Written questions by Cartlidge.

If she will hold discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority on trends in the level of insurance premium increases for people involved in a motor insurance claim.

Treasury Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors on an ongoing basis. The Government is determined that insurers should treat all customers fairly and insurance companies are required to do so under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules. The FCA is an independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry across the United Kingdom and has robust powers to act against firms that fail to comply with its rules. The FCA monitors firms to make sure they provide products that are fair value, and, where necessary, it will take action.

Communities and Local Government, with which members of (a) Suffolk County Council and (b) district councils in Suffolk she has discussed Suffolk's devolution deal.

This Government has recently announced that it will not be proceeding with the existing devolution deal with Suffolk County Council. Instead, Government will continue discussions Suffolk to deliver a more ambitious agreement as we lay the foundations for the English Devolution Bill. The Local Government Minister met with the Leader of Suffolk County Council recently to discuss next steps.This Government strongly believes that the benefits of devolution are best achieved through the establishment of combined institutions with a directly elected leader. In this context mayors should have a unique role in an institution which allows them to focus fully on their devolved strategic responsibilities, working hand in glove with council leaders who will vitally also focus on the delivery of the essential services for which they are responsible.Conflating these two responsibilities into the same individual and institution, as is the case under the mayoral Single Local Authority model of devolution, would risk the optimal delivery of both and is not in line with the direction of travel we are setting out ahead of the English Devolution Bill.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to continue supporting the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Future Government spending is a matter for the upcoming Spending Review.

How many people are employed by DSTL’s Cyber Security Programme.

Dstl delivers science and technology for its customers in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and across Government, working with industry, academia and government to ensure the UK has the right capabilities for defence and security. An overview of Dstl’s Science and Technology (S&T) Programmes can be found on its website, highlighting the wide range of expertise within the organisation. This breadth of knowledge allows expertise to be diverted, as required, to support dedicated programme technical teams to deliver its S&T Programmes. Information relating to Dstl’s workforce is routinely published in its Annual Report and Accounts. The Programme’s title is Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Defence. Detailed staffing data in respect of Dstl’s CBR Defence programme cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

What steps he is taking to mitigate the potential impact of Royal Fleet Auxiliary strike action.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to engage with the Maritime Trade Unions, who represent members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), to discuss a resolution to the on-going RFA pay dispute.While the pay dispute is the immediate concern, we are committed to improving the RFA "offer" to ensure it remains competitive in the long-term. The RFA are highly valued, specialist personnel. We are committed to listening to their concerns and keeping a continued dialogue to address the issues they have raised.The MOD operates a whole force model, bringing military, civilian and contracted staff together to deliver its defence outcomes; we continue to proactively collaborate with our stakeholders and partners to sustain outputs whilst discussions with the Maritime Trade Unions remain ongoing.

Which procurement programmes are affected by the Joint Declaration on Enhanced Defence Cooperation between Germany and the United Kingdom, signed on 24 July 2024.

The Joint Declaration, which Minister Pistorius and the Defence Secretary signed in Berlin on 24 July, sets out the UK and Germany’s joint commitment to improve and further enhance bilateral defence cooperation, including by strengthening our defence industries. The Declaration does not directly impact specific programmes; we are currently exploring opportunities to deepen industrial cooperation, including exploring potential new bilateral programmes.

What estimate he has made of how many UK-based supply chain jobs are supported by DSTL’s Communications and Networks Programme.

Dstl has not made an assessment of the UK-based supply chain jobs supported (either exclusively or in part) by the Communications and Networks Programme delivered through Dstl. Over recent years, Dstl has significantly increased the value of science and technology research delivered externally through its diverse supplier base within UK industry and academia.

What estimate he has made of how many UK-based supply chain jobs are supported by DSTL’s Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Programme.

Dstl has not made an assessment of the UK-based supply chain jobs supported (either exclusively or in part) by the Chemical Biological and Radiological Defence Programme delivered through Dstl. Over recent years, Dstl has significantly increased the value of science and technology research delivered externally through its diverse supplier base within UK industry and academia.

How many people are employed by DSTL’s Communications and Networks Programme.

Dstl delivers science and technology for its customers in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and across Government, working with industry, academia and government to ensure the UK has the right capabilities for defence and security. An overview of Dstl’s Science and Technology (S&T) Programmes can be found on its website, highlighting the wide range of expertise within the organisation. This breadth of knowledge allows expertise to be diverted, as required, to support dedicated programme technical teams to deliver its S&T Programmes. Information relating to Dstl’s workforce is routinely published in its Annual Report and Accounts. The Programme’s title is Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Defence. Detailed staffing data in respect of Dstl’s CBR Defence programme cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

How many people are employed by DSTL’s Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Programme.

Dstl delivers science and technology for its customers in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and across Government, working with industry, academia and government to ensure the UK has the right capabilities for defence and security. An overview of Dstl’s Science and Technology (S&T) Programmes can be found on its website, highlighting the wide range of expertise within the organisation. This breadth of knowledge allows expertise to be diverted, as required, to support dedicated programme technical teams to deliver its S&T Programmes. Information relating to Dstl’s workforce is routinely published in its Annual Report and Accounts. The Programme’s title is Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Defence. Detailed staffing data in respect of Dstl’s CBR Defence programme cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

What estimate he has made of how many UK-based supply chain jobs are supported by DSTL’s Air Systems Programme.

Dstl has not made an assessment of the UK-based supply chain jobs supported (either exclusively or in part) by the Air Systems Programme delivered through Dstl. Over recent years, Dstl has significantly increased the value of science and technology research delivered externally through its diverse supplier base within UK industry and academia.

What his policy is on cooperation with the EU on defence procurement; and if he will list PESCO agreements with which the UK (i) is currently cooperating and (ii) has indicated in meetings an interest in reviewing potential engagement or participation.

The UK is an intrinsic part of the European industrial base and is vital to developing the capabilities Europe needs, as well as ensuring resilient, strengthened European supply chains that also benefit UK security and industry. We enjoy extensive capability collaboration with our European neighbours, and expanding this is priority for this Government. The UK is seeking an ambitious new UK-EU security pact to strengthen cooperation on the threats we face and enshrining a new geopolitical partnership. We continue to progress the UK’s application to join the PESCO Military Mobility project whilst also exploring other projects which align with UK interests on a project-by-project basis.

On how many occasions police have been required to be present at the picketing of defence factories in the last twelve months; and what the cost was to the public purse.

The management of demonstrations is an operational matter for the police and this data is not held centrally.

Whether she has had recent discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority on the regulation of the car insurance sector.

Treasury Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors on an ongoing basis. The Government is determined that insurers should treat all customers fairly and insurance companies are required to do so under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules. The FCA is an independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry across the United Kingdom and has robust powers to act against firms that fail to comply with its rules. The FCA monitors firms to make sure they provide products that are fair value, and, where necessary, it will take action.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that post offices in South Suffolk constituency remain financially viable businesses entities.

The Post Office is an essential service in communities across the country. The Government is committed to finding ways to strengthen the Post Office, through consulting with sub-postmasters, trade unions and customers. This will include supporting the development of new products, services and business models, such as banking hubs, that will help reinvigorate the high street. Government provides an annual £50m Network Subsidy funding to support the delivery of a minimum number of branches and a geographical spread of branches in line with published access criteria.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 3747 on Neighbourhood Plans, what plans she has for the role of neighbourhood plans in planning policy when a planning authority has a (a) five-year and (b) three-year land supply.

Under the Government’s proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, the protections from speculative development for areas with a qualifying neighbourhood plan are retained.

What discussions he has had with the Post Office Ltd on cutting exceptional payments for post offices.

While publicly owned, Post Office, as a commercial business with its own Board, operates at arm’s length from the Government. Therefore, the issue around exceptional payments is an operational matter for the Post Office. The Post Office has however informed my officials that they have taken the decision to pause making further changes to exceptional payments until later this autumn.

With reference to his oral Statement of 10 September 2024 on Ukraine, if he will provide an itemised breakdown of the £1 billion spent on UK replenishment including (a) when each order was placed and (b) the nature and cost of the item ordered.

As the hon. Menber will understand from his time in the Ministry of Defence, for reasons of operational security, details of replenishment and stockpiles are highly classified, and I am withholding this information. However, I can confirm that several contracts have been let to replenish UK stockpiles in order to replace material granted to Ukraine.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2024 to Question 4389 on National Grid: Costs, whether (a) he and (b) Ofgem is able to provide the estimate requested.

New network infrastructure is essential to meet the rising demand for electricity and connect new renewable generation. Ofgem estimates that the Western Link and Eastern Green Link will increase consumer bills by an average of £6.50 per annum over a 60-year period, taking inflation into account. Ofgem approves electricity network build options that are efficient and provide an overall benefit to the consumer. Please see Ofgem’s cost benefit analysis of Western Link[1] and Eastern Green Link[2] for more details. [1] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consultation/transmission-investment-incentives-consultation-minded-position-western-high-voltage-direct-current-hvdc-link-western-bootstrap[2] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consultation/eastern-hvdc-consultation-projects-initial-needs-case-and-initial-thinking-its-suitability-competition

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of how many (a) serving armed forces personnel and (b) veterans have benefitted from the Right to Buy scheme in each of the last five financial years.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government does not hold information on the number of serving armed forces personnel, or veterans, who have benefitted from the Right to Buy.People who live in armed forces accommodation do not have the Right to Buy. The Right to Buy is only available to secure council tenants, and to some housing association tenants who were living in the home when it transferred from a council to a housing association, known as the Preserved Right to Buy. Any period spent in armed forces accommodation by eligible social housing tenants prior to applying can, however, count towards the minimum public sector tenancy qualifying period for Right to Buy and towards the discount entitlement.