Written questions by Downie.

What guidance his Department issues to local authorities on parental eligibility for Neonatal Care Pay and Leave.

The department is committed to supporting employers to implement the range of parental leave entitlements available, and enabling employees to access them. This includes Neonatal Care Leave and Pay. Local authorities are not involved in determining parental eligibility for Neonatal Care Leave and Pay. Employers can refer to publicly available guidance on GOV.UK to help them understand which employees are eligible for Neonatal Care Leave and Pay. The guidance was created with employers and parents in mind, and government worked closely with HR professionals to make sure it is fit for purpose.

What information his Department holds on (a) which local authorities provide their staff with (i) statutory paternity leave and pay and (i) enhanced paternity leave and pay and (b) levels of take up of these across local government.

All employers, including local authorities, are legally required to provide eligible employees with Statutory Paternity Leave and Pay, if they meet the eligibility criteria. The department does not hold data on which local authorities offer enhanced Paternity Leave and Pay or the take up of these across local government.

What data his Department holds on (a) which NHS trusts provide staff with statutory paternity leave and pay, (b) which NHS trusts provide staff with enhanced paternity leave and pay and (c) levels of take up of those across trusts.

The Department does not hold data on the uptake of these arrangements by National Health Service trusts in England.Employing organisations are legally bound to provide two weeks of statutory paternity leave and pay where individuals meet the required eligibility criteria.The national terms and conditions for staff on Agenda for Change, resident doctor, specialty and specialist doctor, and consultant contracts provide an enhanced paternity pay offer which uprates statutory pay to full pay where the additional eligibility criteria, as set out in the respective national contracts, is met.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provided to local authorities on parental eligibility for Neonatal Care Pay and Leave.

Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management of their own workforces and compliance with all relevant employment legislation. The Department has not provided guidance to local authorities.

Communities and Local Government, what data his Department holds on (a) which Local Authorities provide their staff with statutory paternity leave and pay, (b) which Local Authorities provide their staff with enhanced paternity leave and pay and (c) the levels of take up are of these across local government.

The Department does not hold this data. Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management of their own workforces and compliance with all relevant employment legislation.

How many fast jet pilots are expected to complete training and enter front-line service with the RAF in each of the next five years.

The number of Royal Air Force (RAF) fast jet pilots that are expected to complete training and commence Operational Conversion Units is based upon the front-line demand for qualified pilots in future years. The RAF actively manage the pilot training pipelines to ensure that trainee flowthrough is kept to an optimum and meets the front-line requirements. The specific number of fast jet pilots expected to complete training and commence front-line Operational Conversion Units in the RAF in each of the next five years will not be released into the public domain as this information may provide tactical advantage to hostile forces causing operational and personnel security risks.

What the average cost is of training a new fast jet pilot for the RAF.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer the former Minister for Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, gave to Question 36613 on 13 March 2025 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois MP).

What steps he is taking to increase the number of frontline fast jet pilots available to the RAF.

In line with the Strategic Defence Review 2025, an RAF programme team is being established to revise current fast jet training arrangements and optimise capacity. A fast jet transformation project and human performance optimisation programme are being implemented. Measures to increase the number of fast jet Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) at RAF Valley have also been implemented. These include agreements with the Combat Air Force for them to provide suitably qualified and experienced QFI trainees from the front-line to RAF Valley to sustain the military QFI requirement and the recruitment of civilian QFIs though the UKMFTS Training Service Partner.

What contingency plans he has to rapidly increase the number of front line pilots in the RAF.

Contingency plans are in place to rapidly increase the number of front-line pilots in the RAF if required. Details of specific contingency plans are not released for operational and personnel security reasons.

How many fast jet pilots completed training and entered front-line service with the RAF in each of the last five years.

This information is not released into the public domain for operational and personnel security reasons.

How many pilots are expected to complete training and enter front-line service with the RAF in each of the next five years by (a) aircraft and (b) service type.

This information is not released into the public domain for operational and personnel security reasons. For each training year, the number of pilots that are expected to complete training and commence Operational Conversion Units is based upon the front-line demand for qualified pilots in future years. The Royal Air Force (RAF) actively manage the pilot training pipelines to ensure that trainee flowthrough is kept to an optimum and meets the front-line requirements.

How many new pilots completed training and entered front-line service with the RAF in each of the last five years by (a) aircraft and (b) service type.

For each training year, the number of pilots that undertake training and commence Operational Conversion Units is based upon the front-line demand for qualified pilots. The Royal Air Force (RAF) actively manage the pilot training pipelines to ensure that trainee flowthrough is kept to an optimum and meets the front-line requirements. The specific number of pilots that have completed training and commenced front-line Operational Conversion Units in each of the last five years is not released into the public domain as this level of detailed information may provide tactical advantage to hostile forces causing operational and personnel security risks.

What steps her Department is taking to stop learner drivers from using third parties to book their driving tests.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country, including in the Dunfermline and Dollar constituency.DVSA encourages learner drivers to only use the official GOV.UK website to book and manage their driving test. The DVSA has published advice aimed at learner drivers warning them of the risks of using third party services/apps to book a practical driving test. Further information can be found on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/government/news/learner-drivers-warned-about-the-risks-of-driving-test-cancellation-finders. On 28 May, DVSA launched a public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. The consultation closed on 23 July. DVSA is reviewing the feedback given and will announce next steps as soon as possible. Further information on the consultation can be found at:www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-car-driving-test-booking-rules/improving-car-driving-test-booking-rules. DVSA deploys bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing. On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 237 warnings, 377 suspensions, and closed 880 business accounts.

What steps her Department has taken to prevent the (a) block booking and (b) reselling of driving tests in Dunfermline and Dollar constituency.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country, including in the Dunfermline and Dollar constituency.DVSA encourages learner drivers to only use the official GOV.UK website to book and manage their driving test. The DVSA has published advice aimed at learner drivers warning them of the risks of using third party services/apps to book a practical driving test. Further information can be found on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/government/news/learner-drivers-warned-about-the-risks-of-driving-test-cancellation-finders. On 28 May, DVSA launched a public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. The consultation closed on 23 July. DVSA is reviewing the feedback given and will announce next steps as soon as possible. Further information on the consultation can be found at:www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-car-driving-test-booking-rules/improving-car-driving-test-booking-rules. DVSA deploys bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing. On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 237 warnings, 377 suspensions, and closed 880 business accounts.

How many (a) warnings, ( b) suspensions and (c) business account closures the DVSA has issued for misuse of its booking service in 2025.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country, including in the Dunfermline and Dollar constituency.DVSA encourages learner drivers to only use the official GOV.UK website to book and manage their driving test. The DVSA has published advice aimed at learner drivers warning them of the risks of using third party services/apps to book a practical driving test. Further information can be found on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/government/news/learner-drivers-warned-about-the-risks-of-driving-test-cancellation-finders. On 28 May, DVSA launched a public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. The consultation closed on 23 July. DVSA is reviewing the feedback given and will announce next steps as soon as possible. Further information on the consultation can be found at:www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-car-driving-test-booking-rules/improving-car-driving-test-booking-rules. DVSA deploys bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing. On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 237 warnings, 377 suspensions, and closed 880 business accounts.

How many quick reaction alert launches there have been from RAF (a) Coningsby and (b) Lossiemouth in each month of 2025.

The table below details the number of quick reaction alert launches, in each month of 2025: 2025RAF Lossiemouth RAF ConingsbyJanuary10February00March00April20May00June00July00August01September*11* To 30 September 2025

What the waiting list for a car driving test was at the DVLA test centre in Dunfermline for each of the last 12 months.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.The table below shows the waiting time in weeks for a car driving test at Dunfermline driving test centre for each of the last 12 months. August 202410.8September 202412.6October 202414.5November 202414December 202413.2January 202514.3February 202518March 202523.6April 202524May 202524June 202524July 202524

What steps he is taking to help tackle social media intervention by foreign states seeking to influence the debate on Scotland's constitutional status.

Protecting our democracy is one of the Government’s highest priorities. The Defending Democracy Taskforce was set up to tackle threats including, but not limited to, election security. It is, and always will be, an absolute priority to protect the UK against foreign interference. The National Security Act 2023 provides the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt modern-day state threats.

What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on tackling social media interventions by foreign actors spreading misinformation on Scotland's constitutional position.

As you will be aware, I speak regularly with the Deputy First Minister, and my officials frequently engage with their Scottish Government counterparts. National security is the responsibility of the UK Government and protecting our democracy is one of our highest priorities. It is, and always will be, an absolute priority to protect the UK against foreign interference. The Home Office’s taskforce to protect the democratic integrity, called the Defending Democracy Taskforce, was set up to tackle threats facing our democracy.

When he last met with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to discuss social media intervention by foreign actors seeking to spread misinformation on Scotland's constitutional position.

I have not recently met with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to discuss these matters. However, the Home Office’s taskforce to protect the democratic integrity, called the Defending Democracy Taskforce, was set up to tackle threats facing our entire democracy - including, but not limited to, election security. The National Security Act 2023 provides the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt modern-day state threats.