Written Statements

Monday 16th March 2026 Written Statements

Monday 16 March 2026

Single-source Defence Contracts: Profit Rates

Monday 16th March 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard)]

The strategic defence review makes it clear that we are entering a new era of threat. This demands a new era for UK defence—one focused on warfighting readiness and the ability to scale and sustain capability at pace. A resilient, productive defence industry and strong supply chains are essential to that work.

To deliver this, we need to ensure that our suppliers receive a fair return on their defence contracts, while also protecting the interests of the taxpayer. Each year, the independent Single Source Regulations Office undertakes a rigorous analysis of the profits earned by companies that undertake comparable work to our major defence suppliers. I am therefore announcing today that the Secretary of State has accepted the SSRO’s recommendation that the baseline profit rate for single-source defence contracts in financial year 2026-27 be set at 9.10%, an increase of 0.54 percentage points from 2025-26. He has also accepted the other rates recommended by the SSRO, which will come into force on 1 April 2026. These rates, which are set out at table 1, strike the right balance: they are fair to suppliers, reflect prevailing market conditions, and deliver value for money for the taxpayer.

Alongside this, the Government are progressing at pace the wider review of the Single Source Contract Regulations, as commissioned in the defence industrial strategy. We have already held workshops with industry and the SSRO, and we intend to publish the full report later this year. That review will consider how the framework can better support productivity, pace, innovation and access, while continuing to safeguard value for money.

The Government value deeply the contribution of the UK defence industry. A strong, competitive supplier base is essential to our security and growth, and that is what we are delivering through our defence industrial strategy. But that partnership must be grounded in fair returns, higher productivity and faster delivery, ensuring that defence spending translates directly into military advantage.

This approach—fair profit, strong governance, and a relentless focus on productivity and readiness—goes to the heart of ensuring that UK defence is ready to deter, fight and win.

Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025: Government Response

Monday 16th March 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)]

On Friday, the Government set out their response to the nuclear regulatory review 2025. The review found that while the United Kingdom has a strong safety culture, the current system for nuclear regulation and delivery is fragmented, slow, and overly cautious. The Government accept this assessment and shall modernise the system so that it is faster, clearer and predictable, while at all times maintaining high standards of safety and environmental protection. This is needed to deliver on the ambition we have for both for our civil and defence nuclear sectors.

The response we are publishing today addresses all of the review’s 47 recommendations and sets out a coherent and ambitious plan to streamline nuclear delivery in Britain.

We will simplify regulation. Projects that involve multiple regulators will have a single co-ordinating point of contact through a lead regulator model, with the Office for Nuclear Regulation as the default lead for nuclear fission. We will legislate to establish a commission on nuclear regulation to resolve cross-cutting issues and reduce duplication.

We will restore proportionality in decision making. Government will convene an independent expert panel to review how the tolerability of risk framework is interpreted, to guide regulators and industry in nuclear. Regulators will revise guidance, so that it supports proportionate, evidence-based decisions. We will clarify how proportionality, in nuclear, should be applied under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, without reducing protections for workers or the public.

We will strengthen culture, skills and digital capability. We will go further with the nuclear skills plan, and launch a nuclear digital programme to drive the adoption of new tools, such as artificial intelligence and digital twins, across design, regulation, and delivery.

We will speed up the wider planning and environmental system to support nuclear delivery. We will use the nature restoration fund and environmental delivery plans to provide clearer routes for meeting obligations, resulting in better outcomes for nature. For defence nuclear, the Government will bring forward an alternative pathway for compliance with the habitats regulations, where this is necessary in the interests of national security. We will introduce a proportionate biodiversity net gain framework for nationally significant infrastructure, and will legislate to constrain the duty for national parks and national landscapes. We will improve our nuclear siting policy by updating the national policy statement for nuclear, EN-7, to support fleet deployment, and will revise the semi-urban population criterion in a way that maintains public safety while expanding the range of viable sites.

We will make the planning pathway faster and clearer. We will streamline the pre-application phase for development consent orders, and strengthen the initial assessment of principal issues, so that examinations focus on what matters. We will also ensure that the geological disposal facility programme has the powers that it needs, including on land access and bespoke permitted development rights.

International co-operation remains important. The ONR is deepening work with partner regulators, including through recent agreements with the United States and Canada, and we will support a joint international strategy to reduce duplication and share effort. Implementation of these reforms will be overseen by a nuclear regulatory implementation panel, made up of senior figures from Government, regulators and industry, which will report regularly to the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and relevant Secretaries of State.

Delay has a cost, so we are already working on some of the reforms, and aim to complete implementation by the end of 2027, subject to legislative timelines. To ensure that live projects like Sizewell C and the small modular reactors programme can benefit, we will begin updating processes, and will issue interim guidance immediately, so that improvements can start now, while we wait to take through legislation.

I want to thank John Fingleton and the taskforce for their work in bringing these issues to the fore, and I make the commitment to all that through this programme, we will cut duplication, strengthen safety by focusing on outcomes, and give investors and developers the confidence to proceed. We are delivering on these recommendations already. Taking these steps is vital for securing our energy future and sustaining the sovereign capabilities that keep our country safe.

[HCWS1398]

Fusion Strategy

Monday 16th March 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)]

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is today publishing “A New Energy Revolution: The UK’s Plan for Delivering Fusion Energy”.

This strategy builds on the Government’s record £2.5 billion investment in fusion research and development secured at the spending review, supporting the UK’s growing fusion industry and reaffirming Britain’s leading position in the global race for fusion energy. We are turning the promise of abundant fusion energy into a reality, as we take long-term decisions while delivering tangible benefits now; for example, we are supporting over 10,000 UK jobs by 2030, driving inward investment, and giving industry the confidence to take fusion from the lab to the grid.

In support of this strategy, UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, to become UK Fusion Energy Ltd, has announced details of the STEP—spherical tokamak for energy production—construction partner that will build the world-leading fusion energy plant on the site of a former coal plant in West Burton in Nottinghamshire. Large-scale construction is expected to start by the end of the decade, with jobs supported in the near term through the building of research and development test facilities for key technologies and site preparation.

We are also harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to accelerate fusion design, modelling, and operations. The Government are investing £45 million to fund the world’s most powerful fusion-dedicated AI supercomputer, developed in collaboration between UK Atomic Energy Authority and the University of Cambridge.

We will drive progress towards fusion deployment by making the UK the first to offer a market framework for fusion energy, giving support and certainty to fusion developers as they make capital-intensive investments in new technology. We will work with industry, consumer groups and others to develop options to provide confidence to investors and ensure a fair deal for consumers.

I fully intend for the UK to be the home of fusion skills and innovation, backed by £50 million for skills development to train over 2,000 people in fusion-related disciplines, from apprentices to postdoctoral fellows, ensuring a comprehensive fusion skills pipeline to supply the sector at all levels.

This strategy underscores the UK’s role as a global player in fusion energy, and we intend to develop that further, anchoring a supply chain in the UK that can serve a global industry, as well as attract inward investment. Our forthcoming investment prospectus will set out exactly where opportunities lie for investors, developers and the wider fusion sector, and what capabilities, skills, companies and support they can draw on. As a signal of confidence in the UK fusion programme, the strategy is accompanied by a set of wider announcements, including UKAEA and Eni agreeing to establish a joint venture to advance fusion energy technologies. This new strategy also sets out for the first time how the Government’s record-breaking investment into fusion of over £2.5 billion will be spent.

Together, this package represents the UK’s clean energy superpower mission in action. It demonstrates that the Government are taking a bold and practical approach, addressing the asks of industry, creating the conditions for a globally leading UK fusion sector, and maintaining the UK’s position at the forefront of global fusion commercialisation.

I will place a copy of the fusion strategy in the Libraries of the House.

[HCWS1404]

Sustainable Development for Nature and Growth

Monday 16th March 2026 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Reynolds)]

This Government have committed to building 1.5 million homes and fast-tracking 150 major planning decisions this Parliament—these are essential for growth, communities, cleaner energy and better transport links.

Yet nature and biodiversity remain under pressure, and our planning system has become too slow and uncertain to support either development or nature recovery effectively. In the past, environmental requirements were challenging to navigate, blocking infrastructure without helping nature.

But this can be resolved. Independent reviews have told us that to remedy this situation we need smarter regulation, bringing better results for nature while easing the progress of sustainable development. We have already taken action to streamline the planning process through the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, and to deliver better outcomes for nature through proposals for the nature restoration fund; building on the ambitious commitments set out in our environmental improvement plan. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has also set up the infrastructure board to scrutinise the planning needs of complex projects, and has commenced pilots for the lead environmental regulator to provide a single point of contact to developers on environmental issues.

We must build on this momentum and move decisively to a modern, outcomes-focused framework for environmental planning. That is why I am renewing the priorities of environmental regulation to build on the Government’s plan to deliver environmental progress and sustainable growth more effectively, as a genuine win-win.

The Government, regulators and developers must each play their part. Our regulators will continue to move towards a more proactive, solutions-focused approach, prioritising outcomes over process. Developers must have a better understanding of the local nature needs of the area they are building in, and the Government will provide the clarity and investment needed to bring this all together.

I will be driving this progress in five key areas:

First, the Government are setting a clear direction for our regulators, through the new strategic policy statements for Natural England and the Environment Agency. Their publication delivers on one of Dan Corry’s key recommendations and sets a clear mandate for outcomes-focused, place-based decision making that supports economic growth while upholding all legal and environmental standards.

Secondly, to support this, we are confirming £100 million of investment over three years in our regulators for specialist staff, digital casework systems, and improved guidance, all of which builds on the significant progress made in the past year to deliver quicker and better environmental advice.

Thirdly, to keep critical national projects on track, we are establishing a new DEFRA infrastructure unit, which will oversee major projects and resolve issues early and quickly. This builds on the work of DEFRA’s infrastructure board.

Fourthly, for the first time, I will also bring developers and Government together through a development industry council, to work through practical challenges and agree shared, sustainable solutions.

In addition, we are continuing to develop our lead environmental regulator model and are announcing East West Rail as the third major project to benefit from this streamlined approach. This model strips out duplication, provides better co-ordination between regulators, and removes the potential for conflicting advice, and will help the project unlock £6.7 billion in economic growth, support 100,000 new homes, and deliver better, more frequent rail connections across the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. I have written to my colleagues who have constituencies along this route to inform them of our progress.

The benefits of this new approach are already visible. The DEFRA infrastructure board has taken early action on issues related to environmental regulation, resourcing and capability, by engaging early with developers and challenging our ALBs to problem solve upstream for priority projects.

This package marks a decisive shift towards delivering growth and nature recovery hand in hand. By strengthening regulators, improving predictability and working more closely with industry, we will deliver the next phase of Government action to accelerate the infrastructure the country needs while protecting the environment.

[HCWS1405]

Angiolini Inquiry Part 3: Terms of Reference

Monday 16th March 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Policing and Crime (Sarah Jones)]

On 7 February 2023, the Government published the terms of reference for part 3 of the Angiolini inquiry.

Part 3 of the inquiry was commissioned to examine the career and conduct of former Metropolitan police officer David Carrick, following his conviction for multiple sexual offences in January 2023. He was subsequently convicted of further sexual offences in November 2025.

Following a request from the chair of the inquiry, Lady Elish Angiolini, the Home Secretary has agreed to make some amendments to the terms of reference for part 3. The result of these amendments is that the inquiry will now be able to consider evidence related to allegations of criminal behaviour prior to and during David Carrick’s policing career. The amendments also make explicit reference to psychological and/or psychiatric reports written about David Carrick as material that the inquiry may consider.

The chair’s intention with these amendments is to better understand the potential drivers and motivation for Carrick’s offending, with a view to assisting police forces in understanding how to better identify and disrupt perpetrators of these horrific crimes during the recruitment and vetting stages and ensure those unfit to serve have no place in policing.

The Angiolini inquiry was launched in January 2022 following the horrific murder of Sarah Everard by a then-serving Metropolitan police officer; the report for part 1 was published on 29 February 2024. Part 2 of the inquiry, examining broader issues in policing such as vetting, recruitment, and culture, commenced on 11 May 2023 and is currently ongoing, with a report on the prevention of sexually motivated crimes against women in public published on 2 December 2025.

A copy of the amended terms of reference for part 3 of the inquiry will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

[HCWS1400]

Women in the Criminal Justice System

Monday 16th March 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Jake Richards)]

My noble Friend the Minister of State for Justice (Lord Timpson) has today made the following statement:

"I wish to update the House on the Government’s work to improve outcomes for women in or at risk of contact with the criminal justice system, and to set out next steps following the publication of the women's justice board report today.

Although women account for only a small proportion of those in custody and serving community sentences, they face distinct and complex challenges. Evidence shows that women in custody are more likely to have experienced domestic or sexual abuse, trauma, mental ill health and substance misuse. They are also more likely than men in custody to be primary carers. Reducing the number of women entering custody is essential to breaking cycles of harm that affect families and communities.

The women’s justice board was established to support the Government goal of enabling more women offenders to be managed in the community. At the request of the Deputy Prime Minister, and at my request, members of the board have produced a report offering recommendations to reduce the number of women in prison, and to ensure women receive the support they need across the system to turn their lives around.

A key recommendation in the report is the need for sustainable, long-term investment in women’s specialist services for delivering gender-specific, trauma-informed support. In line with this, I am delighted to announce that the Government will provide an additional £10 million in funding for women’s community and voluntary organisations over the spending review period, bringing total funding over this period to £31.6 million. This uplift will strengthen diversion pathways and build capacity within the women’s community sector—supporting the sustainable, resilient services called for by the women’s justice board.

I am very grateful to members of the board for their leadership, expert judgement and unwavering commitment to improving women’s justice.

As we move from strategy to delivery, the women’s justice board will now come to an end. To support this next phase of work, we will transition to a new women’s justice advisory group. This group will act as a distinct advisory forum, providing external insight, expert advice and constructive challenge to support implementation.

Improving outcomes for women in the criminal justice system remains a priority for Government. We are now going to consider carefully the recommendations in this report and how we are best able to deliver reform in this vital area.

I will deposit a copy of the report, ‘Women’s Justice Board recommendations for reducing women’s imprisonment’, in the Library of the House.”

[HCWS1401]

Media Literacy Action Plan

Monday 16th March 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Kanishka Narayan)]

Today I am laying before Parliament the Government’s media literacy action plan. It sets out our commitment to fostering a safe, informed and resilient digital society.

Media literacy is an essential everyday skill that supports people to understand and take part in modern life. It helps people of all ages to: make sense of the information they encounter online and assess whether it is reliable; communicate safely; and navigate the internet with confidence. It supports understanding of how platforms and new technologies, including artificial intelligence, shape what people see and share, and enables informed choices about personal information. It also supports participation in everyday activities, including exploring new interests, connecting with others and taking part in democratic life. It is central to digital inclusion and to ensuring that people can benefit from online services and opportunities.

The importance of media literacy, and the need for cross-Government co-ordination, was highlighted by the Lords Communications and Digital Committee in its 2025 inquiry. While the Online Safety Act 2023 provides the regulatory foundation for safer online experiences, regulation alone cannot address the challenges created by misleading information, harmful content and rapid technological change. Significant work on media literacy is already taking place, with Government Departments, Ofcom, charities, educators, libraries and industry partners delivering media literacy activity across the UK. Education and public empowerment are essential, and the Government’s wider programme of work, including the consultation, “Growing up in the online world: a national consultation”, will support skills development and help to build resilience across society.

This plan sets out a clear approach for a single, co-ordinated, cross-Government framework for the next three years, establishes shared principles and priority areas for action, and provides a clearer picture of the support available across the UK. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has provided funding for a pilot media literacy campaign, and the plan otherwise integrates media literacy into existing initiatives within departmental budgets.

Over the next three years, the Government will focus on priorities in building public awareness of media literacy and supporting access to trusted information; preparing children and young people for a digital future; boosting local initiatives to support people facing barriers to participation; and ensuring a coherent, co-ordinated approach across Government and with partners beyond it.

Through this work, the Government’s ambition is to ensure that everyone can take part in the online world with confidence and benefit fully from the opportunities it offers.

[HCWS1399]

Youth Employment

Monday 16th March 2026 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Pat McFadden)]

At the Budget, the Chancellor committed more than £1.5 billion to back young people through the youth guarantee and changes to the growth and skills levy.

Today we are going even further. We are announcing almost £1 billion more to help young people into work and training, unlocking up to 200,000 jobs and apprenticeship opportunities by investing in:

The youth jobs grant, an employer hiring incentive worth £3,000 per young person aged 18 to 24 who has been on universal credit and looking for work for six months;



A new apprenticeship incentive, £2,000 for non-levy paying small and medium-sized enterprises in England when they take on new employees aged under 25; and

Expanding the jobs guarantee to 22 to 24-year-olds, meaning all eligible 18 to 24-year-olds across Great Britain will benefit from a fully funded six-month guaranteed paid employment opportunity.

Our ambition is for every 16 to 24-year-old across Great Britain to access opportunity. These changes take the total investment into the youth guarantee and the additional investment in the growth and skills levy to £2.5 billion over the next three years, supporting almost 1 million young people, and creating up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.

This will begin in April, when the first phase of the jobs guarantee will go live for 18 to 21-year-olds in Birmingham and Solihull, East Midlands, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Essex, Central and East Scotland, and South-west and South-east Wales. This will be followed by national roll-out in the autumn of this year for 18 to 24-year-olds.

Further reform to the growth and skills levy

There has been a 40% drop in young people starting apprenticeships over the past decade. This is why the Government are setting out the next stages of the growth and skills levy reforms, to reverse this sharp decline in apprenticeship starts for 16 to 24-year-olds and address the rising number of those not in education, employment or training.

To support this, we are announcing the expansion of foundation apprenticeships into hospitality and retail. These are sectors that traditionally employ large numbers of young people and provide strong entry points into sustained employment, while also supporting retention and progression.

We are also introducing new apprenticeship units aligned to industrial strategy priorities, to give employers greater flexibility in how they upskill their employees. This will make it easier and faster for businesses to address their critical skills needs in areas including AI, construction and engineering, and we will develop further units informed by ongoing input from industrial strategy growth-driving sectors.

We will prioritise youth apprenticeship starts within the growth and skills levy, stopping the 40% decline in apprenticeship starts that has occurred over the past decade.

This will mean that the Government are no longer funding three leadership and management apprenticeship standards that are largely used by employers for older, established staff as continuing professional development, but are instead using the funding for new apprenticeship starts for young people. A further 13 standards that do not sufficiently support young people or our industrial strategy ambitions will also be defunded.

Streamlining the existing offer ensures that our increased investment delivers maximum value for money, supports clearer routes into skilled jobs, and creates headroom for investment into new opportunities for young people and employers alike.

[HCWS1403]