Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Akehurst this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 161–180 of 272 · this parliament
What the status is of the Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH) 155 gun system programme.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 November to Question 88294, which remains extant: The project aims to achieve Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade and will deliver the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) Calibre Wheeled Artillery System. The project remains in its assessment phase and therefore it remains too early to provide an exact in-service date
Whether additional 155mm artillery shell production orders will be placed with BAE Systems’ Washington plant.
We can confirm that additional 155mm artillery shell production orders will be placed with BAE Systems’ Washington plant.
Whether the replacement for Hawk fast jet trainer aircraft will be manufactured in the UK.
The Strategic Defence Review stated the intent to seek cost effective replacements for the Hawk aircraft. Decisions regarding the production, sustainment, and replacement of these aircraft will be made following the completion of the Defence Investment Plan. The Hon. Gentleman will be aware of this Government’s strong support for making more defence equipment in the UK.
What assessment he has made of the UK’s ability to improve Challenger 3 production rates.
The Ministry of Defence is working closely with the supply chain to ensure the timely development of Challenger 3. Focus remains on securing the necessary materials, identifying opportunities and mitigating risk to deliver tanks to users as soon as practicable.
What progress he has made on reducing procurement timelines for major military platforms from six years to two.
The Defence Industrial Strategy set out an average of six years to contract for major defence platforms. Whilst differing procurement systems make direct comparisons with other countries challenging, our new segmented approach to procurement, supported by accelerated commercial pathways, is designed to enable programmes to get to contract faster. We are making progress towards the target date of 1 April 2026 for establishment of the segmented approach in line with the Strategic Defence Review.
What assessment he has made of the UK’s ability to sustain production of major defence equipment during a high-intensity conflict without reliance on overseas supply chains.
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set out how we must move to warfighting readiness, that includes increasing industrial production and capacity and adding resilience. We are delivering on the SDR vision and the Defence Investment Strategy (DIS) sets out steps forward in this respect. The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is strengthening its supply chains to ensure procurement is more resilient, innovative, and agile. Under the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy, we are developing a collaborative wargaming capability focused on supply chain resilience. This includes surge capacity planning, investment in UK industrial capability, and circular economy initiatives to secure critical raw materials and enable rapid production scaling during times of conflict.
What recent progress he has made on the Land Precision Strike programme.
The Ministry of Defence is assessing potential opportunities for a Land Deep Fires munition capable of destroying targets out to extended ranges. A decision on Land Precision Strike progress is pending publication of the Defence Investment Plan.
Whether his Department plans to expand the Short-Range and Medium-Range Air Defence launcher fleet beyond the eight Sky Sabre units set out in the Strategic Defence Review.
The British Army’s Land Ground Based Air Defence programme intends to increase the mass of the current Medium Range Air Defence fleet. The programme strives to modernise Defence’s ground-based air defence capabilities in the face of rapidly developing threats and is a high priority for the Army. It was only a short time ago that I was in Bolton to order more Sky Sabre Systems.
What steps he is taking to improve glioblastoma survival rates.
The Department is committed to supporting an innovative clinical research ecosystem in the United Kingdom so that patients in this country can be among the first to benefit as we make the National Health Service fit for the future.The Government supports Scott Arthur’s Private Members Bill on rare cancers which will make it easier for clinical trials into rare cancers, such as glioblastomas, to take place in England by ensuring the patient population can be easily contacted by researchers. This will ensure that the NHS will remain at the forefront of medical innovation and is able to provide patients with the newest, most effective treatment options, and ultimately boost survival rates.Early next year, the Government will publish a National Cancer Plan which will set out targeted actions to reduce the lives lost to cancers and improve the experience of patients, including rarer cancers such as glioblastomas.
How many unmanned aerial vehicles the armed forces have procured in 2025 and will procure in 2026.
The Ministry of Defence has had delivery of over 1,500 uncrewed systems over the last year, and has delivered approximately 95,000 drones to Ukraine since July 2024. For security reasons we cannot provide a breakdown of what systems have been procured. Drones, including unmanned aerial systems, are integral to the modern way of warfighting, exemplified in the lessons gleaned from the war in Ukraine. The Strategic Defence Review announced an increase in autonomy investment of £2 billion in this Parliament, taking total Defence investment in autonomy to circa £4 billion. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.
What (a) current and (b) planned capabilities the UK has for defence against attacks by (i) cruise missiles, (ii) drone swarms and (iii) ballistic missiles.
Current capabilities which would be used to defeat cruise missiles, drone swarms and ballistic missiles include existing Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force capabilities. Type 45 destroyers, Ground Based Air Defence, Combat Air platforms and supporting air defence sensing and command and control, as well as Counter-Uncrewed Air System capabilities would all play a part in a response. His Majesty’s Government announced a £1 billion UK spend on Integrated Air and Missile Defence in the Strategic Defence Review which will shape future Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability. Further announcement on Integrated Air and Missile Defence investment will be made within the Defence Investment Plan. We have also recently approved £318 million for dragonfire which will help support protection against air threats with the first system being installed on a type 45 destroyer in 2027.
Whether government departments meet duties to provide reasonable adjustments for disabled staff.
All government departments are subject to the Equality Act 2010, which places a legal duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled staff and job applicants where they would otherwise be at a substantial disadvantage. Government Departments meet this duty by providing adjustments such as assistive technology, flexible working arrangements, specialist furniture, interpreters, and accessible workplaces. The Department for Work and Pensions leads the Disability Confident scheme in its capacity supporting disabled people into work, which encourages all employers, including government departments, to recruit, retain and develop disabled people and those with health conditions.
What steps he is taking to help prevent retaliatory actions against staff who have made internal disclosures about disability discrimination.
As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, the Department for Work and Pensions take seriously its responsibility to support all staff, including those with a disability, who make disclosures about discrimination and preventing any retaliation.The department has a number of mechanisms, including dedicated harassment, grievance, and HR policies and processes; regular promotion of Speak Up Safely Line and Ambassadors for Fair Treatment providing confidential, and if required anonymous support and guidance. We also provide wellbeing support (including mental health first aiders), as well as promoting a transparent and supportive approach to workplace adjustments, ensuring staff feel safe when disclosing disabilities.
Whether his Department will introduce Access to Work Adjustment Passports for all claimants.
Health Adjustment Passports are voluntary and available to everyone with a health condition or disability. The Health Adjustment Passport enables disabled people to move more easily into employment and between job roles and reduces the need to repeat personal information about their disability. The Passport supports transitions into employment by providing a tool to enable disabled people to have structured conversations with employers about disability. It acts as a transferable record of the adjustments needed, along with sign posts to available support including Access to Work (AtW). If an individual chooses to share the passport with their employer, it can help to raise the visibility of adjustments and highlight support available, including AtW. In the event the user applies for AtW support, the passport can aid an assessment by providing health and disability information beforehand, enabling support to be put in place more quickly. Further information on the Health Adjustments Passport can be found on: Health Adjustment Passport - GOV.UK
What recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Health Adjustment Passport in supporting disabled people to (a) enter and (b) remain in employment.
Health Adjustment Passports are voluntary and available to everyone with a health condition or disability. The Health Adjustment Passport enables disabled people to move more easily into employment and between job roles and reduces the need to repeat personal information about their disability. The Passport supports transitions into employment by providing a tool to enable disabled people to have structured conversations with employers about disability. It acts as a transferable record of the adjustments needed, along with sign posts to available support including Access to Work (AtW). If a user chooses to share the passport with their employer, it can help to raise the visibility of adjustments and highlight support available, including AtW. In the event the user applies for AtW support, the passport can aid an assessment by providing health and disability information beforehand, enabling support to be put in place more quickly. Further information on the Health Adjustments Passport can be found on: Health Adjustment Passport - GOV.UK
Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87510 on Internet: Children and Young People, when the Media Literacy Vision Statement will be published.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is developing a Media Literacy Vision Statement in close collaboration with other government departments. The Vision Statement will set out a shared, whole-of-government vision for a safe, informed, media literate society. It will outline how media literacy will be embedded across key policy areas including education, public services, digital inclusion, and community resilience. We will announce publication in due course.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Pride in Place funding on the Stanley South neighbourhood in North Durham constituency.
On 25 September the government announced its flagship Pride in Place Programme, which will provide up to £20 million in flexible funding and support to 244 of Great Britain’s most in-need neighbourhoods over the next decade. The Stanley South neighbourhood in North Durham was selected as one of the areas to receive long-term funding and support from the programme. This investment will help build a stronger community in Stanley South, create a thriving local place, and empower residents to take back control of their neighbourhood. Funding will support a locally led Pride in Place plan shaped around local priorities, with the community represented through a dedicated Neighbourhood Board to ensure that investment reflects local needs and ambitions.
What training is provided to Child Maintenance Service caseworkers to ensure fair treatment of non-resident parents for (a) complex or disputed and (b) other cases.
All Child Maintenance Service Case Workers are provided with the Decision Making and Welfare of the Child topics during new entrant learning. These cover the principles of the decision-making process, gathering different types of evidence, applying the balance of probabilities, ensuring impartiality in the decision-making process in relation to resident and non-resident parents, and, where appropriate, the importance of considering the impact on any child who will be affected by the decision. These principles are reinforced throughout the learning, for example, in deciding the number of nights of care for a shared care decision. Child Maintenance Service Caseworker learning is standardised to ensure a consistent decision-making process and to allow for transparency if the decision is disputed in the future.
What steps his Department is taking to improve transparency in Child Maintenance Service (a) calculations and (b) deductions (i) in general and (ii) where deductions from earnings orders are applied.
The Child Maintenance calculation is based on the paying parent’s gross income, verified through HMRC data. To improve transparency, the CMS has enhanced data sharing with HMRC to ensure accurate income assessments, including unearned income such as dividends and rental income. Whenever a calculation is made both parents are notified of the amount, the reason for the calculation and how the calculation has been made enabling parents to challenge assessments they believe do not reflect the paying parent’s true financial position. The online portal, My Child Maintenance Case, allows parents to view all prior calculations. The CMS applies general deductions through either voluntary arrangements or enforcement mechanisms. To improve transparency, the CMS has published guidance on Gov.uk detailing how these processes are applied. Deductions from earnings orders (DEO) are a key enforcement tool used when a paying parent fails to meet their obligations. To improve transparency in this area, the CMS has issued clear employer guidance on how DEOs operate, including legal obligations, calculation methods, and reporting requirements. This includes ensuring employers receive formal written instructions from the CMS before any changes to deductions are made, preventing unauthorised or unclear adjustments. The protected earnings rate ensures that short term variations in earnings do not allow deductions to reduce a paying parent’s net income below a minimum level required for essential living costs. Additionally, the CMS provide paying parents with notice of enforcement action and the opportunity to appeal or request a reconsideration of their maintenance calculation before a DEO is applied. The Department continues to review and refine CMS processes to ensure they are transparent, fair, and effective in delivering financial support to children in separated families.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Child Maintenance Service does not deduct excessive amounts from non-resident parents.
When negotiating arrears agreements and arrangements, CMS must consider all the circumstances of the non-resident parent and the case. The main aim is to get on-going maintenance payments flowing and to recover arrears as quickly and reliably as possible. The most severe measures are restricted to those parents who wilfully refuse or culpably neglect to pay their maintenance.