theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help improve the availability of tuberculosis medication. \p Karin Smyth: Medicine supply chains are complex, global, and highly regulated, and there are a number of reasons why supply can be disrupted, many of which are not specific to the United Kingdom and are outside of Government control, including manufacturing difficulties, access to raw materials, sudden demand spikes or distribution issues, and regulatory issues. There are approximately 14,000 licensed medicines and the overwhelming majority are in good supply. Where there are supply issues, these are managed at a national level across the UK rather than at a regional level.

NHS England has been notified of some issues with medicines used to treat tuberculosis (TB), however there is sufficient stock available from alternative suppliers to meet normal demand for most of them. The products facing current disruptions include Voractiv tablets until late June 2025, and rifampicin 150 milligram capsules until mid-August 2025, both due to manufacturing delays. Comprehensive management plans were communicated to healthcare professionals on 1 June 2025, highlighting issues with TB medicines and advising of the actions to take during this time.

NHS England is actively working with the affected suppliers to address these supply issues as quickly as possible to ensure that UK patients have access to the medications they need.

The team are working intensively to improve the availability of TB medicines, which includes co-ordinating with the British Thoracic Society to ensure centres treating active TB have access to available supplies, and directing trusts to build buffer stocks of unlicensed imports of TB medicines whilst there is a supply issue with some UK licensed products. The team are also supporting the impacted supplier and trusts to ensure that the available TB medicine supplies are equitably distributed and allocated fairly across the UK. The team is continuing to explore medium to long term solutions to the supply issues, working with those mentioned as well as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and clinicians within the NHS.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the letter of 9 June 2026 from the Minister of State for Health to the Hon Member of St Albans (ref PO-1608258), when the remediable service statement will be issued. \p Karin Smyth: The production of remediable services statements is a challenging and complex work programme that the NHS Business Service Authority is working hard to deliver.

I will respond directly to the Hon. Member in a letter to update on the personal delivery status for her constituent.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Nursing and Midwifery Council on the potential impact of the use of nurse as a title for staff who are not qualified nurses on patient safety. \p Karin Smyth: The Government recognises that the protection in law of certain professional titles is important for public safety. Protecting a title provides assurance to the public that the person using that title is competent and safe to practise. Although ‘registered nurse’ is a protected title, ‘nurse’ is currently not a protected title. The Government is aware of the concerns which this generates.

On the 12 May we announced our intention to amend the criminal offence of ‘misuse of professional titles’ so that the title of ‘nurse’ is protected, as part of the Government’s professional regulation reform programme.

The term ‘nurse’ is used across multiple professions, for example, ‘dental nurse’, ‘veterinary nurse’ and ‘nursery nurse’. It is not our intention to prevent the legitimate use of the title ‘nurse’ within these instances. The legislation will therefore include exemptions to allow other professionals to use the title legitimately, without the risk of prosecution.

The Government will continue to work with key stakeholders, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council, on developing the protection of title offence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for operations at King's Mill Hospital. \p Karin Smyth: King’s Mill Hospital is the largest hospital within the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The trust has secured additional outpatient, diagnostic, and operating capacity to help reduce waiting times for operations.

This has been done by working closely with the local independent sector and third parties, increasing clinical staffing levels in certain specialities, and using mutual aid with neighbouring National Health Service partners within and outside of the integrated care system.

These interventions have resulted in a sustained improvement in the proportion of patients on a referral to treatment pathway who are receiving treatment within 18 weeks.

Between the end of June 2024 and the end of April 2025, the total waiting list at the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has decreased by 1.1%, from 35,717 to 35,317. The percentage of patients waiting within 18 weeks has increased by 3%, from 60.7% to 63.7%.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to ensure that NHS data handled by Palantir Technologies cannot be accessed or processed by non-UK government entities. \p Karin Smyth: The NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) has been designed with stringent safeguards to ensure that patient data is protected in full compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Access to National Health Service health and social care data within the FDP is tightly controlled. Only authorised users are granted access, and solely for approved purposes that demonstrably benefit patient care or NHS operations. Palantir Technologies, as the software provider, operates strictly under the instruction of NHS England. They do not control the data, nor are they permitted to access, use, or share it for any independent purpose. To further strengthen data protection, the FDP incorporates advanced Privacy Enhancing Technology (NHS-PET), which has been procured from a separate supplier to ensure independence and to mitigate any potential conflicts of interest. This technology ensures that data is processed in a secure and privacy-preserving manner. The contract with Palantir Technologies includes robust confidentiality clauses and is governed by a comprehensive oversight framework. This framework includes regular audits, monitoring, and reporting to ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards. Data Protection Impact Assessments have been conducted to assess and mitigate any risks to individual rights and freedoms.

It is a contractual requirement that personal data stored in the FDP and NHS-PET cannot be accessed by its provider’s personnel or contractors based outside the United Kingdom. In accordance with GDPR principles of transparency and accountability, NHS England has published details which outline how data is protected, who can access it, and under what conditions. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/overarching-data-protection-impact-assessment-dpia-for-the-federated-data-platform-fdp/#18-in-which-country-territory-will-personal-data-be-stored-or-processed

These measures collectively ensure that NHS data remains under UK jurisdiction and all processing of patient information will be within the UK only. This is a contractual requirement, and one of the key principles of the FDP Information Governance Framework. Data cannot be accessed or processed by non-UK government entities.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether capital funding has been allocated to South Western Ambulance Service for the modernisation of their estate. \p Karin Smyth: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their local communities, including in the South West, as they are best placed to take those decisions. Integrated care systems in the South West have been provisionally allocated a combined total of £447.9 million in operational capital funding, including primary care business-as-usual capital, for 2025/26, to be prioritised according to local needs.

In addition to the system allocation, ICBs and providers in the South West region have been provisionally allocated £82.6 million from our £750 million Estates Safety Fund to deliver vital safety improvements, enhance patient and staff environments, and support National Health Service productivity in 2025/26. They have also been provisionally allocated £10 million from our Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund to support improvements in the primary care estate, boosting productivity and enabling practices to deliver more patient appointments.

The Dorset ICB and providers have been provisionally allocated £7.9 million from our Estates Safety Fund for 2025/26, of which the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust will receive £1.7 million. This will fund improvements at Taunton Ambulance Station, St James Ambulance Station, Derriford Ambulance Station, and the trust’s headquarters.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has consulted UK defence and intelligence agencies on awarding NHS data platform contracts to foreign-owned companies with defence-sector operations. \p Karin Smyth: NHS England conducted an independent and transparent procurement exercise in full compliance with public contract regulations. The selection of the preferred supplier was not determined by a single individual but was the result of a rigorous assessment process involving multiple stakeholders.

Consulting the United Kingdom’s defence and intelligence agencies before awarding data contracts is not a usual part of NHS England’s procurement process. NHS England did work with the National Cyber Security Centre for this procurement.

In accordance with procurement regulations, NHS England cannot exclude any legally established and eligible supplier from participating in the bidding process.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May to Question 50600 on Integrated Care Boards: Per Capita Costs and with reference to the NHS England publication entitled, Working together in 2025/26 to lay the foundations for reform, published on 1 April 2025, how many integrated care boards have signed-off plans that are affordable within the reduced running cost envelope. \p Karin Smyth: Plans are still in development. NHS England is continuing to work closely with integrated care boards to support them in finalising plans that are deliverable within the reduced running cost envelope.
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Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the reduction in the number of nursing lecturer positions in higher education institutions on the Government's ability to fulfil the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. \p Karin Smyth: No assessment has been made. Universities are autonomous bodies, independent from the Government, and are responsible for their own staffing and recruitment decisions.

We are committed to training the staff we need to get patients seen on time and will continue to work closely with partners in the higher education sector to do so. Later this year, we will publish a new workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require British trained (a) doctors and (b) nurses to give a minimum of five years’ service to the NHS before working abroad. \p Karin Smyth: The Government has no current plans to introduce tie-ins for doctors and nurses working in the National Health Service. The Government keeps the funding arrangements for all healthcare students under close review.

Later this year, we will publish a new workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, to treat patients on time again. We will ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many band 5 nurse role were advertised for internal applicants in (a) 2024, (b) 2023 and (c) 2022. \p Karin Smyth: The Department does not hold the information requested.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the security implications of awarding NHS data management contracts to (a) Palantir Technologies Inc. and (b) other companies with significant overseas (i) defence and (ii) intelligence clients. \p Karin Smyth: In awarding the contract for the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP), NHS England made an assessment of the cyber risk and the protections offered by each bidder. The FDP has extensive security arrangements in place to manage cyber risk, including:

It is a contractual requirement that personal data stored in the FDP and its associated services (FDP-AS), including the NHS-Privacy Enhancing Technology, cannot be accessed by the provider’s own personnel or contractors from outside the United Kingdom. The FDP-AS contract stipulates that all data must be held within the UK and is subject to UK Data Protection Law, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation.

All FDP data processes and systems need to comply with the Technology Code of Practice, Government Data Standards, the Department’s Guide to good practice for digital and data-driven health technologies, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the UK General Data Protection Regulation, the Information Commissioner's Office’s guidance, and associated regulations, standards, and guidance.

The contract was awarded in conformance with public sector procurement law, as required. The National Health Service ran an independent procurement exercise. The choice of preferred supplier was not made by a single person, as it was the result of assessment by many different individuals. NHS England has a duty to treat all suppliers the same regardless of the public perception of any organisation, or the opinions held by any of their shareholders.

NHS England cannot exclude any supplier that is lawfully established and able to bid from participating in the procurement. The procurement process received external validation from multiple Government departments, as well as independent evaluations by Infrastructure and Projects Authority reviewers. There were no identified security concerns in relation to the contract awarded for the NHS FDP.

The Procurement Act 2023 has introduced new powers to exclude and debar suppliers from public sector contracts if they pose a national security risk. Cabinet Office has established the new National Security Unit for Procurement, which is responsible for investigating suppliers on national security grounds, both within the Government supply chain and for the wider public sector.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to conduct a review of the Carr-Hill formula in Primary Care Networks. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Shockat Adam:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what baseline figure his Department will use to measure progress on reducing the number of (a) people with a learning disability and (b) autistic people in mental health hospitals by 10 per cent within 2025-26. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Shockat Adam:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether each Integrated Care System is required to reduce the number of (a) people with a learning disability and (b) autistic people from their area in mental health hospitals by 10 per cent within 2025-26. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve (a) safety and (b) other standards in maternity services at (i) Southend and (ii) Basildon Hospital. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which community diagnostic centres are under construction. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the number of homes in Lincolnshire that are below EPC band C. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The information requested is not held by the Department.
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Dr Danny Chambers:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether (a) Great British Energy and (b) Ofgem plan to increase the amount paid to people with solar panels who export excess electricity to the grid. \p Michael Shanks: Households with solar panels benefit through significantly reduced electricity bills. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a market-led mechanism in which energy suppliers, not government, set both tariff levels and structure. This is to encourage innovation and competition between suppliers.

We are also speeding up connections for smaller-scale projects and seeking to address market challenges like price certainty.

The Government keeps the SEG under regular review to ensure it continues to meet our objectives.”
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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Olivia Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it is his Department's policy to seek an investor-state dispute chapter during negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty with India. \p Kerry McCarthy: The UK withdrew from the Energy Charter Treaty on 27 April 2025. Ten other Energy Charter Treaty Contracting Parties have withdrawn, or are withdrawing from the Energy Charter Treaty.

The UK Government is committed to delivering its Growth and Clean Energy Missions agendas and to working multilaterally to achieve this, such as at the OECD and the UN.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether Sizewell C will be classified as (a) public or (b) private expenditure and borrowing for the purposes of the national accounts. \p Michael Shanks: While HMG's investments in the project since November 2022 have resulted in the project being consolidated to the government’s balance sheet, a decision on the economic classification of Sizewell C will be made by the Office for National Statistics, independently of HMG.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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John Lamont:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) homes and (b) businesses in rural areas have adequate energy supplies during the implementation of Great Grid Upgrade infrastructure projects. \p Michael Shanks: The transformation of our electricity network will increase capacity for users across GB. Investment under Ofgem’s next electricity distribution networks price control (2028-2033) will be informed by Regional Energy Strategic Plans, which will consider local area energy requirements and ensure timely reinforcement of networks for rural communities. To bring new electricity transmission infrastructure online, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) allows parts of the network to be temporarily switched off so that work can be conducted safely. NESO undertakes system access planning to ensure this process is efficient and economic, and the transmission system continues to operate within the Security and Quality of Supply Standards through all access windows, minimising impacts on customers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the potential closure of the strait of Hormuz on (a) the UK's energy security and (b) consumer energy prices. \p Michael Shanks: Oil and gas markets are well supplied and functioning normally. Though they have responded to events in the Middle East, prices remain within the bounds we have seen over the last year. We have not witnessed any material reduction of traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz. DESNZ will continue monitoring closely for any future impacts.

The Government's Clean Energy Superpower Mission, supported by the largest investment in home-grown clean energy in British history, will enhance energy security by boosting our energy independence, protecting billpayers, and reducing exposure to global supply shocks.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, If he will make a single Minister responsible for offshore infrastructure. \p Michael Shanks: I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to him on 28 January to question UIN (24981)
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Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many times has 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 Michael Shanks: This information is not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
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Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his planned timetable is for the work his Department has commissioned on removing barriers to local supply faced by community energy schemes. \p Michael Shanks: The Government recognises that local energy will play an important role in achieving the mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030, and some electricity suppliers are already working with community energy groups to support local supply. We published the summary of responses to the previous Call for Evidence on Barriers to Community Energy in March 2025 and officials in my department are currently undertaking research and engagement, including in the form of workshops with key stakeholders, to work through this complex issue and understand any unintended consequences to the wider system and bill payers from unlocking local supply. Further updates and outcomes from this work will be provided in due course.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish the previous Government’s cost impact assessment for building a gigawatt scale nuclear plant at Wylfa. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Energy–Nuclear acquired the Wylfa site last year and we will set out our plans in due course. No decision has yet been taken on whether to pursue a future large-scale project beyond Sizewell C, but all nuclear projects are subject to a detailed value for money assessment, including cost.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the number of households that will become eligible for the Warm Home Discount following her Department's planned changes to the eligibility criteria in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Warm Home Discount statistics for 2024-25 were published on 26th June 2025. These statistics cover receipt of the WHD for winter 2024/25. Estimates of future eligibility are not available at county or constituency level. Across Great Britain, we will be extending the WHD to an estimated additional 2.7 million households and bringing the overall number of households supported to around 6 million.
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John Lamont:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has to encourage people living in rural areas to use wood pellets for fuel in their homes. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The government expects most off-gas grid and rural properties will ultimately transition to heat pumps as these are a proven technology which have been installed in high numbers in other countries. Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, grants are available for air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps is £7,500, and £5,000 is available for biomass boilers.

The Warm Homes Plan will help households, including rural off-gas grid households, take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation, helping them save money on their bills and benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating.

Further details on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out by October.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the (a) value and (b) volume of solar PV and energy storage equipment imported into the UK from China is. \p Michael Shanks: The Department does not hold this information. HMRC publishes the value and mass of solar panels and batteries imported, by country, on its data portal at www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table/.
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Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times his Department has 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 Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) strives to deliver a high quality of service to everyone we engage with, and we continually look to improve our current performance. We treat any complaint we receive with the utmost seriousness and attention.

Complaints referred to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) are reported annually in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts, and complaint outcomes, including recommended forms of redress, are considered in full by the Department.

The MOD does not hold a full record on whether partially upheld/fully upheld complaints have been accepted in full by the Department, nor is there a full record of what forms of redress have been accepted following a PHSO investigation into a complaint.
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Gavin Robinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on support for the defence industry in Northern Ireland. \p Maria Eagle: The UK Government, through the Strategic Defence Review will make defence an engine for growth ensuring that our defence spending boosting prosperity, jobs and security for working people across all nations and regions. This includes in Northern Ireland, where companies like Thales are at the forefront of both advanced manufacturing and our enduring support to Ukraine. In March, we announced a £1.6 billion deal to supply thousands of advanced air defence missiles to Ukraine, whilst creating 200 new jobs in Northern Ireland. It is the largest contract ever received by Thales in Belfast. We are committed to working with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that we have a thriving defence sector which supports jobs, skills and growth in Northern Ireland.
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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Mildenhall-based KC-135s were deployed in support of the US Operation Midnight Hammer. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence does not comment on the operational activity of other nations, including third party use of UK bases. The UK was not involved in Operation Midnight Hammer.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the US cancellation of orders for the Boeing E7 Wedgetail on (a) UK and (b) NATO intelligence-gathering capability. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence is continuing with its procurement of E-7 Wedgetail in order to meet the national and NATO requirements for an Airborne Early Warning and Control capability which is interoperable with its allies.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the procurement by the United States Air Force of the E2D Hawkeye aircraft on the intelligence-gathering capability of the (a) US and (b) NATO. \p Maria Eagle: Procurement decisions by any other NATO nation are fully a matter for that nation. NATO standardisation ensures interoperability of other nations equipment with our own sovereign military capabilities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many VALOUR support centres for veterans he plans to locate in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire. \p Al Carns: The detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR are in development and further announcements, including on development funding, will be announced in due course. The first VALOUR pilot was launched on 26 June 2025, in partnership with Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire, and will help to develop a blueprint as VALOUR is rolled out across the country next year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_189

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration, published on 23rd March 2023, whether he has taken steps to increase the interoperability of (a) communication, (b) armament systems and (c) other future Combat Air systems. \p Maria Eagle: The UK remains committed to exploring interoperability between the Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS) of the UK and France, which will form part of the wider combat air and multi-domain capabilities across Europe and NATO. The UK maintains a NATO-first approach to addressing interoperability. At the same time, the UK and France are working together to explore areas in which interoperability can be increased, such as communication and armaments systems. The UK and France are doing so through our military and industrial relationships, mutual sharing of technical roadmaps for missiles, and the FCAS Technology Development Cooperation mechanism, the second phase of which will focus on interoperability.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_190

Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with representatives from devolved administrations on the potential impact of extending the Armed Forces Covenant Duty to more policy areas. \p Al Carns: In developing policy to support putting the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law, over 150 organisations, including representatives from the Devolved Administrations, have taken part in the Ministry of Defence’s roundtable discussions and workshops. This is part of an ongoing extensive research and engagement programme to identify areas for inclusion in the Covenant Duty extension where the Armed Forces community may experience disadvantage.

The UK Government will continue to work proactively with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Governments throughout the legislation process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_191

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Department uses non‑deterministic systems. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence is exploiting AI across a broad spectrum of use cases from the frontline to the back office to make all parts of Defence more efficient and effective. This includes the use of 'non-deterministic' AI systems, such as Large Language Models, where they demonstrate operational benefit. Joint Service Publication 936 on Dependable AI provides a robust framework to address AI-related risks around human control and unpredictability as part of our existing risk management process. This ensures that our legal, ethical and safety obligations are always fulfilled for all AI use cases.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_192

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2025 to Question 31166 on Ministers: Aviation, whether the £4,282 figure includes officials accompanying Ministers. \p Maria Eagle: No, the £4,282 figure is for Ministers only.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_193

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) he and (b) the Prime Minister are permitted to make use of the King's Helicopter Flight when not in use by the Royal Household. \p Maria Eagle: No. There is no arrangement for the Prime Minister or the Secretary of State for Defence for use of the King's Helicopter Flight.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_194

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increases to employers’ National Insurance contributions on the defence industry. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Epping Forest (Dr Neil Hudson) to Question 38688 on 20 March 2025.

Defence: Employers' Contributions (docx, 29.1KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_195

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will facilitate increased sittings of the Independent Panel to assess payments for LGBTQ+ veterans. \p Al Carns: As of 23 June 2025, the FRS had made payments totalling £3.4 million to 69 applicants with life-limiting conditions or serious health concerns. We are now processing applications based on date received. The first payments were issued within 15 weeks of the scheme going live. The Ministry of Defence remains committed to ensuring all eligible veterans receive the recognition they deserve.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_196

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on issuing Armed Forces Pension Scheme Remediable Service Statements to all members who require one by 30 September 2025. \p Al Carns: There are 34,917 Immediate Choice members in scope to receive a Remediable Service Statement (RSS), of which 13,066 have been issued as of 31 May 2025.

Of the 60,813 Active Member RSSs, 43,977 have been issued. The remaining 16,836 (27 per cent) are complex cases requiring manual intervention.

For the Deferred Member cohort, no RSSs have been issued, however, these will begin to arrive with members by September 2025.

If an RSS cannot be issued by September 2025, affected members will be notified in writing with an explanation, revised timelines, and further details published on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, what his Department's methodological definition of resilience and security spending is under the new 5 percent defence spending target. \p Maria Eagle: The Government defines defence and national security spending in line with NATO's definition. NATO's definition of defence and security related expenditure includes areas such as strengthening the defence industrial base and our energy security, enhancing civil preparedness and resilience, and countering hybrid treats.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_198

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the RAF Voyager fleet are airworthy. \p Maria Eagle: All Voyager aircraft are certified as airworthy. However, the serviceability of the fleet varies daily due to routine maintenance schedules. For reasons of operational security, specific details about the serviceability of Voyager aircraft are not publicly disclosed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_199

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of defence budgets in the last 10 years. \p Maria Eagle: The recent increase in defence spending is the largest sustained increase since the end of the Cold War.

The Government is firmly committed to increasing defence spending to reach 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and has set an ambition to reach 3%in the next Parliament, as fiscal and economic conditions allow. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has also made a historic commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security. This is a generational increase in defence and security spending, honouring our commitment to be a leader in NATO.

The Department publishes historic MOD spending in cash and real terms in its annual Departmental Resources publication.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_200

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the existing regulatory framework for open access rail operators. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government believes the existing regulatory framework that governs access to the railway is not fit for purpose. It has failed not only passengers but also freight operators as it is designed for each part of the railway to act in isolation, resulting in fragmented decision making and conflicting accountabilities. Our consultation set out proposals for fundamental reform of the framework, with Great British Railways as a single directing mind, able to strategically plan the best use of the network, implementing an achievable, reliable timetable, so that the services promised to passengers are delivered. Better coordination of the timetable will reduce delays, improve reliability, reduce costs and boost growth.

The Government will respond to the consultation in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_201

Juliet Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on the full electrification of the Midland Main Line; and whether her Department has a planned timetable for its completion. \p Simon Lightwood: Electrification of the Midland Main Line (MML) between Kettering and Wigston is now complete and enhancements south of Bedford, are due to complete in August. Following the Spending Review, we will now be working to confirm our wider portfolio of rail enhancements, including the MML, which will be published as part of the government’s commitment to set out its overall infrastructure pipeline in the coming weeks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_202

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of ending cross-country train contracts early. \p Simon Lightwood: Officials monitor all operators against the train service performance benchmarks in their contracts. CrossCountry performance in 2024 was not good enough so enforcement action was taken.

Cancellations have reduced since January 2025 but remain high, particularly at weekends. The operator knows it has much work to do to reduce cancellations and improve services. If CrossCountry does not meet performance obligations, the Department will not hesitate to take appropriate action in line with their contract.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_203

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the proportion of Crosscountry rail services that were overcrowded in each of the last 12 months. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department receives regular information on how busy CrossCountry train services are, but not in the format requested. However, since the May timetable change, average loadings across the CrossCountry network have been broadly similar to those seen in 2019 and 2024.

The Department has funded 12 additional Voyager trains (60 carriages) for the CrossCountry network. The last of these entered service from May enabling the operator to offer thousands more seats each day.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the Great Western Railway franchise fleet maintenance regime. \p Simon Lightwood: My officials receive regular updates from Great Western Railway (GWR) with regard to its train fleet. Detailed maintenance arrangements are a matter for GWR, its maintenance providers and the rolling stock owning companies. GWR works closely with its maintainers and the supply chain to source parts to maintain the trains as required. In recent months GWR working with Hitachi has seen more consistent availability of its intercity fleet. The procurement of 26 Class 175 trains will also provide additional rolling stock resilience across the network.