theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve access to mental health services for veterans in the North West. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who have served our country. In the North West and across the United Kingdom, the Veterans Welfare Service provides advice and support to veterans and their families. In England, Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE provide a broad range of specialist mental health, physical and wellbeing care services to veterans.

Additionally, with the North West Thrive Together programme, it is building and improving the veteran self-help referral process and reducing the stigma of asking for help by those that need it the most.

The Reducing Veteran Homelessness ‘Homes at Ease’ programme in the North West provides mental health support for housing applications. In 2024-25, it delivered 267 psychotherapy sessions to 54 beneficiaries to provide a bridge to highly stretched services in the region.

In May this year, we also announced VALOUR, our new commitment, backed by £50 million, to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support, which will ensure easier access to essential care and support for veterans across the country.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to engage with young people to promote recruitment in the Armed Forces. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) 2025 is clear that Defence must now meet the longstanding challenge of recruiting and retaining new generations with different requirements. We are committed to the vision that long-term success depends on reconnecting society with the Armed Forces and the purpose of Defence, and for recruitment the focus should be on speed, drastically shortening the period between applicants expressing interest and joining.

To achieve this, Defence will offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds. The Army and Navy are developing short term employment opportunities - “gap year” schemes - for young men and women across a variety of exciting roles that will upskill, provide apprenticeships, and a flavour of life in the Armed Forces. Full plans will be announced in due course now that we have published the SDR.

Furthermore, the Armed Forces enjoy good relationships with schools, primarily in terms of engagement to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths curriculum areas but also in careers engagement, which collectively enhances our engagement with young people. The Armed Forces only visit schools when invited to do so, usually in support of career events, citizenship talks, science and maths challenges and other exercises.

The Armed Forces do not target recruitment activity at under-16s, and no visits to schools by the Armed Forces are directly linked to recruitment, other than careers fairs which generally involve a range of employers. Presentations may be given highlighting Armed Forces careers, but no pupil is ever signed up or able to make a commitment to become a recruit during the course of a visit.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 72212 on F-35 Aircraft: Nuclear Weapons, what progress he has made on integration of (a) Meteor and (b) SPEAR 3 via the F-35 Joint Program Office. \p Luke Pollard: I refer the hon. Member to the Answer my predecessor gave to him on 9 June 2025 to Question 52037, and I gave to him on 8 September to Question 73567.

F-35 Aircraft: Meteor Missiles (docx, 15.9KB)

Cruise Missiles: Procurement (docx, 16.0KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to procure drones for the Royal Air Force. \p Luke Pollard: The Strategic Defence Review recommends that the Royal Air Force should shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an immediate priority. As part of this transformation, uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Royal Air Force through a broad mix of capabilities to enhance operational effectiveness. The exact numbers of drones to be procured and the associated investment will be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to procure drones for the Royal Navy. \p Luke Pollard: The Strategic Defence Review recommends that an immediate priority should be a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the UK's conventional forces. As we increase lethality of our forces and prepare for warfighting readiness uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Royal Navy's surface, air and undersea capabilities over the next five years, with the exact numbers and levels of investment apportioned to these systems to be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan, to be published later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and (b) ATC Pirbright in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The Department is committed to supporting both the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) and ATC Pirbright

At ATC Pirbright, £7 million is being invested immediately to upgrade accommodation, with a further £400 million planned over the next seven years to enhance facilities. This will enable Pirbright to take on over 50% of the Army’s Regular Basic Training, following the closure of the Army Training Regiment Winchester next year.

At RMAS, which trains all Army Officers and hosts several key Defence organisations, significant investment has also been made for its sporting facilities, including £3 million for two new 3G pitches that are available for any Army unit to use.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to expand access to cadet groups for young people in (a) Surrey Heath constituency and (b) the South East. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: This Government fully recognises the benefits of cadets, not just for young people who participate, but for the whole of society. Participation in the Cadet Forces has significant positive impacts on young people, increasing their performance at school, and improving their employment and career prospects. Independent research has shown the cost of cadets is fully covered if the life outcomes of just 1% of cadets change each year so that they are in education, training or employment.

The recently published Strategic Defence Review recommended an expansion of in-school and community-based Cadet Forces across the UK of 30% by 2030. Expanding the Cadet Forces, which provide skills and qualifications to young people from diverse backgrounds, and support economic growth, will benefit all areas of the UK, and work is already underway to establish where the 30% increase will be realised.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what military support his Department is providing to Israel. \p Al Carns: UK military support being provided to Israel is for the specific purpose of hostage rescue and recovery. Previously the UK also acted to support Israel's right to self-defence during Iran's direct attacks in April and October 2024.

On hostage rescue, the UK Government continues to work with partners across the region, including Israel, to secure the release of hostages.  The Ministry of Defence have been supporting this effort by conducting unarmed surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including in airspace over Israel and Gaza.

Support to hostage rescue does not mean the UK is participating in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Surveillance flights are tasked with the sole purpose of hostage rescue and our mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release and recovery of hostages. We control what information is shared with Israel and only information relating to hostage rescue is passed to the relevant Israeli authority.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of procuring orchestrike for the Royal Air Force. \p Luke Pollard: While the Ministry of Defence is not currently procuring Orchestrike as a discrete capability, the development of Spear Capability 3 and STRATUS-LO includes the integration of such network-enabled technology.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 73562 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, how his Department defines specialist troops in this context. \p Luke Pollard: The ARES variant is the common base for all the Ajax variants and will be used to deliver and support specialist troops across the battlefield. The term ‘specialist troops’ is used informally, and in this context refers to Anti -Tank Javelin Teams, Snipers and Support Troops.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve resilience at UK overseas army bases in (a) Cyprus and (b) Gibraltar. \p Al Carns: We are constantly reviewing and assessing resilience levels in all our overseas locations and working to deliver improvements to areas of greatest threat. Service personnel based in the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus and in Gibraltar benefit from the same high levels of routine training and support provided across the Army, as well as the works designed to improve Defence infrastructure in these locations and the overall experience of our personnel based overseas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what guidance his Department issues to serving personnel who are oversees on utilising Virtual Private Networks on personal phones. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence provides all Serving personnel, military and civilian, with guidance on the utilisation of Virtual Private Networks on personal phones overseas. I am unable to share specific details of the guidance in order to protect operational security.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question HL7882 on Defence: Equality, for what reason the groups representing women were labelled gender networks. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The Ministry of Defence classified network groups representing women under the broader designation of gender networks reflecting an inclusive and integrated approach to equality, diversity and inclusion. This approach aligns with the Defence People Strategy’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all personnel.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Sarah Edwards:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of support available to retired canine military working dogs. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: At the end of their service, Military Working Dogs (MWDs) are individually assessed and every effort is made to rehome them with a suitable owner. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) proactively undertakes diagnostic work, surgery, or other treatment, to prepare the MWD for retirement where it is in the individual animal’s interest and can improve its quality of life in retirement. The buyer receives a complete picture of a dog’s clinical and behavioural issues, and what the prognosis might be ahead of transferral of ownership.

Ownership transfers by sale to the new owner at the point of rehoming. To mitigate any issues in the transition period, however, if the MWD is on medication, the MOD provides up to 3 months’ worth of current medication to allow continuity of care while the dog is being registered with a new civilian veterinary practice. Owners can contact us via xxx@xxx.xx if they have any concerns and they will be provided with options and/or signposted to relevant organisations.

The MOD continues to review its internal processes to deliver improvements to current support within existing workforce and financial constraints. For example, the Department has been working with re-homing charities to identify further opportunities to support retired MWDs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's Formal Response to the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces 2024 Annual Report published on 1 September 2025, what further steps he is taking to protect service personnel against (a) bullying, (b) harassment and (c) discrimination. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: There is no place for bullying, harassment and discrimination within the Armed Forces, and we are committed to preventing these types of behaviours and taking appropriate action when faced with issues or concerns raised by our people. It is vital everyone feels empowered to speak up, knows how to take action, and is confident in doing so.

Through the Raising Our Standards programme, Defence seeks to tackle unacceptable behaviours across Defence, strengthen complaints processes, and promote a culture of respect, accountability, and zero tolerance for bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Furthermore, the single Services continue to develop interventions aimed at tackling unacceptable behaviours and providing a supportive environment for those that are affected.

In March 2025 the Ministry of Defence also announced its intention to create a new specialist Tri-Service Complaints team, outside of the single Service chains of command, to handle the most serious complaints, such as bullying, harassment and discrimination.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much he plans to spend annually on research and development associated with the (a) Future Combat Air System and (b) Global Combat Air Programme in the next five years. \p Luke Pollard: The forthcoming ten-year Defence Investment Plan will outline the Department’s spending plans in line with the Strategic Defence Review and Spending Review outcomes.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what locations have been selected for the Defence Technical Excellence Colleges; and how will the £182 million investment in defence skills be distributed. \p Luke Pollard: No locations for Defence Technical Excellence Colleges have yet been chosen. They will be selected through a fair and transparent competition process, run by the Department for Education working with the Ministry of Defence. We expect the competition to be launched later this year. All general further education colleges in England will be able to apply, subject to meeting specific eligibility criteria. Further details on the process and criteria will be published in due course.

The Ministry of Defence, working with partners across Government, industry and the skills community, will oversee the £182 million investment to ensure the skills package is delivered effectively to boost skills in the sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what role the Office of Defence Exports (ODE) will play in securing government-to-government defence export deals; and what targets have been set for the ODE in its first year. \p Luke Pollard: As the Defence Industrial Strategy makes clear “The new Office of Defence Exports (ODE) means responsibility for defence exports has been unified under the control of the MOD. This creates a government-to-government exports offer which reflects what our allies and our industry need”. The ODE will, therefore, play a central role in securing Government-to-Government defence export deals, working closely with Other Government Departments.

Design work for the Exports function is well underway. Initial stand up is expected no later than end October 2025 with full implementation – including the development of performance measures - continuing over the next 12 months.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published in June 2025, what his Department’s definition is of a sovereign warhead. \p Luke Pollard: The requirements, design, manufacture and maintenance of our nuclear warheads are independent to the UK. We utilise certain U.S. non-nuclear components, including the aeroshell, to remain compatible with the Trident missile. This is consistent with our obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times the Defence Growth Board has met since March 2025. \p Luke Pollard: The Defence Growth Board met on 30 July 2025. Since then, His Majesty's Government (HMG) has acted on the 8 July recommendations of the UK Defence and Economic Growth Task Force to unleash the defence sector's potential. HMG published the Defence Industrial Strategy on 8 September to set out how Defence will act as an engine for economic growth, backing British jobs. Growth continues to be this Government’s priority, and defence is an engine for growth in every nation and region of the UK.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 73562 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what his Department's definition is of specialist troops. \p Luke Pollard: The Department does not formally define the term ‘specialist troops’.

In the context of Ajax, as per the pursuant Parliamentary Question, the term ‘specialist troops’ is used informally, and in this context refers to Anti -Tank Javelin Teams, Snipers and Support Troops.
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Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 73379 on Armed Forces: Vehicles, if his Department will centrally record data on the length of time that military assets are not (a) deployed and (b) operational. \p Luke Pollard: Yes. The British Army uses an application called JAMES (Joint Asset Management and Engineering Solutions) to centrally track and manage all equipment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 71981 on Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the outcome of Project Hunter ahead of the commencement of Project Grayburn. \p Luke Pollard: Project HUNTER was established to select a new weapon system to be employed in the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB) specialist role. Project GRAYBURN was commissioned to replace the L85 (SA80) rifle.

Though two different weapons, lessons learned from Project HUNTER are being used on Project GRAYBURN to influence training, ergonomics, maintenance, sight systems, safety, suppressors, ammunition, cleaning, equipment, personnel, information, doctrine, organisation, infrastructure, and logistics.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project Keyes. \p Luke Pollard: Project KEYES is a pre-concept plan to replace the L115 and L121 Sniper rifles in the early 2030s and will consider requirements as it progresses.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 73614 on Challenger Tanks: Supply Chains, when trials for Challenger 3 are due to be completed ahead of acceptance of the final build standard. \p Luke Pollard: The Challenger 3 trials are currently planned to conclude by the end of 2026. This timeline is subject to ongoing review by the project team to ensure it remains aligned with delivery milestones, operational requirements, and any emerging technical risk.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made in developing lighter-than-air platforms designed for extended loiter times. \p Luke Pollard: Cyber and Specialist Operations Command has sponsored two extended-duration lighter-than-air trials under Project AETHER.

Payload testing on the first extended-duration trial was successful and validated the plans to achieve extended loiter times. The second trial used an alternative approach with multiple, smaller stratospheric balloons operating collaboratively in sequence and demonstrating near-continuous Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance coverage for an extended duration.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September to Question 71983 on Army: Rifles, what upgrades were made to the L129 rifle as part of the upgrade to A2 configuration. \p Luke Pollard: Upgrades made include a new monolithic upper receiver with an M-LOK handguard that is more comfortable and allows the attachment of ancillaries. The butt stock has been replaced to allow users to adjust for their size and equipment. The new L129A2 rifles also include an improved safety catch, a new flash eliminator that enables the future fitment of signature reduction devices.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September to Question 72215 on Navigation: Satellites, what Alternative Position, Navigation and Timing technologies are being further investigated by the DE&S Space Delivery Team. \p Luke Pollard: To ensure that Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) capabilities are resilient when satellite systems are unavailable or have been compromised, the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) DE&S Space Delivery Team is focused on developing four initial key technology innovations, these include: developing Enhanced Long-Range Navigation (eLoran) capabilities, exploring and utilising Satellite Signals of Opportunity (SATSOO), investigating Chip Scale Atomic Clocks (CSAC) and exploring the applications of Data Fusion. Additional specific technologies will also be identified for investment at a later point in the programme but options for these remain unscoped at this time.

Due to the risk of compromising operational security, it would be inappropriate for us to provide any further details on the specific investigations that the Department is undertaking.
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Kirsteen Sullivan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help ensure the safety of Afghans living in the UK, in the context of the data breach relating to the Afghan relocations and assistance policy in 2022. \p Luke Pollard: Anyone potentially affected by this data incident, and whose contact details are known by the Ministry of Defence, in the UK and elsewhere, has been notified and provided with security advice. The Government has taken appropriate actions in line with the level of risk, and the recent Rimmer Review concluded that it is unlikely that those impacted by the data incident are at an increased risk.

Further information regarding the incident and the security advice can be found on the GOV.UK website at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-incident-affecting-applicants-to-the-afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy-scheme-and-afghanistan-locally-employed-staff-ex-gratia-scheme.

More broadly, we continue to work closely with the Home Office, police, local authorities and partners to ensure that there is support and information available to keep all new Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) arrivals, including for those affected by the data incident, safe in the UK.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 24 July 2025 to Question HL9397 on Typhoon Aircraft: Factories, what proportion of the funding for Combat Air will be spent with companies in the North West. \p Luke Pollard: The planned Combat Air investment will benefit every region of the United Kingdom in the next ten years. In a new era of threat, we need a new era for our defence industry and the Defence Industrial Strategy launched on 8 September 2025 is designed not just to spend more, but to spend smarter: speeding up development to delivery (factory to frontline) and ensuring our defence investment benefits local communities.

A significant proportion of investment will be devoted to companies in north-west England as a key region for the manufacture of fixed-wing military aircraft, and support of complex weapon systems from concept to delivery. The region also offers unique platform and system testing capabilities.

The Defence Investment Plan will be published in the Autumn and provide further detail on how we will deliver our Strategic Defence Review vision for Combat Air investment.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 48 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, if he will list the commercial facilities that could be potentially used for operations as a military alternative to RAF Brize Norton. \p Luke Pollard: I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of growth potential in defence-related industries in Huntingdon constituency. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth. However, we have made no assessment of growth potential in defence-related industries in Huntingdon constituency specifically.

The Defence Industrial Strategy published on 8 September 2025 clearly set out how we are making defence an engine for growth - investing more money in key defence areas and regions across the UK to create good jobs.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the use of AI assisted drones during (a) night time operations and (b) periods of rest for human surveillance teams. \p Al Carns: The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) 2025 recommended a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence within the UK's conventional force. It stated a common digital foundation of data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), synthetic environments, and networks should connect people and platforms across all domains, and with allies and partners. This gives the Integrated Force agility, speed of manoeuvre, and effective targeting to outmatch adversaries.

The merits of military use of AI assisted drones are widely acknowledged in several roles and environments, most notably in Ukraine. The availability of extensive suites of sensors designed to operate across the electromagnetic spectrum have removed many of the traditional barriers associated with operations at night or in restricted visibility. Furthermore, the utility for AI enabled drones to exploit these sensors, including during periods of rest for, or absence of, human surveillance teams, is a fundamental consideration for UK Defence's capability development.

Consequently, the SDR stated that uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Integrated Force in high numbers over the next five years. They will be networked with crewed fifth- and sixth-generation assets as part of a 'high-low' mix of capabilities, while these systems' design will be tailored to the conditions in which they will operate, day or night; whether undersea, at sea, on land, or in the air.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has established a (a) monitoring and (b) evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of (i) Defence Growth Deals and (ii) Defence Technical Excellence Colleges. \p Luke Pollard: Each Defence Growth Deal will be bespoke to their location and we will work with devolved and local Governments, industry and academia to shape the Deals in a way that is best for that area. This includes developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks that align with the Government’s Plan for Change.

The Department for Education, working with the Ministry of Defence, Defence Technical Excellence Colleges and partners in the skills system, will design a monitoring and evaluation framework that helps support successful delivery of key objectives. This includes boosting defence related skills provision and ensuring clear pathways into defence sector jobs; high quality teaching practice and curricula in defence-related courses; and leveraging employer engagement and investment in defence-skills provision.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that training curricula for the new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges align with capability requirements identified in the Strategic Defence Review. \p Luke Pollard: Defence Technical Excellence Colleges will be recognised for their high-quality provision, including in training curricula, for skills important to the defence sector, including those identified through the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy. We will work closely with industry to identify their skills needs, including through the newly established Defence Industrial Joint Council.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of the Defence Industrial Strategy on (a) regional and (b) sectoral employment figures in (i) cyber-security, (ii) submarine engineering, (iii) aerospace and space systems and (iv) other technical sub-sectors. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence has not released specific public estimates regarding the regional and sectoral employment impacts of the Defence Industrial Strategy. However, the Defence Industrial Strategy focuses on creating high-skilled jobs and fostering growth in key technical sub-sectors such as cyber-security, submarine engineering, aerospace, other technical sub-sectors and space systems, with the aim of bolstering the UK’s defence industrial base and supporting regional economic development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-16 conversation_222

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost was of the Armoured Cavalry 2025 Programme. \p Luke Pollard: The Approved Budget Level (ABL) for the Armoured Cavalry (Ajax) Programme is £6.3 billion. This has not changed since 2014.

The estimated cost of the programme against this approval is £6.2 billion. The programme cost is estimated in real terms with inflation factored in.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-16 conversation_223

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring the IFV variant of the General Dynamics Ajax. \p Luke Pollard: There are no current plans to procure an IFV variant of Ajax.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-16 conversation_224

Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help support landlords to ensure their properties comply with the Decent Homes Standard. \p Matthew Pennycook: It is imperative that homes are decent, safe and warm. The current Decent Homes Standard (DHS) plays a key role in setting a minimum quality standard that all social homes should meet.

The primary source of funding to support landlords in meeting the DHS and to manage the repair and maintenance of existing social homes is rental income. This amounted to £24.5bn in 2023/24.

From April 2026, social housing rents will be permitted to increase by CPI+1% annually as part of a new 10-year rent settlement announced at the Spending Review. In addition, we completed a focused consultation on how we will implement social rent convergence, ahead of a final decision to be announced at Autumn Budget.

Social housing landlords are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory consumer standards, which includes the DHS, set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). The RSH proactively seeks assurances that registered providers are meeting the outcomes of the consumer standards through routine inspections of large landlords (those with more than 1,000 homes).

The government is extending the DHS to apply to the private rented sector for the first time through the Renters’ Rights Bill. Alongside its introduction to the private rented sector, the government recently consulted on a modernised DHS for private and social rent homes. The consultation closed on 12 September 2025. My Department is now considering the responses to that consultation, and we will set out our response in due course focused on ensuring that the new DHS is proportionate and deliverable.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68123 on Business Premises: Rents, if he will place a copy of the research in the Library. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The government published a full Impact Assessment upon First Reading of the Bill on 10 July. The Impact Assessment provides a summary of the economic analysis and research the government relied upon to reach the decision.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 104 of his Department's annual report and accounts 2024-25, published in July 2025, on Loans measured at FVTPL, what programme the £26,981,000 payment relates to. \p Matthew Pennycook: The payment within Homes England’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 recorded under Loans measured at FVTPL relates to the Home Building Fund.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-16 conversation_227

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the section on Fruitless payments on p.104 of the MHCLG annual report and accounts 2024-25, HC1062, published on 22 July 2025, p.104, whether Homes England is now making use of those software licenses. \p Matthew Pennycook: Homes England entered into an agreement to acquire software licences for use on an investment project in early development during 2024/25. Due to delays in progressing the project, the Agency was unable to utilise the licences within that financial year, resulting in an unavoidable payment. The circumstances and financial implications are detailed in Homes England’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the financial pressures facing housing associations. \p Matthew Pennycook: This government is committed to rebuilding the financial capacity of housing associations so they can borrow and invest in new and existing homes.

At the Spending Review, the government set out funding to provide a decade of certainty for housing associations. This included a new ten-year £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) alongside a ten-year rent settlement that will permit social housing rents to increase by CPI+1% annually. In addition, we recently completed a focused consultation on how we will implement social rent convergence, ahead of a final decision to be announced at Autumn Budget.

The Government has also committed over £1 billion between 2026 and 2030 to support cladding remediation for social landlords, ensuring equal access to building safety funds, as well as £2.5 billion in low-interest loans which will be made available to support new affordable housing development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of housebuilding on the land designated as industrial at Old Oak Common. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation’s Local Plan of 2022 sets out its vision for Old Oak and Park Royal and its local plan policies.

The evidential framework for their Local Plan is a matter for the Development Corporation.

The government is working closely with the Development Corporation in support of their ambition to regenerate the land around Old Oak Common station and deliver up to 9,000 new homes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to amend provisions on the (a) commission charge on sale of homes and (b) fit and proper person test for site owners within the Mobile Homes Act 2013. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 58910 on 16 June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Red tape slashed to revamp high streets with new cafes and bars, published on 26 July 2025, whether her Department plans to make changes to the agent of change principle in the National Planning Policy Framework. \p Matthew Pennycook: Following the recommendation made in the Licensing Taskforce report published in July, the government is exploring whether the ‘agent of change’ principle in the licensing regime should be strengthened to better protect existing licensed premises and residents.

We intend to explore how we can improve the implementation of the ‘agent of change’ principle in the planning system, and will consult on a new set of national policies for decision-making later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Steff Aquarone:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of initiating a formal review of legislation that allows certified exemption of small caravan and motorhome sites from planning permission. \p Matthew Pennycook: Under national permitted development rights, set out in Part 5, Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, land can be used as a caravan site in certain circumstances. The government continues to keep permitted development rights under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-16 conversation_233

Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of support for community land projects. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government recognises that the community-led housing sector delivers a wide range of benefits including strengthening community participation in local decision-making, engendering community cohesion, achieving high quality design and strengthening the co-operative economy.

In March, we announced a £20m 10-year social finance investment to provide capital finance for community-led housing, which is expected to directly support the construction of more than 2,500 new homes over the next decade. These housebuilding projects will be led by communities to specifically address local needs in their area.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December strengthened support for community-led housing, including through changes to the size limit on community-led exception sites and a broadening of the definition of organisations able to deliver community-led housing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-16 conversation_234

Dan Carden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of (a) trends in the level of houses in multiple occupation and (b) the potential impact of those trends on local communities. \p Matthew Pennycook: Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) can play an important part in the housing market, providing relatively low-cost accommodation for rent.

Local planning authorities already have powers to limit the proliferation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) through ‘Article 4’ directions.

In addition to the mandatory licensing of large HMOs, local areas can also choose to require smaller HMOs to be licenced to ensure such properties are safe and well managed, and that the character of local communities are protected.

Local authorities have robust powers to ensure landlords of HMOs comply with all relevant regulations. This includes powers to issue civil penalties, prosecute landlords and obtain banning orders.

No recent assessments of the trends in the level of HMOs, or of the potential impacts of these trends on local communities, have been made.

The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces reforms to improve the regulation of private rented sector properties, including HMOs, and drive-up standards within the sector. This includes a Decent Homes Standard and new enforcement powers for local authorities.

My Department will continue to engage with local authorities on a range of local issues, including matters relating to HMOs and we will keep the regulation of HMOs under review.