theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_419
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_419

Gideon Amos:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out whether any military bases within the UK are being used for non-military purposes. \p Luke Pollard: Currently, three military bases have been made available to the Home Office to support their efforts in providing accommodation for asylum seekers.

In addition, the Ministry of Defence permits third parties to use its bases for activities, provided these are compatible with military operations. This arrangement also generates income for the Department.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_420
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_420

David Mundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what monies he has allocated to fund publicity for the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme in order to ensure awareness of the Scheme. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring that all eligible LGBT Veterans are made aware of the Financial Recognition Scheme. To this end, we have employed a range of communication channels, including social media platforms, partnerships with external charities, and engagement with relevant networks, to reach out to LGBT Veterans affected by the historic ban. It would not be appropriate to disclose the precise funding allocated to these publicity efforts, as this information is considered commercially sensitive.

Our priority remains ensuring that those impacted by the ban are informed ahead of the Financial Recognition Scheme’s closure at 23:59 on 12 December 2026, and we will continue to work with stakeholders and utilise appropriate communication methods to achieve this.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_421
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_421

David Mundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the costs of operating the Impact Panel under the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme are; and whether the costs of operating the Impact Panel will be taken from the £75M allocated for reparations. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: I am withholding the cost of operating the Impact Panel under the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme as this information is commercial in confidence. None of the operating costs are taken from the £75 million allocated for making payments under the Scheme.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_422
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_422

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Afghans were brought to the UK via the Afghan Response Route in each month the scheme was open. \p Luke Pollard: As the responsible Department, the Home Office produce quarterly statistics for immigration. These statistics are broken down by the route in which the individual entered the UK. The Afghan Response Route (ARR) is included and can be accessed via the link below:

safe-legal-routes-summary-tables-jun-2025.ods

As of 4 July 2025, the ARR is closed.

This Government continues to support the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) and is taking seriously our commitment to deliver on our promise to our Afghan friends and allies – many of whom stood side-by-side with the UK's Armed Forces in Afghanistan. By the end of this Parliament, we aim to have successfully honoured our obligation to complete relocations of eligible persons.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_423
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_423

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November to Question 85226 on Defence: Contracts, when he will publish the results of the public consultation. \p Luke Pollard: The results of the public consultation will be published in the first half of 2026.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_424
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_424

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many formal complaints have been made by personnel regarding (a) Single Living Accommodation and (b) Service Family Accommodation conditions in (i) north Shropshire and (ii) Shropshire in each year since 2015. \p Luke Pollard: The tables below provide a breakdown of the number of complaints received broken down by accommodation type and since April 2022.

Single Living Accommodation (SLA)

2022 (from Apr-Dec)

2023

2024

2025  (up to and including 18 Nov)

North Shropshire

0

1

2

0

Shropshire

1

1

1

2

Service Family Accommodation (SFA)

2022  (from Apr-Dec)

2023

2024

2025  (up to and including 18 Nov)

North Shropshire

33

61

36

19

Shropshire

177

205

122

55

Data prior to April 2022 is not held.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_425
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_425

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many occasions (a) Single Living Accommodation units and (b) Service Family Accommodation homes in (i) north Shropshire and (ii) Shropshire have experienced loss of (A) heating and (B) hot water for over 24 hours in each year since 2015. \p Luke Pollard: The tables below provide a breakdown of the number of occasions a loss of (A) heating and (B) hot water for over 24 hours were reported, broken down by accommodation type and year.

Single Living Accommodation (SLA)

North Shropshire:

2018 (from Apr to Dec)

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025 (up to and including 18 Nov)

Loss of Heating for over 24 hours

16

26

25

24

20

14

28

11

Loss of Hot Water for over 24 hours

7

22

11

13

12

8

11

16

Shropshire:

2018 (from Apr to Dec)

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025 (up to and including 18 Nov)

Loss of Heating for over 24 hours

108

165

147

195

178

222

180

111

Loss of Hot Water for over 24 hours

80

114

140

149

163

117

142

129

Data for the loss of heating and hot water of over 24 Hours in SLA prior to April 2018 is not held.

Service Family Accommodation (SFA)

North Shropshire:

2022 (from Apr to Dec)

2023

2024

2025 (up to and including 17 Nov)

Loss of Heating for over 24 hours

15

27

10

4

Loss of Hot Water for over 24 hours

8

8

13

0

Shropshire:

2022 (from Apr to Dec)

2023

2024

2025 (up to and including 17 Nov)

Loss of Heating for over 24 hours

74

52

45

14

Loss of Hot Water for over 24 hours

35

54

25

3

Data for the loss of heating and hot water of over 24 hours in SFA prior to 2022 is not held.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_426
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_426

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Single Living Accommodation units and (b) Service Family Accommodation homes in (i) north Shropshire and (ii) Shropshire have recorded (A) Legionella, (B) unsafe water temperatures, (C) failed water hygiene checks and (D) all of the above in each year since 2015. \p Luke Pollard: The tables below give the number of reports of (A) Legionella in Single Living Accommodation (SLA) across Shropshire and North Shropshire, as at 18 November 2025.

Data prior to 1 April 2018 is not held.

Shropshire

Year

Legionella

2018

1

2019

10

2020

20

2021

58

2022

334

2023

505

2024

441

2025

333

North Shropshire

Year

Legionella

2018

1

2019

0

2020

4

2021

3

2022

231

2023

319

2024

215

2025

183

For SLA, information on the number of reports of (B) unsafe water temperatures and (C) failed hygiene checks can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

For Service Family Accommodation, no (A) Legionella incidents, (B) unsafe water temperatures, or (C) failed water hygiene checks have occurred in Shropshire or North Shropshire since April 2022. Data prior to April 2022 is not held. Data prior to April 2022 is not held as the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) contract started in 2022, hence why data starts from April 2022.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_427
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_427

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Single Living Accommodation units and (b) Service Family Accommodation homes in (i) north Shropshire and (ii) Shropshire have recorded (A) defective fire alarms, (B) missing fire doors and (C) non-compliance with modern fire safety standards in each year since 2015. \p Luke Pollard: The tables below show reported (A) defective fire alarms and (B) missing fire doors in Single Living Accommodation (SLA) across Shropshire and North Shropshire, as at 18 November 2025. Data prior to 1 April 2018 is not held.

Shropshire

Year

Defective Fire Alarms

Missing Fire Doors

2018

106

9

2019

117

23

2020

112

13

2021

69

13

2022

141

0

2023

151

2

2024

89

11

2025

114

5

North Shropshire

Year

Defective Fire Alarms

Missing Fire Doors

2018

32

0

2019

30

1

2020

16

0

2021

12

0

2022

15

0

2023

26

0

2024

20

2

2025

15

0

Information on (C) compliance with modern fire safety standards is not held. This is because all SLA buildings are complaint with standards in place at the time of their construction.

(b) Service Family Accommodation

Service Family Accommodation in Shropshire and North Shropshire does not include flats, communal spaces, or Houses in Multiple Occupation. Therefore, homes in this area are not subject to the Fire Safety Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and fire doors and alarms are not required. However, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation must ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed and maintained.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_428
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_428

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Single Living Accommodation units in (a) north Shropshire and (b) Shropshire have been assessed as being in condition grade (i) A, (ii) B, (iii) C, (iv) D and (v) deemed uninhabitable in each year since 2015. \p Luke Pollard: This information is not held in the format requested.

For Single Living Accommodation, the condition grade is determined by categories, as detailed in the tables below:

(a) North Shropshire:

Year

As New

Serviceable

Minor Repairs

Major Repairs

Replacement required,  unsafe to use

No Condition Score

2018

0

11

4

0

0

1

2019

0

11

4

0

0

1

2020

0

11

4

0

0

1

2021

0

11

4

0

0

2

2022

0

9

1

0

0

2

2023

0

2

8

0

0

2

2024

0

2

8

0

0

1

2025 (up until 18 Nov)

0

3

8

0

0

0

(b) Shropshire:

Year

As New

Serviceable

Minor Repairs

Major Repairs

Replacement Replacement required,  unsafe to use

No Condition Score

2018

2

80

8

0

0

14

2019

2

80

8

0

0

14

2020

2

80

8

0

0

14

2021

2

80

8

0

0

16

2022

2

78

5

0

0

4

2023

0

5

81

0

0

3

2024

85

5

83

0

0

2

2025(up until 18 Nov)

85

6

82

0

0

1
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_429
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_429

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Single Living Accommodation units in (a) north Shropshire and (b) Shropshire were (i) flats, (ii) dormitories, (iii) container-type accommodation and (iv) other types of accommodation in each year since 2015. \p Luke Pollard: The tables below provide a breakdown of Single Living Accommodation (SLA) in (a) North Shropshire and (b) Shropshire:

Information prior to 1 January 2023 is not held.

(a) North Shropshire:

Year

(i) Flats

(ii) Dormitory*

(iii) Container Type**

(iv) Other***

2023

0

32

0

506

2024

0

32

0

510

2025 (up until 18 Nov)

0

32

0

509

(b)  Shropshire:

Year

(i) Flats

(ii) Dormitory*

(iii) Container Type**

(iv) Other***

2023

0

1,874

0

2,148

2024

0

1,874

88

2,263

2025 (up until 18 Nov)

0

1,842

88

2,148

* A dormitory is a room with multiple occupancy.

** Bedspaces identified as ‘Container-Type’ are modular temporary accommodation units.

*** Bedspaces identified under ‘Other’ are those with individual bedrooms.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_430
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_430

James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Afghan nationals have been offered sanctuary under (a) the Afghan Relocations and Resettlement scheme, (b) ARAP and (c) ACRS; how many of those remain in Afghanistan; and what assessment he has made of the risks to those Afghans following the recent data breach. \p Luke Pollard: Though in previous responses to Parliamentary Questions the Department have released internal ARAP data, as the Home Office now publish Afghanistan Resettlement Programme (ARP) data on behalf of the Government, the number of Afghan nationals who have been offered relocation and have resettled in the UK can be found in the Home Office statistics linked below. Information relating to the number of Afghans who remain in Afghanistan who have received an offer of relocation has been withheld as release would risk revealing the identity and the safety of those relocating. Furthermore, this release would be likely to damage UK interests abroad.

Link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release

The UK made an ambitious and generous commitment to help at-risk people in Afghanistan and, so far, we have brought around 38,700 people to safety, including thousands of people eligible for our Afghan schemes.

Afghanistan Resettlement Schemes operational data is published quarterly with the last publication on the 21 August 2025.

The data published within the immigration system statistics release (year ending June 2025, published 21 August 2025) provides a breakdown of arrivals by quarter.

The number of individuals resettled under the schemes is as follows:

19,048 under ARAP. 10,160 individuals under ACRS Pathway 1, 1,406 individuals under ACRS Pathway 2 and 1,679 individuals under ACRS Pathway 3.

As recognised by the Rimmer Review, the human rights picture in Afghanistan was dire, prior to and regardless of the data loss incident.

However, while Afghanistan remains a dangerous place, the Rimmer Review does conclude that it is “highly unlikely” that merely being on the dataset would be grounds for targeting, and that it is unlikely that family members will be targeted simply because the principal appears in the dataset. It also concludes that the dataset is unlikely to substantially change an individual’s existing exposure given the volume of data already available to the Taleban and the fact that links to the former Government are widely known.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_431
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_431

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled 20,000 UK jobs secured as Türkiye buys 20 Typhoon jets in biggest fighter jet deal in a generation, published on 27 October 2025, whether he plans to order any further Typhoons for use by the RAF. \p Luke Pollard: As the hon. Gentleman will know, the UK's future combat air capability to enable the Integrated Force is being finalised through the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published later this year. The Plan will consider the appropriate mix of 4th and 5th generation combat aircraft required to meet our military requirements and the associated economic benefits of the UK's Typhoon and F35 industrial workshare.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_432
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_432

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 140 of the MOD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his decision to cancel the Rolling Vertical Landing upgrade on F-35 capability. \p Luke Pollard: Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing (SRVL) for the UK's F-35B Lightning aircraft to Queen Elizabeth Class carriers has not been cancelled; it has been re-profiled as a Defence Choice so that fitting the capability aligns with the introduction of a related complex weapons programme. This is not expected to have an adverse impact on overall Carrier Strike or F-35B capability.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_433
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_433

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the (a) models and (b) manufacturing country of 3D printers currently in use by the British Army. \p Luke Pollard: The British Army’s use of 3D printers forms part of its trial and experimentation efforts. Consequently, details relating to 3D printing equipment are not held centrally.

The Army 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 British Army does. Therefore sensible security precautions are taken in regard to 3D Printers which are not connected to the defence network and are not used to produce any sensitive materials.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_434
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_434

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the rating of the E7 Wedgetail SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment. \p Luke Pollard: Delivery Confidence Assessments reflect that moment in time and will change throughout a programme's lifecycle. An assessment of Red does not mean that the programme is undeliverable, but that there are management interventions required as a priority in order to increase the likelihood of being able to deliver to approved time, performance and cost.

The National Armaments Director holds all the levers of procurement, enabling the necessary interventions to be applied in support of programmes assessed as Red.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_435
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_435

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent injuries and deaths among children caused by explosive weapons in conflict. \p Al Carns: Protecting civilians is at the heart of defence’s approach to human security where we work through multiple channels to promote human security and - within this - the protection of civilians.

The UK is the co-chair of the International Contact Group on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response and regularly delivers training on human security to other nations; is a signatory of the Political Declaration on strengthening the protection of civilians from the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA); has endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration which outlines a set of commitments to strengthen the protection of education from attack and restrict use of schools and universities for military purposes, and; is a state party to Protocol V of the UN Convention on Conventional Weapons which requires states to focus on prevention and clearance of unexploded ordinance.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_436
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_436

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when will he publish the most recent quarterly portfolio review of his Department’s projects within the Government major projects portfolio. \p Luke Pollard: In line with other Departments, the Ministry of Defence discloses declassified programme performance information for most of our major programmes, alongside the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) Annual Report. The next NISTA Annual Report and proactive disclosure will cover the Financial Year 2025 to 2026 and will be published in summer 2026.

Routine examination of the performance of our major projects and programmes that will contain security classified material is achieved through various governance boards and committees to ensure that senior management intervention is applied where and when it is needed throughout the year.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_437
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_437

Amanda Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to commission an independent review of the compliance of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's maternity and parental leave policies with employment law. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: A comprehensive funded programme to modernise all Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) supporting tools and policies is already underway, in collaboration with relevant Government Departments and stakeholders. There are no plans for an independent review.

The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act became law in April 2024 and the Ministry of Defence Policies have been updated, with appropriate consultation, to comply. Any legacy or existing RFA policy or process that is identified that may inadvertently or deliberately have scope to do so will be suspended and reviewed, in collaboration with expert stakeholders and our Maritime Trade Unions.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_438
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_438

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applications for the restoration of honours or medals have been received since February 2021; and how many have been granted in each year since. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: Since 2021, the Ministry of Defence has received 24 applications for the restoration of medals from, or on behalf of, LGBT Veterans who had forfeited medals. Nine of these cases were found to be eligible for restoration, usually qualifying under the Government’s disregard process for convictions for decriminalised sexual offences (consensual gay sex).

The annual breakdown of applications received, and of those approved, is:
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_439
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_439

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of planned infrastructure upgrades at Rosyth Dockyard; whether those upgrades include the (a) removal and (b) treatment of legacy radioactive materials; and how many redundant nuclear-powered submarines are docked at that facility. \p Maria Eagle: The preliminary plans for infrastructure upgrades at Rosyth Dockyard have been approved and industry have been engaged to begin progressing the scheme design. Once the scheme design is complete final costs for the project will be negotiated. The work will include the requirement to deliver a contingent docking facility for HMS DREADNOUGHT during its sea trial period, at Rosyth Dockyard.

The Submarine Dismantling Project (SDP) includes infrastructure works at Rosyth, where final costs for the project are still being negotiated, to enable the removal and processing of all legacy radioactive waste from dismantled submarines. Activity at Rosyth has begun, with HMS SWIFTSURE being dismantled and a further six decommissioned nuclear submarines awaiting disposal.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_440
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_440

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the UK Space Agency's report entitled Size and health of the UK space industry 2024, updated on 20 August 2025, when she will publish data on the contribution of the space industry to (a) GDP and (b) GVA for (i) 2023/24 and (ii) 2024/25. \p Kanishka Narayan: The ‘Size and Health of the UK Space Industry’ is an annual study published by UK Space Agency. This study includes a measure of GVA (Gross Value-Added) for the sector, as well as an estimate for the percentage share of GDP for activities underpinned by satellite services. Due to the lag in financial reporting, the 2026 report will cover 2023/24 data, and the data for 2024/25 will follow in 2027.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_441
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_441

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of the skills pipeline to meet projected workforce demand in the space sector during the next ten years. \p Kanishka Narayan: DSIT and the UK Space Agency (UKSA) routinely contribute to cross-government work to assess future demand and the current pipeline, such as Skills England’s Sector Skills Needs Assessments (June 2025). Further insight into the space sector is provided by UKSA’s Space Sector Skills Survey. The next iteration will be launched in due course with further iterations to follow in 2028 and 2030. This provides essential insight into cross-sector workforce skills needs and challenges, building on insight from previous iterations (most recently in 2023) and informing UKSA’s Education and Future Workforce programme.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_442
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_442

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what information her Department holds on the number of telecommunication landlords that have ceased to host infrastructure since the Electronic Communications Code 2017 was implemented. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Department has not undertaken comprehensive monitoring of the number of active Code agreements following the 2017 reforms. However, based on Ofcom reporting, 4G geographic coverage from at least one operator has increased from 78% in 2017 to 96% in July 2025. Ofcom also reports that 5G geographic coverage from at least one operator has reached 65% in July 2025 from the start of its rollout in 2019.

Landowners can terminate agreements governed by the Electronic Communications Code for a number of reasons, including if they intend to redevelop the land. Any data on the number of terminated agreements alone would therefore not be indicative of the effectiveness of the 2017 reforms.

Government has no plans to conduct a formal review of the 2017 reforms to the Electronic Communications Code before commencing the remaining sections of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_443
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_443

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of negotiating with (a) the European Union and (b) UK telecoms providers to abolish additional mobile roaming charges. \p Kanishka Narayan: Since the UK is no longer party to the EU Roaming Regulation, known as ‘Roam Like at Home’, it is for mobile operators to decide whether to impose a surcharge on their consumers travelling to the EU for their mobile phone usage.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_444
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_444

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department's strategy entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the (a) list of animal tests and (b) methods for replacement are underpinned by law. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Government’s new strategy sets out our long-term vision for a world where the use of animals in science is eliminated in all but exceptional circumstances, achieved by creating a research and innovation system that drives the development and validation of alternative methods to using animals in science. Recognising that the legal framework in the UK already requires that animals are only ever used in science where there are no validated alternatives available, the government currently has no plans to legislate further on this matter.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_445
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_445

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the strategy entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, if she will meet with animal welfare organisations to discuss that strategy. \p Kanishka Narayan: Officials engaged with animal welfare organisations during the development of the strategy, and Minister Vallance has met with animal welfare organisation representatives, including RSCPA on 26.11.24, Animal Free Research on 01.04.25, Lush UK on 15.05.25, the Chair of All-Party Parliamentary Group on phasing out animal experiments in medical research on 01.04.2025, and hosted a roundtable for wider representatives on 14.05.25.

The Government discussed the strategy with animal welfare organisations on the day it was published as part of regular engagement with the Home Office.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_446
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_446

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, where the UK Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods will be located. \p Kanishka Narayan: On 11th November 2025 the government published “Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods” (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/replacing-animals-in-science-strategy/replacing-animals-in-science-a-strategy-to-support-the-development-validation-and-uptake-of-alternative-methods) which sets out our plans to establish a UK Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (UKCVAM). The location of and timeline for the creation of the UKCVAM is under development and the Government will update on this in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_447
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_447

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of recent reports that social media platform algorithms may promote harmful or extremist content to users. \p Rushanara Ali: Social media companies must keep people safe on their platforms and holding them accountable is a departmental priority. Under the Online Safety Act, services must tackle illegal content, including terrorist content and that which stirs up hatred based on religion or race, or incites violence. They must also protect children from additional forms of legal content, including that which is hateful or abusive.

The Act is clear that services should take steps to ensure their algorithms do not promote these kinds of content. Ofcom also has robust information gathering and enforcement powers to ensure that services operate their algorithms safely.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_448
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_448

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to protect children in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire from becoming victims of indecent deepfakes. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Government is committed to tackling the atrocious harm of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

UK law is clear – creating, possessing, or distributing child sexual abuse images, including those that are AI generated, is already illegal, and the Online Safety Act requires services to proactively identify and remove such content.

We are taking further action in the Crime and Policing Bill. We are introducing an offence to criminalise AI models which have been optimised to create child abuse material and have tabled amendments to support the stringent testing of AI systems for child sexual abuse material risks.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_449
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_449

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with the Internet Watch Foundation. \p Kanishka Narayan: Protecting children online is a priority for this department. The Internet Watch Foundation does vital work to tackle child sexual abuse and DSIT and other departments engage closely with them on their critical work.

I regularly meet with online safety stakeholders and remain committed to continuing this incredibly important relationship. Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly on GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_450
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_450

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to phase out animal testing. \p Kanishka Narayan: On 11th November 2025 the government published “Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods” which outlines the steps we will take to achieve this. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/replacing-animals-in-science-strategy/replacing-animals-in-science-a-strategy-to-support-the-development-validation-and-uptake-of-alternative-methods ).
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_451
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_451

Luke Akehurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87510 on Internet: Children and Young People, when the Media Literacy Vision Statement will be published. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is developing a Media Literacy Vision Statement in close collaboration with other government departments. The Vision Statement will set out a shared, whole-of-government vision for a safe, informed, media literate society. It will outline how media literacy will be embedded across key policy areas including education, public services, digital inclusion, and community resilience. We will announce publication in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_452
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_452

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions her department has had with a) telecoms companies b) consumer groups on unspecified discretionary price rises in consumer telecoms contracts. \p Kanishka Narayan: It is imperative that people feel empowered when interacting with the telecoms market and that they can be confident they are getting a fair deal.

The Secretary of State wrote to Ofcom’s CEO on 31 October to seek Ofcom’s assessment of existing consumer protections and to explore what could be done further and faster on transparent and fair pricing. The Secretary of State has also met with consumer advocate Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert, to discuss issues raised in the letter and ideas to further strengthen protections for ordinary people.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_453
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_453

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of unspecified price increases in fixed-term telecoms contract on consumers; and whether her Department has had discussions with Ofcom about reviewing the regulation of such increases. \p Kanishka Narayan: It is imperative that people feel empowered when interacting with the telecoms market and that they can be confident they are getting a fair deal.

The Secretary of State wrote to Ofcom’s CEO on 31 October to seek Ofcom’s assessment of existing consumer protections and to explore what could be done further and faster on transparent and fair pricing. The Secretary of State has also met with consumer advocate Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert, to discuss issues raised in the letter and ideas to further strengthen protections for ordinary people.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_454
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_454

Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85758 on Science: International Cooperation, what information her Department holds on the funding for the Japan Science Partnership. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Department collects the following information for ISPF programmes with Japan.

Partner organisation name, Partner activity description, Relevant sector and ISPF theme, Total applications, Total awards, Activity status (live or closed), start and end dates, other countries involved (if multi-country programme), Original commitment figure, forecast spend, Actual spend.

We will confirm plans for publication of relevant data in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_455
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_455

Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether (a) Government services and (b) critical national infrastructure faced disruption as a result of the Cloudflare outage on 18 November 2025; and what estimate her Department has made of the cost to the economy of that service outage. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is leading government’s response to the Cloudflare outage which occurred on Tuesday 19 November 2025. We understand that Cloudflare services were restored on Tuesday evening, and DSIT is engaging with Cloudflare to understand the full impact of this incident, and how such events can be mitigated in the future.

DSIT has identified disruption to some online Government services, which were restored within hours of the incident. We are not aware of any disruption to Critical National Infrastructure.

The outage affected a wide range of organisations across all sectors, and it will take some time to fully understand the scale of the economic impact.

The Government recognises the importance of robust protections for the services essential to our society and economy – that is why we introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill on 12 November.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_456
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_456

Graham Stuart:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many bids to the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund were successful in (a) Yorkshire and the Humber region, (b) East Riding of Yorkshire local authority area, and (c) Beverley and Holderness constituency; and what proportion of all successful bids submitted these represent. \p Kanishka Narayan: Our ambition is that everyone in every corner of the UK, whatever their circumstances, can participate in our modern digital society. That’s why we launched the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund – supporting local initiatives that increase digital participation and aim to meet the specific and diverse needs of digitally excluded people in communities across the UK.

Some applicants have been announced and DSIT are currently in the process of onboarding successful applicants of the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, with a regional spread across England. The department intends to announce and publish a full list of successful projects in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_457
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_457

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Department is taking to improve mobile telephone signal in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England. \p Kanishka Narayan: Communities and business across the country rightly expect to have the mobile connectivity they need to participate in the modern digital economy.

Through the Shared Rural Network programme, there have already been improvements in 4G mobile coverage across rural England. This includes two masts that have been upgraded using government funding in Hexham, with a further mast having been upgraded in North Northumberland. The programme continues to deliver 4G coverage improvements across Great Britain.

But we want to go further, our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. Government continues to work closely with the mobile network operators, ensuring that we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment into mobile networks and competition in the market. This includes removing barriers to deployment where they exist.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_458
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_458

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government plans to take to ensure that all members of the Trans and Intersex communities have access to (a) safe and (b) gender affirming (i) bathrooms, (ii) changing rooms and (iii) refuges; and that when using those facilities they are free from harassment. \p Olivia Bailey: Trans and intersex people deserve dignity and respect. Protections remain in place for them to live free from discrimination and harassment.

Regarding service provision, we want everyone to be able to access services that meet their needs whilst protecting their privacy and safety. The EHRC’s updated Code of Practice will provide guidance to providers, and we are considering their draft.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_459
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_459

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many IELTS testing centres have been investigated, suspended, or removed from the UKVI-approved list due to suspected malpractice since 2020. \p Mike Tapp: The Home Office only permits the use of UKVI approved centres that meet the standards under the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) contracts and does not have responsibility or oversight of the IELTs network which is a separate arrangement to SELT contracts. We therefore do not hold numbers on activities in relation to IELTS.

Every application where English language evidence is provided as a SELT is checked, including that the person on the test result is the person they say they are, to assure its genuineness. Where there may be an issue around the genuineness of a SELT supporting an application for immigration leave, that application may fall for refusal. Where fraud or malpractice is suspected we have robust process in place with the supplier to take action where required.

UK Visas and Immigration oversees the centres operating Secure English Language Testing (SELT). Integrity of centres is monitored and managed via a number of contractual and operational processes and measures including that all centres must be audited and where malpractice or concerns are suspected, UKVI personnel will conduct unannounced audits of centres and ask them to cease operation where needed.

The use of proxies, and all other types of fraudulent activity, are assessed routinely by UK Visas and Immigration teams who ensure the integrity of these services. Where risks are identified swift action is taken including suspension of test centres pending investigation, results being withheld or cancelled and appropriate action against test takers.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_460
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_460

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2025 to question 81592 Medical Treatments: Gaza, for the total number of accompanying adults that have entered the UK under the Gaza Injured Children Scheme. \p Mike Tapp: The information requested is not available from published statistics. Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_461
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_461

Yuan Yang:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the current distribution of salaries by income tax bracket is for Skilled Worker visa holders in Earley and Woodley constituency. \p Mike Tapp: The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_462
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_462

John Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number of Border Officers employed at the Port of Cairnryan a) during the day and b) in the evening. \p Mike Tapp: In the interests of maintaining border security, Border Force does not routinely disclose information of a port-specific nature.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_463
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_463

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there will be transitional arrangements for people due to be eligible for indefinite leave to remain from 2026 onwards. \p Mike Tapp: The current public consultation on the new earned settlement model seeks views on whether there should be transitional arrangements for those already on a pathway to settlement.

We will then consider, if appropriate, how transitional arrangements may be designed to ease the impact of policy change, especially for individuals or groups already afforded permissions by the previous system.
wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_464
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-25 conversation_464

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many fraudulent International English Language Testing System certificates were detected by her Department in each of the last five years. \p Mike Tapp: The data is only available at disproportionate cost.