Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mark Francois this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 441–460 of 597 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy that the proposed leaseback for Diego Garcia is renewable.
The existing policy is, and will remain, that the agreement will have a duration of 99 years from entry into force, extendable with the agreement of both parties and the first right of refusal.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the projected financial commitments within the revised agreement with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands including adjustments for (a) inflation and (b) exchange rate fluctuations.
Once the treaty is signed it will be put before both Houses for scrutiny before ratification in the usual way.
What his planned timetable is for when the Ajax armoured vehicle will achieve initial operating capability.
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 438 on 22 July 2024.
Whether his Department has received representations from small and medium-sized defence companies on challenges in obtaining insurance liability coverage.
The Ministry of Defence has been working closely with small and medium-sized defence companies to understand the difficulties they face. The Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, which was published in December 2024, recognised issues with regards to access to finance, including obtaining insurance liability coverage. The Department is consulting with a wide range of stakeholders, including defence suppliers and financial institutions, to assess the ways in which we can reduce barriers to investment and create a strong and resilient defence sector.
Whether his Department has received representations from small and medium-sized defence companies on difficulties in securing bank accounts.
The difficulties that smaller defence suppliers can have in accessing finance, including opening a bank account, have been raised with the Department and were recognised in the Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent published in December 2024. Tackling barriers such as these to the growth of a better, more innovative and more resilient defence sector is a key aim of the Defence Industrial Strategy and we are consulting widely with stakeholders across the defence and financial services sectors to this end.
When NHS East of England plans to publish an annual report for 2024-25.
National Health Service East of England is a regional team within NHS England, and as such they do not publish an annual report. The NHS England’s annual report and accounts includes the regional teams, other NHS England operations, and group bodies.
How many (a) communications and (b) media staff are employed by NHS East of England.
NHS England publishes the performance bonus information for its national directors in their annual accounts. No national directors were paid a bonus in 2023/24, and bonuses will not be paid for 2024/25. NHS England’s latest annual report and accounts has been published and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-england-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024The following table shows the latest published Executive Senior Manager (ESM) pay framework from 2021, which applies to the East of England region:Role gradePay bandsMinimumOperational maxMax exception zoneESM 1£90,900£113,625£131,300ESM 2£131,301£146,450£161,600ESM 3£161,601£176,750£191,900ESM 4£191,901£207,050£222,200 Although not all posts are currently filled, the number of permanent posts by grade in the region are as follows:14 for ESM 1;seven for ESM 2;one for ESM 3; andzero for ESM 4.NHS England’s regional communications functions are currently centrally employed. This resource is then provided to regions to support their work. There are eight posts, specifically seven staff and one vacancy, providing communications, media, and engagement support to the National Health Service in the East of England in meeting its statutory and constitutional responsibilities on engaging with the public and helping patients find the right services.
What estimate he has made of the operating deficit for the Mid and South Essex Hospitals NHS Trust for financial years (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26.
Trusts report their deficit position in their board reports, which are published on their websites. In 2023/24, the Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust reported an operating deficit of £29.7 million, resulting in the organisation being placed into the National Recovery Support Programme to receive support for improving its financial position. The 2024/25 financial plan for the foundation trust was a deficit of £84.6 million, for which the organisation has received deficit support funding from NHS England. Following receipt of this funding, the foundation trust is forecast to breakeven, although this requires the trust to deliver improved positions in the final months of the year, as there is a year-to-date deficit at month seven of £23.1 million, according to their latest board report. NHS England recently published 2025/6 Planning Guidance to support system financial planning for 2025/26. Finalised system financial plans for 2025/26 are currently being developed ahead of the start of the financial year, and so are not yet available.
Whether any senior directors of NHS England were paid performance bonuses in financial years (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25.
NHS England publishes the performance bonus information for its national directors in their annual accounts. No national directors were paid a bonus in 2023/24, and bonuses will not be paid for 2024/25. NHS England’s latest annual report and accounts has been published and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-england-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024The following table shows the latest published Executive Senior Manager (ESM) pay framework from 2021, which applies to the East of England region:Role gradePay bandsMinimumOperational maxMax exception zoneESM 1£90,900£113,625£131,300ESM 2£131,301£146,450£161,600ESM 3£161,601£176,750£191,900ESM 4£191,901£207,050£222,200 Although not all posts are currently filled, the number of permanent posts by grade in the region are as follows:14 for ESM 1;seven for ESM 2;one for ESM 3; andzero for ESM 4.NHS England’s regional communications functions are currently centrally employed. This resource is then provided to regions to support their work. There are eight posts, specifically seven staff and one vacancy, providing communications, media, and engagement support to the National Health Service in the East of England in meeting its statutory and constitutional responsibilities on engaging with the public and helping patients find the right services.
Whether any directors of the Mid and South Essex Hospitals NHS Trust were paid any form of bonuses in financial years (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25.
Information on the renumeration, including bonuses, of senior staff is published by hospital trusts as part of their annual report and accounts. It is for the local Remuneration Committee of each National Health Service trust to approve bonuses for directors. The information for the Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust is available at the following link:https://www.mse.nhs.uk/trust-publications-and-reports?smbfolder=150
How many employees of NHS East of England are in salary bands above (a) £250,000, (b) £200,000, (c) £150,000 and (d) £100,000.
NHS England publishes the performance bonus information for its national directors in their annual accounts. No national directors were paid a bonus in 2023/24, and bonuses will not be paid for 2024/25. NHS England’s latest annual report and accounts has been published and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-england-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024The following table shows the latest published Executive Senior Manager (ESM) pay framework from 2021, which applies to the East of England region:Role gradePay bandsMinimumOperational maxMax exception zoneESM 1£90,900£113,625£131,300ESM 2£131,301£146,450£161,600ESM 3£161,601£176,750£191,900ESM 4£191,901£207,050£222,200 Although not all posts are currently filled, the number of permanent posts by grade in the region are as follows:14 for ESM 1;seven for ESM 2;one for ESM 3; andzero for ESM 4.NHS England’s regional communications functions are currently centrally employed. This resource is then provided to regions to support their work. There are eight posts, specifically seven staff and one vacancy, providing communications, media, and engagement support to the National Health Service in the East of England in meeting its statutory and constitutional responsibilities on engaging with the public and helping patients find the right services.
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of environmental, social, and governance criteria on the financing of (a) small and medium-sized enterprises and (b) other defence companies.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade met representatives of the defence and financial services industries on 12 December 2024, to discuss how environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles are being applied to companies in defence and the impact they are having on investment and access to financial services. The discussion highlighted that there are multiple stakeholders and issues within the sectors and within government. The Department is now following up on that discussion across government and wider to find the best way to address them, to ensure that ESG policies do not have unintended consequences for the health of the defence sector.
How much his Department has spent on Semaglutide since 1 January 2024.
The Ministry of Defence has spent £49,900 on the drug semaglutide since the 1 Janurary 2024. Semaglutide is a diabetic medication used for the treatment of type two diabetes in military patients.
What steps he is taking with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) educational institutions to help ensure the safety of defence industry representatives at university recruitment events.
This Government fully supports defence companies and their personnel attending events in the higher education sector to demonstrate the benefits and opportunities of careers in the defence sector. They should be able to do so confident they will be safe and free from intimidation. Alongside my counterparts in the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Education I am working with the higher education sector to ensure appropriate measures are taken to support the safety of those attending such events.
Whether he has had discussions financial institutions on the potential impact of environmental, social and governance policies on the provision of banking services to defence (a) manufacturers and (b) suppliers; and what steps he is taking to ensure that legally operating defence firms have full access to financial services.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade met representatives of the defence and financial services industries on 12 December 2024, to discuss how environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles are being applied to companies in defence and the impact they are having on investment and access to financial services. The discussion highlighted that there are multiple stakeholders and issues within the sectors and within government. The Department is now following up on that discussion across government and wider to find the best way to address them, to ensure that ESG policies do not have unintended consequences for the health of the defence sector.
If he will take steps to (a) encourage (i) banks and (ii) investors to provide financial (A) services and (B) investment to defence firms and (b) monitor the effectiveness of such steps.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade met representatives of the defence and financial services industries on 12 December 2024, to discuss how environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles are being applied to companies in defence and the impact they are having on investment and access to financial services. The discussion highlighted that there are multiple stakeholders and issues within the sectors and within government. The Department is now following up on that discussion across government and wider to find the best way to address them, to ensure that ESG policies do not have unintended consequences for the health of the defence sector.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential strategic risks to the UK's military base in Brunei of increasing Chinese influence in the region; and what steps his Department is taking to help mitigate potential security challenges arising from this influence.
His Majesty, the Sultan of Brunei, and the Prime Minister recently signed the five-yearly renewal of the Garrison Agreement in December 2024, which signals His Majesty the Sultan's wish to maintain the British presence in Brunei.This Government will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to China. We will cooperate where we can. We will compete with and challenge China where we need to, to protect our national security and values. The UK remains committed to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific and we continue to work with regional partners to strengthen international legal frameworks and to enhance maritime security, including through capacity building and joint exercises.
If he will introduce financial (a) incentives and (b) guarantees to encourage (i) banks and (ii) investment firms to support the defence sector; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of restricted access to capital on the UK’s defence (A) industrial base and (B) procurement strategy.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade met representatives of the defence and financial services industries on 12 December 2024, to discuss how environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles are being applied to companies in defence and the impact they are having on investment and access to financial services. The discussion highlighted that there are multiple stakeholders and issues within the sectors and within government. The Department is now following up on that discussion across government and wider to find the best way to address them, to ensure that ESG policies do not have unintended consequences for the health of the defence sector.
Whether he has plans to rename Royal Navy ships, in the context of the renaming of HMS Agincourt.
Potential ship names are proposed by the Royal Navy's Ships Names and Badges Committee who make suggestions based on historical information and civic affiliations. The seventh boat in the Astute class is to be called “Achilles”. The name was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badges Committee, shared with Ministers and approved by His Majesty the King. As Minister for the Armed Forces, following approval by his Majesty the King, I issued Official Direction to implement the change. There will be a small cost (less than £1000) for the renewing of the Achilles badge. No other costs have been identified for the name change.
Whether his Department received representations on the potential merits of renaming HMS Achilles.
Potential ship names are proposed by the Royal Navy's Ships Names and Badges Committee who make suggestions based on historical information and civic affiliations. The seventh boat in the Astute class is to be called “Achilles”. The name was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badges Committee, shared with Ministers and approved by His Majesty the King. As Minister for the Armed Forces, following approval by his Majesty the King, I issued Official Direction to implement the change. There will be a small cost (less than £1000) for the renewing of the Achilles badge. No other costs have been identified for the name change.