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.
Showing 61–80 of 323 · this parliament
Whether she is taking steps to ensure that the contract to renew the Border Force coastal patrol fleet will be awarded to domestic shipyards.
We are engaging with the market on the basis of a UK-led build, using the Defence and Security provisions within the Procurement Act 2023. This approach is consistent with the government's commitment to back British businesses and a sustainable and succes...
What steps his Department has taken to support UK shipyards to tender for defence procurement contracts.
The Government recognises the importance of a sovereign shipbuilding sector for our national and economic security. The Cabinet Office recently announced further policy updates on the Procurement Act 2023, listing shipbuilding as a sector for priority pro...
What assessment his Department has made of the risk to national security of outsourcing sensitive defence infrastructure to private sub-contractors accused of breaching sanctions against Russia.
The contract in question is a sub-contract awarded by Serco to procure 24 new vessels for the Royal Navy. It is part of the Defence Marine Services In-Port Services contract between the Ministry of Defence and Serco. The contract, which covers both in-por...
Whether subcontracting the construction of Royal Navy support vessels to a Dutch shipbuilder is consistent with the objectives of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
The contract in question is a sub-contract awarded by Serco to procure 24 new vessels for the Royal Navy. It is part of the Defence Marine Services In-Port Services contract between the Ministry of Defence and Serco. The contract, which covers both in-por...
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that UK-based defence technology firms are able to remain internationally competitive with firms in allied countries.
The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) makes clear that strengthening UK defence firms’ international competitiveness depends on working closely with our allies. It promotes deeper collaboration through co‑research, co‑development and co‑production, helpin...
What changes his Department has made to defence procurement since 2024 to reduce barriers to entry for non-traditional defence suppliers, including businesses specialising in software, artificial intelligence, an
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has taken significant strides in our approach to defence procurement since 2024, as laid out in both the Defence Industrial Strategy and in a recent Gov.UK notice titled “Ministry of Defence small and medium-sized enterprise ...
How his Department intends to evaluate progress towards increasing the proportion of defence spending directed towards emerging technologies during this Parliament.
The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) highlights the need for an innovative defence industry that adapts to changing warfare by utilising data, software, procurement, exports, innovation, and R&D to promote UK science and emerging technologies, includ...
What steps his Department is taking to improve access to defence research and development funding for small and medium-sized businesses specialising in software, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) has been established to harness UK ingenuity and boost military technology, as part of the Government’s drive to turbocharge innovation in defence and deliver growth as part of the Plan for Change. UKDI will be fully operation...
What assessment his Department has made of the role of software firms in advancing defence research and development, compared to traditional prime defence contractors.
The Department recognises that software firms are increasingly vital to defence research and development, providing specialised expertise and innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics. While traditional prime c...
How his Department defines novel technologies, with regard to the commitment in the Strategic Defence Review that at least 10 per cent of equipment spending be allocated to such technologies.
The Government has set out its ambition for the Ministry of Defence to spend at least 10% of its equipment procurement budget on novel technologies, including areas such as uncrewed and autonomous systems and AI-enabled capabilities. Work is currently ong...
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of increases in fuel costs on voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations; and whether he plans to extend support measu
We are closely monitoring the impact of fuel and energy prices on businesses and communities caused by the instability in the Middle East, and much will depend on the length of the ongoing crisis. We will not hesitate to act in a targeted and timely manne...
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of neo-prime defence companies on returns on investment for defence procurement.
As outlined in the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Ministry of Defence needs to look beyond traditional defence companies to redefine the industrial base, reflecting the deep range of partners and expertise both within our traditional defence sector but ...
With reference Answer of 9 February 2026 to Question HL14107, whether his Department has plans to assess the health needs of male veterans and service personnel in particular.
Veterans have access to all National Health Services across the United Kingdom and male veterans will benefit from the implementation of the Men’s Health Strategy. In addition, NHS England has introduced several bespoke services to improve healthcare supp...
How many people are currently on the waiting list for gender dysphoria clinics in i) the North East of England and ii) nationally.
The number of adult patients who are registered with a general practice in the North East and Yorkshire region and who are on a waiting list for an adult gender dysphoria clinic is 5,966 at the date of 31 January 2026.The total number of adult patients on a waiting list for an adult gender dysphoria clinic is 44,579 at the date of 31 January 2026.
What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the provision of gender dysphoria clinics in the North East of England.
NHS England is committed to supporting people who need these specialist gender services and commissions three adult gender dysphoria clinics in Newcastle, Sheffield, and Leeds. While they are regionally commissioned to meet the demand of the local population, these services are accessed by patients from across the country and this has an impact on waiting times.In some areas, general practices (GPs) are also supporting stabilised patients by prescribing their treatment locally with specialist support, ensuring the care and treatment needs of these individuals are met locally when appropriate.NHS England has now completed its review of adult gender services, which looked at how to overcome the challenges that some individuals continue to face in accessing services in a timely manner. The review includes 20 recommendations and NHS England, in full partnership with regions and the Department, will now lead the next stage of the system-wide response.A National Portfolio Board is being established to build and develop a full implementation plan, which will address each of the recommendations in turn and be aligned with the ambitions of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/10-year-health-plan-for-englandImmediate priorities include working with professional bodies to establish a new professional role of GP with an Extended Role in Gender Medicine, to provide support to those who have completed their care within the adult gender service clinics and to provide leadership and knowledge sharing with primary care in every neighbourhood.
Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to assess the number of people who are not able to access a social home due to pre-tenancy affordability checks.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 98397 on 17 December 2025.
What assessment he has made of the potential role of community-based social palliative care services for children in the context of his policy on shifting care from hospital to community settings.
Children’s hospices often provide holistic care, wrap-around services and additional support to children and their families that extend beyond core healthcare provision. This, for example, includes complementary therapies, respite care, and short breaks. The £80 million of revenue funding should help give children’s hospices the stability they need to plan ahead and will help them to continue to offer social palliative care services, such as respite care and short breaks, for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, as well as their families.We see children’s hospices and children’s social palliative care services as playing an important role in neighbourhood health and the shift to community. Achieving our vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service will rely critically on strong partnership working between health and social care, also working closely with wider local government services and the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector to better understand and meet the needs of individuals and local populations in a holistic way.We expect neighbourhood teams and services to be designed in a way that reflects the specific needs of local populations. Our aim is to have a Neighbourhood Health Centre in each community that brings together National Health Service, local authority, and voluntary sector services in one building to help create a holistic offer that meets the needs of local populations.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the £80 million funding announced for children’s hospices in October 2025 on the (a) availability and (b) sustainability of community-based social palliative care services for children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses.
Children’s hospices often provide holistic care, wrap-around services and additional support to children and their families that extend beyond core healthcare provision. This, for example, includes complementary therapies, respite care, and short breaks. The £80 million of revenue funding should help give children’s hospices the stability they need to plan ahead and will help them to continue to offer social palliative care services, such as respite care and short breaks, for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, as well as their families.We see children’s hospices and children’s social palliative care services as playing an important role in neighbourhood health and the shift to community. Achieving our vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service will rely critically on strong partnership working between health and social care, also working closely with wider local government services and the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector to better understand and meet the needs of individuals and local populations in a holistic way.We expect neighbourhood teams and services to be designed in a way that reflects the specific needs of local populations. Our aim is to have a Neighbourhood Health Centre in each community that brings together National Health Service, local authority, and voluntary sector services in one building to help create a holistic offer that meets the needs of local populations.
What assessment the Department has made of the operational risks of replacing the SA80 service weapon without including modern optics within the scope of Project GRAYBURN.
Project GRAYBURN is in the Concept Phase during which the requirements for modern optics will be defined.
What assessment the Department has made of the industrial lead times associated with establishing UK small arms manufacturing capacity for Project GRAYBURN, including facilities, specialist machinery, and workforce requirements.
Project GRAYBURN is in the formal concept phase and therefore the scope, timeline and complexity are yet to be determined. Project GRAYBURN will deliver against the Defence Industrial Strategy and our strategic partnership with industry will generate new long-term skilled jobs, including in STEM, and increase our industrial capacity and resilience.