Written questions by Cartlidge.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment on the potential impact of a planning authority being subsumed into a new unitary authority as part of local government reorganisation on housing number targets.

Local planning authorities are expected to use the government's revised standard method to assess housing needs. This is a starting point used by councils to inform the preparation of their local development plans.The government is clear all local planning authorities should continue work on local plans and get them in place as soon as possible.The implications of local government reorganisation, including the impact of reorganisation on local housing targets, will be considered in light of the specific circumstances of any given area. Local plans should still be progressed in all areas, as they will act as the foundation for any new plans as required.

How many 30mm cannon rounds were manufactured in the UK (a) between 11 July 2023 and 4 July 2024 and (b) since 5 July 2024.

This information is being withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

What the planned military aid budget provided by the UK to Ukraine is for the 2025-26 financial year.

This Government is committed to providing at least £3 billion a year in military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes.Additional support is being provided through the UK's contribution to the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration loans and UK Export Finance guaranteed loans.

If (a) his Department and (b) Ofgem will make an estimate of the cost of the (i) sealing end compounds and (ii) other costs associated with the construction of the (A) underground and (B) other sections of National Grid’s proposed Norwich to Tilbury route.

It is the responsibility of the developers of electricity network projects – in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) - to propose the route and obtain planning permission for that route. NGET presented cost estimates for the Norwich to Tilbury proposals in their April 2024 Strategic Options Backcheck and Review. Ofgem reviews proposed project costs and ensures that network companies spend efficiently. Electricity network reinforcements are only approved where they are in the interests of consumers and help reduce system costs. Ofgem will conduct a detailed cost assessment of this project for the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment Project Assessment stage.

How many 9mm rounds were manufactured in the UK (a) between 11 July 2023 and 4 July 2024 and (b) since 5 July 2024.

This information is being withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

How many 155mm artillery shells were manufactured in the UK (a) between 11 July 2023 and 4 July 2024 and (b) since 5 July 2024.

This information is being withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

Communities and Local Government, whether the legal status of (a) Local Plans and (b) Neighbourhood Plans will be impacted in circumstances where the planning authority in question is subsumed into a new unitary authority as part of local government reorganisation.

The legal status of local plans and neighbourhood plans is not impacted by local government reorganisation. Where reorganisation occurs, existing local and neighbourhood plans remain in force as part of the development plan for their area until they are replaced by new local or neighbourhood plans.

Whether he has placed any new orders for 155mm shells since 5 July 2024.

This information is being withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

How many 5.56mm rifle rounds were manufactured in the UK (a) between 11 July 2023 and 4 July 2024 and (b) since 5 July 2024.

This information is being withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

How many 7.62mm rounds were manufactured in the UK (a) between 11 July 2023 and 4 July 2024 and (b) since 5 July 2024.

This information is being withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

Whether any new orders have been placed as part of the Next Generation Munitions Solution agreement since 5 July 2024.

This information is being withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

How many manufacturing jobs have been created to support the Next Generation Munitions Solution agreement (a) between 11 July 2023 and 4 July 2024 and (b) since 5 July 2024 in (i) Washington in Tyne & Wear and (ii) Glascoed, Wales.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not currently hold the number of manufacturing jobs created to support the Next Generation Munitions Solution agreement in the specified time period.The Department has requested BAE Systems, (who deliver the Next Generation Munitions Solution for the MOD) to provide updated figures, and once they are received I will write to the hon. Member and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

How many new jobs have been created to support the Next Generation Munitions Solution agreement (a) between 11 July 2023 and 4 July 2024 and (b) since 5 July 2024 in (i) Washington in Tyne & Wear, (ii) Glascoed, Wales and (iii) the UK.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not currently hold information about the number of jobs created to support the Next Generation Munitions Solution agreement in the specified time period. The Department has requested BAE Systems, who deliver the Next Generation Munitions Solution for MOD, to provide updated figures. Once they are received, I will write to the hon. Member and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

What proportion of the work undertaken on the development of the RCH 155 will be British; and whether this proportion has changed since 5 July 2024.

The Mobile Fires Project (MFP), delivering the Remote Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155), is currently in its Assessment Phase. I am withholding further information relating to the number of RCH 155 platforms being procured as it is commercially sensitive. I can confirm, however, that the number is subject to ongoing commercial negotiations and will also be guided by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review. The proportion of work undertaken on the production of RCH 155, including manufacturing workshare, by the United Kingdom and Germany will be subject to contractual arrangements with industry following commercial negotiations. Throughout this process the Department will seek opportunities to maximise the nation’s workshare in support of UK prosperity and realisation of benefits to the Land Industrial Strategy.

What the revenues to the Exchequer will be from the application of Inheritance Tax to death in service payments in the (a) 2024-25 financial year and (b) each remaining financial year in this Parliament.

Estates of emergency services personnel will benefit from the normal nil-rate bands, reliefs, and exemptions available. For example, the nil-rate bands mean an estate can pass on up to £1 million with no inheritance tax liability and the general rules mean any transfers, including the payment of death benefits, to a spouse or civil partner are fully exempt from inheritance tax. There is also an existing full exemption from inheritance tax when a member of the emergency services dies from an injury sustained, accident occurring, or disease contracted when that person was responding to emergency circumstances. More information is available at www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/inheritance-tax-manual/ihtm11291. The Government will bring most unused pension funds and death benefits payable from a pension into a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes from 6 April 2027. Inheritance tax is already applied to death in service benefits for some pension schemes. The expected revenue from reforms to the inheritance tax treatment of unused pension funds and death benefits was set out at Autumn Budget 2024. A specific breakdown of the expected revenue from different forms of death benefits is not readily available.

How many and what proportion of the RCH 155 will be primarily manufactured in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Germany.

The Mobile Fires Project (MFP), delivering the Remote Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155), is currently in its Assessment Phase. I am withholding further information relating to the number of RCH 155 platforms being procured as it is commercially sensitive. I can confirm, however, that the number is subject to ongoing commercial negotiations and will also be guided by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review. The proportion of work undertaken on the production of RCH 155, including manufacturing workshare, by the United Kingdom and Germany will be subject to contractual arrangements with industry following commercial negotiations. Throughout this process the Department will seek opportunities to maximise the nation’s workshare in support of UK prosperity and realisation of benefits to the Land Industrial Strategy.

Whether the application of inheritance tax to death in service payments will apply to (a) fire, (b) police service and (c) any other emergency service payments.

Estates of emergency services personnel will benefit from the normal nil-rate bands, reliefs, and exemptions available. For example, the nil-rate bands mean an estate can pass on up to £1 million with no inheritance tax liability and the general rules mean any transfers, including the payment of death benefits, to a spouse or civil partner are fully exempt from inheritance tax. There is also an existing full exemption from inheritance tax when a member of the emergency services dies from an injury sustained, accident occurring, or disease contracted when that person was responding to emergency circumstances. More information is available at www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/inheritance-tax-manual/ihtm11291. The Government will bring most unused pension funds and death benefits payable from a pension into a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes from 6 April 2027. Inheritance tax is already applied to death in service benefits for some pension schemes. The expected revenue from reforms to the inheritance tax treatment of unused pension funds and death benefits was set out at Autumn Budget 2024. A specific breakdown of the expected revenue from different forms of death benefits is not readily available.

How many Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm (RCH 155) he plans to procure; and whether this number has changed since 5 July 2024.

The Mobile Fires Project (MFP), delivering the Remote Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155), is currently in its Assessment Phase. I am withholding further information relating to the number of RCH 155 platforms being procured as it is commercially sensitive. I can confirm, however, that the number is subject to ongoing commercial negotiations and will also be guided by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review. The proportion of work undertaken on the production of RCH 155, including manufacturing workshare, by the United Kingdom and Germany will be subject to contractual arrangements with industry following commercial negotiations. Throughout this process the Department will seek opportunities to maximise the nation’s workshare in support of UK prosperity and realisation of benefits to the Land Industrial Strategy.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the decision by the US Defence Secretary to suspend (a) operations and (b) planning for offensive cyber operations against Russia.

The Ministry of Defence maintains a close security partnership with US counterparts. While the UK’s offensive cyber capabilities remain essential to both its and partner nations national security, I hope the hon. Gentleman will recall from his time as a Minister in the Department that we do not comment on operational matters.

What plans his Department has to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe.

The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) is the cross-Government lead for events commemorating the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is working closely with DCMS colleagues to support the national programme of events for both anniversaries. On 5 May over 800 members of the Armed Forces will process up The Mall, culminating in a flypast over Buckingham Palace with current and historical military aircraft including the RAF Aerobatic team ‘The Red Arrows’. On 6 May, the MOD will support the Poppy Installation launch at the Tower of London with a military Band. On 8 May, VE Day, the MOD will provide senior Defence representation and musical support for the Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey. In the evening the MOD will provide musical support as part of the VE concert on Horse Guards Parade. To commemorate VJ Day, an event will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum which the MOD will support with senior representation and military assets.