Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government plans to extend financial redress schemes arising from the Hughes Report on medical devices to men who have suffered complications from hernia mesh.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 14 July in response to Question 16121.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made in implementing the recommendations of the Hughes Report on medical devices; and whether financial redress arrangements will apply equally to men who have suffered complications from hernia mesh.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 14 July in response to Question 16121.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether men who have experienced complications from hernia mesh are eligible for financial redress.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 14 July in response to Question 16121.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister’s announcement of £8.4 billion for the Dreadnought submarine programme on 30 July 2026, how much of that funding is additional to previously announced departmental spending settlements.

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

The £8.4 billion was forecast within the Dreadnought cost envelope, as set out in the 2015 National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of assaults on prison officers on sickness absence and staff retention.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

HMPPS regularly reviews sickness absence, assaults and workforce data to understand the impact on prison officers and other frontline staff. Assaults can have a serious effect on individuals, including physical injury, psychological harm and time away from work, and can also affect operational resilience where absences occur in frontline prison grades. However, current analysis indicates that assault-related absence remains a relatively small proportion of overall sickness absence. The impact is most visible in Band 3-5 operational prison grades, reflecting their greater exposure to physical interventions and workplace incidents. HMPPS considers this alongside wider evidence that operational prison staff experience higher levels of sickness absence linked to the demands of custodial environments, exposure to trauma and the physical nature of the role. Trends in assaults, absence and workforce metrics are monitored through established performance and attendance management arrangements, enabling targeted interventions where risks are greatest. Staff who experience assaults are supported through post-incident care, welfare support and the Staff Assault Guidance, helping to minimise the impact on individuals, support recovery, improve staff safety and reduce the effect on operational delivery.

With regards to retention there is a comprehensive approach by HMPPS to tackle retention challenges across both the Prison and Probation Service. Central to this effort is the retention strategy and retention oversight process. Complementing the strategy is a retention toolkit informed by research into the drivers of attrition. This toolkit supports local, regional, and national interventions and is used alongside structured exit interviews to gather feedback and shape future actions. The retention oversight process, which targets high-attrition sites includes deep dives led by occupational psychologists to uncover root causes and share best practices. Coordination of national interventions is managed through the Retention Delivery Committee, ensuring strategic alignment and minimal disruption to operational sites. The latest published HMPPS workforce data, including leaving and resignation rates and sickness data, is available in the June HM Prison and Probation Service workforce statistics publication, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hm-prison-probation-service-workforce-quarterly-june-2026.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of protective equipment issued to prison officers at reducing injuries from assaults.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is satisfied that the protective body armour issued to specialist staff is appropriate for its intended operational purpose. The equipment was selected to provide protection against identified risks while remaining suitable for prolonged operational use. Feedback from users and operational assurance arrangements continue to inform our assessment of its effectiveness.

Following the serious assault at HMP Frankland in April 2025, HMPPS has taken steps to strengthen staff safety and is progressing a range of protective capabilities intended to reduce the risk and impact of assaults on prison officers.

This includes a significant expansion in the provision of protective body armour, with HMPPS committed to equipping up to 10,000 staff by March 2027. Protective body armour is already mandated for staff working in some of the highest-risk areas of the Long-Term High Security Estate, and it also used in other high-risk operational contexts.

HMPPS has introduced Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs), commonly known as TASERs, on a phased and controlled basis, by staff in its specialist Operational Response and Resilience Unit. This has enabled HMPPS to test capability in the prison environment, learn from operational use and develop the necessary policy, training, assurance and safeguards. Subject to the necessary governance and operational arrangements being in place, HMPPS plans to begin training Local Response Team staff across the Long Term High Security Estate in the use of CEDs later this year.

These measures form part of HMPPS’s wider risk-based and evidence-led approach to staff safety, ensuring that new protective capabilities are introduced in a controlled and proportionate way and informed by operational learning.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps HM Prison and Probation Service is taking to trial new technologies intended to help prevent assaults on prison officers.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is satisfied that the protective body armour issued to specialist staff is appropriate for its intended operational purpose. The equipment was selected to provide protection against identified risks while remaining suitable for prolonged operational use. Feedback from users and operational assurance arrangements continue to inform our assessment of its effectiveness.

Following the serious assault at HMP Frankland in April 2025, HMPPS has taken steps to strengthen staff safety and is progressing a range of protective capabilities intended to reduce the risk and impact of assaults on prison officers.

This includes a significant expansion in the provision of protective body armour, with HMPPS committed to equipping up to 10,000 staff by March 2027. Protective body armour is already mandated for staff working in some of the highest-risk areas of the Long-Term High Security Estate, and it also used in other high-risk operational contexts.

HMPPS has introduced Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs), commonly known as TASERs, on a phased and controlled basis, by staff in its specialist Operational Response and Resilience Unit. This has enabled HMPPS to test capability in the prison environment, learn from operational use and develop the necessary policy, training, assurance and safeguards. Subject to the necessary governance and operational arrangements being in place, HMPPS plans to begin training Local Response Team staff across the Long Term High Security Estate in the use of CEDs later this year.

These measures form part of HMPPS’s wider risk-based and evidence-led approach to staff safety, ensuring that new protective capabilities are introduced in a controlled and proportionate way and informed by operational learning.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will undertake a local skills needs assessment for Runcorn and Helsby constituency to identify employer demand in engineering, laboratory science, digital technology, construction, logistics and advanced manufacturing.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Skills England is developing a robust evidence base on skills needs at national, sectoral and place-based level, helping to align training provision with workforce demand and support economic growth. Local skills needs in Runcorn and Helsby are considered through this ongoing labour market analysis, as well as the newly published Cheshire & Warrington LSIP, developed by the local designated Employer Representative Body and working with the Combined Authority.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if his Department will develop a national strategy to help reduce assaults on prison officers.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Prison Service has a National Safety Strategy Framework in place which sets out the approach to reducing violence by identifying and addressing the drivers of harm and preventing harm to others.

Governors are required to have prison-level safety strategies in place to effectively manage the risks of violence, which are grounded in an understanding of the drivers of harm and the risks in their prisons, using the National Safety Strategy Framework as a guide for their development.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what process is available to developers seeking an independent operational evaluation of new prison officer safety equipment.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice publishes details of future procurement opportunities through the UK Government's Find a Tender Service (FTS). Information on upcoming tenders can be accessed via the Find a Tender portal at: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/.

Suppliers interested in future opportunities are encouraged to monitor the Find a Tender Service for the latest procurement notices and contract opportunities.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Department plans to introduce standardised recording of the circumstances in which prison officers are assaulted.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

We currently standardise recording of critical elements of assaults which can be readily categorised and support this with a free text field to present a fuller picture of the incident that can inform operational action. This information can be used to ensure that appropriate tailored support is provided to staff who have been assaulted.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will provide publicly funded legal representation for veterans required to participate in legal proceedings arising from their service in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Yes.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what capital funding is available for the establishment of a (a) satellite further education campus and (b) specialist skills and apprenticeship centre in Runcorn; and whether such a proposal is eligible for funding allocated to increase further education capacity.

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

In non-devolved areas, including Runcorn, the Post 16 and Construction Skills Capacity Fund offered a route for further education colleges, sixth form colleges and 16 to 19 academies to increase capacity to accommodate additional post-16 learners, due to rising population numbers, or to expand construction course provision.

Funding decisions have now been made for the £287 million investment that was available through the Post 16 and Construction Skills Capacity Fund. These outcomes were announced on 28 July 2026: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/post-16-and-construction-skills-capacity-fund-in-non-devolved-areas-successful-projects.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with Halton Borough Council, Riverside College, local schools and employers on the proposed establishment of a dedicated post-16 skills and apprenticeship hub in Runcorn.

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

The department engages regularly with Halton Borough Council, Riverside College and other local partners on post-16 education and skills provision in the Halton area, including the Runcorn and Helsby constituency. Discussions have included the availability and accessibility of education and training opportunities for young people and adults, as well as options for delivering provision across the area, including satellite provision and the opening of WELL Runcorn, a joint venture with the NHS, which will offer education and health services to residents. Officials have discussed how the college’s provision in the town centre with Power in Partnership supports the most vulnerable students. Decisions relating to local transport arrangements are the responsibility of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and local partners. Riverside College provide free transportation to all Runcorn and Helsby learners.

The department keeps post-16 education and training provision under review and works closely with local authorities, colleges and other providers to ensure sufficient capacity is available to meet learner demand. Departmental officials have held discussions with Halton Borough Council and Riverside College regarding current and future post-16 provision in the Halton area, including the Runcorn and Helsby constituency. These discussions have considered learner participation, demographic changes and local capacity to ensure provision continues to meet the needs of young people and employers.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of current and projected post-16 education and training capacity in Runcorn and Helsby constituency.

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

The department engages regularly with Halton Borough Council, Riverside College and other local partners on post-16 education and skills provision in the Halton area, including the Runcorn and Helsby constituency. Discussions have included the availability and accessibility of education and training opportunities for young people and adults, as well as options for delivering provision across the area, including satellite provision and the opening of WELL Runcorn, a joint venture with the NHS, which will offer education and health services to residents. Officials have discussed how the college’s provision in the town centre with Power in Partnership supports the most vulnerable students. Decisions relating to local transport arrangements are the responsibility of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and local partners. Riverside College provide free transportation to all Runcorn and Helsby learners.

The department keeps post-16 education and training provision under review and works closely with local authorities, colleges and other providers to ensure sufficient capacity is available to meet learner demand. Departmental officials have held discussions with Halton Borough Council and Riverside College regarding current and future post-16 provision in the Halton area, including the Runcorn and Helsby constituency. These discussions have considered learner participation, demographic changes and local capacity to ensure provision continues to meet the needs of young people and employers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions the Government has had with the President of France on preventing the departure of larger migrant vessels from the French coast.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government maintains regular engagement with the French Government at all levels on illegal migration and border security. The UK-France Border Security Partnership, signed by the Home Secretary in April, sets out a joint approach to strengthen action across the entire migration route, including enhanced intelligence sharing, upstream cooperation with source and transit countries, stronger law enforcement activity and measures to disrupt organised criminal gangs. The UK and France are also working with wider European partners to strengthen collective efforts to deter irregular migration and prevent dangerous Channel crossings.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions the Government has had with the President of France on strengthening controls against the onward movement of irregular migrants through France.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government maintains regular engagement with the French Government at all levels on illegal migration and border security. The UK-France Border Security Partnership, signed by the Home Secretary in April, sets out a joint approach to strengthen action across the entire migration route, including enhanced intelligence sharing, upstream cooperation with source and transit countries, stronger law enforcement activity and measures to disrupt organised criminal gangs. The UK and France are also working with wider European partners to strengthen collective efforts to deter irregular migration and prevent dangerous Channel crossings.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to establish a cross-government strategy on irregular migration into the United Kingdom.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government already takes a cross-government approach to tackling irregular migration. Through the Border Security Command, law enforcement, operational and policy partners work together to disrupt organised immigration crime, strengthen border security and coordinate action across the migration system.

This is supported by the Government's Restoring Order and Control programme and the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which together deliver reforms across the asylum, returns and border security systems.

Established cross-government governance arrangements oversee performance, risks and delivery across the migration system.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will prevent newly built homes intended to meet local housing need from being procured by Home Office contractors for use as asylum accommodation.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing and new council housing will not be constructed for use by asylum seekers under any circumstances. The Home Secretary has been clear that new builds should not be used for the purposes of housing asylum seekers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of arrangements for returning people who arrive in the United Kingdom by small boat.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

Returns of those with no right to be in the UK have reached the highest levels in nearly a decade, with over 80,000 returns from July 2024 to July 2026.

As you would expect, we continuously monitor performance across all areas of the Home Office, including our activity to tackle illegal migration. We are continuously striving for levels of returns to increase, while ensuring that we always treat everyone we encounter with dignity and respect.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has set a target for the proportion of people arriving by small boat who are liable for removal and subsequently removed from the United Kingdom.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

Returns of those with no right to be in the UK have reached the highest levels in nearly a decade, with over 80,000 returns from July 2024 to July 2026.

As you would expect, we continuously monitor performance across all areas of the Home Office, including our activity to tackle illegal migration. We are continuously striving for levels of returns to increase, while ensuring that we always treat everyone we encounter with dignity and respect.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government uses the term invasion to describe large-scale unauthorised crossings of international borders by migrants.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

There is no single term that applies to all large-scale cross-border movements of migrants. Terminology used by governments and international organisations may vary depending on the legal and operational context.

Within the UK immigration system, Home Office guidance distinguishes between 'irregular arrivals' and individuals who have entered the UK illegally by breaching immigration law or evading immigration control. The relevant guidance document can be found here: Irregular or unlawful entry and arrival

The Government recognises the pressures facing the immigration and asylum system and public concern about illegal migration and is taking action to strengthen border security, tackle organised immigration crime and restore confidence in the system through the Restoring Order and Control programme, the Border Security Command and wider immigration reforms. Since the Government took office, over 80,000 people with no right to be in the UK have been removed or returned, while joint UK-French activity has prevented more than 48,000 attempted Channel crossings. The Home Office has also reported that the number of small boat crossings is down this year, with July 2026 recording the lowest number of arrivals for that month since 2020.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what terminology the Government uses to describe large-scale unauthorised crossings of international borders by migrants.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

There is no single term that applies to all large-scale cross-border movements of migrants. Terminology used by governments and international organisations may vary depending on the legal and operational context.

Within the UK immigration system, Home Office guidance distinguishes between 'irregular arrivals' and individuals who have entered the UK illegally by breaching immigration law or evading immigration control. The relevant guidance document can be found here: Irregular or unlawful entry and arrival

The Government recognises the pressures facing the immigration and asylum system and public concern about illegal migration and is taking action to strengthen border security, tackle organised immigration crime and restore confidence in the system through the Restoring Order and Control programme, the Border Security Command and wider immigration reforms. Since the Government took office, over 80,000 people with no right to be in the UK have been removed or returned, while joint UK-French activity has prevented more than 48,000 attempted Channel crossings. The Home Office has also reported that the number of small boat crossings is down this year, with July 2026 recording the lowest number of arrivals for that month since 2020.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has set a target for reducing small boat arrivals during the remainder of 2026.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to reducing dangerous small boat crossings and tackling the criminal gangs that facilitate them. The Border Security Command leads the cross-system response to organised immigration crime and reduce small boat arrivals.

We have recently published the Border Security Command annual report which sets out how we are tackling small boat crossings. The number of people arriving on small boats over the summer are at their lowest level since 2020 and year to date are down by over 40%. We continue to work with domestic and international partners to drive down crossings, disrupt organised immigration crime and strengthen border security.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the arrival of 752 people by small boat on 29 July 2026 on border security.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government has been clear that small boat crossings are dangerous, unnecessary, and unacceptable. Organised crime groups (OCGs) continue to put lives at risk by launching dangerously overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels.

We continually assess changes in methods used by OCGs who facilitate these crossings including the use of larger, unsuitable vessels and the increasing number of people carried on individual boats. Overcrowding and poor construction can make vessels unstable and vulnerable to failure, placing both those on board and those responding to incidents at serious risk.

The Border Security Command is working with operational partners and international counterparts to disrupt the OCGs, equipment supply chains and launch activity that facilitate these crossings. We are making progress with the number of small boat crossings down by over 40% this year and with over 48,000 crossing attempts prevented.

More than 1,100 boats and engines have been seized by the National Crime Agency working with international partners, disrupting the supply of small boat equipment.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of recent trends in the number of people carried aboard individual small boats crossing the English Channel.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government has been clear that small boat crossings are dangerous, unnecessary, and unacceptable. Organised crime groups (OCGs) continue to put lives at risk by launching dangerously overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels.

We continually assess changes in methods used by OCGs who facilitate these crossings including the use of larger, unsuitable vessels and the increasing number of people carried on individual boats. Overcrowding and poor construction can make vessels unstable and vulnerable to failure, placing both those on board and those responding to incidents at serious risk.

The Border Security Command is working with operational partners and international counterparts to disrupt the OCGs, equipment supply chains and launch activity that facilitate these crossings. We are making progress with the number of small boat crossings down by over 40% this year and with over 48,000 crossing attempts prevented.

More than 1,100 boats and engines have been seized by the National Crime Agency working with international partners, disrupting the supply of small boat equipment.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the use of larger vessels for small boat crossings on risks to life.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government has been clear that small boat crossings are dangerous, unnecessary, and unacceptable. Organised crime groups (OCGs) continue to put lives at risk by launching dangerously overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels.

We continually assess changes in methods used by OCGs who facilitate these crossings including the use of larger, unsuitable vessels and the increasing number of people carried on individual boats. Overcrowding and poor construction can make vessels unstable and vulnerable to failure, placing both those on board and those responding to incidents at serious risk.

The Border Security Command is working with operational partners and international counterparts to disrupt the OCGs, equipment supply chains and launch activity that facilitate these crossings. We are making progress with the number of small boat crossings down by over 40% this year and with over 48,000 crossing attempts prevented.

More than 1,100 boats and engines have been seized by the National Crime Agency working with international partners, disrupting the supply of small boat equipment.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of arrangements for identifying the operators of vessels used for small boat crossings.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Border Security Command, law enforcement and operational partners work to identify and disrupt those involved in facilitating small boat crossings, including individuals suspected of operating vessels used for these crossings. Supported by stronger legal powers, increased specialist capability, tighter operational coordination and closer international cooperation, we are placing increasing pressure on the criminal networks that facilitate illegal migration and seek to profit from it. This government will continue to use all available powers, like the new endangerment offence (ten small boat pilots in less than two months have already been jailed for endangering lives at sea), to bring criminals facilitating crossings to justice and restore order and control to our borders.

The National Crime Agency’s collaboration with the Border Security Command has been instrumental in enhancing the UK’s response to organised immigration crime. In Year End June 2026, there were 3,896 disruptions of organised immigration crime recorded, 48% more than in the previous year (2,638).

We are also strengthening operational cooperation with the EU and its member states, including through Europol Operational Task Forces, and with source and transit countries.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of demand for homelessness services in Runcorn and Helsby constituency.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness and rough sleeping is far too high. That is why we have made homelessness prevention a core pillar of our National Plan to End Homelessness, and increased funding for homelessness and rough sleeping services to a record £4 billion over the next three years.

The government publishes quarterly homelessness statistics, including data on homelessness applications and how many households were living in temporary accommodation which can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding provided to Halton Borough Council to meet its statutory duties to households requiring temporary accommodation.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness and rough sleeping is far too high. That is why we have made homelessness prevention a core pillar of our National Plan to End Homelessness, and increased funding for homelessness and rough sleeping services to a record £4 billion over the next three years.

The government publishes quarterly homelessness statistics, including data on homelessness applications and how many households were living in temporary accommodation which can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many households were living in temporary accommodation in Cheshire West and Chester in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness and rough sleeping is far too high. That is why we have made homelessness prevention a core pillar of our National Plan to End Homelessness, and increased funding for homelessness and rough sleeping services to a record £4 billion over the next three years.

The government publishes quarterly homelessness statistics, including data on homelessness applications and how many households were living in temporary accommodation which can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many homelessness applications were made to Cheshire West and Chester Council in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness and rough sleeping is far too high. That is why we have made homelessness prevention a core pillar of our National Plan to End Homelessness, and increased funding for homelessness and rough sleeping services to a record £4 billion over the next three years.

The government publishes quarterly homelessness statistics, including data on homelessness applications and how many households were living in temporary accommodation which can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many homelessness applications were made to Halton Borough Council in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness and rough sleeping is far too high. That is why we have made homelessness prevention a core pillar of our National Plan to End Homelessness, and increased funding for homelessness and rough sleeping services to a record £4 billion over the next three years.

The government publishes quarterly homelessness statistics, including data on homelessness applications and how many households were living in temporary accommodation which can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many households were living in temporary accommodation in Halton in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness and rough sleeping is far too high. That is why we have made homelessness prevention a core pillar of our National Plan to End Homelessness, and increased funding for homelessness and rough sleeping services to a record £4 billion over the next three years.

The government publishes quarterly homelessness statistics, including data on homelessness applications and how many households were living in temporary accommodation which can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a year-by-year expenditure trajectory for meeting 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035.

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

The Government is committed to strengthening the UK's national security and meeting its NATO commitments.

Defence spending is increasing significantly and is expected to rise by 27% in real terms between 2023-24 and 2029-30. From 2027-28 onwards, the UK will spend 2.7% of GDP on core NATO-defined defence expenditure, maintaining its position as one of NATO's leading contributors.

The Government has committed to increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP in the next Parliament, with funding and plans to be considered through future Spending Review processes. Alongside NATO Allies, the UK has also committed to reach 3.5% of GDP on defence spending by 2035 and remains committed to meeting its obligations under the NATO Defence Investment Pledge.

Detailed decisions on future spending profiles beyond the current spending period will be considered as part of future fiscal events and Spending Reviews.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish a costed implementation plan for delivering the capabilities identified in the Strategic Defence Review.

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

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP), published on 30 June 2026, is the costed plan to deliver the vision and capabilities set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), setting out the investment choices the Government has made for UK Defence to 2035.

The DIP is backed by nearly £300bn of investment over the next four years – including an additional £15bn increase in spending power above what was agreed at last year’s Spending Review. The £74bn allocated to MOD next year (2027-2028) is £20bn more than the last year of the previous government, and will continue to grow for the rest of the parliament.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of planned defence expenditure between 2026 and 2035 will be allocated to the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

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

The Defence Investment Plan sets out £63.6 billion of planned investment in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise between financial years 2026-27 and 2029-30, excluding workforce costs.

The proportion of the Ministry of Defence's budget spent on the Defence Nuclear Enterprise will increase over the next four years to between around 20% and 25%.

The Defence Investment Plan sets out the Government's current priorities and strategic intent for investment in Defence over the coming decade, underpinned by detailed spending plans from 2026-27 to 2029-30. Spending plans beyond that will be subject to future Spending Reviews.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of assaults on police officers on levels of sickness absence and workforce retention.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is clear that assaults against police officers are completely unacceptable. Officers should be able to carry out their duties without fear of violence, and we are committed to ensuring they have the protection, support and wellbeing provision they need throughout their careers.

The Police Covenant recognises the unique risks and pressures faced by those working in policing and seeks to ensure that the police workforce is not disadvantaged as a result of their role. Improving the physical protection, health and wellbeing of officers are core elements of the Covenant. Assaults can have both physical and psychological consequences, affecting health, sickness absence and retention. It is therefore important that we continue to work together with policing to improve the quality and consistency of data on assaults, so that the scale and nature of violence against police can be better understood and used to inform prevention and support.

We continue to fund the National Police Wellbeing Service, which works directly with forces through Operation Hampshire to support the consistent reporting, investigation and, where appropriate, prosecution of assaults against police officers and staff.

The Home Office already issues guidance to forces on recording police assaults, and work is ongoing with policing partners to improve data quality, including consideration of what further information about the circumstances and location of assaults would be valuable to collect to strengthen the national picture.

The Government recognises that police officers can face an increased risk of assault when carrying out duties that require close contact with detainees, including during arrest, transport and custody procedures. Managing these risks is an operational matter for chief constables, who are responsible for ensuring officers receive appropriate training, guidance and equipment to carry out their duties safely.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the proposed National Police Service will have responsibility for evaluating officer safety equipment and technologies.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government will bring forward legislation to establish the National Police Service as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has been made of the level of risk of assaults on police officers in situations where close contact with detainees is unavoidable.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is clear that assaults against police officers are completely unacceptable. Officers should be able to carry out their duties without fear of violence, and we are committed to ensuring they have the protection, support and wellbeing provision they need throughout their careers.

The Police Covenant recognises the unique risks and pressures faced by those working in policing and seeks to ensure that the police workforce is not disadvantaged as a result of their role. Improving the physical protection, health and wellbeing of officers are core elements of the Covenant. Assaults can have both physical and psychological consequences, affecting health, sickness absence and retention. It is therefore important that we continue to work together with policing to improve the quality and consistency of data on assaults, so that the scale and nature of violence against police can be better understood and used to inform prevention and support.

We continue to fund the National Police Wellbeing Service, which works directly with forces through Operation Hampshire to support the consistent reporting, investigation and, where appropriate, prosecution of assaults against police officers and staff.

The Home Office already issues guidance to forces on recording police assaults, and work is ongoing with policing partners to improve data quality, including consideration of what further information about the circumstances and location of assaults would be valuable to collect to strengthen the national picture.

The Government recognises that police officers can face an increased risk of assault when carrying out duties that require close contact with detainees, including during arrest, transport and custody procedures. Managing these risks is an operational matter for chief constables, who are responsible for ensuring officers receive appropriate training, guidance and equipment to carry out their duties safely.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will introduce a national standard for recording the location and circumstances of assaults on police officers.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is clear that assaults against police officers are completely unacceptable. Officers should be able to carry out their duties without fear of violence, and we are committed to ensuring they have the protection, support and wellbeing provision they need throughout their careers.

The Police Covenant recognises the unique risks and pressures faced by those working in policing and seeks to ensure that the police workforce is not disadvantaged as a result of their role. Improving the physical protection, health and wellbeing of officers are core elements of the Covenant. Assaults can have both physical and psychological consequences, affecting health, sickness absence and retention. It is therefore important that we continue to work together with policing to improve the quality and consistency of data on assaults, so that the scale and nature of violence against police can be better understood and used to inform prevention and support.

We continue to fund the National Police Wellbeing Service, which works directly with forces through Operation Hampshire to support the consistent reporting, investigation and, where appropriate, prosecution of assaults against police officers and staff.

The Home Office already issues guidance to forces on recording police assaults, and work is ongoing with policing partners to improve data quality, including consideration of what further information about the circumstances and location of assaults would be valuable to collect to strengthen the national picture.

The Government recognises that police officers can face an increased risk of assault when carrying out duties that require close contact with detainees, including during arrest, transport and custody procedures. Managing these risks is an operational matter for chief constables, who are responsible for ensuring officers receive appropriate training, guidance and equipment to carry out their duties safely.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will develop a national strategy to help reduce assaults on police officers.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is clear that assaults against police officers are completely unacceptable. Officers should be able to carry out their duties without fear of violence, and we are committed to ensuring they have the protection, support and wellbeing provision they need throughout their careers.

The Police Covenant recognises the unique risks and pressures faced by those working in policing and seeks to ensure that the police workforce is not disadvantaged as a result of their role. Improving the physical protection, health and wellbeing of officers are core elements of the Covenant. Assaults can have both physical and psychological consequences, affecting health, sickness absence and retention. It is therefore important that we continue to work together with policing to improve the quality and consistency of data on assaults, so that the scale and nature of violence against police can be better understood and used to inform prevention and support.

We continue to fund the National Police Wellbeing Service, which works directly with forces through Operation Hampshire to support the consistent reporting, investigation and, where appropriate, prosecution of assaults against police officers and staff.

The Home Office already issues guidance to forces on recording police assaults, and work is ongoing with policing partners to improve data quality, including consideration of what further information about the circumstances and location of assaults would be valuable to collect to strengthen the national picture.

The Government recognises that police officers can face an increased risk of assault when carrying out duties that require close contact with detainees, including during arrest, transport and custody procedures. Managing these risks is an operational matter for chief constables, who are responsible for ensuring officers receive appropriate training, guidance and equipment to carry out their duties safely.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of arrangements for the independent evaluation of new police officer safety technologies.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government takes the safety of police officers extremely seriously and is clear that police officers should have the best possible protection when facing physical violence.

The Home Office sets robust standards for a range of personal protective equipment used by policing, including protective headwear, body armour (including ballistic protection and slash resistance), flame retardant overalls and irritant sprays. This equipment is subject to a comprehensive testing and certification process which supports consistency and ensures confidence in police personal protective equipment. These standards are based on police operational requirements and outline the minimum performance requirements and test methods to ensure that protective equipment purchased for police officers is safe and fit for purpose. Manufacturers and police forces can submit equipment for testing against these standards. Equipment that meets the required criteria is certified as compliant with Home Office standards.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what process is available to developers seeking an independent operational evaluation of new police officer safety equipment.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government takes the safety of police officers extremely seriously and is clear that police officers should have the best possible protection when facing physical violence.

The Home Office sets robust standards for a range of personal protective equipment used by policing, including protective headwear, body armour (including ballistic protection and slash resistance), flame retardant overalls and irritant sprays. This equipment is subject to a comprehensive testing and certification process which supports consistency and ensures confidence in police personal protective equipment. These standards are based on police operational requirements and outline the minimum performance requirements and test methods to ensure that protective equipment purchased for police officers is safe and fit for purpose. Manufacturers and police forces can submit equipment for testing against these standards. Equipment that meets the required criteria is certified as compliant with Home Office standards.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Department is taking to support police forces in trialling officer safety technologies used by law enforcement agencies overseas.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office works closely with policing partners, including the National Police Chiefs' Council and the Office of the Police Chief Scientific Adviser, to support the development, testing and evaluation of technologies that can improve public and officer safety.

Through this work, the Department supports policing to assess emerging technologies, build the evidence base for their use and identify opportunities to learn from innovation and best practice, including developments in other countries where relevant. The Home Office also supports research, development and trialling activity in a range of areas aligned to policing operational needs.

Decisions on the operational use of technology are for chief constables, who are responsible for ensuring that any technology deployed by their force is lawful, proportionate and suitable for local policing requirements.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure the creation of additional apprenticeship starts in Runcorn and Helsby constituency.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

This government is transforming the Apprenticeships Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy in England, backed by £1 billion of additional investment, which will support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships and give employers, including in Runcorn and Healey, greater flexibility to develop the workforce they need to grow and succeed. As of August, the Government now fully funds apprenticeship training for all eligible under 25s for employers of all sizes.

To support non-levy paying employers (typically SMEs) to meet the additional costs associated with employing young people, we are introducing a new apprenticeship hiring payment of £2,000 when they take on 16–24-year-old apprentices as new employees. Employers hiring apprentices aged 18-24 who have been on Universal Credit for over six months will be eligible for the new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant.

We also provide £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19-to-24-year-old apprentices who have an EHCP or have been, or are, in care.

These payments can be stacked together where the employer and/or apprentice are eligible.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of police powers to tackle the dangerous and anti-social use of privately owned e-scooters and illegally modified electric bikes.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Through the Crime and Policing Act 2026, the Government strengthened police powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. Changes to section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 enable the police to seize vehicles more quickly when they are being used in a manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance. From 29 June 2026, police can seize vehicles immediately without giving a prior warning. In addition, in July the Government has also reduced and aligned vehicle disposal timeframes to seven days. This will reduce opportunities for offenders to reclaim their vehicles and continue offending.

These measures support police efforts to tackle anti-social vehicle use, including street racing and the misuse of e-scooters and modified e-bikes.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the Government plans to review the provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill before its remaining parliamentary stages.

Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

NIO Ministers have been listening to the concerns of veterans that there is more we must do to safeguard our veterans and provide further reassurance.

The Secretary of State and I will be continuing to discuss with veterans and veteran groups, including regimental associations, to bring forward amendments to the Bill which will ensure that veterans can have confidence in the legislation, whilst still ensuring that families who have lost loved ones, including those service families, can get the answers they need.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what estimate he has made of the number of Armed Forces veterans who may become subject to renewed criminal investigations following passage of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

Operation Banner veterans served in Northern Ireland in the most difficult circumstances in order to preserve law and order and protect life. The vast majority did so with the utmost professionalism.

Operating under the rule of law is central to how our Armed Forces keep the UK safe at home and abroad, and there is no question of anyone being prosecuted for having lawfully followed the rules. It is also right that our Armed Forces are held to the highest standards - it is what sets them apart from the terrorists whose actions were never justified.

The Troubles Bill provides those veterans with effective and deliverable protections that the flawed Legacy Act never did, including protection from repeated investigations. The protections already included in the Bill will be further strengthened at Committee Stage when the Government table a package of amendments that respond directly to the concerns raised by veterans.

The Troubles Bill does not mandate the opening of any investigation. The primary route for the investigation of cases is the specific request of families seeking answers. This is exactly the same model as the previous government’s Legacy Act. Given this model, and the fact that 90% of Troubles-related deaths were caused by paramilitaries, this will be the overwhelming focus of the Commission’s work.

It is important to note that a significant proportion of live cases before the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery involve military victims.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on future recruitment to the Armed Forces.

Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

We are not aware of any effect on Armed Forces recruitment. As of October 2025, when we introduced the Bill, more people are joining the Armed Forces than leaving them for the first time since 2022. In the year to July 2026, recruitment is up by 7%, and outflow is down by 7%. The Government is delivering for our Service personnel, and we remain committed to ensuring they are heard.