Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which nations have been subject to a ban on personnel attending the Royal College of Defence Studies; and when those bans were put in place.

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

Any decision to provide professional military education or training to a partner nation is made on a case-by-case basis and is underpinned by a robust assessment as to the benefits, risks, and compliance with international human rights law. In the interests of national security and upholding trust and confidentiality in our international partnerships, it is not appropriate for the Government to comment on the provision of training to individual countries.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many students attend the Royal College of Defence Studies from (a) Russia, (b) China, (c) Iran and (d) North Korea.

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

The provision of professional military education or training to a foreign Governments is dependent on a number of factors, including the nature of our partnerships and course availability, and is kept under regular review. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis and is underpinned by a robust assessment as to the benefits, risks, and compliance with international human rights law. In the interests of national security and upholding trust and confidentiality in our international partnerships, it is not appropriate for the Government to comment on the current provision of training to individual countries or the numbers of individuals on specific courses.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to accelerate the procurement of E-Scan Radar for the Royal Air Force.

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

The UK, our partner Nations and Eurofighter industries are working jointly to deliver the Phase 4 Enhancement programme which will enable delivery of European Common Radar System Mk2 into service on RAF Typhoon by the end of the decade. Opportunities are being explored to accelerate development and testing.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the incoming Chief of the Air Staff on the acceleration of E-Scan Radar procurement.

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

There have not yet been any discussions between the Secretary of State for Defence and the incoming Chief of the Air Staff on the acceleration of procurement of the Eurofighter Common Radar System Mk2 Radar.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department expects to spend on E-Scan radar procurement in each financial year of the current Parliament.

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

There is an approved budget of £2.35 billion to deliver the Eurofighter Common Radar System Mk2 within Eurofighter Phase 4 Enhancements to be fitted to RAF Typhoon aircraft. A number of contracts for development have been committed, with production and integration contracts to follow, which will deliver the capability into service by the end of the decade.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department had discussions with Lord Mandelson on procurement contracts between 10 February and 11 September 2025.

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

As former Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior Defence officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on our technology partnership, defence capabilities, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of planned Integrated Care Board cuts on the delivery of the NHS 10-year plan in South Suffolk.

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

As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, integrated care boards (ICBs) will become strategic commissioners with responsibility for using multi-year budgets to enhance local population health while achieving efficiencies. NHS England provided additional guidance to ICBs, National Health Service trusts and NHS foundation trusts on 1 April 2025. This letter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/working-together-in-2025-26-to-lay-the-foundations-for-reform/

ICBs will continue to deliver their statutory responsibilities and will work with NHS England to ensure this is done effectively within the running costs allowance with savings reinvested in frontline services to deliver better care for patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of financial cuts to Integrated Care Boards on NHS service delivery in South Suffolk.

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

As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, integrated care boards (ICBs) will become strategic commissioners with responsibility for using multi-year budgets to enhance local population health while achieving efficiencies. NHS England provided additional guidance to ICBs, National Health Service trusts and NHS foundation trusts on 1 April 2025. This letter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/working-together-in-2025-26-to-lay-the-foundations-for-reform/

ICBs will continue to deliver their statutory responsibilities and will work with NHS England to ensure this is done effectively within the running costs allowance with savings reinvested in frontline services to deliver better care for patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of financial cuts to Integrated Care Boards on patients in South Suffolk.

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

As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, integrated care boards (ICBs) will become strategic commissioners with responsibility for using multi-year budgets to enhance local population health while achieving efficiencies. NHS England provided additional guidance to ICBs, National Health Service trusts and NHS foundation trusts on 1 April 2025. This letter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/working-together-in-2025-26-to-lay-the-foundations-for-reform/

ICBs will continue to deliver their statutory responsibilities and will work with NHS England to ensure this is done effectively within the running costs allowance with savings reinvested in frontline services to deliver better care for patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to Integrated Care Boards on patient care in South Suffolk.

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

As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, integrated care boards (ICBs) will become strategic commissioners with responsibility for using multi-year budgets to enhance local population health while achieving efficiencies. NHS England provided additional guidance to ICBs, National Health Service trusts and NHS foundation trusts on 1 April 2025. This letter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/working-together-in-2025-26-to-lay-the-foundations-for-reform/

ICBs will continue to deliver their statutory responsibilities and will work with NHS England to ensure this is done effectively within the running costs allowance with savings reinvested in frontline services to deliver better care for patients.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the British Horseracing Authority on the potential impact of proposed gambling restrictions on the racing industry.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Future proposals on gambling duties are a matter for HM Treasury. Should changes to the tax regime be announced in the Autumn Statement, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HMT, as is standard practice.

Regular discussions are held between the BHA and DCMS on matters of importance to the horse racing industry. The Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling last met with the Chair of the BHA on 11 September. There is not currently any new gambling legislation being proposed that impacts horseracing.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the proposed gambling legislation does not affect the long-term sustainability of horse racing.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Future proposals on gambling duties are a matter for HM Treasury. Should changes to the tax regime be announced in the Autumn Statement, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HMT, as is standard practice.

Regular discussions are held between the BHA and DCMS on matters of importance to the horse racing industry. The Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling last met with the Chair of the BHA on 11 September. There is not currently any new gambling legislation being proposed that impacts horseracing.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed gambling reforms on the financial viability of horse racing.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Future proposals on gambling duties are a matter for HM Treasury. Should changes to the tax regime be announced in the Autumn Statement, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HMT, as is standard practice.

Regular discussions are held between the BHA and DCMS on matters of importance to the horse racing industry. The Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling last met with the Chair of the BHA on 11 September. There is not currently any new gambling legislation being proposed that impacts horseracing.

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, what progress he has made on organising public engagement days.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 September 2025 to Question 70737 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr James Cartlidge).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 32 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, which Departments are involved in the implementation of the nuclear deterrent.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 September 2025 to Question 70755 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).

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 he has made on developing mechanisms for the enhanced parliamentary scrutiny of the UK’s nuclear deterrent spending.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 September 2025 to Question 70759 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 90 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on exploring the development of a new force modelled on the reserves which connects local communities with defence.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 September 2025 to Question 70739 to the hon. Member for Gravesham (James Cartlidge).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 70 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what recent progress he has made on gathering recommendations for independent oversight of his plan to tackle (a) structural, (b) behavioural and (c) leadership barriers within the workforce.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 September 2025 to Question 70723 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).

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 assessment he has made of the opportunities for cost-sharing with NATO Allies in procuring more E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 70763 on 8 September 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 118 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on re-establishing a Cabinet sub‑Committee or equivalent ministerial group to set the UK’s strategic approach to space.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard) on 6 September 2025 to Questions 70660, 70661, 70682 and 70659 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) and on 23 July 2025 to Question 68516 to the hon. Member for Solihull West and Shirley (Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 46 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of how a mix of F-35A and B models provide value for money.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to Question 64538 on 10 July 2025 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).

The procurement of 12 F-35A rather than 12 F-35B is expected to deliver a saving of up to 25% per aircraft. Final prices will be identified during contract negotiation.