Asked by: David Taylor (Labour - Hemel Hempstead)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will estimate the number of vehicles under the jurisdiction of his Department coming to their end of life; and if he will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Defence of the potential merits of making those vehicles available to the Ukrainian military.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Environment Agency, through its strategic asset management programme, would be selling 193 commercial vehicle assets before the end of the current financial year.
The granting of weapons and equipment to Ukraine is made in response to official requests made by the Ukrainian Government.
We continue to liaise closely with Ukraine to deliver the capabilities they require to resist Russian aggression.
The UK has provided over 240 armoured and protected mobility vehicles, alongside hundreds of support vehicles to Ukraine this year.
The UK and partners will continue to ensure we equip Ukraine as best we can to defend its sovereign territory and ensure it is in a position of strength for any peace negotiations. This Government has stepped up support for Ukraine, with a record £4.5 billion of support this year alone. The Prime Minister has committed to £3 billion a year of military support for Ukraine for as long as needed.
Asked by: David Taylor (Labour - Hemel Hempstead)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of vehicles under the jurisdiction of her Department coming to their end of life; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of making those vehicles available to the Ukrainian military.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 11 June to Question 56574.
Asked by: David Taylor (Labour - Hemel Hempstead)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he he has made of the potential merits of establishing a bilateral security agreement with Kosovo as an additional mechanism for the KFOR mission.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Kosovo Force (KFOR) plays a vital part in maintaining a safe and secure environment in Kosovo, with a significant UK contribution including provision of the bulk of KFOR's Strategic Reserve Force which deployed to help manage down tensions in 2023. The UK provides a substantial package of bilateral security support to Kosovo through defence education, training, and advice under a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding. In Kosovo in April, the Foreign Secretary discussed with Kosovo's President Osmani the potential for enhancing the UK-Kosovo bilateral relationship, including through defence and security cooperation. We will take forward further discussions once a new Kosovan government is in place.
Asked by: David Taylor (Labour - Hemel Hempstead)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support young people into work in Hertfordshire.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
I thank the honourable Gentlemen for his question. Mr Speaker, as well as building our new Jobs and Careers service, which will help young people in Hertfordshire have access to better opportunities, DWP have now signed a Grant Funding Agreement of up to £19.7 million with Hertfordshire County Council for the delivery of their local Connect to Work programme, which will open for participants - including young people - at the beginning of July.