Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the planned in-service date is for the deep precision strike weapon that will be developed with Germany.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK and Germany are considering several concepts and technologies to address emerging threats so far and have defined a joint range requirement of over 2000km.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to procure the Lura-SG-1 artificial intelligence system.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Navy has begun industry engagement to understand how commercial systems could be used to conduct anti-submarine warfare in the Atlantic.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March to Question 34638 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, what assessment he has made of any capability gap created by retiring the Puma helicopter fleet in (a) Brunei and (b) Cyprus in the 2025-26 financial year.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence continues to routinely assess and reassess capabilities required by deployed UK forces. In support of Commander British Forces Cyprus, two Royal Air Force CH47 Chinook helicopters are currently forward deployed to provide an aerial firefighting capability through the wildfire season and are able to provide a range of supporting functions. Mitigations against jungle training in Brunei are in place however it is the long-standing policy of the UK Government not to comment on UK SF activity. The six Airbus H145 HC2 Jupiter helicopters will deploy and commence operational activity in Brunei and Cyprus in 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph eight of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, when the UK plans to formally join the Permanent Structured Co-operation on security and defence (PESCO) project Military Mobility.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph six of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, how the EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership will reinforce the UK's contribution to NATO.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to clause 12, subsection A, of the Security and Defence Partnership announced on 19 May 2025, if he will list all participants of the six-monthly foreign and security policy dialogues.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 12B of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what the requirements are for the UK to invite the HR to high-level meetings organised by the UK.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 12B of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what the requirements are for the UK to receive an invitation to the EU high-level meetings.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 12A of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, where the six-monthly foreign and security policy dialogues take place.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 18 of his Department's policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, in what circumstances would the UK invite the EU to (a) observe and (b) participate in crisis management exercises.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 18 of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, whether the UK military chiefs will (a) observe and (b) participate in EU crisis management exercises.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 22 of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, who will participate in the EU and UK’s regular exchanges on maritime security.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 22 of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, how frequently will the EU and UK hold exchanges on maritime security.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 12, subsection F, of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, whether he plans to accept the invitation to participate in the biannual Schuman Security and Defence Forum.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 18of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, under what circumstances the UK will be invited to (a) observe and (b) participate in EU crisis management exercises.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 14 of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, how he plans to collaborate further with the EU on Russia and Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 12, subsection D of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, who will participate in the annual working level consultations.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 12, subsection C of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, where the annual Security and Defence Dialogues will take place.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on UK access to the Security Action for Europe fund.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As this is a critical moment for the security of our continent, we welcome European efforts to increase defence spending, through the ReArm initiative including the proposed Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument.

The UK and the EU have agreed an ambitious new Security and Defence Partnership as part of a wider package of the UK-EU reset, which means that the UK now meets the gateway criteria for discussing participation in common procurement under SAFE. Recognising the important role that the UK’s defence industry plays already for European security, we have set out our ambition to swiftly explore the potential for enhanced cooperation through the proposed SAFE instrument, as soon as the EU’s necessary processes are complete.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to fully integrate Spear 3 onto Typhoon.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As part of SPEAR 3 development with MBDA and to support future integration on F-35 Lightning, a Test and Evaluation Typhoon is being used as a missile development launch aircraft.

Future weapon system upgrades and integration are continuously under review for Typhoon Force to ensure it has the capabilities required by UK Defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterparts on the integration of Spear 3 onto the F-35B.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

SPEAR 3 will be integrated onto the F-35 under the Block 4 upgrade programme. The UK continues to work closely with the F-35 Joint Program Office to understand the impact of delays to the Block 4 programme, including SPEAR 3 integration.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 44502 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, whether the two CH47 Chinook helicopters currently deployed in Cyprus are provided from the fleet of the 14 Chinook helicopters being decommissioned.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Of the two Chinook H-47 currently deployed to cover the aerial firefighting season in Cyprus, one is earmarked for retirement as part of the planned decommissioning of the oldest 14 aircraft in the Chinook fleet.

There is no impact on Chinook fleet operational outputs as a result of the forward deployment of two Chinook H-47 to Cyprus.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April to Question 44502 on Puma Helicopters: Decommissioning, what steps he is taking to ensure that there will be no loss of operational output from the Chinook fleet as a result of the deployment of two CH47 Chinook helicopters in Cyprus.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Of the two Chinook H-47 currently deployed to cover the aerial firefighting season in Cyprus, one is earmarked for retirement as part of the planned decommissioning of the oldest 14 aircraft in the Chinook fleet.

There is no impact on Chinook fleet operational outputs as a result of the forward deployment of two Chinook H-47 to Cyprus.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, whether this will cause any delay to the publication of the Strategic Defence Review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review was published on 2 June 2025. It sets out the roles, capabilities and reforms required by Defence to meet the threats, challenges, and opportunities of the twenty-first century.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will hold discussions with farmers in South Suffolk constituency on the changes to Inheritance Tax proposed in the Autumn Budget 2024.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

As the Minister responsible for the UK tax system, I have received representations on this subject from a number of Hon Members and I have participated in several debates in this House since Autumn Budget 2024. I have also met with Hon Members and several agricultural organisations to listen to their views.

The Government has been listening to the different views on this subject and continues to believe the approach we have set out is appropriate.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of barriers to regular access to prescribed medication on people with epilepsy.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There are a range of anti-seizure medications that have been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as effective in the treatment of epilepsy. NICE guidance outlines that clinicians should develop an individualised anti-seizure medication treatment strategy with their patient, accounting for safety considerations, and should regularly monitor and review their patient’s medications.

Medicine supply chains are complex, global and highly regulated and there are several reasons why supply can be disrupted, many of which are not specific to the United Kingdom and are outside of Government control. These include manufacturing difficulties, access to raw materials, sudden demand spikes or distribution issues and regulatory issues.

While we cannot always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and mitigate risks to patients. The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including directing suppliers to expedite deliveries, most issues have been resolved.

We are currently aware of an ongoing supply issue with all strengths of topiramate tablets from one manufacturer. This supply issue is expected to resolve by the end of August 2025. Alternative suppliers have sufficient supply to support patients. We have issued management guidance to the National Health Service.

We are also aware of a shortage of phenobarbital 15 milligram tablets and phenobarbital 15 milligram/5 millilitre elixir from two different manufacturers. Resupply dates are yet to be confirmed for phenobarbital 15 milligram tablets, and the elixir issue is expected to resolve by late June 2025. Management guidance has been issued to the NHS for both formulations. In both cases, alternative suppliers are in stock with sufficient supply to support patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of epilepsy drugs.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including directing suppliers to expedite deliveries, most issues have been resolved.

We are currently aware of an ongoing supply issue with all strengths of topiramate tablets from one manufacturer. This supply issue is expected to resolve by the end of August 2025. Alternative suppliers have sufficient supply to support patients. We have issued management guidance to the National Health Service.

We are also aware of a shortage of phenobarbital 15 milligram tablets and phenobarbital 15 milligram/5 millilitre elixir from two different manufacturers. Resupply dates are yet to be confirmed for phenobarbital 15 milligram tablets, and the elixir issue is expected to resolve by late June 2025. Management guidance has been issued to the NHS for both formulations. In both cases, alternative suppliers are in stock with sufficient supply to support patients.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, how the security and defence partnership will make the United Kingdom more secure.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence. It will complement our core bilateral partnerships – particularly France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Norway.

The SDP will enable dialogue and cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure. These exchanges will be flexible and scalable according to need. For example, we are working to ensure that our personnel and assets can more easily move across the European continent in times of both peace and crisis, including exploring participation in PESCO projects that bolster our NATO warfighting plans.

Implementation will be overseen jointly by the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. The detail of the terms and the modalities for implementation are under discussion, including any exploration of an Administrative Arrangement with the European Defence Agency, UK participation in additional EU crisis management activity and attendance at working level policy and information exchanges or secondments.

Any commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value to the UK taxpayer and deliver the UK’s defence.

Mauritius Treaty

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 46190 on Warships: Decommissioning, what ships will take on the role of mine clearance following the decommissioning of the Sandown Class vessels.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the response I provided to Question 47760 to the hon. Member for Suffolk South (James Cartlidge), on 29 April 2025.

Found: UK”.44 Integrated procurement model In February 2024 then Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge

Found: court has the jurisdiction to make one”.70 Speaking in the House, the Shadow Defence Secretary, James Cartlidge