Written Statements

Thursday 23rd April 2026 Written Statements

Thursday 23 April 2026

MOD Arm’s Length Bodies: Reform

Thursday 23rd April 2026 Written Statements

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

I wish to update the House on changes to arm’s length bodies within the Ministry of Defence, delivered as part of defence reform and the productive and agile state programme. These changes strengthen ministerial oversight, reduce duplication, and ensure that Ministers continue to receive high-quality independent expert advice where it is required.

Defence is undertaking the most significant reforms in 50 years. The strategic defence review endorsed the defence reform programme to ensure defence can deliver the armed forces the country needs to keep it safe, maximise investment in the frontline, and support economic growth.

These reforms also support the Government plan for change and the Prime Minister’s productive and agile state initiative. ALB reform is embedded within defence reform, which is committed to delayering and simplifying the arms’ length bodies delivery landscape, reducing duplication and inefficiency, driving reduced costs, and repatriating policy oversight to ministerial control with improved accountability.

In spring 2025, the Cabinet Office undertook a review of arm’s length bodies in line with the aims of the Government plan for change. As part of the recommendations of this review and in delivering defence reform changes, defence has completed one ALB closure and has reclassified two defence ALBs previously classified as advisory non-departmental public bodies as departmental expert committees.

Two defence ALBs have been reclassified.

The independent medical expert group provides essential independent advice on medical and scientific aspects of armed forces compensation scheme and is responsible for:

investigating the issues on which advice is requested;

reaching conclusions and making recommendations based on evidence;

providing evidence comprising independent, published, peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature; and

consulting other experts and inviting interested parties to submit relevant research.

The Nuclear Research Advisory Council provides independent, external, evidence-based advice to the Chief of Defence Nuclear, MOD Defence Nuclear Organisation Director General Warhead, MOD Chief Scientific Adviser, and other senior MOD officials. The committee will also update its name from Nuclear Research Advisory Council to Nuclear Research Advisory Committee to reflect this change.

Both committees will continue to operate with their existing remit, secretariat and membership, ensuring continuity of their work and no disruption to the provision of expert advice.

The provision of independent advice to Government are vital to effective policy and decision making, and these changes ensure that Ministers continue to have access to the right expert advice at the right time, while strengthening accountability within the Department.

Following a review, Defence concluded that it no longer required advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on the medical implications of less lethal weapons, an advisory NDPB, and the committee was closed in November 2025.

[HCWS1538]

Ajax Programme

Thursday 23rd April 2026 Written Statements

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

The Ministry of Defence had aspired to update the House via a written ministerial statement on the armoured cavalry programme today. Political channels have requested that this written ministerial statement is delayed until next week, as a result of key meetings—both cross-Whitehall and with the defence prime in question—occurring this week. We have every intention to update the House via a written ministerial statement early next week and would welcome support in agreeing to this delay.

[HCWS1539]

British International Investment: 2026 to 2031 Strategy

Thursday 23rd April 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Chris Elmore)]

My noble Friend the Minister of State for International Development and Africa has today made the following statement:

I wish to update the House on British International Investment’s new five-year strategy for 2026-2031, launched today. BII is the UK’s development finance institution, investing in private sector businesses in developing countries to support productive, sustainable and inclusive economic development. Its investments improve peoples’ lives and help protect the planet, while making a positive financial return, which it reinvests to support even more businesses. BII’s portfolio of investees support over 1 million jobs and in 2024 paid $2.5 billion in taxes.

The world around us is changing rapidly, reshaped by global instability. Faced with growing global security threats, the Government last year took the difficult decision to reduce official development assistance to the equivalent of 0.3% of gross national income by 2027. We are modernising our approach to development to have the greatest impact abroad and secure the best value for money for taxpayers at home. Our work will be underpinned by a focus on economic development, supporting greater resilience in partner countries and reducing dependencies.

BII’s new strategy will deliver on the UK’s modernised approach to development. As our main bilateral vehicle for investing in the private sector, BII is central to the UK’s shift from “donor to investor”, partnering closely with countries to unlock growth, jobs and trade, and drive private sector development. BII will also play a key role in delivering UK-backed climate investments.

Over the next five years, BII will make £7 billion to £8 billion in new investment commitments, increasing the proportion of its climate finance investments to at least 40%, and targeting at least 30% of its core investments to improve economic opportunities for women. BII will continue to prioritise investments in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Ukraine, delivering investment where it is most needed. BII will invest across a wide range of sectors—including financial services; power, trade and digital infrastructure; and sustainable industries—ensuring that it can support the varied needs of partner countries. BII will continue to support critical minerals value chains by investing in the enabling infrastructure and supply chains necessary for long-term, resilient growth.

The Government have agreed three key shifts that will underpin BII’s approach over the next five years:

Focus on what matters most to development—BII will increase its focus on investments which go beyond delivering direct results, to shape and strengthen wider markets to make them work better for the people they serve.

Sustain UK commitment to least developed countries—BII will commit at least 25% of its new core investments to least developed countries. In a smaller number of focus LDCs—Nepal, Sierra Leone and Zambia to begin—BII will strengthen its work by combining policy engagement and technical assistance alongside its investments.

Accelerate private capital flows in emerging markets—BII will aim to mobilise up to £7.5 billion of commercial capital alongside its own investment over the strategy period, including from the UK financial sector. A cornerstone of BII’s strategy is the launch of British Climate Partners, which will direct private investment into the energy transition in select Asian countries by developing and scaling an investable pipeline of transactions.

BII’s investments will make a difference for people, businesses, markets and the planet. BII will:

Back small business growth in Africa and Asia—BII will support 10 million micro, small and medium-sized businesses to get the finance they need so they can grow, innovate, and create economic activity across the countries where we invest.

Expand economic opportunities in Africa—BII will support jobs and economic opportunities for 10 million people across Africa.

Drive the shift to clean energy in Africa and Asia—BII will support countries to move to renewable power and strengthen electricity networks, powering 10 million households with clean energy.

The Foreign Secretary’s statement of 19 March on ODA allocations confirmed that the FCDO plans on providing BII with £429 million in capital over financial years 2026-27 to 2028-29 for its core portfolio and Ukraine investments. BII’s £7 billion to £8 billion of new investment commitments over the five-year strategy will mainly be financed by reflows from its existing investments.

The FCDO has an arm’s length relationship with BII. FCDO agrees BII’s five-year strategy, including its objectives, performance criteria and investment parameters. BII’s board is accountable for performance against the strategy, with BII’s senior management responsible for delivery. BII’s board members are chosen for their relevant skills and experience, with the FCDO appointing the BII board chair and two non-executive directors. The FCDO has full transparency on BII’s performance in delivering the strategy through regular formal governance meetings and reporting.

[HCWS1541]

Illegal Migration: Small Boat Crossings

Thursday 23rd April 2026 Written Statements

[The Minister for Border Security and Asylum (Alex Norris)]

I have been clear about this Government’s determination to crack down on small boats. No one should be making dangerous journeys, undermining our border security and putting lives at risk. We must restore order and control to our borders. That means bearing down on these dangerous crossings and bringing people smugglers to justice.

I wish to update the House on our joint work with France on tackling illegal migration. The new multi-step approach, delivered under this Government and endorsed at last summer’s UK-France summit, has already had a significant impact: since the election, joint work with the French has prevented over 42,000 small boat crossing attempts through intervention and dispersal. Joint law enforcement operations have also seen 480 migrant traffickers arrested in 2025 alone.

We must go further. Today the Home Secretary will agree a landmark £662 million multi-year partnership with the French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez. This deal boosts law enforcement boots on the ground, scales up French maritime interventions and increases intelligence sharing to target smuggling networks at every stage of the route. Specifically, this deal includes:

A significant uplift in frontline law enforcement, front-loading deployment in time for the summer. Numbers will increase by 42% to nearly 1,100 law enforcement, intelligence and other frontline officers in northern France to track down illegal migrants and stop them boarding boats.

Five specially trained police units, including a new riot police unit, specially trained in the use of riot and crowd control tactics and equipment will be deployed to deal with violent tactics.

The French will roll out millions of pounds-worth of state-of-the-art drone surveillance, two new helicopters and a new camera system surveillance to track down and intercept people smugglers and illegal migrants.

Expanding maritime capability to intercept taxi boats at sea. In the last two months, the French have stopped six migrant taxi boats, returning all migrants to France and sentencing five smugglers to prison and deportation. We are backing these tactics with a new vessel and an increase of more than 20 additional maritime officers.

Of the total £662 million, the UK has committed to a foundation fund of £501 million, committed over three years, and a new flexible innovation fund of £51 million in year 1 and £110 million in years 2 and 3. If these new tactics are not working, funding will stop after one year and will be put into activity that does. This new deal is underpinned by robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms that ensure every intervention is evidence led and responsive to changing circumstances. Every pound spent will target impact, maximising the effectiveness of UK investment to tackle small boat crossings.

Our work with France is complemented by the most far-reaching overhaul of the asylum and migration system in modern times. This programme of reform, outlined in “Restoring order and control: a statement on the Government’s asylum and returns policy (CP 1418)”, is reshaping the UK’s protection and settlement offer to make the system faster, firmer and significantly less open to abuse. This Government are closing every asylum hotel, moving asylum seekers into basic accommodation, including ex-military sites.

We have already removed or deported nearly 60,000 illegal migrants and foreign criminals since this Government took office—up 31%, and immigration enforcement action to tackle illegal working has reached the highest levels in British history, with an 83% rise in arrests and a 77% increase in raids.

This historic agreement shows how this Government are working with international allies and taking action to secure our borders and deliver a transformed, results-based partnership with strong safeguards for taxpayers.

[HCWS1540]

Automated Passenger Services Permitting Scheme

Thursday 23rd April 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)]

This statement provides an update on the Government’s work to enable the automated passenger services permitting scheme from this spring, a key step in implementing the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 and supporting economic growth through the safe deployment of self-driving technology.

I am pleased to inform the House that the Government are today publishing our response to the automated passenger services permitting scheme consultation and laying the Automated Vehicles (Permits for Automated Passenger Services) Regulations 2026.

Automated passenger services represent one of the most significant transport innovations of our generation. When introduced safely and responsibly, they have the potential to transform how people move around the country, improving road safety, widening access to transport, and supporting greener, more reliable journeys.

The APS permitting scheme establishes a dedicated licensing route for passenger-carrying automated services to operate on public roads. It was created by the Automated Vehicles Act 2024—a world-leading regulatory framework that sets out clear legal responsibilities, a robust safety framework and the regulatory powers necessary to support deployment while protecting the public.

Following consultation, one change has been made to the statutory instrument to increase the scope of data sharing and enable wider non-safety related information to be shared with emergency responders, ensuring that there is an awareness of how to interact with and respond to any incidents involving a permitted automated passenger service.

Safety will always be the Government’s highest priority. Automated passenger services will be required to meet stringent safety standards before they are permitted to operate, ensuring that passengers, other road users and the wider public are protected. This includes safeguarding considerations and a clear focus on the needs of vulnerable users. As services are introduced, safety will be independently assessed, monitored and enforced, giving the public confidence that these new services are operating responsibly.

The Government are also committed to ensuring that automated passenger services support a more inclusive transport system. These services have the potential to widen travel choices and increase independence for disabled people and older passengers. To support this commitment, the Department for Transport is establishing the APS accessibility advisory panel, a new non-statutory body that will provide advice on accessibility considerations and support the development of non-statutory guidance as services are deployed.

The APS permitting scheme is unlocking growth and significant economic opportunity. By providing businesses with the regulatory confidence to invest in deploying passenger-carrying automated vehicles, the Government aim to support innovation, attract private investment and create high-skilled jobs, while strengthening local economies and improving access to essential services.

The Government will continue to work closely with industry, local communities, user groups and experts to ensure that automated passenger services are introduced safely, inclusively and responsibly.

A copy of this publication will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and published on gov.uk.

[HCWS1537]