Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the United Kingdom not securing access to the first tranche of Security Action for Europe projects on the economy.

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

The Brexit deal signed by the last Government did not include UK participation in Security Action For Europe (SAFE). Thanks to the Prime Minister’s EU reset we are now able to explore participation.

The UK is committed to a broad and constructive relationship with the EU. We are working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes taking forward discussions on a bilateral participation agreement for cooperation under the EU’s Security Action For Europe instrument. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely across the whole of Government, including the His Majesty’s Treasury, the Department of Business and Trade and the Cabinet Office, and in cooperation with industry partners and all our European allies, to inform our approach to enhancing Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and deliver critical capabilities required to support Ukraine.

While we will not give a running commentary on talks, this Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value to the UK and UK industry.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has undertaken modelling on the potential impact of the UK not participating in the first tranche of procurements financed under the EU’s Security Action for Europe programme on the UK defence sector.

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

The UK is committed to a broad and constructive relationship with the EU. We are working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes taking forward discussions on a bilateral participation agreement for cooperation under the EU’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) instrument. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely across the whole of Government, including the His Majesty’s Treasury, the Department of Business and Trade and the Cabinet Office, and in cooperation with industry partners and all our European allies, to inform our approach to enhancing Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and deliver critical capabilities required to support Ukraine.

While we will not give a running commentary on talks, this Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value to the UK and UK industry.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Security and Defence Partnership between the UK and EU on the defence sector.

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

The UK is committed to a broad and constructive relationship with the EU. We are working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes taking forward discussions on a bilateral participation agreement for cooperation under the EU’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) instrument. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely across the whole of Government, including the His Majesty’s Treasury, the Department of Business and Trade and the Cabinet Office, and in cooperation with industry partners and all our European allies, to inform our approach to enhancing Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and deliver critical capabilities required to support Ukraine.

While we will not give a running commentary on talks, this Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value to the UK and UK industry.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will provide additional funding through the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2026-27 for the cost of delivering services in rural and sparsely populated areas.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On Thursday 20 November, we published the government response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0, which sets out the government’s plan to introduce a fairer and evidence-led funding system. In doing so, we will target a greater proportion of grant funding towards the most deprived places which need it most, ensuring the best value for money for government and taxpayers.

The government recognises that different parts of the country face different costs for delivering the same services. For this reason, we propose to take account of variations in costs between local authorities through an Area Cost Adjustment (ACA). The ACA considers differences in labour and rental costs, as well as the cost impact of longer journey times.

We are also proposing to include a measure of remoteness, to account for the potential impact on cost for rural authorities that cannot readily access local markets because of their location. Taking into consideration the available evidence and the views of stakeholders, the government has made a judgement that remoteness should be accounted for when assessing the cost of delivering adult social care services.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what future air-to-air refuelling requirements will be considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

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

The Defence Investment Plan will consider the UK's future air-to-air refuelling requirements to ensure we meet our commitments to NATO and the nation. The outcome will be included in the Defence Investment Plan, which is due to be published this year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the value for money of the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft contract since 2008.

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

The RAF Voyager fleet provides value for money by serving as a versatile asset for air-to-air refuelling, strategic airlift, and VIP transport.

Under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract, Air Tanker is required to provide the Department with their performance data.

This gives the Department complete transparency, ensuring regular monitoring and compliance with the terms of the agreement.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that defence companies in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor are able to (a) recruit staff, (b) receive investment and (c) expand.

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

As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, we announced a £182 million skills package that will attract, develop and retain the high-skilled workforce required to meet the objectives of the Strategic Defence Review. This investment in skills, in addition to the creation of the Defence Office for Small Business Growth, will help defence companies across the UK, including those in the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor. Further details will be announced with the publication of the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy in 2026.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of spirits duty increases on levels of pub closures in the last three years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, with Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) published alongside these announcements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of spirits duty policy in supporting the economic sustainability of pubs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, with Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) published alongside these announcements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of spirits duty on the commercial relationship between UK distilleries and pubs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, with Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) published alongside these announcements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of spirits duty increases on the viability of pubs in rural communities.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, with Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) published alongside these announcements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of linking spirits duty to inflation on the viability of pubs.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, with Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) published alongside these announcements.

Found: Mundell (Conservative; Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) James Naish (Labour; Rushcliffe) David Reed

Found: Mundell (Conservative; Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) James Naish (Labour; Rushcliffe) David Reed