theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Ministerial residence in Admiralty House pays council tax as a (a) sole or main residence, (b) single person discount or (c) second home. \p Jim McMahon: The council tax arrangements for Admiralty House are as has been the case for successive governments and Ministers occupying it as an official residence. The Deputy Prime Minister’s council tax responsibility is properly discharged.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the potential contribution of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to Local Growth Plans in former coalfields areas with capital funding from government. \p Alex Norris: Local leadership is at the heart of our mission to achieve higher growth - harnessing the expertise that exists in devolved institutions and local communities. National government will work in partnership with local stakeholders, such as the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT), to empower places to deliver improved outcomes.

Mayoral Local Growth Plans are the cornerstone of this place-based approach. These will articulate a ten-year vision for growth, setting out their region’s unique strengths, identifying shared priorities of national importance to be taken forwardly jointly with the UK Government, and highlighting the most attractive opportunities for private sector investment. Several plans – including for the North East Combined Authority and the West Midlands Combined Authority – will serve coalfield communities.

The Government will consider the request for funding from the CRT at HM Treasury’s 2025 multi-year spending review. I am pleased to be meeting with Andy Lock to discuss the work of the CRT.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many social sector homes are empty in England. \p Matthew Pennycook: The number of empty social sector homes in England as at 31 March 2024 can be calculated using published statistics for vacant dwellings owned by local authorities and private registered providers of social housing.

Therefore, there were a total of 93,957 empty social sector homes in England on 31 March 2024, including homes earmarked for sale or demolition, or awaiting or undergoing major repairs.

This may include a small number of units owned by English private registered providers which are situated outside of England. Low-cost home ownership stock owned by English private registered providers are excluded.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of amending council tax legislation so new owners bringing previously empty properties back into use are not required to pay a council tax premium while renovating the property for a period of time. \p Jim McMahon: The government recognises there may be circumstances where it would not be appropriate for a council tax premium to apply. That is why this government introduced a number of exceptions to council tax premiums which came into effect from 1 April 2025. This includes an exception for up to 12-months for empty dwellings undergoing major repairs. The government has published guidance setting out when premiums and exceptions may apply. This is available here - Guidance on the implementation of the council tax premiums on long-term empty homes and second homes - GOV.UK.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to provide a multi-year funding settlement for early intervention services in local government. \p Jim McMahon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 40059 on 27 March 2025.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to increase the delegation rate for planning applications. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes a regulation-making power to issue statutory guidance on a national scheme of delegation.

The government intend to formally consult on proposals relating to the delegation of planning decisions in England alongside the Bill’s passage.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the merits of introducing a separate needs formula for homelessness. \p Jim McMahon: The previous government committed to improving and updating the way in which local authorities are funded through the “fair funding review” - but this was not delivered. We will make good on this commitment and implement long-awaited reforms through a multi-year settlement in 2026-27.

We invited views from the local government sector through the “local authority funding reform objectives and principles consultation”, which was open from 18 December 2024 to 12 February 2025. It sought views on the approach to local authority funding reform to be implemented via the Local Government Finance Settlement from 2026-27.

We will be consulting on more detailed proposals, including our proposed relative needs formulae, following the Spending Review in June.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many dwellings were built on green belt land in each year since 1997. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Department does not collect or publish the requested dataabsolute numbers of dwellings built on Green Belt land.

The proportions of new residential addresses that were created on Green Belt land in each year from 2013-14 to 2021-22 are published here. Figures for 1989 to 2011 are published here. Figures for 2022-23 and more recent years will be published in due course.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to account for housing costs when measuring deprivation as part of local government funding reform. \p Jim McMahon: The English Indices for Deprivation are a designated National Statistic. They have demonstrated, through assessment, that they meet the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value, set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics by the Office for Statistics Regulation.

Building on the measures in the 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement, the Government is committed to introducing an improved and updated approach to funding local authorities from 2026-27.

We sought views on our principles and objectives for funding reform through a consultation which ran from 18 December 2024 - 12 February 2025. This consultation and engagement will inform the development of our detailed proposals, which will follow the multi-year Spending Review concluding later this year.
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Alberto Costa:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to introduce a statutory exemption from the long-term empty homes council tax premium for properties that have been inherited and are being marketed for sale. \p Jim McMahon: When a property has been left empty following the death of its owner or occupant, it is exempt from council tax for as long as it remains unoccupied and until probate is granted. Following a grant of probate (or the signing of letters of administration), a further six months exemption is possible, so long as the property remains unoccupied and has not been sold or transferred to someone else.

Furthermore, the government has regulated to introduce an exception, to council tax premiums, for up to 12 months following a grant of probate. A further 12-month exception is available for dwellings actively marketed for sale or let. Exceptions to premiums may apply concurrently where the dwelling qualifies for both.

The government does not collect data on the number of properties which are empty due to probate. However, we do collect data on the number of dwellings which are exempt from council tax due to the death of the occupant. As of the latest available data, 132,883 dwellings were receiving this exemption.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the exceptional financial support regime for local authorities. \p Jim McMahon: The government is under no illusion about the fragile state of the sector and the pressures that some councils are facing to deliver for residents. We also recognise the potential for continued instability as we work to fix the foundations of local government. That is why we confirmed in the autumn that we will continue to have a framework in place to support councils in the most difficult financial positions.

However, this government has been clear that we will take a different approach to supporting councils in financial difficulty, to ensure it is effective, collaborative and delivers value for money – while still protecting the interests of taxpayers. For example, we have been clear that we do not believe in punishing councils and have removed the punitive approach of making borrowing more expensive where a council seeking additional financial support has no other choice.

On council tax flexibility for areas seeking exceptional financial support, we have put taxpayers at the forefront by avoiding excessively high increases and only agreeing increases where councils have comparatively low existing levels of tax and plans to protect the lowest income residents.
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Andrew Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of sanctions available to local government standards committees for the actions of town and parish councillors. \p Jim McMahon: In December the Government launched a consultation seeking views on a range of measures to strengthen the standards and conduct framework that applies to all types and tiers of local authorities in England. The proposals consulted upon included a requirement for all principal authorities to convene formal standards committees to make decisions on code of conduct breaches, and the introduction of suspension of members for serious misconduct. We are now in the process of analysing the responses to the consultation to ensure we are taking full account of sector views on all of the measures proposed, and the Government Response will be issued in due course.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many homes are empty due to probate. \p Jim McMahon: The government does not collect data on the number of properties which are empty due to probate. However, we do collect data on the number of dwellings which are exempt from council tax due to the death of the occupant. As of the latest available data, 132,883 dwellings were receiving this exemption.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to commission research on the potential impact of the (a) second homes and (b) higher empty homes premium on (i) house prices, (ii) housing markets, (iii) the local economy and (iv) tourism. \p Jim McMahon: It is for councils to decide whether it is appropriate or effective to use the premium. The government collects data on the use of premiums and the number of empty and second homes, which is published in the government’s council taxbase statistics. However the data does not make any other assessment based on the use of the premiums.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that local government reorganisation will not undermine progress made in improving healthcare outcomes in (a) Torbay and (b) other areas. \p Jim McMahon: The Government is committed to building a fairer Britain, to ensure people can live well for longer, and spend less time in ill health, regardless of where they are born or their financial circumstances.

As set out in the English Devolution White Paper, government recognises the benefits that aligned geographical boundaries can have for improving co-ordination between public services. Within Integrated Care Systems, collaboration between local government and health partners is crucial to the delivery of high quality and efficient services for communities and patients.

On 5 February 2025 I formally invited unitary proposals from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries, including Torbay Council. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. As set out in the published statutory guidance, unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens, and the views of other public sector providers will be crucial to understanding the best way to structure local government.

Following submission of proposals to government, we will consider proposals carefully before taking decisions on how to proceed. Ministers regularly have meetings with colleagues across government.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 44062 on Members: correspondence, if she will meet with the hon. Member for Torbay to discuss the potential impact of local government reorganisation on (a) Torbay and (b) the South West. \p Jim McMahon: We are happy to meet with the member on local government reorganisation and will be in touch to arrange this.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has recused herself from discussions on the Birmingham City Council bin strike. \p Jim McMahon: The Secretary of State, the department, and I have been in regular contact with Birmingham City Council since 31 March to support the Council’s efforts to clear the backlog of waste on the streets. However, any talks to settle the equal pay dispute are solely between the employer (Birmingham City Council) and trade union (Unite). The Government has rightly not been involved in these negotiations.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 April 2025 to Question 43564 on Waste Disposal: Birmingham, if she will publish the minutes of the meeting with Unite. \p Jim McMahon: In line with normal practice, the minutes of the meeting will not be published.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of uncollected rubbish on the risk of fire in Birmingham. \p Jim McMahon: The Government has been supporting Birmingham City Council (BCC) in its efforts to address the backlog of waste that had been building up on the city’s streets. MHCLG has worked with a number of key Government Departments to provide support to BCC including engagement with both DHSC and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). UKHSA has been monitoring any potential health impacts and BCC have undertaken regular public health assessments lead by BCC’s Director of Public Health.

UKHSA undertakes routine surveillance for leptospirosis infections in humans and publishes a quarterly report on the common animal-associated infections - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-animal-associated-infections-2024/common-animal-associated-infections-england-second-quarter-2024#leptospirosis

The Council have reported that all on street waste and fly tipping waste has been cleared, waste estimated to be held at properties is now back to near normal levels. Around 100 to 120 Council waste collection vehicles are out daily collecting around 1,300 tonnes of waste. This is near normal levels of waste collection and normal household collection for all Birmingham residents has resumed.

BCC will continue to assess levels of rubbish and their potential impact on the local area, and the government continues to monitor the situation on a daily basis.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many hectares of land were designated as green belt in each year since 1997. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Department publishes an annual release entitled 'Local authority green belt statistics for England', which includes information on hectares of land designated as Green Belt in England, as well as by local authority.

An accompanying live table entitled 'Area since 1997' describes the hectares of land in England designated as Green Belt since 1997, and is available here. Figures for the last year will be published in due course.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has she made of the potential merits of using a Special Development Order in order to speed up delivery of the new Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedfordshire. \p Matthew Pennycook: No proposal has been submitted to the Secretary of State. Should the Secretary of State receive such a proposal then she will consider the case on its individual merits.
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Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities to bring forward brownfield land for housing development in areas where flooding presents a significant barrier to delivery. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework expects proposals for homes and other identified needs to be approved where they would use suitable brownfield land, unless substantial harm would be caused.

At the same time, the Framework recognises the importance of minimising the risk of flooding, and so it steers development away from areas of relatively high flood risk, while recognising that some land where significant flood risk exists will be unsuitable for housing.

Where development is, exceptionally, found to be justified in areas at risk of flooding, the Framework requires that it be appropriately flood resistant and resilient, and safe for its lifetime.

This may apply to some brownfield land but would need to be considered on a site-by-site basis taking into consideration information on flood risk and opportunities for mitigation and ensuring safety.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will direct the Planning Inspector to give greater consideration to draft local plans that have met early submission deadlines during the examination stage. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework sets out expectations in relation to the examination of local plans.

I also refer the hon. Member to my July 2024 letter to the Planning Inspectorate about the examination of local plans, which remains in force and can be found on gov.uk here.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether HM Land Registry has offered apprenticeships since 2010. \p Alex Norris: The Civil Service is committed to using apprenticeships to break down barriers to opportunity, support skills development and deliver more effective public services.

HM Land Registry has offered 800 apprenticeships across England and Wales since 2014.

Those apprenticeships have ranged from Level 2 to Level 7 to support personal development and increase organisational capability while also supporting apprentices to join Government Professions such as Digital, Data & Technology, Legal, HR and Finance.
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Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for local authorities for the 2025-26 financial year. \p Jim McMahon: The Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25.

Taken together, the additional funding announced by the Chancellor at the Autumn Budget and through the 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement will provide over £5 billion of new funding for local services over and above local council tax. This includes: an additional £2 billion of grant through the Settlement; a guarantee that local authorities in England will receive at least £1.1 billion in total in 2025-26 from the new Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme; and a further £233 million of additional funding for homelessness services.

We are also taking immediate action to begin addressing the significant challenges facing local government by ensuring that funding goes to the places that need it most in 2025-26.

The Ministry works closely with local government and other government departments to understand specific demand and cost pressures facing local government on an ongoing basis.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Town Deal Board model will be used as a foundation for the development of Plan for Neighbourhoods Board;, and what changes to (a) structure and (b) governance would be required to achieve this. \p Alex Norris: Neighbourhood Boards should bring together residents, local businesses, grassroots campaigners, workplace representatives, faith, and community leaders and those with a deep connection to their area to work with the local authority to develop their Regeneration Plan. The governance and boundary guidance provides information specific to the strategic objectives and governance of the Neighbourhood Board. The parameters for these are different to those for Town Deal Boards, but pre-existing boards can be built on, or altered, to meet the new guidance.

All 75 boards have been asked to confirm their proposed chair, membership and boundary by 22nd April.
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James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March to Question 37889 on High Rise Flats: Insulation, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of increased insurance premiums due to cladding on the finances of leaseholders in buildings under 11 metres in height. \p Alex Norris: We do not hold information on insurance premiums for buildings under 11 metres in height. However, insurers should offer affordable premiums in line with risk, where life safety fire risk is generally proportional to the height of buildings. The department has been examining buildings under 11 metres on a case-by-case basis. To date, we have only identified a small number of under 11 metre buildings that require cladding remediation works. In the rare cases where remediation work is required, the department has engaged the relevant developers in conversations about funding these works so that leaseholders do not pay. Regardless of the height of the building, the responsibility for the costs of fixing such defects should rest with building owners, and not leaseholders.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to grant additional powers to Plan for Neighbourhoods Boards beyond those of Town Deal Boards. \p Alex Norris: The Government set out a comprehensive, non-exhaustive list of the existing powers available to boards and local authorities in England in the published ‘policy toolkit’. The toolkit gives communities the tools and information they need to make informed decisions, empowering local people to have ownership over the future of their neighbourhood and local area. Similar toolkits for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be published shortly.

The Plan for Neighbourhoods programme focuses on three long-term aims - building thriving places, strengthening communities and empowering people to taking back control instead of sticking plaster policies. In addition to the list of powers available to boards, we have doubled the number of interventions on which communities can spend the money, compared to the previous government’s programme, to ensure areas can deliver on the objectives of the programme.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department provides guidance on the (a) core principles and (b) culture expected of local development boards. \p Alex Norris: I would kindly ask the hon. Member to write to me with more details on ‘local development boards’, so my officials can look into this matter.
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Patricia Ferguson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether each person impacted by the Grenfell Tower fire has been permanently rehoused. \p Alex Norris: 200 of the 201 households from Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk have been permanently rehoused.

One household is currently living in a high quality temporary home within the borough.

We continue to work closely with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which is responsible for housing decisions in the borough and supporting each person impacted by the tragedy to settle into permanent homes.
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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to allow almshouses to access housing-related grants. \p Matthew Pennycook: Almshouse charities can bid for grant funding from the Affordable Homes Programme if they are registered social housing providers, subject to oversight by the Regulator of Social Housing. 264 out of 1,600 almshouses charities have already taken this step.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has received recent representations from (a) Birmingham City Council and (b) the Commissioner on the provision of additional public funds to settle their dispute with striking bin collection workers. \p Jim McMahon: The government has been working intensively with Birmingham City Council in relation to the ongoing disruption in its waste service. While the response is being locally led by the Council as is appropriate, at their request, we have deployed operational and logistical expertise to help address the backlog of waste on Birmingham’s streets.

This backlog presented real risks to public health, particularly for the most vulnerable. As a result of concerted and ongoing effort by Birmingham City Council, and with the support of other local authorities, we are pleased that the large accumulations of street waste in badly affected areas have been removed and that levels are approaching normal, and this is under daily review.

The residents of Birmingham need to see a fair and sustainable resolution to this dispute, and we continue to encourage both parties to come to a negotiated settlement that ensures a fit-for-purpose waste service and does not risk the important progress made on equal pay at BCC.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2025, to Question 38621, on Combined Authorities, and with reference to the publication of the report by Professor Alice Sullivan, Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published in March 2025, if she will ensure that questions about the sex of a respondent ask for their sex. \p Jim McMahon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 38621 on 24 March 2025.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the minutes of her meeting with Birmingham City Council on 5 April 2025; and what the conclusions were of the meeting. \p Jim McMahon: The government has been in frequent dialogue with the leadership of the City Council to ensure the welfare of Birmingham residents and a swift resolution to the dispute. The 5 April meeting provided an update on the clean-up of the waste backlog and industrial relations negotiations. The government will continue to support the Council in creating the sustainable, fair and reliable waste service that its residents deserve. In line with normal practice, the minutes of the meeting will not be published.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to ensure that the specific needs of (a) Torbay and (b) other deprived areas are considered following mergers into larger sub-regional authorities as part of local government reorganisation. \p Jim McMahon: On 5 February I formally invited unitary proposals from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area.

As set out in the published criteria, unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens, and proposals should show how councils in the area have sought to work together in coming to a view that meets local needs and is informed by local views.

We expect local leaders to ensure there is wide engagement with local partners and stakeholders, residents and businesses in working through options. This engagement should both inform the development of robust proposals and build a shared understanding of the improvements they expect to deliver through reorganisation.

Following submission of these proposals to government, we will consider proposals carefully before taking decisions on how to proceed. It would be inappropriate for me to comment or give a view on specific unitary proposals, or to pre-empt future decisions under the statutory process.
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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to simplify the application process for the Disability Facilities Grant. \p Rushanara Ali: Government recognises how important home adaptations are in enabling disabled people to live as independently as possible in a safe and suitable environment. This is why government awarded an £86 million in-year uplift to the DFG for 2024-25, bringing the total funding for 2024-25 to £711 million. Government has also confirmed £711 million for the DFG for 2025-26.

In March 2022 government published guidance for local authorities in England on the effective and efficient delivery of the grant, including best practice in setting out the application process. A link to the guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disabled-facilities-grant-dfg-delivery-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england. It is for each local authority to decide its own application processes in line with the legislative requirements, but the guidance makes clear that local authorities should ensure the needs of applicants are at the heart of the grant application process.

Government continues to keep all aspects of the DFG under consideration. As part of this, the suitability of the current £30,000 upper limit is being reviewed. Government is also reviewing the allocations formula for the DFG to ensure the funding is aligned with local needs and will consult on a new approach during 2025. Any changes in policy that require additional funding would be subject to the Spending Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_298

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the Boxer programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Mechanised Infantry (Boxer) programme has made significant progress with all five standalone prototypes having been delivered and trials performing well. Support and training plans are also well underway.

24 of 623 series production vehicles have now been contractually delivered to MOD. Over 100 are in production across Germany and UK factories with the first UK made Boxer unveiled in January, a major milestone for our Land Industrial Strategy. We now expect a steady progression of vehicles month on month, completing industry production, test and acceptance by MOD and delivery into Field Army users for training to ramp up this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_299

Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's original budget for the Ajax armoured fighting vehicle programme was; how much his Department has spent since that programme started; and what the estimated final cost is in (a) real and (b) current terms. \p Maria Eagle: The Approved Budget Level (ABL) for the Armoured Cavalry (Ajax) Programme is £6.3 billion. This has not changed since 2015.

As at 31 March 2025, spend against the Ajax programme is £5.0 billion.

The estimated cost of the programme against this approval is £6.2 billion. The programme cost is estimated in real terms with inflation factored in.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_300

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the feasibility of procuring AERALIS as (a) the UK’s new fast-jet trainer, (b) as a light combat aircraft and (c) as an acrobatic display jet. \p Maria Eagle: The Royal Air Force continuously researches and assesses options for the sustainment, enhancement and development of hardware and systems to maintain competitive advantage within the flying training system. There are several market options available that may be considered.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_301

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people in the (a) Royal Navy and (b) Royal Air Force have trained to fly in the Leonardo M-346. \p Luke Pollard: As at 10 Apr 25, the number of UK trainee pilots who have trained to fly in the Leonardo M-346 is:

Royal Navy

0

Royal Air Force

8
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_302

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2025 to Question 39690 on Ministers: Aviation, how many RAF Envoy flights for Ministers have been made since 1 January 2025. \p Maria Eagle: Since 1 January 2025 there have been five tasks relating to travel by Ministers on the RAF Envoy.

It has been the practice of successive administrations not to publish granular information relating to the official movements of Ministers and those accompanying them within the United Kingdom. Information about official overseas ministerial travel is published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_303

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people are working on Task Force Hirst; who the taskforce consists of; and from which Government departments. \p Luke Pollard: As part of the UK’s overall support to Ukraine, Task Force HIRST is a cross-Government team working on accelerating, developing and deepening UK defence industrial capacity and capability and UK/Ukrainian defence industrial cooperation.

Led by a 2* Major General, alongside her other duties, the team is structured on a matrix model to draw on skills and experience as required from across Government. Subject Matter Experts are drawn in from the Ministry of Defence and other Departments as required.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_304

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has held discussions with his US counterpart on the proposed treaty with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory since the commencement of US strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen. \p Luke Pollard: The Secretary of State for Defence speaks regularly with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on a wide range of security issues. We welcome US support of the UK proceeding with the proposed treaty with Mauritius, as well as the President's recognition of the strength of the deal.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_305

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, whether he considers the Military Strategic Headquarters to be a quango. \p Maria Eagle: No, the Military Strategic Headquarters is not a quango. It sits within the Ministry of Defence and is a vital part of the new Defence operating model, acting as the single point of force design and delivery of the Armed Forces.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_306

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the Crowsnest Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk2 Airborne Surveillance and Control helicopter, as delivered by the CROWSNEST programme, achieved Full Operating Capability as of 29 March 2025. It is currently preparing to embark on the upcoming Carrier Strike Group 2025 deployment (Op HIGHMAST).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_307

Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of procuring Multi-Role Strike Ships rather than Multi-Role Support Ships on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. \p Maria Eagle: The Multi-Role Strike Ship programme is in its Concept Phase during which the requirements, including appropriate crewing models are determined.

The name change from Multi-Role Support Ship to Multi-Role Strike Ship better reflects the platform’s function and does not indicate any change of requirement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_308

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential effectiveness of the Tactical Hearing Protection System in reducing hearing loss amongst service personnel. \p Maria Eagle: As part of the procurement process for Tactical Hearing Protection System (THPS) the Defence Equioment and Support Delivery Team conducted independent testing to confirm the Original Equipment Manufacturer noise attenuation data. This information forms part of the THPS Safety and Environmental Safety Case Report, which is reviewed every three years.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_309

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of defence reform on Deputy Chief of Defence (a) staff positions and (b) roles. \p Maria Eagle: The organisation and structure of our Armed Forces has been considered as part of Defence Reform, including the ranks of the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff roles.

Within the Military Strategic Headquarters, there remains two Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (DCDS) roles: DCDS(Military Strategy and Operations) and DCDS(Force Development).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_310

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 15 April to Question 43574 on Defence: Reform, if he will set out the terms of reference for the Quad. \p Maria Eagle: The "Quad" refers to the Permanent Under Secretary, the Chief of Defence Staff, the National Armaments Director and Chief of Defence Nuclear. Each have clear and distinct accountabilities, and together are responsible for the Department's outcomes.

The Quad is not a formal board. All four individuals sit on the Defence Board, the Executive Committee, and various other governance fora, which have their own specific terms of reference.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_311

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with (a) his US counterparts and (b) other NATO counterparts on Ukraine's ambitions for a NATO interoperable future force. \p Luke Pollard: The Defence Secretary regularly speaks with his US and NATO counterparts on plans for Ukraine’s future armed forces, as well as our ongoing support in response to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_312

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's response to the Quinquennial Review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme 2023 published on 21 March 2024, what progress he has made on establishing the Communications and Training Working Group; and what is the (a) membership and (b) terms of reference of that group. \p Al Carns: The Government response to the Quinquennial Review (QQR) of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme 2022-23 was published on 21 March 2024 under the previous administration.

The Communication and Training Working Group was not recommended in the QQR, but was a suggestion in the previous Government's response to resolve recommendations 5, 6, 7 and 8, relating to improving operational transparency, accuracy and communication.

We are focusing on the modernisation of pensions and compensation services including improving, digitalisation and consolidation of core member data records into a single system, as well as the planned introduction of an online member self-service portal.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_313

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to conduct an investigation into the improper disposal of confidential documents in Newcastle on 16 March 2025. \p Al Carns: We take the protection of our information very seriously and this incident is being investigated. We do not comment on the conduct of internal security investigations.