Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Repeal Breed Specific Legislation
Gov Responded - 13 Jan 2022 Debated on - 6 Jun 2022 View 's petition debate contributionsThe Government should repeal breed specific provisions in dangerous dogs legislation. We believe these provisions are a flawed approach to public safety and an ethical failing with regards to animal welfare.
Stop the rising number of ear-cropped dogs in the UK
Gov Responded - 9 Mar 2021 Debated on - 7 Jun 2021 View 's petition debate contributionsLeading veterinary and welfare bodies are concerned by the alarming rise in ear-cropped dogs in the UK. Ear cropping is illegal in the UK and an unnecessary, painful mutilation with no welfare benefit. The practice involves cutting off part of the ear flap, often without anaesthesia or pain relief.
Ban the exploitative import of young puppies for sale in the UK.
Gov Responded - 8 Sep 2020 Debated on - 7 Jun 2021 View 's petition debate contributionsPlenty of dogs from UK breeders & rescues need homes. Transporting young pups long distances is often stressful, before being sold for ridiculous prices to unsuspecting dog-lovers. Government must adjust current laws, ban this unethical activity on welfare grounds & protect these poor animals ASAP.
The UK should ban the importation of Shark Fins.
Gov Responded - 3 Nov 2020 Debated on - 7 Jun 2021 View 's petition debate contributionsNow that we have left the EU, the UK has the ability to finally stop the importation of Shark Fins. They had previously stated that 'Whilst in the EU, it is not possible to unilaterally ban the import of shark fins into the UK.'
Do not give consent for another Scottish Independence Referendum
The SNP government appears solely intent on getting independence at any cost.
These initiatives were driven by Dave Doogan, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Dave Doogan has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Dave Doogan has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Dave Doogan has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Miscarriage Leave Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Angela Crawley (SNP)
The requested information is not available. The outcome of the Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) exercise was a single adjustment to a member’s pension. In a small number of cases a member’s pension may have been adjusted for other reasons and then subsequently changed again as a result of the GMP exercise.
The Cabinet Office is not responsible for the pension arrangements of Equiniti. 26,715 of around 700,000 pensioner members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme were affected following the Civil Service Pension Scheme Guaranteed Minimum Pension reconciliation and rectification exercise.
Civil Service Pension Scheme members were provided with detailed information about the change to their pension, along with any lump sum underpayment due to the member. In cases where pensions had been overpaid the overpayment was written-off and future pension payments adjusted to the correct level. Members requesting a complete breakdown of the calculations supporting these figures, following receipt of the detailed information about the change to their pension, were provided with the complete breakdown.
The reconciliation exercise compares member data held by the scheme with records held by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Where there is a discrepancy between the data sources the reason is investigated in order to reconcile the scheme data with the HMRC data which may result in changes to pensions in payment. Consideration of notional or payable Additional State Pension is not relevant to the reconciliation exercise.
The Cabinet Office is not responsible for the pension arrangements of Equiniti. 26,715 of around 700,000 pensioner members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme were affected following the Civil Service Pension Scheme Guaranteed Minimum Pension reconciliation and rectification exercise.
Civil Service Pension Scheme members were provided with detailed information about the change to their pension, along with any lump sum underpayment due to the member. In cases where pensions had been overpaid the overpayment was written-off and future pension payments adjusted to the correct level. Members requesting a complete breakdown of the calculations supporting these figures, following receipt of the detailed information about the change to their pension, were provided with the complete breakdown.
The reconciliation exercise compares member data held by the scheme with records held by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Where there is a discrepancy between the data sources the reason is investigated in order to reconcile the scheme data with the HMRC data which may result in changes to pensions in payment. Consideration of notional or payable Additional State Pension is not relevant to the reconciliation exercise.
The Cabinet Office is not responsible for the pension arrangements of Equiniti. 26,715 of around 700,000 pensioner members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme were affected following the Civil Service Pension Scheme Guaranteed Minimum Pension reconciliation and rectification exercise.
Civil Service Pension Scheme members were provided with detailed information about the change to their pension, along with any lump sum underpayment due to the member. In cases where pensions had been overpaid the overpayment was written-off and future pension payments adjusted to the correct level. Members requesting a complete breakdown of the calculations supporting these figures, following receipt of the detailed information about the change to their pension, were provided with the complete breakdown.
The reconciliation exercise compares member data held by the scheme with records held by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Where there is a discrepancy between the data sources the reason is investigated in order to reconcile the scheme data with the HMRC data which may result in changes to pensions in payment. Consideration of notional or payable Additional State Pension is not relevant to the reconciliation exercise.
Her Majesty’s Government is committed to maintaining high standards of conduct and probity, whilst making improvements where necessary to policies and processes which help support this.
There are a range of mechanisms in place to maintain and drive up standards, including Codes of Conduct (such as the Ministerial Code, Civil Service Code, Special Adviser Code), policies and guidance (such as Managing Public Money), and bodies and offices charged with overseeing aspects of government activity (for example the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and the Civil Service Commission). The Committee on Standards in Public Life also issues regular reports with ideas and recommendations for the Government and other public bodies to consider.
I also refer the Hon. Member to the written ministerial statement of 16 December 2021, Official Report, HCWS500, on the Government's anti-corruption strategy work.
No, CF Fertilisers UK Ltd is not currently in receipt of a Government subsidy to maintain production of CO2. A market-led agreement to supply CO2 is in place.
Smart meters are replacing traditional gas and electricity meters in Great Britain as part of an essential infrastructure upgrade to make the energy system more efficient and flexible, enabling the cost-effective delivery of net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Smart meters also provide households with accurate, near-real time information about energy consumption in pounds and pence via an In-Home Display, so consumers can easily understand how to use less and save money on their bills.
Energy suppliers are required by licence conditions to take all reasonable steps to install smart meters in homes and small businesses. This obligation expires at the end of June 2021 and will be replaced with a new four-year policy framework from 1 July 2021 with fixed annual installation targets for energy suppliers to drive the consistent, long-term investment needed to ensure that everyone can benefit from smart meters.
Smart meters are not mandatory for energy consumers, but the Government wants all homes and small businesses to be able to benefit from the financial savings and greater convenience of digital energy services, and as such smart meters will become the default metering technology used in Great Britain.
On 4 May 2020, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced a package of measures to protect students and higher education providers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This package was designed to stabilise university finances, including tuition fee income resulting from admissions, and to support our world-class higher education system to continue to deliver for all students and the wider economy. Details of the package can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-support-package-for-universities-and-students.
Furthermore, building on the stabilisation package and access to business support schemes, the government has also announced a further package of support to research within universities, including universities across Scotland. This includes £280 million of government funding as well as a package of low-interest loans with long pay-back periods, supplemented by a small amount of government grants. In sharing responsibility for the future of science and research with our world-leading university system, the government will cover up to 80% of a university’s income losses from international students for the academic year 2020/21, up to the value of their non-publicly funded research activity.
On 16 July, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced the higher education restructuring regime, of which details can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-restructuring-regime.
This will be deployed as a last resort, if a decision has been made to support a provider in England facing severe financial difficulties related to the COVID-19 outbreak, when other steps to preserve a provider’s viability and mitigate the risks of provider failure have not proved sufficient.
The UK government has invited ministers in the the Scottish government, the Welsh government and the Northern Ireland Executive to opt into the regime on behalf of higher education providers in their respective territories. Throughout the development of the higher education stabilisation package, we have shared our approach and thinking with the devolved administrations through regular engagement at a ministerial and official level.
There are several elements to the higher education stabilisation package which are applicable in Scotland, including temporary student number controls which apply to English-domiciled students studying at higher education providers in all devolved administrations; Clearing Plus, which applies to all UK higher education providers using UCAS; the International Education Strategy, including communications to prospective international students; and the Ministerial Taskforce on university research sustainability, which includes representation from the Scottish government. This is in addition to the UK-wide government support schemes such as the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CIBLS) and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).
Education in the United Kingdom is a devolved matter, so England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland each have their own education system. The UK government is responsible for England, whilst the Scottish government, the Welsh government and the Northern Ireland Executive are responsible for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively.
The turbulence of the market in light of the invasion of Ukraine, and the global spike in oil and gas prices, has brought into focus again the importance of a resilient global supply chain and the importance to our national resilience of having strong domestic food production.
Farmers are facing increased input costs including for fertiliser, feed and fuel. We continue to keep the market situation under review through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group, which monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade and recent developments. We have also increased our engagement with industry to supplement our analysis with real time intelligence. We have recognised that increasing input costs, particularly fertiliser, feed, fuel and energy, are creating short term pressures on cash flow for farmers.
The Government has taken a number of actions to support farmers. These include changes to statutory guidance to the Environment Agency on how they should implement the "Farming Rules for Water" to provide clarity to farmers on how they can use slurry and other manures during autumn and winter to meet agronomic needs; increased grants funding to help farmers and growers boost research and development; and a delay to changes to the use of urea by at least a year. When the urea restrictions are introduced, they will be related to the use of ammonia inhibitors rather than a complete ban. The Government has also announced that Direct Payments in England will be paid in two instalments each year for the remainder of the agricultural transition period, to help farmers with their cashflow.
Defra is working closely with the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) at every level to utilise opportunities to press the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) for the re-listing of the three affected UK pork processing plants. As part of this Defra has taken a number of steps, including those summarised below.
Defra, in collaboration with DIT and FCDO, continues to monitor the situation and to do all it can to resolve this issue. However, re-listing these establishments is ultimately in the gift of the GACC.
As set out in the recently published Action Plan for Animal Welfare we will be bringing in legislation to ban the import and export of detached shark fins.
We are making good progress with developing this legislation including consideration of the scope needed to ensure our measures are as effective as possible at delivering shark conservation benefits globally. These measures will demonstrate our continuing leadership on shark conservation issues and signal our strong opposition to any ongoing finning practices.
From 21 April 2021, low risk pigeon racing can take place from locations not on mainland Europe, provided organisers notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency at least seven days before the event and that they meet the requirements of the General Licence. For a full list of what is permitted see the guidance for bird gatherings on gov.uk. Definitive requirements are set out in the published General Licence for the relevant administration (England, Wales and Scotland)
Selecting the additional operators for the extended Seasonal Workers Pilot is a two-stage process. Defra conducted the first stage, which was the Request for Information (RFI) exercise inviting responses by 29 January 2021. Information on the selection criteria and scoring mechanisms is published online here:
Defra has now completed the RFI exercise and in doing so proposed two additional operators to the Home Office, who are now conducting the second-stage of approval and licensing.
Since leaving the EU, we are an independent trading nation and we will use our voice to champion free trade and lower barriers to trade.
In line with these ambitions, I am pleased to confirm that there is an established process for obtaining model Export Health Certificates (EHCs) for exports of animal by-products. Agreed EHCs for all commodities can be obtained from GOV.UK. Applicants can use the website to search, view and apply for the relevant Export Health Certificate to facilitate trade in their commodity.
In addition to this, some Export Health Certificates are even more accessible, and can be applied for via the EHC online system which reduces some of the manual procedures previously in place. This process is under iterative review in order to ensure improvements can be made for the future.
The public consultation ended on 25 February and we are currently analysing all the responses we received; we will be publishing the Government response in due course.
There is a constant engagement between Defra officials and our counterparts in the EU to discuss issues regarding agri-food goods at the borders as they are reported. Through these channels, and through our regular meetings with industry representatives, we’re closely monitoring live issues and working to resolve them. Officials also hold regular technical meetings with experts from the UK and Member States to ensure that border issues are quickly resolved, including multiple engagements between the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer and their counterparts in EU Member States to further develop mutual understanding on controls and checks that are necessary at borders. The Secretary of State will also continue to engage directly with his counterparts in the EU and beyond.
At the end of the EU Exit Transition Period, all extant EU maximum residue levels (MRLs) were carried over into the pesticides regulatory regime in place in Great Britain. These have not changed since and there is currently no difference between the EU and GB MRL for potatoes for 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene (1,4-DMN). The 1,4-DMN MRL therefore applies to both domestic produce and produce imported from the EU. The key difference is in which pesticides are authorised for use in each country.
As of 1 January 2021, there is an autonomous pesticides regime in Great Britain. This means that the UK Government and the devolved administrations take our own decisions about which pesticides to authorise for use, based on scientific assessment of the risks. We may therefore sometimes take different decisions to countries in the EU or elsewhere. Last year, our regulator, the Health and Safety Executive, passed concerns arising from their risk assessment for 1,4-DMN to the EU for them to take into account.
In the meantime, emergency authorisations have been granted by all four UK administrations allowing limited and controlled use of a 1,4-DMN product.
We aim to establish a formal MRL review programme in the next few years and we are able to review MRLs when necessary, for example, to protect public health.
Before a pesticide can be used, its active substance must be approved and the pesticide itself must be authorised. Decisions on approval and authorisation are based on an assessment of the risks posed to people and to the environment. Such decisions are devolved and so are taken by the relevant government or by the Health and Safety Executive on its behalf. Decisions on the authorisation of pesticides for use in Scotland are not, therefore, taken by the UK Government.
The active substance 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene (1,4-DMN) is approved but at present there is no authorised product. All four UK governments have granted an emergency authorisation allowing the limited and controlled use until 31 May of a 1,4-DMN product to prevent sprouting of harvested potatoes. This emergency authorisation is granted in recognition of the need for sprout suppression and the lack, in certain circumstances, of alternative means of control.
Potatoes treated with 1,4-DMN are only permitted to be imported from the EU or elsewhere if the level of the chemical is below a statutory Maximum Residue Level of 15 mg/kg.
I apologise for the further delay in responding. A reply was issued to the hon. Member for Angus on 23 February 2021.
Defra ministers agreed a policy proposed by Defra officials and cleared with Devolved Administration (DA) colleagues to accept EU seed potatoes for 6 months beyond the end of the transition period, until 30 June. This policy was a change from an original policy to block EU seed potatoes entirely, to protect Scotland's specialist industry. The policy options regarding the import of seed potatoes from the EU were discussed between officials of all four administrations and industry organisations. In the absence of a reciprocal agreement with the EU, the original preference was to block EU seed potatoes immediately after the transition period. However, the coordinated request from three organisations representing interests across the potato industry, and the UK Government’s concern that entirely blocking EU potatoes, could prove detrimental to a reciprocal agreement in the longer term, led us to revisit the policy. The industry organisations expressed concerns that although the UK is broadly self-sufficient in the total quantity of seed potato production, it does not currently produce the range of varieties required by the UK market. They also explained that the transitional provisions in the Withdrawal Agreement for goods on the market were unhelpful for seed potatoes because of the need for specialist storage. To address both issues, their request was to allow EU seed potatoes to be imported for planting in spring 2021 to provide a further period of adaptation. This led to the final proposal to accept EU seed potatoes in England and Wales until June 2021, supporting the industry as it adapts.
Defra officials and the DAs re-visited the policy following a joint letter from industry organisations representing both seed and ware potato growers. They proposed a compromise policy to accept EU seed potatoes for a limited time to ensure supply for the Spring growing season. This policy was discussed and agreed with the DAs and a sixth month period of grace was proposed, in line with other 'standstill' policies.
I apologise for the delay in responding. Defra is currently dealing with high volumes of correspondence due to Covid-19. A reply to the hon. Member is being prepared and will be issued very shortly.
Over the past two years, Defra has put in place new veterinary export health certificates to facilitate the export of processed animal proteins from terrestrial animals to Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nigeria and Pakistan. We do not currently know the value of these new markets but the gross value of the annual trade to all non-EU markets is approximately £40million. There are now 23 veterinary export health certificates available to support this trade to countries outside the EU.
Defra is aware that UK renderers wish to export even further afield and that many of the authorities in those destination countries require consignments to be accompanied by a veterinary export health certificate and meet stringent import conditions. Defra continues to work with UK rendering companies to maintain and expand its range of veterinary export health certificates supporting the export of processed animal protein to their priority destination countries.
Defra is in regular discussions with businesses on the Export Health Certificate (EHC) requirements for products sent to Northern Ireland and the EU which contain processed animal protein (PAP).
Mammalian PAP must have been processed in a region which is, under the international rules, in the negligible risk category for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). It must have been processed by pressure sterilisation (known as ‘Method 1’). This means mammalian PAP products from Great Britain cannot be certified for export to Northern Ireland or the EU.
This issue was raised in our discussions with the EU last year and we continue to look at options to negotiate a position on trade.
We continue to hold discussions regularly with the rendering industry. We have worked with other countries to obtain additional export health certificates for PAP, meaning we were able to open markets for these products elsewhere.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement delivers on the Government's promise to take the UK out of the EU's customs territory and to regain control of our borders. We have always been clear that this means there will be new customs processes on goods being moved from GB into the EU and vice versa. The Agreement will help to manage the burden of non-tariff barriers for businesses by supporting efficient customs arrangements covering all trade in goods, while ensuring that we will be free to regulate our own market as we see fit. In addition, the agreement enables both sides to further reduce costs in the longer term. For example, we have agreed to explore the possibility of sharing import and export declaration data, including by setting up pilot programmes, where appropriate, with a view to reducing administrative burdens on business.
Importantly, this Agreement ensures there will be zero tariffs or quotas on trade between the UK and the EU, where goods meet the relevant rules of origin, and includes provisions to facilitate trade and address non-tariff barriers for UK exports to the EU and vice versa. It will therefore provide Scottish businesses with exceptional access to the EU's market and help them continue to trade smoothly: it is the first time the EU has ever agreed a zero tariff, zero quota deal.
We have already struck deals with more than 58 countries around the world, worth £198 billion a year - including with Canada, Japan and Singapore, with many more to come. This will benefit Scottish businesses, and create new markets for Scotland's exporters. It allows us to continue to have a close relationship with our European friends and neighbours, while we take our place in the world with an independent trade policy, acting as a global force for good.
Defra works closely with industry bodies and leaders, regularly speaking with recruiters, growers, unions and associations, and making use of all available information and evidence to understand the labour supply picture for the agri-food supply chain.
Industry reports that supply of seasonal labour has been sufficient across the main horticultural sectors so far this year. Through the ‘Pick for Britain’ campaign, Defra has collaborated with industry to raise the profile of seasonal work on farms. The Pick for Britain website has received nearly 2 million unique page views since its launch but Defra does not hold any information about specific vacancies, interviews or people in jobs as that information is held by individual companies.
The horticultural sector will continue to be able to rely on EU nationals living in the UK with settled or pre-settled status. Around 3.7 million EU citizens and their families have been granted settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and the application deadline is not until 30 June 2021. EU nationals who have settled status can continue to travel to the UK to do seasonal work in 2021.
On 19 February, the Government announced that the annual quota for this second year of the?Seasonal Workers Pilot scheme would increase from 2,500 to 10,000 places. The Pilot has provided thousands of non-EU workers to farms across the UK this year to undertake seasonal employment in the edible horticulture sector.
Defra will continue to work closely with the Home Office on seasonal agricultural workers and the needs of the sector.
A reply to the hon. Member’s correspondence is being prepared and will be sent out very shortly.
I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon Member. Defra is currently dealing with unprecedented volumes of correspondence due to COVID-19. A reply to the hon. Member’s correspondence is being prepared and will be sent out very shortly.
As with any government change like this, the announcement came first to Parliament. Baroness Sugg meets British Development Civil Society Organisations regularly. Strong consultation with a wide range of partners will continue to be a key component of our work to create the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Ministers have raised this issue with their Chinese counterparts. The Department continues to press the Chinese authorities for a swift resolution and is working closely with affected UK pork processing plants.
Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein provide a preferential rate of 0% for cod imports from Britain. In 2020, we exported approximately £1 million (382 tons) of cod to Norway. British exporters of cod will not face tariff barriers in future trade with any of these countries.
Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein provide a preferential rate of 0% for cod imports from Britain. In 2020, we exported approximately £1 million (382 tons) of cod to Norway. British exporters of cod will not face tariff barriers in future trade with any of these countries.
We have launched negotiations with both the US and Japan and we want to secure ambitious trade deals that benefit every part of the UK. Scotland is expected to be a particularly strong beneficiary from both deals.
As of 13 May 2022:
The waiting time for a practical car test at Arbroath is five weeks.
In 2019, 11 practical car driving tests were carried out, on average, per week, at Arbroath. 12 practical driving tests were carried out, on average, per week, at Arbroath between 1 January and 1 May 2022.
As of 13 May 2022:
The waiting time for a practical car test at Arbroath is five weeks.
In 2019, 11 practical car driving tests were carried out, on average, per week, at Arbroath. 12 practical driving tests were carried out, on average, per week, at Arbroath between 1 January and 1 May 2022.
Defra, who hold responsibility for the food sector, has well established ways of working with the food industry to monitor issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. Our focus has been to work with our Kent Resilience Forum partners to solve the disruption in Kent as quickly as possible to support all hauliers, recognising the work they have done alongside Port of Dover, Eurotunnel and operators to get people moving as quickly as possible under difficult circumstances.
A reply to the correspondence referred to was sent by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency on 21 October. The reply included an apology for the delay in responding.
The Department has made no assessment of the level of economic development achievable by investing in maritime decarbonisation in the UK’s coastal communities. However, in 2019, alongside the Clean Maritime Plan, the Department published an assessment which identified that low and zero emissions shipping could result in potential economic benefits to the UK of around £360-£510 million per year by the middle of the century.
Maritime UK has published its views that investment in maritime decarbonisation could in future create jobs in all four nations of the United Kingdom, particularly in coastal communities with a tradition of maritime economic activity, including shipbuilding.
Industry research estimates that in 2017 the UK maritime sector as a whole directly supported more than 220,000 jobs for UK employees.
As of 31 March 2021, the employees of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency are broken down as follows, this includes permanent and fixed term employees:
England - 926
Scotland -161
Northern Ireland - 41
Wales – 108
Her Majesty’s Coastguard is a Directorate within the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and therefore is included in the figures above. Disaggregating Her Majesty’s Coastguard figures from above, permanent and fixed term employees within Her Majesty’s Coastguard Directorate as of 31 March 2021 are:
England - 334
Scotland -114
Northern Ireland - 28
Wales – 57
Her Majesty’s Coastguard has on contract two types of search and rescue helicopter. These are the Sikorsky S 92 and the AgustaWestland (Leonardo) AW189.
The dedicated search and rescue helicopters operate from the following locations:
Sikorsky S92 AgustaWestland 189
Sumburgh Inverness
Stornoway Prestwick
Humberside St Athan
Caernarfon Lydd
Newquay Lee on the Solent
Her Majesty’s Coastguard has on contract one Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) – which is an Anchor Handling Tug. The ETV is permanently stationed off the northern coasts of Scotland.
In summary, as well as the services of Her Majesty's Coastguard, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency manages the UK Ship Register and carries out its ship survey and inspection roles as both as a Flag and a Port State. Through its survey and inspection regime, it enforces standards for ship safety, security, pollution prevention and seafarer health and safety.
It also provides seafarer examinations and certification services and provides regulatory and policy advice on matters including fishing vessel safety, civil hydrography, navigation safety and future technologies. The Maritime & Coastguard Agency promotes maritime standards and encourages economic growth.
The budget for Her Majesty’s Coastguard for each of the last five years is as follows:
Financial Year Budget (£)
2016-17 242,355,780
2017-18 260,745,074
2018-19 248,005,106
2019-20 259,397,741
2020-21 271,058,746
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is now planning to resume driver training and testing in line with the Prime Minister’s road map announcement. In England, this will be no earlier than 12 April 2021, providing the data shows it is safe to move on to this next step.
Dates for Scotland and Wales remain subject to agreement with the devolved administrations.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) does not hold data on a candidate’s occupation, or reason for taking a test, when they apply for a routine theory or practical test. The DVSA will be making tests available in all licence categories when it is safe to do so.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is now planning to resume driver training and testing in line with the Prime Minister’s road map announcement. In England, this will be no earlier than 12 April 2021, providing the data shows it is safe to move on to this next step.
Dates for Scotland and Wales remain subject to agreement with the devolved administrations.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) does not hold data on a candidate’s occupation, or reason for taking a test, when they apply for a routine theory or practical test. The DVSA will be making tests available in all licence categories when it is safe to do so.
In order for a Paying Parent to claim mileage and travel costs through a variation, they must provide the Child Maintenance Service with the total distance in order for the Service to calculate the costs correctly. This ensures the calculation is a fair reflection of the additional costs incurred by the Paying Parent and meets the requirements set out in legislation. This also ensures transparency in decision making so that both parents are able challenge any decision that affects the child maintenance liability.
The safety of all customers is a priority for the Service and it will never share sensitive personal details that could reveal the location of either parent.
The UK has no plans to change its longstanding policy position.
Throughout the Covid-19 outbreak, we have been committed to making sure people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment in a timely manner. To ensure continuity of payments to our customers, in the early stage of the pandemic we extended existing awards with a review date 9 months to ensure that a review could take place before the end of the award. Reviews are an integral part of PIP to ensure that our customers are receiving the correct level of award.
The Department responded by email to Dave Doogan MP, Scottish National Partly Angus, on 26 March 2021.
We have recently streamlined and improved the assessment process, to take a more nuanced view of applications while maintaining a high standard for Kickstart jobs. These changes mean that more applications are likely to be successful. We have also continued to improve and expand our guidance to help employers understand what we are looking for when assessing applications.
We aim to process all applications within four weeks, we recognise this may not always have been possible. We have reprioritised staff resources to deliver the DWP’s Kickstart Scheme to meet the demand from the large number of supportive employers.
The department has worked with a wide range of stakeholders, including gateway organisations since the scheme was announced and will continue to do so.
We have recently improved the assessment process to allow us to consider an application in full to make a decision. We have also continued to improve and expand our guidance to make sure employers know what we are looking for when assessing applications. Whilst maintaining a high standard for Kickstart jobs, these changes will mean that more applications are likely to be successful.
We aim to make a decision on an application within four weeks of receiving it, although this can take longer if more information needs to be gathered. Approved Gateways can get in touch with their local or national Kickstart scheme contact for information about how to add job placements or employers to their existing grant agreements.
The health and safety of our claimants and staff is our key priority. As a result, all face to face assessments for sickness and disability benefits have remained suspended since March 2020.
We are assessing as many people as we are able to on paper evidence or via telephone assessments. Individuals invited for a telephone assessment are encouraged to inform their assessment provider of any additional requirements they may have, and the provider will endeavour to meet any reasonable requests. This is explained to the individual in the initial invitation letter for all telephone assessments. For example, companions are able to join a telephone assessment, as they could for a face to face assessment.
There will be some claimants for whom unfortunately there is insufficient evidence to make a decision on paper and who are unable to undertake a telephone assessment because of their health condition. We continue to develop and implement ways in which we can safely assess these individuals. For example, we are currently testing ways of supporting claimants with speech and hearing difficulties to safely participate in telephone assessments and continue to test video assessments. Claimants who we are unable to assess by telephone or video because of their health condition, in particular those not entitled to UC, will be prioritised when we are able to safely resume face to face assessments.
The health and safety of our claimants and staff is our key priority. As a result, all face to face assessments for sickness and disability benefits have remained suspended since March 2020.
We are assessing as many people as we are able to on paper evidence or via telephone assessments. Individuals invited for a telephone assessment are encouraged to inform their assessment provider of any additional requirements they may have, and the provider will endeavour to meet any reasonable requests. This is explained to the individual in the initial invitation letter for all telephone assessments. For example, companions are able to join a telephone assessment, as they could for a face to face assessment.
There will be some claimants for whom unfortunately there is insufficient evidence to make a decision on paper and who are unable to undertake a telephone assessment because of their health condition. We continue to develop and implement ways in which we can safely assess these individuals. For example, we are currently testing ways of supporting claimants with speech and hearing difficulties to safely participate in telephone assessments and continue to test video assessments. Claimants who we are unable to assess by telephone or video because of their health condition, in particular those not entitled to UC, will be prioritised when we are able to safely resume face to face assessments.
Yes - claimants who were previously in receipt of legacy benefits who migrated to and were awarded Universal Credit can re-apply for Universal Credit if that award has ended. Universal Credit will then be re-awarded if they meet the conditions of entitlement.
The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
All patients in custody in England, including veterans, receive a range of services, including healthcare screening within 24 hours of reception and a follow up seven days later, as well as primary care, mental health, substance use, public health and secondary care services and support during the sentence or remand period.
In conjunction with Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and armed forces charities, NHS England and NHS Improvement also commissions services for veterans in prisons, which includes the Veterans Regroup pathfinder service for veterans in the criminal justice system in the Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire areas.
In England, children of armed forces personnel are supported by mainstream National Health Service mental health services.
They also have access to support via the veterans mental health Transition Intervention and Liaison Service and Complex Treatment Services, who offer health assessments and signposting to local services.
To improve this offer, NHS England and NHS Improvement are currently preparing an England wide engagement to seek the views of armed forces families to help inform care and support for this group.
In England the National Health Service continuously reviews the services it provides. Veterans are able to access all mainstream NHS services as well as the dedicated veteran specific services NHS England and NHS Improvement have set up. The assurance and quality of all NHS services is undertaken by the Care Quality Commission.
As a result of this ongoing review and feedback from veterans, their families and Service Charities, NHS England and NHS Improvement established two dedicated veteran’s mental health services, Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service and the Complex Treatment Service. NHS England and NHS Improvement are also in the process of developing a High Intense Service to help those individuals nearing crisis.
The UK Government is committed to supporting the UK agricultural industry and restoring all exports of pork products to China. In July I [Minister Adams] met representatives from the relevant UK companies, and we understand that a number of companies, from a range of countries, share similar concerns. Foreign Secretary raises trade issues whenever he speaks to State Councillor Wang Yi, including most recently on 19 August. I [Minister Adams] made representations to the Chinese Ambassador on 8 September. In addition, the Secretary of State for International Trade and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have each written to their Chinese counterparts. Finally, Her Majesty's Ambassador to China and officials in the British Embassy in Beijing have lobbied repeatedly on this issue.
An individual’s National Insurance record is a living entity that can be updated at any time through routine ‘business as usual’ reviews or if additional information is received from Pension Scheme Administrators and/or employers. Any of these updates to the National Insurance record could result in a change to the Guaranteed Minimum Pension value held on HMRC records.
The Barnett formula has been applied to spending on Crossrail as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy. Crossrail is classified as local transport, which is devolved in Scotland, so spending on Crossrail feeds through into Barnett-based funding for the Scottish Government.
The Barnett formula determines changes in the Scottish Government’s funding, not the overall funding, and is applied at departmental level at Spending Reviews. Barnett consequentials don’t therefore reflect the funding provided to the Scottish Government in relation to specific programmes or projects.
The Block Grant Transparency publication sets out the breakdown of Barnett consequentials for the Scottish Government.
HMRC is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this information monthly, as a National Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics (OTS), which is available via their dedicated website: www.uktradeinfo.com. From this website, it is also possible to build your own data tables based upon bespoke search criteria: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table.
Potash falls within commodity code chapter heading 281520: ‘Sodium hydroxide “caustic soda”, potassium hydroxide “caustic potash”; peroxides of sodium or potassium’. Forms of potash are also used in fertilisers and fall within commodity code chapter heading 3104. The full commodity code would depend on the specific compounds of the potash.
A data table showing the volumes of potash and fertilisers containing potash that were imported into the UK in the last six months compared to the last three years is provided separately.
Since 25 February 2021, employees can check if their employer made a CJRS claim on their behalf for periods from December 2020 onwards through their online Personal Tax Account (PTA). Details of CJRS claims are updated monthly in PTAs.
If an employee thinks their employer is incorrectly claiming for them, they should talk to their employer about this in the first instance to rectify this if they feel comfortable doing so.
Anyone who suspects a fraudulent claim has been made can report it to HMRC’s Fraud Hotline. HMRC operates a Fraud Hotline service which allows members of the public to submit allegations of fraud relating to all of its COVID-19 schemes, including CJRS. The public can access this reporting service by searching 'report tax fraud' on GOV.UK or, for urgent and time critical matters, by telephone on 0800 788 887, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. HMRC encourages the public to use its online form wherever possible as it remains the most efficient way of informing HMRC of potential wrongdoing.
HMRC will check claims made through the scheme. Payments may be withheld or need to be repaid in full to HMRC if the claim is based on dishonest or inaccurate information or found to be fraudulent.
The Northern Ireland Protocol entails some new administrative processes for traders, notably new digital import declaration requirements and digital safety and security information for goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. Processes are fully digital and eligible to be facilitated by the Trader Support Service (TSS). There are no export or exit declarations needed for goods leaving Great Britain for Northern Ireland.
The TSS is a free, optional service which supports all businesses affected by the Protocol. It can complete declarations on behalf of traders so that they do not need to engage directly with new digital customs systems or processes and in most cases traders will not need their own XI EORI number. Traders can register by going to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/trader-support-service.
As well as the TSS, the Government has provided a range of support for traders affected by the Protocol, including:
For over a year, the Government has been working to help businesses to understand and prepare for their new obligations, including customs paperwork for export to the EU. The Government will continue to assess carefully how traders are adapting to the new customs arrangements over the next few weeks and months.
The Government undertook significant readiness activity prior to 1 January, identifying key customer groups and delivering a high volume of targeted communications and engagement, including sending over 11 million letters and emails and hosting 50 webinars with over 30,000 attendees to date, preparing businesses for the new rules.
Through the cross-Government campaign since August the Government has reached 41m adults (15+) and 16m business decision makers through radio, and 18m adults (15+) and 3.5m business decision makers through print and digital articles, promoting key readiness messaging for importers and exporters.
The Government will continue to run this comprehensive engagement campaign with regular (and increasingly directive) letters to VAT registered traders, targeted phone calls and emails, events, webinars and video tutorials. Regular engagement with business representative organisations and devolved governments continues, with emphasis on trader readiness.
As well as providing extensive communications and guidance helping traders, the Government has made available grants of up to £1,000 per organisation for any importer and or exporter who is new to customs to support the cost of customs training. The grants have in particular helped small businesses to understand customs processes and to provide accurate information to intermediaries; for example, for entries into declarants’ records.
Recognising the impact of coronavirus on businesses’ ability to prepare, the Government has taken the pragmatic and flexible decision to introduce new border controls in three stages up until 1 July 2021, giving industry extra time to adjust to the new procedures. The priority from 1 January is reminding traders and the border industry about staged controls for imports and other temporary contingency milestones and supporting them to embed the new processes.
The Government will continue to provide support for the rest of this year.
The Government recognises the challenging times facing the coach sector as a result of Covid-19, and firms experiencing difficulties are able to draw upon the unprecedented package of cross-economy measures the government has put in place, including Time to Pay flexibilities with tax bills, financial support for employees and tax deferrals. These measures have been designed to ensure that firms of any size receive the help they need to get through this difficult time.
As part of my regular engagement with industry leaders, I recently met with representatives of the coach sector to better understand their situation. I encourage the sector to continue to engage with the Department of Transport on the matters discussed.
HMRC have been in contact with Mr Doogan’s office in relation to these letters and are now working on their response as a priority. There has been a delay caused by the letters being sent to an incorrect email address.
The HMRC Director responsible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, Paul Riley, duly replied to the Honourable Member’s letter on 18 September 2020. HMRC apologise for the delay in responding.
VAT is a broad based tax on consumption and the twenty per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services.
Relief from the standard rate is already available on the sale and installation of certain energy-saving materials such as insulation, draught stripping and solar panels if certain conditions are met.
Although there are no plans to extend the scope of the relief already in place, the Government keeps all taxes under review.
A temporary zero-rate of VAT applies to sales of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for protection from infection from 1 May 2020 until 31 July 2020. The temporary relief has been introduced as an urgent response to the coronavirus emergency. Its main objective is to relieve businesses, particularly in the healthcare and residential care sectors, of the burden of tax on essential infection protection equipment needed to deal with the emergency.
All taxes are kept under review and Government will reassess the situation in the future.
HM Treasury has received unprecedented amounts of correspondence since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, and apologises for the delay in responding to the Honourable Member. The Honourable Member’s correspondence is receiving attention and will be replied to as soon as possible.
Customers granted leave under the Ukraine Extension Scheme are normally granted for a period of 36 months and are able to access work, study and public funds. They are not restricted in the work they can undertake from an immigration point of view.
Employment contracts between an employee and employer are not something the Home Office would be involved in under the Ukraine Extension Scheme.
Issues with recruitment in the Hospitality sector are not unique to the UK, with reports of similar issues in the USA, the Republic of Ireland and Spain. This indicates factors other than immigration policy need to be considered to resolve these issues.
Several roles in the hospitality sector (including chefs and managerial roles) are eligible for the Skilled Worker route in the Points Based System. Modelling by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) suggest the new, lower salary and expanded skills thresholds, strike a reasonable balance between controlling immigration and business access to labour.
Other roles will need to be filled from the resident workforce and those with full work rights, including the 6.5 million applicants under our EU Settlement Scheme, dependants of work visa holders, and those coming to the UK under our new Ukraine Schemes, the British National (Overseas) route, the Graduate route and Youth Mobility Schemes.
Further advice from the MAC has been against the creation of sector specific visa routes.
Issues with recruitment in the Hospitality sector are not unique to the UK, with reports of similar issues in the USA, the Republic of Ireland and Spain. This indicates factors other than immigration policy need to be considered to resolve these issues.
Several roles in the hospitality sector (including chefs and managerial roles) are eligible for the Skilled Worker route in the Points Based System. Modelling by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) suggest the new, lower salary and expanded skills thresholds, strike a reasonable balance between controlling immigration and business access to labour.
Other roles will need to be filled from the resident workforce and those with full work rights, including the 6.5 million applicants under our EU Settlement Scheme, dependants of work visa holders, and those coming to the UK under our new Ukraine Schemes, the British National (Overseas) route, the Graduate route and Youth Mobility Schemes.
Further advice from the MAC has been against the creation of sector specific visa routes.
Our priority will always be to keep our communities safe, and we make no apology for seeking to remove those with no right to remain in the UK.
For commercial reasons, we are unable to disclose the name of our contractor for this operation. Charter flight operations are an important means to remove individuals with no right to remain in the UK where there are limited scheduled routes. We manage the charter programme flexibly, balancing it with use of scheduled flights to best respond to operational needs. Costs for individual flights will vary based on a number of different factors and are regularly reviewed to ensure that best value for money is balanced against the need to remove those individuals with no right to remain in the UK.
The endless merry go round of late legal claims – which are often unfounded or without merit – can result in people being removed from flights at the last minute. However, our New Plan for Immigration will stop the abuse of the system and expedite the removal of those who have no right to be here.
Unaccompanied minors are only eligible under the Homes for Ukraine scheme if they are reuniting with a parent or legal guardian in the UK – this is outlined in the Immigration Rules.
Data on the number of people issued under Homes for Ukraine can be found on the GOV.UK webpage: Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) visa data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
As part of extending the Seasonal Worker visa route until the end of 2024, we have followed through on the recommendation made by the Migration Advisory Committee in their report of September 2018, which stated:
‘If a seasonal agriculture worker scheme was introduced we recommend that employers pay a higher minimum wage in return for the privileged access to labour this scheme would give the sector in order to encourage increases in productivity.’
The Government has introduced a minimum hourly rate of pay for the Seasonal Worker route as part of a wider package of work being jointly delivered with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, seeking to ensure the welfare of participating migrant workers, and in particular to reduce the risks of debt bondage.
The Government published a review of the seasonal worker route on 24 December 2021, that clearly set out the types of migrant welfare issues we have identified within this route. The Director of Labour Market Enforcement has also flagged the agriculture sector, and specifically seasonal workers, as presenting a high risk for labour marker exploitation.
It is not the purpose of the UK immigration system to provide UK growers with a guaranteed source of cheap labour, or to perpetuate conditions which would not be acceptable to resident workers. The increase in the wage required from National Minimum Wage to £10.10 per hour is reasonable and necessary in order to ensure these vulnerable workers are receiving fair remuneration for their work.
As part of extending the Seasonal Worker visa route until the end of 2024, we have followed through on the recommendation made by the Migration Advisory Committee in their report of September 2018, which stated:
‘If a seasonal agriculture worker scheme was introduced we recommend that employers pay a higher minimum wage in return for the privileged access to labour this scheme would give the sector in order to encourage increases in productivity.’
The Government has introduced a minimum hourly rate of pay for the Seasonal Worker route as part of a wider package of work being jointly delivered with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, seeking to ensure the welfare of participating migrant workers, and in particular to reduce the risks of debt bondage.
The Government published a review of the seasonal worker route on 24 December 2021, that clearly set out the types of migrant welfare issues we have identified within this route. The Director of Labour Market Enforcement has also flagged the agriculture sector, and specifically seasonal workers, as presenting a high risk for labour marker exploitation.
It is not the purpose of the UK immigration system to provide UK growers with a guaranteed source of cheap labour, or to perpetuate conditions which would not be acceptable to resident workers. The increase in the wage required from National Minimum Wage to £10.10 per hour is reasonable and necessary in order to ensure these vulnerable workers are receiving fair remuneration for their work.
The Home Office is not aware any applications to the Homes for Ukraine scheme have been lost.
We have received thousands of applications for the Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine Scheme and in just five weeks, over 71,000 visas have now been issued so people can rebuild their lives in the UK through the Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine.
The Home Office is not aware any applications to the Homes for Ukraine scheme have been lost.
We have received thousands of applications for the Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine Scheme and in just five weeks, over 71,000 visas have now been issued so people can rebuild their lives in the UK through the Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine.
The Home Office does not provide accomodation to migrants to the UK.
The Home Office does though have a statutory obligation to provide accommodation and other support to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute while their application for asylum is being considered.
The total expenditure on asylum is published in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ho-annual-reports-and-accounts.
We do not publish a breakdown of costs of our accommodation & support contracts by location or property type as such detail is considered commercially sensitive.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched on 14 March 2022 by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Information on the scheme can be found at:
Homes for Ukraine: guidance for councils - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Given the very difficult circumstances in Afghanistan, we cannot pursue cases concerning Afghan people in country in the usual ways. The Home Office logged all the cases but will not be providing individual replies.
Instead, please signpost individuals to gov.uk to check for the latest information about Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy: further information on eligibility criteria and offer details - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) (Afghan citizens’ resettlement scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)).
Hemp products containing controlled cannabinoids are unlawful unless accompanied by the requisite Home Office licence and Border Force may seize and destroy them.
The only hemp items which can be imported without a licence are those which are not controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act and derived from the fibre and seed of low THC EU approved seed varieties.
The Home Office does not provide ongoing updates regarding the consideration of specific sponsor licence applications. Any organisation applying for a sponsor licence will be notified of the outcome once their application has been fully considered.
The Home Office has established processes for managing the quotas granted to scheme operators.
We will continue to closely monitor uptake as the year progresses
I am sorry for the delay in responding. All correspondence related to the case of Mr Osime Brown is presently on hold awaiting medical reports. A response to your enquiry will be made once enquiries are complete.
A response was sent to the Hon. Member on 28 September 2020.
Information on our immigration routes with service standards and whether they have been processed against these standards is available as part of our transparency data, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data#uk-visas-and-immigration
The Government has committed to continue the Seasonal Workers Pilot and in our election manifesto we set out plans to increase the scheme to 10,000 places following the UK’s exit from the European Union.
Details will be set out in due course.
The in-service support solution for the Type 31 frigates is still in development, therefore we are currently unable to supply the average yearly running costs.
The Fatigue Index (FI) for the Royal Air Force's Typhoon aircraft is calculated using strain gauges fixed to 16 common locations on every airframe. It is correlated against a static test airframe to which loads have been applied to represent expected design usage. The total amount of fatigue damage applied to the test airframe is classed as 100 FI.
The values of fatigue for each of the monitored locations on the airframe are calculated by the aircraft software using proven and validated algorithms for each flight and expressed as a percentage of 100FI. A cumulative record is kept for each aircraft and flight. Individual aircraft will become unserviceable as they approach the safe-life (earliest FI value at which failure is predicted) proven by test for each location. Aircraft serviceability is continually monitored to ensure the capability of the fleet.
Tail numbers for Tranche One, Tranche Two and Tranche Three aircraft in the Typhoon fleet are given in the following/attached table:
Tranche 1 | |||||
ZJ910 | ZJ911 | ZJ912 | ZJ913 | ZJ914 | |
ZJ915 | ZJ916 | ZJ917 | ZJ918 | ZJ919 | |
ZJ920 | ZJ921 | ZJ923 | ZJ924 | ZJ925 | |
ZJ926 | ZJ927 | ZJ928 | ZJ929 | ZJ930 | |
ZJ931 | ZJ932 | ZJ933 | ZJ934 | ZJ935 | |
ZJ936 | ZJ937 | ZJ939 | ZJ941 | ZJ942 | |
Tranche2 | |||||
ZJ944 | ZJ945 | ZJ946 | ZJ947 | ZJ948 | |
ZJ949 | ZJ950 | ZK300 | ZK301 | ZK302 | |
ZK303 | ZK304 | ZK305 | ZK306 | ZK307 | |
ZK308 | ZK309 | ZK310 | ZK311 | ZK312 | |
ZK313 | ZK314 | ZK315 | ZK316 | ZK317 | |
ZK318 | ZK319 | ZK320 | ZK321 | ZK322 | |
ZK323 | ZK324 | ZK325 | ZK326 | ZK327 | |
ZK328 | ZK329 | ZK330 | ZK331 | ZK332 | |
ZK333 | ZK334 | ZK335 | ZK336 | ZK337 | |
ZK338 | ZK339 | ZK340 | ZK341 | ZK342 | |
ZK343 | ZK344 | ZK345 | ZK346 | ZK347 | |
ZK348 | ZK349 | ZK350 | ZK351 | ZK352 | |
ZK353 | ZK354 | ZK379 | ZK380 | ZK381 | |
ZK382 | ZK383 |
|
|
| |
Tranche 3 | |||||
ZK355 | ZK356 | ZK357 | ZK358 | ZK359 | |
ZK360 | ZK361 | ZK362 | ZK363 | ZK364 | |
ZK365 | ZK366 | ZK367 | ZK368 | ZK369 | |
ZK370 | ZK371 | ZK372 | ZK373 | ZK374 | |
ZK375 | ZK376 | ZK377 | ZK378 | ZK424 | |
ZK425 | ZK426 | ZK427 | ZK428 | ZK429 | |
ZK430 | ZK431 | ZK432 | ZK433 | ZK434 | |
ZK435 | ZK436 | ZK437 | ZK438 | ZK439 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
However, I am withholding details of flying hours used and remaining for individual aircraft as its disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
The Current Fatigue Index (FI) value and Flying Hour clearances, and those expected at Out of Service Date are as follows.
Tranche 1 & 2 Flying Hours - current 4,000 hours, expected to rise to 6,000 hours
Tranche 1 & 2 Fatigue Index - current 66, expected to rise to 100
Tranche 3 Flying Hours - current 3,000 hours, expected to rise to 6,000 hours
Tranche 3 Fatigue Index - current 50, expected to rise to 100
The average FI value across the full Typhoon fleet is currently 23.07.
There are currently 137 Typhoons either in service or storage with the RAF, the breakdown by tranche is as follows:
Tranche 1- 30 (20 in service / 10 in storage)
Tranche 2- 67 (all in service)
Tranche 3- 40 (all in service)
Although Typhoon's final out of service date (OSD) remains under consideration, the assumed OSD by each tranche is as follows:
Tranche 1- 31 December 2024
Tranche 2- 31 March 2040
Tranche 3- 31 March 2040
The requested information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
This information is not held in the format requested.
During Financial Year 2020-21, the Nuclear Enterprise's spend was around 13% of the £42 billion total defence spend.
The Ministry of Defence and the Army have a Zero Tolerance attitude towards sexual offending in the training environment. In March 2022 The Secretary of Sate for Defence announced that Sexual offences and sexual relationships between instructors and trainees have no place in Defence, or wider society, and a zero-tolerance approach will ensure our commitment to providing a better working environment for our serving personnel is met. We are sending a clear message that the women and men of the Armed Forces must uphold our values and standards
The Army Foundation College has comprehensive measures in place to ensure a safe working environment. This is represented by Junior Soldiers' ability to raise issues or concerns in any of three ways (1) to the Military Chain of Command, (2) in person to the Independent Advisory Panel or (3) via an anonymous reporting tool to the Independent Advisory Panel. All Recruits are well briefed on the multiple methods of raising concerns; all issues raised are taken seriously and are investigated by the appropriate agency be that Civilian Police, Service Police, or the Chain of Command. Junior Soldiers are also surveyed on their experiences during their time at the AFC through the Recruit Training Survey.
AFC maintains a Supervisory Care and Safeguarding Directive which is updated on an annual basis. This Directive ensures we have immediate safeguarding mechanisms in place such as appropriate supervision, impartial assurance mechanisms, and easily accessible welfare outlets.
AFC(H) was marked as Outstanding in 2021 by Ofsted. Ofsted found that "The chief instructor, as the designated safeguarding lead, has a very good understanding of safeguarding. He is a member of the North Yorkshire Children's Safeguarding Partnership. He uses his extensive links with partner agencies to make sure that the few safeguarding incidents that are reported are investigated thoroughly and the recruits involved get the help, support and guidance they need."
In 2021 there were nine sexual offence investigations at AFC(AH) involving 22 victims who were recruits. The suspects in eight of these investigations were fellow recruits. In one investigation the suspects were three members of AFC(A) staff.
We closely monitor and track potential risks to our infrastructure, including from flooding, both now and in the future.
We are aware of the content of this report, which is based on a worst-case scenario. The Ministry of Defence invests significant resources to regularly assure protection against all possible threats and we have absolute confidence in our robust measures to keep our submarines safe and secure.
In terms of future proofing, HM Naval Base Devonport has an extant Climate Infrastructure Risk Assessment that has modelled the potential impact of climate change on sea defences and site infrastructure. This has been independently validated by Ministry of Defence specialists and the Assessment concludes that HMNB Devonport's Sea Defences are adequate to meet potential sea level changes.
We closely monitor and track potential risks to our infrastructure, including flooding both now and into the future.
HM Naval Base Clyde has an extant Climate Infrastructure Risk Assessment that has modelled the potential impact of Climate Change on Sea Defences and Site Infrastructure. This has been independently validated by Ministry of Defence specialists and the Assessment concludes that HMNB Clyde's Sea Defences are adequate to meet potential sea level changes.
The risk of flooding has been integrated within new build project work at the Base, including increased provision of surface drainage and risk mitigating landscape features.
Specific funding for flood prevention is incorporated within Maintenance work and new build projects and is not separately identified.
There are currently 21 decommissioned submarines in afloat storage; seven at Rosyth Dockyard and 14 at Devonport Dockyard. The seven submarines at Rosyth Dockyard have already been defueled and of the 14 decommissioned submarines in Devonport, four have been defueled and 10 remain fuelled and await completion of the new defueling facilities at Devonport.
As set out in the United Kingdom's future nuclear deterrent: the 2021 update to Parliament, we continue to develop the submarine dismantling techniques necessary to meet all safety and sustainability standards and establish the long-term solution that provides best value for the taxpayer. Our commitment to the safe, secure, environmentally sound and cost-effective defueling and dismantling of all our decommissioned nuclear submarines as soon as practicably possible remains undiminished.
Construction of the new facilities to defuel decommissioned submarines is continuing at Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport. It is not MOD policy to pre-announce the funding of its projects for reasons of protecting commercial interests.
Disclosure detailing the serviceability and readiness states of Harpoon missiles would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability and effectiveness of the Armed Forces and compromise operational security. I am therefore withholding the information requested.
Defence keeps weapons stockpile levels and requirements under constant review. These considerations have also informed the numbers of munitions granted in kind to the armed forces of Ukraine.
Delivery schedules for platforms and weapons are under continual review and subject to adjustment in accordance with evolving Defence requirements. We are unable to release any details of current holdings or stockpile requirements for any types of munition for reasons of safeguarding operational security.
The Department constantly reviews threats and threat innovations from ongoing conflicts to ensure our strategic approach remains threat-led. Any findings are cascaded through the appropriate channels to ensure our procurement activity remains relevant.
The data to answer this question is being drawn from across multiple areas of Defence and will take longer to review and collate. I will write to the hon. Member with a full answer as soon as the information is available.
The Ministry of Defence have purchased a total of 72 Merlin Helicopters, of these, 55 Merlin remain in service.
The 2021 Integrated Review approved an extension to the out of service date for the Merlin from 2029-30 to 2040 and there are ongoing plans to modernise the overcall helicopter fleet available to HM Armed Forces, but there are no current plans to increase its size.
Of the 47 victims in those statistics, 37 were female and of those cases one has been proven, four are ongoing, and 11 have been transferred to the civilian police. 22 were based at the Army Foundation College at the time of the offence.
Of the 47 victims in those statistics, 37 were female and of those cases one has been proven, four are ongoing, and 11 have been transferred to the civilian police. 22 were based at the Army Foundation College at the time of the offence.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 January 2022, to Question 110589.
Steel for the Type 31 frigates has been sourced by Babcock, the prime contractor, from Kloeckner Metals, an Exeter based steel stockist. Thin plate with the required combination of thickness, size and flatness specifications required for Type 31 is not manufactured in the UK. This type of steel comprises the majority of the steel required to construct the Type 31 Class.
Steel is procured in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines and steel for our major defence programmes is generally sourced by our prime contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers. Many defence programmes require specialised steels that are not currently manufactured in the UK; nevertheless, we encourage the sourcing of UK steel wherever it is technically and commercially feasible.
For the Batch 1 Type 26 frigates, almost 50% by value of the steel is UK sourced. This is equivalent to about 35% by tonnage, or 1,400 tonnes per ship.
Steel is procured in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines and steel for our major defence programmes is generally sourced by our prime contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers. Many defence programmes require specialised steels that are not currently manufactured in the UK; nevertheless, we encourage the sourcing of UK steel wherever it is technically and commercially feasible.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for York Central (Rachel Maskell) to Question 121828 on 21 February 2022.
The UK remains committed to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have already provided defensive equipment such as light, anti-armour weapons systems and, body armour.
In light of the increasing threat from Russia, the UK will soon provide a further package of defence support to Ukraine. This package is being designed to enhance existing Ukrainian defence capabilities and complement those being provided by our allies and partners.
For operational security reasons we do not break down numbers of serviceable weapons, however there is a total inventory of 134,912 SA80 A2 variants and 17,900 SA80 A3 variants held across defence.
For operational security reasons we do not break down numbers of serviceable weapons, however there is a total inventory of 27,977 Glock 17 pistols across defence and currently 22,445 holsters.
As reported to the House of Commons Defence Committee, HMS MONTROSE's out of service date is 2023.
The replacement value of Merlin (EH101) transmission spares at RNAS Yeovilton and held on MOD Form 731 as unserviceable not for disposal is £4.59 million. These spares will be held with a view to repair and reuse.
As of the last publication of data in October 2021, there were 19,380 Defence people based in Scotland. This is comprised of 10,430 Regular Armed Forces personnel (Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force), 5,320 Reserve personnel and 3,630 civilian personnel (Civil Servants).
The Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper make clear that we must focus on Defence capability rather than personnel numbers in response to changing threats and priorities and maintaining technological advantage is a defining feature of our national strategy and prosperity. However, Armed Forces numbers in Scotland will remain overall consistent in Scotland at around 13,000. As platforms and equipment increase in sophistication, we will require a different type of suitably qualified military, civilian, and industrial workforce to operate and service them, which presents opportunities for new skills, investment, and training.
There are no plans to relocate 39 Engineer Regiment from Kinloss in Scotland to any other base.
The Ministry of Defence has a firm price contract with General Dynamics Land Systems for equipment Demonstration and Manufacture, and extended initial in-service support solution for Ajax. General Dynamics are (inter alia) required to deliver 589 vehicles that meet the contractual specifications for £5.552 billion.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 September 2021 to question 37376 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh & Wickford (Mr Francois).
The Tempest programme is expected to generate long-term high value employment which can make a significant contribution to the UK Government's levelling up priorities and the wider economy.
An independent report commissioned by industry and produced by professional services firm, PWC, provides an assessment of gross value added and employment contribution of the Tempest region, based on direct and first-tier supplier spending only through 2021 - 2050. It does not make an assessment of the additional GVA and employment contribution below the direct first-tier level.
In Scotland the PwC report outlines a contribution of at least £828 million gross value added with at least 15,000 job years. This will create high value jobs and skills for decades.
The Combat Air sector generates £6 billion a year and employs thousands of workers across the UK. Tempest will exploit our industrial base to create a next generation combat air enterprise centred in the UK. The early preparatory work of the FCAS Technology Initiative and Team Tempest expected to secure employment for 1,800 people directly supporting the programme. Industry now estimate that figure has been exceeded, with over 2,000 people now engaged in Tempest enterprise activities alone across 300 different companies. More than 90% of these people are highly skilled scientists and engineers.
Our spending review settlement will increase the defence budget by over £24 billion over the next four years. This includes at least £6.6 billion spent in research and development. These investments will modernise our Armed Forces and support jobs across the UK.
Defence spending benefits every part of the UK. In Scotland, shipbuilding jobs have increased significantly since 2018/19, Thales Glasgow is contributing to the Boxer programme, and Leonardo Edinburgh is supporting UK radar capability.
There is no tank training planned to routinely take place in Scotland. However, some development trials for the new Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank are planned to take place at Kirkcudbright and West Freugh.
The new fleet of Challenger 3 Main Battle Tanks will be predominantly based with the armoured regiments in Tidworth. Some of the fleet will be held in other Defence sites to support training.
Trade Trained Regular Army Strength and UK proportion of Paid Rank Colonel and above stationed in Scotland as at 1 January 2021
| 1 January 2021 |
Number | 13 |
UK Proportion | 2.1% |
Source: Analysis (Army) |
Notes/Caveats:
Regular Trade Trained Strength of Paid Rank of Colonel stationed in Scotland as at 1 January 2021
| 1 January 2021 |
Number of Colonels in the British Army stationed in Scotland | 9 |
Proportion of Colonels in the British Army stationed in Scotland | 1.7% |
Source: Analysis (Army) |
Notes/Caveats:
As at 1 January 2021 there were no officers of Paid Rank Colonel and above in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, as those serving in the General Staff are no longer counted towards their previous Regiments. However, those whose previous Regiment was the Royal Regiment of Scotland total 30.
Notes/Caveats:
The tail numbers and corresponding airframe hours accrued for the UK's C-130 Hercules fleet are given in the table below:
Tail Number | Airframe Hours1 |
ZH865 | 13,860 |
ZH866 | 10,070 |
ZH867 | 13,980 |
ZH868 | 12,950 |
ZH869 | 13,860 |
ZH870 | 13,690 |
ZH871 | 9,240 |
ZH872 | 13,910 |
ZH874 | 14,240 |
ZH875 | 13,740 |
ZH877 | 13,740 |
ZH878 | 12,830 |
ZH879 | 13,140 |
ZH889 | 11,270 |
As at 1 January 2020, there were 1,970 Army personnel in the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Notes/Caveats:
As at 1 January 2021, there were 2,060 Army personnel in the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Notes/Caveats:
Boeing provides aircraft maintenance and support services for the Royal Air Force P-8A Poseidon fleet under an Interim Aircraft Support contract. The P-8A Strategic Facility at RAF Lossiemouth is owned and operated by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and currently there are some 385 staff working from the building, of which around 80% are military personnel. While the final cost for the construction of the facility is still to be determined, the cost to the MOD is likely to be in the region of £100 million (ex-VAT).
The Ministry of Defence currently operates 29 Airbus H135 helicopters (in service as the Juno HT Mk1) for Rotary Wing training.
The following table provides details of the numbers of each mark of the Chinook Helicopter fleet and their average airframe hours:
Mark | Mk6A | Mk5 | Mk6 |
Total aircraft: | 38 | 8 | 14 |
Average hours: | 10,111 | 3,086 | 1,472 |
The Gazelle helicopter fleet consists of 23 aircraft in a multi-purpose, lightweight utility role and operates in both the UK and Canada. The scheduled out of service date is 31 March 2025.
The complexity of the international supply chain means that it is not possible to account for all the components used in the Typhoon aircraft that are manufactured in Scotland or to assess their overall value. However, the Leonardo MW facility in Edinburgh is the lead radar equipment supplier for Royal Air Force Typhoons.
In July 2020, the Ministry of Defence awarded a two-year contract worth £317 million to continue development of an electronically scanned Radar, known as the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk 2. This contract placed £140 million of work into Leonardo MW based in Edinburgh and represents the latest commitment to a development project which was first initiated in 2010.
The complexity of the international supply chain means that it is not possible to account for all the components used in the Typhoon aircraft that are manufactured in Scotland or to assess their overall value. However, the Leonardo MW facility in Edinburgh is the lead radar equipment supplier for Royal Air Force Typhoons.
In July 2020, the Ministry of Defence awarded a two-year contract worth £317 million to continue development of an electronically scanned Radar, known as the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk 2. This contract placed £140 million of work into Leonardo MW based in Edinburgh and represents the latest commitment to a development project which was first initiated in 2010.
If details of costs per flying hour were to be released it could prejudice the commercial interests of the Ministry of Defence when dealing with manufacturers that may wish to use its military aircraft, for example for training purposes or as part of sales demonstrators.
The hon. Member can find a list of the Army bases and establishments in Scotland listed in the tables below. This list does not include sites that are specifically for Cadet activities.
List of Army Bases and Establishments in Scotland, as at 26 February 2021.
Regular Army Bases and Establishments in Scotland |
Kentigern House, Glasgow |
Craigiehall (vacated but still Army owned) |
Dreghorn Barracks, Edinburgh |
Fort George |
Forthside, Stirling |
Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik |
Inchdrewer House, Edinburgh |
Kinloss Barracks |
Leuchars Station |
Redford Cavalry Barracks, Edinburgh |
Redford Infantry Barracks, Edinburgh |
Victoria Barracks, Ballater (used for Summer season only) |
Joint Service Mountain Training Centre, Ballachulish |
Reserve Army Bases and Establishments in Scotland | |
Area / Estate | Establishment / Army Reserve Centre (ARC) |
Borders Volunteer Estate | Galashiels ARC |
Central Scotland Volunteer Estate | Grangemouth ARC |
Meadowforth ARC | |
Whiteston Rifle Range | |
Dumfries & Galloway Volunteer Estate | Dumfries ARC |
Fife Volunteer Estate | Bothwell House ARC |
Bruce House ARC | |
Cupar ARC | |
Glenrothes ARC | |
Kirkcaldy ARC | |
St Andrews ARC | |
Grampian Volunteer Estate | Aberdeen UOTC |
Elgin ARC | |
Gordon Bks ARC | |
Keith ARC | |
Keith ARC Rifle Range | |
Peterhead ARC | |
Highlands & Islands Volunteer Estate | Dingwall TA Bungalow |
Fort Charlotte ARC | |
Gordonville Rd ARC | |
Halkirk Indoor Range | |
Kirkwall ARC | |
Stornoway ARC | |
Wick ARC ACF Garage | |
Lothian Volunteer Estate | Alnwickhill Road ARC |
Bathgate ARC | |
Beveridge Square ARC | |
Claverhouse ARC | |
Colinton Rd ARC | |
East Claremont St ARC | |
Lanark Rd ARC | |
Mcdonald Rd ARC | |
Southern Highlands Volunteer Estate | Cumbernauld ARC |
Dumbarton ARC | |
Dunoon ARC | |
Strathclyde Volunteer Estate | Barnsford Bridge ARC |
Chalmers Road ARC | |
Clydesmill Drive ARC | |
Corsehill Mount Road ARC | |
Crow Road ARC | |
Dechmont Rifle Range | |
Govan ARC | |
Glasgow and Strathclyde UOTC | |
Hatton House ARC | |
Hawkhead Road ARC | |
Houldsworth St ARC | |
Jardine St ARC | |
Motherwell ARC | |
Seaforth Road ARC | |
Walcheren Bks ARC | |
Whitemoss ARC | |
Tayside Volunteer Estate | Arbroath ARC |
Forfar ARC | |
Invergowrie ARC | |
Newman Hse ARC | |
Oliver Bks ARC | |
Park Wynd ARC | |
Queens Barracks ARC | |
Red Lion Garage ARC | |
RFCA HQ Seathwood | |
Strathmore Avenue ARC |
The Royal Navy shore-based establishments currently in use are listed below:
Establishment | Notes |
HM Naval Base Clyde | Includes HMS NEPTUNE and Royal Naval Armament Depot Coulport |
RM Condor, Arbroath |
|
HMS Dalriada, Glasgow | Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) |
HMS Scotia | RNR based within MOD Caledonia (Rosyth) |
RMR Scotland | Based within MOD Caledonia |
Garelochhead Oil Fuel Depot (OFD) | Administered by Oil and Pipelines Agency (OPA) |
Campbeltown OFD | Administered by OPA |
Loch Striven OFD | Administered by OPA |
Loch Ewe OFD | Administered by OPA |
The hon. Member can find a list of the Royal Air Force bases and establishments in Scotland in the attached document. This list does not include sites that are specifically for Cadet activities.
I am withholding the information requested as its release would prejudice commercial interests.
All publicly announced planned disposals are extracted from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation internal management system and can be found on the Defence Disposals Database which is publicly available at the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposal-database-house-of-commons-report
Of the 110 establishments previously given in Question 134567, 83 are operational establishments, defined as having personnel permanently and routinely stationed at the establishment providing military capability.
These are listed in the attachment.
As at 1 February 2021 RAF Coningsby had 47 aircraft in the forward fleet, RAF Akrotiri had seven whilst British Forces South Atlantic Islands, Mount Pleasant had four.
The number of Typhoon aircraft in the forward fleet at any base can vary over time.
The forward fleet comprises serviceable and short-term unserviceable aircraft. Typically, short-term unserviceable aircraft are undergoing minor works, forward maintenance or any other unforeseen rectification or technical inspection that can arise on a day to day basis.
The operating and support costs for Typhoon aircraft are spread over a number of business areas within the Department and therefore the information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The operating and support costs for Typhoon aircraft are spread over a number of business areas within the Department and therefore the information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The operating and support costs for Typhoon aircraft are spread over a number of business areas within the Department and therefore the information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Defence is committed to making best use of its estate to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces. Much of this work is being delivered by the Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio, which is a 25-year portfolio announced in November 2016 of construction activity, unit and personnel moves, and site disposals that will deliver a better structured, more economical and modern estate that more effectively supports military capability.
As part of the optimisation process, defence will dispose of sites it no longer requires. These sites create opportunities for alternative use, resulting in regeneration, housing or business growth and job creation within the local area. Full details of the sites identified for disposal, subject to assessment, can be found on the regularly updated Defence Disposals Database:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposal-database-house-of-commons-report
Whilst the time required to search legacy systems prevents this question being answered in full the hon. Member will be aware of the following major disposals in Scotland in the last 20 years:
RAF Pitreavie Castle
RAF Edzell
RAF Stornoway
RAF Machrihanish
Ministry of Defence present and future disposals can be found on the Defence Disposals Database at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposal-database-house-of-commons-report
Whilst the time required to search legacy systems prevents this question being answered in full the hon. Member will be aware of the following major disposals in Scotland in the last 20 years:
RAF Pitreavie Castle
RAF Edzell
RAF Stornoway
RAF Machrihanish
Ministry of Defence present and future disposals can be found on the Defence Disposals Database at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposal-database-house-of-commons-report
Whilst the time required to search legacy systems prevents this question being answered in full the hon. Member will be aware of the following major disposals in Scotland in the last 20 years:
RAF Pitreavie Castle
RAF Edzell
RAF Stornoway
RAF Machrihanish
Ministry of Defence present and future disposals can be found on the Defence Disposals Database at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposal-database-house-of-commons-report
Whilst the time required to search legacy systems prevents this question being answered in full the hon. Member will be aware of the following major disposals in Scotland in the last 20 years:
RAF Pitreavie Castle
RAF Edzell
RAF Stornoway
RAF Machrihanish
Ministry of Defence present and future disposals can be found on the Defence Disposals Database at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposal-database-house-of-commons-report
As at 1 February 2021 RAF Lossiemouth had 41 aircraft in the forward fleet. This comprised serviceable and short-term unserviceable aircraft.
Typically, short-term unserviceable aircraft are undergoing minor works, forward maintenance or any other unforeseen rectification or technical inspection that can arise on a day to day basis.
The current number of Civil Servants based at RAF Lossiemouth is 255 and the number of Service personnel is 2,115.
*In accordance with the Data Protection Act and our obligations in relation to the protection of confidentiality when handling personal data, the data has been rounded to the nearest 5.
RAF Typhoon aircraft are based at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby in the UK with a detachment permanently deployed to the Falkland Islands at British Forces South Atlantic Islands, Mount Pleasant.
Additionally, a detachment of Typhoons are currently operationally deployed to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Detachments also routinely deploy in support of NATO Air Policing in the Baltic and Black Sea regions.
The current strength of service personnel who operate and provide support to Typhoon aircraft across a range of roles and functions is approximately 1,670 and the number of Civil Servants is approximately 215.
.
The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
At the end of 2020 the Ministry of Defence operated 110 establishments in Scotland.
Historic information on the number of establishments operated could be provided only at disproportionate cost. This is because individual ‘establishments’ can range from small individual structures to large bases and past data records would require individual searches.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has produced personnel statistics by region since 2010 but not by individual establishments. UK Service Personnel and MOD Civilians stationed in Scotland for 2015 and 2020 can be found in Table 5.1a of the MS Excel Annual Location Statistics publication published 1 April 2020 at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/location-of-uk-regular-service-and-civilian-personnel-annual-statistics-2020
UK Service Personnel and MOD Civilians stationed in Scotland for 2010 can be found in Table 5.1a of the MS Excel Annual Location Statistics index, at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/location-of-all-uk-regular-service-and-civilian-personnel-quarterly-statistics-index
The Ministry of Defence publishes annually the regional expenditure with UK industry and supported employment publication, available at
In the 2014-15 financial year £1,505 million[1] was spent with Scottish industry The figures for 2019-20 are due to be published on 21 January 2021.
The Ministry of Defence previously provided estimates on both regional expenditure and employment within the UK Defence Statistics (UKDS) publication. However, within the UKDS bulletins, the inclusion of the regional breakdowns were not given in every year's release. Where they are present, due to differing methodologies used before and now, historic figures are also not directly comparable to more recent published figures.
In addition, Scotland is home for the Royal Navy’s entire submarine service, a significant RAF presence including the P8 maritime patrol aircraft at Lossiemouth where in due course they will be joined by our incoming E7 fleet. Half of the UK’s Typhoon’s are based in Scotland. A strong Army presence contributes to around 10,000 regular personnel based in Scotland.
[1] This figure is in constant 2018-19 prices and has been adjusted for inflation using GDP deflators from HM Treasury (September 2019).
The information requested is provided in the following table:
Financial Year | Expenditure (£billion)[1] |
1989-1990 | £20,755 |
1994-1995 | £22,519 |
1999-2000 | £22,572 |
2004-2005 | £29,524 |
2009-2010 | £37,425 |
2014-2015 | £35,850 |
2019-2020 | £41,024 |
The Net Cash Requirement (NCR) has been provided to give a consistent time series. Due to accounting processes changing overtime, the NCR is the most accurate way to give these figures allowing for comparison over time.
[1] These figures are in current prices and have not been adjusted for inflation.
The gross expenditure figure relating to the maintenance and support of the UK’s nuclear deterrent at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde for the years in question are not held in the format requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost, as they are made up of many components covered by different contracts from funding across several business units, and not held centrally.
The data for civilian employees with a permanent duty station within Scotland as at 31 December 1989 is not held.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) worked closely with King's College London on a study (funded by the US Department of Defense) into the use of a screening tool for mental health issues. The results of the study were published in 'The Lancet' in 2017[1] and found that screening was not effective in reducing symptoms of mental health disorders or encouraging personnel to seek help, compared to the general mental health advice which is the standard of care in the UK military.
The single Services have long standing welfare structures in place for supporting personnel. Personnel can use, and Commanders can call on, this wide range of resources as and when required. These resources are diverse and for example include welfare officers, padres and support provided by charities such as SSAFA. Both SSAFA and MOD's Veterans UK have general helplines, however, when required they will signpost individuals to the Combat Stress 24hour mental health helpline.
For those personnel requiring medical intervention, MOD has its own well-established mental health service. Our mental health services are configured to provide community-based mental health care in line with national best practice. We do this primarily through our 11 military Departments of Community Mental Health across the UK, which provide out-patient mental healthcare. A wide range of psychiatric and psychological treatments are available, including medication, evidence-based talking therapies, and environmental adjustment where appropria
[1] Rona, R et al (2017) Post-deployment screening for mental health disorders and tailored advice about help-seeking in the UK military: a cluster randomised controlled trial
Domestic abuse is a very important issue and we treat allegations of domestic abuse very seriously. In July 2018, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) launched its first strategy to tackle domestic abuse within the Armed Forces and defence civilian communities. The strategy builds on existing work by the Armed Forces in this area, such as providing specialist training to welfare staff, and included the launch of a campaign to raise awareness of the issue. The MOD is a member of the cross-Government Violence against Women and Girls working group.
In the UK, the Service Justice System does not normally have jurisdiction for investigating, or prosecuting cases of domestic abuse, as that is normally the responsibility of the domestic Criminal Justice System, and as such the data held by the MOD is limited. Additionally, the MOD does not hold centralised records of reported cases of domestic abuse which did not result in a prosecution or which may involve minor violence in a domestic setting which were dealt with at a Summary Hearing.
The following table provides details of the number of Service personnel prosecuted for domestic abuse by the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) at a Court Martial:
Year | Cases directed for Court martial |
2005 | 7 |
2006 | 3 |
2007 | 5 |
2008 | 4 |
2009 | 5 |
2010 | 9 |
2011 | 22 |
2012 | 11 |
2013 | 22 |
2014 | 36 |
2015 | 20 |
2016 | 19 |
2017 | 16 |
2018 | 11 |
2019 | 9 |
Notes:
Information before 2005 is not held.
2005 to 2008 – these years were prior to the creation of the SPA and the data held on the SPA’s case database was derived from the unique case management systems of the Army, Navy and RAF Prosecuting Authorities. These systems held varying levels of data and detail on the individual cases. Therefore, these figures should be regarded as estimated.
2007 – one case has yet to go to Court Martial – accused Absent Without Official Leave.
2009 – This was the year that the SPA came into being and was also the year that a new cases management system entitled “AXXIA DNA” was trialled in SPA. This new system wasn’t compatible with the UK “AXXIA” system and data has been lost as a result. Figures should, therefore, be regarded as an estimate.
2018 – one case has yet to go to Court Martial.
2019 – five cases have yet to go to Court Martial.
In the period 1 January 2000 to 11 March 2020, 545 UK Armed Forces personnel have died as a result of hostile action.
The Government takes the welfare of Service personnel and veterans very seriously. As in society as a whole, the Armed Forces will never be able to eradicate the incidence of suicide, however we are not complacent; any suicide is one too many and a tragedy for the individual.
Defence Statistics (Health) produce an annual National Statistic on suicide in the UK Armed Forces which is released at the end of March every year and is available at the following website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-armed-forces-suicide-and-open-verdict-deaths-index. Between 1999 and 2018 there have been 310 suicides among UK Regular Armed Forces personnel: 292 among males, and 18 among females. There were five coroner-confirmed suicides in 2018 with an additional 16 awaiting verdicts that may result in a suicide verdict once coroner inquests are held.
Suicide data for all veterans of the UK Armed Forces is not captured by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). However, the MOD has commissioned a new study to investigate causes of death, including suicide, among all those who served in the UK Armed Forces from 2001, including those that deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The study will include personnel who are still in service and veterans, including recent Service leavers, and will be updated on an ongoing basis and will compare findings with the general population during the same period: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-study-into-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans-launched
The MOD also publishes studies on the causes of death, including suicide, of veterans from the 1982 Falklands Campaign (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/causes-of-deaths-among-the-uk-armed-forces-veterans-of-the-1982-falklands-campaign) and from the 1990/91 Gulf Conflict (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/causes-of-deaths-that-occurred-among-the-uk-veterans-of-the-199091-gulf-conflict). To date, both studies show that the suicide rates among veterans were lower than comparative rates in the general population when matched for age and gender.
All visa applications for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme are managed by the Home Office.
All visa applications for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme are managed by the Home Office.
The Ministry of Justice publishes a yearly snapshot which estimates the number of former service personnel in the prison population. The second of these was published in October 2019, with the next estimate due in October 2020. Further details can be found at the following link -https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/842613/Ex-service_personnel_in_the_prison_population_Q2_2019.pdf’
Our analysis of the prison population showed that as at 30 June 2019, 2,105 prisoners had declared as ‘ex-service personnel’ when they were first received into custody between January 2015 and June 2019. Of these, 448 have an offence of violence against a person. We do not hold the information requested in the criminal justice system for former service personnel.
We remain committed to ensuring that those who have served in the Armed Forces and who find themselves in the criminal justice system are able to access support, whether they are serving their sentence in custody or in the community. Through the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund, we have committed to support programmes worth £4.6 million targeted at former service personnel in the criminal justice system, and recently awarded an additional £1.1 million to continue supporting this cohort.