Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what comparative assessment he has made of the level of funding his Department makes in the defence industry in Scotland compared to the south of England.

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

In 2024-25, the Ministry of Defence’s expenditure in Scotland per capita was £390. In comparison, the expenditure per capita was £1,120 in the South West, £810 in the South East, and £330 in London.

The Defence Industrial Strategy will support further investment into the defence industry in Scotland through initiatives such as the Defence Growth Deals, alongside other programmes such as the Type 26 Warship partnership with Norway, the biggest ever warship export deal by value, creating over 2000 jobs in Glasgow. We also signed the landmark Unity defence contract in January, creating at least 200 jobs in Scotland.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Industrial Strategy, what additional support his Department will give to Scottish businesses in the light of the new approach to defence exports.

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

The Defence Industrial Strategy set out how the Ministry of Defence will launch new Defence Growth Deals. One of these will be in Scotland and will be developed in partnership with the Scottish Government.

Norway’s recent decision to equip itself with the Type 26 Frigates, proudly built in Scotland, will support over 2,000 jobs and 103 businesses there and demonstrates this Government is committed to ensuring the ‘defence dividend’ benefits communities across the United Kingdom, including Scotland.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much and what proportion of the funding made available through the defence growth deals will be allocated to the defence industry in Scotland.

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

A funding pot of £250 million has been allocated for the five Defence Growth Deals. The Ministry of Defence will work with the Scottish Government, local authorities, industry, academia and other key local stakeholders to assess Scotland’s defence sector requirements and develop initiatives for the Scotland Defence Growth Deal that addresses those. Funding will be allocated to the Scotland Defence Growth Deal that ensures the right financial support is provided and the impact for Scotland is maximised.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much of the ringfenced UKDI budget will be allocated to Scotland.

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

As we have set out in our Defence Industrial Strategy (UKDI), the Government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of defence investment are felt in every nation and region of the UK.

Decisions over future UKDI spending will be confirmed through the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the total value of bonds sold by, or on behalf of, the Development Company for Israel in the UK in the most recent year for which data is available.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government does not hold this information.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many jobs will be created in Scotland as a result of the Defence Industrial Strategy in each of the next five years.

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

It is not possible to estimate the number of jobs being created in Scotland as a result of the Defence Industrial Strategy, as decisions on future investments in Scotland or assessments of its impact have not yet been made.

However, the defence sector is a significant employer in Scotland – MOD spending with industry supported 11,800 jobs in Scotland in 2023-24 – and we expect the Defence Industrial Strategy to contribute significantly to this over the next five years through initiatives such as the Scotland Defence Growth Deal.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual salary of the UK Defence Innovation CEO will be.

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

The role of UKDI CEO is currently being assessed to understand the full extent of its responsibilities and accountabilities. Once this evaluation is complete a salary scale will be agreed according to the market rates for a position of this scope.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3.2.3.2 of the Defence Industrial Strategy, published on 8 September 2025, how many of the graduates recruited for Team Tempest were from Scottish universities since 2022.

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

Defence programmes like the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) are already inspiring and supporting future STEM professionals, innovators and leaders. Graduates from Scottish universities have been recruited by Team Tempest industry partners, providing the opportunity to work on a range of combat air programmes and platforms, including FCAS. However, the number is not held centrally by the Department.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the cumulative value of orders his Department has placed with Scottish defence contractors for new equipment.

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

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not centrally maintain data specifically on the country of ownership of its suppliers. Therefore, contracts awarded to Scottish suppliers have been identified using the primary supplier site postcode of the contract and matching this with a reference list of Scottish postcodes. This does not guarantee that suppliers are Scottish registered businesses or that work for the contracts are conducted in Scotland.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Prime Minister's oral contribution in response to the hon. Member for Glasgow South West during Prime Minister's Questions on 3 September 2025, Official Report, column 291, what his evidential basis is for the statement that the First Minister has not welcomed the deal.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer the Hon Member to the Prime Minister's words on 3 September 2025, Official Report, column 291.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is her Department's policy that foreign nationals who have received a Stage 1 decision letter regarding their possible deportation following an offence resulting in a custodial sentence should remain in custody until a deportation decision has been made.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

We make every effort to ensure that a foreign national offender’s (FNOs) removal by deportation coincides with their release from prison upon completion of their custodial sentence.

Latest published information shows that 51% (2,632) of FNOs removed between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025 were removed directly from prison under the Early Removal Scheme, which is a 10% increase compared to the 2,385 in the same period 12 months prior.

The public rightly expect us to maintain a firm and fair immigration system and immigration detention plays a crucial role in enabling the removal of individuals who include serious, violent, and persistent FNOs.

We do not detain people indefinitely. The law does not allow it. In each case, we must have a realistic prospect of removal in a reasonable timescale, and includes consideration given to the likelihood of risk to the public and absconding from immigration control. Published Home Office detention policy is clear that detention must only ever be used sparingly and for the shortest period necessary.

We have safeguards in place which underpin detention decisions. These include regular reviews once a person is in detention to ensure that their detention remains lawful, appropriate, and proportionate. In addition, those detained can apply to the courts at any time for bail from detention and FNOs held in detention have the option to apply to an independent immigration judge for bail at any point.

Where the Home Office cannot remove a FNO within a realistic timeframe, the individual may be released into the community.

The decision to release a foreign national offender into the community is never taken lightly. The threat of harm to the public or vulnerable individuals, victims, and their families, as well as the risk of absconding is always carefully considered. The Home Office and HMPPS work closely together to manage risk in the community.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide a breakdown of the (a) damages and (b) associated costs caused by protestors at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025.

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

The Ministry of Defence do not yet hold an itemised breakdown of the costs requested. The final cost will not be known until after each of the damaged engines has been through a comprehensive overhaul.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if her Department will issue guidance on whether a transgender person with a birth certificate which states their re-assigned sex is female is entitled to use female toilets.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The independent Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is developing its updated statutory Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations to support service providers in this area.

The EHRC has submitted the draft updated Codes to the Minister for Women and Equalities. The Government will consider the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the minister will lay it before Parliament. Parliament will then have a 40 day period to consider the Code.

Jenny and Bill Anderson 12 years of service at Rannoch Station Tearoom

Proposed changes to STV News and STV North News at 6

Five-year indefinite leave to remain pathway for Skilled Worker visa holders

Protections for the welfare of wild animals in tourism

Naloxone

Farmers, growers and the supermarket supply chain

Conduct of Prince Andrew

Digital ID

Right to object to data being used in online direct marketing

Sanctions on Israel and International Court of Justice findings

Proposal for a wealth tax

Conduct of Lord Mandelson (No. 2)

Found: Chair) Maureen Burke (Labour; Glasgow North East) Harriet Cross (Conservative; Gordon and Buchan) Dave Doogan

Found: Chair) Maureen Burke (Labour; Glasgow North East) Harriet Cross (Conservative; Gordon and Buchan) Dave Doogan

No description available

The UK Government has committed to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, with plans to reach 3% in the next Parliament. Given Scotland’s significant role in the UK’s defence sector, this inquiry will explore how Scotland’s economy and job market can benefit, particularly through the creation of highly skilled jobs. The Committee will examine existing skills gaps in the sector, how they can be addressed to maximise the economic impact of investment, and the UK Government’s role in supporting the creation and retention of the skilled jobs needed to grow the defence industry. It will also consider how Scotland can support the delivery of the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Ministry of Defence’s engagement with Scottish SMEs, which dominate the Scottish private sector, as well as the use of local supply chains.

Submit Evidence (by 12 Dec 2025)

Transport infrastructure plays an important role among island communities, supporting local economies and ensuring access to essential services. In Scotland, geographic barriers and limited transport options can restrict mobility and contribute to depopulation. This inquiry will examine the strategic case for permanent transport links—such as tunnels and bridges—between Scotland’s islands and assess whether there is a role for the UK Government in supporting such projects.