Written questions by Byrne.

With reference to the Prime Minister’s written ministerial statement of 3 June 2025 on Machinery of Government: Cyber-security and Defence Exports HCWS679, and (a) page 7 and (b) recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, if the new defence exports office will replace UK defence and security exports.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, improving exports is vital to national security and growth at home. We are creating a single Departmental lead through the transfer of responsibility for defence exports, comprising the majority of UK Defence and Security Exports, from the Department of Business and Trade to the Ministry of Defence. A new team under the National Armaments Director will drive forward export campaigns.

With reference to (a) page 7 and (b) recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what input other Government (i) departments and (ii) agencies will have into the export decisions of the new defence exports office.

The Strategic Defence Review was clear that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) must coordinate with other Government Departments to achieve export goals. Inputs from other Government Departments will be critical to ensure success, from the views of Ambassadors, Trade teams and Defence Attaches in our overseas embassies to the export licensing community in the FCDO, MOD and other Government Departments.

With reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what role the National Armaments Director will have in (a) considering, (b) advising on and (c) deciding export licence applications.

This Government endorses the Strategic Defence Review’s vision and accepts all 62 recommendations. The implementation of the Review’s recommendations will form part of the main business of the Department and will be executed through a whole of UK Defence effort.

With reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether the review of export licensing policy will examine export controls relating to (a) sensitive technologies, (b) intangible transfers, (c) technological advancements and (d) the targeting end-uses and end-users of concern.

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.

With reference to page 7 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what the remit is of the new defence exports office; and when that office will be operational.

With the creation of the National Armaments Group on 31 March 2025 and the transfer of Ministerial responsibility for defence exports to the Ministry of Defence on 31 July, Whitehall teams specialising in defence exports are being brought together for the first time. The new team will have responsibility for supporting defence exports, including supporting a new framework for an enhanced Government-to-Government mechanism to support defence exports.

With reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, qwhther his Department's review of export licensing policy will include the (a) UK Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, (b) Export Control Act 2002 and (c) Export Control Order 2008.

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.

With reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether his Department's review of export licensing policy will include the UK’s (a) participation in, (b) its interpretation of and (c) approach to (i) international treaties and (ii) any other international law and agreements relevant to arms control.

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.

With reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether (a) export licensing decisions will remain the responsibility of his Department and (b) the Export Control Joint Unit will continue to be based in his Department.

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.

With reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether his Department's review of export licensing policy will include an examination of the effectiveness of the Export Control Joint Unit.

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.

With reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, who will conduct the review of the export licensing policy; what the (a) planned timetable and (b) terms of reference of that review will be; and (i) which groups and organisations his Department plans to consult and (ii) whether there will be a public consultation.

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North of 14 March 2025, reference LB46879 on British Leadership in Multilateral Development Finance.

The Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean issued a response to the hon. Member on 12 May 2025.

What information her Department holds on the proportion of police staff involved with investigating (a) fraud and (b) other types of economic crime in 2023 and 2024.

A new National Fraud Squad has been established, consisting of a total of c.500 specialist investigators across the NCA, City of London Police and Regional Organised Crime Units. The NFS had c.300 new and existing investigators in post in May 2023 when the Department’s 2023 Fraud Strategy launched. A further c.100 were in post by January 2024, followed by another c.100 this year. The NFS is transforming the law enforcement response by taking a proactive, intelligence-led approach to identifying and disrupting the most serious fraudsters, domestically and overseas, jointly with government and industry.

What information his Department holds on the number of (a) attempted and (b) successful public prosecutions under Section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010, broken down by (i) type or sub-type of offence and (ii) prosecuting organisation or agency.

As Solicitor General I superintend the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The SFO is the lead agency in England and Wales for investigating and prosecuting serious international fraud, bribery, and corruption cases. The CPS also prosecutes bribery offences investigated by the police, committed either overseas or in England and Wales.General bribery offences (sections 1 and 2 Bribery Act 2010)The tables below show the number of individuals – British national or UK resident – charged and successful prosecuted (by way of guilty plea or conviction by jury) by the SFO under sections 1 and 2 of the Bribery Act 2010.British nationalUK residentIndividuals charged130Individuals successfully prosecuted (guilty plea, conviction by jury)60 Bribery Act 2010 countsSection 1Section 2Counts charged315Counts successfully prosecuted (guilty plea, conviction by jury)174The CPS does not record or hold the requested data centrally and is not able to disaggregate its data based on nationality of offenders. The information can only be obtained by completing manual case file reviews, which would be at a disproportionate cost.Section 7 Bribery Act 2010The SFO has charged and successfully prosecuted (by way of Deferred Prosecution Agreement, guilty plea, or conviction by jury) 12 organisations under section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010.The CPS has charged organisations under section 7 five times. However, this is not an indication of final outcome or if the charged offences were the substantive charges at finalisation. The CPS does not record or hold the requested data on prosecution outcomes at the offence-level centrally. The information can only be obtained by completing manual case file reviews, which would be at a disproportionate cost.Section 45 Criminal Finances Act 2017The SFO and CPS have not brought any charges under section 45 of the Criminal Finances Act 2017.

How many (a) attempted and (b) successful public prosecutions there have been of (a) British nationals and (b) individuals resident in the UK with respect to the general bribery offences under the Bribery Act 2010 broken down by (i) type or sub-type of offence and (ii) prosecuting organisation or agency.

As Solicitor General I superintend the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The SFO is the lead agency in England and Wales for investigating and prosecuting serious international fraud, bribery, and corruption cases. The CPS also prosecutes bribery offences investigated by the police, committed either overseas or in England and Wales.General bribery offences (sections 1 and 2 Bribery Act 2010)The tables below show the number of individuals – British national or UK resident – charged and successful prosecuted (by way of guilty plea or conviction by jury) by the SFO under sections 1 and 2 of the Bribery Act 2010.British nationalUK residentIndividuals charged130Individuals successfully prosecuted (guilty plea, conviction by jury)60 Bribery Act 2010 countsSection 1Section 2Counts charged315Counts successfully prosecuted (guilty plea, conviction by jury)174The CPS does not record or hold the requested data centrally and is not able to disaggregate its data based on nationality of offenders. The information can only be obtained by completing manual case file reviews, which would be at a disproportionate cost.Section 7 Bribery Act 2010The SFO has charged and successfully prosecuted (by way of Deferred Prosecution Agreement, guilty plea, or conviction by jury) 12 organisations under section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010.The CPS has charged organisations under section 7 five times. However, this is not an indication of final outcome or if the charged offences were the substantive charges at finalisation. The CPS does not record or hold the requested data on prosecution outcomes at the offence-level centrally. The information can only be obtained by completing manual case file reviews, which would be at a disproportionate cost.Section 45 Criminal Finances Act 2017The SFO and CPS have not brought any charges under section 45 of the Criminal Finances Act 2017.

What information her Department holds on the number of (a) attempted and (b) successful public prosecutions under Section 45 of the Criminal Finances Act 2017, broken down by (a) type or sub-type of offence and (b) prosecuting organisation or agency.

As Solicitor General I superintend the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The SFO is the lead agency in England and Wales for investigating and prosecuting serious international fraud, bribery, and corruption cases. The CPS also prosecutes bribery offences investigated by the police, committed either overseas or in England and Wales.General bribery offences (sections 1 and 2 Bribery Act 2010)The tables below show the number of individuals – British national or UK resident – charged and successful prosecuted (by way of guilty plea or conviction by jury) by the SFO under sections 1 and 2 of the Bribery Act 2010.British nationalUK residentIndividuals charged130Individuals successfully prosecuted (guilty plea, conviction by jury)60 Bribery Act 2010 countsSection 1Section 2Counts charged315Counts successfully prosecuted (guilty plea, conviction by jury)174The CPS does not record or hold the requested data centrally and is not able to disaggregate its data based on nationality of offenders. The information can only be obtained by completing manual case file reviews, which would be at a disproportionate cost.Section 7 Bribery Act 2010The SFO has charged and successfully prosecuted (by way of Deferred Prosecution Agreement, guilty plea, or conviction by jury) 12 organisations under section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010.The CPS has charged organisations under section 7 five times. However, this is not an indication of final outcome or if the charged offences were the substantive charges at finalisation. The CPS does not record or hold the requested data on prosecution outcomes at the offence-level centrally. The information can only be obtained by completing manual case file reviews, which would be at a disproportionate cost.Section 45 Criminal Finances Act 2017The SFO and CPS have not brought any charges under section 45 of the Criminal Finances Act 2017.

What was the total (a) number and (b) value of financial penalties (i) levied and (ii) collected by Companies House since October 2024.

Since October 2024, 234 financial penalties have been issued. These had a total value of £58,500. The volume of penalties issued will rise once initial work to deploy the required systems and processes has been completed.5 financial penalties have been collected, totalling £1,250. Action to collect penalties will accelerate during summer 2025. Outstanding penalties will be referred to debt collection and litigation where appropriate.This information is unaudited and subject to change. Audited figures will be made available when Companies House’s annual accounts are laid in Parliament. This is currently expected to be delivered in July 2025.

Whether Companies House has key performance indicators to measure the quality of information on the registry.

Work is underway to develop key performance indicators and establish baselines to measure the quality of information on the Companies House register. The need for this work has been triggered by the implementation of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA).The key performance indicators will include assessments of compliance levels, adherence to data standards and measurement of the value of the information on the Register.Companies House are also investigating ways to estimate false, misleading and inaccurate information in line with the Registrar’s objectives under ECCTA. This will be based on the threats outlined in the Strategic Intelligence Assessment.

How many requests were made to Companies House to (a) remove and (b) change director details in each year between 2020 and 2024.

No figure for requests to remove or change director details is currently available.Companies House does hold data on removals of officer addresses. To the year ending 4 March 2025, Companies House removed 66,900 officer addresses.

How many requests were made by Companies House to query information (a) sent for acceptance to and (b) already published on the register using the new enforcement powers introduced in March 2024.

Since 4 March 2024 Companies House has been using its new powers to challenge, question and reject documents and to make enquiries about documents that have already been registered.No figure for filings that have been queried prior to before registration is available.To the year ending 4 March 2025, Companies House removed:82,600 registered office addresses,66,900 officer addresses,55,100 PSC addresses,11,200 other documentsPersonal information was redacted from 49,800 incorporation documents. A further have been removed from the register. These actions have affected 100,400 companies in total.

How many (a) high-end, (b) trade-based and (c) cash-based money laundering incidents were identified by Companies House in each year between 2020 and 2024.

Companies House does not hold this information. Prior to March 2024, Companies House had limited powers to analyse and share information. Whilst the investigation of suspected money laundering is not within its remit, where suspicious patterns of behaviour are identified that reflect the typology of money laundering, Companies House will share this information with relevant law enforcement partners, using data sharing powers which came into force in March 2024.