21 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedWhat steps his Department is taking to support the use of medical technologies that help people living with diabetes in North Durham constituency to (a) better understand the impact of (i) diet and
ReplyIndicative data on access to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in North Durham is available on OpenPrescribing. The available data shows that North Durham was above the national median for CGM sensor prescribing per 1000 patients. The data is available ...
20 May 2026·Home Office·Answered
AskedWhether she is taking steps to ensure that the contract to renew the Border Force coastal patrol fleet will be awarded to domestic shipyards.
ReplyWe are engaging with the market on the basis of a UK-led build, using the Defence and Security provisions within the Procurement Act 2023. This approach is consistent with the government's commitment to back British businesses and a sustainable and succes...
20 May 2026·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedWith reference to answer HL12150, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Procurement Act 2023 on increasing the volume of Ministry of Defence-related work for the UK ship-building sector.
ReplyThe Government recognises the importance of a sovereign shipbuilding sector for our national and economic security. The Cabinet Office recently announced further policy updates on the Procurement Act 2023, listing shipbuilding as a sector for priority pro...
20 May 2026·Home Office·Answered
AskedWhat steps her Department has taken to ensure that the visa sponsorship process includes checks against intelligence assessments of Iranian-linked networks.
ReplyWe conduct mandatory security checks on all personnel named on sponsor licence applications, including those with Iranian links.Sponsor licence applications can and will be refused, where it is appropriate to do so.
20 May 2026·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedIf his Department will increase the proportion of domestic sub-contractors used by Ministry of Defence contractors.
ReplyThe Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) is clear that a strong and resilient UK supply chain is critical to national security and economic value. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will maximise the economic and social value of defence spending for the UK by sup...
20 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Organization on global (a) health co-operation and (b) pandemic preparedness.
ReplyThe UK continues to support meaningful participation for Taiwan in international organisations where statehood is not a prerequisite and supports Taiwan's participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly. Ministers and officials regularly discuss...
20 May 2026·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedWhether his Department plans to increase the proportion of Government ship-building contracts awarded to contractors manufacturing in UK shipyards.
ReplyThe Government recognises the importance of a sovereign shipbuilding sector for our national and economic security. The Cabinet Office recently announced further policy updates on the Procurement Act 2023, listing shipbuilding as a sector for priority pro...
20 May 2026·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedWhat steps his Department has taken to support UK shipyards to tender for defence procurement contracts.
ReplyThe Government recognises the importance of a sovereign shipbuilding sector for our national and economic security. The Cabinet Office recently announced further policy updates on the Procurement Act 2023, listing shipbuilding as a sector for priority pro...
20 May 2026·Home Office·Answered
AskedWhether UK shipyards will be (a) invited and (b) supported to tender for the Border Force’s new patrol vessel programme.
ReplyWe are engaging with the market on the basis of a UK-led build, using the Defence and Security provisions within the Procurement Act 2023. This approach is consistent with the government's commitment to back British businesses and a sustainable and succes...
20 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the World Health Organization on Taiwan’s participation in WHO meetings, activities and mechanisms.
ReplyThe UK continues to support meaningful participation for Taiwan in international organisations where statehood is not a prerequisite and supports Taiwan's participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly. Ministers and officials regularly discuss...
20 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK supports Taiwan’s participation as an observer at the 78th World Health Assembly.
ReplyThe UK continues to support meaningful participation for Taiwan in international organisations where statehood is not a prerequisite and supports Taiwan's participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly. Ministers and officials regularly discuss...
20 May 2026·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedWhat assessment his Department has made of the risk to national security of outsourcing sensitive defence infrastructure to private sub-contractors accused of breaching sanctions against Russia.
ReplyThe contract in question is a sub-contract awarded by Serco to procure 24 new vessels for the Royal Navy. It is part of the Defence Marine Services In-Port Services contract between the Ministry of Defence and Serco. The contract, which covers both in-por...
20 May 2026·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedWhether subcontracting the construction of Royal Navy support vessels to a Dutch shipbuilder is consistent with the objectives of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
ReplyThe contract in question is a sub-contract awarded by Serco to procure 24 new vessels for the Royal Navy. It is part of the Defence Marine Services In-Port Services contract between the Ministry of Defence and Serco. The contract, which covers both in-por...
13 May 2026·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedWhat steps his Department is taking to ensure that UK-based defence technology firms are able to remain internationally competitive with firms in allied countries.
ReplyThe Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) makes clear that strengthening UK defence firms’ international competitiveness depends on working closely with our allies. It promotes deeper collaboration through co‑research, co‑development and co‑production, helpin...
13 May 2026·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedWhat changes his Department has made to defence procurement since 2024 to reduce barriers to entry for non-traditional defence suppliers, including businesses specialising in software, artificial intelligence, an
ReplyThe Ministry of Defence (MOD) has taken significant strides in our approach to defence procurement since 2024, as laid out in both the Defence Industrial Strategy and in a recent Gov.UK notice titled “Ministry of Defence small and medium-sized enterprise ...
13 May 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWhat assessment he has made of the potential impact of increases in fuel costs on voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations; and whether he plans to extend support measu
ReplyWe are closely monitoring the impact of fuel and energy prices on businesses and communities caused by the instability in the Middle East, and much will depend on the length of the ongoing crisis. We will not hesitate to act in a targeted and timely manne...
13 May 2026·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedHow his Department intends to evaluate progress towards increasing the proportion of defence spending directed towards emerging technologies during this Parliament.
ReplyThe Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) highlights the need for an innovative defence industry that adapts to changing warfare by utilising data, software, procurement, exports, innovation, and R&D to promote UK science and emerging technologies, includ...
13 May 2026·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedWhat steps his Department is taking to improve access to defence research and development funding for small and medium-sized businesses specialising in software, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
ReplyUK Defence Innovation (UKDI) has been established to harness UK ingenuity and boost military technology, as part of the Government’s drive to turbocharge innovation in defence and deliver growth as part of the Plan for Change. UKDI will be fully operation...
13 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedWith reference Answer of 9 February 2026 to Question HL14107, whether his Department has plans to assess the health needs of male veterans and service personnel in particular.
ReplyVeterans have access to all National Health Services across the United Kingdom and male veterans will benefit from the implementation of the Men’s Health Strategy. In addition, NHS England has introduced several bespoke services to improve healthcare supp...
13 May 2026·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedWhat assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of neo-prime defence companies on returns on investment for defence procurement.
ReplyAs outlined in the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Ministry of Defence needs to look beyond traditional defence companies to redefine the industrial base, reflecting the deep range of partners and expertise both within our traditional defence sector but ...