Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had recent discussions with Anas Sarwar MSP on the higher rate of the Energy Profits Levy since 30 October 2024.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Chancellor regularly meets different stakeholders, including those from Scottish Labour, to discuss a range of policy issues.Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to purchase new housing stock in communities where Ministry of Defence housing stock is unused.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
On 3 November 2025, we announced our Defence Housing Strategy (DHS). It’s the most significant change for Armed Forces housing in more than 50 years and kickstarts one of Britain’s most ambitious building programmes in decades – delivering new homes for military and civilian families and driving economic growth.
As part of the DHS, a new demand and supply forecasting model will ensure that the future housing needs of the Armed Forces are more accurately planned for, enabling us to deliver housing in the right places to support military operations and reducing the number of homes that lie empty.
This model, together with improvements in data management on the condition and status of our homes and a comprehensive examination of demand, supply and estate laydown by area, will ensure that housing is provided in the locations it is required and that the number of empty homes is reduced.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take take steps to ensure effective allocation of Ministry of Defence housing stock.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Housing Strategy will deliver a new demand and supply forecasting model that will ensure the future needs of the Armed Forces are more accurately planned for, enabling us to deliver housing in the right places to support military operations and reducing the number of homes that lie empty.
Currently around 70% of total Defence homes are occupied by Service personnel. Going forward, over 90% of Defence homes will be required for Service personnel. This will include many Serving families who will be able to access family housing on a widened eligibility basis over time. Steps to widen access cannot be taken sufficiently quickly or cost-effectively without focusing Defence family homes on core occupants.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total number of occupied and unoccupied Ministry of Defence homes in Moray.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There are currently 911 Ministry of Defence Service Family Accommodation properties in Moray.
752 of these properties are occupied and 159 properties are unoccupied.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average time is for Ministry of Defence housing stock to be let (a) in the UK, (b) in Scotland and (c) Moray.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This information is not held centrally. In order to answer the hon. Member's Question, the Ministry of Defence's Industry Partner would be required to review every record, which could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the average number of Ministry of Defence housing stock in Scotland.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As of 27 November 2025, there are 3,078 Ministry of Defence Service Family Accommodation properties in Scotland.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of unoccupied MoD housing stock on local communities.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
No assessment has been made regarding the impact of unoccupied Ministry of Defence (MOD) housing on local communities. However, the MOD remains committed to fostering strong relationships with these communities.
We maintain a certain number of defence housing as vacant to allow for personnel to be rotated, and others are empty awaiting upgrade, repair or disposal. We are aware that communities purge homes that are lived in - whatever their type - and our new housing offer to our people will see modernisation of more defence homes and expanded eligibility meaning more defence homes being used.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ministry of Defence homes in Scotland have been unoccupied for (a) up to 3 months, (b) up to 6 months and (c) over a year.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The table below provides details on the number of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties in Scotland that were occupied or void during the requested time periods.
At of 27 November 2025:
Time Period | Unoccupied SFA in Scotland |
(a) up to three months | 156 |
(b) between three and six months | 90 |
(c) between six and twelve months | 98 |
(d) over twelve months | 357 |
To effectively manage the SFA across the estate, the MOD maintains a management margin. This means that a percentage of the Department’s housing stock must remain void (unoccupied) to allow for periods between occupants moving out and new occupants moving in, to facilitate essential maintenance and repair, and to ensure that the Armed Forces have the flexibility to relocate units and individuals across the country as operational requirements dictate.
As of 27 November 2025, there are 3,078 SFA properties in Scotland, of these 2,377 are let and 701 are void (unoccupied).
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much funding has been allocated to the Minister for the Union every year since the office was established.
Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The title of Minister for the Union has been held by the Prime Minister since its creation in 2019. Departmental responsibility for the delivery of union policy has been split between the Cabinet Office and MHCLG during that period. The Scotland Office, Wales Office, and Northern Ireland Office also have responsibility for ensuring the government delivers for every nation in the UK. Budgets are allocated to departments, rather than specific ministerial roles.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had recent discussions with Anas Sarwar MSP the potential merits of introducing a Scottish visa.
Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
We have no plans to devolve immigration policy, introduce a Scottish visa scheme, nor to discuss such ideas further.
Previously suggested schemes would restrict movement and rights and create internal UK borders. Adding different rules for different locations would introduce complexity and create frictions where workers move locations.