Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where the six new munitions factories announced in the Strategic Defence Review on 2 June 2025 will be built.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

We will set out that detail in due course, but our overall munitions investment will help support jobs and growth across every nation of the UK. We already have important facilities across the UK, supporting thousands of jobs. This new investment will be used to build at least six new munitions and energetics factories across the UK, creating hundreds of skilled jobs and supporting the Government's Plan for Change by driving growth in every region and nation of the UK.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 May 2025 to Question 53289 on RAF Wyton: Housing, when she expects the trailblazer site at RAF Wyton to (a) start and (b) complete development.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

It is not yet possible to identify an exact date for when development would start on site because the site is unallocated within the Local Plan and a planning application has not been submitted.

The site has potential capacity for 4,500 homes and the timeframe for delivery of these will be determined when the development and planning application come forward.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's plans are for military gap years.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As announced in the Strategic Defence Review, Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds. To support this, the Army and Navy are developing short term employment opportunities - “gap year” schemes - for young people across a variety of exciting roles that will upskill, provide apprenticeships, and a flavour of life in the Armed Forces.

Full plans will be announced in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of removing the requirement for armed forces personnel to pay (a) Income Tax and (b) Council Tax when deployed on overseas operations.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Whilst there is no income tax exemption for the salaries of armed forces personnel serving overseas, there are a number of exemptions for specific payments or expenses including for UK accommodation, uniform laundering, and some travel expenses and professional fees.

The Ministry of Defence also pays a tax-free allowance called Council Tax Relief for certain Service personnel on specified operations or assignments.

This demonstrates the Government's commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and supporting our vital Armed Forces personnel.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 29 May 2025 to Question 53710 on Private Rented Housing: Energy, how the total undiscounted capital expenditure required to meet the standards was calculated.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

DESNZ’s National Buildings Model, which is based on a representative sample of properties in England, was used to simulate landlords installing measures to bring their properties up to the proposed standards. For the preferred consultation option, the measures that landlords were modelled to install by 2030 are shown in Table 5 of the Options Assessment. The total undiscounted capital expenditure incurred by landlords is based on summing the costs of installing all measures, using measure cost assumptions that are based on a range of evidence sources. Undiscounted means that costs are not discounted over time with a social discount rate.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the statement by the NATO secretary-general that NATO members should commit to spending (a) 3.5 per cent of GDP on hard defence and (b) 1.5 per cent on security.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This will form part of discussions ahead of the NATO Summit at the end of June. As these proposals are subject to agreement of all NATO Allies, including the UK, I hope the hon. Gentleman will know it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 56675 on Hinchingbrooke Hospital: Roads, what support the New Hospital Programme team in his Department has given to the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust in relation to that Trust's discussions with Cambridgeshire Constabulary on the potential acquisition of land for a new access road.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Pursuant to our answer for Question 56675 on 6 June 2025, the New Hospital Programme (NHP) team in the Department are not involved in the negotiations to acquire the land with either the trust, the Cambridgeshire Constabulary, or National Highways. However, the NHP team has met with the trust to discuss the progress they have made with the Cambridgeshire Constabulary, and has also met with the National Highways team to discuss the issue. Furthermore, the trust team is supported by the NHP delivery team in NHS England, who are providing technical advice and guidance.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when (a) SKYNET 6A and (b) SKYNET 6EC satellite communications programmes will come into service.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Skynet 6 Programme continues to progress to meet Defence’s satellite communication needs. The build of the Skynet 6A satellite has transitioned into the testing and validation phase. The contracted in-service date is August 2026. Negotiations for the acquisition of the Enduring Capability satellites are progressing. The in-service dates will be agreed as part of that process, which remains commercial sensitive until the competition and final negotiations conclude.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what metric he plans to use to assess success against increasing lethality ten-fold.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Ultimately, lethality will be judged by our ability to deter, fight, and win-through innovation, integration, and readiness.

Defence already maintains internal models to track and assess combat power, including classified simulations and operational effectiveness metrics.

We are already seeing measurable improvements through the Army's operational deployments and exercises, where sensor-to-shooter times have decreased, and survivability has increased. These are the kinds of real-world outcomes that matter.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the global posture review undertaken by the US government on (a) the UK's defence policy, (b) NATO deployments and (c) use of RAF bases by USAFE in the UK.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The US Administration is currently undertaking its Global Posture Review. Decisions on the deployment and posture of US forces are for the US Administration. We welcome the continued presence of United States forces in the UK, their engagement with the local communities in which they are based and the role they play in contributing to European defence, security and deterrence.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his Department's timetable is for publishing the 10-Year Health Plan.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service will make it fit for the future. It will describe a shared vision for the health and care system in 2035, drawing directly from the extensive engagement we have undertaken with the public, patients and staff. We are in the final stages of working on the plan and will publish it in summer 2025.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 53718 on Trade Agreements: USA, whether the sugar beet farming industry will be impacted by the UK-US trade deal on ethanol.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The landmark economic deal with the United States announced on 8 May protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK. For the first time ever, this deal will also open up exclusive access for UK beef farmers to the US market.

Other than beef and ethanol, no access has been offered to US farmers into the UK market. The Government is engaging closely with the bioethanol industry to find a way forward. The Secretary of State of Department of Business and Trade has met with the affected companies and officials from his department continue to work with the industry.

Sugar beet used in biofuel production is predominantly derived from sugar beet betaine residue, a waste by-product of processing. UK-sourced bioethanol from beet represents a very small proportion of the total ethanol supplied to the UK. Department for Transport data indicates that 1,406 million litres equivalent of ethanol were supplied to the UK in 2022/23, of which 49 million litres was produced from UK beet - a very small share (less 4% of the total).

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to p.22 of the Plan for Change, CP 1210, published on 5 December 2024, what progress he has made on capturing the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution through the Artificial Intelligence Opportunities Action Plan.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

AI offers the most powerful lever we have for national renewal; it underpins the Government’s plan to drive economic growth, transform public services, and boost living standards for working people across the country.

The Government has welcomed the Action Plan and accepted all 50 recommendations to deliver these benefits.

Progress has been made across a range of actions, including holding the first AI Energy Council meeting, signing an MOU with Anthropic, and opening the formal AI Growth Zone application process. We will continue to work on all recommendations, such as bringing the AI Research Resource online; this includes the Isambard-AI and Dawn supercomputers and is expected to increase the UK's AI compute capacity by 20 times.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the timetable for procuring F-35As.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Following the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, Defence is considering its future Combat Air mix, and the procurement options required to meet future threats and achieve our NATO obligations. This analysis will be conducted as part of the Defence Investment Plan, which will conclude in the autumn.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing Cadet Forces into secondary schools within the state sector.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Cadets can be an excellent opportunity for enrichment and welcomes the Ministry of Defence (MoD)-commissioned University of Northampton report which explores the benefits of a cadet unit in schools, which is available here: https://www.northampton.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/institute-for-social-innovation-and-impact-cadets-report-2025.pdf. Cadet Forces offer challenging and enjoyable activities for young people, preparing them to play an active part in the community while developing valuable life skills.

The department works jointly with MoD on the Cadet Expansion Programme, which was launched to establish new cadet units in English state secondary schools. We will continue to work with MoD as they implement the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation to expand in-school and community-based Cadet Forces.

We will also work with MoD on the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation to increase understanding of the Armed Forces in schools in a way that creates opportunities.

MoD will review existing support with us over the coming months and in consultation with teachers. Schools themselves are best placed to determine how to use this available support.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to develop understanding of the armed forces among young people in schools.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Cadets can be an excellent opportunity for enrichment and welcomes the Ministry of Defence (MoD)-commissioned University of Northampton report which explores the benefits of a cadet unit in schools, which is available here: https://www.northampton.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/institute-for-social-innovation-and-impact-cadets-report-2025.pdf. Cadet Forces offer challenging and enjoyable activities for young people, preparing them to play an active part in the community while developing valuable life skills.

The department works jointly with MoD on the Cadet Expansion Programme, which was launched to establish new cadet units in English state secondary schools. We will continue to work with MoD as they implement the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation to expand in-school and community-based Cadet Forces.

We will also work with MoD on the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation to increase understanding of the Armed Forces in schools in a way that creates opportunities.

MoD will review existing support with us over the coming months and in consultation with teachers. Schools themselves are best placed to determine how to use this available support.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much the Government has spent on contracts with temporary teaching agencies for staff at schools in Huntingdon constituency since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Supply teachers make an important contribution to the smooth running of schools across the country by filling posts on a temporary basis and covering teacher absences.

Schools and local authorities are responsible for the recruitment of their supply teachers and there are currently various approaches to providing supply teachers, including using agencies. Therefore, the department does not hold contracts with temporary agencies for staff at schools and does not hold the data requested.

The department collects financial data from schools across England through the Consistent Financial Reporting framework for local authority maintained schools, and through the Academy Accounts Return for academies and multi-academy trusts. The Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool reports on school and academy spend on supply teaching, including expenditure on agency supply teaching staff. This includes “costs paid to an agency for teaching staff that have been brought in to cover teacher absence”. The Tool can be accessed here: https://financial-benchmarking-and-insights-tool.education.gov.uk/data-sources.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to publish the police reform White Paper.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

We have been working closely with policing in the development of these important reforms. The new Joint Home Office and Policing Reform Team, which includes secondees from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and other policing organisations, have been closely involved in helping to shape the police reform proposals and development of the White Paper.

We will provide an update in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to increase the Army Active Reserve numbers by 20 per cent.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

As the SDR has recommended, it is our intention to increase the UK's Active Reserve forces by at least 20 per cent.

We recognise the need to adopt a whole of society approach to defence and the requirement for defence in depth. We are committed to growing the reserves. This will be part of an integrated approach to growing all of Defence’s Reserves. We are looking hard at policies to ensure we can meet the intent when funding allows. In the meantime, we are making better use of the resources available already by urgently reinvigorating how we engage with those ex-Regulars who have a mobilisation obligation (the Strategic Reserve), and reviewing our Reserves model. We are also improving recruitment and retention within the Active Reserves through more flexible careers, better accommodation, and more stable, family-friendly postings.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take in order to implement Recommendation 1 of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is endorsing the vision and accepting all 62 recommendations in the SDR, which will be implemented. We are developing a new Defence Investment Plan to deliver the SDR's new vision. We will ensure the Plan is deliverable and affordable, considers infrastructure alongside capabilities, enables flexibility to seize new technology opportunities, and maximises the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy. This will supersede the old-style Defence Equipment Plan. This will deliver the best kit and technology into the hands of our frontline forces at speed and, importantly, invest in and grow the UK economy. The Defence Investment Plan will be completed in Autumn 2025. Another key factor in success in the coming years will be the Defence Reform programme which is driving the deepest defence reforms for 50 years. The SDR recognises that one cannot succeed without the other and that where the SDR states what Defence must do in the next decade and beyond, Defence Reform will ultimately determine how, and how successfully, it is delivered.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Restoring control over the immigration system white paper, published on 13 May 2025, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doubling the number of workers that an overseas business can send to the UK with the aim of establishing a presence in the UK on levels of immigration.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Immigration White paper, published 12 May, set out proposed reforms in a number of areas.

Over recent years, proper control and management of the immigration system has been lost. Levels of net migration have risen to a record high of 906,000 in the year ending June 2023 - a four-fold increase in the space of under four years.

Further details will be set out in due course.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, with reference to his speech at the 2025 RUSI Annual Security Lecture on 29 May 2025, if he will list the (a) Ministers and (b) Government officials who approved the content of the speech; and whether Number 10 had advance sight of the speech.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

The process was followed as set out in the Ministerial Code.

The Attorney General made a further statement on the speech in question which is publicly available.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for establishing a fair pay agreement process in the adult social care sector.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to consulting on the design of the Fair Pay Agreement process and aims to begin the public consultation after the bill receives Royal Assent later this year. Secondary legislation and the establishing of the Negotiating Body will follow. The body will then negotiate the first Fair Pay Agreement. The Government is committed to establishing the first Fair Pay Agreement, and to doing so within this Parliament.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what weapon systems the L123A2 underslung grenade launcher is compatible with, other than the L85A2/3.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I can confirm that the L123A2 Underslung Grenade Launcher (UGL) is no longer in service within the British Army and was replaced by the L123A3 UGL. The L123A3 UGL is only compatible with the British Army’s L85 rifle family and is due to go out of service in 2030.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the planned out-of-service date is for the L123A2 underslung grenade launcher.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I can confirm that the L123A2 Underslung Grenade Launcher (UGL) is no longer in service within the British Army and was replaced by the L123A3 UGL. The L123A3 UGL is only compatible with the British Army’s L85 rifle family and is due to go out of service in 2030.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress she has made in updating all relevant National Policy Statements by this summer.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Consultation on proposed amendments to the Energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) 1, 3 and 5 closed on 29 May, with the relevant period for parliamentary scrutiny of these NPSs closing on 22 July 2025.

Consultation on a draft revised Ports NPS began on 4 June and will close on 29 July. The relevant period for parliamentary scrutiny of this NPS will close on 14 November 2025.

Completion of the updates to these NPSs is subject to the outcome and timings of these consultation and parliamentary scrutiny processes.

The NPS for Water Resources Infrastructure was designated in September 2023. The Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs are considering whether the NPS needs to be reviewed at this time.

Consultation on the draft new nuclear NPS EN-7, which will be applicable to nuclear power stations expected to deploy beyond 2025, closed on 3 April. Parliamentary scrutiny of the draft NPS is expected to be completed by 23 June. Depending on the completion and outcome of these processes, the government aims to designate this new NPS before the end of the year.

We are introducing legislation through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to require National Policy Statements to be updated every five years. This will include a transitional period, which will require any NPS that is more than 5 years old at the time of Royal Assent to be updated within 2 years of the Bill being enacted.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 57461 on Nuclear Power: Security, where the additional 18,000 jobs in the defence nuclear workforce will be located.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills will be reviewed and refreshed later this year.

The additional 18,000 jobs in the defence nuclear workforce will be located predominately in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise locations specified on page 11 of Command Paper 1058: Delivering the UK’s Nuclear Deterrent as a National Endeavour, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-nuclear-enterprise-command-paper.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for reviewing the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills will be reviewed and refreshed later this year.

The additional 18,000 jobs in the defence nuclear workforce will be located predominately in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise locations specified on page 11 of Command Paper 1058: Delivering the UK’s Nuclear Deterrent as a National Endeavour, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-nuclear-enterprise-command-paper.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of restricting access to overseas recruitment on levels of recruitment from the in-country redeployment pool.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The care worker route has seen unacceptable levels of abuse and exploitation; between July 2022 and December 2024, the Home Office revoked over 470 sponsor licences, impacting approximately 40,000 workers in the care sector.

Although overseas recruitment in adult social care will end, in-country switching for those already in the country with working rights will be permitted for a transition period until 2028. This will be kept under review. These arrangements include those who need to switch employers following a sponsor licence revocation and the Department of Health and Social Care is providing up to £12.5 million to regional partnerships in 2025/26 to support these international recruits to find alternative employment.

No specific assessment has been made of the impact of restricting overseas recruitment on the levels of recruitment from the in-country redeployment pool. However, in the technical annex published alongside the Immigration White Paper on 12 May 2025, the Home Office has estimated an annual reduction of approximately 7,000 main visa applicants because of ending overseas recruitment for care workers and senior care workers. This is based on its internal management information for entry visas granted covering the period March 2024 to February 2025. This estimate reflects that there was a drop in visa grants of more than 90% compared with the 12 months ending March 2024. This analysis will be refined and included within the relevant Impact Assessments accompanying the rule changes, as appropriate.

The technical annex is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821b49bdb6463b14cd8189c/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex.pdf

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress he has made toward meeting the NHS standard that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to start consultant-led treatment of non-urgent health conditions.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As of March 2025, performance against the 18-week standard was at 59.8%, a 2.6 percentage point improvement on March 2024 when it stood at 57.2%. The national referral to treatment waiting list is published monthly, and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/

As set out in the Plan for Change, we have committed to returning to the 18-week constitutional standard by the end of March 2029. Planning Guidance for 2025/26 set a target that 65% of patients wait for 18 weeks or less by March 2026, with every trust expected to deliver a minimum five percentage point improvement on current performance over that period.

As an important first step to delivering on this commitment, we have now exceeded our pledge to deliver an additional 2 million appointments, tests and operations, having delivered 3.6 million more since July. We have reduced the waiting list by more than 200,000, so that patients get the care they need as soon as possible.

Our Elective Reform Plan sets out the productivity and reform efforts needed to return to this standard and includes measures such as widening the opening hours of Community Diagnostic Centres and launching and expanding 17 new surgical hubs so that patients are diagnosed and treated more quickly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Land Rovers of all variants are in use by the (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force, (c) Royal Navy and (d) Royal Marines.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

We do not routinely break down equipment capability figures and therefore I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

However, I can advise that a total of 5,674 Land Rovers are in service across Defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 56960 on Typhoon Aircraft, when he expects to complete the rollout of the Striker 2 helmet-mounted display for Typhoon FGR4 pilots.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Striker 2 helmet-mounted display is under development by BAE Systems as part of a £40 million contract announced in September 2023. The next phase of prototype development is currently underway to achieve a production-ready standard, after which a rollout timeline will be determined.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Bastion concept on the security of the North Atlantic.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Atlantic Bastion is the Royal Navy's plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO. It will exploit advances in autonomy and artificial intelligence to deter the growing underwater threat in light of a modernising Russian submarine force. It will be implemented as a mix of crewed and uncrewed platforms.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which body designates a location as a Control of Major Accident Hazard site.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

COMAH requires dutyholders to take all measures necessary to prevent and mitigate the effects of major accidents involving dangerous substances which can cause serious damage/harm to people and or the environment.

COMAH mainly affects chemical and downstream petrochemical and oil industries, but also includes some storage activities, explosives sites, nuclear sites, and other industries, where quantities of dangerous substances above the thresholds identified in the regulations are kept or used. The COMAH Regulations differ from other Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 relevant statutory provisions, in that they set out to protect both people and the environment from harm. Environmental matters are regulated by the relevant environmental government agencies who work with HSE or Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to form the relevant COMAH Competent Authority (CA) for each COMAH establishment.

An ‘establishment’ is defined as the whole location (site) under the control of an operator where a dangerous substance is present in a quantity equal to or in excess of the quantity listed in schedule 1 of the regulations. The regulations place legal duties on such an establishment to determine if their site is subject to COMAH based on their inventory. It is the duty of the operator to determine whether the site has COMAH status and if it does, to notify HSE accordingly.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what criteria the Health and Safety Executive uses to designate a location as a Control of Major Accident Hazard site.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

COMAH requires dutyholders to take all measures necessary to prevent and mitigate the effects of major accidents involving dangerous substances which can cause serious damage/harm to people and or the environment.

COMAH mainly affects chemical and downstream petrochemical and oil industries, but also includes some storage activities, explosives sites, nuclear sites, and other industries, where quantities of dangerous substances above the thresholds identified in the regulations are kept or used. The COMAH Regulations differ from other Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 relevant statutory provisions, in that they set out to protect both people and the environment from harm. Environmental matters are regulated by the relevant environmental government agencies who work with HSE or Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to form the relevant COMAH Competent Authority (CA) for each COMAH establishment.

An ‘establishment’ is defined as the whole location (site) under the control of an operator where a dangerous substance is present in a quantity equal to or in excess of the quantity listed in schedule 1 of the regulations. The regulations place legal duties on such an establishment to determine if their site is subject to COMAH based on their inventory. It is the duty of the operator to determine whether the site has COMAH status and if it does, to notify HSE accordingly.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the cost per unit for the Metropolitan Police’s new Plasan SandCat armoured vehicles.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Decisions around the procurement of equipment, including armoured vehicles, are a matter for operationally independent Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners, or Mayoral equivalents and are made in line with the needs of their police force and their budget allocation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing a CyberEM Command.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommended the establishment of a Cyber and Electromagnetic (Cyber & EM) Command, this was after careful consideration of proposals for the Cyber & EM domain and the related evidence gathering process for the SDR. This process is set out in the Appendix to the SDR Report published on 2 June 2025.

The SDR made the assessment that the Command will bring improved coherence to Defence’s contribution to this Domain, and we have engaged with international partners to learn from the establishment of their respective Cyber Commands. The benefits of the new Command will include an improved ability to manage and mitigate Defence’s cyber risk; centralised authorities to enhance cyber talent and skills; an increased ability to conduct and respond to electromagnetic operations and the provision of a single ‘front-door’ for Defence’s Cyber & EM engagement with our national and international partners.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much her Department has paid to France to support actions to prevent small boat crossings from the French coastline since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

In 2023 the UK and French governments agreed a joint multi-year operational plan and a joint funding arrangement to tackle irregular migration, with details published here: UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration - GOV.UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

With rapid technological advances, the Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre will centralise work within the Ministry of Defence and accelerate the shift towards greater use of uncrewed and autonomous capabilities. It will: fast-track our exploitation and integration of small, uncrewed air systems on the battlefield; capitalise on lessons from Ukraine to harness the latest technical advances, revolutionizing how we develop, test and employ small uncrewed systems to deliver systems to the front line faster; and provide a central knowledge base and build a skillset across Defence to tackle emerging legislative changes, develop best practice and better manage the interface with industry.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a Defence AI Investment Fund.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As set out when the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was published, the Government accepts the vision and recommendations of the SDR, including the recommendation to create a protected Defence AI investment Fund. The SDR recommends an immediate priority for force transformation should be a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the UK's conventional forces. Learning the lessons from Ukraine, this would provide greater accuracy, lethality, and cheaper capabilities-changing the economics of Defence. This shift should be facilitated by the parallel development of a common digital foundation and digital targeting web as well as protected investment in AI research and development.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has his Department has made in developing novel directed energy weapons.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Following the Strategic Defence Review, we have announced nearly £1 billion in further investment for Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) this Parliament. This funding will ensure the DragonFire Laser DEW system enters service with the Royal Navy in 2027 and will enable a DEW capability to enter service with the British Army this decade. Accelerating these capabilities ensures our Armed Forces have access to cutting edge technologies as soon as possible.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Spending Review 2025. published on 11 June 2025, what proportion of the of GDP announced for defence and security spending is to be spent on (a) defence and (b) security.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Prime Minister announced in February that total NATO qualifying defence spending will rise to 2.6% GDP by 2027. The NATO definitions pertain to defence spending; there is no definition of security spending.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 53712 on Prisons: Construction, how many Category A prison places she plans to be built as part of the Prison Capacity Strategy.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

This Government will get the prison places built that the previous Government failed to deliver or fund. We are delivering 14,000 additional prison places and aim to do so by 2031, as set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy. This consists of the construction of four new prisons, including the recently delivered HMP Millsike, as well as the expansion and refurbishment of the existing estate and temporary accommodation. These places are all within the Category B, Category C, and Category D estates, where the greatest level of demand is projected.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Answer 55083 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, how much of the cost will come from the budget of (a) his Department and (b) the Ministry of Defence.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to his previous question 56674.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what resources his Department his providing to support NATO’s Baltic Sentry operation.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The UK provides RAF P-8 Poseidon and Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft to support the NATO’s Baltic Sentry deployment to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55429 on Offenders: Foreign Nationals, which country each of the foreign national offenders removed from the country between 5 July 2024 and 18 May 2025 went to.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office publishes data on foreign national offender (FNO) returns in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Quarterly data on returns of FNOs by destination are published in table Ret_D04 of the ‘Returns detailed tables’. Information on the data and how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. The latest data goes to end of March 2025. Data up to end June 2025 will be released on 21^st August 2025.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the recorded rate of theft from the person was in each of the last ten years.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th June is attached.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 34050 on Railway Stations: Alconbury Weald, whether Network Rail plan to proceed with the proposed new East Coast Mainline Station at Alconbury Weald.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The outcomes from the Spending Review for East Coast Main Line investment are still being finalised but will be communicated shortly as part of the government’s commitment to set out its overall infrastructure strategy.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the policy paper entitled English Devolution White Paper​: Power and partnership: Foundations for growth, published on 16 December 2024, what process will be used to decide on the new unitary councils in Cambridgeshire; and what his planned timeline is for making that decision.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 5 February 2025 councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were invited to submit proposals for unitary local government by 28 November 2025. Once a proposal has been submitted it will be for the government to decide on taking a proposal forward and to consult as required by statute. The exact timings and detail will depend on the proposals received and the decision taken on which proposal, if any, to implement.

Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the statutory guidance and the available evidence. One of the criteria is that proposals should show how councils in the area have sought to work together in coming to a view that meets local needs and is informed by local views. We expect there to be wide engagement with local partners and stakeholders, residents, workforce and their representatives, and businesses on a proposal. The engagement that is undertaken should both inform the development of robust proposals and should also build a shared understanding of the improvements expected through reorganisation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration she will give to the findings of district councils public consultations in determining the structure of new unitary councils in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 5 February 2025 councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were invited to submit proposals for unitary local government by 28 November 2025. Once a proposal has been submitted it will be for the government to decide on taking a proposal forward and to consult as required by statute. The exact timings and detail will depend on the proposals received and the decision taken on which proposal, if any, to implement.

Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the statutory guidance and the available evidence. One of the criteria is that proposals should show how councils in the area have sought to work together in coming to a view that meets local needs and is informed by local views. We expect there to be wide engagement with local partners and stakeholders, residents, workforce and their representatives, and businesses on a proposal. The engagement that is undertaken should both inform the development of robust proposals and should also build a shared understanding of the improvements expected through reorganisation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has ordered F35 aircraft for delivery after 2025.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) to Question 56964 on 9 June 2025 and for Question 58351 on 12 June 2025.

Found: the additional officers will be determined by the local operational needs of each force.5 Ben Obese-Jecty

Found: Baldwin Tom Tugendhat Sarah Bool Wendy Morton Bob Blackman Lincoln Jopp Julia Lopez Ben Obese-Jecty

Found: Harriett Baldwin Tom Tugendhat Sarah Bool Wendy Morton Bob Blackman Lincoln Jopp Julia Lopez Ben Obese-Jecty

Prostate Cancer APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Yours sincerely, The Officers of the APPG on Prostate Cancer Calvin Bailey MBE MP, Ben Obese-Jecty

East of England APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Stowmarket Richard Holden MP for Basildon and Billericay Nick Timothy MP for West Suffolk Ben Obese-Jecty

Prostate Cancer APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Monday 24th February 2025 Committee Room 17 Attendees • Calvin Bailey MBE MP (chair) • Ben Obese-Jecty