theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) haematologists and (b) haemato-oncologists work in the NHS; and what the target numbers are for those professions. \p Karin Smyth: As of January 2025, there are 2,181 full time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of haematology across National Health Service trusts and integrated care boards in England. This includes 1,025 FTE consultant haematologists.

The Department does not hold information on the number of haemato-oncologists. No specific targets have been set for the number of staff in these medical specialties. Appropriate levels of staffing will be decided by local system workforce planning.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

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Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce the time taken for patients with musculoskeletal conditions to be treated in Leeds North East constituency; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of enabling chiropractors to treat musculoskeletal conditions on the NHS. \p Karin Smyth: There are no plans by either the Department or NHS England to review the use of chiropractors in the treatment of individuals with musculoskeletal conditions.

Where there is demand, integrated care boards are able to make independent decisions on which health professionals they employ and may commission a limited amount of such treatment.

Cutting waiting lists forms a key part of the Government’s mission to reform the National Health Service.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 29 February 2024 to Question 15468 and 6 March 2024 to Question 15467, how many staff in (a) his Department and (b) NHS England have job titles that include the words (i) equality, (ii) diversity, (iii) inclusion, (iv) gender, (v) LGBT and (vi) race. \p Karin Smyth: The Department currently has four roles with job titles that include the words equality, diversity, inclusion, gender, LGBT and race. These roles sit within policy areas linked to supporting the Department’s work externally, and are not internally or HR focussed.

As per 22nd of April 2025, there are 47 direct employees in NHS England whose job title include either of the following words: equality, diversity, inclusion, gender, LGBT, or race.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that newly-qualified (a) nurses and (b) other healthcare professionals trained in the UK have sufficient job opportunities. \p Karin Smyth: Decisions on the availability of job opportunities for newly qualified nurses and other healthcare professionals trained in the United Kingdom are a matter for individual National Health Service trusts. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.

We will publish a refreshed 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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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to prevent community pharmacies from operating at a financial loss when dispensing medicines for which the purchase price exceeds the NHS drug tariff reimbursement rate. \p Karin Smyth: We have now concluded the consultation on funding for 2024/25 and 2025/26, and have agreed with Community Pharmacy England to increase the community pharmacy contractual framework to £3.073 billion. This deal represents the largest uplift in funding of any part of the National Health Service, over 19% across 2024/25 and 2025/26.

There are two arrangements in place to avoid pharmacy contractors dispensing at a loss and to ensure that overall, they are paid enough as part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) funding. These are the medicine margin and the concessionary price arrangements.

The community pharmacy reimbursement arrangements include an amount of medicines margin, the difference between the reimbursement price and the price the pharmacy was charged by the supplier, that pharmacies are allowed to retain as part of the CPCF funding. The Department assesses the medicine margin through a quarterly medicine margin survey, which ensures that overall, pharmacies are paid more than what it cost them to purchase medicines.

The concessionary prices are granted to ensure that pharmacy contractors are fairly reimbursed for any prescriptions dispensed during that given month, where they may suddenly face challenges in obtaining stock at the Drug Tariff reimbursement price. In addition, there is a ‘retrospective top-up payment for concessionary prices’, which provides an additional payment to contractors when the margin survey indicates that despite a concessionary price, there was an under payment.
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Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy for contracts awarded to non-NHS providers to require those providers to provide pay and conditions on NHS Agenda for Change terms for staff that deliver such services. \p Karin Smyth: The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 allow for terms and conditions of service to be protected or frozen as they stand on the date of transfer to a non-National Health Service employer. This may also cover any pre-agreed contractual future entitlements if a deal is negotiated and agreed prior to the date of transfer.

However, this does not cover any future changes to NHS terms and conditions of service which may be negotiated under the collective bargaining process after the date of transfer, and where the employer receiving transferred staff is not a participant to the collective bargaining process. This includes annual pay increases under Agenda for Change. We would encourage employees to raise any issues relating to their terms and conditions directly with their employing organisation and/or trade union representative.

The Department and NHS England would expect any proposal to outsource work contracts such as the provision of facilities management services to be supported by a business case which, pursuant to the Government’s public interest test, should clearly demonstrate that the service is delivered in a way that improves quality, ensures greater stability and longer-term investment in the workforce; and delivers better value for money as part of the broader commitments on procurement, as set out in the ‘Make Work Pay’ programme. More information on the program is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/next-steps-to-make-work-pay/next-steps-to-make-work-pay-web-accessible-version
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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking with blood cancer (a) charities, (b) academic institutions and (c) professional bodies to improve recruitment and retention in the blood cancer workforce. \p Karin Smyth: Decisions about recruitment are matters for individual National Health Service trusts. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.

The Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, to ensure that we retain more of our skilled and dedicated staff. NHS England is leading work nationally through its retention programme to drive a consistent, system-wide approach to staff retention across NHS trusts. This ensures trusts have access to proven retention strategies, data-driven monitoring, and can foster a more stable, engaged, productive, and supported workforce.

NHS England is working with partners, including the Royal College of Pathologists, Cancer Alliances, and genomics programme leads, to strengthen diagnostic workforce capacity across cancer services, including pathology and cancer genomics. This includes investing in new training pathways, digital pathology, and genomics education.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an estimate of the cost to the public purse of  making prescriptions free for people with chronic, long-term conditions. \p Karin Smyth: The Department has made no estimate. There are extensive arrangements currently in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone, including for those with chronic, long-term conditions.

Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there are a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place, for which those with heart disease may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. The scheme provides income related help to people who are not automatically exempt from charges but who may be entitled to full or partial help if they have a low income and savings below a defined limit.

To support those with greatest need who do not qualify for an exemption or the NHS Low Income Scheme, prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three month and 12 month certificates available, which can be paid for in instalments.
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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of US tariffs on the UK pharmaceutical industry. \p Karin Smyth: The Department is working closely with United Kingdom pharmaceutical firms and trade associations to understand how United States tariffs may impact the sector and the trade of individual products. As this is an evolving situation, these assessments are ongoing, but we will continue to closely review the potential impact as more information becomes available.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for musculoskeletal services in Rushcliffe constituency; and if he will consider the use of chiropractors as regulated healthcare professionals to reduce those waiting times. \p Karin Smyth: NHS England does not nationally commission chiropractic care as it is a complementary and alternative medicine. There are no plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of integrating chiropractic care into centrally commissioned National Health Service care.

Where there is demand, integrated care boards are able to make independent decisions on which health professionals they employ and may commission a limited amount of such treatment.

Cutting waiting lists forms a key part of the Government’s mission to reform the NHS.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the weight loss pill Orforglipron will be available on the NHS. \p Karin Smyth: In the United Kingdom, medicines need to have a licence before they can be marketed. These are granted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Licences confirm the health condition the medicine should be used for and the recommended dosage. To get a licence, the manufacturer of the medicine has to provide evidence which shows that the medicine is safe and effective enough to be used for a specific condition and for a specific group of patients, and that they can manufacture the medicine to the required quality. If the company makes an application for a licence in the UK for orforglipron, it will be evaluated by the MHRA accordingly.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing evidence-based guidance on whether new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of National Health Service resources. The NICE aims wherever possible to issue draft guidance on new medicines close to the time of licensing. The NHS in England is legally required to fund drugs recommended by the NICE, usually within three months of final guidance.
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Steve Witherden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending eligibility for The Ambulance Service (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to paramedics employed by air ambulance charities. \p Karin Smyth: No assessment has been made and there are no current plans to extend the eligibility of the Ambulance Service (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to paramedics employed by air ambulance charities.
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Tim Roca:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of losing level seven levy funding to fund apprenticeships on the NHS. \p Karin Smyth: Skills England and the Department for Education are reviewing the growth and skills offer, including whether employers will fund Level 7 apprenticeships outside of the levy. Ministers and officials from the Department of Health and Social Care, along with NHS England and other stakeholders across the sector, have been feeding into this review and will continue to work closely to ensure that the National Health Service 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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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help support the NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board to provide adequate earwax removal services. \p Karin Smyth: Integrated care boards (ICBs) have a statutory responsibility to commission cost-effective healthcare to meet the needs of their local populations. This includes the arrangement of services for ear wax removal. When ICBs exercise their functions, including commissioning healthcare services such as ear wax removal, they have a duty to reduce inequalities between persons with respect to their ability to access health services, and to reduce inequalities between patients with respect to the outcomes achieved for them by the provision of health services.

Guidance for general practitioners (GPs) on ear wax removal is provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Manual ear syringing is no longer advised by the NICE due to the risks associated with it, such as trauma to their ear drum or infection, so GPs will often recommend home treatment remedies to alleviate ear wax build-up.

However, in line with the NICE’s guidance, a person may require ear wax removal treatment if the build-up of earwax is linked with hearing loss. A GP could then consider referring the patient into audiology services, which ICBs are responsible for commissioning.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of providing additional funding for clinical homecare. \p Karin Smyth: My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has made no recent assessment of the merits of providing additional funding for clinical homecare. The Department and NHS England recognise the importance of strengthening homecare medicine services, and continue to prioritise improvements in this area following the House of Lords Public Services Committee’s report, Homecare medicines services: an opportunity lost.

Work is ongoing to explore a range of options to improve homecare services, including through the implementation of the recommendations accepted by the Department and NHS England. An update on this will be provided to the House of Lords Public Services Committee later this year.
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Mr James Frith:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with NHS England on the reason that some NHS Trusts are not yet offering access to givinostat through the Early Access Programme. \p Karin Smyth: The Department understands the impact that Duchenne muscular dystrophy has on those living with it and their families, and the urgent need for new treatment options.

Officials from the Department have had discussions with NHS England regarding access to givinostat through the Early Access Programme (EAP). Under the EAP, givinostat is free to both the patients taking part in it, and to the National Health Service, although NHS trusts must still cover the cost of administering it to patients.

Participation to the programme is decided at an individual NHS trust level and NHS England has published guidance for integrated care systems (ICS) on free of charge medicines schemes such as EAPs, including providing advice on the potential financial, administrative, and clinical risks. The guidance aims to support the NHS to drive value from medicines and ensure consistent and equitable access to medicines across England. ICSs should follow the recommendations to determine whether to implement any free of charge schemes, including assessing suitability and any risks in the short, medium, and long term. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/free-of-charge-foc-medicines-schemes-national-policy-recommendations-for-local-systems/
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John Milne:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) he and (b) the Minister for Public Health and Prevention will attend the Lobular Moon Shot Project's drop in on Tuesday 6 May 2025 to discuss research into lobular breast cancer. \p Ashley Dalton: Due to diary pressures, neither myself nor my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will be attending the Lobular Moon Shot Project’s drop in event on 6 May 2025. However, the Department will continue to fund research into lobular breast cancer through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including lobular breast cancer. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Welcoming applications on lobular breast cancers to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, what expenditure was involved in the Sheffield Forgemaster Recapitalisation; and when the business case was first submitted. \p Maria Eagle: The Government will provide a full update on the Sheffield Forgemasters recapitalisation later this year.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 44502 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, how much more it costs in monetary terms to operate a CH47 Chinook than a Puma over a month. \p Luke Pollard: It is not possible to provide comparable figures for different aircraft over a month. Operating costs associated with individual platforms are dependent on several variables, including the operational outputs delivered in any given month which would affect the flying hours and therefore cost to operate.

I can however confirm that the overall cost of operating a Chinook H47 is less than the cost of operating a Puma HC2.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, how much has been spent on Submarine Disposal Capability; and when the business case was first submitted. \p Maria Eagle: As of April 2025, the Submarine Disposal Capability Project has spent £300,000. The Project submitted its business case to His Majesty’s Treasury in February 2025.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43178 on Defence: Procurement, how much has been spent on the Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme; and when the business case was first submitted. \p Maria Eagle: Since its inception, the UK has invested over £2 billion already in Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme (FCAS/GCAP) and the associated Team Tempest research and development programme. GCAP is the trilateral acquisition programme developing the core platform, whilst FCAS comprises of highly integrated and aligned programmes and capabilities, a wider ‘system of systems’ with the crewed aircraft at its heart.

The FCAS Outline Business Case 1 (OBC1) was submitted in March 2021. Furthermore, the FCAS Strategic Outline Case (SOC) was first submitted in December 2018.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has decided whether to procure additional F-35 fighter jets. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 28 April 2025 to Question 45186.

F-35 Aircraft: Procurement (docx, 15.8KB)
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the size of the Army Cadet force. \p Al Carns: The merits of the Army Cadet Force and the societal benefits of all Army cadets are well recognised, improving self-efficacy, enhancing ability to communicate, and strengthening physical and mental resilience leading to better employability prospects.

Work is currently underway to understand opportunities for expansion across Ministry of Defence Cadets. Although it is too early to make an accurate assessment on projected numbers, I have directed that a review is carried out, closely aligned with the Strategic Defence Review, to determine how we can deliver more cadet activity and increase the size and offer of the Cadet Forces.
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Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total Reserve Service Day Budget is for the (a) Army, (b) Maritime and (c) Air Force in financial year 2025-26. \p Al Carns: Reserves enable our Armed Forces to meet the threats we face at home and overseas, by providing the scale, skills, agility and connection to society needed, in a cost-effective way. As the Minister for Veterans and People, I have commissioned an internal review in Defence to ensure that we are making the most of the unique contribution our Reserve Forces offer. The review will examine the Reserves landscape and will include some aspects of their terms and conditions of Service.

There is no baseline allocation of Reserve Service Days (RSD) for Army Reservists; individual Army Reserve RSD consumption varies between zero and 120 days, with an average of around 30 days. For the Maritime Reserve, the minimum annual training commitment is generally 24 RSD, split between the delivery of operational capability output and support activity. For Royal Air Force Reserve, the minimum annual RSD is 27 days, though the average is 30 days.

Funds are allocated appropriately to deliver strategic objectives. In advance of the conclusions of the Strategic Defence Review and the review I have commissioned it would be inappropriate to anticipate future budgetary allocations.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on procuring a ground-based ballistic missile defence radar. \p Maria Eagle: The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is looking at the threats we face and the capabilities we need to meet the challenges, threats and opportunity of the 21st century. The SDR will ensure the UK is secure at home and strong abroad.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has decided whether to procure additional Typhoon fighter jets. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Fylde (Andrew Snowden) on 4 March 2025 for Question 34040.

Typhoon Aircraft (docx, 15.8KB)
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with SMEs on the development of the Defence Industrial Strategy. \p Maria Eagle: Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) hold a crucial place in UK defence. They are the backbone of the UK economy and are vital to delivering the innovation, expertise and agility that we need now and in the future.

The Defence Industrial Strategy will set the conditions to unlock the full potential of SMEs. To expediate this, in March the Government unveiled substantial additional support for defence SMEs, including a support hub offering guidance on accessing the defence supply chain and the upcoming publication of a new SME spending target for defence. These measures are being developed in collaboration with industry including SMEs.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the 36,347 houses re-acquired by his Department in January 2025 house service (a) personnel and (b) families. \p Al Carns: As at 30 April 2025, of the properties re-acquired by the Department in January 2025, 29,622 are let.

Of these, 26,470 are let to Service personnel and their families and a further 402 are let to Service personnel as appropriated as Single Living Accommodation.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing published on 18 April 2025, how many families will each named housing office be responsible for under the new consumer charter. \p Al Carns: The number of families each named Housing Officer will be responsible for under the new Consumer Charter, will vary depending on the number of Service families based at each location across the Defence estate.

Work is currently underway to review Housing Officer duties, roles and responsibilities, along with the current structure. A new Housing Officer Vision has been rolled out via recent Housing Officer workshops.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing published on 18 April 2025, how the first 1,000 homes for refurbishment were selected. \p Al Carns: In our new Consumer Charter we announced seven commitments, one of which is to raise the minimum standard of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) with a new programme of refurbishment works targeted at 1,000 of the worst homes.

A combination of factors will be considered when selecting SFA for refurbishment. All SFA will be assessed against condition, thermal efficiency, age, safety, and modernity, as well as whether the Ministry of Defence has an enduring requirement for them. This will ensure both a geographical spread of investment across the UK and that a mixture of Officer and Other Rank properties are considered.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing published on 18 April 2025, what are they main components of the defence housing strategy. \p Al Carns: The Defence Housing Strategy, planned for publication later this year, will set out a roadmap to deliver a generational renewal of military accommodation, where the main objective is to raise the minimum standard of Armed Forces housing.

It will also turbocharge the development of surplus military land creating opportunities for Armed Forces home ownership and support the delivery of affordable homes for families across Britain as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.
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Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on developing a sovereign defence space capability in the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this initiative on (a) national security and (b) military operations in space. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence is working closely with other Departments to develop sovereign space capabilities, and with our Allies and partners.

We use the 'own-access-collaborate' framework to identify where the UK must own sovereign capabilities, access services from the commercial sector, or collaborate with our Allies and partners to secure military capabilities. This is achieved through the SKYNET military satellite communications programme and, most recently, the development of UK sovereign earth observation capabilities.
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Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve the (a) resilience and (b) sustainability of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise; and what estimate he has made of the (i) current and (ii) future workforce requirements to support the nuclear deterrent. \p Maria Eagle: The Government has an unwavering commitment to ensuring the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) is resilient and sustainable through significant investment in our infrastructure, people and places.

This includes recapitalising critical elements of our infrastructure, modernising our naval bases and manufacturing processes, and working with industry partners to safeguard the DNE supply chain for the future. Our investment in Barrow-in-Furness, through the Plan for Barrow, recognises its crucial role in supporting and sustaining the DNE.

The Nuclear Skills Plan is aiding the growth of the UK defence nuclear workforce to meet the skills demand across the sector, with the DNE workforce set to expand from around 47,600 to around 65,000 by 2030.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2025 to Question 45200 on Cycling: Training, what discussions the RAF have held with British Cycling to determine the parameters for the partnership on the BMX freestyle training facility located at RAF Shawbury. \p Al Carns: Ministry of Defence officials have held discussions with British Cycling and agreed mutually beneficial parameters to enable the continued use of the BMX facilities at RAF Shawbury for at least 12-18 months.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_111

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of upgrading the A400M fleet to include an air to air refuelling system. \p Maria Eagle: The A400M fleet is equipped with an Air-to-Air refuelling probe. The aircraft is fully cleared to receive fuel while airborne from Voyager aircraft.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_112

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published on 18 April 2025, whether the named housing officers for every family will be commissioned. \p Al Carns: Housing Officers are employed by Pinnacle, the Ministry of Defence’s Industry Partner. These posts are filled by civilians, not military personnel and therefore, are not commissioned.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_113
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_113

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published on 18 April 2025, how the Armed Forces Commissioner will be involved in the two stage complaints process for service housing. \p Al Carns: We are committed to listening to our people and we are establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner to act as a strong, independent champion for personnel and their families to improve Service life. The role of the Commissioner and the process for the investigation of complaints will be confirmed when the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill comes into force with the Armed Forces Commissioner Act.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_114
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_114

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to streamline the permissions process for small and medium-sized enterprises for testing new defence capabilities that fall outside Civil Aviation Authority regulations. \p Maria Eagle: The Military Aviation Authority (MAA) as the air safety regulator for the Defence Air Environment sets the regulatory framework for Air System Test activity.

It continues to support the Ministry of Defence’s ambitions, and has reorganised, upskilled and developed an updated and flexible approach to certification and regulation of new capabilities.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_115
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_115

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published on 18 April 2025, what the budget is for implementing the robust complaints system for service housing. \p Al Carns: A new, simpler complaints process is currently being devised. This will shorten the process to two stages in line with industry best practice, so that Service personnel and families have quicker resolution. Final details of this will be set out in the Defence Housing Strategy, set to be published later this year following consultation with Service personnel and their families.

There is no intent to put a contract out to tender. The complaints process is encompassed within the current Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) contracts and the complaints process is managed by Pinnacle.

No additional budget has been allocated to resource the new complaints process, as this is already delivered as part of the FDIS contracts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_116

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what objectives the Personal Hard Armour Framework (PHA-F) seeks to deliver. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 45048 on 28 April 2025.

Ukraine: Motor Vehicles (docx, 28.9KB)
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_117
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_117

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published on 18 April 2025, what budget has been allocated to the renovation of the worst homes in the Defence Housing Strategy. \p Al Carns: The cost of renovating 1,000 of the worst homes is £50 million.

Refurbishment work will commence at the beginning of summer 2025, with completion planned by the end of the year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_118

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to increase the number of UK SMEs participating in the nuclear programme supply chain. \p Maria Eagle: The Defence Nuclear Enterprise supply chain is made up of over 3,000 UK-based businesses including many Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who are contributing significantly to innovation, supply chain efficiency, and local economies. The Ministry of Defence continues to work with our largest suppliers through a network of their SME Champions, trade associations and SME representatives to ensure that SMEs have fair access to opportunities in all our supply chains.

We have announced the launch of a new hub to provide SMEs with better access to the entire defence supply chain, including the Defence Nuclear Enterprise. We will also set direct SME spending targets by June this year, ensuring that thousands of small businesses in the UK will benefit from the decision to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. This is a chance for small, often family-owned, firms to bring their innovations, agility and their expert workforce to the task of strengthening Britain’s defences.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_119

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of fitting a boom air to air refuelling system to the Voyager tanker fleet. \p Maria Eagle: All capability requirements, including those for Air-to-Air refuelling, are being considered as part of the Strategic Defence Review process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_120

Will Stone:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help ensure improved (a) interoperability and (b) coordination between drone systems procured by his Department. \p Maria Eagle: Uncrewed systems are changing the character of warfare. The pace of military and civilian uncrewed technology evolution means our traditional approaches to acquisition, regulation and operation need to adapt. Learning lessons from the conflict in Ukraine to optimise capabilities, programmes like the RAF StormShroud is evidence of this. The Department seeks to ensure that all its capabilities have the necessary interoperability with systems and allies. Further development and investment will be directed by the Strategic Defence Review recommendations.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_121
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_121

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to Ministry of Defence test ranges for (a) small and medium-sized enterprises and (b) small and medium-sized enterprises without a sponsor from his Department. \p Maria Eagle: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) make a vital contribution to economic growth and are a valuable source of technical innovation in defence. This is recognised in the Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, as well as the Department’s Social Value policies.

Small and medium-sized enterprises can apply to use many Ministry of Defence (MOD) test ranges through the Test, Trials, Training and Evaluation (T3E) Service (https://www.t3e.uk/en/) managed on behalf of the MOD by QinetiQ. This includes enterprises that do not have a MOD sponsor.

As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy and MOD’s Test and Evaluation Transformation programme, the Department is reviewing how best to support SMEs with access to relevant test facilities, including MOD and commercially run test ranges available to UK companies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_122

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press notice entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published 18 April 2025, what steps he is taking to ensure that families receive more reliable repairs to their homes through the New Consumer Charter. \p Al Carns: A commitment to conduct urgent repairs and ensure issues are fixed and resolved first time and within a set timeline, has been set out in the Consumer Charter. Our repairs commitment will be consistent with legislation such as Awaab’s law. As set out in the announcement of the Consumer Charter on 18 April, further detail will be published as part of the Defence Housing Strategy later this year following consultation with Service families.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_123
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_123

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published on 18 April 2025, how the satisfaction figures will be collated; at what frequency; and by who. \p Al Carns: As one of the seven commitments announced in the new Consumer Charter, new customer satisfaction measures are being developed to enhance accountability, giving Service families the confidence in the improvements being made.

Details of these satisfaction measures, including when they will be published and how they will be collated, will be provided in the new Defence Housing Strategy due to be published later this year.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_124
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_124

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published on 18 April 2025, what steps he plans to take to help ensure that the New Consumer Charter for families in military homes will lead to higher move-in standards. \p Al Carns: All families should be confident they are moving into a home that is clean and functional and we will continue to invest in preparing homes so that they are ready for families to move into. As part of this, we are introducing a more robust move in process, with greater assurances that all homes will be maintained, inspected, and prepared according to industry standards.

The Defence Housing Strategy, to be published later this year, will set out wider plans to improve the standard of service family homes.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_125
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_125

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press notice entitled Homes fit for heroes: Raft of new measures to improve military family housing, published on 18 April 2025, what the cost is for implementing the online portal for service personnel to manage repairs. \p Al Carns: More reliable repairs, including a new online portal for Service personnel to manage repairs, is one of the seven commitments announced in the new Consumer Charter.

The new online portal is currently in development and will go through user testing before release. The online portal will be made available to families this year.

The online portal will be provided by Pinnacle Service Families – this is a commitment under the existing contract.