 475 days in 2022 down to 290 days in 2024, a reduction of 39 per cent, with the individual Services pursuing options to reduce further.

These activities and their impacts will inform the development of the Armed Forces Recruitment Service which is being implemented to further improve the speed with which highly motivated and capable people can join our Armed Forces.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_202

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Submarine Dismantling Project. \p Maria Eagle: The Submarine Dismantling Project remains on track for the demonstrator submarine, SWIFTSURE, to be fully dismantled by the end of 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_203

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Submersible Ship Nuclear AUKUS programme. \p Maria Eagle: The SSN-AUKUS programme is approximately 18 months into the Detailed Design and Long Lead (D2L2) phase, with contracts totalling around £4 billion having been placed in October 2023. Infrastructure improvements are also being made at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Barrow and Rolls-Royce’s Raynesway site to support future submarine build programme requirements.

The programme aims to deliver the first UK submarines in the late 2030s, to replace the Astute Class.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_204

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there is a minimum level of operational experience required to hold the position of Chief of the Defence Staff following the establishment of the Military Strategic Headquarters. \p Luke Pollard: The Chief of the Defence Staff is chosen through a highly rigorous selection process to ensure the most suitable and qualified candidate for the role. This will continue to be the case.

Operational experience is one of the criteria for eligible candidates, along with the requisite leadership and management credentials.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_205

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many L7A2 machine guns his Department holds. \p Maria Eagle: Further analysis of the information held is required in order to provide an answer. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as practical and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_206

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Next Generation (fixed) Communication Network Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Next Generation Communication Network Programme is focussed on delivering the required security enhancements that will allow consolidation of service provision and financial savings. In addition, work has now commenced on how best to achieve the network transformation required by Defence, whilst migrating legacy services to a sustainable, and modernised networking approach.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_207

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the New Style of Information Technology Deployed Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The programme achieved Acceptance into Service, and declaration of Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in the Land Environment in March 2024. In the last 12 months the programme has released an updated Operational Network (OpNET) capability with significantly enhanced build software. This is currently being deployed across the land environment and will facilitate the withdrawal of legacy systems from the land environment before the end of 2025.

Following installation of OpNET to both Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers, the programme is now focussed on extending this capability across the Rest of the Fleet. During financial year 2024-25 OpNET was installed to RFA TIDEFORCE, HMS SUTHERLAND, and HMS SCOTT. Plans are in place for six further installations during the current financial year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_208

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March to Question 34638 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, whether he has a formal target date for when the H145 HC2 Jupiter helicopter will enter service in (a) Brunei and (b) Cyprus. \p Maria Eagle: The HC145 HC2 Jupiter is on track to deliver Initial Operating Capability in 2026 to both Brunei and Cyprus.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_209

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) Projects will enable the Ministry of Defence to contract for Submarine and Naval Base services delivered through Clyde and Devonport in March 2026, and for Ships and wider Naval Base services from October 2028.

The NSIGN Programme continues to progress through the Assessment Phase with the NSIGN (Submarines) Project Outline Business Case (OBC) being approved in April 2025. Work is progressing with the NSIGN(Ships) and NSIGN (Naval Bases) Projects, both of which will be seeking OBC approval in Autumn 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_210

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which branches of the armed forces use the L110A2 Light Machine Gun. \p Maria Eagle: The L110A2 Light Machine Gun remains in limited use by the UK Armed Forces. However, for reasons of operational security I cannot provide any further details on which areas of the UK Armed Forces still use the L110A2, the numbers held and what operations it is used for.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_211

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April to Question 41493 on Defence: Finance, if he will provide a breakdown of the calculations used to reach the £14.2 billion figure referred to. \p Maria Eagle: £14.2 billion is the difference between the NATO qualifying spend of £66.3 billion in 2024-25 and 2.5% of GDP in financial year 2027-28, which is £80.5 billion based on the OBR's latest growth forecast.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_212

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is his target date for the completion of HMS Trent's maintenance period. \p Maria Eagle: There has been no delay to HMS TRENT's refit. She started a capability refit in October 2024, which completed in December 2024. This was followed by a Capability Insertion Period, which is now complete. HMS Trent is currently undergoing planned force generation and machinery trials alongside in Malta, before proceeding to sea in mid-May.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_213

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to announce next steps for the Submarine Dismantling Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The demonstrator submarine, SWIFTSURE, remains on track to be fully dismantled by the end of 2026. There are six further defueled Pressurised Water Reactor 1 (PWR1) submarines awaiting dismantling in Rosyth.

Further announcements about dismantling the remaining PWR1 submarines will be made at the appropriate time.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_214

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has received from the German Government on the sale of Eurofighter Typhoons to Turkey. \p Maria Eagle: We hold regular discussions with Germany on a range of issues related to equipment and joint programmes. The UK is supportive of the prospective sale of Eurofighter Typhoon to Turkey, as its next fighter platform. We continue to discuss our ongoing bid for Turkey to procure Typhoon with the other Eurofighter Partner Nations, including Germany.