Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the growth in the availability of open source Chinese AI platforms on the UK.

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

The Government continues to monitor global developments in AI, including open-source platforms. Open-sourcing AI models decentralises control, enabling more developers to innovate, experiment and deploy systems for diverse purposes.

This approach can deliver significant benefits by fostering innovation, competition and transparency. However, decentralisation also introduces security risks. Open model releases may allow malicious actors to remove safeguards and fine-tune models for harmful purposes.

Consumers and businesses should choose the AI system most suitable for their purpose, considering whether they trust the organisation hosting the model and handling of potentially sensitive queries. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published guidance to help individuals use AI tools safely, including advice on understanding how personal information is processed and shared.

As part of its research to understand the capabilities and impacts of advanced AI and develop and test risk-mitigations, the AI Security Institute (AISI) takes a leading role in safety-testing open and closed AI models wherever they come from.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies on funding SEND provision of the mainstream school spending per pupil on page 122 of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic Financial Outlook.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The government has set out its position on page 105 of the budget document, confirming that special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) pressure will be absorbed within the overall government Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) budget from the financial year 2028/29 onwards such that we would not expect local authorities to need to fund future special educational needs costs from general funds.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) have illustrated the impact in the funding required for this, estimated at £6 billion, if these costs were met by diverting mainstream schools funding. However, that is only an indicative example and does not reflect government policy. We have confirmed that SEND pressure will be absorbed within the overall government DEL budget from 2028/29 onwards, not that it will be absorbed within the core schools budget.

Furthermore, the £6 billion figure quoted by the OBR is based on current spending trajectories and does not take account of future government decisions on reforms to the SEND system, details of which will be set out in the Schools White Paper in the new year.

Budgets from 2028/29 onwards, including the core schools budget, will be confirmed at the 2027 Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what is the total cost to the public purse of the decision to extend the statutory override for the cost of SEND to 2027-28.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The statutory override is an accounting measure, designed to keep Dedicated Schools Grant deficits separate from local authorities’ wider financial position. The extension of the override to the end of the 2027/28 financial year does not affect local authorities’ statutory duties to provide support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), nor does it change how much they spend to fulfil those duties. As these duties remain unchanged and, as with the previous government’s decision to extend the statutory override to the end of 2025/26, the extension itself does not result in any additional cost to the public purse.

The government recognises many local authorities are likely to continue to accrue deficits due to their spending on high needs, as we have seen in recent years, as they ensure that there are sufficient resources to secure provision for children and young people with SEND in mainstream or in specialist education. We will set out our plans to support local authorities with historic and accruing deficits through the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of funding the cost of SEND provision from RDEL allocations on local authorities.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The government has set out its position on page 105 of the budget document, confirming that special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) pressure will be absorbed within the overall government Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) budget from the financial year 2028/29 onwards such that we would not expect local authorities to need to fund future special educational needs costs from general funds.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) have illustrated the impact in the funding required for this, estimated at £6 billion, if these costs were met by diverting mainstream schools funding. However, that is only an indicative example and does not reflect government policy. We have confirmed that SEND pressure will be absorbed within the overall government DEL budget from 2028/29 onwards, not that it will be absorbed within the core schools budget.

Furthermore, the £6 billion figure quoted by the OBR is based on current spending trajectories and does not take account of future government decisions on reforms to the SEND system, details of which will be set out in the Schools White Paper in the new year.

Budgets from 2028/29 onwards, including the core schools budget, will be confirmed at the 2027 Spending Review.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, whether the Attorney General has had recent discussions with his Cabinet colleagues on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill’s legal compatibility with the Windsor Framework in relation to Northern Ireland.

Answered by Ellie Reeves - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

The Attorney sits on the Parliamentary Business and Legislation Committee. As part of the process of approving a government Bill for introduction, as set out in the published Guide to Making Legislation, a legal issues memorandum is prepared for this Committee. This will set out all relevant legal issues.

Whether the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice outside of the PBL process is covered by the Law Officers' Convention. This Convention provides that whether or not the Law Officers have been asked to provide advice, and the contents of any such advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

This protects the Law Officers’ ability as chief legal advisers to the Government to give full and frank legal advice and provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the National Security Strategy of the United States of America, published on 5 December 2025, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of the US declaration that where necessary the use of lethal force to replace the failed law enforcement-only strategy will be used to combat cartels on intelligence sharing.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the responses provided in the Urgent Question debate on 3 December.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the deadline is for the submission of a development consent application for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

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

It will be for scheme promoters to decide when to submit a development consent order application for a third runway scheme.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, by what date she plans to complete the review into airport funding.

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

There is no current review into airport funding.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff within the HM Prison & Probation Service reliant on visas for employment have been employed since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The Ministry of Justice does not hold the requested information requested data in an easily accessible format. Right to Work data is collected during the vetting stage but is not retained within the employment record. As a result, extracting this information would require a manual review of individual vetting files, which would incur a disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the adequacy of the safety assurances the Chief of the General Staff gave the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry regarding the Initial Operating Capability status of the Ajax programme.

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

The safety of Service personnel remains the top priority for Defence. As previously confirmed, prior to Ajax Initial Operating Capability being announced, assurances were provided regarding the safety of the platform.

I have commissioned a Ministerial review of the information given to Ministers as it is vital that advice given to Ministers is timely and accurate. However, it would not be appropriate to provide any further detail relating to these assurances, whilst the review is ongoing.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2025 to question 88991 on Ajax Vehicles: Noise, on what date he received written assurances that Ajax was safe to operate from the (a) Chief of the Defence Staff and (b) National Armaments Director.

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

The safety of Service personnel remains the top priority for Defence. As previously confirmed, prior to Ajax Initial Operating Capability being announced, assurances were provided regarding the safety of the platform.

I have commissioned a Ministerial review of the information given to Ministers as it is vital that advice given to Ministers is timely and accurate. However, it would not be appropriate to provide any further detail relating to these assurances, whilst the review is ongoing.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what vehicles other than the Ajax platform within the Army’s armoured fleet can fulfil the armoured reconnaissance role; and at which formation level.

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

There are no other platforms within the Army’s armoured fleet which can fulfil the armoured reconnaissance role; Ajax has been specifically designed for this purpose.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the feasibility of new terminals for the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport being built and operated in competition with those run by the airport.

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

Information about terminals and other airport infrastructure would be provided as part of a development consent order application.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release titled UK and Norway to operate together to counter Russian undersea threat through major new defence agreement, published on 4th December 2025, by when does he expect a combined fleet of at least 13 warships, bolstered by autonomous systems to be ready to hunt Russian submarines and protect critical infrastructure in the North Atlantic.

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

The Type 26 frigates are expected to begin entering service from 2028, to be operated by the UK and Norwegian Navies. This is part of a carefully managed modernisation programme. There will also be significant long-term investment in the six Daring Class destroyers (Type 45’s), to enhance and sustain these world beating Air Defence platforms into the late 2030s.

The Royal Navy continues to invest in uncrewed and autonomous systems. These nascent capabilities are being integrated to augment our highly capable crewed platforms, increasing mass and persistence to find, track - and if required - act against our peer adversaries' subsurface capabilities in the North Atlantic.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Security Strategy of the United States of America, published on 5th December 2025, what assessment has he made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of a US readjustment of its global military presence to address urgent threats in the Western Hemisphere.

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

Whilst it is for the United States (US) to answer questions about the specifics of their own National Security Strategy, the UK will continue to work closely with the US to strengthen Euro-Atlantic security through NATO, support Ukraine, and deepen our cooperation on emerging technologies and economic security. Our commitment to NATO and to European security is ironclad.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing the Government’s Digital ID scheme.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the honourable Member to my answer to PQ93098.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information he holds on the number of British-qualified judges sit on the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal publishes the names of its non-permanent judges on its website.

The list is available at https://www.hkcfa.hk/en/about/who/judges/npjs/index.html.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has he made of the impact of the findings by the study of 1,005 GPs entitled “General practitioners’ adoption of generative artificial intelligence in clinical practice in the UK: An updated online survey”, published in the Digital Health science journal on 25th November 2025 that stated that 35% of doctors used AI for writing documentation, 27% for differential diagnoses and 24% for treatment or referrals despite having no formal training or oversight.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is aware of the study published in Digital Health on 25 November 2025 regarding the adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) by general practitioners (GPs). AI has the potential to transform health and care services by improving health outcomes, enhancing patient safety, and reducing costs. However, it is crucial to rigorously and regularly evaluate AI technologies to ensure they work safely, ethically, and effectively in different clinical settings.

The Department is currently assessing the implications of these findings through engagement with NHS England, the General Medical Council, and other stakeholders. Guidance is also being developed to ensure safe and ethical use of AI in clinical settings, which includes requirements for training and accountability, and working with regulators such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for health and Care Excellence to develop evaluation pathways for AI tools. This is to ensure the AI tools meet standards equivalent to other regulated medical technologies, and whether additional safeguards or standards needed to mitigate risks to patient safety and data security are explored.

We will continue to monitor emerging evidence and ensure that any integration of AI into clinical practice is underpinned by appropriate oversight, transparency, and professional responsibility.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel are undergoing treatment for hearing loss following operating within an Ajax or Ajax-platform vehicle.

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

On 22 November 2025, during a routine training exercise, around 30 soldiers operating in Ajax reported being affected by noise and vibration exposure.

Out of an abundance of caution, and in line with our safety protocols, the exercise was halted within 30 minutes so that those affected could receive appropriate medical care.

Importantly, none of the symptoms were life-threatening or severe enough to require hospitalisation, and most soldiers have already shown significant improvement, with many returning to their duties.

As a result, I directed the Army to pause all use of Ajax for training and exercising, while a safety investigation is carried out into the events. Those investigations are ongoing, and I will update the House at an appropriate point.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under the Lunna House Agreement what deeper industrial collaboration between the UK and Norway does he plan to achieve.

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

Under the Lunna House Agreement, our vision for the combined T26 fleet is to be as integrated and interoperable as possible, which opens opportunity for UK and Norway industrial cooperation to spirally develop the vessels and deliver the in-service support of the fleet.

Additionally, the Agreement highlights an initial tranche of common strategic programmes which draw upon our respective defence industries, including Naval Strike Missile, Sting Ray torpedoes, and Standardised Vessels. Further opportunities will be determined on a project by project basis. Based on these projects we will work together to support our industries to gain market access and promote mutually beneficial export prospects.

Finally, we will increase the number of personnel exchanges and embedded officers, which will help identify further opportunities for capability development and associated industrial activity across both nations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under the Lunna House Agreement, by when does he plan to deliver innovative offshore support vessels, which will act as motherships for uncrewed mine hunting and undersea warfare systems.

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

The Lunna House announcement on 4 December 2025 highlighted the UK's intent, conveyed to the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Støre, to deliver the Offshore Support Vessel as the mothership for the Mine Hunting Capability programme.

The delivery and in service dates of the Offshore Support Vessels is to be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan and the development of the Anglo-Norwegian Memorandum of Understanding.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, by what date she expects the repair work on (a) St Ives and (b) Brownshill staunches to be completed.

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

The Environment Agency (EA) remains committed to maintaining and repairing these assets and has secured funding for repairs to St Ives Sluice and Brownshill Staunch Sluice through to 31 March 2027.

Subject to successful procurement and weather conditions, the EA expects major on-site works to commence during the summer and autumn of 2026, when river conditions are most suitable for construction. These on-site works are expected to be completed by March 2027.

The EA has set up a website to keep the local community up to date on both projects. I encourage you to share this website with your constituents.

St Ives Sluice and Brownshill Sluice | Engage Environment Agency

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by when does he expect the results of the a) army inquiry and b) safety investigation into the Ajax programme.

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

We will always put the safety of our personnel first; therefore, it is appropriate that the investigations are given adequate time to allow the underlying issues to be identified.

I will provide a written update to the House before the end of term.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many statements of requirements have been made by (a) Defence Equipment & Support, (b) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and (c) the British Army on the Ajax programme since 2010.

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

The term ‘statements of requirements’ is not used by the Ajax programme and therefore it is not possible to answer the hon. Member’s question.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what is the current planned completion date for the rebuild of Hinchingbrooke Hospital as part of the New Hospital Programme.

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

Pursuant to my answer of 11 February 2025 to Question 29225, the expected completion date will be confirmed following the approval of a Full Business Case as set out in HM Treasury’s Green Book and as is usual for large infrastructure projects.

Construction of the main hospital build at Hinchingbrooke Hospital is expected to commence in 2027/28 as set out in the published Plan for Implementation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 8th December 2025, to question 96358 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, a) how much money was spent and b) what specific work was completed under Project RARDEN in each of the past ten years.

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

There has been no money spent or specific work carried out under Project Rarden in the last ten years.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the High Value council tax surcharge in England will be paid from the public purse for the official residences at a) 10 Downing Street, b) 11 Downing Street, c) 1 Carlton Gardens, d) Dorneywood, e) Chequers, f) Chevening and e) the Admiralty House flat.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

HVCTS will be paid by property owners not residents. Where official residences are owned by the state, any tax will be paid to the Exchequer at no overall cost to the taxpayer.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the status of all Royal Navy frigates under construction and when is the first due to come into service.

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

As of December 2025, the Royal Navy has five of eight Type 26 City-class frigates and three of five Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates under construction at BAES and Babcock shipyards. The first Type 26, HMS Glasgow, is expected to enter service in the late 2020s, while the first Type 31, HMS Venturer, is planned to enter service by the end of the decade.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many submarines are due to be dismantled under the Submarine Dismantling Programme.

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

I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s interest in this area. There is currently one decommissioned submarine undergoing dismantling at Rosyth Dockyard (HMS Swiftsure). A further 22 decommissioned submarines are awaiting disposal: six are at Rosyth Dockyard, all defueled, and 16 at Devonport Dockyard, of which four are defueled and 12 are awaiting defueling.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel have failed hearing assessments after operating as vehicle crew within (a) roles and( b) units equipped with an (i) Ajax and (ii) Ajax-platform vehicle.

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

It will take time to collate and review the information needed to answer the hon. Member's question. I will write to him shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2025 to Question 93242 on Military Alliances: Space, what is included under the banner of space services.

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

The space services to which the UK assures access to include the following: (1) Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, (2) Position, navigation and timing, (3) Satellite communications, (4) Missile warning and tracking and (5) Environmental monitoring.

Maintaining assured access to these services is crucial as they provide critical support to the UK's joint force, thus enabling and enhancing the UK's military effectiveness.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many settlements for (a) bullying, (b) harassment, (c) discrimination, (d) physical and sexual abuse and (e) assault did his Department make in 2024-2025.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This answer covers employment tribunal settlements and common law compensation claim settlements.

For employment tribunal settlements, in some cases, it has been necessary to categorise harassment and discrimination together, where the claimant has alleged complaints of both within the same claim form.

Bullying: nil

Harassment and discrimination: seven settlements

Discrimination: six settlements

Physical and sexual abuse: nil

Assault: nil

For claims, the answer reflects settlement of common law compensation claims against the Ministry of Defence where bullying, harassment or discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual abuse and physical abuse or assault are the main causes of action. Settlements have been defined as claims where both compensation and claimant legal costs have settled. Given the way such claims are categorised and recorded, it is not possible to separate between bullying, harassment and discrimination. Sexual harassment and sexual abuse are categorised together, as are physical abuse and assault.

Bullying, harassment and discrimination: Eight settlements

Sexual harassment and sexual abuse: 12 settlements

Physical abuse and assault: Fewer than five settlements

This answer does not include any settlement of damages in 2024-2025 where legal costs have not been finalised. Numbers fewer than five are not provided in order to reduce the possible inadvertent disclosure of claimant identities.

Both the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and War Pensions Scheme (WPS) are no-fault schemes to pay compensation for injuries, illness or death caused or made worse by service. Awards are granted for injuries/illnesses/deaths and not specific events within their service. Identifying if the claimant has stated their injuries/illnesses/deaths were suffered as a result of clinical negligence would exceed the appropriate cost limit as it would require a manual file search of every claim file.

The Raising Our Standards Programme, launched in September 2024, is driving vital cultural change through improved education, training, reporting systems, and trust in leadership. We are strengthening reporting pathways to ensure employees feel safe to report and challenge behaviours. For non-criminal complaints, the MyComplaints App enables Service and Civil Servant personnel to raise issues outside their chain of command. The forthcoming Tri-service Complaints Unit will handle the most serious cases of bullying, harassment and discrimination.

Together, these initiatives create a culture where victim-survivors are supported through every route they choose, empowering them with autonomy and confidence. This commitment underpins a safer, more respectful environment for all personnel.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the lifespan of the RAAC within Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

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

The safety of staff and patients at the seven predominantly reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) hospitals remains our utmost priority.

An independent report, commissioned by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has confirmed that the seven RAAC hospitals can remain open beyond 2030 as a result of the continued efforts of trusts and the NHS England National RAAC programme to manage the presence of RAAC and deliver remediation, mitigation, and safety works. The report, published 12 December 2025, can be read in full at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/raac-strategic-planning-assessment-of-the-raac-7-hospitals

We will continue to support NHS England’s national RAAC programme with £1.6 billion across the next four years, from 2026/27 to 2029/30, to ensure sufficient funding to complete the planned RAAC remediation works and meet the additional RAAC monitoring and mitigation costs identified in the report.

Construction for all RAAC replacement schemes is currently planned to commence and substantially deliver between 2025 and 2030 as part of Wave 1 of the New Hospital Programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with (a) General Dynamics, (b) the Senior Responsible Officer and (c) the British Army on the Ajax programme since 23 July 2025.

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

Since the incident during Exercise Titan Storm last month, I have been having regular discussions with key stakeholders from the Army and Ajax Programme team, and I met with General Dynamics on 9 December 2025. I have provided further details to the House via two Written Ministerial Statements and an Urgent Question reply in addition.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vehicles have been purchased under the Boxer programme by variant.

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

623 vehicles have been contracted under the Mechanised Infantry Boxer Programme. The table below shows the breakdown by variant:

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made in delivering the cobalt autonomy stack for the Royal Navy.

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

Under Atlantic Bastion, announced in the Strategic Defence Review, the Royal Navy will be exploiting new technologies through a portfolio of crewed and uncrewed vehicles, sensors and nodes. The Cobalt Autonomy Stack acts as an autonomy and mission control layer, sitting above a fleet of mixed assets and connecting their sensors and effectors.

The Atlantic Bastion capability options submitted for consideration in the Defence Investment Plan include a blend of uncrewed systems, underwater payloads, options to increase lethality, and improvements to crewed platforms which are consistent with the transition to a Hybrid Navy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the full scope of the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Strike concept.

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

This Government remains firmly committed to the objectives set out in the Strategic Defence Review. The Royal Navy Warfighting Ready Plan 2029 provides an ambitious and strategic blueprint for how the Navy with strengthen and evolve its capabilities in line with the Strategic Defence Review, in order to fulfil its role to protect the nation and its interests at a time of growing maritime threat and technological advancement. Atlantic Shield and Strike form part of the Royal Navy Warfighting Ready Plan.

Atlantic Shield and Atlantic Strike will drive significant transformation over the next four years, subject to resource allocation through the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the full scope of the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Shield concept.

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

This Government remains firmly committed to the objectives set out in the Strategic Defence Review. The Royal Navy Warfighting Ready Plan 2029 provides an ambitious and strategic blueprint for how the Navy with strengthen and evolve its capabilities in line with the Strategic Defence Review, in order to fulfil its role to protect the nation and its interests at a time of growing maritime threat and technological advancement. Atlantic Shield and Strike form part of the Royal Navy Warfighting Ready Plan.

Atlantic Shield and Atlantic Strike will drive significant transformation over the next four years, subject to resource allocation through the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, following the decommissioning of HMS Lancaster, how many frigates are (a) in service and (b) undergoing maintenance with the Royal Navy.

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

Following the decommissioning of HMS Lancaster, the Royal Navy will have seven frigates in service, one frigate (HMS KENT) is currently undergoing planned deep maintenance. New Type 26 and Type 31 frigates are in build in Scotland currently.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, following the selection of the Leonardo AW149 as the British Army New Medium Helicopter, a) how many platforms will be purchased, in b) how many tranches and c) over what delivery timeline.

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

A formal decision on the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) competition has not yet been made. The second stage of the NMH competition commenced on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK.

Only Leonardo Helicopters UK elected to submit a tender which has been evaluated but since the competitive procurement process is still active, commercially sensitive information, including aircraft numbers, delivery timeline and value, cannot be confirmed.

Officials continue to consider the NMH business case as part of the Government’s approval process, with a decision to be made as part of the upcoming Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, following the selection of the Leonardo AW149 as the British Army New Medium Helicopter, what is the total value and size of the contract.

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

A formal decision on the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) competition has not yet been made. The second stage of the NMH competition commenced on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK.

Only Leonardo Helicopters UK elected to submit a tender which has been evaluated but since the competitive procurement process is still active, commercially sensitive information, including aircraft numbers, delivery timeline and value, cannot be confirmed.

Officials continue to consider the NMH business case as part of the Government’s approval process, with a decision to be made as part of the upcoming Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth (CP 1388), page 85, what progress he has made in establishing a coordinating authority for market engagement within the National Armaments Director Group.

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

We have taken the first steps to deliver the Defence Industrial Strategy commitment to strengthen early engagement with industry and integrate market insight into force and capability development. The Market Engagement Coordinating Authority has been initiated within the National Armaments Director Group and is now in its development phase. Work is underway to build out its full capability, with Initial Operating Capability planned for Q1 2026. Once operational, the Authority will bring coherence and transparency to Defence’s engagement with industry, unify Defence’s demand signals and enable structured engagement earlier in the capability development cycle, giving suppliers confidence to invest and helping accelerate acquisition.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the SG-1 Fathom will be brought into service.

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

Under Atlantic Bastion, announced in the Strategic Defence Review, the Royal Navy (RN) will be exploiting new technologies through a portfolio of crewed and uncrewed vehicles, sensors and nodes.

Helsing, who make the SG-1 Fathom, conducted a technology demonstration for the RN in December 2025. The Royal Navy are running a competition for Atlantic Net, which is the first phase of Atlantic Bastion, and in full adherence to commercial regulation, will conduct a fair and transparent assessment against peer proposals ahead of any contract award.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many soldiers were hospitalised or received hearing-related injuries in relation to the Ajax programme since 23 July 2025.

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

Since 23 July 2025, centrally held electronic systems show fewer than five personnel have had a hospital admission recorded since their first use of Ajax. None of these were related to Ajax, hearing or vibration.

In the same period, 27 personnel have had a hearing loss related read code entered into their electronic medical record since their first use of Ajax. However, the presence of read code does not imply either a long-term problem or that it has been caused by their use of Ajax. For any Service person their use of Ajax will be mixed with other potential sources of exposure. It is also possible that symptoms are not occupationally related.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether Ministers in her Department will have a role in the decision on the chosen option for local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Decisions on local government reorganisation proposals are subject to collective agreement across government.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the full scope of Project NYX.

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

Project NYX is a demonstrator to validate the concept of a Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform. Public information is available via the Defence Sourcing Portal, the Ministry of Defence’s tendering platform, and Find a Tender service.

The competition for Project NYX began on 28 November 2025 with the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire release. The Invitation to Tender will be issued week of 12 January 2026 and close 27 February 2026.

Completion will inform future procurement, with initial capability delivery expected from 2030. No decision has been made on platform numbers; these will depend on evolving strategies and requirements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System.

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

The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), has been considered as part of a suite of systems available for the AH-64E weapons load, providing the platform flexibility to engage a range of targets with a measured effect.

The procurement for UK AH-64E is ongoing with the capability due to be integrated and introduced on UK AH-64E by 2027. The potential for use on other platforms remains under review and no final procurement decisions have been made for these.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many a) FV432 and b) FV433 vehicles are currently in service with the British Army, broken down by variant.

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

There are zero FV432 or FV433 vehicles in service with the British Army.

None of the FV430 series of vehicles remain in service. These were modified under an Urgent Operational Requirement for operations in Iraq and subsequently re-designated as ‘BULLDOG’.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the full scope is of Project Nightfall.

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

The scope of Project NIGHTFALL is to rapidly develop and produce, at scale, tactical ballistic missiles with a range of at least 500km, alongside associated mobile launchers.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 11th December 2025 to question 90800 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the time taken to ensure that the programme has the required numbers of engineers on the ability to maintain the F-35 fleet.

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

The Department is taking measures to improve the recruitment and retention of engineers, whilst also increasing the number of engineers on the F-35 Lightning Force to improve availability.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of procuring the K9-Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer.

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

Many 155 mm Artillery systems, including K9-Thunder, were considered as candidates for the Army’s enduring artillery capability, prior to selection of the Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm for the Mobile Fires Platform.

The Army continues to evaluate its need against current conditions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 11th December 2025 to question 90800 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, what is the total size of the remuneration package for the RAF Engineers Financial Retention Incentive.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The total remuneration package for the RAF Engineers Financial Retention Incentive is approximately £113.5 million.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the a) feasibility and b) potential merits of extending the out-of-service date of Warrior beyond 2027.

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

There are no plans to extend the out-of-service date for Warrior beyond 2027, and as such an extension is not under consideration. The focus remains on achieving the Strategic Defence Review's vision for a tenfold increase in British Army lethality over the next decade, with survivable and lethal platforms, such as armoured fighting vehicles, playing a central role alongside new layered systems of attritable and consumable platforms.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the project stages and timeline are for the Challenger 3 programme.

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

Challenger 3 is currently undergoing demonstration phase trials to prove the performance of the tanks. Manufacturing will begin once the tank's performance is proven, rather than being tied to a specific deadline.

The project team will review the timeline regularly to ensure alignment with delivery milestones, operational needs, and emerging technical risks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the planned deadline for commencing the manufacturing phase of Challenger 3.

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

Challenger 3 is currently undergoing demonstration phase trials to prove the performance of the tanks. Manufacturing will begin once the tank's performance is proven, rather than being tied to a specific deadline.

The project team will review the timeline regularly to ensure alignment with delivery milestones, operational needs, and emerging technical risks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16th December 2025, to question 98210 on Submarines: Decommissioning, what is the schedule for (a) defueling the 12 remaining decommissioned submarines and (b) dismantling all remaining submarines.

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

The twelve decommissioned, first generation Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR1) submarines awaiting defuel in Devonport will dock in a specialised, licensed dock in Devonport, following processes regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation. The used fuel will be removed, loaded into a qualified transport container and transported to Sellafield prior to long-term storage in the Geological Disposal Facility. Submarines will be dismantled after the fuel has been removed. Work is underway to prepare the dock facilities and associated resources in line with plans to recommence defueling in 2026.

Dismantling of Swiftsure commenced in Rosyth in 2023. This demonstrator project will refine the disposal process and is on track to be dismantled by the end of 2026, achieving the commitment given to the Public Accounts Committee in 2019.  Lessons learned from these defuel and dismantling projects will provide more certainty around the schedule for defueling and dismantling the remaining 22 decommissioned submarines.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Quarterly service personnel statistics: 1 October 2025, what assessment has he made of the cause of the decrease of personnel in the Full-Time Trained Strength (RN/RM & RAF) and Full-Time Trade Trained Strength (Army) in the 12 months to 1 October 2025.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

UK Regular Armed Forces intake is now greater than outflow at the Tri-Service level and strength remained stable over a rolling 12-month period. Published stats (1 October 2025) show that since 1 October 2024, the total number of UK Forces Personnel has increased by 0.3% (increase of 516 to 182,063). Armed Forces inflow has increased by 13% when compared to previous 12-months. In the same period outflow reduced by 8%.

There is no single reason why personnel leave the Armed Forces, but the personnel who completed the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey indicated reasons for leaving the Armed Forces included the impact of Service life on family and personal life and opportunities outside the Armed Forces.

We are pleased to be reversing the trend of decline, with more people joining our Armed Forces than leaving for the first time in four years. But we know there is more to do to and are taking decisive action, including speeding up the process for those wishing to rejoin the Armed Forces, giving personnel the largest pay rise in decades and scrapping 100 outdated recruitment policies, and legislating the first-ever Armed Forces Commissioner to improve Service life.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16th December 2025, to question 98210 on Submarines: Decommissioning, what is the process for defueling decommissioned submarines.

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

The twelve decommissioned, first generation Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR1) submarines awaiting defuel in Devonport will dock in a specialised, licensed dock in Devonport, following processes regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation. The used fuel will be removed, loaded into a qualified transport container and transported to Sellafield prior to long-term storage in the Geological Disposal Facility. Submarines will be dismantled after the fuel has been removed. Work is underway to prepare the dock facilities and associated resources in line with plans to recommence defueling in 2026.

Dismantling of Swiftsure commenced in Rosyth in 2023. This demonstrator project will refine the disposal process and is on track to be dismantled by the end of 2026, achieving the commitment given to the Public Accounts Committee in 2019.  Lessons learned from these defuel and dismantling projects will provide more certainty around the schedule for defueling and dismantling the remaining 22 decommissioned submarines.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made in procuring a new 155mm self-propelled howitzer for the Royal Artillery.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 November 2025 to Question 88294, which remains extant.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the out-of-service date of the 105mm light gun.

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

On current plans, the Out of Service Date for L118 105 mm Light Gun is 2030.

Found: Representations from Members The following Members made oral representations: • Ben Obese-Jecty: Knife