theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill will include measures to support the use of low-carbon, natural building materials. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Planning and Infrastructure Bill contains no measures relating to building materials.

The full text of the Bill as introduced, as well as further versions of the Bill as it is reprinted to incorporate amendments made during its passage through Parliament, can be found online here.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of excluding car parks, roads and other forms of hardstanding from the definition of Previously Developed Land under regulation 21 of the Building Safety Levy (England) Regulations 2025 on housing viability. \p Samantha Dixon: Works on previously developed sites will be charged at the 50% discount rate for the Building Safety Levy. This is because of the higher costs of developing a previously developed/ brownfield site, and the greater risk that these projects become unviable.

As set out in our response to technical consultation, we have implemented a definition of “Previously Developed Sites” in the Building Safety Levy regulations which draws on the definition of “Previously Developed Land” set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Appropriate amendments have been made to reflect that the NPPF definition is primarily designed to inform planning policy whereas the Building Safety Levy definition is used in regulations to apply a tax discount.

We recognise the issues highlighted, and we are considering whether the approach in regulations could be more closely aligned with the NPPF, while maintaining the level of precision required for a taxation system.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when his Department intends to publish the Future Homes Standard. \p Samantha Dixon: The Government understands the urgency of introducing new energy efficiency standards so that as many homes as possible are highly efficient and use low-carbon heating. We are carefully considering at what level to set the technical requirements of the Future Homes Standard to deliver an ambitious standard that is on track to achieve our net zero ambitions while also being achievable across the country. The Future Homes Standard will be delivered in the coming months.
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Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what (a) planning policy and (b) precedent prevents (i) land promoters and (ii) developers from materially altering an agreed development layout at a site allocated within a Local Plan review following Regulation (A) 18 and (B) 19 consultations. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that site allocation policies should be deliverable over the plan period.

Planning practice guidance states that where sites are proposed for allocation, sufficient detail should be given to provide clarity to developers, local communities and other interested parties about the nature and scale of development. Such details may include policies on site layouts for allocations and would routinely be consulted on as part of the pre-submission consultation (Regulation 19). They may also be consulted on at an earlier stage (Regulation 18).

Any alterations to policies made before a plan is submitted for examination may only be made by the relevant local planning authority. Alterations to policies would only be made during the examination of the plan if the independent local plan examiner deems it appropriate, to ensure the plan meets the tests of soundness or to ensure legal compliance.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his department has considered the potential merits of mandating a minimum distance of 1km between new Quarries and residential homes or schools. \p Matthew Pennycook: The scale and form of quarries, and their potential impacts, can vary significantly. As such, it would be overly restrictive to introduce a blanket presumption against quarry development within 1km of residential homes or schools, particularly as minerals are a finite natural resource which can only be worked where they are found.

Important safeguards are in place when quarrying is proposed. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that in considering proposals for mineral extraction, minerals planning authorities should ensure that there are no unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment, human health or aviation safety, and take into account the cumulative effect of multiple impacts from individual sites and/or from a number of sites in a locality. They should also ensure that any unavoidable noise, dust and particle emissions and any blasting vibrations are controlled, mitigated or removed at source, and establish appropriate noise limits for extraction in proximity to noise sensitive properties.

Where issues are identified through the planning process, the imposition of planning conditions can assist in mitigating impacts to acceptable levels.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether potential housing development on (i) supermarkets with car parks, (ii) edge of town retail parks, (iii) train station car parks and (iv) former industrial sites where more than 25% of each site is made up of hardstanding are brownfield. \p Matthew Pennycook: The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December 2024 broadened the definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and made clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas. The definition in question can be found in the NPPF glossary on gov.uk here.
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Jon Trickett:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many applications have been made for grey belt designated land since changes to the NPPF. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department does not hold the information requested.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities with essential repairs in (a) social and (b) council housing in (i) Surrey and (ii) Surrey Heath constituency. \p Matthew Pennycook: All registered providers of social housing are obliged by law to maintain the structure and exterior of their properties, and to keep in repair and proper working order sanitation, water, gas, and electricity installations.

All registered providers of social housing are also required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible.

As part of the new consumer regime facilitated by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large landlords to seek evidence they are delivering the outcomes of the standards. This has included a number of inspections of local authority registered providers with social housing stock in Surrey, resulting in consumer gradings between C2-C4. Some local authority registered providers in Surrey have only a small number of homes and therefore fall outside of the routine inspection programme.

The government has also introduced additional safety legislation to protect tenants from health and safety hazards through the introduction of Awaab’s Law which came into force for damp, mould and all emergency hazards on 27 October 2025.
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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to require local authorities to collect and publish baseline data on current (a) sports facilities and (b) heritage landscapes. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department has not made an assessment of the adequacy of the (a) distribution and (b) availability of sports pitches by local authorities.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that planning policies should be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the need for open space, sport and recreation facilities (including quantitative or qualitative deficits or surpluses) and opportunities for new provision. Information gained from the assessments should be used to determine what open space, sport and recreational provision is needed, which plans should then seek to accommodate.

The NPPF also sets out policies to maintain pitches and to conserve protected landscapes and designated heritage assets, all of which are important material considerations to be taken into account when dealing with applications for development which may affect them.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions her Department has had with sporting bodies on strengthening (a) welfare and (b) safeguarding arrangements for women in non-professional sport in (i) Surrey and (ii) Surrey Heath constituency. \p Stephanie Peacock: The safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone taking part in sport, including women and girls, is absolutely paramount. National Governing Bodies are responsible for the regulation of their sports and for ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect participants from harm.

Sport England and UK Sport (DCMS’s Arm’s Length Bodies for sport) also require National Governing Bodies to implement safeguarding policies and practices as a condition of public funding at grassroots and elite level, respectively. DCMS officials regularly meet with both organisations to discuss issues and ongoing work in this area.

The Government is committed to supporting every aspect of women’s sport and ensuring all women and girls, no matter their background, are able to participate in sport and physical activity.
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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the use of (a) gyms, (b) swimming pools, and (c) leisure centres alongside weight-loss drugs. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. The improvements to individual wellbeing is valued at £96.7 billion a year, and the wider value to society through savings to the health and care system is £10.5 billion a year.

We are working closely with other Government Departments, including the Department for Work and Pensions and Health and Social Care to develop a cross government approach to tackling physical inactivity and improving health outcomes. As part of this, we are working on a national plan for physical activity as set out in the 10 Year Health Plan.

In June, following the Spending Review we committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK over the next four years. We will ensure that this funding promotes health and wellbeing, and helps to remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups. We are working with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated across the UK.

The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level with funding levels set as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities.
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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will publish a timeline for allocating expenditure of the £400 million capital funding for grassroots sporting facilities. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government's announcement that at least £400 million will be invested into grassroots sport over the next four years will ensure that we promote health, wellbeing and community cohesion and deliver high-quality facilities in the areas that need them most. The investment will also remove barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups such as women and girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities.

To ensure we best serve communities across the UK, we are now working with the sports sector and local leaders to develop plans for delivering this funding and further details will be announced in due course.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to increase the provision of disability sport in (a) Ashfield constituency and (b) the UK. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government believes that opportunities to play sport and get physically active should be available to everyone. We are committed to breaking down the barriers that contribute to the persisting inequalities in participation and want to ensure that everyone can experience the physical, mental and social benefits that come with being active.

To achieve this, the Government works closely with its Arm's Length Bodies, Sport England and UK Sport, as well as other partners in the sector, to improve access to sports for all.

Sport England's ten-year Uniting the Movement strategy reinforces its commitment to increasing participation in sport and physical activity for those from under-represented groups, including disabled people. Sport England has ensured that each of their programmes impact directly on disabled people and those with a long-term health condition, with initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign and partnerships with Disability Rights UK, Activity Alliance, Aspire, and Sense.

Sport England also launched a partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People and British Blind Sport in 2021. This involved investing £1 million into the See Sport Differently programme, which has been designed to tackle the biggest barriers that stop blind and partially blind people from getting involved in sport and activity.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of a news publishers co-operative to levy online platforms who use and commercialise content produced by the news industry to support local and investigative journalism. \p Ian Murray: Sustainability of local and investigative journalism across the country is an area of particular concern for this Government, including in Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton. The Government understands the important work that local news does across the UK, including outlets such as the Oldham Times and the Manchester Evening News. We are developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector.

As part of the Strategy, we plan to help the industry adapt to changing online audience habits, including by fostering a collaborative and complementary relationship between local media and the online platforms that have the most influence over citizens’ news diets. Our work will build on relevant legislation including the digital markets regime introduced by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act. The digital markets regime will boost competition in digital markets and help rebalance the relationship between online platforms and the businesses which rely on their services, including local news publishers. In October, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) designated Google with Strategic Market Status (SMS) for their position in search, and Apple and Google for their positions in mobile ecosystems. The CMA set-out possible remedies for these markets in a roadmap based on fair dealing, open choices, and increasing trust and transparency. Some of these remedies are aimed at addressing news publishers’ concerns about the imbalanced commercial relationship they have in the market. The CMA will consult on the first set of remedies soon.

We recognise that further action may be needed to support local media in adapting to changing audience habits online, guaranteeing continued public access to high quality, trustworthy public interest local journalism, and ensuring a level playing field with big tech firms as AI and other new technologies continue to disrupt the market. We are still considering what specific actions would be suitable and feasible for the Government to take in this space, and will update within the context of the Local Media Strategy in the coming months.
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Jessica Morden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring public service broadcasters to make all regional programming widely available live on their designated internet programme services. \p Ian Murray: The Media Act 2024 introduces a new prominence regime that, once commenced, will require particular online major TV platforms to carry and give appropriate prominence to designated public service broadcaster apps (referred to in the legislation as designated internet programme services).

Ofcom will designate which internet programme services this new regime will apply to according to clear criteria, which includes stipulating that any designated service must make a significant contribution towards their public service remit and that remit content within the designated service must be readily discoverable.

We expect an important outcome of the way we have designated the new regime will achieve appropriate prominence for public remit content, which includes provision of content that reflects the lives and concerns of different communities and regions across the UK.

Ofcom is also required to issue a statement on their proposed methodology they will apply when making their designation decisions for internet programme services, which they have consulted on. Ofcom issued their final Statement on their methodology on 22 July 2025.
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Gill German:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that switchovers of legacy technology, such as digital terrestrial television, support uptake and inclusion amongst digitally excluded citizens. \p Ian Murray: Digital inclusion is a priority for this Government. It is foundational to delivering on our five Missions and essential to unlocking economic growth.

The Department is leading a project to assess the future of TV distribution and we are committed to maintaining access for all, regardless of how audiences receive their television. Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) is protected until at least 2034, safeguarding access for millions of households.

The project is working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to ensure that any opportunities to support digital inclusion is at the heart of policy development.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the time taken for construction at cultural venues on access to the arts in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency. \p Ian Murray: The government has not made a specific assessment of how the time taken for construction at cultural venues would impact access to the arts in either Surrey or the Surrey Heath constituency.

As part of the introduction of the new Creative Foundations Fund, which is addressing urgent capital needs in the arts and cultural sector, the government did however consider the temporary loss of access caused by possible necessary closures while works are completed. The conclusion was that the long-term benefits outweighed the short-term impact, and that the renewal of assets will help retain and attract audiences.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions her Department has had with local councils on the future of (a) community arts and (b) cultural infrastructure in (i) Surrey and (ii) Surrey Heath constituency. \p Ian Murray: The Secretary of State, her ministerial team, and officials engage regularly with a wide range of stakeholders including local councils and DCMS Arm’s Length Bodies regarding support for local arts and cultural organisations. Typically, DCMS does not directly fund local authorities, nor their arts and cultural organisations, which are commonly funded by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Arts Council England.

We have committed an additional £3.4 billion in grant funding to local government by 2028-29, including investment in culture. The department also partnered with MHCLG on the "Pride in Place" strategy, and has recently committed £270 million through the Arts Everywhere Fund which will help support long-term viability of venues in communities across the country.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the resilience of (a) cultural and (b) community venues in (i) Surrey and (ii) Surrey Heath constituency. \p Ian Murray: We recognise the challenges that cultural and community venues face. The government is committed to supporting these venues across the country which is why we announced the Arts Everywhere Fund earlier this year, committing £270 million to support cultural venues to carry out urgent repairs, upgrade infrastructure and improve financial resilience. As part of that, both the £85 million Creative Foundations Fund and the £25 million Museum Estate Development Fund are supporting non-profit cultural organisations to undertake urgent capital works, building repairs, retrofits and equipment upgrades improving safety, energy efficiency, accessibility and long-term viability of venues in communities across the country.

The government has also kept in place improved tax reliefs on theatre productions (via the Theatre Tax Relief), which helps theatres better absorb rising running costs. Since April 2025, theatres, orchestras and museums and galleries have benefited from higher tax relief rates of 40 percent for non-touring productions, and 45 percent for orchestral and touring productions.

On top of tax reliefs, we support arts and cultural venues through the 2023-2027 Arts Council England National Portfolio Investment Programme, and National Lottery Project Grants. This funding has provided over £570 million in 2024/25 to cultural venues across the country, of all shapes and sizes; of which £11.5 million of that funding has been in Surrey.
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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, (a) if there will be exemptions made to her ticket price cap policy and (b) what criteria is used to judge this. \p Ian Murray: As set out in our response to the consultation on the resale of live events tickets, published last month, the Government believes that a good case can be made for narrow exemptions to the price cap in the case of resale for charitable purposes and the resale of debentures tickets. This issue was explored in the consultation, and a number of responses made the case for exemptions of this kind. We recognise that any exemptions must be tightly drawn to avoid potential abuse and we will continue to examine how these exemptions could be defined and administered in a way that does not risk undermining the overall effectiveness of the price cap, before legislation is brought forward.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what action the Department is taking to support the growth of British film and television production outside London. \p Ian Murray: The Government is committed to spreading the benefits of our world-leading film and TV sector across the country. The Creative Industries Sector Plan was published in June and announced a £75 million Screen Growth Package. This includes funding to assist productions filming across England, alongside support for the British Film Commission, to build on its work in doubling UK studio capacity outside London, including Space Studios Manchester and The Depot in Liverpool.

The recent Budget announced plans to maintain the 40% business rates relief for film studios until 2034, giving emerging production hubs in places such as Hartlepool and Digbeth a strong foundation on which to build.

We are also investing directly in regional creative ecosystems. Our £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund is providing £25 million over three years to six Mayoral Strategic Authorities: West of England, West Midlands, Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and the North East. Unleashing the full potential of cities and regions is a core objective of the Sector Plan and is already delivering results, including the recent agreement between the BBC, the West Midlands Combined Authority, and Create Central to expand regional production investment.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the net expenditure of her Department was on projects related to cultural diplomacy in the last financial year. \p Ian Murray: DCMS works with a range of partners and ALBs to deliver on the Government’s cultural diplomacy and soft power objectives, including the FCDO, British Council, and GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland campaign. As such, the department’s direct spending on cultural diplomacy is limited to a small number of cultural diplomacy-related projects each year, including those delivered through the Government Art Collection. Net expenditure for the last financial year on projects related to cultural diplomacy stood at £66,329.
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Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement UIN HCWS1118, of 2 December 2025, on Announcement of funds raised through the first year of the Statutory Gambling Levy, what proportion of the £120 million was raised as a result on the levy as it applies to (a) online and remote and (b) terrestrial gambling. \p Ian Murray: Approximately 83% of 25/26 levy funds were raised from remote licence holders. The remainder was raised from non-remote licence holders.
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Llinos Medi:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for what reason he has adopted a different approach to Pride in Place Programme Phase 2 funding in Northern Ireland than in Wales and Scotland. \p Hilary Benn: Although phase two of the Pride in Place programme will not be delivered in Northern Ireland, corresponding funding will be made available in Northern Ireland through the Local Growth Fund, with a total UK Government investment of £45.5m per annum over the Spending Review period.

This decision was made in consultation with the Northern Ireland Executive.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of equipment of Chinese origin, used by the UK armed forces, which are subject to China’s National Intelligence Law. \p Luke Pollard: As the Secretary of State and I have made clear, there is risk in Chinese components being present in in civil and military technology in the UK and across our alliances. We keep technology under review to protect our national security.
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Lillian Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to build energetics and munitions factories, particularly in Ayrshire. \p Luke Pollard: We are committed to ensuring the Defence industry is a powerhouse for economic growth through strengthened industrial relationships and domestic investment. As published in the UK Defence Footprint Scotland has seen £2.1 billion of Defence spending in 2024-25. We have committed £6 billion this Parliament towards munitions, as outlined in the Strategic Defence Review 2025, which supports defence capacity whilst generating local jobs and economic prosperity. This investment includes £1.5 billion for building six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK to deliver an 'always on' pipeline, locations and arrangements of which are being assessed through ongoing work. Whilst the secretary of state announced a list of sites under consideration on 19 November, it is currently premature to finalise specific site proposals and their assessment, more detail will be available once the necessary preparatory work has been completed.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the risk posed by UK armed forces of using 3D printers manufactured by Chinese firm Bambu Labs. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has strict security procedures in place to ensure all sensitive information is protected. Safeguarding the UK’s national security is the foundation of everything the MOD does.

Our policies and procedures take account of the potential risk from all types of 3D printers, not just those manufactured in China, and we are working across the MOD to ensure risks are appropriately managed.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many portable 3D printers manufactured by Bambi Labs the (a) Royal Navy, (b) British Army and (c) Royal Air Force currently have. \p Luke Pollard: Safeguarding the UK’s national security is the foundation of everything the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does. Therefore, the MOD works closely with the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) on cyber security testing to strengthen the professionalisation and coherence of our policies and procedures.

The MOD’s use of 3-D printers forms part of its trial and experimentation efforts. Consequently, details relating to 3-D printing equipment is not held centrally.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the current book value is of the British Army’s Warrior fleet of vehicles. \p Luke Pollard: The current Net Book Value of the British Army’s Warrior fleet of vehicles is £19,029,595.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on the sale of HMS Albion. \p Luke Pollard: HMS ALBION is currently moored at HMNB Devonport. No plans for HMS ALBION’s disposal have been confirmed.

HMS Albion was never due to go to sea ahead of its out-of-service date in 2033. It’s disposal shows that we are delivering for defence by divesting ourselves of old capabilities to make way for the future. This ship was effectively mothballed by the previous Government.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the current cost of maintaining HMS Albion is. \p Luke Pollard: HMS Albion was never due to go to sea ahead of its out-of-service date in 2033. It’s disposal shows that we are delivering for defence by divesting ourselves of old capabilities to make way for the future. This ship was effectively mothballed by the previous Government.

The Current Book Value of HMS ALBION is zero. The shift was valued to zero following the Defence Secretary's announcement to remove it from service last year.

The annual maintenance cost for HMS ALBION is circa £2 million per annum.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) water pumps and (b) generators his Department disposed of for each year from 2015 to date. \p Luke Pollard: The number of water pumps and generators disposed of through the Defence Recycling and Disposals Team (DRDT) from January 2024 to date is as follows:

Water pumps

Generators

2024

1

103

2025

1

192

In line with Ministry of Defence policy, records related to disposals are retained for a period of seven years. Consequently, it is not possible to provide information on disposals through the DRDT prior to 2018. Additionally, due to the way information was recorded by the DRDT prior to September 2023, details on the total number of water pumps and generators disposed of between 2018 and September 2023 could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

It should also be noted that not all disposals are conducted through the DRDT. Identifying the total number of water pumps and generators disposed of through other routes would similarly exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_358
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_358

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June to Question 57673 on Military Intelligence, whether his Department has signed any contracts to deliver the Digital Targeting Web since 16 June 2025. \p Luke Pollard: Some short-term external assistance contracts are being employed to support the preparation and planning of the Digital Targeting Web.

The Ministry of Defence has not placed or signed any contracts to deliver the capabilities and equipment for the Digital Targeting Web, since 16 June 2025. Investment decisions are made in the Defence Investment Plan.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_359
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_359

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the performance of the Power Improvement Project upgrade on HMS Dauntless. \p Luke Pollard: HMS Dauntless was the first of class to undergo the Type 45 Power Improvement Project upgrade. The ship has since seen increased resilience and confidence in her power and propulsion system upon her return to operational service.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_360
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_360

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November to Question 93042 on Unmanned Air Systems: Manufacturing Industries, whether his Department hold a figure for how many of the 100,000 drones produced this year were made by British companies. \p Luke Pollard: The Department does hold information on how many of the 100,000 drones due to be provided to Ukraine this year will be made by British companies. However, the release of the figure requested would prejudice national security and commercial interests.

More than 85,000 military drones have been delivered by the UK to Ukraine in just six months this year by accelerating production from British companies, supporting hundreds of highly skilled jobs across the country and contributing to local economies.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_361
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_361

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Underwater robot could improve pipeline and cable security, published on 9 June 2025, if he will list all contracts placed by his Department with Atlantas Marine since 5 July 2024. \p Luke Pollard: The Department has placed one contract with Atlantas Marine since 5 July 2024, this can be found below.

Contract Name

Supplier Name

Video Ray Defender (VRD) ROVs Training and Maintenance.

ATLANTAS MARINE LIMITED
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_362
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_362

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November to Question 93042 on Unmanned Air Systems: Manufacturing Industries, whether his Department keep records of each country of origin that has supplied drones to Ukraine. \p Al Carns: The Department does hold information on suppliers we contract to produce equipment which is gifted to Ukraine, including where they are based.

Through our joint leadership of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and Coalition of the Willing, we are actively encouraging our allies to ramp up drone production following increased drone strikes in Ukraine and incursions into European airspace.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_363
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_363

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many mobile launchers will Project Nightfall deliver. \p Luke Pollard: The number of mobile launchers for Project Nightfall is not yet confirmed, as it will depend on the solutions presented by industry, including how many effectors can be carried by a single launcher.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_364
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_364

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he attends meetings between the Prime Minister and the Special Representative on AUKUS. \p Luke Pollard: The Prime Minister, Defence Secretary and the Prime Minister's Special Representative, Sir Stephen Lovegrove regularly engage on all matters relating to the AUKUS partnership. These discussions help ensure AUKUS is being pursued as a whole-of-Government effort in line with the Prime Minister’s direction.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_365
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_365

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to increase the number of staff supporting the special representative on AUKUS. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence is planning to provide two secondees to the Cabinet Office. These roles will support the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for AUKUS and help drive strategic delivery for AUKUS across His Majesty's Government.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_366
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_366

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the special representative on AUKUS employs any full time staff. \p Luke Pollard: The Prime Minister's Special Representative, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, is supported by Civil Servants within the Cabinet Office with responsibility for coordinating and driving cross-Government work across AUKUS.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_367
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_367

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 34903 on Defence: Procurement, what recent progress he has made on implementing the Defence Small and Medium Enterprise Support Hub. \p Luke Pollard: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 4 November 2025 to Question 85228.

Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_368
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_368

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May to Question 52284 on Defence Industrial Joint Council, whether the inaugural DIJC has met since June 2025. \p Luke Pollard: The inaugural Meeting of the Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) Top Council took place on 9 June 2025, with the second meeting taking place on 10 September 2025, during the DSEI (Defence and Security Equipment International) exhibition. The Top Council will now target three meetings each year.

Additionally, the DIJC Delivery Group, chaired by the National Armaments Director and his industry counterpart met for the first time in November.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_369
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_369

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September to Question 70699 on UK Defence and Security Exports, where UK Defence and Security Exports is based. \p Luke Pollard: Responsibility for defence exports moved to the Ministry of Defence on 31 July 2025.

Security exports were not in scope of this Machinery of Government change and responsibility remains with the Department for Business and Trade.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_370
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_370

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Ministerial led review into the Ajax programme will be used to guide any future decisions regarding the Ajax programme. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministerial Review has already begun. The review will be supported by an expert challenge panel including the Secretary of State's Strategic Advisor Malcolm Chalmers, and military personnel. I have committed to report progress on the Ajax investigation via a written statement before Christmas recess begins.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_371
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_371

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in which financial year will UK NATO declared defence spending will rise above 2.6 per cent of GDP. \p Luke Pollard: The UK's defence spending is expected to rise to 2.6% from 2027. The next Spending Review in 2027 will determine the trajectory beyond the current Spending Review period.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_372
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_372

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what funding is in place for the Ministry of Defence to purchase 8 Type-26 ships. \p Luke Pollard: A £3.7 billion contract was signed with BAE Systems on 29 June 2017 to manufacture the first batch of three Type 26 frigates and a £4.2 billion contract amendment was signed for Batch 2 of the ships on 1 November 2022. A total funding provision of £7.9 billion has been provided to purchase eight Type 26 ships.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_373
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_373

Brendan O'Hara:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16763, what discussions his Department has had with civil society organisations since 3 December 2024 to evaluate its approach to civilian harm mitigation and response. \p Al Carns: Mitigating civilian harm is central to Defence’s approach to human security. We work through multiple channels to promote human security, with a particular emphasis on protecting civilians. We actively engage with civil society organisations on this issue, recognising the value of their expertise and perspectives.

Since December 2024, engagement has taken place through in-person meetings and online discussions, as well as participation in civil society-led forums. We have also contributed to international workshops and conferences, including through the International Contact Group on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response for which we are now co-chairs, and attending the Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas international conference.