Written questions by Rosindell.

What steps the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Army have taken to improve interoperability.

The Strategic Defence Review states that the Armed Forces must compete the journey from 'joint' to 'integrated'. On 1 April 2025, the Chief of the Defence Staff became head of the new Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) with command over the Service Chiefs. This change ensures that authorities for force design and activity delivery now flow top-down from a single point of military authority. The MSHQ has also appointed an interoperability champion to support NATO in its development of its own interoperability plan. We have already seen tangible progress in improving interoperability with allies, for example, the UK's Carrier Strike Group has recently been under NATO Command, integrated into both Alliance operational and tactical command and control Systems.

What recent steps the Royal Marines and the United States Marine Corps have taken to improve interoperability.

The Royal Marines and the United States Marine Corps have an enduring partnership forged through decades of shared operations and tested in demanding environments. This ensures that they can operate seamlessly together. The United Kingdom and United States have permanent exchange positions in operational and capability organisations, and set shared priorities for interoperability across doctrine, training and capability development annually. Recent joint exercises include BALTOPS and BOLD QUEST, which advanced UK/US digital integration to improve command and control.

How many instances of fraud have been committed by (a) foreign-born and (b) British-born perpetrators in every year since 2010.

The Home Office collects information on the number of notifiable offences recorded by the police in England and Wales, including violence and fraud.However, this does not include information on the birthplace of offenders since this is not pertinent to the initial investigation of such crimes and is unlikely to be known by the victim reporting that crime.

How many people have been imprisoned for supplying cocaine in every year since 2010.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of offenders sentenced to immediate custody at criminal courts in England and Wales in the Outcomes by Offences data tool, that can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal justice statistics quarterly - GOV.UK.The offences should be selected by using the HO offence code filter and selecting:09221 - Production of or being concerned in production of a controlled drug - class B (cannabis, including cannabis resin, cannabinol and cannabinol derivatives)09226 - Production or being concerned in production of a controlled drug - class C (cannabis, including cannabis resin, cannabinol and cannabinol derivatives) (historic) 09241 - Supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug - class B (cannabis, including cannabis resin, cannabinol and cannabinol derivatives)09246 - Supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug - class C (cannabis, including cannabis resin, cannabinol and cannabinol derivatives) (historic) 09230 - Supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug - class A (cocaine)

Whether he will make it his Department's policy to reinstate the two-power standard as applied to the Royal Navy Fleet.

The 'two-power standard' was set out by the Naval Defence Act 1889 and dictated that the Royal Navy (RN) should maintain a fleet at least as strong as the next two powerful navies combined. Today our security is underpinned by NATO's collective defence, where capabilities are shared across 32 allies.Modern naval warfare still demands mass, presence, and resilience. For that reason, The Royal Navy is transforming to a hybrid fleet, moving to a dispersed but digitally connected fleet of crewed, uncrewed, and autonomous platforms. This restores mass and power in a cost-effective way whilst ensuring we retain the cutting-edge capabilities expected of a leading NATO navy.

How much his Department has spent on cancelled programmes in the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Army in each year since 2010.

The Department's spend on cancelled programmes of over £300,000 is published as part of its Annual Report and Accounts.As would be expected of any responsible organisation, the Ministry of Defence regularly reviews its programmes and assets to determine how best to meet future threats including taking appropriate action to address changes.

What recent steps he has taken to reduce instances of (a) suicide and (b) self-harm.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. This includes transforming mental health services into 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres, improving assertive outreach, expanding talking therapies, and giving patients better access to 24/7 support directly through the NHS App.The Suicide Prevention Strategy for England, published in 2023, identifies eight priority groups for targeted and tailored support at a national level, including people who have self-harmed. The strategy also identifies key risk factors for suicide, providing an opportunity for effective early intervention.NHS England published Staying safe from suicide: Best practice guidance for safety assessment, formulation and management to support the Government’s work to reduce suicide and improve mental health services. The guidance requires all mental health practitioners to align their practice to the latest evidence in suicide prevention, and can be found at the following link:www.england.nhs.uk/publication/staying-safe-from-suicideThe NHS England Medium Term Planning Framework states that in 2026/27, all integrated care boards must ensure mental health practitioners across all providers undertake training and deliver care in line with the Staying safe from suicide guidance.

How many instances of (a) suicide and (b) suicide attempts on NHS property have been reported in (i) England and (ii) Romford constituency in every year since 2010.

The information requested is not held centrally.

How many instances of patient neglect by NHS employees have been reported in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency in every year since 2010.

Providers of National Health Services are responsible for collating organisational safeguarding data. Local authorities will hold data on referrals made on adult safeguarding to them by NHS or independent health services.At a national level, annual data on safeguarding adult referrals, including data on neglect and the location of risk, based on local authority area is published and available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/safeguarding-adults

How many instances of neglect by NHS visiting carers have been reported in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency in every year since 2010.

Providers of National Health Services are responsible for collating organisational safeguarding data. Local authorities will hold data on referrals made on adult safeguarding to them by NHS or independent health services.At a national level, annual data on safeguarding adult referrals, including data on neglect and the location of risk, based on local authority area is published and available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/safeguarding-adults

Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with Ofcom on the BBC's impartiality in its coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

Ministers and officials meet with Ofcom regularly to discuss a range of issues. It is ultimately for Ofcom, the independent regulator, to ensure the BBC is fulfilling its obligations to audiences as outlined in the Charter.The BBC has a duty to provide accurate and impartial news and information. That is particularly important when it comes to coverage of highly sensitive issues such as the conflict in Gaza.The duty to accurately report on what is happening to people in Gaza is absolutely fundamental. That is why the Government believes that the BBC and others have a responsibility to exercise utmost care and due diligence in the way in which they report on this conflict.This Government will not tolerate antisemitism, which has no place in our society.The BBC itself has rightly acknowledged, where coverage, standards and enforcement of those standards has fallen short and the BBC Chair has recently set out actions to address these which we welcome. The Government does not however believe the BBC to be institutionally anti-semitic nor institutionally biased.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a memorial to commemorate Force 135 and all those involved in the liberation of the Channel Islands during World War Two at the National Arboretum.

As advised in the answer I gave to Question 78038 on 18 October 2025, the Ministry of Defence maintains a longstanding policy that it does not typically establish or fund memorials. The normal expectation is that new memorials will be supported through private donations or public subscription and established with the agreement of the relevant local authority. On that basis, there are no plans to assess the potential merits of establishing a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum, to commemorate Liberation Task Force 135.

Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with IPSO on (a) Chinese and (b) Emirati links to The Telegraph.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport have had no discussions with IPSO about the Telegraph sale.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department has taken to help prevent British newspapers from being subject to foreign influence.

This Government is committed to a pluralistic media landscape, and it is vital that the UK has in place strong measures to protect this. The Foreign State Influence (FSI) media merger regime is a key part of this; it prevents foreign states from being able - directly or indirectly - to control or influence the policy of UK newspapers and news periodicals.In July 2025, DCMS passed targeted exceptions to the initial FSI newspapers regime, to allow certain state-owned investment funds - such as sovereign wealth funds or pension funds - to invest up to 15% in UK newspapers and news periodicals.The 15% threshold is below the level which the Competition and Markets Authority considers to typically give rise to material influence when assessing jurisdiction under the Enterprise Act 2002. This approach will still limit any scope for foreign state control or influence of news organisations while giving them much-needed flexibility to seek business investment that supports their long-term sustainability.In October 2025, DCMS laid before Parliament further changes to the Enterprise Act, proposing to apply a 15% cap on aggregate holdings of shares or voting rights in a newspaper owner by SOIs acting on behalf of foreign powers of different countries. It also introduces a requirement for SOIs acquiring more than 5% of shares or voting rights in a UK newspaper owner directly to give the Secretary of State a qualifying notification within 14 days of the acquisition being made, and publish appropriate details of that notification within the same timeframe. These Regulations will be debated when Parliamentary time allows, and subject to Parliamentary approval will come into force 31st January 2026.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on the levels of the BBC's (a) impartiality and (b) journalistic integrity.

Ministers and officials meet with Ofcom regularly to discuss a range of issues. It is ultimately for Ofcom, the independent regulator, to ensure the BBC is fulfilling its obligations to audiences as outlined in the Charter.The BBC has a duty to provide accurate and impartial news and information. That is particularly important when it comes to coverage of highly sensitive issues such as the conflict in Gaza.The duty to accurately report on what is happening to people in Gaza is absolutely fundamental. That is why the Government believes that the BBC and others have a responsibility to exercise utmost care and due diligence in the way in which they report on this conflict.This Government will not tolerate antisemitism, which has no place in our society.The BBC itself has rightly acknowledged, where coverage, standards and enforcement of those standards has fallen short and the BBC Chair has recently set out actions to address these which we welcome. The Government does not however believe the BBC to be institutionally anti-semitic nor institutionally biased.

Media and Sport, if she will make it her Department's policy to remove the legal obligation to pay the TV licence.

The Government has committed to the licence fee for the remainder of this Charter period.Looking ahead, Charter Review will consider a range of issues, including how the BBC can continue to prosper supported by a sustainable funding model. We are keeping an open mind about the future of the licence fee, and as we consider BBC funding as part of the Charter Review, we will also look at how we can ensure that enforcement is fair and proportionate.

Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with Ofcom on allegations of antisemitism in the BBC.

Ministers and officials meet with Ofcom regularly to discuss a range of issues. It is ultimately for Ofcom, the independent regulator, to ensure the BBC is fulfilling its obligations to audiences as outlined in the Charter.The BBC has a duty to provide accurate and impartial news and information. That is particularly important when it comes to coverage of highly sensitive issues such as the conflict in Gaza.The duty to accurately report on what is happening to people in Gaza is absolutely fundamental. That is why the Government believes that the BBC and others have a responsibility to exercise utmost care and due diligence in the way in which they report on this conflict.This Government will not tolerate antisemitism, which has no place in our society.The BBC itself has rightly acknowledged, where coverage, standards and enforcement of those standards has fallen short and the BBC Chair has recently set out actions to address these which we welcome. The Government does not however believe the BBC to be institutionally anti-semitic nor institutionally biased.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the new false communication offence in the Online Safety Act 2023 from stifling freedom of speech.

The false communications offence within the Online Safety Act captures communications where the individual knows the information to be false but sends it intending to cause harm to a likely audience, without reasonable excuse.Protecting freedom of expression is important to this government, and is taken into account throughout the Online Safety Act. For example, the Act requires in-scope services to give particular regard to protecting users’ freedom of expression and privacy rights when implementing safety measures.

What steps her Department is taking to prevent people who overstay their visas from working illegally for companies within the UK.

Under UK legislation, access to work is reserved to those who are eligible and have lawful immigration status in the UK. All employers are required to undertake right to work checks on any prospective employee to confirm their legal status. Sanctions exist where these requirements are not complied with.The Government is leading a UK-wide crackdown on illegal working as part of a whole system approach to tackle illegal migration and to ensure fairness, order and control within the immigration and asylum system. This includes measures in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to ensure companies which contract workers to provide services under their company name, such as agency workers or workers in the gig economy, check a person’s right to work, intensified Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams operational activity across the UK as well as the recently announced introduction of digital ID by the end of this Parliament.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of construction supply chain bottlenecks associated with Gateway 2 on the construction plant-hire sector.

My department and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) recognises that the delays in assessing Building Control Applications have been unacceptable and that they impact upon all parts of the construction supply chain. This is why we announced reforms to the BSR on 30 June, including plans to establish the BSR as a separate body. The BSR has listened to feedback from the industry and the reform package announced on 30 June 2025 is already having a positive impact on operations, with twice as many decisions being made by the BSR between June-September 2025 in comparison to January-March 2025. The BSR has committed to improving BSR operations by December, with faster processing of new build applications and decisions on most of the existing new-build caseload. The BSR published performance data on 16 October and will continue to do so monthly to track progress against this commitment.