Written questions by Downie.

What steps the UK Government is taking to promote collaborative defence innovation initiatives involving the UK, European partners and Ukraine.

The Secretary of State for Defence is committed to promoting collaborative initiatives that strengthen collaboration between Ukrainian, British and European defence innovators. In cooperation with trade association ADS, the UK has delivered seven successful Trade Missions to Ukraine, bringing together UK industry and likeminded European partners to discuss opportunities for long-term cooperation and investment, and to promote greater collaboration with defence industrial companies inside Ukraine.This month, I led the largest trade mission, with the UK welcoming five European partners and a record 35 UK companies from primes to SMEs, offering a range of innovative solutions.

What mechanisms exist within his Department to capture and integrate lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield experience into UK defence planning and capability development.

The primary mechanism for lessons learnt from Ukraine's battlefield experience is through the Defence Lessons Identified Management System, which facilities their assignment and management.For those of strategic relevance, the Military Commands will route lessons through the newly instituted Military Strategic Lessons Working Group for refinement and drafting of actionable recommendations or for further investigatory activity.Once prepared, lessons are presented to the Integrated Warfare Development Board for validation and sentencing. After which, the Board will monitor the implementation progress of the lesson plus ensuring coherence across Military Strategic Headquarters and the Military Commands.

Whether his Department has held recent discussions with the Scottish Government on a Section 104 order to bring relevant components of the Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 into force.

Scotland Office and Scottish Government officials meet regularly to discuss Scotland Act Orders. My officials have engaged Scottish Government officials to discuss a proposed Section 104 order under the Scotland Act 1998 in consequence of the Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 and will continue to liaise with their counterparts on the matter.

When he last met with the Secretary of State for Defence.

I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Defence and other defence Ministers to discuss a range of issues, including how to ensure that our Operation Banner veterans are fairly treated through our new Legacy reforms.

Media and Sport, what steps her is taking to help support the independent hotelier sector.

The Government is committed to supporting the hospitality sector as a valuable contributor to the UK economy. While DBT oversees the wider hospitality industry, DCMS holds policy responsibility for accommodation including hotels so I am replying as the Minister responsible. Both departments receive industry evidence through direct stakeholder engagement and through the Visitor Economy Advisory Council (VEAC) and the Hospitality Sector Council respectively. Following a recent VEAC meeting at the IHG Kimpton Fitzroy, I was pleased to visit the hotel and see firsthand the excellence and professionalism of our hotel sector.The Government is providing a number of targeted support measures for hospitality businesses, including permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.The Government has set out a package of five pro-growth regulatory changes for the retail and hospitality sectors. The Government has also committed to reviewing the methodologies by which pubs and hotels are valued for business rates purposes and will, if necessary, make changes to ensure these valuations accurately reflect the rental market for these properties at the next revaluation.

What assessment he has made of fair competition in the hotel market.

There has been no specific meeting between Ministers and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to discuss competition in the hotel market. Responsibility for assessing competition in individual markets, including the hotel market, lies with the CMA, which operates independently of Government. The CMA keeps markets under review and can carry out market studies, investigations or enforcement action where it has concerns that competition is not working well for consumers. If you have evidence of a specific competition issue in the hotel market, I would encourage you to pass it to the CMA for consideration.

Media and Sport, what evidence her has received on the challenges facing independent hoteliers.

The Government is committed to supporting the hospitality sector as a valuable contributor to the UK economy. While DBT oversees the wider hospitality industry, DCMS holds policy responsibility for accommodation including hotels so I am replying as the Minister responsible. Both departments receive industry evidence through direct stakeholder engagement and through the Visitor Economy Advisory Council (VEAC) and the Hospitality Sector Council respectively. Following a recent VEAC meeting at the IHG Kimpton Fitzroy, I was pleased to visit the hotel and see firsthand the excellence and professionalism of our hotel sector.The Government is providing a number of targeted support measures for hospitality businesses, including permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.The Government has set out a package of five pro-growth regulatory changes for the retail and hospitality sectors. The Government has also committed to reviewing the methodologies by which pubs and hotels are valued for business rates purposes and will, if necessary, make changes to ensure these valuations accurately reflect the rental market for these properties at the next revaluation.

What steps he is taking to ensure fair competition in the hotel market.

There has been no specific meeting between Ministers and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to discuss competition in the hotel market. Responsibility for assessing competition in individual markets, including the hotel market, lies with the CMA, which operates independently of Government. The CMA keeps markets under review and can carry out market studies, investigations or enforcement action where it has concerns that competition is not working well for consumers. If you have evidence of a specific competition issue in the hotel market, I would encourage you to pass it to the CMA for consideration.

Media and Sport, what evidence her has received on the role of independent hoteliers.

The Government is committed to supporting the hospitality sector as a valuable contributor to the UK economy. While DBT oversees the wider hospitality industry, DCMS holds policy responsibility for accommodation including hotels so I am replying as the Minister responsible. Both departments receive industry evidence through direct stakeholder engagement and through the Visitor Economy Advisory Council (VEAC) and the Hospitality Sector Council respectively. Following a recent VEAC meeting at the IHG Kimpton Fitzroy, I was pleased to visit the hotel and see firsthand the excellence and professionalism of our hotel sector.The Government is providing a number of targeted support measures for hospitality businesses, including permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.The Government has set out a package of five pro-growth regulatory changes for the retail and hospitality sectors. The Government has also committed to reviewing the methodologies by which pubs and hotels are valued for business rates purposes and will, if necessary, make changes to ensure these valuations accurately reflect the rental market for these properties at the next revaluation.

When he last met with the Competitions and Markets Authority to discuss fair competition in the hotel market.

There has been no specific meeting between Ministers and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to discuss competition in the hotel market. Responsibility for assessing competition in individual markets, including the hotel market, lies with the CMA, which operates independently of Government. The CMA keeps markets under review and can carry out market studies, investigations or enforcement action where it has concerns that competition is not working well for consumers. If you have evidence of a specific competition issue in the hotel market, I would encourage you to pass it to the CMA for consideration.

What evidence of a ADHD diagnosis on the impact on daily life is required for PIP assessments.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is designed to help with the extra costs that arise from long-term health conditions or disabilities. Entitlement is determined by the functional impact a person’s condition has on their daily living and mobility activities. The assessment looks at an individual’s ability to carry out a series of key everyday activities which are fundamental to living an independent life. This approach applies to all conditions. Health professionals delivering assessments receive comprehensive training in disability analysis including specific training on health conditions and how to identify their impact on claimants’ ability to carry out the activities in the assessment. PIP case managers consider information provided by claimants on claim forms, along with any other supporting evidence, further medical evidence that we receive from treating health professionals, and advice from our contracted assessment providers.

Whether proof of a ADHD diagnosis is required for its impact on daily life to be included in a PIP assessment.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is designed to help with the extra costs that arise from long-term health conditions or disabilities. Entitlement is determined by the functional impact a person’s condition has on their daily living and mobility activities. The assessment looks at an individual’s ability to carry out a series of key everyday activities which are fundamental to living an independent life. This approach applies to all conditions. Health professionals delivering assessments receive comprehensive training in disability analysis including specific training on health conditions and how to identify their impact on claimants’ ability to carry out the activities in the assessment. PIP case managers consider information provided by claimants on claim forms, along with any other supporting evidence, further medical evidence that we receive from treating health professionals, and advice from our contracted assessment providers.

Whether the effects of ADHD on daily life are included in PIP assessments.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is designed to help with the extra costs that arise from long-term health conditions or disabilities. Entitlement is determined by the functional impact a person’s condition has on their daily living and mobility activities. The assessment looks at an individual’s ability to carry out a series of key everyday activities which are fundamental to living an independent life. This approach applies to all conditions. Health professionals delivering assessments receive comprehensive training in disability analysis including specific training on health conditions and how to identify their impact on claimants’ ability to carry out the activities in the assessment. PIP case managers consider information provided by claimants on claim forms, along with any other supporting evidence, further medical evidence that we receive from treating health professionals, and advice from our contracted assessment providers.

How many Ukraine visas extensions applications have been affected by technical issues in each of the last three years.

The number of applications affected by technical issues does not form part of any current transparency data or migration statistics and is not published.

When the technical difficulties affecting Ukrainian Visa Extension scheme applications will be resolved.

UKVI is not aware of any current technical issues impacting the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme. In rare circumstances, applications submitted to UKVI may encounter technical difficulties, which are not related to one specific area. Once identified, UKVI strives to resolve these issues as quickly as possible, however, timescales depend on each application’s individual issues.

How much spare storage there is at DM Crombie as a proportion of its total capacity.

I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Ministry of Defence.

How much spare storage there is at each Defence Munitions site as a proportion of their total capacity.

I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Ministry of Defence.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 101610 on Offshore Industry: Security, what guidance his Department has issued to the operators of offshore oil rigs and installations in the North Sea on steps to take in the event of threat or intimidation from Russian military assets.

Operators follow general security guidance from a range of sources, including the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), and Offshore Energies UK (OEUK). Operators are required to follow risk assessments and contingency planning embedded within approved safety cases under the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 2005. The Government closely monitors the security of energy infrastructure and regularly assesses potential threats, working with the Ministry of Defence, which keeps Russian military capabilities under continuous review as part of routine defence intelligence and strategic assessments.

What funding has been allocated for the implementation of ASGARD for the British Army.

ASGARD will create a digitally enabled reconnaissance and strike network, bringing together sensors, decision-support tools and precision weapons to improve decision-making and increase lethality. With continued investment and oversight, ASGARD will deliver incremental capability upgrades between 2026 and 2029, aligned with the Army Command Plan, NATO standards and Defence’s Digital Target Web. The overall cost of ASGARD will continue to develop and change as it progresses, however future funding plans for ASGARD are being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan. With regards to the implementation of ASGARD, I refer the hon. Member to Question 73577, which remains extant and explains the current position for the project. The next iteration of ASGARD, focused at Corps level operations, will be tested in Quarter two 2026.

If he will provide an update on the implementation of ASGARD.

ASGARD will create a digitally enabled reconnaissance and strike network, bringing together sensors, decision-support tools and precision weapons to improve decision-making and increase lethality. With continued investment and oversight, ASGARD will deliver incremental capability upgrades between 2026 and 2029, aligned with the Army Command Plan, NATO standards and Defence’s Digital Target Web. The overall cost of ASGARD will continue to develop and change as it progresses, however future funding plans for ASGARD are being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan. With regards to the implementation of ASGARD, I refer the hon. Member to Question 73577, which remains extant and explains the current position for the project. The next iteration of ASGARD, focused at Corps level operations, will be tested in Quarter two 2026.