theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many vehicles were seized in relation to waste crime offences in each of the last three years. \p Mary Creagh: Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents and enforcement actions, including vehicles seized, to Defra, which are published annually at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england.

We are conducting a review of council powers to seize and crush vehicles of fly-tippers, to identify how we could help them make better use of this tool.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of digital-only (a) services and (b) reporting requirements on farming businesses. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra seeks to introduce services that are digital by default which help users to succeed first time, and an assisted digital route is provided for those who are unable to complete a service online. This equally applies to reporting requirements on farming businesses, the main requirement being the Annual Survey of Agriculture and Horticulture which is digital by default but also available as a paper survey form.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 51391 on Water Charges, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) progressive and (b) rising block metering tariffs on water bills for homes occupied by families with children. \p Emma Hardy: As the water regulator, Ofwat regulates the charging trials by issuing rules that require companies to set fair charges for all customers, and to ensure all trials are consistent with good practice principles. Companies must also consult with the Consumer Council for Water in developing their trials to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place. Through these trials the sector will learn how to best support customers, including families, with their water bills.
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Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the introduction of mandatory food waste reporting. \p Mary Creagh: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. No recent discussions have taken place between the Secretary of State and Cabinet colleagues on the subject of mandatory food waste reporting.

This Government has announced the development of a food strategy as well as its plans to publish a Circular Economy Strategy for England. Defra recognises the importance of reducing food waste in the supply chain and as this work is developed, the evidence for action will be considered as we evaluate what interventions may be needed, including the potential introduction of a mandatory food waste reporting requirement for large food businesses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure the enforcement of laws prohibiting piglet thumping on pig farms. \p Daniel Zeichner: There are strict rules to protect the welfare of animals at the time of killing. Due to serious concerns about the welfare consequences of a manual percussive blow to the head, piglet thumping is not a permitted method for stunning or killing piglets.

Potential breaches of animal health and welfare legislation, such as the use of manual blunt force trauma on piglets, are taken very seriously. Any allegations of poor animal welfare are investigated by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), and appropriate action is taken. The local authority, as the appropriate enforcement agency, may initiate prosecution action for animal welfare offences where there is sufficient evidence.
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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the Food Standards Agency on a revision to its draft guidance on precision breeding to ensure it does not impose GMO-style data requirements. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has worked closely with Defra throughout the development of the Precision Breeding legislation and will continue to do so.

Following stakeholder engagement on the draft technical guidance for Precision Bred organisms for food and feed use, the FSA is currently revising its draft technical guidance to be clearer about what information the Precision Breeding Regulations require.
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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding and support mechanisms his Department is considering to establish a national programme for precision breeding (a) research and (b) public engagement. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government is committed to supporting research to unlock the potential of precision breeding. The latest programme of Defra’s Genetic Improvement Networks (GINs), which is supported by up to £15 million in funding over 5 years, includes funding for research into precision breeding.

Earlier this year under the Farming Innovation Programme we announced a £12.5 million competition focused specifically on precision breeding. We also welcome the announcement within the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy to allocate at least £200 million to the Programme up to 2030. This will offer targeted funding to drive innovation in agriculture. Precision breeding has also been recognised within the Industrial Strategy and will continue to be in scope within the industry led FIP competitions.
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Harpreet Uppal:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the restoration of (a) the River Colne in Huddersfield and (b) other urban rivers. \p Emma Hardy: We are funding two projects led by the Calder and Colne Rivers Trust this year through the Water Environment Improvement Fund. One project is a three-year project looking at pollution,land and highway management issues on the River Colne and tributaries. The other is a feasibility and design project in the second of its three years, developing solutions for artificial barriers across the Calder and Colne catchment.

Through the WEIF, we are committing £3 million of investment this financial year to restore urban rivers. By combining this with rod licence income and working in partnership with organisations like the Wild Trout Trust, the Environment Agency is tackling urban waterway challenges and delivering lasting environmental improvements through collaborative action.

Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas is a top priority for this government. We are putting water companies under special measures through our landmark Water (Special Measures) Act. The Act has introduced new powers to ban the payment of bonuses for polluting water bosses and bring criminal charges against law breakers and made it mandatory for water companies to publish plans to reduce pollution incidents.

The Independent Water Commission will recommend reforms to reset the water sector regulatory system and clean up our waterways for good.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 60563 on Livestock: Death, what resources his Department has made available to the Animal and Plant Health Agency to monitor compliance with animal welfare standards during periods of extreme heat. \p Daniel Zeichner: APHA does not receive additional resources to monitor compliance with animal welfare legal requirements during periods of extreme heat. However, the Agency has provided guidance on how to care for animals on farm and in transport in case of extreme weather since 2013; the guidance has been regularly reviewed and updated and it is available on the following page Keeping farm animals and horses in extreme weather - GOV.UK. In addition, The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) issues guidance to transporters on transporting animals in extreme hot and cold weather. The guidance ensures that transporters consider the particular risks that extreme weather presents to animal welfare and that animals are transported in a way that avoids any pain, suffering or distress.

APHA continues to monitor reports of animals being transported in extreme weather conditions. Where incidents of unnecessary suffering caused by transporting animals in extreme weather are identified, APHA will take appropriate regulatory action which may include the suspension of transporter authorisations. The Local Authority will be notified and will consider any appropriate enforcement action.
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the amendments made in Schedule 6, Part 2, Clause 41 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill relating to the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 on (a) the potential number of badgers killed and (b) local wildlife populations. \p Mary Creagh: These amendments standardise licences for development purposes under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 with those for other species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, 2017. This is intended to facilitate strategic-level Environmental Delivery Plans.

We are legislating that all badger licences will be subject to strict tests required by the Bern Convention, which set a high bar. For licences under the Nature Restoration Fund, an overall improvement in the conservation status of badgers will be required.

The impact of these provisions will depend on practical application by Natural England through EDPs or individual licences.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of reducing funding to Natural England’s programme to designate or expand National Landscapes on employment. \p Mary Creagh: Natural England (NE) has the statutory responsibility for identifying areas for new or extended National Landscape designations. Given the pressures on public finances, Defra has had to make difficult decisions about funding. It was not affordable to continue Defra funding to NE to continue the new National Landscapes designations programme in 25/26. As such, NE have made the decision to stop work on some of the planned programme. Other elements of the programme, including the Surrey Hills boundary review and potential new National Landscape in the Yorkshire Wolds, are being maintained and progressed as the work was further advanced.
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Aphra Brandreth:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the revenue that will be raised from fines imposed on water companies for environmental breaches in the next 12 months. \p Emma Hardy: Environmental enforcement, including fines, is provided by independent regulators Ofwat and the Environment Agency (EA). Enforcement activity and subsequent fines are affected by a wide variety of factors and the Government does not have a predicted figure for the next 12 months. EA fines are imposed by the courts which apply the Sentencing Council’s Environmental Offences Definite Guideline on a case-by-case basis.

On 19 June 2025, the Government announced that over £100 million in fines and penalties levied against water companies since October 2023 will be reinvested into projects to clean up our waters which could include local programmes to address pollution and improve water quality.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Environment Agency on enforcement action relating to pollution affecting Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach. \p Emma Hardy: Through the PR24 process the Environment Agency (EA) has secured the following work by South West Water to improve the quality at Church Cliff Beach:

Uplyme sewage treatment works and Gun Cliff sewage pumping station will be fitted with flow monitoring equipment, Uplyme storm sewage tanks will be improved to reduce stills, the Cobb sewage pumping station will be improved, two combined sewage overflows (CSO) will be investigated and assessed in relation to the possible impact on water quality, five further CSOs will be improved to meet the bathing water standard of no more than 2 spills per bathing season.

An investigation will be undertaken to confirm the benefits of these works for Church Cliff beach.

Lyme Regis Town Council, working with the EA, has set up a Water Quality Group to oversee improvements in the bathing water quality at Church Cliff beach.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the size of the badger population (a) in June 2025 and (b) in each of the last 10 years. \p Daniel Zeichner: The first major badger population survey in over a decade began in February 2025 and is currently ongoing. The most recent previous national survey was conducted in England and Wales between 2011 and 2013, estimating the badger population at approximately 485,000 individuals across 71,600 social groups.
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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on the amount that British Wool spent on its overseas operations in the last 12 months. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra does not regularly collect or monitor information on sales or uses of wool; this is managed by British Wool.

British Wool publishes its annual accounts and financial statements on its website, which include information on its operational activities, including any overseas expenditure. These documents are publicly accessible and provide transparency on the organisation’s use of funds.
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Richard Baker:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to raise extended producer responsibility base fees for plastic. \p Mary Creagh: From year 2 of pEPR (2026/2027), base fees will be modulated to drive a shift to more environmentally sustainable packaging design, with recyclability as the indicator. Materials that are less recyclable, such as some plastics, will incur higher fees, with the additional funds raised being redistributed to lower the fees of more recyclable materials. PackUK intends to publish a modulation policy statement by the end of June, outlining this in more detail.
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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to (a) review the (i) structure and (ii) market position of British Wool and (b) make an assessment of the effectiveness of the role of British Wool in supporting the incomes of British sheep farmers. \p Daniel Zeichner: A new framework document was published in May 2025 and sets out the strategic relationship between Defra, the Devolved Governments, and British Wool. The Framework establishes clear governance arrangements and shared priorities, ensuring British Wool is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of the sector. The framework document was informed by a review of British Wool’s operations, including its structure and market position, conducted jointly by Defra and Devolved Governments, this was published on 15 March 2023.

While the Department is not currently undertaking a separate assessment of British Wool’s effectiveness in supporting farmer incomes, the Framework Document provides a foundation for ongoing collaboration and performance monitoring. Defra remains committed to working with British Wool and industry stakeholders to ensure the organisation continues to deliver value to sheep farmers and contributes to the long-term sustainability of the wool sector.
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Richard Baker:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) extended producer responsibility and (b) other waste reforms on the improvement of recycling services by local authorities. \p Mary Creagh: In October 2024, the Government published an updated impact assessment for the introduction of Extended Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR), which includes an assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on Local Authorities at an aggregate level.

The Simpler Recycling reforms will reduce the negative environmental impacts of waste by increasing both (i) the quantity of materials collected for recycling, and (ii) the quality of recyclate produced due to improved material segregation. The latest impact assessment for Simpler Recycling was published in December 2024.
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Aphra Brandreth:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farm visits (a) he has and (b) his Ministers have undertaken since 4 July 2024. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra ministers regularly visit farms in a range of counties and meet with farmers and the wider industry nearly every week.
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Dr Lauren Sullivan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) improve water quality in the river Thames and (b) protect local wildlife from (i) plastic pollution and (ii) sewage discharges. \p Emma Hardy: The Water (Special Measures) Act will enable the Environment Agency (EA) to build on its transformation in the way it regulates the water industry, enabling it to take faster, firmer action against poor performance. It will speed up civil penalties for less serious offences, so that it can focus prosecutions on the most serious offending. It will require water companies to publish information regarding the frequency and duration of discharges from all emergency overflows within an hour of a discharge occurring.

The EA has expanded the number of staff dedicated to regulating the water industry, including regulatory officers, data analysts, and enforcement specialists, whilst developing new digital systems and significantly increasing the number of water company inspections.

The EA works with water companies to develop investigations into microplastics, having been recognised as a significant standalone issue. The water industry is also funding further investigations. This will shape understanding regarding how the levels of microplastics entering the environment through wastewater treatment processes can be reduced.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the Chalk Stream recovery pack. \p Emma Hardy: Cleaning up our waters, including iconic sites such as chalk streams is a top Government priority. That is why on 23 October 2024, the Secretary of State announced the launch of an independent commission to fundamentally transform how our water system works.

Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to address the multiple pressures facing chalk streams, namely over abstraction, phosphorous pollution and physical modifications of habitats. Restoring our chalk streams to better ecological health is part of our overall programme of reforms for the water sector.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of stray dogs being euthanised in the latest period for which figures are available. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Department does not collect data on the euthanasia of stray dogs.

The obligations for dealing with stray dogs are laid down in the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and the responsibility for implementing these obligations lies with each local authority.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support farmers in Wiltshire to (a) retain soil moisture and (b) protect (i) crops and (ii) livestock from high temperatures. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra is aware of current concerns around ongoing dry conditions, including in Wiltshire, and continues to closely monitor the situation.

Defra has provided support through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), where many farmers are carrying out actions that support soil management including cover cropping, companion cropping, and planting herbal leys which can help protect the soil surface and help improve soil structure and resilience to drought. We are now considering options for a reformed SFI scheme.

Defra’s Farming Equipment and Technology Fund provides grants for commercial livestock farmers towards the cost of a list of items that deliver improvements in animal health and welfare. The latest round launched in May 2025 with a budget of £16.7m and includes kit intended to specifically target heat stress such as cooling systems and fans.

The Environment Agency has produced an updated irrigation prospects report for summer 2025 to inform the agriculture sector of the current water resources situation, to help farmers plan their water needs for summer and improve their water resilience in the longer term.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of granting permissions for shelters to allow the public to adopt stray dogs as a means to reduce the number being euthanised. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Environmental Protection Act 1990, sets out a minimum hold period of seven days for stray dogs that are brought into shelters. After this time if the owner has not been identified, the dog may be rehomed or humanely euthanised. Under the Act, local authorities have powers in certain circumstances to transfer stray dogs to rehoming centres.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 51391 on Water Charges, whether he plans to provide (a) guidance and (b) directions on innovative tariffs. \p Emma Hardy: As set out in the previous answer, as the water regulator, Ofwat regulates the charging trials by issuing rules that require companies to set fair charges for all customers, and to ensure all trials are consistent with good practice principles.
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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what consideration his Department has given to the future security, sustainability and capacity of the supply chain for sonobuoys used by the Royal Air Force. \p Maria Eagle: The RAF has a robust mechanism for procurement of sonobuoys but continues to investigate alternative options to ensure supply chain resilience.
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Will Stone:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of adjusting the cycle of procurement for SMEs so that Government contracts are issued throughout the year. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) contracts are issued throughout the year and not just at a specific time of the year. The Acquisition pipeline for the MOD was being published twice per year and indicated the anticipated date for publication of the tenders across the next 18+ months.

The Department currently publishes an 18 month forward look of our procurement pipeline but will move to continuous updates for the benefit of suppliers (including SMEs) registered on the Central Digital Platform.

Consideration of SMEs is a key element in the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy and, as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, we will reform the MOD procurement and acquisition processes to ensure we deliver the capabilities defence requires now and in the future.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June to Question 60125 on Armed Forces: Buildings, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing formal (a) criteria and (b) guidelines for leasing its properties to third parties. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has formal criteria and guidelines for the leasing of properties to third parties.

Criteria and guidelines for Service Family Accommodation (SFA) leased to non-military personnel is set out in the MOD’s contract with Pinnacle Service Families. A separate process is in place for SFA that is utilised under the Afghan Resettlement Programme.

The remaining leases criteria and guidelines are set out in Joint Service Publication 850.
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Colum Eastwood:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the resumption of inquests into deaths at Loughgall in 1987. \p Al Carns: As the Secretary of State has already said today in this House, he is working closely with the Northern Ireland Secretary on policy proposals in relation to the Legacy Act, including to ensure that we discharge our duty to Veterans.

We must find a way forward for the Armed Forces, and the wider NI community, who have been abandoned because of the previous Government’s failure to get this right.

The Legacy Act was found to be unlawful, was not supported by any of the main political parties in Northern Ireland and was built on false promises to our Veterans.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3(a) of Annex 1 of the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what the notification process will be for informing Mauritius about (a) overflight and (b) undersea access to the Chagos Islands beyond Diego Garcia for states operating with the United Kingdom or the United States of America; how his Department defines the term upon notification; whether notification should be provided before permitted vessels and aircrafts enter Diego Garcia; what details will be provided through the notification process; who in the Mauritian government will receive the notification; and whether those notifications will be confidential. \p Luke Pollard: Aircraft accessing the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia will maintain standard notification practices for flight information regions, which exist in the Indian Ocean flight information zone and other international flight information zones. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius about undersea access for states operating with the United Kingdom or the United States of America through normal diplomatic channels. Notifications are confidential and will not include classified information.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(b)(viii) of Annex 1 of the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what the notification process will be for informing Mauritius about (a) non-United Kingdom and (b) non-United State of America that have been permitted (i) access, (iI) basing and (iii) overflight access to Diego Garcia; how his Department defines the term upon notification; whether notification should be provided before permitted vessels and aircrafts enter Diego Garcia; what details will be provided through the notification process; who in the Mauritian government will receive the notification; and whether those notifications will be confidential. \p Luke Pollard: As Annex 1, paragraph 1(b)(viii) of the treaty confirms, the United Kingdom will have unrestricted ability to permit access, basing and overflight for non-United Kingdom and non-United States of America aircraft and vessels. Aircraft accessing Diego Garcia will maintain standard notification practices for flight information regions, which exist in the Indian Ocean flight information zone and other international flight information zones. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius about non-United Kingdom and non-United States of America aircraft and vessels through normal diplomatic channels. Notifications are confidential and will not include classified information.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 23535 on Hawk Aircraft, how many Hawk T1 aircraft are airworthy. \p Maria Eagle: There are currently thirteen Hawk T1 aircraft that are airworthy with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, with a further four aircraft being cycled through scheduled routine depth maintenance. Additional aircraft are held in storage in the sustainment fleet for future support to that forward fleet. We have sufficient airframes to ensure all Red Arrows tasking until 2030 as planned. The Strategic Defence Review committed to a cost-effective fast jet trainer.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of defence budgets in the last 10 years. \p Maria Eagle: The recent increase in defence spending is the largest sustained increase since the end of the Cold War.

The Government is firmly committed to increasing defence spending to reach 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and has set an ambition to reach 3% by 2030, as fiscal and economic conditions allow. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has also made a historic commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security. This is a generational increase in defence and security spending, honouring our commitment to be a leader in NATO.

The Department publishes historic MOD spending in cash and real terms in its annual Departmental Resources publication.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out what (a) technical and (b) management issues are causing the delay in the RAF’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft WT001 flight test programme; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure the late-2025 in-service date is achieved. \p Maria Eagle: The Wedgetail programme has already completed three test flights and will continue to undertake comprehensive ground and flight tests throughout 2025 to achieve the approved In-Service Date.

Engagement continues with Boeing and the Ministry of Defence to ensure the In-Service Date is achieved.
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Chris Coghlan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the provision of military intelligence to Ukrainian forces. \p Luke Pollard: The Defence Secretary regularly speaks with his US counterpart regarding our collective support to Ukraine’s armed forces in response to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.

As the hon. Gentlemen will understand, we do not comment on Intelligence matters. However, we have always been clear that the UK will do everything we can to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position across all aspects of our support, particularly defence and security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_150

Monica Harding:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with NATO counterparts on Russian sanctions. \p Luke Pollard: Sanctions are primarily an FCDO lead, but I can say that the UK and other NATO allies do all we can to shut down the funding for Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.   The UK has led action against Russia sanctioning over 2,500 Russian targets including over 280 shadow fleet vessels, and allied sanctions have deprived Russia of over $450 billion worth of funds for its war.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_151
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_151

Rebecca Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the defence investment plan. \p Luke Pollard: The Defence Investment Plan will be published this Autumn. For the very first time the Ministry of Defence’s Plan will cover the full scope of the defence programme, from people and operations to equipment and infrastructure, to ensure we can deliver the vision set out in the Strategic Defence Review.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_152
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_152

Liam Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to (a) page 7 and (b) recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what input other Government (i) departments and (ii) agencies will have into the export decisions of the new defence exports office. \p Maria Eagle: The Strategic Defence Review was clear that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) must coordinate with other Government Departments to achieve export goals. Inputs from other Government Departments will be critical to ensure success, from the views of Ambassadors, Trade teams and Defence Attaches in our overseas embassies to the export licensing community in the FCDO, MOD and other Government Departments.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_153
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_153

Liam Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister’s written ministerial statement of 3 June 2025 on Machinery of Government: Cyber-security and Defence Exports HCWS679, and (a) page 7 and (b) recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, if the new defence exports office will replace UK defence and security exports. \p Maria Eagle: As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, improving exports is vital to national security and growth at home. We are creating a single Departmental lead through the transfer of responsibility for defence exports, comprising the majority of UK Defence and Security Exports, from the Department of Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence. A new team under the National Armaments Director will drive forward export campaigns.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_154
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_154

Liam Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what role the National Armaments Director will have in (a) considering, (b) advising on and (c) deciding export licence applications. \p Maria Eagle: This Government endorses the Strategic Defence Review’s vision and accepts all 62 recommendations. The implementation of the Review’s recommendations will form part of the main business of the Department and will be executed through a whole of UK Defence effort.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_155
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_155

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2024 to Question 18148 on Lasers: Weapons, what progress he has made on developing (a) radio frequency directed energy weapons, (b) DragonFire laser and (c) other directed energy weapons for the protection of UK military bases on the (i) UK mainland and (ii) overseas. \p Maria Eagle: Following the Strategic Defence Review, this Government has announced nearly £1 billion in further investment for Directed Energy Weapons (DEW), an example of how we will be at the leading edge of innovation and novel capabilities within NATO.

We recently completed a trial of a radio frequency DEW demonstrator with the British Army, successfully engaging and defeating drones. DragonFire continues to progress and a recent trial saw us fire +300 times, proving consistency and reliability, and included 30 drone defeats and firings in adverse weather conditions. These trials generate vital evidence and learning needed to improve and adapt these systems, and together with our investment will bring DEW systems into service quickly, protecting our Armed Forces.

DEW systems can be utilised for multiple military use cases. For operational security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not comment on the specific protection of military bases.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_156
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_156

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was awarded in compensation payments to families living in service family accommodation in (a) Shropshire and (b) North Shropshire constituency in each year since 2020. \p Al Carns: The table below details the number of compensation payments awarded to families living in Service Family Accommodation within the County of Shropshire and North Shropshire constituency since 2022. It also identifies how much was awarded in compensation payments. Compensation payments are made to Service Personnel in certain circumstances, ranging from missed appointments to the loss of cooking facilities.

We are only able to answer the questions since the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Contract began in April 2022. Data prior to the start of the FDIS Contract is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Year

County/ Constituency

Number of Compensation Payments Awarded

Total value of Compensation Payments Awarded

2022

Shropshire County

57

£2,920.00

North Shropshire Constituency

12

£1,200.00

2023

Shropshire County

179

£38,890.00

North Shropshire Constituency

60

£14,420.00

2024

Shropshire County

249

£16,435.00

North Shropshire Constituency

85

£5,670.00

2025 (up to & including 22 Jun 25)

Shropshire County

87

£4,070.00

North Shropshire Constituency

39

£1,610.00

Please note that the North Shropshire Constituency figures are included within the Shropshire County Total figures.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_157
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_157

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with his German counterpart on the sale of 36 Eurofighters to Turkey. \p Maria Eagle: The Secretary of State for Defence regularly engages with his Eurofighter Partner Nation counterparts, including Germany. Discussions routinely cover an array of bilateral issues, as well as opportunities to support Türkiye to enhance their defence capabilities as a NATO partner.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_158
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_158

Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps are being taken to improve the UK defence industrial base in (a) Shropshire and (b) the West Midlands. \p Maria Eagle: The recent Strategic Defence Review and National Security Strategy have identified the need to grow and enhance resilience in our defence industrial base. The Defence Industrial Strategy will set out the full package of measures to make the UK a defence industrial superpower by 2035. This will include a new partnership with industry to realise defence’s potential as an engine for growth across all the nations and regions of the UK, including Shropshire and the West Midlands.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_159
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_159

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2025 to Question 61499 on RAF Brize Norton: Security, which (a) agency or (b) organisation was responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025. \p Luke Pollard: The Royal Air Force Police and Military Provost Guard Service are responsible for security at RAF Brize Norton. This is a part of the multilayered approach to security across the site.

The Counter Terrorism Policing investigation continues and the Defence Secretary has ordered that a full security review be conducted at pace, not only at Brize, but across the defence estate.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_160
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_160

Cat Eccles:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the agreement signed between the British Armed Forces and the Israeli Defence Forces in December 2020 on strengthening military cooperation. \p Luke Pollard: The UK-Israel military cooperation agreement, which was signed in December 2020, incorporates a range of defence engagement activity, including defence education. I hope that the hon. Member will understand that it is not possible to release this agreement as it is held at a higher classification.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_161
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_161

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is reviewing the security arrangements at (a) RAF Lakenheath, (b) RAF Mildenhall and (c) other domestic military bases, in the context of the attack on RAF Brize Norton. \p Luke Pollard: Immediate measures were put in place following the incident at RAF Brize Norton to enhance existing security arrangements and increase vigilance at all Defence sites, and we have also engaged with the US Visiting Forces. You will appreciate that we will not comment on the specifics of those arrangements. We have also directed a full review of security arrangements across all Defence sites and will continue to liaise with our US colleagues accordingly.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_162
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_162

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on the investigation into the security breach at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025. \p Luke Pollard: As per my statement on 23 June, an investigation is underway into the incident. The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing South-East. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_163
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-30 conversation_163

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in how many service family accommodation homes the presence of asbestos has been reported in (a) Shropshire and (b) North Shropshire constituency in each year since 2020. \p Al Carns: The first table details the number of reported instances of Asbestos in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in the County of Shropshire since the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Contract began in April 2022. Data prior to the start of the FDIS Contract is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

These instances have been reported by contractors carrying out works in SFA where Asbestos was found to be present.

Establishment

April 2022-Dec 2022

Jan 2023-Dec 2023

Jan 2024-Dec 2024

Jan-Jun 2025

Total

13

28

20

2

The table below details the reports in the North Shropshire Constituency only:

Establishment

April 2022-Dec 2022

Jan 2023-Dec 2023

Jan 2024-Dec 2024

Jan-Jun 2025

Total

10

22

7

1

Figures for the North Shropshire Constituency are included in the Shropshire County Figures.