Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, Losses, what was the full scope of the Impairments arising from the historic AWE/AUC review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The impairments recognised following the review of Assets Under Construction at AWE relate to infrastructure and equipment projects delivered in support of AWE recapitalisation and the sustainment of an enduring nuclear deterrent capability.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions has he held with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the feasibility of delivering Project FAIRFAX in relation to the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence has engaged with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), local authorities and regional partners on matters relevant to the delivery of Project FAIRFAX, which seeks to establish a unique defence, technology and innovation cluster, bringing together partners from Government, academia and industry.

This engagement helps ensure that the opportunities presented by the project, alongside Defence requirements, are appropriately considered as proposals for local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire develop. Defence will work constructively with any changes determined by MHCLG and looks forward to further developing Project FAIRFAX with local, regional and national partners in due course.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what discussions his department has had with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government om Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) engages regularly with colleagues across government on a range of matters, including Local Government Reorganisation. This is particularly the case in Cambridgeshire, where BIST's ongoing commitment to the OxCam Growth Corridor (of which Cambridgeshire is a critical part), ensures we have been closely connected and contributing to Local Government Reorganisation in the County. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not routinely disclosed.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 15 July 2026 to Question 17502 on Shipping: Russia, how many of the (a) 343 unique vessels and (b) 849 occasions have been since 24 March 2026.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

96 of the 849 transits referenced in Question 17502 took place from 24 March 2026 onwards. 91 of these transits were undertaken by unique vessels.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has his Department made of each business case submitted for the options in consideration for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government will aim to reach a decision on which option, if any, to implement by October at the latest. This will still allow elections to new councils in May 2027 before they go live in April 2028.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what specific reasons was the decision made to delay the decision on selecting an option for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire until the Autumn.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government will aim to reach a decision on which option, if any, to implement by October at the latest. This will still allow elections to new councils in May 2027 before they go live in April 2028.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, page 30, what progress has he made in delivering the Devonport Infrastructure Programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Devonport Infrastructure Programme is making significant progress in modernising facilities at His Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport to reinforce its role as the Royal Navy’s centre for submarine deep maintenance. Upgrades to docking and waterfront infrastructure have already enabled Astute Class submarines to undertake maintenance activities in Devonport, with further improvements continuing across the site.

The programme is also delivering additional support for current and future submarine classes, the recommencement of the submarine defueling programme, and new maintenance berthing capacity, strengthening the Royal Navy’s overall warfighting readiness.

We are currently reviewing opportunities to accelerate work following the nuclear regulatory review and we continue to press for the earliest possible delivery of the projects.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the disposal plans for the Hawk T1 aircraft after March 2030.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Decisions on the final disposal of the Hawk T1 aircraft have not yet been taken.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the demand for a solid boom refuelling capability in order to facilitate air-to-air refuelling of a) future F-35A, b) E7 Wedgetail, c) P8 Poseidon and d) RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Air Force currently operates a probe and drogue air-to-air refuelling system and will complement this with the development of a boom system. This will ensure we have a sovereign air-to-air refuelling capability for the future Royal Air Force fleet that enhances interoperability with NATO Allies and partners.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 23, what is meant by informed by AI.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Digital Targeting Web will be informed by Artificial Intelligence, employing advanced data analytics and machine learning to process large volumes of information quickly and efficiently. By merging data from multiple sources, recognising patterns and assessing risks, it will support our Service personnel to make safe and accurate decisions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 26 November 2025 to question 93241 on Warrior Vehicles: Procurement, what stage is Project ATILLA.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Project ATILLA aims to deliver an uncrewed ground vehicle minefield-breaching capability. Work is ongoing to convert Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles as part of the trial phase.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Tornado a) F3 and b) GR4 aircraft are still held by his department.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

No Tornado aircraft remain in UK military service. A few former Tornado airframes have been retained as technician ground training aids or preserved as gate guardians.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of the StormFighter CCA programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme aims to mitigate current and emerging threats to ensure the Royal Air Force maintains a world-leading combat air capability. It will augment and enhance the effects of crewed aircraft across a range of Air Power roles. As the programme develops, it is expected to incorporate a range of capabilities to meet evolving operational requirements and technological advancements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether funding has been provided for the next Tranche 2 phase of F-35 procurement.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan has provided funding for the UK’s second procurement phase of F-35 aircraft. Work is underway to establish the delivery profile, which will need to be negotiated and contracted through the multinational Joint Program Office.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2026 to question 16165 on Ballistic Missile Defence, what progress has he made in delivering a short range air defence solution mounted on the Common Armoured Vehicle System.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence continues to develop options for a future Short Range Air Defence (SHORAD) capability with the Common Armoured Vehicle System informing the current planning assumptions. The SHORAD programme is considering lessons identified from contemporary conflicts and the evolving threat posed by uncrewed air systems. This work is separate to the UK’s Ballistic Missile Defence Capability.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the full scope of the Maritime Capabilities Replacement Programme.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The scope of the Maritime Capabilities Replacement Programme is to deliver the procurement of a new fleet of vessels for Border Security Command Maritime, ensuring that all necessary supporting activities are identified and delivered to successfully bring this new capability into service. Further background, as previously shared with potential suppliers through the Prior Information Notice, can be found here https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010571-2024?origin=SearchResults&p=1. A new notice will be issued shortly under the new Procurement Act 2023.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 109, what is the full scope of the £10 million for Tranexamic Acid.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The £10 million for Tranexamic Acid (TXA) will fund the development and procurement of the TXA Autoinjector to allow life-saving blood clotting treatment to be given at the push of a button. The funding will further support the selection of a supplier through a competitive process.

The TXA Autoinjector has significant potential to reduce fatalities from blood loss on the battlefield building on lessons from Ukraine.

Once developed, the TXA Autoinjector could be adapted from use in the battlefield to any major trauma incidents and be used to help women in developing countries who suffer major blood loss during birth and are unable to access medical treatment.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 39, by when will he set out a clear policy framework governing the delivery of Responsible Use of AI.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 17 July 2026 to Question 17491:

The Defence Strategic Approach to AI is currently being developed and will be finalised by the end of 2026. As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, this will be accompanied by clear policy frameworks governing the delivery of 'Dependable AI' and the 'Responsible Use of AI' across Defence. This activity is already under way, and will build on the MOD's existing policy, governance and assurance arrangements - notably the Dependable AI JSP 936.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, page 30, what progress has he made in expanding and transforming submarine manufacturing capacity.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 July 2026 to Question 17792 to the hon. Member for South Shropshire (Mr. Stuart Anderson).

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-10/17792

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 81, what is the scope of the capabilities to enhance our awareness of space activities and protect our critical national assets in orbit that he plans to deliver.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is enhancing our awareness of space activities through significant investment in UK Space Domain Awareness (SDA) research and capability development. This investment includes upgrading the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) and developing a range of UK SDA sensors.The UK is also participating in the US-led trilateral Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) programme, which will provide 24/7, all-weather SDA capabilities that increase our ability to detect, track, identify and characterise objects up to Geostationary Earth Orbit.

To protect our critical national assets in orbit, the MOD will ensure the necessary Space Control systems and procedures are in place. Space Control means the use of defensive and offensive capabilities to assure access and freedom of action in space.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, Losses, for what reason was Project Morpheus cancelled.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The reference to the cancellation of Project MORPHEUS in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts 2025 to 2026 relates to the decision not to continue MORPHEUS as a standalone project under the former Land Environment Tactical Communications and Information Systems Programme.

The underlying capability requirement has not been withdrawn. The outputs that MORPHEUS was intended to deliver are still required and will be taken forward through the Army’s Land Domain Command, Control, Communications and Computers Programme, including through the Tactical Communication and Information Systems Optimisation Project and the Tactical Network project.

This approach reflects a revised programme structure to sustain and modernise land tactical communications and information systems, rather than continuing MORPHEUS as a separate project.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 81, what progress has he made in establishing a Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) is a ground-based radar system that will provide 24/7, all-weather capabilities to detect, track, identify and characterise objects up to Geostationary Earth Orbit. DARC will require three permanent radar sites and a radar operations centre to provide 360-degree coverage: in Australia, the UK and the US. Construction of sites in Australia (Exmouth) and the US (IROC, Eglin) have been completed.

The USSF signed a contract with Northrop Grumman on 23 August 2024 for construction of the UK site starting April 2027.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has completed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), including a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, to ensure that the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) project has minimal impact on the local skyline. The EIA is part of a Town Planning application that was submitted to the local planning authority in March 2026.

The Defence Electromagnetic Authority, working with the Office of Communications, has issued an initial Authority to Operate. MOD and the Civil Aviation Authority is completing the necessary safety of flight procedures for local airspace.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 62, what phase will Project ASGARD be at at the completion of the scope of the £370m allocated.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Through the Defence Investment Plan, £370 million has been allocated to support the Army’s ASGARD initiative. ASGARD is not a conventional acquisition project with individual lifecycle phases. Instead, it provides an enduring environment in which the Army can test, integrate and exploit capabilities as they mature.

As a result, at the completion of the scope associated with the £370 million allocation, ASGARD will not transition to a distinct programme phase. Instead, it will continue to operate as a persistent capability, enabling the development, integration, evaluation and exploitation of digital technologies by the Forward Land Forces in Estonia, and across the British Army.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 93, what is the scope of the investment in a range of stand-off and long-range weapons for the Lightning Force in order to enhance F-35 lethality.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan identifies investment in a range of stand-off and long-range weapons to enhance the lethality of the Lightning Force, including investment of £460 million in the SPEAR 3 programme and up to £6.4 billion in wider munitions. In the interim until SPEAR 3 arrives, approvals have been given to proceed with a Foreign Military Sales procurement of the precision-guided munition, Small Diameter Bomb (SDB-II). This acquisition will provide the F-35 with an interim stand-off capability until the introduction of SPEAR-3 into service.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what phases will the Jet Training System programme go through before a new jet training aircraft is available for use by a) the Military Flying Training System and b) the Red Arrows.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Through the Defence Investment Plan, the department is investing £360 million into a new fast-Jet Training System, replacing the iconic but ageing Hawk aircraft.

The programme is ongoing and no final procurement decisions have been made.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, Losses, for what reason was Shadow Mk2 cancelled.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 November 2025 to Question 89765:

I can confirm that the Shadow Mk2 upgrade programme has been cancelled as it is late and has failed to deliver the capability that our Armed Forces need. It is also facing unacceptable cost escalation and delays.

This decision will allow us to focus on investing in other defence priorities and the Shadow Mk1.

We won't shy away from making difficult decisions that arise in the best interests of our Armed Forces and the taxpayer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 62, what are the 24 drones that will be delivered by 2029 under Project CORVUS.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to Question 16538 which remains extant:

Project CORVUS is subject to ongoing competition, and it would therefore be inappropriate to provide any detail at this stage.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 62, if he will provide a breakdown of the contractual payments included within the £2.2 billion allocated to Boxer.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The profile provided within the Defence Investment Plan represents the project forecast budget for the Mechanised Infantry Vehicle Boxer programme. A detailed breakdown of contractual payments is commercially sensitive, and disclosure would prejudice the commercial interests of the Department.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 110, what is the full scope of the proposed enhanced protection measures against CBRN threats.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It is not Ministry of Defence policy to comment on the scope of Counter-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear capabilities, as disclosure of such detail could undermine operational and national security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2026 to question 15519 on Sky Sabre, whether the doubling of Sky Sabre systems will be covered entirely by the current contract.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The doubling of deployable Sky Sabre systems committed to in the Defence Investment Plan is being delivered through existing contracts under the Land Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) Programme's Capability Uplift Package 1.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 79, what progress has he made in establishing six new space squadrons.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

UK Space Command is undertaking detailed planning to establish the new Space Squadrons, including defining capability requirements and developing the structures necessary to support their delivery.

Work is ongoing to determine the workforce, infrastructure and resources required to bring these capabilities into service, and the Ministry of Defence will provide further updates as this work progresses.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the feasibility of each of the options for local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

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

The Department of Health and Social Care has provided an evidence-based assessment of the proposals submitted to date to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, including the feasibility of each option and the potential impacts on the delivery of health and social care services for this area.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to ban the importation of child sex dolls.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Border Force works with law enforcement partners under Operation Shiraz to identify and disrupt the importation of child-like sexual abuse dolls and related items into the United Kingdom. Seizures made under the operation are recorded for operational and intelligence purposes.

The Home Office does not publish official statistics on seizures made under Operation Shiraz and does not hold a verified annual breakdown suitable for publication. Protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation remains a priority for this Government.

Border Force plays an important role in preventing prohibited and harmful items from entering the United Kingdom and works closely with domestic and international partners to detect, seize and investigate suspected criminal activity.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support was provided by the Office for Investment in obtaining visas for specialist foreign workers at companies based in the Huntingdon constituency.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The information requested is not available from published information however, the Home Office is working closely with the Office for Investment and other economic bodies to ensure that individuals who contribute to the growth agenda are supported through their visa journey.

The allocation of certificates of sponsorship (CoS) are considered against the genuineness of their business need which determines how many they receive. Sponsors can find guidance concerning allocations of CoS at: UK visa sponsorship for employers: Certificates of sponsorship - GOV.UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there is an annual allocation of visas to be distributed by firms who require specialist foreign workers.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The information requested is not available from published information however, the Home Office is working closely with the Office for Investment and other economic bodies to ensure that individuals who contribute to the growth agenda are supported through their visa journey.

The allocation of certificates of sponsorship (CoS) are considered against the genuineness of their business need which determines how many they receive. Sponsors can find guidance concerning allocations of CoS at: UK visa sponsorship for employers: Certificates of sponsorship - GOV.UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 35 of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress he has made in confirming the intended numbers of Ship Submersible Nuclear attack submarines, including the next-generation attack submarines under the AUKUS partnership in order to provide the necessary assumptions for the required build capacity and tempo.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 13 July 2026 to Question 15535.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Accredited official statistics, Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025, updated on 27 August 2026, Figure 5: Number of experimental procedures involving specially protected species 2025 to 2025, how many of the 1,706 dogs being used in scientific procedures for the first time were bred at MBR Acres in Huntingdon constituency.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, licensed establishments are required to maintain records of the source, use and final disposal of protected animals bred, kept or used at the establishment for regulated activities. These records must be made available to Home Office Inspectors on request.

The Home Office does not centrally collect information identifying the specific establishment or other place at which dogs used in scientific procedures were born, nor does it collect information on all animal deaths during or following experimental procedures.

However, the published statistics record 46 non-recovery procedures involving dogs in 2025. A non-recovery procedure is one carried out under general anaesthesia from which the animal does not recover consciousness. This figure does not represent all deaths that may have occurred as a direct result of regulated procedures.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Accredited official statistics, Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025, updated on 27 August 2026, Figure 5: Number of experimental procedures involving specially protected species 2025 to 2025, how many of the 1,706 dogs used in scientific procedures for the first time died a) during and b) following completion of the procedures.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, licensed establishments are required to maintain records of the source, use and final disposal of protected animals bred, kept or used at the establishment for regulated activities. These records must be made available to Home Office Inspectors on request.

The Home Office does not centrally collect information identifying the specific establishment or other place at which dogs used in scientific procedures were born, nor does it collect information on all animal deaths during or following experimental procedures.

However, the published statistics record 46 non-recovery procedures involving dogs in 2025. A non-recovery procedure is one carried out under general anaesthesia from which the animal does not recover consciousness. This figure does not represent all deaths that may have occurred as a direct result of regulated procedures.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Accredited official statistics, Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025, updated on 27 August 2026, Figure 5: Number of experimental procedures involving specially protected species 2025 to 2025, how many of the 17,317 animals died as a direct result of the procedures.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The requested figure is not available from the published statistics. The 17,317 figure relates to procedures involving specially protected species, rather than to the number of individual animals.

Of those procedures, 77 were classified as non-recovery. A non-recovery procedure is carried out entirely under general anaesthesia from which the animal does not regain consciousness. This does not represent all animals that may have died as a direct result of a regulated procedure, because the published data do not separately identify all such deaths.

Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, licensed establishments are required to maintain records of the source, use and final disposal of protected animals bred, kept or used at the establishment for regulated activities. These records must be made available to Home Office Inspectors on request.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2026, to question 13295 on Outdoor Recreation: Young People, for what reason has no further funding been allocated for the Adventures Away From Home Fund.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Adventures Away From Home Fund (AAfH) concluded in March 2026. Between 2022 and 2026, DCMS invested £8.6 million in funding to provide over 57,000 bursaries to young people.

We greatly value the Fund and the positive impact it had on young people’s skills, development, and resilience. However, we are working to broaden the reach of the young people and organisations we support, and to better align future opportunities with the commitments made in “Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy”.

This includes the Youth Matters Fund, which will be investing over £400 million to provide local organisations with funding to deliver high-quality youth work and enriching activities, as well as to refurbish or build up to 250 youth facilities. This will include outdoor activities and many other fun activities that benefit young people. The competition for a delivery partner has now closed and we expect the Youth Matters Fund to launch for beneficiaries later this financial year.

We have also launched Every Child Can, which will invest £132.5m of dormant assets exclusively across the five key categories of enrichment announced in the Enrichment Framework. This includes opportunities in nature, outdoor and adventure.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, which locations have been selected to benefit from the Strategic Sites Accelerator programme.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No locations have yet been selected to benefit from the Strategic Sites Accelerator programme. The Government is working to establish the programme and secure final approvals, ahead of piloting investments in partnership with the National Wealth Fund, developers, local authorities, the devolved governments and Mayoral Strategic Authorities. We expect to publish further information on the programme's approach and invite applications once the necessary approvals have been obtained.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2025-2026, HC 389, published on 15 July 2026, what the nature is of the fruitless payment for the Dreadnought Supply Chain.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

A contract within the Dreadnought supply chain was terminated following security reviews by the Defence Nuclear Enterprise. The detail is unsuitable for disclosure due to the classification and sensitivity of the programme.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of choosing locations within the Huntingdon constituency for the Strategic Sites Accelerator programme.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Office for Investment has engaged with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayoral Strategic Authority and received information on a number of potential opportunities, including Cross Point Logistics Park and Peterborough Science and Technology Park. No formal appraisal of these sites has yet been undertaken as we await programme approvals from HM Treasury. We will continue to engage with the Mayoral Strategic Authority and developers, with potential investments considered against programme criteria once these have been finalised and applied consistently across the UK.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, on what date did HM Treasury provide final approval for the Strategic Sites Accelerator programme.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Strategic Sites Accelerator programme has not yet received final programme approvals. The Office for Investment has carried out significant preparatory work, including a wide market engagement and procuring a National Delivery Partner and is working closely with the National Wealth Fund to establish the programme, with approvals currently expected in September 2026. Timelines have been impacted by the reorganisation of capital budgets across Government following the Defence Investment Plan. We continue to work with HM Treasury and delivery partners to secure the necessary approvals and deliver the programme.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Accredited official statistics, Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025, updated on 27 August 2026, Table 2.1, what the place of birth was of the 8 Beagles born in the UK in 2025 not at a licensed establishment used for the first time in experimental procedures.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires licensed establishments to maintain records of the source, use and final disposal of protected animals bred, kept or used at the establishment for regulated activities. These records must be available for Home Office Inspectors upon request.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Accredited official statistics, Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025, updated on 27 August 2026, Table 2.1, what the place of birth was of the 1,632 Beagles born in the UK in 2025 at a licensed establishment used for the first time in experimental procedures.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires licensed establishments to maintain records of the source, use and final disposal of protected animals bred, kept or used at the establishment for regulated activities. These records must be available for Home Office Inspectors upon request.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve the responsiveness of the abstraction licensing system.

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

The Government is acting to create a more dynamic abstraction licensing system. We plan to bring abstraction and impoundment regulation into the Environmental Permitting Regulations, providing a more flexible legislative framework.

The Environment Agency (EA) supports innovative approaches to abstraction that ensure the rights of other abstractors are protected, while safeguarding the environment. The EA are also developing digital systems to enable more responsive abstraction management.

Defra and the EA are facilitating an MHCLG funded trial of smart agricultural abstraction in Cambridge this year. The pilot provides real-time monitoring of water flows to farmers, enabling them to time their abstraction when more water is available.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the answer of 20 April 2026, to Question 124889 on Defence: Development Aid, whether it remains his policy to spend 100 percent of the reduction in the Official Development Assistance budget on defence in (a) 2026/27, (b) 2027/28 and (c) 2028/29.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

100 percent of the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be spent on defence in all of the years referenced.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the section on Flood and Coastal Risk Management Investment Programme 2026-2029 in the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority's document entitled NISTA Major Projects Annual Report 2025-26 data, updated on 13 July 2026, what is the scope of the new programme that commenced on 1 April 2026.

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

The scope of the 2026-2029 Floods and Coastal Erosion Management Investment programme remains unchanged from previous Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management programmes. It includes the construction of new flood and coastal defences, the refurbishment and maintenance of existing flood assets, and Natural Flood Management such as planting trees, restoring rivers and creating wetlands. The programme also covers improvements to flood warnings and forecasting, surface water flood risk projects, and the funding of Environment Agency teams to ensure delivery. This is funded through Grant-in-Aid funding for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2026 to question 124889 on Defence: Development Aid, whether it remains his policy to spend 100 percent of the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget on defence in (a) 2026/27, (b) 2027/28 and (c) 2028/29.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

100 percent of the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be spent on defence in all of the years referenced.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on what date was the Farming Directorate created.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Defra Farming Directorate was established on 2 March 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of the lack of adequate feed for cattle on milk volumes.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

While no data is held on the short-term potential impact of recent drought and heatwave conditions on grazing and silage production for UK dairy farms, Defra continues to work closely with the sector to maintain an over-view of grass growth and availability of silage and other forages. The UK Agricultural Market Monitoring Group reviews and analyses information for the main UK agricultural sectors including on weather conditions, livestock feed availability and prices, markets and levels of production. We continue to monitor the situation for forage availability through this and other routes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions has his department held with dual-technology companies in the Huntingdon constituency regarding sovereign capability with applications within defence.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence continues to engage with companies, SMEs, investors and academic institutions across the defence and dual-use technology sectors to support innovation, strengthen the UK industrial base and bolster UK sovereign capability. However, the Department does not maintain records of engagement categorised by Parliamentary constituency.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the viability of the Business Case for Option D in relation to Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We plan to make an announcement on local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on or before October this year and it would not be appropriate to comment on specific proposals in advance of that.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions has his department held with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the potential impact on Defence of each of the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 September 2026 to Question 19548.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's press release entitled PM: Farmers should not carry the risk of a changing climate alone, published on 14 August 2026, what existing schemes within Defra’s farming budget has the £65 million been reprioritised away from.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

At the 2025 Spending Review, we committed to spend an average of £2.3 billion on farming each year. To optimise how we spend the Farming Budget, we plan budgets for all of our schemes over multiple years. As our schemes are all demand-led, forecasts change throughout the year as delivery and demand evolves. This means that individual scheme budgets are not ring-fenced and we reserve some flexibility within the Farming Budget to reflect the evolving delivery and demand picture, helping to maximise the funding that reaches farmers and delivers outcomes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Farming and Countryside Programme, what was the outcome of the NISTA-style review scheduled for April 2026.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority-style review of the Farming and Countryside Programme (FCP) was undertaken between 22 and 24 April 2026. It found that the FCP reset had stabilised delivery, streamlined scope, and increased confidence in scheme delivery. It concluded that successful delivery remained feasible, and management attention was required to address findings relating to programme governance, operating model and the establishment of the Future Rural Payments Service.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Press release PM: Farmers should not carry the risk of a changing climate alone,published on 14 August 2026, what steps she is taking to improve access to water during drought conditions.

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

The Government is taking action both to improve farmers’ access to water during drought conditions and to support the development of new on-farm irrigation reservoirs. As part of the drought support package, we reminded farmers that they can apply to the Environment Agency (EA) for temporary abstraction flexibilities, known as Local Enforcement Positions, where environmental impacts can be appropriately managed.

We are also running a further round of the Water Management Grant, with up to £15 million available to help farmers build on-farm reservoirs, enabling them to store water during wetter periods for use in future dry weather. The EA has supported Water Resources East to publish updated Farm Reservoir Guidance to help farmers develop water storage projects. In addition, we are making it easier to build reservoirs by updating planning guidance, strengthening support for agricultural infrastructure through the National Planning Policy Framework, and working with industry representatives to review whether further planning reforms are needed.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is she taking to support the process of building on-farm irrigation reservoirs.

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

The Government is taking action both to improve farmers’ access to water during drought conditions and to support the development of new on-farm irrigation reservoirs. As part of the drought support package, we reminded farmers that they can apply to the Environment Agency (EA) for temporary abstraction flexibilities, known as Local Enforcement Positions, where environmental impacts can be appropriately managed.

We are also running a further round of the Water Management Grant, with up to £15 million available to help farmers build on-farm reservoirs, enabling them to store water during wetter periods for use in future dry weather. The EA has supported Water Resources East to publish updated Farm Reservoir Guidance to help farmers develop water storage projects. In addition, we are making it easier to build reservoirs by updating planning guidance, strengthening support for agricultural infrastructure through the National Planning Policy Framework, and working with industry representatives to review whether further planning reforms are needed.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has she made on improving the availability of driving tests in the Huntingdon constituency.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government set out a comprehensive package of measures in April 2025 to tackle long waiting times across the whole of Great Britain, aiming to deliver around 10,000 additional tests per month. A key step was reintroducing overtime incentives. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) conducted 1.99 million tests between April 2025 and March 2026, a record and 8.6% (159,000) higher than the previous year.

DVSA has also made changes to make the booking system fairer, as well as continuing to run national recruitment campaigns for driving examiners (DE) across the country.

From recent recruitment for test centres serving Huntingdon, DVSA currently has 8 potential new DEs booked onto training courses, with a further 11 potential new DEs undergoing pre-employment checks.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2026, to question 122323 on Transport: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, what consolidated funding streams are available to the CPCA IN 2026/27 to facilitate bus transport in rural areas within the Huntingdon constituency.

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

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority will receive a total local transport settlement of £293,014,263 over the Spending Review period (2026/27 to 2028/29 for resource funding and 2029/30 for capital funding). This is paid as a single Mayoral Transport Fund, giving Cambridgeshire and Peterborough the freedom and flexibility to support the strategic priorities of the local transport network.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions has her department held with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on of each of the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Local Government Reorganisation policy is owned by Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Department for Transport officials regularly meet MHCLG officials, as well as counterparts in other Government departments, to discuss Local Government Reorganisation, including the transport implications.

The Secretary of State for Transport has engaged with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on Local Government Reorganisation via letter, setting out the Department's position that this process should ensure the continued effective delivery of local transport, traffic and highway functions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with cabinet colleagues regarding the feasibility of each of the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Local Government Reorganisation policy is owned by Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Department for Transport officials regularly meet MHCLG officials, as well as counterparts in other Government departments, to discuss Local Government Reorganisation, including the transport implications.

The Secretary of State for Transport has engaged with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on Local Government Reorganisation via letter, setting out the Department's position that this process should ensure the continued effective delivery of local transport, traffic and highway functions.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, what recent progress has she made in establishing the Warm Homes Agency.

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

The scope of the Warm Homes Agency is continuing to be developed. In line with the “Rewiring the State” agenda, we are developing the Agency’s design, functions and governance so that it simplifies delivery, improves accountability and provides better value for money.

This includes considering how the Agency can work effectively with Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local authorities to support place-based delivery. We are continuing to prioritise key enabling activities such as the necessary Primary Legislation.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the full scope of the 2nd Generation UK Aviation Search and Rescue programme.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The UKSAR2G (UK Second-Generation Search and Rescue Aviation) programme delivers the next generation of HM Coastguard aviation services, replacing existing helicopter and fixed-wing contracts. It aims to improve search and rescue coverage, enhance value for money, support wider government agencies, and introduce innovation such as unmanned aircraft and advanced digital systems. The programme combines rescue, aerial surveillance, and environmental monitoring capabilities to ensure a resilient, modern service that continues saving lives around the UK.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what other government departments are part of DRIVE35.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

DRIVE35 is led by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) and is delivered in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre and Innovate UK. Launched by our modern Industrial Strategy, DRIVE35 is the biggest government investment in the automotive industry of the post war era. With £4bn in capital and R&D funding to 2035, DRIVE35 will accelerate UK innovation in strategic vehicle technologies, support their commercial scale up, and unlock investment across all aspects of automotive manufacturing and electrification. DRIVE35 forms part of the Government's Industrial Strategy, which is delivered through a whole-of-government approach. As part of its implementation, BIST works closely with a range of departments, including DfT, HM Treasury and DESNZ.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Livestock Information Transformation Programme, for what reason was the NISTA/SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 25/26 decreased to red.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Delivery Confidence Assessment was revised from Amber Red to Red in March 2026, reflecting revised delivery timelines reported by the supplier and increasing uncertainty around scope linked to EU Reset.

Ministers approved a ‘path to green’ recovery plan in May 2026 and LITP subsequently implemented a 100-day plan to strengthen oversight and support successful delivery.

As part of this work, technical development of the new multispecies livestock traceability service was brought in-house earlier than planned, but in line with the programme roadmap, to ensure the new service aligns with Government Digital Standards and EU reset priorities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of yields from harvests in the UK and globally on the price of wheat.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Cereals and oilseeds, including wheat, are internationally traded commodities. Their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments. Prices are influenced by a range of factors, including global yields, weather conditions, energy costs, and demand.

This Government continues to closely monitor the 2026 harvest and continues to engage regularly with industry stakeholders to assess any implications this may have on the cereals sector. In addition, the UK Agricultural Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG) provides early warning of atypical market movements by tracking trends in prices, inputs, and trade.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Farming and Countryside Programme, via which programme the digitally enabled transformation of farming grant and scheme services be delivered.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The digitally enabled transformation of farming grant and scheme services will be delivered through the Future Rural Payments Service (FRPS). FRPS currently sits within the Farming and Countryside Programme (FCP). However, the April 2026 NISTA-style review concluded, and Defra agreed that FCP's role is to establish the foundations for FRPS, not to deliver it. In line with the review's recommendation, FRPS will be established as a separate programme with its own governance, leadership and delivery arrangements.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the press release entitled Patients to benefit from faster access to medicines as UK moves away from animal testing in science, published on 12 August 2026, how many animal testing procedures will be replaced following the creation of the new Pre-clinical Translational Models Hub.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has not made an estimate of the number of animal testing procedures that will be replaced as a result of the Pre-clinical Translational Models Hub. The Hub will support the development and sharing of human tissue models and other human-relevant approaches to medicines research, helping to reduce reliance on animals where scientifically justified and supported by validated alternatives. The extent of any reduction will depend on scientific progress, validation and regulatory uptake. Progress under the Replacing Animals in Science strategy will be reported through future delivery updates and key performance indicators.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, by when does she plan to introduce new mandatory free breakfast clubs to primary schools in Huntingdon constituency.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government is committed to delivering a free breakfast club in every state-funded school with primary-aged pupils in England. Following the passage of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act (2026), all schools with primary-age pupils will be required to offer a free breakfast club. New groups of schools will be onboarded in stages throughout 2027 and 2028 to ensure we can continue to provide appropriate support.

There are already three schools delivering a free breakfast club in the Huntingdon constituency, and I look forward to more schools joining the programme as national rollout continues, bringing the benefits of a healthy breakfast, a soft start to the day, and childcare savings to more children and families.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 4.2.8 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, by when will he publish the Long-Term Workforce Plan.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The commitment in paragraph 4.2.5 of the Defence Investment Plan is to reduce Civil Service workforce costs by at least 10% by 2030, while reshaping the workforce around Defence priorities and protecting critical skills. Further detail on the future size and structure of the workforce will be provided in the autumn through the Long-Term Workforce Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 4.2.5 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, how many Civil Service posts are planned to be reduced each year until 2030.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The commitment in paragraph 4.2.5 of the Defence Investment Plan is to reduce Civil Service workforce costs by at least 10% by 2030, while reshaping the workforce around Defence priorities and protecting critical skills. Further detail on the future size and structure of the workforce will be provided in the autumn through the Long-Term Workforce Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 60 of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress he has made in widening eligibility to Defence Housing for those in long-term relationships.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Defence Housing Strategy sets out a deliverable, sustainable approach to widening access to subsidised Service Family Accommodation for those in established long-term relationships, or with shared parental responsibilities. This prioritises a funded programme to build, buy and bring homes back into use and over time to ensure that all qualifying Service personnel can have their family housing needs met, better reflecting modern families and relationships.

As part of this commitment, we are making 1,000 additional homes available across the estate this financial year alone, enabled by the £9.2bn of funding allocated to Defence family housing in the Defence Investment Plan.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Press release “PM: Farmers should not carry the risk of a changing climate alone” published on 14 August 2026, how will up to £15 million for on-farm reservoirs be made available to eligible farmers.

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

As part of the drought support package announced on 14 August 2026, the Government committed £15 million to support investment in on-farm reservoirs. We are currently developing the detailed delivery arrangements for a further round of the Water Management Grant. Further information on eligibility criteria, application processes and timing will be published in due course. The aim of this funding is to help farmers improve water storage capacity and strengthen resilience to drought and future climate pressures.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Section 57 spray irrigation restrictions have been applied to licences in the Huntingdon constituency in August 2026.

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

No Section 57 spray irrigation restrictions have been applied to licences in the Huntingdon constituency in August 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Press release entitled National Drought Group steps up response after third heatwave, published on 21 July 2026, what assessment has she made of the adequacy of the Environment Agency’s classification of Grafham Water’s water level as notably low.

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

The Environment Agency classification is based on data supplied by Anglian Water compared to the historic record of fill percentage for the time of year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Armed Forces Recruitment Programme, which aspects of the service are not progressing as initially planned.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Armed Forces Recruiting solution continues to mature in line with the required service commencement dates, and the Programme remains focused on delivery against the agreed plan.

Digital and data delivery remain key programme risk areas, reflecting the scale and complexity of developing, integrating, assuring and migrating data into the new technical solution. Additional specialist resource has been brought into both the Authority and supplier teams to strengthen digital and data delivery, technical assurance and transition planning.

This additional capacity is supporting the active management of delivery risks, the recovery of schedule pressures and the safe and orderly implementation of the new service.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the number of irrigation restrictions in place to reduce water abstraction by farmers in Huntingdon constituency.

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

There are 99 abstraction licences within the Huntingdon constituency. Currently (02/09/2026) of these, 75 licences include Hands-Off Flow (HOF) cessation conditions. As of Tuesday, 1 September, only 4 have these restrictions in force.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Armed Forces Recruitment Programme, what the level of risk being carried is for the novel collaborative delivery of a) technical solution and b) data migration.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The delivery of the technical solution and the migration of data remain among the Programme’s principal delivery risks.

These risks are being actively managed through the application of progressive assurance, and a controlled and phased migration approach. The Programme is working with the single Services, Defence Digital and Team Serco to improve data quality, validate migration requirements and sequence the transfer of candidate records in a manner that protects recruiting continuity.

Established governance arrangements provide senior oversight of delivery progress, residual risk and the readiness evidence required at each service commencement date.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is the current percentage level of Grafham Water reservoir.

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

Grafham Water was 65.43% full on Monday, 31 August 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is the estimated volume of water lost annually to leaks by each water company in the last reporting period.

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

The Government is committed to urgent action to improve water efficiency and reduce water company leaks, alongside delivering new supply infrastructure. including new reservoirs and water transfers.

Water company Water Resources Management Plans show how companies will close the predicted supply-demand gap, with demand management, including leakage reduction and new water resources infrastructure. The Government has set an interim target to reduce leakage by 30% by 2032, and water companies have committed to halve leakage by 2050.

The Environment Agency has published a summary of water companies’ delivery of their WRMPs, including leakage levels for the 2024/25 period: Water resources 2024 to 2025: analysis of the water industry’s annual water resources performance - GOV.UK

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress has he made in evolving the Army’s mix of Regulars and Reserves to ensure a minimum of 100,000 soldiers, of which 73,000 are Regular, as outlined in Recommendation 43.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Army is continuing work to implement the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review, including those relating to the future balance of Regular and Reserve personnel. The Army continues to take forward a range of initiatives to strengthen resilience, readiness and access to specialist skills across the whole force to ensure a minimum of 100,000 soldiers, of which 73,000 are Regular. Implementation activity is ongoing.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the press release entitled Patients to benefit from faster access to medicines as UK moves away from animal testing in science, published on 12 August 2026, what the nine cutting-edge projects are aimed at identifying new methods of animal-free scientific testing and funded by Innovate UK.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Innovate UK is investing up to £2 million in nine projects aimed at developing and evaluating new approaches to animal-free scientific testing. The projects include the development of beating heart cells in a dish, lab-grown human ear models, human-relevant models and simulations to predict how medicines behave, and artificial intelligence tools to predict how drugs move through the body. Together, these projects are intended to support the development of more human-relevant approaches for medicines research and testing, reducing reliance on animal studies where scientifically appropriate. The full list can be found on the press release.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Armed Forces Recruitment Programme, by when replanning will be completed.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

No replanning of the Armed Forces Recruitment Programme has taken place. The Programme continues to progress in accordance with the agreed delivery schedule, with phased service commencement planned between January and April 2027.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason was Grafham Water not able to be sufficiently refilled over the most recent winter.

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

Anglian Water have advised the Environment Agency that high nitrate levels prevented them from refilling Grafham Water to 100% capacity over Winter 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress he has made in establishing a digitised approach to Reserves management by January 2027, as outlined in Recommendation 28.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Funding has been allocated in the Defence Investment Plan to enable the digital management and administration of the Strategic Reserve, including communications, the mobilisation process and data handling. Work is currently underway to deliver this..

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress has he made in empowering Defence Medical Services as the functional lead of a single Defence Medical Enterprise that meets personnel’s healthcare needs in peacetime, on operations, and in war, as outlined in Recommendation 58.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Defence Medical Services has transitioned to a Lead Command model under Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC), marking Initial Operating Capability (IOC) and a significant milestone in how Defence medical capability is led and delivered across Defence.

As part of this change, Headquarters Defence Medical Services has become Defence Medical Command (DMedC), and the role of Director General Defence Medical Services has been restyled as Chief of Defence Medical (CDMed).

Under these arrangements, Defence Medical Command will be empowered to make decisions that ensure delivery of integrated healthcare services and medical support, aligned across Defence, with Allies and with the NHS, that is prioritised and cohered to meet Defence needs.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 15 of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, whether the his Department's top ten people policies were rewritten in accordance with the principle of trust by May 2026.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Defence is reviewing its people related policies, processes and assurance requirements as part of a broader programme of people-system reform. By simplifying content, removing duplication, reducing narrative and using clearer language, we will reduce burden and enable more informed and timely decision-making. This work also supports the principle of trust by driving greater empowerment, delegation of decision-making, and enabling users to exercise judgement within a framework of trust and accountability.

In line with these aims, and in accordance with recommendation 15 of the Strategic Defence Review, a priority set of people-related policy Joint Service Publications (JSPs) have been reviewed. Eleven JSPs were revised and internally republished in simplified form by the end of May 2026, resulting in an overall reduction in policy volume of approximately 18%. Further improvements will be delivered through the introduction of a new military HR administration system that will simplify and automate underlying processes, improve user experience and further reduce administrative burden.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 15 of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress he has made in reducing the level of bureaucracy created by people policy, process, and assurance.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Defence is reviewing its people related policies, processes and assurance requirements as part of a broader programme of people-system reform. By simplifying content, removing duplication, reducing narrative and using clearer language, we will reduce burden and enable more informed and timely decision-making. This work also supports the principle of trust by driving greater empowerment, delegation of decision-making, and enabling users to exercise judgement within a framework of trust and accountability.

In line with these aims, and in accordance with recommendation 15 of the Strategic Defence Review, a priority set of people-related policy Joint Service Publications (JSPs) have been reviewed. Eleven JSPs were revised and internally republished in simplified form by the end of May 2026, resulting in an overall reduction in policy volume of approximately 18%. Further improvements will be delivered through the introduction of a new military HR administration system that will simplify and automate underlying processes, improve user experience and further reduce administrative burden.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the written statement of 30 June 2026 on Defence funding update, HCWS165, what progress she has made on identifying the £2.0 billion of savings in her Department needed in order to fund the Defence Investment Plan.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The savings are a small part of DESNZ's overall budget, which saw a significant uplift at Spending Review.

We will set out more details in due course

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Warm Homes Agency, what progress she has made in improving the Delivery Confidence Assessment Rating of Red due to the changes organisational context and replanning work.

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

The scope of the Warm Homes Agency is continuing to be developed. In line with the “Rewiring the State” agenda, we are developing the Agency’s design, functions and governance so that it simplifies delivery, improves accountability and provides better value for money.

This includes considering how the Agency can work effectively with Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local authorities to support place-based delivery. We are continuing to prioritise key enabling activities such as the necessary Primary Legislation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress has he made in enabling Headquarters Standing Joint Command (UK) to command all UK military support to national resilience under the MSHQ, as outlined in Recommendation 44.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

Standing Joint Command (UK) is already the UK's Joint Operational Headquarters for homeland resilience. It commands Defence support to civil authorities during national resilience events, including natural disasters and other domestic incidents.

Through its regional Joint Military Commands, liaison officers and links with local Resilience Forums and police forces, SJC(UK) provides the Defence network needed to connect national direction with local delivery across the UK.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the written statement entitled Defence funding update, HCWS165, published on 30 June 2026, across which projects the savings in serial 9 entitled Further Department for Energy Security and Net Zero savings will made in each year between 2026/27 and 2029/30.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The savings are a small part of DESNZ's overall budget, which saw a significant uplift at Spending Review.

We will set out more details in due course

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, Losses, if he will provide further information on the £9,476,000 constructive loss in relation to the cancellation of Project Guardian UKV2.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Project GUARDIAN is a Royal Air Force advanced Command and Control system developed to protect UK and NATO airspace. A strategic decision was taken to cancel the second phase of this system, UKV2.

A number of factors led to the cancellation, including evolving capability requirements, the increased technical complexity in delivering a compliant solution and a wider reprioritisation of capabilities across the portfolio.

The constructive loss reflects historical project costs for activities that had been undertaken during the Demonstration and Manufacture phase of the programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 109 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, what the full scope is of the £10 million for forward blood products.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Following the announcement of Defence Investment Plan, Defence Medical Command (DMedC) is working to define the scope of the £10 million to develop or procure dried blood products to improve access closer to the point of injury on the battlefield.

DMedC continues to work with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and industry partners to develop a sovereign spray dried plasma capability. Spray dried plasma offers potential operational advantages including ambient storage, extended shelf life and improved deployability in austere environments.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is still his Department's policy to keep the Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs threshold at £2.5m.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

From April 2026, the combined amount of 100% Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief allowed against a person’s estate is £2.5 million. Combined with the nil-rate bands, this means two individuals could pass on up to £5.65 million tax-free between them.

The Government has legislated for this combined allowance to remain at £2.5 million until April 2031 and then increase with inflation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 30 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, what progress he has made in expanding nuclear reactor core manufacturing capabilities at Raynesway in Derby.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Through the Core Production Capability and Submarine Build Modernisation programmes, we are expanding capability at Raynesway by modernising/upgrading manufacturing facilities and growing the workforce. Upgrades required to support Dreadnought reactor core production are complete. Work is well underway to modernise and expand the manufacturing capabilities and capacity needed to produce the reactor cores and nuclear steam raising plant for future SSN-AUKUS submarines, supporting both the UK and Australian submarine production programmes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Mechanised Infantry Programme, what progress he has made on a) resetting and b) decoupling from Ajax Boxer Collective Training.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Mechanised Infantry Programme has been reset to reflect delivery progress, programme maturity, infrastructure readiness, equipment availability and ongoing supply chain challenges. As part of this work, the Department has reviewed the dependencies between Ajax and Boxer collective training. Ajax and Boxer collective training events have been decoupled this year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2026 to Question 15519 on Sky Sabre, on what date was the current Sky Sabre contract signed.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Sky Sabre capability has been acquired through a number of separate contracts covering command and control systems, radars, launchers, missiles, support and capability upgrades. There is therefore no single "Sky Sabre contract".

The initial Sky Sabre capability was procured under contracts let prior to its entry into service, with subsequent contracts awarded to support capability enhancement, fleet growth, support and sustainment.

Beyond the original contracts for Sky Sabre, the following contracts have also been awarded:

• Surface to Air Missile Operating Centres (SAMOCs). Contract Award was achieved in July 2024.
• Land Ceptor launchers and fire unit support vehicles. Contract Award was achieved in May 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of including a hard-kill Counter-UAS active protection system within the scope of the Mechanised Infantry Programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Hard-Kill Counter-UAS opportunities are being explored, but no decision has been taken to include a hard-kill Counter-UAS active protection system within the current scope of the Mechanised Infantry Programme. However, the Department continues to evaluate emerging technologies and capability options to ensure Army platforms remain effective against current and future threats.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Major Projects Annual Report 2025 to 2026, Tables, Ground Based Air Defence, which elements within short-range air defence capability have raised affordability concerns against available funding.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The affordability concerns relate to the proposed Mounted Short Range Air Defence capability, where current cost estimates exceed available funding. The Department is reviewing options to ensure future capability remains affordable and aligned with Defence priorities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the Spearfish upgrade programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Spearfish Upgrade Programme is making strong progress in delivering enhanced capability for the Royal Navy. Following the identification of a technical issue in late 2024, work has progressed at pace to identify and implement a resolution. This has required additional testing and programme activity. A review note, reflecting the impact on delivery timescales, was submitted in July 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 35 of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress he has made in delivering the National Endeavour public communications campaign to convey the fundamental importance and necessity of the deterrent.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The National Endeavour communications campaign has primarily focussed on communicating work across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) telling the story of the enterprise better, and the growth of its social media channels to expand reach and understanding. The Government remains committed to furthering the public’s understanding of the work of the DNE and the fundamental importance of the UK’s nuclear deterrent to national security.

Recent events and milestones communicated in the last year include:

The Government remains committed to improving public understanding of the DNE and the critical role that the UK's independent nuclear deterrent plays in safeguarding national security.

Key events and milestones communicated over the last year include:

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Recommendation 9 of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress has he made in agreeing two productivity Key Performance Indicators for the National Armaments Director focused on a) departmental productivity and b) external supply chain productivity.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence is developing a productivity measurement framework for different elements of the Defence enterprise, including supplier productivity, and continues to work with the Office for National Statistics and across Government to strengthen the way productivity is measured and reported. This work forms part of wider Defence Reform activity to improve the way performance is understood, monitored and reported across Defence.

The Department has established key performance measures linked to the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Investment Plan and these are reported through departmental governance, including the Defence Board. Measures, including cashable efficiency savings and workforce reductions are tracked, and broader metrics across Defence continue to be refined.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row 159 entitled Land Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance in the spreadsheet accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority's document entitled NISTA Major Projects Annual Report 2025-26, published on 13 July 2026, on what date was the Watchkeeper mid-life extension project deleted from the programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Watchkeeper Mid-Life Extension programme was formally closed on 29 November 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 14 July 2026 on The Armoured Cavalry Programme, HCWS237, when did the review by Jonathan Simcock commence and on what date is it scheduled to conclude.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Jonathan Simcock was appointed Lead Reviewer in May 2026 to undertake the review. Subject to ministerial consideration, the Ajax Simcock Review is expected to be published later this year following its presentation to MOD Ministers.