theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_171
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_171

Irene Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the forthcoming roadmap to phase out animal testing include plans to conduct systematic reviews to identify areas of research or disease models to phase out. \p Feryal Clark: The Government is committed to supporting non-animal alternatives and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption later this year. Any systematic approach for identifying research priorities for new alternative methods will be outlined in the upcoming strategy. Implementation of these ambitions is to be determined in consultation with the life sciences community.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_172
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_172

Mary Kelly Foy:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help improve mobile telephone signal in (a) Brancepeth Village, (b) County Durham and (c)) across the country. \p Chris Bryant: Ofcom reports that 4G is available across 96% of the City of Durham constituency from all four mobile operators, while 5G (standalone and non-standalone) is available outside 94% of premises in the constituency from at least one operator.

However, I know Ofcom data does not always reflect lived experience and I have raised my concern about this with Ofcom. I welcome their much improved online mobile coverage checker which went live on 26 June.

I am keen to strengthen the mobile infrastructure across the UK, which is primarily the responsibility of the mobile operators, so I would urge the honourable member to engage directly with the mobile operators to encourage improvements in her patch.

We continue to work closely with the mobile operators and are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment into mobile networks and competition in the market.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_173
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_173

Layla Moran:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of implementing a Dispute Resolution Scheme, similar to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, to resolve service charge disputes between landlords and tenants in social housing. \p Matthew Pennycook: By law, variable service charges must be reasonable. Overcharging through service charges is completely unacceptable. Should tenants of private registered providers of social housing wish to contest the reasonableness of their service charges, they may make an application to the appropriate tribunal.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 includes measures designed to designed to drive up the transparency of service charges and to make them more easily challengeable if leaseholders consider them to be unreasonable.

On 4 July, my Department published a consultation on Strengthening Leaseholder Protections for charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here.

The consultation seeks views on how to implement the relevant measures in the Act, and includes proposals to extend aspects of it to social housing tenants.

I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 4 July (HCWS780).
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_174
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_174

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 61519 on Right to Buy Scheme, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the Right to Buy on receipts for new affordable housing construction since July 2024. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government’s Right to Buy discounts review, which can be found on gov.uk here, was published alongside the Budget on 30 October 2024. It estimated that returning maximum cash discounts to pre-2012 levels would lead to a long-term average of approximately 1,700 Right to Buy sales per year, generating, on average, approximately £250 million of annual net receipts.

As confirmed at that Budget, the government is allowing councils to retain the full capital receipt generated by a Right to Buy sale to support the delivery of replacement dwellings. As a result of all these measures, we believe local authorities will now be in a stronger position to replace the homes that are sold.

In the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July 2025 (HCWS771), I confirmed further reforms to the Right to Buy. We will legislate when parliamentary time allows to bring these reforms into force.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_175
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_175

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 28 May 2024, to Question 53574, on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, and with reference to page 26 of the Section 106 agreement, for what reason the agreement references Articles 13 and 141 of the EU Treaty Articles. \p Matthew Pennycook: As the application in question is before ministers in MHCLG to determine, it would not be appropriate to comment on specific elements of it.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_176
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_176

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to increase social housing supply. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July 2025 (HCWS771).
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_177
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_177

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether powers of entry for building inspectors apply to embassies. \p Matthew Pennycook: The position in respect of diplomatic premises is covered by international treaties including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations as applied in the UK through the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964 and the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_178
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_178

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to (a) tackle local authority financial deficits and (b) improve local authority value for money. \p Jim McMahon: This government recognises the pressures local authorities are facing because of their Dedicated School Grant (DSG) deficits. The Department for Education Spending Review settlement confirmed funding for reform of the current Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system, details of which will be set out in a White Paper in the autumn. The government will commence a phased transition process which will include an extension to the Dedicated Schools Grant Statutory Override, currently due to end in March 2026, until the end of 2027-28. The government will provide more detail by the end of the year including a plan for supporting local authorities with both historic and accruing deficits. We will set out more detail at the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.

Furthermore, through this Spending Review we are providing an additional £3.4bn of grant funding for local authorities in 2028-29 compared to 2024-25 and the government has committed to reforms which will mitigate the growing pressures on Local Government services and achieve better value for money.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_179
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_179

David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Letter to Chief Planning Officers of 24 May 2007, entitled Sensitive Information in applications for planning Permission and Listed Building Consent, whether information relating to the planning application for a Chinese Embassy at the former site of the Royal Mint was separately from the main planning register using the procedure set out in paragraphs 3 and 10 of that letter by the (a) London Borough of Tower Hamlets and (b) Planning Inspectorate. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 58055 on 16 June 2025.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_180
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_180

Mike Reader:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to update the guidance for Approved Document F of the Building Regulations to recognise smart ventilation systems as a compliant option for homes. \p Alex Norris: Revisions to Approved Document F of the Building Regulations were proposed as part of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation. Proposed updates to the minimum ventilation standards for homes were described in section 6.2 and proposed updates to the guidance for ventilation installations were described in section 8.3 of the consultation. We are carefully considering the feedback we received to the consultation. We intend to publish the Government response to the consultation, and the new Approved Document F, in autumn this year.

We are mindful of the impact of increasing airtightness in our homes and workplaces. While this can have a significant impact on the energy efficiency of buildings, it also requires appropriate, controlled ventilation. We will continue to engage with developing ventilation technology and will update Approved Document F as required.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_181
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_181

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy review the level of fines that local authorities can levy in relation to illegal parking. \p Alex Norris: While councils are responsible for their own parking arrangements, we are determined to reduce costs for motorists which is why we keep a limit on the fines councils can give. These limits can be found in The Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices, Charging Guidelines and General Provisions) (England) Regulations 2022.

In addition to those limits, government published statutory guidance on local authority parking contraventions which makes clear that parking charges should be proportionate, meaning authorities should not set them at unreasonable levels.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_182
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_182

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 59314 on Local Government Finance, what the grant funding to local government is in cash terms in each financial year between 2024-25 and 2028-29. \p Jim McMahon: The Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) for 2024-25 made available £64.7 billion for local government, a cash increase in core spending power of 7.5% compared with 2023-24. The LGFS for 2025-26 made available over £69 billion, a cash increase in core spending power of 6.8% compared with 2024-25. This year’s Spending Review provides over £5 billion of new grant funding over the next three years for local services that communities rely on. This includes £3.4 billion of new grant funding which will be delivered through the LGFS within financial years 2026-27 to 2028-29, an average overall cash increase in local authority core spending power of 4.5% per year. Further information will be made available as part of the provisional LGFS later this year, which will provide the first multi-year settlement for local government in a decade.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_183
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_183

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what contracts their Department has with Palantir. \p Alex Norris: Details of central government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_184
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_184

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has commissioned research into the potential impact of universal basic income on (a) homelessness rates and (b) housing security. \p Rushanara Ali: The government has not commissioned research into the potential impact of universal basic income on homelessness rates and housing security. A universal basic income is not government policy.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_185
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_185

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of time required to ensure adequate levels of (a) awareness and (b) voter registration ahead of a General Election in which 16 year olds vote. \p Rushanara Ali: The government believes that enabling 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in all UK elections will foster early and sustained participation in civic life and enhance engagement in our democratic processes. We want young people to find their voice and exercise their right to vote. Registering to vote is a vital first step towards doing that.

This will be a major change to the electoral franchise, and changes to electoral law of this magnitude require careful planning and should not be rushed. We have taken time to engage with stakeholders in the electoral sector, devolved and local government, education, civil society - and importantly, with young people themselves. We will continue this engagement to ensure the change is implemented successfully.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_186
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_186

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Rough sleeping to be decriminalised after 200 years, published on 10 June 2025, how the approach to a replacement regime differs to that of the previous Government. \p Rushanara Ali: As we work to fulfil our manifesto commitment to get the country back on track to ending homelessness, one principle must be clear – no one should be criminalised for simply sleeping rough. We will be the government that repeals the Vagrancy Act 1824.

This government does not wish to target or criminalise individuals who are begging to sustain themselves or who are sleeping rough because they have nowhere else to go. This is why this government is introducing new specific offences which deal with specific risks. These targeted replacement measures include a new offence of facilitating begging for gain, and an offence of trespassing with the intention of committing a crime, both of which were previously provided for under the 1824 Act.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_187
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_187

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her Department's planned timetable is for reviewing the national wildfire framework. \p Alex Norris: The Government is taking a joined-up approach to enhancing resilience to wildfires. Prior to the transfer of fire functions to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Home Office convened a number of stakeholder workshops with the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), its agencies, and other stakeholders to identify policy options for addressing wildfire risk. This included reviewing existing frameworks and governance. The outcomes of this work are currently being considered.

Improvements are being driven in wildfire data collection through the introduction of the new Fire and Rescue Data Platform – a new incident reporting tool used by Fire and Rescue Services. This will introduce a formal definition for ‘wildfire’ for the purpose of fire incident reporting, which will enable Government to collect official data on the number of incidents and publish official statistics. These improvements will allow us to track data trends, the concentration of wildfire events and provide a solid evidence base for future wildfire policy and operational planning.

Officials continue to engage actively with key stakeholders including landowners, land managers and wildfire specialists through established forums including the England and Wales Wildfire Forum (EWWF).
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_188
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_188

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal on her Department. \p Alex Norris: In May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. This deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK. In addition, an estimated 260,000 jobs are supported by the auto industry in the wider economy.

The Government remains focused on making sure British businesses can feel the benefits of the deal as soon as possible.

The Government is continuing discussions on the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains.

My Department will continue to support the ongoing negotiations with the US, led by the Department for Business and Trade.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_189
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_189

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, what assumptions have been made on the level of the (a) shire district, (b) police precept, (c) parish precept, (d) combined authority mayoral precept and (e) fire precept council tax referendum principles in each year of the Spending Review from 2026-27. \p Jim McMahon: For the shire district and fire precept, the Spending Review assumes that precept levels increase in line with those in 2025/26 over the coming SR period (3%/£5, and £5 respectively). The SR assumes a fire precept level of £5. No assumptions were made in relation to mayoral combined authorities and parishes, as these have not historically been subject to referendum principles. The police council tax precept remains subject to final decision on precept levels which will be set out in the annual police funding settlement in the usual way. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question UIN 62597 on 2 July 2025.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_190
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_190

Rachel Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking has been subject to departmental review. \p Alex Norris: The department has not conducted any such review.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_191
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_191

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has plans to review leasehold arrangements to prevent charities leasing buildings from having to deal with the costs of failed (a) heat pumps and (b) other infrastructure. \p Alex Norris: No such assessment has been made. However, The Law Commission is conducting a review of business tenancies to ensure the commercial leasehold market is accessible and functions effectively. In addition, through High Street Rental Auctions, we are creating opportunities for these groups to secure property opportunities.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_192
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_192

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much her Department has spent on (a) social media promotions, (b) influencer marketing and (c) online advertising in the last 12 months. \p Alex Norris: Commercial sensitivities exist around aspects of this spend which could prejudice commercial interests. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_193
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_193

Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many times their Department accepted in full the position of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s (a) findings and (b) recommendations on (i) issuing an apology and (ii) other forms of redress in the last 10 years. \p Alex Norris: In the last 10 years, the Department has not been subject to any findings against it by the Parliamentary Ombudsman, nor has it received any recommendations for redress other than an apology. In 2023/24, the Department accepted a single recommendation from the Ombudsman to issue an apology, which was actioned.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_194
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_194

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on equipment for civil servants to work from home in each of the last three years. \p Al Carns: The Department embraces flexible working arrangements where appropriate.

In some cases the Department may provide additional equipment to support flexible working patterns, but to gather the costs of these across the Department would require disproportionate time.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_195
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_195

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many new jobs will be created in the UK from the manufacture of 12 new F-35 A jets. \p Maria Eagle: UK industry contributes approximately 15% by value of F-35 production, working with over 100 suppliers and supporting more than 20,000 jobs. The Ministry of Defence will purchase 12 F-35A aircraft as part of the previously agreed F-35B procurement schedule.

It will help sustain the significant employment and industrial benefits provided by the programme. The rear fuselage and tail surfaces of every F-35 are manufactured in Lancashire; the ejection seats are manufactured in Middlesex; and core avionics and electronics systems are manufactured in Scotland, Kent and the South West.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_196
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_196

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2025 to Question 39917 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many military drones in (a) logistics, (b) strike and (c) intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance roles were purchased by his Department since 25 March 2025. \p Maria Eagle: Due to operational security, we cannot provide details on the numbers or types of military drones purchased by the Ministry of Defence for its own purposes or on behalf of the Drone Capability Coalition or those purchased for Ukraine.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_197
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_197

Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to promote careers in the Armed Forces among young people in Northern Ireland. \p Luke Pollard: The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. Since July 2024 we have taken decisive measures to redress the recruitment crisis, to attract and recruit more from across the United Kingdom including Northern Ireland, as well as maximise the number of applicants that successfully enter and remain in Armed Forces employment. Policies have included one of the largest pay increases in the last 20 years for existing personnel, slashing the time it takes to access medical records from weeks to hours and restructuring the Army’s recruitment organisation.

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, wherever they are from across the United Kingdom. The results are clear: year on year inflow is up 19%, outflow is down 7%, the Navy’s yearly recruiting target has been exceeded, the RAF’s applications are up 34% compared to early 2024, and the Army is seeing a seven-year high in applications.

In addition to the existing national recruitment campaigns including online material, the Services conduct recruitment that is tailored to Northern Ireland. The Services use Outreach stands to facilitate face to face recruitment and attend recruitment fairs such as the UK Careers Fair Belfast and the NI Graduate Recruitment Fair. They also attend local events such as the Portrush Airshow and the Northern Ireland Armed Forces Day.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_198
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_198

Alex Burghart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2024 to Question 54793 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether his Department's spending on the deal will count towards meeting the (a) 2.5 percent and (b) 3 percent defence spending targets. \p Luke Pollard: The NATO qualifying status of these costs will be considered in the usual way.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_199
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_199

Alex Burghart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2024 to Question 54793 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, what is the cash terms, monetary value of the Defence payment towards the Chagos deal in each individual year of the Spending Review 2025. \p Luke Pollard: I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge), in response to Question 59129, on 23 June 2025.

Chagos Islands: Sovereignty (docx, 29.5KB)
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_200
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_200

Zarah Sultana:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 50563 on Israel: Military Aid, what gifts of controlled military equipment were provided to Israel between 7 October 2023 and 17 July 2024. \p Maria Eagle: While I am unable to comment on specific capabilities, equipment gifted to Israel by the UK Government since 7 October 2023 has been non-lethal.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_201
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_201

Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) capacity and (b) operational readiness of the Lebanese Armed Forces, in the context of (i) disarmament initiatives and (ii) regional stability in southern Lebanon. \p Luke Pollard: For more than a decade, the UK has been a trusted partner of the Lebanese Armed Forces, providing £106 million of financial support and offering training, infrastructure, and equipment.

In collaboration with international partners, we continue to work closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces, identifying opportunities to support capability development to ensure the Lebanese Armed Forces are able to exert a monopoly of force across Lebanon.

Over the past six months, we have completed construction of key infrastructure to enhance border security on the eastern border and will be seeking to work with the Lebanese authorities to replicate this in the South. We have also started training Lebanese Armed Forces troops to conduct area security operations in southern Lebanon. This support package is confirmed and will cost £10 million for financial year 2025-26.

We also continue to coordinate our bilateral support with international partners. This government recognises the critical role the Lebanese Armed Forces play in ensuring future stability and security in Lebanon.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_202
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_202

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal on his Department. \p Maria Eagle: The landmark detail concluded with the US in May this year protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK. In addition, an estimated 260,000 jobs are supported by the auto industry in the wider economy.

The Government remains focused on making sure British businesses can feel the benefits of the deal as soon as possible. The Government is continuing discussions on the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains.

The Ministry of Defence will continue to support the ongoing negotiations with the US led by the Department for Business and Trade.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_203
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_203

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield at Defence Questions on 19 May 2025, Official Report, Col 739, what recent discussions he has had with UK drone component suppliers on up to date drone (a) technology and (b) capability. \p Maria Eagle: Defence routinely engages with drone component suppliers to iterate, and spiral develop capability in close cooperation with allies.

One of the key mechanisms to ensure that Defence is up to date with the latest developments in drone technology and associated tactics is learning lessons from global conflicts and through our support to Ukraine, where drone capabilities are developed and exploited in cooperation with drone component suppliers. As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, Defence will continue to invest in drone technology to advance our capabilities in tandem with UK industry.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_204
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_204

Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) expanding RAF operations at the Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove and (b) re-establishing RAF Aldergrove at Belfast International Airport. \p Luke Pollard: The RAF continually assesses its basing footprint based on operational need and the demands of its future activity. While the RAF is embarking on a significant programme of investment across its Estate, the increased use of Aldergrove Flying Station or the movement to Belfast International Airport does not currently feature within the RAF's plans. Should operational demands change, the RAF will ensure all options are considered as part of any future review.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_206
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_206

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 30 June 2025 on Nuclear Test Veteran records exercise and the Merlin database, HCWS748, which office the staff that are reviewing (a) the Merlin Database and (b) other archives are based in. \p Al Carns: Teams from across the Ministry of Defence are involved in the Nuclear Test Veterans records exercise, and have reviewed so far over 43,000 files. The files in scope of the records exercise are primarily being reviewed by each of the Single Service Historic Branches and the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE). The release of the Merlin database to the National Archives is being led by the Defence Nuclear Organisation with AWE preparing the records for release.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_207
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_207

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the United States' decision to pause certain arms supplies to Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: The UK and our allies have been steadfast in our support for Ukraine and continue to send a wide range of lethal aid alongside continued humanitarian and fiscal support. We work closely with Ukraine and allies, including through our joint leadership of the Ukraine Defence Contact group, to ensure that our collective support meets Ukrainian needs.

We welcome US support to Ukraine, including President Trump’s work to secure a just and lasting peace and we will continue to work closely with the US as we have always done.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_208
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_208

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart on that country's decision to pause certain arms supplies to Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: The Defence Secretary regularly speaks with his US counterpart. Officials are in close touch about what this means for Ukraine, whilst working with all our allies, including through joint leadership of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, to ensure Ukraine gets the military support it needs to defend itself.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_209
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_209

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many additional unmanned (a) air, (b) ground, (c) underwater and (d) surface systems are planned to be delivered over the next three years. \p Maria Eagle: This Strategic Defence Review recommends that an immediate priority for force transformation should be a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the UK's conventional forces. Uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Integrated Force in a significant way over the next five years as part of a 'high-low' mix of capabilities whether undersea, at sea, on land, or over land. The major funding package includes more than £4 billion for autonomous systems in this Parliament. Further details will be set out as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_210
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_210

Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what steps his Department is taking to support the creation of defence-related jobs in (a) domestic supply chains, (b) advance manufacturing and (c) other areas; and what proportion of new manufacturing work will be assembly-based compared to that delivered through the wider supply chain. \p Maria Eagle: The Strategic Defence Review sets the path for making defence an engine for growth, boosting prosperity, jobs and security for working people across the UK, in support of this Government’s growth mission.

The UK’s manufacturing industry is vital not only to our national security but to our prosperity and economic growth which is why the Defence Industrial Strategy will include measures to back UK business and make defence an engine for growth as we realise the defence dividend. This Government is committed to strengthening domestic supply chains including in the advanced manufacturing sector.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_211
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_211

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many violent attacks on prison officers on prison estates have occurred in each of the last 10 years. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Reducing the levels of violence in prisons is a key priority and we are working hard to make prisons as safe as possible.

In response to recent serious assaults on our brave and hardworking prison officers, we are mandating the use of Protective Body Armour in the highest risk units and this summer we will trial the use of tasers by specialist staff in adult male prisons.

To protect our staff from serious assaults, PAVA – a synthetic pepper spray – is available in the adult male closed estate and a limited rollout in three Youth Offender Institutions is planned to commence in the summer period, to be used as a last resort in response to an immediate threat of serious harm. We are also committed to removing wet shave razors, that can be used as weapons. Electric shavers are in 31 priority sites in the adult male closed estate and this rollout continues.

All new staff receive violence reduction training and prisoners who pose a raised risk of violence are supported through a case management approach to address the underlying causes of their violence. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 doubled the maximum penalty to two years’ imprisonment for those who assault prison officers.

We publish Safety in Custody statistics quarterly covering deaths, self-harm and assaults in prison custody in England and Wales. Statistics on assaults on staff can be found in Table 4 of the Safety in Custody summary tables to December 2024.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_212
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_212

Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has reviewed the validity of its insurance policies for HMP Downview, in the context of the imprisonment of biological males at that prison. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: In line with HM Treasury’s guidance Managing Public Money, HMPPS does not buy general commercial insurance to protect against risk.

In line with HM Treasury guidance, HMP/YOI Downview has not taken out commercial insurance on the basis that it is better value for money for the taxpayer to cover its own risks.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_213
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_213

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment she has made of the appropriateness of the retirement age for prison officers given the (a) mental and (b) physical health challenges of the role. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: We recognise the unique and challenging role that prison officers play in protecting the public and reducing reoffending. The Lord Chancellor has requested advice from officials on the pension age of prison officers, and we will continue to engage with trade unions as this is considered.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_214
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_214

Andrew George:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking through the criminal justice system to help tackle violence against women and children. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The scale of violence against women and girls in our country is intolerable and this Government is treating it as the national emergency that it is. The Government was elected with a landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade. We are aiming to publish our new, cross-government strategy later this year.

We will use a wide variety of tools to target perpetrators and tackle the root causes of abuse and violence. The Ministry of Justice has already taken action by:
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_215
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_215

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal on her Department. \p Alex Davies-Jones: In May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. This deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK. In addition, an estimated 260,000 jobs are supported by the auto industry in the wider economy.

The Government remains focused on making sure British businesses can feel the benefits of the deal as soon as possible.

The Government is continuing discussions on the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains.

We are encouraged by the references in the Economic Prosperity Deal to potential future agreements to increase digital and services trade between the United States and the United Kingdom. My Department will continue to support the ongoing negotiations with the US, led by the Department for Business and Trade.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_216
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_216

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she plans to meet with those harmed by sodium valproate. \p Alex Davies-Jones: This is the responsibility of the Secretary of State at DHSC, whose department is meeting with these stakeholders.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_217
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_217

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to improve (a) working conditions and (b) infrastructure for prison officers. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: We recognise that the serious problem of over-occupancy which we inherited has meant that conditions for those living and working in prisons are not those we would expect. We are determined to rectify this. The steps we are taking include action in response to the independent Sentencing Review and our prison building programme. Together, these measures are designed to balance demand for prison places with supply over the longer term.

Our 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy makes a commitment to delivering an additional 14,000 prison places: we aim to do this by 2031. This involves the construction of four new prisons, including the recently delivered HMP Millsike, as well as the expansion and refurbishment of the existing estate and temporary accommodation.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_218
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_218

Imran Hussain:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of (a) staffing and (b) caseloads in the probation service. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: This Government inherited a justice system in crisis, but we are gripping the situation and have taken immediate action. Both staffing levels and caseload are regularly monitored and analysed, and we remain committed to providing manageable workloads for staff. Recruitment and retention, along with our long-term plans for a sustainable Probation Service through targeting the most vital work are a priority.

Following recent recruitment campaigns the Probation Service has seen an increase in staffing levels (from 20,412 FTE to 21,022 FTE between March 2024 and March 2025). We are committed to onboarding 1,300 trainee Probation Officers in 2025/26, in addition to the 1,057 onboarded in 2024/25, and have secured £8 million in the Spring Statement to invest in new technology for front line staff.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_219
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_219

Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many biological males are held in HMP Downview. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: As of 1 July, seven prisoners were being held on E Wing, the separate unit for transgender women at HMP/YOI Downview. There were no transgender women being held in other parts of the prison.

We are reviewing allocation policy in light of the Supreme Court ruling and will set out any changes in our approach in due course.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_220
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_220

Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many assaults on staff by prisoners have taken place at (a) HMP Downview and (b) HMP High Down in Banstead in the last 12 months. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The latest data on assaults on staff, broken down by prison, covers the year up to December 2024. It is published in table 8e of the Safety in Custody summary tables to December 2024, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/safety-in-custody-quarterly-update-to-december-2024.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_221
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_221

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to tackle the levels of radon gas at HMP Dartmoor. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Elevated radon readings were first found at Dartmoor in 2020. HMPPS has been monitoring radon levels to manage exposure to prisoners and staff.

Dartmoor has been temporarily closed since August 2024 after monitoring results were higher than expected. We are working with specialist radon experts to investigate whether we can re-open the prison safely.

The health and safety of prisoners and staff is our top priority.
wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_222
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-08 conversation_222

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of prison officers aged 60 or over were dismissed from service after failing an annual fitness test in each of the last 5 years. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The information requested is not held centrally.