Written questions by Bailey.

What discussions he has had with (a) his Ukrainian counterpart, (b) MOAS, (c) other humanitarian charities and (d) other stakeholders on the value of frontline medical evacuation services provided by humanitarian charities in Ukraine.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart on a number of issues. Through the FCDO, the UK Government continues to maintain close contact with humanitarian partners to support Ukraine, including with medical evacuation services. The Ministry of Defence has a well-established route through which requests for support from the Government of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence are received and we carefully weigh how we commit UK taxpayer money, aligned with that demand signal. Our humanitarian support to Ukraine now amounts to £477 million to Ukraine.

What steps he plans to take to learn lessons from the implementation of (a) Strategic (i) Defence and (ii) Security Reviews, (b) Defence Industrial Strategies and (c) Defence Equipment Plans over the last 25 years.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to learning lessons from previous reviews and their implementation. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR), launched by the Prime Minister on 16 July, is taking a diverse range of views and evidence, including previous reviews, strategies and plans, into account to determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century, deliverable and affordable both within the resources available to Defence and within the trajectory to 2.5%. The SDR will ensure that Defence is central both to the security, and to the economic growth and prosperity, of the UK. The Reviewers will report to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Defence in the spring of 2025, and the Secretary of State will subsequently publish a version of that report to Parliament. More widely, Defence is undertaking the biggest reform programme in over 50 years, creating a stronger UK Defence centre to secure better value for money, better outcomes for our Armed Forces, and be better able to implement the SDR.

What discussions his Department has had with health and care stakeholders on the potential impact of the Strategic Defence Review on areas for which his Department is responsible; and whether his Department have made a submission to that Review.

Defence Medical Services is an important theme being considered by the Reviewers as part of One Defence and renewing the nation's contract with those who serve. During the Review and Challenge, there was a Panel dedicated to Defence Medical Services to provide robust challenge to submissions received from the Department into the Review. Now this phase has concluded, the Reviewers continue to iterate their final recommendations for the Prime Minister. The Review will be socialised across Whitehall, including with Department for Health and Social Care colleagues.

What steps his Department has taken to compare the (a) recommendations and (b) objectives of (i) Strategic (A) Defence and (B) Security Reviews, (ii) Defence Industrial Strategies and (ii)) Defence Equipment Plans with the Defence outcomes achieved during the last 25 years.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to learning lessons from previous reviews and their implementation. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR), launched by the Prime Minister on 16 July, is taking a diverse range of views and evidence, including previous reviews, strategies and plans, into account to determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century, deliverable and affordable both within the resources available to Defence and within the trajectory to 2.5%. The SDR will ensure that Defence is central both to the security, and to the economic growth and prosperity, of the UK. The Reviewers will report to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Defence in the spring of 2025, and the Secretary of State will subsequently publish a version of that report to Parliament. More widely, Defence is undertaking the biggest reform programme in over 50 years, creating a stronger UK Defence centre to secure better value for money, better outcomes for our Armed Forces, and be better able to implement the SDR.

When the UK National Screening Committee’s public consultation on prostate cancer screening will open.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) review for prostate cancer screening is currently underway. The evidence review will cover modelling the clinical effectiveness and cost of several approaches to prostate cancer screening. This will include different potential ways of screening the whole population from 40 years of age onwards and targeted screening aimed at groups of people identified as being at higher than average risk, such as black men or men with a family history of cancer.This work is detailed and complex. Once the modelling and evidence review are complete it will be considered by the UK NSC. Subject to no further revisions being required, the UK NSC plans to hold a public consultation towards the end of 2025.Further details of the UK NSC’s evidence review process is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-evidence-review-process/uk-nsc-evidence-review-process

What steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to increase the rate of retrofitting insulation in social housing in London.

The Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF, formally SHDF) provides grant funding for social housing landlords to improve the energy performance of their properties through the installation of energy efficiency measures and low carbon technologies. The WH:SH will upgrade a significant amount of the social housing stock currently below EPC C up to that standard. £1.29 billion has been allocated as part of the Autumn 2024 Budget for the WH:SHF Wave 3, to be delivered from 2025 until 2028 by eligible social housing landlords. Additionally, the National Wealth Fund has worked with leading banks to make £1bn available to help housing associations provide warmer, more energy efficient homes to tenants across the country.

Media and Sport, what plans she has for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Yes, we will announce the outcomes of the Business Planning process, including any implications for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme soon.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Troika and (b) other partners on (i) monitoring and (ii) rapid diplomatic responses to escalations in the levels of atrocity risks in (A) Zamzam refugee camp, (B) Darfur and (C) Sudan.

The Foreign Secretary has raised the issue of increased atrocity risks in Sudan with a number of key regional and international actors. In December, the Foreign Secretary discussed protection of civilians in Sudan with Troika counterparts Secretary Blinken (US) and Foreign Minister Barth Eide (Norway). The Foreign Secretary also engaged with the African Union and African Security Council members during his visit to New York in November, including at a roundtable he hosted where he urged states to use their influence with the warring parties to push for improved humanitarian access in Sudan and protection of civilians. We will continue to use our engagements with international partners to pressure warring parties to comply with international humanitarian and human rights law.

What recent steps she has taken to help facilitate access to the UK for Palestinian family members of UK nationals in (a) Egypt and (b) Gaza.

Immediate family members of British citizens, and those settled in the UK, who wish to come and live in the UK and do not have a current UK visa can apply under one of the existing family visa routes. There are no plans to create a bespoke family reunion scheme at this stage.Further details are available here: https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visaWe will accept applications, which would normally have to be made in the country where the person is living, at any of the UK’s Visa Application Centres.Visa Application Centres are open and operating in Egypt, in both Cairo and Alexandria, and Amman in Jordan. Application centres are also open and operating in Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv.The FCDO is also providing consular assistance to those with British nationality, or dual nationality including British, who are in Gaza or who have left Gaza to a third country. Dual national British-Palestinians are not required to make a visa application as they have the right of abode in the UK. Our embassy staff are ready to provide support as appropriate.

With reference to the Trade Union Congress report entitled Sick pay that works, published February 2021, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of (a) current Statutory Sick Pay policies and (b) planned Statutory Sick Pay reforms on ethnic minority workers; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure Statutory Sick Pay covers those in insecure work.

The pandemic exposed how precarious work and life is for those on low incomes, with many forced to choose between their health and financial hardship. This is why, through the Employment Rights Bill, we are removing the Lower Earnings Limit so that up to 1.3 million low-paid employees will become eligible for Statutory Sick Pay. We are also removing the waiting period so that all eligible employees will receive payment from the first day of sickness absence. This will ensure the safety net of sick pay is available to those who need it most. The impact of planned changes to Strengthen Statutory Sick Pay on ethnic minority employees is set out in full in our Equality Impact Assessment, which we published on 7 November 2024 and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/making-work-pay-strengthening-statutory-sick-pay/equality-analysis-for-statutory-sick-pay-reform-measures-in-the-employment-rights-bill. We know that employees in insecure work tend to be on lower incomes, and our planned changes to SSP will benefit millions of additional employees. The rate lower paid employees are entitled to will be based on their actual average weekly earnings, protecting those who work irregular hours.

With reference to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's report entitled Regulatory Horizons Council: the Future Regulation of Space Technologies, published on 25 April 2024, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that small space businesses have regulatory guidance from the Civil Aviation Authority that supports the (a) launch and (b) return of experimental (i) satellites and (ii) spacecraft.

We are working closely with Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), who we understand have met with the Regulatory Horizons Council (RHC) on their report published in April 2024. A formal response will be sent to the RHC in the new year.To support the sector the CAA publish guidance setting out regulatory principles and how applicants can comply with the outcome focused legislation. Their guidance was last updated in May 2024.The CAA also has regular, close engagement with the whole sector through Space Launch and Orbit Group (SPLOG), which provides the CAA opportunities to engage with operators to understand mission concepts and provide guidance on how to progress a licence application.Working alongside the CAA, we will ensure we have legislation that is effective and globally competitive, through the use of a Regulatory Sandbox and a Post Implementation Review of the Space Industry Regulations 2021, commencing in January 2025.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) clarity, (b) consistency and (c) timeliness of licensing assessments of launch and return activities for experimental satellites and spacecraft by the Civil Aviation Authority on the investment decisions of small space (i) start-ups and (ii) other businesses in the UK space sector.

The length of time that the Civil Aviation Authority, the independent regulator, takes for a licence application assessment is predicated on the heritage and maturity of the technology, and the quality of information provided by the applicant. The Government has implemented the Regulatory Innovation Office, which will reduce red tape and recognises the innovative technology developments in the space sector. Working alongside the CAA, we will ensure we have legislation that is effective and globally competitive, through the use of a Regulatory Sandbox and a Post Implementation Review of the Space Industry Regulations 2021, commencing in January 2025.

What steps she is taking to support sixth-form colleges.

This government is committed to driving economic growth and supporting opportunity for all, and further education (FE) is central to this.My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £300 million in 2025/26 for FE at the Autumn Budget 2024. We will set out how the additional funding will be distributed in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing 16-18 scholarships for young people participating in cadet programmes.

The government, through the Ministry of Defence, provides in the region of £180 million to support cadets schemes. The Cadet Expansion Programme will receive £3.6 million in government funding for this academic year and through to the 2033/2034 financial year. This goes to the single Service (i.e. Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force) cadet organisations, to provide funding for cadet expansion in schools.The department provides £3.5 million to enable cadets to achieve an ‘out of school hours’ level 2 or 3 vocational qualification. The qualifications recognise the wide variety of skills, including teamwork, communication and leadership skills that cadets gain while attending their unit, which are transferable to further and higher education, as well as the workplace.These qualifications are directly linked to community, social action and volunteering, and are carefully mapped to the training programmes of the cadet forces. For the cadet forces, the current offer is:BTEC Level 1 in Teamwork and Personal Skills for Uniformed Youth Organisations. 1 year course, age range: 13 to 15.BTEC Level 2 in Teamwork and Personal Development in the Community. 2 year course, age range: 16 to 18.ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management. 1 year course, age range: 16 +.Further details are available here: https://cvcollege.org/our_qualifications/.There are no current plans to make an assessment of the merits of introducing 16 to 18 scholarships for young people participating in cadets programmes. However, there are initiatives at a local level to support cadets with financial barriers to participate.

What steps she is taking to help improve the (a) employment, (b) training and (c) educational opportunities available for young people participating in cadet programmes.

The government, through the Ministry of Defence, provides in the region of £180 million to support cadets schemes. The Cadet Expansion Programme will receive £3.6 million in government funding for this academic year and through to the 2033/2034 financial year. This goes to the single Service (i.e. Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force) cadet organisations, to provide funding for cadet expansion in schools.The department provides £3.5 million to enable cadets to achieve an ‘out of school hours’ level 2 or 3 vocational qualification. The qualifications recognise the wide variety of skills, including teamwork, communication and leadership skills that cadets gain while attending their unit, which are transferable to further and higher education, as well as the workplace.These qualifications are directly linked to community, social action and volunteering, and are carefully mapped to the training programmes of the cadet forces. For the cadet forces, the current offer is:BTEC Level 1 in Teamwork and Personal Skills for Uniformed Youth Organisations. 1 year course, age range: 13 to 15.BTEC Level 2 in Teamwork and Personal Development in the Community. 2 year course, age range: 16 to 18.ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management. 1 year course, age range: 16 +.Further details are available here: https://cvcollege.org/our_qualifications/.There are no current plans to make an assessment of the merits of introducing 16 to 18 scholarships for young people participating in cadets programmes. However, there are initiatives at a local level to support cadets with financial barriers to participate.

With reference to the Joint Concept Note 2/18 entitled Information Advantage, published by his Department in November 2018, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of the level of resources available to the BBC World Service on the UK's (a) strategic information capability, (b) capacity to counter adversaries' use of information as a weapon and (c) capacity to use digital technology to achieve influence.

Joint Concept Note (JCN) 2/18, Information Advantage, sets out proposals for how Defence could use information differently, it is not Government policy. The BBC World Service is not part of Defence and therefore its funding is not a matter for the Ministry of Defence.

Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the resources available to the BBC World Service.

In a time where the world faces huge challenges, the Government is fully committed to a successful BBC World Service that continues to provide essential, impartial and accurate news coverage and programming reaching millions of people across the globe.Government funding for the World Service in financial year 25-26 will be determined as part of the upcoming Spending Review.The Secretary of State regularly engages in conversations with Cabinet colleagues, and recent discussions with relevant colleagues have referenced the resources available to the BBC World Service.

What recent estimate his Department has made of the cost of the scheme to rebuild Whipps Cross University Hospital.

The standard process confirming the total funding amount for major infrastructure projects involves the review and approval of a Full Business Case. All trusts in the New Hospital Programme have previously received indicative funding allocations to support planning, however these are commercially sensitive. The New Hospital Programme had confirmed £3.7 billion in funding up to the end of 2024/25.The trust is currently developing their Outline Business Case for the Whipps Cross Hospital, and is at Royal Institute of British Architects Stage 2. Up to the end of the 2023/24, the total amount received by the Barts Health NHS Trust in funding for their new hospital scheme is £22.2 million.The breakdown of how much the trust received for their new hospital scheme is published annually as part of the Department’s Annual Reports and Accounts, with Public Dividend Capital to individual trusts included in the Financial Assistance Report under section 40 of the National Health Service Act 2006. The 2022/23 report is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dhsc-annual-report-and-accounts-2022-to-2023

How much funding had been allocated for (a) the scheme to rebuild Whipps Cross University Hospital and (b) the New Hospital Programme by 2 July 2024.

The standard process confirming the total funding amount for major infrastructure projects involves the review and approval of a Full Business Case. All trusts in the New Hospital Programme have previously received indicative funding allocations to support planning, however these are commercially sensitive. The New Hospital Programme had confirmed £3.7 billion in funding up to the end of 2024/25.The trust is currently developing their Outline Business Case for the Whipps Cross Hospital, and is at Royal Institute of British Architects Stage 2. Up to the end of the 2023/24, the total amount received by the Barts Health NHS Trust in funding for their new hospital scheme is £22.2 million.The breakdown of how much the trust received for their new hospital scheme is published annually as part of the Department’s Annual Reports and Accounts, with Public Dividend Capital to individual trusts included in the Financial Assistance Report under section 40 of the National Health Service Act 2006. The 2022/23 report is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dhsc-annual-report-and-accounts-2022-to-2023

How much funding the scheme to rebuild Whipps Cross University Hospital has received up to the end of the 2023-24 financial year.

The standard process confirming the total funding amount for major infrastructure projects involves the review and approval of a Full Business Case. All trusts in the New Hospital Programme have previously received indicative funding allocations to support planning, however these are commercially sensitive. The New Hospital Programme had confirmed £3.7 billion in funding up to the end of 2024/25.The trust is currently developing their Outline Business Case for the Whipps Cross Hospital, and is at Royal Institute of British Architects Stage 2. Up to the end of the 2023/24, the total amount received by the Barts Health NHS Trust in funding for their new hospital scheme is £22.2 million.The breakdown of how much the trust received for their new hospital scheme is published annually as part of the Department’s Annual Reports and Accounts, with Public Dividend Capital to individual trusts included in the Financial Assistance Report under section 40 of the National Health Service Act 2006. The 2022/23 report is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dhsc-annual-report-and-accounts-2022-to-2023