Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of limited spaces for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology on workforce diversity and access to the profession.

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

No assessment has been made. The Government is fully committed to attracting, training, and recruiting the mental health workforce of the future, including clinical psychologists.

We will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed services set out in the 10-Year Health Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to parts 1 and 2 of the Service Justice System Review, published on 29 March 2018 and 29 March 2019, if he will amend the Armed Forces Bill to exclude rape and sexual assault with penetration from Court Martial jurisdiction except when the consent of the Attorney General is given.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

There are no plans to amend the Armed Forces Bill in the way proposed. There have been significant improvements to investigations, prosecutions and victim support in the Service Justice System since the Lyons Review and the House of Commons’ Defence Committee’s previous recommendation. The Defence Serious Crime Command is implementing national standards set by the College of Policing through the Professionalising Investigations Programme and the National Operating Model under Operation Soteria, in line with National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing guidance. This ensures that investigations into rape and serious sexual offences are victim-centred, suspect-focused, and consistent with nationally recognised policing standards. The Victim Witness Care Unit provides independent, trauma-informed and end-to-end support. Reports by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate independently verify the progress made.

Sir Brian Leveson’s July 2025 Independent Review of the Criminal Courts stated that “criminal justice is in crisis” with cases being listed as far ahead as 2029, while the Court Martial has no backlogs and cases progress without delay. In the civilian system 19% of victims withdraw from adult-rape-flagged proceedings in the Crown Court; in the Court Martial none withdrew in 2024.

Whilst conviction rates cannot be reliably compared, published data does not support claims that the conviction rate is higher in the Crown Court. The conviction rate for adult-rape-flagged cases in the Court Martial, excluding guilty pleas, is 51% from 2022 to 2024 compared to 36% in the Crown Court.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure an adequate number of university places for students studying doctorates in Clinical Psychology.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Universities are autonomous bodies, independent from government, and are responsible for their own admissions decisions, including provision for doctoral places.

NHS England commissions taught doctorate programmes for Clinical Psychologists. NHS funded trainees receive placement funding at the national tariff rate and are funded at 100 per cent of salary cost at AFC band 6. NHS funded trainees also receive tuition support from NHS England, as well as contribution to travel and accommodation costs necessary to support trainees.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency does not collect information on places available on courses but publishes data on student entrants across UK higher education (HE) providers. This includes data on students entering courses in different subjects, categorised using the HE Classification of Subjects system. In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 913 entrants to doctorates in clinical psychology in UK HE providers.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support universities offering doctorates in Clinical Psychology.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Universities are autonomous bodies, independent from government, and are responsible for their own admissions decisions, including provision for doctoral places.

NHS England commissions taught doctorate programmes for Clinical Psychologists. NHS funded trainees receive placement funding at the national tariff rate and are funded at 100 per cent of salary cost at AFC band 6. NHS funded trainees also receive tuition support from NHS England, as well as contribution to travel and accommodation costs necessary to support trainees.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency does not collect information on places available on courses but publishes data on student entrants across UK higher education (HE) providers. This includes data on students entering courses in different subjects, categorised using the HE Classification of Subjects system. In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 913 entrants to doctorates in clinical psychology in UK HE providers.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many university places there are for doctorates in Clinical Psychology.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Universities are autonomous bodies, independent from government, and are responsible for their own admissions decisions, including provision for doctoral places.

NHS England commissions taught doctorate programmes for Clinical Psychologists. NHS funded trainees receive placement funding at the national tariff rate and are funded at 100 per cent of salary cost at AFC band 6. NHS funded trainees also receive tuition support from NHS England, as well as contribution to travel and accommodation costs necessary to support trainees.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency does not collect information on places available on courses but publishes data on student entrants across UK higher education (HE) providers. This includes data on students entering courses in different subjects, categorised using the HE Classification of Subjects system. In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 913 entrants to doctorates in clinical psychology in UK HE providers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many clinical psychology training places were commissioned in each of the last five years, and how this compares to the number of applicants.

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

The following table provides the number of training places across the 28 training providers of Doctorates in Clinical Psychology in England over the past five years:

Source: Clearing House, available at the following link:
https://www.clearing-house.org.uk/

In addition, the following table shows the data on places and unique applicants, as applicants can apply to more than one course, that are available in total across all English, Scottish, and Welsh courses:

Source: Clearing House, available at the following link:
https://www.clearing-house.org.uk/

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 48851 on Reserve Forces: Finance, what assessment he has made of the level of available reserve service days; and what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of reserve service days, including for 3 Division.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The UK Armed Forces continually review Reserve Service Days (RSD) to ensure that the Reserve Forces meet operational requirements.

The Army is currently conducting a review of Army Reserve tasks, including those for 3 (UK) Division, through the Field Army’s Force Commitments Exercise which will assess the funding required to support planned activities and to forecast the number of RSD needed for Financial Year 2026-27.

In addition, the Royal Air Force has no current plans to alter the current commitment of RSD per person, whilst the Royal Navy is undertaking work to expand funded training, increase deployment opportunities, and improve short notice tasking for the Maritime Reserves.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the Capability Drop 3 Ajax-family vehicles that have undergone acceptance testing by the Joint Acceptance Group required concessions against specifications or contractual requirements to be submitted by General Dynamics; and how many were approved.

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

All 185 Capability Drop 3 vehicles have modifications above the current production baseline and therefore every vehicle accepted through the joint acceptance group testing has concessions. In addition to these above baseline concessions, there are 28 different concessions which are due to either alternative parts or parts out of tolerance which do not impact user performance or operation or exceptionally a timebound impact on performance which is acceptable.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of the original capability requirements specified for the Ajax-family vehicles have been relaxed or amended due to an inability of the vehicles to meet the original requirements.

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

It would not be appropriate to release a complete list of capability criteria, or any amendments to them, as doing so could prejudice the capability of our Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of the capability requirements that Ajax-family Capability Drop 4 vehicles will fully comply with.

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

It would not be appropriate to release a complete list of capability criteria, or any amendments to them, as doing so could prejudice the capability of our Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of the capability requirements have Ajax-family Capability Drop 3 vehicles been verified to fully comply with.

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

It would not be appropriate to release a complete list of capability criteria, or any amendments to them, as doing so could prejudice the capability of our Armed Forces.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department if taking steps to help promote fish as part of a healthy diet.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Fish is a healthy and nutritious source of protein that can play an important role in achieving a balanced diet. The NHS Eatwell Guide recommends eating at least two portions of fish per week, with one of those portions portion being oily fish.

The Government’s Food Strategy outlines goals for healthier and more affordable food that will help us move towards a ‘good food cycle’. This includes an improved food environment that supports healthier, more environmentally sustainable food sales accessible to all.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, will the RAF's Eurofighter Typhoon be upgraded with the Aerodynamic Modification Kit.

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

The Typhoon is a world-class combat aircraft and will continue to serve as the backbone of the UK's Combat Air Force mass until at least the 2040s. To ensure it remains at the cutting edge of capability, the UK is planning significant investment in the Typhoon through-life equipment programme. Further details on future Typhoon investment will be outlined in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure European fishing boats comply with the UK-EU fishing deal, particularly within the UK 12-mile limit.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

EU vessels operating in UK waters are required to comply with the same rules as UK vessels. EU vessels have no access to the 0–6-mile zone and limited access to the 6–12-mile zone. Fishing vessel movements within English waters are monitored by the Marine Management Organisation’s Offshore Monitoring Team using Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. This includes detection of EU vessels within the English 12nm limit without the required authorisation. Fisheries is a devolved matter in the UK so Devolved Governments may have different arrangements and EU vessels only have access to the English and Welsh 6–12-mile zone.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support small fishing fleets.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra works closely with all parts of the fishing industry, including the small‑scale fleet, to support a vibrant, profitable and sustainable sector. This includes securing fishing opportunities for them in annual negotiations and developing fisheries management plans to maintain or restore stocks. The department has also established the Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund to help regenerate the industry and coastal communities, and we encourage small‑scale fishers to make full use of the support available.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to encourage young people to enter the fishing industry.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra has been working with industry to understand how best to support young people into seafood careers. This includes Defra’s UK Seafood Careers Project, co-designed with industry, which has explored the issues and challenges affecting the recruitment and retention of UK workers within the UK’s fishing industry. As part of this project, young people were invited to focus groups and workshops, to understand how to make seafood careers more attractive. The UK Seafood Careers Project is due to be published in Spring 2026.

The £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund aims to support the next generation of fishers and breathe new life into our coastal communities. In England, the scheme is still in development, and Defra is considering how the Fund could support young fishers to enter the industry.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support young people in the fishing industry.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra has been working with industry to understand how best to support young people into seafood careers. This includes Defra’s UK Seafood Careers Project, co-designed with industry, which has explored the issues and challenges affecting the recruitment and retention of UK workers within the UK’s fishing industry. As part of this project, young people were invited to focus groups and workshops, to understand how to make seafood careers more attractive. The UK Seafood Careers Project is due to be published in Spring 2026.

The £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund aims to support the next generation of fishers and breathe new life into our coastal communities. In England, the scheme is still in development, and Defra is considering how the Fund could support young fishers to enter the industry.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to help support sustainable fishing through investment.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

On 19 May 2025, the Government announced the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, a £360 million investment over the next 12 years in the UK’s fisheries and seafood sector, and coastal communities. In England the fund is being designed with input from industry and the department has recently finished a set of wide-ranging and nation-wide stakeholder engagement. Responses to this engagement have highlighted the need for healthy marine ecosystems, and support to transition to more sustainable fishing practices. These ideas will be considered as the scheme is developed, as we are committed to designing a fund that is better aligned with industry priorities and focused on long-term resilience, sustainability and growth.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026

Dolphin hunting in the Faroe Islands

Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank

Role of the House of Lords in scrutinising legislation

Public inquiry into Epstein links

Found: Barclay (in the Chair) Luke Akehurst Irene Campbell Paul Davies Nusrat Ghani Clive Jones James MacCleary

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the evidential basis is for his Department's position that all of the Atherton Report’s recommendations have been implemented in full.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 December 2025 to Question 98153 to the hon. Member for Lewes (James MacCleary).

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-12-08/98153