theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_115
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_115

Douglas McAllister:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent progress her Department has made on increasing levels of international cooperation to help tackle organised illegal immigration. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We are leading the international fight against organised immigration crime, and have delivered new agreements with a range of partners, including with Iraq, Germany and Italy; as well as deepening our cooperation with France

Today’s landmark Summit on Organised Immigration Crime features delegations from over 45 countries and agencies, and will strengthen our partnerships across the globe; increase intelligence-sharing, and enable targeted disruptions to the criminal networks whose operations cross over multiple borders.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_116
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_116

Claire Young:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help improve community policing. \p Dame Diana Johnson: In December the Prime Minister set out his Plan for Change, including the delivery of a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. That means putting bobbies back on the beat in every corner of the country and ensuring that people have a named, contactable officer to turn to when things go wrong.

In January’s Police Settlement we announced £200 million of funding to kickstart the increase of 13,000 neighbourhood officers and PCSOs and we are currently finalising the figures with individual forces for year 1.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_117
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_117

Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her Department's planned timetable is for the completion of the migration of casework operations to the new ATLAS system. \p Seema Malhotra: Since mid-2024, Atlas has been the primary caseworking system for operational teams across Migration & Borders with the legacy CID (Case Information Database) caseworking system only being used for very small volume case types. Work to migrate legacy CID ‘work in progress’ cases across to Atlas has been in progress since late 2024, and the capability to handle those small volume case types is due to be completed by the end of April 2025, when it is currently scheduled to decommission CID.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_118
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_118

Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of including hospitality workers on the immigration salary list. \p Seema Malhotra: The Migration Advisory Committee last reviewed hospitality roles with respect of the Immigration Salary List in 2023 and did not recommend any for inclusion on the list.

Any future changes to the ISL will be considered in the context of the Immigration White Paper which will be published in due course.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_119
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_119

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether an individual without a Gender Recognition Certificate can change the sex displayed on their passport to be different from their sex recorded at birth. \p Seema Malhotra: HM Passport’s Office policy can be found at Gender recognition policy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The policy was last updated under the previous government in April 2024, and has not been changed since.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_120
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_120

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what (a) statutory and (b) non-statutory bodies her Department has consulted on opportunities for grassroots music collaboration as part of the national youth strategy. \p Stephanie Peacock: We are developing a new National Youth Strategy with young people and cross-sector experts, and have set up a Youth Advisory Group and Expert Advisory Group as part of this engagement. Members of our Expert Advisory Group have a range of different professional and academic expertise related to young people and work in different fields including: youth work, music, creative skills industries, funding, policy development and sport. We are also in contact with a wide range of other stakeholders working with young people across relevant sectors.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_121
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_121

Mrs Sureena Brackenridge:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure adequate funding of youth services in Wolverhampton. \p Stephanie Peacock: Local authorities hold the statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people. Local Authorities fund youth services from their Local Government Settlement in line with local need, and this was increased to more than £69 billion in 2025/26 - a 6.8% increase in cash terms compared to 2024/25. We will be launching the Local Youth Transformation pilot this year, which will support local authorities to build back capability to improve local youth offers.

This government has also committed to co-producing a new National Youth Strategy. As part of the Strategy, we will be consulting closely with young people and the youth sector. The Strategy will be published this summer.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_122
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_122

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Government partners with young people to help develop new national youth strategy, published on 5 March 2025, whether any Democracy Cafes will take place in Bedfordshire. \p Stephanie Peacock: As part of the development of the National Youth Strategy, we have conducted nine Democracy Cafes, one in every region of the country, as well as online focus groups. No Democracy Cafe was held in Bedfordshire, but one was delivered in Cambridge. There are no plans to conduct further Democracy Cafes, but we are planning larger in-person events called ‘Hacks’. Details of these will be on our website for the Strategy in due course. We also encourage as many young people across the country as possible to respond to the National Youth Strategy survey or to complete the ‘digital postcards’.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_123
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_123

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she plans to respond to the letter of 4 February 2025 from the hon. Member for Henley and Thames on the Stop Killing Games Campaign. \p Chris Bryant: My Department has provided a response to the Hon Member. The Government has also responded to a recent petition on this issue.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_124
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_124

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether they have made an estimate of the potential impact of abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion roles in their Department on annual staffing costs. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Guidance was issued on the 14th May 2024. DCMS complies with the guidance, and therefore ensures that any D&I activity provides value for money and benefits both DCMS employees and enhances sound policy making.

DCMS has not undertaken an estimate of the impact of abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion roles in the department on annual staff costs. DCMS remains committed to ensuring we have the right skills in place to deliver our services effectively, efficiently and at value for money across the Civil Service.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_125
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_125

Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Gambling Commission has taken to ensure compliance with the Growth Duty under Section 108 of the Deregulation Act 2015; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Commission's (a) policies and (b) regulatory activities on economic growth. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Gambling Commission is required by its statutory functions to strike a balance between supporting the growth of regulated businesses and providing protection for consumers and society. The Commission’s statement of principles for licensing and regulation includes ensuring that unnecessary regulatory burdens are not placed on businesses, prioritising the least intrusive regulatory tools to achieve compliance and ensuring that any regulatory action is proportionate. It also states that the Commission will have regard to promoting economic growth, insofar as it thinks it is consistent with pursuit of the licensing objectives.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_126
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_126

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contribution on (a) local animal shelters, (b) other small charities and (c) the whole charitable sector; and what steps she is taking to help mitigate the impact on that sector. \p Stephanie Peacock: DCMS Ministers have met with representatives from the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector to discuss this issue and are aware of their concerns about the impacts of the increase to employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs). The government recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses and charities, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means that more than half of businesses (including charities) with NICs liabilities will either gain or see no change next year.

We are also expanding eligibility of the Employment Allowance by removing the £100,000 eligibility threshold, to simplify and reform employer NICs so that all eligible employers now benefit. Businesses and charities will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under 21s and under 25 apprentices, where eligible.

Within the tax system, we provide support to charities through a range of reliefs and exemptions, including reliefs for charitable giving. More than £6 billion in charitable reliefs was provided to charities, Community Amateur Sports Clubs and their donors in 2023 to 2024. The biggest individual reliefs provided are Gift Aid at £1.6 billion and business rates relief at nearly £2.4 billion.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_127
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_127

Dan Tomlinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to (a) support the development of and (b) source external funding for the Directories Asset Mapping digital compendium of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Department is not currently working on this project but my officials would welcome more information on the scheme, if the Honorable Member would like to share that.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_128
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_128

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether recommendation 6.1c of the report by his Department entitled the Review of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations 2019, published on 24 March 2020, (a) has been (i) implemented, (ii) paused, (iii) not pursued, (iv) transferred and (b) is in progress. \p Al Carns: It is taking time to collate the information needed to answer the hon. Member's questions. I will write to him very shortly and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_129
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_129

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Parliament will be provided with an updated briefing on the Chagos deal’s implications, in the context of the reported U.S. military build-up at Diego Garcia and its potential to extend operations. \p Luke Pollard: Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. The joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia plays a crucial role in regional and international security. The Treaty will secure the long-term, effective operation of the base.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_130
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_130

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, is he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of the Scottish Income Tax Mitigation scheme in each financial year between 2018-19 and 2024-25. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence’s Scottish income tax mitigation payment scheme is unique within the public sector and has been agreed by wider Government for use only where Service personnel are compelled to serve at one location over another. The scheme aims to support retention of those serving in Scotland by removing the disadvantage of higher taxes applying on those required to serve there who might not choose to do so if not compelled.

The estimated cost to the public purse of the Scottish Income Tax Mitigation scheme is set out below. Figures commence from Financial Year 2019-20, covering payments for those affected in Tax Year 2018-19.

Financial Year

Estimated Cost (£million)

2019-20

4.69

2020-21

7.36

2021-22

8.11

2022-23

8.27

2023-24

9.31

2024-25

12.74
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_131
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_131

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Service Family Accommodation units were available in Scotland between 2010 and 2014; and how many and what proportion of those were reported to have (a) black mould and (b) damp in the same period. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) acknowledges serious concerns regarding damp and mould in Service Family Accommodation (SFA). A Damp and Mould Taskforce was established in 2023 to address reported cases of damp and mould in SFA and since then, over 9,000 Service personnel and their families have benefitted from the delivery of damp and mould packages of works. The severity of damp and mould cases now being raised, has reduced significantly since the Taskforce was first established, with circa 3% of reported cases now being at the most severe level.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) will continue with its current approach to ensure cases of damp and mould are addressed on a priority basis.

The table below shows the number of SFA properties available in Scotland, as at 1 April, from 2010 to 2014. This includes occupied and empty SFA available for allocation.

Year

Number of SFA

April 2010

3,237

April 2011

2,969

April 2012

2,897

April 2013

2,981

April 2014

3,033

The number of SFA properties in Scotland between 2010 and 2014 with reported cases of damp and mould, is not held centrally. Information requested prior to April 2022, can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Due to the way in which Defence accommodation is managed, Awaab’s Law cannot be applied directly. However, the MOD has agreed to mirror or exceed any regulations set out in Awaab’s Law, in its own policies and procedures and this will continue to be a priority.

The MOD will continue to move families to alternative accommodation in the most serious cases of damp and mould or if a family member has a known vulnerability.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_132
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_132

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of service family accommodation in Scotland. \p Al Carns: Circa 97% of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in Scotland meets or exceeds the Government's Decent Homes Standard.

This Government continues to invest significant sums to improve the quality of SFA in the United Kingdom. For Financial Year 2024-25, circa £445 million is forecast to be spent on maintaining and improving SFA.

Work is now underway with the Defence Housing Strategy Review which started following the completion of the Annington Deal in January 2025. The Military Housing Strategy planned for publication in Summer 2025 will set out a roadmap to deliver a generational renewal of military accommodation.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_134
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_134

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the allocated budget is for funding the Forces Help to Buy Scheme for financial year 2025-2026. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) scheme is an enduring policy which enables Service personnel to borrow up to 50 per cent of their salary, up to a maximum of £25,000 interest-free towards the purchase of a property.

As FHTB is a loan scheme, it is essentially self-funding, meaning that payments are funded from repayments. For that reason, specific allocations of funds are not provided to the Front Line Commands for this purpose. The costs of administering the scheme could not be disaggregated from wider budgets without incurring disproportionate cost.

The MOD publishes summary statistics on applications, payments and purchases made under the FHTB scheme. These statistics are published quarterly and can be found on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/forces-help-to-buy-scheme-quarterly-statistics-index
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_135
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_135

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual maintenance cost is of homes on the defence estate as a result of (a) responsive repairs and (b) planned maintenance in the most recent period for which figures are available. \p Al Carns: The annual cost of responsive repairs for Service Family Accommodation (SFA) from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, for the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Regional Accommodation Maintenance Services (RAMS) contracts, is £33,163,334.

The annual cost of planned maintenance for SFA for the same period for the FDIS RAMS contracts, is £5,903,175.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_136
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_136

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual maintenance cost is for all homes on the defence estate in the most recent period for which figures are available. \p Al Carns: The annual cost for responsive and planned maintenance for Service Family Accommodation from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, for the Future Defence Infrastructure Services Regional Accommodation Maintenance Services contracts, is £39,066,509.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_137
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_137

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual cost to the public purse is of substitute service single accommodation broken down by region. \p Al Carns: The information is not held in the format requested. The total number of Substitute Service Single Accommodation is not held by region.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_138
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_138

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Substitute Service Single Accommodation properties are in use. \p Al Carns: As at 25 March 2025, 4,551 Service personnel live in Substitute Service Single Accommodation (SSSA). This figure is based on Regular and Reserve Personnel.

2,792 properties are used as SSSA to house Service personnel.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_139
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_139

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the additional resources that will be available for the development of space capabilities in the 2027-28 financial year, in the context of increases in defence spending. \p Luke Pollard: The hon. Member and I share a passion for space, and he will know that the Ministry of Defence has invested £6.5 billion over ten years in space, including £5 billion in satellite communications through the SKYNET programme and £1.5 billion in innovative Defence space technologies. Through the Strategic Defence Review, we are assessing the strategic landscape and threat picture to inform long-term decisions on investment in future capabilities.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_140
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_140

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on delivering the Ukraine-UK uncrewed systems initiative. \p Luke Pollard: Since February 2022, the UK has provided over 10,000 drones to Ukraine covering a broad range of capabilities including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, logistical and strike drones for both the land and maritime domain. This includes 400 drones funded via the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine, and 5,000 via the Drone Capability Coalition which the UK co-leads with Latvia.

This Government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024, the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as needed. This year support totals £4.5 billion.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_141
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_141

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to review the adequacy of his Department's policy on the timescale within which a Victoria Cross can be awarded. \p Al Carns: Lieutenant Colonel Robert Blair Mayne’s brave actions and leadership in command of 1 SAS Regiment on Operation HOWARD in April 1945 were recognised with the award of a third bar to the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). Whilst he was originally recommended for the Victoria Cross (VC), it is clear from the associated recommendation form that, at some point during the process, it was considered more appropriate to award him a third bar to the DSO. There is nothing on the form to explain why this change was made, but it is clear that the change was the result of the rigorous review of contemporaneous accounts by his chain of command, rather than an administrative error.

Gallantry awards can be awarded posthumously, as has been the case since 1931 and, in all the years of WWII, in 1945 more were awarded posthumously than in any other. However, it is the long-standing policy of the Government that gallantry awards and other state honours cannot be awarded retrospectively more than five years after the service or actions in question. Revisiting decisions which were made in the past, with the benefit of hindsight, and applying contemporary views and sensitivities, is inappropriate, and we cannot know or understand all the circumstances that may have been taken into consideration at the time.

This policy has been in place since the end of World War Two and was approved by King George VI. It has also been examined and approved by the Cabinet Office Honours and Decorations Committee on numerous occasions since and successive governments have seen fit not to change it. The Ministry of Defence has no reason to recommend that the Government should review this longstanding policy now, neither is there an intention, nor is it possible, to reconsider the award of a VC to Lt Col Mayne.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_142
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_142

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many British Army full-time personnel (a) retired and (b) left the profession for other reasons in each of the last ten years. \p Al Carns: The requested information is published in the Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics, the latest edition of which (1 January 2025) can be found at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2025

Table 5d - Row 43 to 60 shows the Army Outflow numbers.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_143
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_143

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Oral Statement on 26 March 2025 entitled Spring Statement, Official Report and his Department's press release entitled Government buys back 36,347 military homes to improve housing for forces families and save taxpayers billions, published on 17 December 2024, how much of the additional funding for defence will be spent on the agreement with Annington Homes in 2025-26. \p Al Carns: The Annington agreement was partially funded through eliminating liabilities associated with the leases to create budgetary headroom. The remaining £1.7 billion required in 2024-25 was funded by His Majesty’s Treasury at the time of purchase.

None of the additional funding for Defence as announced in the Spring Statement will be used to fund the Annington agreement.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_144
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_144

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 37763, whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential purchase of F-35B aircraft. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 37763 on 20 March 2025.

F-35 Aircraft: Procurement (docx, 15.7KB)
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_145
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_145

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the benefits of purchasing Boeing E7 Wedgetail aircraft. \p Maria Eagle: The E-7 Wedgetail is the most capable airborne early warning and control platform in operation today and has the growth path to match the expected threat over the next 20 years. The Wedgetail is capable of providing situational awareness of the battlespace and this cutting-edge aircraft will be a force enabler for the UK Armed Forces, our allies and NATO.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_146
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_146

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the earliest date is for when a new fast-jet trainer will be brought into service by the Royal Air Force. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 3 December 2024 to Question 15292.

Global Combat Air Programme (docx, 16.0KB)
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_147
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_147

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 38195 on NATO: Industry, what his Department's planned timetable is for delivering the new Defence Industrial Strategy. \p Maria Eagle: This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security, and a high-growth economy are aligned.

The Statement of Intent outlined that the new Defence Industrial Strategy will be published in late-Spring 2025.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_148
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_148

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 38440 on Armed Forces: Protective Clothing, which of those are included within the tactical hearing protection system. \p Maria Eagle: The Tactical Hearing Protection System includes the following equipment sets:
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_149
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_149

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to meet the NATO industrial capacity expansion pledge. \p Maria Eagle: The UK strongly supports the NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge, which commits Allies to strengthening transatlantic defence industrial cooperation, and accelerating the growth of our defence industry.

The Ministry of Defence is taking steps to meet the Pledge, including promoting greater joint procurement among NATO Allies through our NATO Multinational Procurement Initiatives.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_150
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_150

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the definition is of a (a) basic and (b) specialist user in the context of the tactical hearing protection system. \p Maria Eagle: The Tactical Hearing Protection System programme defines the Basic User (BU) requirement as those British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marine and Royal Air Force personnel who need hearing protection for the full range of military tasks, including basic weapon handling and firing, but have a lesser requirement for situational awareness. They are unlikely to be in close proximity to the firing of support weaponry. The BU requirement applies to most Combat Support and Combat Service Support personnel and is used as a backup for the Dismounted Close Combat (DCC) user.

The DCC user is defined as those combat arms personnel who are or could be routinely exposed to high rates of fire, at close range, from a variety of weapons, such as small arms, medium- or heavy-calibre weapons including grenades, hand-held missiles and missile launchers. They have a requirement for continuous situational awareness in all environments.

The Specialist User (SU) is also a combat arms soldier, but differs from the DCC user in that the weapon systems they use, such as mortars, heavy machine guns, snipers, and anti-structures munitions, are so loud that single-layer protection will not suffice. The SU requires dual-layer protection and accepts that situational awareness may have to be reduced.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_151
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_151

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) Environmental, Social and Governance, (b) green finance and (c) net zero on levels of (i) divestment and (ii) debanking of (A) defence companies and (B) weapons manufacturers; and whether he has held discussions with his NATO counterparts on this matter. \p Maria Eagle: This Government is clear that we see no conflict between sustainable investment and investment in our world-leading defence sector. The Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, published in December 2024, identified the mobilisation of additional private sector investment as essential to the Government’s agenda to strengthen our nation’s defences and grow our economy. We welcome the forward-leaning approach taken by industry in this area. The Trade Association ADS recently released their first defence Environment, Social and Governance Charter Report, highlighting the positive contribution that the defence industry is making to supporting our environment and our communities.

We recognise that access to finance, including being able to open a bank account or secure a loan, can be a problem for smaller Defence suppliers. We continue to consult widely with defence and financial services stakeholders on tackling barriers such as these, so that we can meet our ambitions for a better, more integrated, more innovative and more resilient defence sector.

We continue to work closely with our partners in NATO across the full range of issues relevant to our collective security.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_152
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_152

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the median age is of computers issued to officials in their Department. \p Maria Eagle: The median age of computers issued to officials in the Department is four years.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_153
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_153

Gordon McKee:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much and what proportion of the increased defence budget will be spent on developing the UK's cyber offensive capabilities. \p Maria Eagle: His Majesty's Treasury is currently undertaking the second phase of the Spending Review, which will be announced on 11 June 2025. This will set Departmental budgets for three years from 2026-27 for RDEL and four years for CDEL, including for the Ministry of Defence.

The increase in defence spending will fund critical investments in areas like autonomous systems, AI, cyber, rebuilding stockpiles and munition reserves. The full details will be set out in the Strategic Defence Review.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_154
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_154

Alex Burghart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Historic £1.6bn deal provides thousands of air defence missiles for Ukraine and boosts UK jobs and growth, published 2 March 2025, whether an assessment was conducted under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 to determine whether a direct award was justifiable based on (a) extreme urgency and (b) operational necessity. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him to Question 40323 on 28 March 2025.

Guided Weapons: Procurement (docx, 16.0KB)
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_155
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_155

Alex Burghart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release on the award of a £1.6 billion contract to Thales in Belfast for the manufacture of lightweight-multirole missiles, published on 2 March 2025, whether specific contractual provisions allow for the potential extension of the contract. \p Maria Eagle: The contract does not include executable options to extend its duration. The scope will be awarded in a phased manner, and the contract does include provisions to extend specific delivery dates in certain circumstances.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_156
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_156

Alex Burghart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release on the award of a £1.6 billion contract to Thales in Belfast for the manufacture of lightweight-multirole missiles, published on 2 March 2025, whether the contract was awarded via (a) the Dynamic Purchasing System and (b) a Crown Commercial Service framework. \p Maria Eagle: No. Procurement of this type of capability is not available through the Dynamic Purchasing System or a Crown Commercial Service framework.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_157
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_157

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will undertake a review of intelligence-sharing structures with the US. \p Luke Pollard: The US and the UK have the closest of relationships; our defence, security and intelligence are completely intertwined. No two countries are as close as our two countries, and at a time like this, it would be a mistake to suggest that any weakening of that link is the way forward for security and defence in Europe. As such, the Department has no plans to undertake a review of our intelligence sharing arrangements with the US.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_158
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_158

Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what process his Department used to determine the advertised prospective salary of the new National Armaments Director. \p Maria Eagle: The salary for the National Armaments Director was benchmarked against Defence industry best practice and standards to offer a competitive remuneration package to attract the right candidate with the right skills.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_159
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_159

Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology if he will ensure that (a) digital access is classified as a basic utility and (b) suppliers connect broadband in a timely manner. \p Chris Bryant: The Government recognises that access to the internet is essential for participation in society. There is no single definition of a utility; gas, water, electricity and telecoms are regulated differently. Unlike other sectors, the UK telecoms market is competitive at wholesale and retail levels.

The broadband Universal Service Obligation provides consumers with the right to request a decent broadband service. The government continues to work closely with Ofcom on the affordability of telecoms services, including on social tariffs.

The Department continues to consider ways to remove barriers and speed up deployment; for example, exploring more flexible permitting for street works.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_160
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_160

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what meetings (a) he has and (b) his Ministers have had with (i) the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and (ii) other Ministers in the Department for Health and Social Care on the potential impact of the Data (Use and Access) Bill on the (A) quality of, (B) use of and (C) safety considerations for data on a person's sex. \p Chris Bryant: The Secretary of State and Ministers meet with health Ministers regularly to discuss a range of topics. The Secretary of State and Ministers have not met with health Ministers specifically to discuss the Data (Use and Access) Bill and sex data. Official level engagement has taken place to share information regarding the ways the NHS handles medical records in the process of an individual changing gender, and ensures individuals are correctly registered for relevant screenings and other sex/specific treatment. We have used the insights from this engagement to inform our approach to the Bill.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_161
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_161

Dan Aldridge:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to prevent children from receiving (a) harmful content and (b) misinformation from chatbots. \p Feryal Clark: AI generated content is regulated by the Online Safety Act where it is shared on an in-scope user-to-user or search service and constitutes illegal content or content which is harmful to children. This includes mis- and dis- information where it is assessed to present material harm to a significant number of children. Providers of pornographic content must also prevent children from accessing that content.

Chatbots with functionalities that bring them into scope of the Online Safety Act will be required to comply with the relevant duties including preventing children from encountering harmful content – whether that is real or synthetic.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_162
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_162

Dan Aldridge:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to ensure Ofcom requires all user-to-user services to remove child sexual abuse content from their platforms. \p Feryal Clark: The Online Safety Act creates new duties on online services to tackle illegal content and activity. The strongest duties are to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation (CSEA) and to stop child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from being shared. The illegal content duties have been in effect from 17 March. Ofcom is the regulator for the regime and has set out steps providers can take including strong automated content moderation and takedown measures. Ofcom will continue to develop their codes iteratively, including additional measures to detect, prevent and remove CSAM.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_163
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_163

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress his department has made on the rollout of Project Gigabit in South Holland and the Deepings constituency. \p Chris Bryant: According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 94% premises in the South Holland and The Deepings constituency can access superfast broadband speeds (>=30 Mbps) and 81% have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection (>1000 Mbps).

To improve this coverage further, Quickline is delivering a Project Gigabit contract across Lincolnshire and East Riding, and CityFibre is delivering a contract across Cambridgeshire and adjacent areas. Both contracts are targeted at bringing gigabit-capable broadband to premises in hard-to-reach areas that are unlikely to be otherwise reached by suppliers’ commercial rollout. Work has already commenced in parts of South Holland and The Deepings.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_164
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_164

Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to prevent children from being exposed to (a) violent and (b) sexual content online. \p Feryal Clark: Under the Online Safety Act, all in-scope services need to tackle illegal content and criminal behaviour, including illegal violent and sexual offences. These duties are in force now.

From Summer, in-scope user-to-user services likely to be accessed by children have a duty to prevent all children from encountering the most harmful content, which includes pornography. Additionally, services will need to provide age-appropriate access for other types of harmful content, including content which encourages, promotes or provides instructions for an act of serious violence against a person.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_165
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_165

Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the expected (a) timescale, (b) operating budget and (c) scale of the proposed National Semiconductor Institute are. \p Feryal Clark: This government recognises the strategic importance of semiconductors as a critical technology for the future of the UK and a significant enabler of the government’s growth and clean energy missions. The Department recognises a number of challenges to growth of the UK semiconductor sector, including industry fragmentation and a lack of long-term innovation strategy. We are currently reviewing a range of options to address this, including a national semiconductor body that can bring together the industry and unlock growth in the sector. We will announce further details in due course.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_166
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_166

Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help increase levels of innovation in the semiconductor industry in south Wales. \p Feryal Clark: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is actively driving innovation in South Wales' semiconductor industry through strategic investments, collaborative research funding, and robust international partnerships. Recent initiatives include Vishay Intertechnology’s £250 million investment in Newport, supported by the government's Automotive Transformation Fund, creating over 500 high-skilled jobs focused on advanced semiconductors critical to electric vehicle production. Additionally, UK businesses, including those in South Wales, can now participate in the EU Chips Joint Undertaking, gaining access to €1.3 billion of collaborative R&D funding. Other UK wide schemes, such as the government backed ChipStart scheme also offer extensive opportunities for start-ups, further boosting innovation in the semiconductor sector. This government remains firmly committed to working closely with the Welsh Government and industry partners, ensuring investments deliver sustained growth and strengthen economic resilience across South Wales and beyond.
wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_167
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-31 conversation_167

Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with (a) Google and (b) Apple on in-app purchase fees; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to regulate in-app fees. \p Feryal Clark: The Competition and Markets Authority launched a Strategic Market Status designation investigation in January on both Apple and Google’s position in mobile ecosystems. This investigation is independent to Government and will also include the consideration of in-app purchase fees and conditions. The CMA have consulted on the scope of this investigation and is gathering evidence before publishing a provisional Strategic Market Status designation decision in July.