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 potential impact of the time taken between developers signing the remediation contract and cases reaching the works contract signing stage on leaseholders.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Living in or owning an unsafe home without knowing when and how it will be made safe can have significant impact on the lives of residents and leaseholders. That is why we expect developers and owners to sign works contracts and make buildings safe as quickly as reasonably practicable, and to keep residents and leaseholders informed throughout in line with guidance in the Code of Practice for the Remediation of Residential Buildings. As part of the joint plan that we published in December 2024, developers committed to accelerate this work and government committed to support them in overcoming barriers such as disputes between developers and building owners over access license agreements and scope of remedial works.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with refence to the Council of Reserve Forces and Cadets’ Associations' Annual Statutory Report 2024, published on 17 December 2024, what steps he has taken to ensure training courses are adapted to take account of the needs of reservists.

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

We are very grateful for the work of the External Scrutiny Team in producing their Council of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations Annual Statutory Report 2024.

All Ministry of Defence (MOD) training courses are delivered in accordance with Defence Systems Approach to Training, including for Reservists; this is a formal iterative process to continually improve course delivery, integrate learning technologies and formally record student feedback, resulting in improved changes to Course Programmes.

Many Defence courses now offer a modular approach to completion via the Defence Learning Environment which tracks and accurately records student progress. This has provided significant flexibility, allowing Reservists to complete courses in a way that fits around their employment needs and family commitments.

Adaptations include tailoring to deliver training locally at weekends or in blocks of time that are accessible, allowing Reservists to balance their civilian and military commitments effectively.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the his Department's report entitled Reserve Forces Review 2030: Unlocking the reserves’ potential to strengthen a resilient and global Britain, published in May 2021, what targeted programmes exist to support those in (a) higher education and (b) further education to join the Reserves.

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

In line with recommendations made by the Haythornthwaite Review and the Pan Defence Skills Framework, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) believes there is value in recognising and accrediting the learning, experience and qualifications achieved by individuals outside of Defence.

There are a number of targeted programmes allowing those in higher and further education to experience the Armed Forces and potential careers in the Regular or Reserve Forces, including University Royal Navy Units (URNU), University Officer Training Corps and University Air Squadron students. As an example, since 2015 the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) has been running a condensed fast-track Phase 1 training programme in the summer months to deliberately align with longer student vacations. Since 2021 the programme has been extended to officer cadets of the URNU, with seamless transfer to the RNR as an option for successful trainees.

There are currently no specific funding options to incentivise higher or further education students to join the Maritime Reserves or Royal Air Force Reserves. Students wishing to join the Army Reserves as Officers can apply for a financial bounty for £1,200, paid in two stages, the first payment on enlistment and the second on completion of their training. The Army also has four support schemes available for students in sixth form and higher and further education, ranging from Army Scholarships worth £3,000 per candidate to a Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship whereby Candidates have their tuition fees paid and receive £5,000 per annum for three university years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of taking steps to increase recognition and accreditation of relevant civilian courses to facilitate recruitment of university students into the Reserves.

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

In line with recommendations made by the Haythornthwaite Review and the Pan Defence Skills Framework, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) believes there is value in recognising and accrediting the learning, experience and qualifications achieved by individuals outside of Defence.

There are a number of targeted programmes allowing those in higher and further education to experience the Armed Forces and potential careers in the Regular or Reserve Forces, including University Royal Navy Units (URNU), University Officer Training Corps and University Air Squadron students. As an example, since 2015 the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) has been running a condensed fast-track Phase 1 training programme in the summer months to deliberately align with longer student vacations. Since 2021 the programme has been extended to officer cadets of the URNU, with seamless transfer to the RNR as an option for successful trainees.

There are currently no specific funding options to incentivise higher or further education students to join the Maritime Reserves or Royal Air Force Reserves. Students wishing to join the Army Reserves as Officers can apply for a financial bounty for £1,200, paid in two stages, the first payment on enlistment and the second on completion of their training. The Army also has four support schemes available for students in sixth form and higher and further education, ranging from Army Scholarships worth £3,000 per candidate to a Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship whereby Candidates have their tuition fees paid and receive £5,000 per annum for three university years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what funding options are available to students in (a) higher education and (b) further education who commit to joining the Reserves.

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

In line with recommendations made by the Haythornthwaite Review and the Pan Defence Skills Framework, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) believes there is value in recognising and accrediting the learning, experience and qualifications achieved by individuals outside of Defence.

There are a number of targeted programmes allowing those in higher and further education to experience the Armed Forces and potential careers in the Regular or Reserve Forces, including University Royal Navy Units (URNU), University Officer Training Corps and University Air Squadron students. As an example, since 2015 the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) has been running a condensed fast-track Phase 1 training programme in the summer months to deliberately align with longer student vacations. Since 2021 the programme has been extended to officer cadets of the URNU, with seamless transfer to the RNR as an option for successful trainees.

There are currently no specific funding options to incentivise higher or further education students to join the Maritime Reserves or Royal Air Force Reserves. Students wishing to join the Army Reserves as Officers can apply for a financial bounty for £1,200, paid in two stages, the first payment on enlistment and the second on completion of their training. The Army also has four support schemes available for students in sixth form and higher and further education, ranging from Army Scholarships worth £3,000 per candidate to a Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship whereby Candidates have their tuition fees paid and receive £5,000 per annum for three university years.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Troika and (b) other partners on (i) monitoring and (ii) rapid diplomatic responses to escalations in the levels of atrocity risks in (A) Zamzam refugee camp, (B) Darfur and (C) Sudan.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign Secretary has raised the issue of increased atrocity risks in Sudan with a number of key regional and international actors. In December, the Foreign Secretary discussed protection of civilians in Sudan with Troika counterparts Secretary Blinken (US) and Foreign Minister Barth Eide (Norway). The Foreign Secretary also engaged with the African Union and African Security Council members during his visit to New York in November, including at a roundtable he hosted where he urged states to use their influence with the warring parties to push for improved humanitarian access in Sudan and protection of civilians. We will continue to use our engagements with international partners to pressure warring parties to comply with international humanitarian and human rights law.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps she has taken to help facilitate access to the UK for Palestinian family members of UK nationals in (a) Egypt and (b) Gaza.

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

Immediate family members of British citizens, and those settled in the UK, who wish to come and live in the UK and do not have a current UK visa can apply under one of the existing family visa routes. There are no plans to create a bespoke family reunion scheme at this stage.

Further details are available here: https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa

We will accept applications, which would normally have to be made in the country where the person is living, at any of the UK’s Visa Application Centres.

Visa Application Centres are open and operating in Egypt, in both Cairo and Alexandria, and Amman in Jordan. Application centres are also open and operating in Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv.

The FCDO is also providing consular assistance to those with British nationality, or dual nationality including British, who are in Gaza or who have left Gaza to a third country. Dual national British-Palestinians are not required to make a visa application as they have the right of abode in the UK. Our embassy staff are ready to provide support as appropriate.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with health and care stakeholders on the potential impact of the Strategic Defence Review on areas for which his Department is responsible; and whether his Department have made a submission to that Review.

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

Defence Medical Services is an important theme being considered by the Reviewers as part of One Defence and renewing the nation's contract with those who serve. During the Review and Challenge, there was a Panel dedicated to Defence Medical Services to provide robust challenge to submissions received from the Department into the Review. Now this phase has concluded, the Reviewers continue to iterate their final recommendations for the Prime Minister. The Review will be socialised across Whitehall, including with Department for Health and Social Care colleagues.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with (a) his Ukrainian counterpart, (b) MOAS, (c) other humanitarian charities and (d) other stakeholders on the value of frontline medical evacuation services provided by humanitarian charities in Ukraine.

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

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart on a number of issues. Through the FCDO, the UK Government continues to maintain close contact with humanitarian partners to support Ukraine, including with medical evacuation services.

The Ministry of Defence has a well-established route through which requests for support from the Government of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence are received and we carefully weigh how we commit UK taxpayer money, aligned with that demand signal.

Our humanitarian support to Ukraine now amounts to £477 million to Ukraine.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to compare the (a) recommendations and (b) objectives of (i) Strategic (A) Defence and (B) Security Reviews, (ii) Defence Industrial Strategies and (ii)) Defence Equipment Plans with the Defence outcomes achieved during the last 25 years.

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

The Ministry of Defence is committed to learning lessons from previous reviews and their implementation. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR), launched by the Prime Minister on 16 July, is taking a diverse range of views and evidence, including previous reviews, strategies and plans, into account to determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century, deliverable and affordable both within the resources available to Defence and within the trajectory to 2.5%. The SDR will ensure that Defence is central both to the security, and to the economic growth and prosperity, of the UK. The Reviewers will report to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Defence in the spring of 2025, and the Secretary of State will subsequently publish a version of that report to Parliament. More widely, Defence is undertaking the biggest reform programme in over 50 years, creating a stronger UK Defence centre to secure better value for money, better outcomes for our Armed Forces, and be better able to implement the SDR.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to learn lessons from the implementation of (a) Strategic (i) Defence and (ii) Security Reviews, (b) Defence Industrial Strategies and (c) Defence Equipment Plans over the last 25 years.

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

The Ministry of Defence is committed to learning lessons from previous reviews and their implementation. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR), launched by the Prime Minister on 16 July, is taking a diverse range of views and evidence, including previous reviews, strategies and plans, into account to determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century, deliverable and affordable both within the resources available to Defence and within the trajectory to 2.5%. The SDR will ensure that Defence is central both to the security, and to the economic growth and prosperity, of the UK. The Reviewers will report to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Defence in the spring of 2025, and the Secretary of State will subsequently publish a version of that report to Parliament. More widely, Defence is undertaking the biggest reform programme in over 50 years, creating a stronger UK Defence centre to secure better value for money, better outcomes for our Armed Forces, and be better able to implement the SDR.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help support access for UNRWA to northern Gaza.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable. I have raised the dire situation in the north of Gaza with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and the Israeli Ambassador to the UK, most recently on 3 January. We have repeatedly urged the Government of Israel to ensure that UNRWA can continue its vital operations across Gaza, including in our contacts with Israeli ministers, and at the UN Security Council in January. The Prime Minister underlined the UK's support for UNRWA by announcing, on 11 December, an additional £13 million for UNRWA to support vital services for Palestinian refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the region, bringing our support for UNRWA's work across the region to £41m this financial year.

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Chair); Mr Calvin Bailey; Alex Baker;

Found: Current membership Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour; Slough) (Chair) Mr Calvin Bailey (Labour; Leyton

Found: Current membership Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour; Slough) (Chair) Mr Calvin Bailey (Labour; Leyton

Found: Current membership Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour; Slough) (Chair) Mr Calvin Bailey (Labour; Leyton