The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 323 tabled · 314 answered

Written questions by Akehurst.

Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Akehurst this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.

Department:All (323)Ministry of Defence (139)Department of Health and Social Care (40)Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (26)Home Office (25)Department for Work and Pensions (23)Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (16)Department for Education (12)Cabinet Office (10)Department for Business and Trade (9)Department for Transport (9)Department for Culture, Media and Sport (4)Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (4)

Showing 110 of 10 · Cabinet Office

25 Jun 2026·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2026 to Question 9768 on bus manufacturing and public procurement, when the Government intends to publish updated procurement guidance reflecting the new definition of social va

Reply

The Government has announced its intention to redefine social value in central government procurement, to put community impact at the heart of public procurement decisions. This will help to ensure public expenditure directly targets the creation of local...

15 Jun 2026·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

If he will make it his policy to include UK bus manufacturing as a national security exemption in the Procurement Act.

Reply

This Government believes that it matters where things are made and who makes them. Public procurement must promote our modern Industrial Strategy, bolster domestic capacity, and protect national security in line with our international trade obligations.Th...

15 Jun 2026·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

What steps he is taking through public procurement policy to support UK bus manufacturers to compete for (a) Government contracts, (b) local authority contracts, and (c) combined authority contracts.

Reply

This Government believes that it matters where things are made and who makes them. Public procurement must promote our modern Industrial Strategy, bolster domestic capacity, and protect national security in line with our international trade obligations.Th...

3 Jun 2026·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

What steps he is taking through public procurement policy to support UK shipyards to compete for Government contracts.

Reply

This government believes that it matters where things are made and who makes them. We also believe government procurement should do much more to protect national security, including in critical UK industries, in line with our international trade agreement...

3 Jun 2026·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of public procurement policy in prioritising (a) strategic resilience and (b) national security.

Reply

This government believes that it matters where things are made and who makes them. We also believe government procurement should do much more to protect national security, including in critical UK industries, in line with our international trade agreement...

3 Jun 2026·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

If he will make it her policy to increase the proportion of public contracts awarded to UK-based manufacturers, including shipyards.

Reply

This government believes that it matters where things are made and who makes them. We also believe government procurement should do much more to protect national security, including in critical UK industries, in line with our international trade agreement...

20 Feb 2026·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

What comparative assessment he has made of the resilience of a broadcast-based digital terrestrial television platform with an internet-only service during (a) widespread power outages, (b) cyber incidents, and (c) other emergencies; and what contingency plans would maintain universal access to public service broadcasting during such events.

Reply

The Government understands the importance of everyone being able to access information in times of national emergency. Both television and radio play a vital role in providing such access for a range of different emergency scenarios, including scenarios where other communications may be disrupted. The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications in a range of scenarios including a national power outage and cyber attacks. The Government, led by DCMS, is looking into the future of TV distribution and is considering a range of relevant factors, including the future resilience requirements for broadcast networks. It is important that audiences continue to receive consistent levels of service regardless of how they receive their television, and ensuring that this can happen will be a priority for the project.

6 May 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

When homeland defence plans were last reviewed.

Reply

The United Kingdom has well-developed contingency plans to respond to a wide range of eventualities. The plans and supporting arrangements have been developed, refined and tested over many years. This includes continuous reviews of the risk landscape through specific assessment and updating of NSRA risks. Plans are developed in line with the risk landscape and scalable to these risks.The Government sets out some of the main risks and emergencies that drive this common consequence planning in the National Risk Register, the latest version of which was published earlier this year: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-risk-register-2025GOV.UK/prepare, the Government’s website for resilience and emergency planning, is designed to help people plan for potential hazards and equip themselves with the necessary knowledge and resources to respond effectively.

6 May 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

Whether he plans to publish guidance to the public on action to take in the days following an armed attack on the UK by another state.

Reply

The United Kingdom has well-developed contingency plans to respond to a wide range of risks. The plans and supporting arrangements have been developed, refined and tested over many years.The scale of these capabilities is driven by classified planning assumptions derived from the United Kingdom’s National Security Risk Assessment. The Government sets out some of the main risks and emergencies that drive this common consequence planning in the National Risk Register, the latest version of which was published earlier this year: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-risk-register-2025GOV.UK/prepare, the Government’s website for resilience and emergency planning, is designed to help people plan for potential hazards and equip themselves with the necessary knowledge and resources to respond effectively.

6 Feb 2025·Cabinet Office·Answered
Asked

What cross-government policies exist on procuring UK-made vehicles for use by Government Departments.

Reply

The Procurement Act 2023, which is due to come into force on 24 February 2025, establishes a new public procurement regime, creating a simpler and more transparent system that will deliver better value for money. Alongside this, a new National Procurement Policy Statement is being introduced aligned to the Government’s strategic priorities including growing the economy, creating high-quality local jobs, driving innovation and opening up opportunities to small businesses and social enterprises. Contracting authorities are encouraged to consider how their procurement strategies can support domestic supply chains, including the vehicle manufacturing sector, while ensuring value for money for taxpayers.

Sources
SourceUK Parliament Members API
MethodQuestion and answer text as published. Question preamble (“To ask the…”) trimmed for readability; answers shown in full.