Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the National Infrastructure & Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024/25, published on 11 August 2025, for what reasons the senior responsible officer delivery confidence assessment in the Police National Database programme has changed from amber to red.

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

The Police National Database is a live intelligence-sharing service. It provides a national view of 6.3 billion searchable records, 19.9m images and information from 198 systems/databases. It is used by 49 UK police forces and 56 Law enforcement agencies, and around 1.3m searches are made each month.

The change in confidence rating from amber to red was primarily related to delays to a platform upgrade and transition to the cloud.

The Home Office is currently considering its options for future delivery of the Police National Database transformation programme and further information will be issued once a decision has been taken.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the news story entitled Live Facial Recognition technology to catch high-harm offenders, published on 13 August 2025, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the use of this capability from Bedfordshire to the tri-force area that includes Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

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

The Home Office has funded the roll-out of ten live facial recognition (LFR) vans to seven host police forces, with Bedfordshire Police being one of those forces. Access to the LFR vans is available to all forces including Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, subject to operational need and local decision-making.

No formal assessment is therefore needed by the government as the capability is already available to those forces should they choose to deploy it.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, what his Department's projected completion date is for the roll out of Microsoft 365 Copilot to leadership judges.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Judicial Office, an office of the Ministry of Justice that supports the judiciary carry out its duties, purchased 300 Copilot 365 licences for leadership judges in July 2025. Leadership judges include: the Lady Chief Justice, Master of the Rolls, Heads of Division, Senior President of Tribunals, Lords and Lady Justices of Appeal, High Court Presiders, Tribunal Presidents, Senior Circuit Judges, Resident Judges, Regional Judges, Tribunal Presidents, Designated Judges, Judicial College Directors of Training, Chief Coroner, and the Chief Magistrate.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 114 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in enhancing protector with maritime (a) surveillance equipment and (b) connectivity.

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

The exploration of the Maritime capability for Protector is being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan to take onboard the Review's vision and recommendations and turn them into a delivery plan. We will ensure that this Plan is affordable, considers infrastructure and people, alongside capabilities and maximises the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 47 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, when Protector will be integrated with P-8 Poseidon.

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

The exploration of the Maritime capability for Protector is being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan to take onboard the Review's vision and recommendations and turn them into a delivery plan. We will ensure that this Plan is affordable, considers infrastructure and people, alongside capabilities and maximises the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, what steps he is taking to enhance (a) AI leadership, (b) governance, (c) ethics, (d) data, (e) digital infrastructure and (f) commercial frameworks.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The Ministry of Justice’s AI Action Plan for Justice set out a series of bold, ambitious steps to promote the responsible use of AI tools across the department and the wider justice system. A Justice AI Unit headed up by a Chief AI Officer has been established. To embed ethics into our approach, we have developed a publicly accessible AI and Data Science Ethics Framework. This practical toolkit, created in partnership with the Alan Turing Institute, guides developers, policymakers, and decision-makers from inception through to deployment. We are also taking steps to improve the quality of our data to facilitate greater AI enablement. This includes linking offender data across systems through our BOLD and Data First programmes to improve public safety, rehabilitation, youth justice, prevention and victim services.

The Ministry of Justice is working with existing suppliers to leverage their AI capabilities to support the delivery of services and will continue to explore the opportunities available in the supplier market that will support the delivery of the AI Action Plan. Through Procurement framework including Crown Commercial Services Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Spark DPS frameworks and leveraging the benefits of Memorandums of Understanding in place between HMG and supplier in the marketplace, the Ministry of Justice will develop AI capabilities for the future.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress he has made in delivering the Collections and Packaging Reforms programme.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government has passed or is on track to pass all the necessary legislation to deliver the Collection and Packaging Reforms Programme, and making strong progress on achieving our target of 65% recycling by 2035 in England, after a decade of stagnating recycling rates.

For Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR), The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations came into effect on 1 January 2025 and on Friday 27 June 2025, PackUK confirmed 2025 base fees (fees for Year 1 of pEPR) for eight packaging material categories. Packaging producers liable under the regulations have been invoiced this month.

In January 2025, the legislation for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland came into force. A new organisation called UK Deposit Management Organisation Ltd (UK DMO) will run the scheme, and were officially appointed in May 2025 (England & NI) and June 2025 (Scotland). UK DMO will engage regularly with shops, drinks companies, environmental groups, and the public to help design and run the scheme.

Simpler Recycling has now come into effect for all workplaces with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees in England. This requires workplaces to separately recycle dry mixed recycling (plastic, metal, glass), paper and card, and food waste. By 31 March 2026, local authorities will be required to collect the core recyclable waste streams from all households in England. This includes introducing weekly food waste collections for all homes, unless a transitional arrangement applies (a transitional arrangement is where a local authority has agreed a later implementation date set in regulations). Micro-firms (workplaces with fewer than 10 employees), have until 31 March 2027 to comply, and plastic film collections from all households and workplaces will also be required by then.

Finally, to help tackle the problem of illegal waste practices and outdated record-keeping, we are introducing mandatory digital waste tracking, which will become available for all permitted and licensed sites receiving waste in April 2026 and mandatory for permitted and licensed waste receiving sites from October 2026 in the first phase.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, what progress he has made in strengthening partnerships with regulators to support AI-driven legal innovation.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The AI Action Plan for Justice commits the Ministry of Justice to working with regulators to support responsible AI adoption across the legal sector (Action 3.5). Legal Service Regulators are independent of government, but the Ministry of Justice maintains strong and close working relationships with them – for example, by offering AI-related training, facilitating knowledge-sharing, and maintaining regular engagement, including hosting a recent roundtable with a broad range of regulators to identify practical ways to support innovation across the sector. Our shared goal is to ensure regulation remains proportionate, evidence-based, and adaptable as AI technologies evolve.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many named neighbourhood officers are in place in England and Wales.

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

The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee ensures that every neighbourhood has named, contactable officers, with details available via each local police force’s website.

As part of the Guarantee, 3,000 additional officers and PCSOs will be deployed to neighbourhood policing teams across England and Wales by March 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 47 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, when will Protector be integrated with Type-26 frigates.

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

The exploration of the Maritime capability for Protector is being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan to take onboard the Review's vision and recommendations and turn them into a delivery plan. We will ensure that this Plan is affordable, considers infrastructure and people, alongside capabilities and maximises the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has issued guidance on the length of time over which Council Tax equalisation can take place.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government set out the process for council tax equalisation in The Local Government (Structural Changes) (Finance) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/3022). These regulations set out equalisation must be completed no later than the beginning of the eighth financial year after restructuring. Councils are responsible for setting their own level of council tax, including how quickly council tax levels are equalised within this timeframe. While the government does not currently issue guidance on this, we will continue to review the FAQs published on the Local Government Association website regarding devolution and local government reorganisation.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she expects Project Reach to be completed.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Network Rail’s Reach partners are developing a detailed delivery plan and hope to have made significant improvements to coverage this control period (end of 2029).

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress she has made in establishing an AI governance framework.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

AI is a general-purpose technology with a wide range of applications, which is why we believe that most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use by existing regulators. A range of rules already apply to AI systems, including data protection, competition, equality legislation and other sectoral regulation. The government is working with regulators to support them on their AI capability needs.

The most advanced systems pose distinct opportunities and risks. We are committed to ensuring the UK is prepared for the changes AI will bring.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what her responsibilities are as electromagnetic spectrum policy lead.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Secretary of State holds overall responsibility for DSIT, the lead department for spectrum policy. Ofcom manages spectrum under two Acts of Parliament (the Communications Act 2003 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006).

The Secretary of State directs Ofcom on matters of strategic importance to the Government and provides policy steers through levers including the Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) for telecommunications and spectrum, which Ofcom must have regard for when exercising its functions.

Ofcom also represents the UK at international negotiations on spectrum use, including the World Radio Conference (WRC), and the UK’s positions are informed by government through DSIT.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 73845 on Prison Accommodation, how many of those places were approved for construction since July 2024 in each location.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

None of the places referenced in PQ 73845 were approved for construction since July 2024. They were all approved prior to July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what assessment she made of the reasons for the Infrastructure and Projects delivery confidence assessment rating of red for the 10K Additional Prison Places Estate Expansion Houseblocks and Refurbishment programme.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

At the time of the report, both the Houseblocks and Refurbishments Programme and Category D Expansion Programme had been impacted by ISG, a supplier of prison building contracts, entering in administration in September 2024. The loss of the building contractor meant the programmes had no guaranteed route to delivery or cost certainty until the reprocurement of those contracts concluded, meaning a red assessment was appropriate at the time.

As part of contingency plans in place, we have appointed a number of replacement constructors to take over projects that were previously with ISG. These contracts have been signed, and constructors are safely taking over sites and reviewing existing designs. Once this is complete, a programme will be developed to recommence delivery.

We are committed to delivering an additional 14,000 prison places and are on track to do so by 2031; we have already delivered c.2,500 of these since taking office.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent progress she has made in signing a new contract to (a) run, (b) maintenance and (c) support the Law Enforcement Cloud Platform.

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

The Law Enforcement Cloud Platform (LECP) is moving away from using an outside service provider and will start managing its own support through the in-house Shared Application Service (SAS) team.

By the end of this financial year key roles will be taken over by civil servants and other Home Office Digital staff. During 2026, service management and security for LECP will be included in a unified support model, reducing reliance on external providers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what biometric data is stored by her Department as part of the Immigration and Asylum Biometric System.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Biometrics, in the form of fingerprints and facial images, underpin the UK Immigration system to support identity assurance and suitability checks on foreign nationals who are subject to immigration control. This data is stored on the Immigration and Asylum Biometric System (IABS).

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 46 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress she has made on strengthening the UK’s asymmetric position in sovereign AI capability.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

As stated in the National Security Strategy 2025, the Government is delivering on its ambition for the UK to become world-leading in priority areas where we have a strategic edge, such as high-impact sectors like defence, healthcare, and computing. Through the £500 million-backed Sovereign AI Unit, we will combine equity investment with other levers to back British businesses to become national champions in critical domains.

In addition, the UK is scaling sovereign compute to protect national interests and unlock growth. In July, DSIT published the Compute Roadmap that sets out how we will significantly bolster compute capacity by 2030. This builds on our commitment during the Spending Review to fund over £1bn to expand the AI Research Resource at least twentyfold by 2030, and up to £750 million for a new national supercomputer in Edinburgh.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 12 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress he has made on building the national security agenda for (a) AI and (b) other frontier technologies.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

I refer the hon. Member for Huntingdon to the answer of 15^th September 2025 to Questions 72559 and 72560. (Q. National Security: Digital Technology)

DSIT is supporting the implementation of the National Security Strategy by identifying, nurturing, and protecting the UK’s sovereign strengths in science, technology, and innovation, and by aligning objectives and metrics to achieve measurable results.

The Government's response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out a comprehensive programme of work to build national capacity and accelerate adoption. This includes our commitment to 20x public compute, establishing the sovereign AI unit backed by up to £500 million, and our investment into cutting edge research via the AI security institute. We have also committed to publishing an AI for Science strategy.

DSIT has also committed to work with the Ministry of Defence to pull through innovative capabilities to mission at speed and foster a thriving and world-leading UK defence technology sector through collaboration in multiple areas e.g. on the creation of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) and closer working on National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) investment programmes.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what assessment she made of the reasons for the Infrastructure and Projects delivery confidence assessment rating of red for the 10K Additional Prison Places Estate Expansion Category D programme.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

At the time of the report, both the Houseblocks and Refurbishments Programme and Category D Expansion Programme had been impacted by ISG, a supplier of prison building contracts, entering in administration in September 2024. The loss of the building contractor meant the programmes had no guaranteed route to delivery or cost certainty until the reprocurement of those contracts concluded, meaning a red assessment was appropriate at the time.

As part of contingency plans in place, we have appointed a number of replacement constructors to take over projects that were previously with ISG. These contracts have been signed, and constructors are safely taking over sites and reviewing existing designs. Once this is complete, a programme will be developed to recommence delivery.

We are committed to delivering an additional 14,000 prison places and are on track to do so by 2031; we have already delivered c.2,500 of these since taking office.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, what progress has he made in providing all staff with secure, enterprise-grade AI assistants by December 2025.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The Ministry of Justice is making strong progress in delivering secure, enterprise-grade AI tools to staff in line with the AI Action Plan for Justice. Through the Department’s AI for All initiative, all staff now have access to a secure AI assistant that supports day-to-day tasks such as drafting, summarising and document handling. Work is also under way to deploy advanced AI capabilities to assist with more complex functions, including research, data analysis and case-management support, helping to improve productivity, reduce administrative burden and enable staff to focus on higher-value work.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, what progress he has made in piloting AI (a) transcription and (b) summarisation tools in probation services in (i) Kent, (ii) Surrey, (iii) Sussex, and (iv) Wales.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The Ministry of Justice is piloting AI transcription and summarisation tools in probation services across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Wales to reduce administrative burdens and free up frontline staff time for direct engagement and case management. Early user feedback and evaluations have been positive. The findings will inform future decisions on wider deployment and investment across probation services.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, is he will set out the (a) delivery and (b) in-service date for each Type 26 frigate.

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

The Type 26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver eight world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates in time to replace the anti-submarine warfare Type 23s. All ships are expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035.

Type 26 Frigates will allow the Royal Navy to continue to play a leading role in the anti-submarine theatre of the North Atlantic, providing a crucial output to both NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what units are included within the single Service-designated Special Operations Forces.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Strategic Defence Review was clear that the current threat environment means Defence needs greater choice and resilience across the spectrum of military effects. Units such as the Army Rangers and the Commando Force will provide the special operations-capable forces required to improve the UK’s warfighting capabilities as well as helping fulfil our contribution to NATO’s Special Operations Taskforce 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which units fall under the umbrella of Special Operations Forces.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Strategic Defence Review was clear that the current threat environment means Defence needs greater choice and resilience across the spectrum of military effects. Units such as the Army Rangers and the Commando Force will provide the special operations-capable forces required to improve the UK’s warfighting capabilities as well as helping fulfil our contribution to NATO’s Special Operations Taskforce 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Air Force Poseidon P-8 aircraft have not been airworthy for more than 12 months.

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

There have been 2 occasions when a Poseidon MRA1 has not flown for more than 12 months due to maintenance:

· ZP804 - 06/03/2024 to 04/09/2025

· ZP807 - 12/07/2023 to 13/09/2024

This was mitigated through routine fleet management and maintenance planning frameworks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which (a) former bases and (b) other sites owned by his Department are categorised as disused and not earmarked for disposal within this Parliament.

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

There are no former bases or other sites owned by the Ministry of Defence that are disused and have no plan for disposal within this Parliament.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what DNA information is (a) recorded and (b) stored as part of the Home Office Biometrics programme.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Forensic Information Databases Service (FINDS) Unit manages the National DNA Database (NDNAD) and other national DNA databases on behalf of policing. The Home Office Biometrics Programme provides maintenance and development support of the IT system which contains the databases.

The DNA databases administered by FINDS are as follows:

• The National DNA Database (NDNAD) holds DNA profile records taken from individuals arrested under the appropriate legislation (e.g. PACE) and also from crime scenes. The data provides the police with matches linking an individual to a crime scene or a crime scene to another crime scene.

• The Missing Persons DNA Database (MPDD) holds DNA profile records attributed to missing persons; including where an existing record for the missing person is available from the NDNAD, where a DNA profile is able to be developed from the belongings of a missing person, or from the close relatives of the missing person (who will have similar DNA) who have volunteered their DNA to be included on the MPDD.

• The Vulnerable Persons DNA Database (VPDD) holds the DNA profile records of people who are at risk (or who consider themselves at risk) of harm (for instance due to child sexual exploitation or honour-based abuse) and have asked for their profile to be added to the database.

• The Centralised DNA Contamination Elimination Database (CED) holds profiles generated from DNA samples provided by police officers and police staff, and from other individuals with potential to introduce contamination into the DNA supply chain, such as staff employed in DNA sampling and processing.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, what progress he has made in exploring new funding mechanisms to support AI adoption.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The Ministry of Justice is working with existing suppliers to leverage their AI capabilities to support the delivery of services and will continue to explore the opportunities available in the supplier market that will support the delivery of the AI Action Plan. Through Procurement framework including Crown Commercial Services Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Spark DPS frameworks and leveraging the benefits of Memorandums of Understanding in place between HMG and supplier in the marketplace, the Ministry of Justice will develop AI capabilities for the future. The Department is also exploring funding mechanisms for AI and digital with the Department of Science, Innovation & Technology.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, when he expects the Assessing Risks Needs and Strengths tool to come into use.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The Assessing Risks, Needs and Strengths (or ARNS) tool is being tested by a small group of practitioners across four probation regions currently, to support its ongoing design and development. Elements of ARNS will begin to roll out nationally from March 2026, with further capabilities being released over time.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, what progress he has made in delivering a dedicated AI communications plan.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

Transparency of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used is fundamental to earning public trust and ensuring the responsible use of AI. We are making progress against our aim to deliver a dedicated AI Communications Plan, which includes establishing internal and external-facing channels that showcase the department’s ethical use of AI. For the internal workforce, we have established a dedicated ‘AI for All’ hub which provides access to training sessions, webinars, and practical resources to support safe, responsible use of AI tools. Separately, our public-facing online hub at ai.justice.gov.uk serves as a central point of engagement for the public and provides updates on the Ministry of Justice’s ethical use of AI.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, what progress he has made with with the Online Procedure Rule Committee to ensure that AI-enabled digital justice services are (a) coherent, (b) user-centred and (c) legally robust.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The Online Procedure Rule Committee is responsible for making rules governing the practice and procedure for specific types of online court and tribunal proceedings across the Civil, Family and Tribunal jurisdictions. These rules will ensure that those court and tribunal digital services are coherent, user-centred and legally robust.

The Committee published a consultation on 11 July 2025 on its draft Inclusion Framework and Pre Action Model. This sought views on a wide variety of subjects including how to ensure digital justice services that aren’t provided by government, including those that use generative artificial intelligence, are delivered in a safe, transparent and accountable way across the Civil, Family and Tribunal jurisdictions.

The consultation closed on 19 September 2025, and the committee plans to set out next steps in early 2026.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, what the eligibility checks required to qualify for the legal route are.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The eligibility criteria for the UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme (the legal route) are set out in published immigration rules which can be found at the following link: Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix UK/

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what level of (a) cooperation, (b) coordination and (c) deconfliction takes place between UK Space Command and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

There are several cross-Government forums where capability roadmaps are discussed and developed between UK Space Command and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Most notably, this includes the new ‘One Government’ approach to Space, which looks to support the alignment of UK priorities for the Space domain.

UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency (part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) have daily cooperation, coordination, and deconfliction as part of the National Space Operations Centre, a joint military and civilian organisation which coordinates civilian and military Space Domain Awareness capabilities, across multiple sites.

As part of the UK Space Agency’s Unlocking Space for Government programme, which aims to harness space to improve UK public service and strengthen national security, UK Space Command and UK Space Agency recently announced funding of £500,000 towards the development of a project for new detection technology to spot lasers that adversaries may use to dazzle satellites and intercept communications.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what specialist military capabilities Special Forces provide in support of (a) the police and (b) civil authorities.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

It is the longstanding policy of successive Governments not to comment on the details of the activity, personnel or capabilities of the UK Special Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 127 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on maximising the intelligence capabilities of UK Special Forces J2.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

It is the longstanding policy of successive Governments not to comment on the details of the activity, personnel or capabilities of the UK Special Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on enhancing Special Forces.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

It is the longstanding policy of successive Governments not to comment on the details of the activity, personnel or capabilities of the UK Special Forces.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress she has made in delivering the EURO 2028 programme on (a) time and (b) budget.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The government continues to work with our football and government partners across the UK and Ireland, and with UEFA, to deliver a spectacular tournament with far-reaching social and economic benefits.

As part of the government’s Plan for Change, we are investing more than £500 million in the upcoming Spending Review period to support the delivery of world class sporting events being held in the UK over the coming years, including UEFA EURO 2028.

Regular financial updates on the budget will be provided in the lead up to the event, including via the DCMS Annual Report and Accounts.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the full capability is of the One HMG platform.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The One HMG Platform provides overseas offices, residential accommodation and services, such as transport and security, that enable His Majesty's Government to achieve its international objectives whilst providing value for money. The aim is that operations overseas should be co-located wherever possible. A Memorandum of Understanding has been agreed between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the 35 other Government Departments, Arms-Length Bodies and Devolved Governments that operate on the Platform, allowing a physical presence at 280 posts around the world.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 45 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, how much funding her Department plans to provide for digital technologies in each of the next five years.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

All details will be announced in the usual way in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether any flood defence infrastructure projects in Huntingdon constituency would be eligible for upgrades through the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Programme.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government is investing more than £10.5 billion by the end of 2036 to protect the country against the threat of flooding and coastal erosion.

Projects from the Huntingdon constituency and all constituencies across the country will be able to benefit from this funding and apply to upgrade their defences under new spending rules, announced 14 October. The reforms will make it quicker and easier to deliver the right flood defences in the right places by simplifying our funding rules. This will increase investor confidence, close funding gaps, and reduce administrative burdens on local communities.

Around 10 projects in Huntington have already benefitted from funding this financial year, including £1.035 million for Alconbury Flood Alleviation Scheme, £694k for St Ives Sluice Moderation Project and £275k for Flood Storage Options for Great Ouse Catchment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 45 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress she has made on establishing a new Soft Power Council.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Soft Power Council was launched on 15 January 2025. The Council is supporting the UK to take a more strategic approach to soft power, helping to build relationships, deepen trust, enhance our security and drive economic growth.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Box 12 page 105 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what (a) uncrewed surface vessels and (b) uncrewed underwater vehicles are currently in operational service with the Royal Navy.

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

As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review 2025, Atlantic Bastion is the Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against the persistent and growing underwater threat posed by a modernising Russian submarine force. The UK’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities are central to European defence and vital to meeting the Alliance’s evolving needs.

To support this, the Royal Navy will deploy a Type 26 ASW frigate force, designed to operate both uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). The Navy is accelerating the integration of these systems, building on its existing wide range of uncrewed capabilities.

For operational security reasons, details of USVs and UUVs currently in active service are not publicly disclosed.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the projected cost of Project Astrea in this Parliament.

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

Funding for the Astraea programme is included within the £15 billion investment in the sovereign nuclear warhead programme this Parliament, announced in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review. That investment also includes sustaining our current Mk4A warhead and modernising the associated infrastructure.

However, I am withholding the projected cost of the Astraea programme in this Parliament for the purpose of safeguarding our national security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 112 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in improving the RAF’s (a) productivity, (b) agility and (c) adaptability.

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

The RAF has established, and is operating an approach which drives increased output, improved affordability and enhanced workforce effectiveness to deliver the recommendations set out in the Strategic Defence Review. Through delivery of prioritised and measured outcomes the RAF is committed to contribute to an increase in productivity, agility and adaptability.

The Chief of the Air Staff's Optimise Directive is part of the RAF's productivity approach, which coheres initiatives aimed at delivering benefits across the Royal Air Force and ensuring the best use of resources.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in establishing hybrid carrier airwings.

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

Hybrid Air Wings, underpinned by the Royal Navy’s approach to Maritime Aviation Transformation, represents the evolution of the Fleet Air Arm to a crewed-uncrewed mix of drones, fast jets, helicopters and one-way effectors that will deliver enhanced lethality and combat mass for North Atlantic Sea Control, Homeland Defence and Carrier and Littoral Strike.

During the ongoing deployment of the UK Carrier Strike Group (Operation HIGHMAST), Malloy T150 and Puma uncrewed air systems are operating alongside crewed helicopters and F-35B strike fighters, providing logistics and surveillance capabilities which release capacity of crewed aircraft to undertake more complex operational tasks.

The investment decisions to support Strategic Defence Review recommendations are being developed by the Ministry of Defence and will be published in the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of replacing the Royal Navy’s Batch 1 OPVs on retirement.

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

The Royal Navy constantly reviews out-of-service dates to achieve maximum availability of its platforms for operational tasking. For operational security reasons, the Royal Navy does not release the out-of-service dates of individual platforms. The class out-of-service date for OPV Batch 1 is 2028.

The Royal Navy continues to assess its future capability requirements in accordance with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the out-of-service date of all Royal Navy Batch 1 OPVs.

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

The Royal Navy constantly reviews out-of-service dates to achieve maximum availability of its platforms for operational tasking. For operational security reasons, the Royal Navy does not release the out-of-service dates of individual platforms. The class out-of-service date for OPV Batch 1 is 2028.

The Royal Navy continues to assess its future capability requirements in accordance with the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 35 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress has he made on delivering a National Endeavour public communications campaign.

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

The ‘National Endeavour’ communications campaign is an enduring strategic communications campaign which aims to highlight and improve understanding of the work of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), its importance to our national security, and its contribution to our economy.

This year, national and regional media coverage has included the commissioning event for HMS Agamemnon and steel cut for Dreadnought Boat 4, the launch of Team Plymouth as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, attendance by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence at HMNB Clyde to welcome submariners home from a deterrent patrol, and the first media visit to AWE Aldermaston in over a decade.

We also published the DNE 2025 Annual Update to Parliament, and ‘The UK’s Nuclear Deterrent: the National Endeavour Explained’. These are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-nuclear-enterprise-2025-annual-update-to-parliament/

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nuclear-deterrence-factsheet/

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress she has made on channelling pensions capital into the UK to support IS-8 sectors.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Pension Schemes Bill was introduced on 5 June and will implement the reforms outlined in the first phase of the landmark Pensions Review,

The Bill sets out a vision for a pensions market with fewer, larger schemes which can use the benefits of scale to invest in productive assets – including investing in the eight sectors identified in the Industrial Strategy – as well as deliver better outcomes for savers.

These reforms support the Mansion House Accord, an industry-led pledge to invest at least 10 per cent of defined contribution default funds into private markets by 2030, of which at least half is in the UK.

Furthermore, last year the British Business Bank announced the establishment of the British Growth Partnership, designed to crowd in investment from UK pension funds for our most innovative, fastest-growing companies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement with the United States was last renewed.

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

The most recent renewal of the 1958 Mutual Defense Agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States entered into force on 14 November 2024. The agreement is now enduring in its entirety following the removal of the 10-yearly renewal provisions.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 46175 on Sexual Offences Act 2003, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to remove the requirement for the accused to have a penis in order to be charged with rape.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 provides a robust framework of very serious offences criminalising non-consensual sexual penetration. The offence of rape under section 1 of that Act is committed whenever there is intentional penile penetration of a person’s mouth, anus or vagina without consent or reasonable belief in consent. Intentional sexual penetration of a person’s vagina or anus with something other than a penis and without consent or reasonable belief in consent is criminalised by the offence of assault by penetration under section 2 that Act. “Forced penetration”, where a person forces another to penetrate them with their penis (or something else) is covered by the offence of “causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent” under section 4 of that Act.

These three sexual offences are equally serious under the law where penetration is involved and all attract a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The law in this area is rightly robust, well understood and working effectively. We therefore have no plans to amend the legal definition of section 1 rape, but we continue to keep the criminal law under review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, by when he will enable the annual publication of schedule data of (a) in-development and (b) upgrade programmes.

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

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set out the need for external scrutiny of UK warfighting readiness through annual reporting of key data, as one of a number of possible measures in a wider Defence Readiness Bill. Given its potentially broad scope, a Defence Readiness Bill may be a legislative vehicle for wider Government, not just Defence. We are therefore working closely across Government through the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence programme to shape key requirements, and understand and identify the measures needed. This preliminary work will allow us introduce legislation when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, by when he plans to enable the annual publication of percentage availability of in-service programmes.

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

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set out the need for external scrutiny of UK warfighting readiness through annual reporting of key data, as one of a number of possible measures in a wider Defence Readiness Bill. Given its potentially broad scope, a Defence Readiness Bill may be a legislative vehicle for wider Government, not just Defence. We are therefore working closely across Government through the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence programme to shape key requirements, and understand and identify the measures needed. This preliminary work will allow us introduce legislation when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, by when he plans to enable the annual publication of a summary of assessments on programme availability.

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

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set out the need for external scrutiny of UK warfighting readiness through annual reporting of key data, as one of a number of possible measures in a wider Defence Readiness Bill. Given its potentially broad scope, a Defence Readiness Bill may be a legislative vehicle for wider Government, not just Defence. We are therefore working closely across Government through the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence programme to shape key requirements, and understand and identify the measures needed. This preliminary work will allow us introduce legislation when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 100 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what the full scope is of the National Endeavour approach to the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

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

The National Endeavour covers all programmes and policies which contribute to the delivery of the nuclear deterrent. This includes investing in the infrastructure, capabilities, science, people, and places which are critical to the nuclear deterrent. Some aspects of this work are delivered directly by the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, as outlined in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise 2025 Annual Update to Parliament (available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-nuclear-enterprise-2025-annual-update-to-parliament/). Other aspects are being driven forward by other Government Departments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, when he plans to introduce the Defence Readiness Bill.

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

We are developing proposals for inclusion in defence readiness legislation, including on potential military and civilian personnel requirements. That work will include consideration of the potential impacts of defence mobilisation in crisis or conflict on other areas. Any decisions on any future mobilisation will be taken in the context of the specific nature of the crisis and the circumstances applying at that time.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what diplomatic steps she has taken with her South Korean counterpart to help shape International norms.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government is delivering this objective through both multilateral fora, including the World Trade Organisation and United Nations, and through bilateral engagement with a range of global partners, including Canada. The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to counterparts across the world about trade cooperation and security, to ensure we can deliver for the UK's future.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what diplomatic steps she has taken with her Australian counterpart to help shape International norms.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government is delivering this objective through both multilateral fora, including the World Trade Organisation and United Nations, and through bilateral engagement with a range of global partners, including Canada. The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to counterparts across the world about trade cooperation and security, to ensure we can deliver for the UK's future.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what diplomatic steps she has taken with her Indonesian counterpart to help shape International norms.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government is delivering this objective through both multilateral fora, including the World Trade Organisation and United Nations, and through bilateral engagement with a range of global partners, including Canada. The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to counterparts across the world about trade cooperation and security, to ensure we can deliver for the UK's future.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what diplomatic steps she has taken with her counterpart in Singapore to help shape International norms.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government is delivering this objective through both multilateral fora, including the World Trade Organisation and United Nations, and through bilateral engagement with a range of global partners, including Canada. The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to counterparts across the world about trade cooperation and security, to ensure we can deliver for the UK's future.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what diplomatic steps she has taken with her Japanese counterpart to help shape International norms.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government is delivering this objective through both multilateral fora, including the World Trade Organisation and United Nations, and through bilateral engagement with a range of global partners, including Canada. The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to counterparts across the world about trade cooperation and security, to ensure we can deliver for the UK's future.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what diplomatic steps she has taken with her Indian counterpart to help shape International norms.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government is delivering this objective through both multilateral fora, including the World Trade Organisation and United Nations, and through bilateral engagement with a range of global partners, including Canada. The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to counterparts across the world about trade cooperation and security, to ensure we can deliver for the UK's future.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Box 12 page 15 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, updated on 8 July 2025, how do mission bays facilitate (a) rapid upgrades and (b) spiral development.

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

The Royal Navy has embraced the mission bay concept, which are spaces on our ships into which modular capabilities can be inserted quickly, easily and at very low cost.

Mission bays offer the opportunity to support a standardised footprint capability module (be this a ‘pod’ or otherwise). This supports spiral development by narrowing the boundary (or scope) of any developments to this footprint, relying upon the initial standardisation specification. Therefore, rapid upgrades can be embedded within the platform through the much shorter route of exchanging the podded or modular component, rather than engaging in constructive re-design of a system already integrated into the platform.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what diplomatic steps she has taken with her counterparts in the Gulf states to help shape International norms.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government is delivering this objective through both multilateral fora, including the World Trade Organisation and United Nations, and through bilateral engagement with a range of global partners, including Canada. The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to counterparts across the world about trade cooperation and security, to ensure we can deliver for the UK's future.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what diplomatic steps she has taken with her Canadian counterpart to help shape International norms.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government is delivering this objective through both multilateral fora, including the World Trade Organisation and United Nations, and through bilateral engagement with a range of global partners, including Canada. The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to counterparts across the world about trade cooperation and security, to ensure we can deliver for the UK's future.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 45 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress she has made on establishing a College of British Diplomacy.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The College will be launched in the coming months. In preparation, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) launched on 6 October a new pilot Global Network Programme, a flagship initiative of the forthcoming College. Further details will be confirmed in the usual way in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 72364 on North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust: Medical Records, by when he expects North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust to submit that investment case.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust is unable to confirm the date the investment case will be submitted, as this is subject to conversations between NHS England regional and national colleagues to confirm necessary approvals and funding for the Outline Business Case. We are working to ensure this happens in a timely manner to secure the trust and integrated care system strategic objectives, and to meet the timeline for the new hospital opening at Hinchingbrooke.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, if he will publish the complex integration challenge faced by the Royal Navy’s Type 31 programme.

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

The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programme is experiencing inflationary pressures which are understood and remain in line with the latest plans and forecasts. The reported challenges to the T31 programme reflect this impact.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on the Phase 4 Enhancement to the Typhoon aircraft.

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

The four-Nation Phase 4 Enhancement (P4E) upgrade programme is in the System Definition de-risking phase of activity, following the signature of the System Definition Contract in 2024.

Over the coming months, the four nations will agree on the final P4E capability package, which will then move into the Design, Development and Demonstration phase.

Additionally, Nations have agreed to begin early design work on long lead activities, ensuring that critical path activities for P4E capability are protected.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the (a) concept and (b) assessment phase of the Future Combat Air System programme to commence.

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

The Concept and Assessment phase began in 2021 and it is on course to be completed in 2027.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of whether the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme will meet all extant key user requirements.

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

The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme is moving towards its Full Business Case approval in 2026 where the Key User Requirements will be formally set. The programme continues to assess how best it can meet and exceed user requirements which stretch well beyond current requirements and capabilities to meet future threat needs.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on implementing the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme.

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

The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme continues to progress with our European partners and has recently entered the development phase.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what the nature of the concern was of the aircraft certification risk for tranche one of the Chinook Capability Sustainment Programme.

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

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual (NISTA) Report 2024-25 referenced the Chinook H-47(Extended Range) certification risk to highlight that timely information sharing between the US and the UK was important to meeting the Programme schedule.

Significant progress has been made since the publication of the NISTA report to ensure the timely release of information from the US Government. The Programme is on track to conduct flight trials in 2027, managed in association with the US Government, ahead of final certification agreement with the UK Military Aviation Authority. The NISTA report also highlighted that considerable attention and resource is being dedicated to H-47(Extended Range) certification.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out the remaining lifespan of each RAF Chinook airframe in service.

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

There are currently eight HC5, 14 HC6 and 29 HC6A Chinook variants in service.

I am withholding the information relating to the remaining lifespan of each Chinook airframe in service as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

I can, however, reemphasise that the retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will be synchronised with the delivery of 14 new state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 Extended Range aircraft from 2027 onwards.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF Chinook (a) HC5, (b) HC6 and (c) HC6A variants are in service.

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

There are currently eight HC5, 14 HC6 and 29 HC6A Chinook variants in service.

I am withholding the information relating to the remaining lifespan of each Chinook airframe in service as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

I can, however, reemphasise that the retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will be synchronised with the delivery of 14 new state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 Extended Range aircraft from 2027 onwards.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 134 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in identifying where operational infrastructure does not meet requirements under force development plans.

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

Defence maintains risk registers and capability assessments across all defence lines of development, this includes infrastructure. The defence investment plan will cohere current capabilities and future Strategic Defence Review deliverables, Those capabilities and deliverables will be prioritised against force plans the prioritisation of the above includes examination of both risk and capability assessments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 136 of his Department's document entitled Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress his Department has made in appointing a board member with responsibility for infrastructure to all Front Line Command boards.

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

Each Front-Line Command contains a director level post who represents infrastructure both on their board, and within the central Ministry of Defence senior infrastructure board. As part of defence reform, the infrastructure operating model and senior boards composition, will be examined to ensure they meet the Strategic Defence Review commitments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 136 of his Department's document entitled Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in ensuring that infrastructure requirements are fully integrated into (a) capability development and (b) investment decisions.

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

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will cohere current capabilities and future Strategic Defence Review deliverables, this includes the infrastructure which supports or enables the capability. Those capabilities and deliverables will be prioritised against force plans and published within the DIP.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, he will list the Ministry of Defence sites that have been released for disposal under the Defence Estate Optimisation programme since 5 July 2024 and (a) have been sold and (b) remain unsold.

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

All Ministry of Defence disposals, and the planned disposal dates, are already listed on the House of Commons Defence Disposal Database. This includes three Defence Estate Optimisation disposals since July 2024, and the remaining phases of a further two sites.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by when the (a) Defence Support and (b) Defence Digital will move to the National Armaments Director group.

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

Defence Support was integrated into the National Armament Director (NAD) Group as of 1 April 2025. Defence Digital moved into the (NAD) Group on 1 July 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 110 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what collaboration he has sought with NATO allies on the acquisition of key armoured land platforms.

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

The UK’s new Defence Industrial Strategy puts international collaboration at the start, and at the heart, of procurement. Under Defence Reform, a new Director General International Collaboration and Exports has been created to help deliver this.

The UK is collaborating with NATO allies on three of the British Army’s armoured land platforms: Ajax, Boxer and Challenger 3, which are all at different stages of delivery. As well as this, earlier this year the UK reaffirmed plans to partner with Germany to deliver new artillery and bridging systems under the auspices of the Trinty House Agreement.

Looking further ahead, the Land Mobility Programme, which is still in its concept phase, is already actively considering options for collaboration. For example, at DSEI 25 it was announced that the UK joined the Common Armoured Vehicle System programme alongside Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Latvia, and Sweden to scope the benefits of this multinational programme.

These collaborations also contribute significantly to Growth, generating billions of pounds worth of export opportunity and supporting thousands of skilled jobs at key sites across the UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 46 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress he has made on increasing the ability of the UK to pool defence capital with allies.

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

We are working with partners on a series of potential opportunities to pool defence capital with allies, including through multilateral initiatives, aggregating defence demand, increasing European interoperability and standardisation, enhancing cooperation through the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument and exploring other international mechanisms.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 42 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, in what ways the defence industrial base will be redefined to include (a) academia, (b) dual-use civilian-military companies, (c) financial services, (d) technologists and (e) trade unions.

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

The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) (published on 8 September 2025) sets out our approach to redefining the defence industrial base. In order to adopt a whole of society approach to keeping the UK safe and boosting economic growth, our definition must reflect the deep range of partners and expertise both within our traditional defence sector and those in adjacent sectors.

The DIS (section 1.3.2) therefore redefines the UK defence industrial base to include academic institutions (including dual-use civilian-military companies), UK-based companies, banks and other financial services companies, goods and services firms, technologists and technology firms, and trade unions and their members.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 41 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress he has made on (a) identifying, (b) protecting and (c) cultivating other sovereign capabilities that are foundational to the UK’s (i) industrial base and (ii) long-term competitiveness.

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

The Defence Industrial Strategy (published on 8 September 2025) outlines a dynamic, defence and innovation-focused industrial base, emphasising the growing importance of ensuring UK sovereignty, operational advantage, and freedom of action. It sets out the Government’s commitment to strengthen the defence sectors that are essential for national security and supply chain resilience, as well as those with the greatest economic growth potential. The detail of these sectors is set out in section 1.3.3 of the Defence Industrial Strategy.

The Defence Investment Plan will set out in more detail how we will support the UK’s long-term economic growth and competitiveness through our investment choices.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of restoring occupational pensions to people who withdrew them prior to the establishment of the Pension Protection Fund.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

This Government has not made an assessment on the matter.

The Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) existed prior to the Pension Protection Fund, to make payments to members of qualifying DB schemes that started to wind-up between 1 January 1997 and 5 April 2005.

The FAS provides compensation to eligible members of DB pension schemes, such as in cases where the employer has undergone a qualifying insolvency event and the scheme lacks sufficient assets to meet its liabilities. It makes payments to eligible members who are unable to receive the full value of their accrued pension benefits, helping to safeguard retirement income where the scheme itself cannot secure those benefits in full.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 109 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, when the enhanced recce-strike capability via Project ASGARD will be (a) operational and (b) shared across defence.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 September 2025, to Question 73577, which remains extant and explains the current position for the Army’s project ASGARD.

The next iteration of ASGARD, focused at Corps level operations, will be tested in Quarter 2 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 29 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a protected Defence AI Investment Fund.

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

Good progress has been made in establishing the AI components which will form the basis of the Defence AI Investment Fund. Working in close collaboration with other Government Departments and the Cabinet Office to ensure a joined-up approach, the scope of the Defence AI Investment Fund will be confirmed and announced as part of the Defence Investment Plan in Autumn 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 35 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, when he will confirm the intended number of SSN attack submarines.

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

The final decision will be based on analysis of defence requirements through the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 43 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress he has made on building at least six new (a) munitions and (b) energetics factories.

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

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) committed to invest £1.5 billion in an 'always on' pipeline for munitions and to build at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK this parliament. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently developing a plan to deliver this commitment alongside our wider Defence Industrial Strategy, delivering long-term investment to boost UK growth and generating skilled UK jobs and export opportunities. The MOD is carefully considering arrangements for 'always on' and for new energetics and munitions factories including their potential locations, and more detail will be set out in due course. Work is ongoing in respect to the new factories and further announcements will be made in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of changing the UK’s F-35B Lightning II force to use the AN/APG-85 radar.

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

All UK F-35 aircraft are fitted with the APG-81 radar. There is currently no plan to change to an alternative radar.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 133 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made in conducting a holistic assessment of defence infrastructure requirements.

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

As part of the Defence Investment Plan Defence has cohered the totality of the Defence Lines of Development for current capabilities and future Strategic Defence Review deliverables. This includes infrastructure for which the front-line commands and delivery agents have made a holistic assessment. Those capabilities and deliverables will be prioritised against force plans.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many days HMS Daring has spent (a) at sea and (b) under repair since coming into service in 2006.

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

The Ministry of Defence provides Royal Navy Surface Fleet readiness data to the House of Commons Defence Committee on a six-monthly basis. The most recent release of readiness information can be found at the following website: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/49270/documents/262458/default/

HMS Daring entered service on 31 July 2010 and has delivered effect on operations since. As with all Royal Navy vessels, during her in service period there have been periods of “planned” unavailability including DARING’s Propulsion Improvement Programme (PIP) which commenced in October 2021, completing in January 2023. Since her return to His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth, HMS DARING has been re-generating and has received several capability upgrades.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 109 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on prepositioning (a) ammunition and (b) heavier equipment in appropriately dispersed storage facilities in Europe.

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

The British Army has equipment prepositioned in Germany and we continually review and adjust this position according to operational commitments. As the Army continues to progress through its modernisation programme, further work will be undertaken to explore potential future opportunities for prepositioning across Europe.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has he made on exploring the use of the stratosphere with vehicles capable of carrying higher payloads for missions lasting over 6 months.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 September, to Question 76405.

Options for exploring the use of the stratosphere with vehicles capable of carrying high payloads for extended period are being pursued through Project AETHER, which is in its trial phase.

Following the completion of two initial trials, in September 2024 and March 2025, further opportunities in this area are subject to further trials and the continuation of planned funding for Project AETHER.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 4106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made in improving the Royal Navy’s detection capacity.

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

The Royal Navy is integrating existing, novel and commercial sources of data to detect activity at sea into a new Global Decision Support System (GDSS) that will transform the Royal Navy’s world leading Maritime Domain Awareness capability. These streams of activity when drawn together will deliver decision advantage to Operational Commanders, and front-line units.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference with the policy paper entitled UK targets sanctions circumvention and crypto networks exploited by Russia, published on 20 August 2025, what steps she has taken to limit the exchange of cryptocurrency token A7A5.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains committed to increasing economic pressure on Russia including its financial and energy sectors. This includes carefully targeted sanctions against Russia's attempts to circumvent sanctions and create alternative payment systems, including through its use of cryptocurrencies such as A7A5. The 20 August 2025 package of sanctions targeted crypto networks and financial systems in Kyrgyzstan being exploited by Russia, building on over 2700 existing UK sanctions against Russia. UK sanctions complemented action taken by the United States who announced similar measures targeting the cryptocurrency. Sanctions are a critical instrument of the UK's foreign, national and security policy and are deployed selectively and proportionately to complement other tools as part of a wider strategy to deter Russia from continuing its illegal invasion of Ukraine. We continue to monitor the impact of our sanctions closely and engage with third countries on Russian circumvention and where Russia is attempting to exploit financial networks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press notice entitled UK and Türkiye agree big step towards multi-billion-pound export of Typhoon fighter jets, published on 23 July 2025, what the timeline is for the Typhoon upgrade programme over the next 15 years.

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

Information regarding upgrades to the Typhoon's systems and equipment will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 131 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a Sponsored Reserve model.

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

The Defence Medical Services (DMS) is exploring the potential for a ‘Sponsored Reserve’ model or equivalent to increase medical Reserve numbers, with more personnel held at readiness. The DMS is engaging with industry providers to inform this work and will assess the benefits of employing Sponsored Reserves to DMS and consider options for capability and specialty-based contracts.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the scale of the damage to Loch Long caused by radioactive water from the burst pipework at HMNB Clyde.

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

There has been no unsafe radioactive material released into the environment of Loch Long at any stage. The Royal Navy frequently engages with regulators who report there is no significant impact on the environment or public health. Appropriate preventative measures are in place to reduce safety risk, and the events reported reflect the rigorous monitoring that is carried out to ensure that any issues are identified and dealt with.

His Majesty’s Navy Base (HMNB) Clyde complies with international best practice as recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Nuclear safety at these sites is independently overseen by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) and the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), who have robust powers to address concerns and recommend changes where necessary. These structures ensure that nuclear safety is treated with the seriousness that it requires.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 88 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made on inviting leaders of FTSE100 companies to attend defence courses.

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

The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, has initiated the implementation of the commitment outlined on page 88 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025. As part of this initiative, senior executives from FTSE100 companies are being invited to participate in defence education courses, as part of an initial offer to industry partners.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of recent Nuclear Site Event Reports on (a) equipment failures, (b) human error, (c) procedural shortcomings and (d) near-misses.

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

I cannot provide specific detail for the events as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of any relevant forces. However, I can assure the hon. Member that none of the events listed caused harm to the health of any member of staff or to any member of the public and none have resulted in any radiological impact to the environment.

The table below shows the number of Nuclear Site Event Reports (NSERs) at Coulport recorded between for the most recent financial year. These are shown according to agreed categorisation:

In line with Industry Good Practice and in common with other defence and civil nuclear sites, His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde has a well-established system for raising NSERs.

NSERs are raised to foster a robust safety culture that learns from experience, whether that is of equipment failures, human error, procedural failings, documentation shortcomings or near-misses.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many category (a) A, (b) B, (c) C and (d) D incidents have taken place at RNAD Coulport since 5 July 2024.

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

I cannot provide specific detail for the events as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of any relevant forces. However, I can assure the hon. Member that none of the events listed caused harm to the health of any member of staff or to any member of the public and none have resulted in any radiological impact to the environment.

The table below shows the number of Nuclear Site Event Reports (NSERs) at Coulport recorded between for the most recent financial year. These are shown according to agreed categorisation:

In line with Industry Good Practice and in common with other defence and civil nuclear sites, His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde has a well-established system for raising NSERs.

NSERs are raised to foster a robust safety culture that learns from experience, whether that is of equipment failures, human error, procedural failings, documentation shortcomings or near-misses.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 48 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) investment and (b) improvement of RAF Brize Norton in partnership with private finance.

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

RAF Brize Norton has secured multiple strategic investments that will deliver long term improvements to capability and the lived experience of the personnel based there. These improvements include Baggage Handling and Passenger Check-In Infrastructure, Airfield Operating Surfaces Project and a new Freight Handling Facility.

In line with our standard processes, all investment decisions are carefully scrutinised to ensure they offer value for money.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 114 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in planning for the use of UK commercial airfields in times of crisis.

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

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has robust plans for mobilising and deploying the Armed Forces in response to any number of events and crises, whether they take place at home and abroad. These plans are regularly reviewed, tested and exercised. As part of the planning process the MOD will identify civilian infrastructure which is deemed critical to enable and support military activity. This includes civilian airfields. The MOD routinely engages with commercial transport operators and industry associations and works closely with other Government Departments including the Department for Transport.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 114 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what the full scope is of Typhoon upgrades for (a) radar, (b) defensive aids, (c) avionics and (d) weapons.

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

An assessment of the planned Typhoon upgrades is currently underway. Further information regarding upgrades to the Typhoon's systems and equipment will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department's press notice entitled UK targets sanctions circumvention and crypto networks exploited by Russia, published on 20 August 2025, what estimate she has made of the value of material the Russian military have purchased through the Kyrgyzstan-based OJSC Capital Bank of Central Asia.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains committed to increasing economic pressure on Russia including its financial and energy sectors. This includes carefully targeted sanctions against Russia's attempts to circumvent sanctions and create alternative payment systems, including through its use of cryptocurrencies such as A7A5. The 20 August 2025 package of sanctions targeted crypto networks and financial systems in Kyrgyzstan being exploited by Russia, building on over 2700 existing UK sanctions against Russia. UK sanctions complemented action taken by the United States who announced similar measures targeting the cryptocurrency. Sanctions are a critical instrument of the UK's foreign, national and security policy and are deployed selectively and proportionately to complement other tools as part of a wider strategy to deter Russia from continuing its illegal invasion of Ukraine. We continue to monitor the impact of our sanctions closely and engage with third countries on Russian circumvention and where Russia is attempting to exploit financial networks.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK targets sanctions circumvention and crypto networks exploited by Russia, published on 20 August 2025. what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of sanctions on Russia’s exploitation of (a) Kyrgyz financial systems and (b) crypto networks.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains committed to increasing economic pressure on Russia including its financial and energy sectors. This includes carefully targeted sanctions against Russia's attempts to circumvent sanctions and create alternative payment systems, including through its use of cryptocurrencies such as A7A5. The 20 August 2025 package of sanctions targeted crypto networks and financial systems in Kyrgyzstan being exploited by Russia, building on over 2700 existing UK sanctions against Russia. UK sanctions complemented action taken by the United States who announced similar measures targeting the cryptocurrency. Sanctions are a critical instrument of the UK's foreign, national and security policy and are deployed selectively and proportionately to complement other tools as part of a wider strategy to deter Russia from continuing its illegal invasion of Ukraine. We continue to monitor the impact of our sanctions closely and engage with third countries on Russian circumvention and where Russia is attempting to exploit financial networks.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department's press notice entitled UK targets sanctions circumvention and crypto networks exploited by Russia, published on 20 August 2025, which financial networks used by Russia have been targeted in order to restrict Russian exploitation.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains committed to increasing economic pressure on Russia including its financial and energy sectors. This includes carefully targeted sanctions against Russia's attempts to circumvent sanctions and create alternative payment systems, including through its use of cryptocurrencies such as A7A5. The 20 August 2025 package of sanctions targeted crypto networks and financial systems in Kyrgyzstan being exploited by Russia, building on over 2700 existing UK sanctions against Russia. UK sanctions complemented action taken by the United States who announced similar measures targeting the cryptocurrency. Sanctions are a critical instrument of the UK's foreign, national and security policy and are deployed selectively and proportionately to complement other tools as part of a wider strategy to deter Russia from continuing its illegal invasion of Ukraine. We continue to monitor the impact of our sanctions closely and engage with third countries on Russian circumvention and where Russia is attempting to exploit financial networks.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of use of the cryptocurrency token A7A5.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains committed to increasing economic pressure on Russia including its financial and energy sectors. This includes carefully targeted sanctions against Russia's attempts to circumvent sanctions and create alternative payment systems, including through its use of cryptocurrencies such as A7A5. The 20 August 2025 package of sanctions targeted crypto networks and financial systems in Kyrgyzstan being exploited by Russia, building on over 2700 existing UK sanctions against Russia. UK sanctions complemented action taken by the United States who announced similar measures targeting the cryptocurrency. Sanctions are a critical instrument of the UK's foreign, national and security policy and are deployed selectively and proportionately to complement other tools as part of a wider strategy to deter Russia from continuing its illegal invasion of Ukraine. We continue to monitor the impact of our sanctions closely and engage with third countries on Russian circumvention and where Russia is attempting to exploit financial networks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what functions will be included within the National Armaments Director group.

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

The National Armaments Director Group was established in March 2025 and is still being designed. It currently includes five enabling organisations and four newly established areas:

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)

Defence Support

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S)

Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)

Defence Digital (DD)

International Collaboration & Exports (ICE) including UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE)

Commercial & Industry (C&I) including National Shipbuilding Office (NSO)

Options and Commissioning (O&C) including Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), part of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI)

Corporate and Shared Services including UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), The Oil and Pipelines Agency (OPA) and Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made in integrating the Royal Marines Commando Force into the UK-led Strategic Reserve Corps.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Royal Marines Commando Force continues to make significant progress in integrating into the UK-led Strategic Reserve Corps, in line with the Strategic Defence Review 2025. This integration enhances the UK’s ability to provide rapid, agile, and scalable response options across the Euro-Atlantic region.

Recent activity includes participation in Exercise VENTUROUS WARRIOR, which demonstrated the Commando Force’s ability to operate as part of the UK Contribution Force within NATO’s Regional Plan North-West. The exercise showcased improved interoperability, joint operational planning, and readiness to deploy rapidly in support of NATO’s strategic objectives.

This progress reflects our commitment to ensuring the Royal Marines remain at the forefront of amphibious advance force operations, supporting both national and allied defence priorities.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 12 September 2025 to Question 75352 on Quantum Technology, where the funding for the adoption of quantum computers is being spent.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

As part of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy the Government is allocating £670 million to advance our quantum computing mission, which includes 10-year investment for the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), to drive the adoption of quantum computing.

Starting next year, funding will be available to advance a range of activities including building technical capabilities and improving access to quantum computing services.

The 10-year funding for the NQCC will support for their flagship work on adoption, which enables applications discovery, supports skills development, and provides opportunities for networking.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 109 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, which (a) units and (b) formations comprise the UK contribution to NATO’s Strategic Reserve Corps.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Allied Rapid Reaction Corps provides the UK’s Strategic Reserve Corps Command HQ with associated Corps level enablers and subordinate formations. This includes, HQ 3 (UK) Division, HQ 1 (UK) Division, 1st Aviation Brigade, 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, 7 Light Mechanised Brigade and an armoured Brigade. The Army’s modernisation programme is in the process of delivering and enabling a growth trajectory that is being communicated with NATO.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress has he made on increasing the UK's warfighting readiness.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The National Security Strategy sets out a hardening and sharpening of our approach to national security. Alongside this, the Government has accepted all of the recommendations in the Strategic Defence Review.

We will deliver the largest sustained investment in our Armed Forces since the Cold War, with an emphasis on greater lethality, warfighting readiness, deeper stockpiles of munitions and innovation in, and adoption of, new technologies. The Defence Investment Plan, which will be published in the autumn, will ensure we have the capabilities we need to deliver a new design for a more lethal and agile Integrated Force, alongside investment in infrastructure and people - supporting in turn our warfighting readiness.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 109 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what (a) units and (b) formations comprise the UK contribution to the Advanced Reaction force.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Advanced Forces are forces already in place around the world that provide positional advantage. These include the UK’s contribution to Forward Land Forces in Estonia and Poland, Land Special Operations Forces deployed as part of our global network, the Brunei Task Force, and Cyprus Resident Battalions.

Reaction Forces are designed for speed, to react quickly to crisis. These include Defence’s Global Response Force, 16 Air Assault Brigade, and the NATO Allied Reaction Force (Land).

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 34 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress she has made on negotiating a new science and technology partnership with the US.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

During President Donald Trump’s State Visit in September 2025, the Government announced a landmark Technology Prosperity Deal (TPD), in the form of an MoU, which commits the UK and US to collaborate in areas such as AI, nuclear energy and quantum technologies. This partnership will build our capabilities to solve some of the greatest challenges we face today, driving investment and expertise between our leading science and growth hubs, delivering cheap, reliable energy and creating new high skilled jobs.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what each of the clusters of the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme are responsible for implementing.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

Ahead of the roll out of FACT in 2029 when the current AASC contracts end, it was determined that a faster short term measure needed to be introduced to find more non hotel based asylum accommodation, in answer to this need BASP was developed to bridge the current gap in Dispersal Accommodation, support hotel exit and prevent hotel re-entry.

The Asylum Support Payment (ASP) project is aiming to enhance the service for users (c. 79,000) by retendering the service using our framework suppliers. The current contract is delivered by Prepaid Financial Services Limited (PFS) and expires in May 2027.

For FACT we are reprocuring the Accommodation Provision, Accommodation Management including security and sustenance, Transport, Service User Assistance including safeguarding and wellbeing and External Assurance to replace the existing AASC contracts.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on ensuring that defence requirements are reflected in cross‑Government efforts to deliver resilient space‑based Positioning, Navigation and Timing systems.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Ministers meet regularly as required to discuss space policy issues, including through the Space Ministerial Forum which includes MOD. MOD continue to work closely with the DSIT National PNT Office who lead on the delivery of the cross-government Policy Framework for Greater Position, Navigation, and Timing Resilience, ensuring that, where appropriate, Defence requirements are reflected in national programmes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 53 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a cross-government national security workforce strategy.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Developing a future-ready, purpose-driven, agile, and resilient workforce will be essential to meet the complex national security environment of tomorrow. Aligned with the Strategic Defence Review vision, Defence will work in conjunction with partners across Government to develop a strategy which ensures we have an ideal workforce with an innovative culture to tackle current and future challenges.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many children were (a) arrested, (b) charged and (c) prosecuted for sexual assault, including rape but excluding statutory rape, by (i) age and (ii) gender in each year since 2015.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The information requested on the number of children prosecuted for the offences listed (all forms of violent assault, battery, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, murder and sexual assault offences) by age and gender, can be found at: Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: December 2024 - GOV.UK.

The Ministry of Justice does not hold data on the number of children arrested and charged as this is a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. However, some information on arrests and charges can be found within the Crime Outcomes in England and Wales produced by the Home Office.

Data centrally held does not include the number of children who were victims of crimes committed by other children, beyond information included in the offence type, nor how many children were murdered by other children, beyond infanticide. Whilst this information may be held in court records, examining individual records would incur disproportionate costs.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many children were victims of sexual assault excluding statutory rape by other children in each year between 2015 and 2025 by (a) age and (b) gender.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The information requested on the number of children prosecuted for the offences listed (all forms of violent assault, battery, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, murder and sexual assault offences) by age and gender, can be found at: Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: December 2024 - GOV.UK.

The Ministry of Justice does not hold data on the number of children arrested and charged as this is a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. However, some information on arrests and charges can be found within the Crime Outcomes in England and Wales produced by the Home Office.

Data centrally held does not include the number of children who were victims of crimes committed by other children, beyond information included in the offence type, nor how many children were murdered by other children, beyond infanticide. Whilst this information may be held in court records, examining individual records would incur disproportionate costs.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many children were murdered by other children by (a) age and (b) gender in each year since 2015.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The information requested on the number of children prosecuted for the offences listed (all forms of violent assault, battery, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, murder and sexual assault offences) by age and gender, can be found at: Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: December 2024 - GOV.UK.

The Ministry of Justice does not hold data on the number of children arrested and charged as this is a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. However, some information on arrests and charges can be found within the Crime Outcomes in England and Wales produced by the Home Office.

Data centrally held does not include the number of children who were victims of crimes committed by other children, beyond information included in the offence type, nor how many children were murdered by other children, beyond infanticide. Whilst this information may be held in court records, examining individual records would incur disproportionate costs.

Poppy Appeal in Northern Ireland

Agriculture

Found: Ealing Central and Acton) Leigh Ingham (Labour; Stafford) Jessica Morden (Labour; Newport East) Ben Obese-Jecty