Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with devolved authorities about the proposed increase in defence spending.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government recently committed to increase defence spending to 2.5% by 2027. The Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy will inform the Government on how this will be spent. We are engaging with devolved authorities across the UK on a routine basis, including in relation to defence spending. The consultation process for the Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy has included detailed engagement with Mayoral Strategic Authorities across England. There has also been engagement with the Devolved Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and with officials from the Offices for the Nations.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with devolved authorities about the proposed reductions in welfare spending.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The department works closely with all of the Devolved Governments on a range of policy matters.

We have developed proposals for reform to the system of health and disability benefits, set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper published on 18^th March 2025, which is now subject to a live consultation.

The reform package is expected to save several billion. The government will publish the OBR-certified costings of individual measures on the day of the Spring Statement on 26 March. We have announced the first permanent above-inflation rise in the UC Standard Allowance benefitting millions of people.

We are working closely with the Devolved Governments on the interactions between reserved and devolved areas of responsibility as a result of these proposals.