Written questions by Gibson.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential long-term impact of increasing UK defence spending on (a) economic growth, (b) innovation and (c) job creation in the defence sector.

The Government recognises the vital role Defence plays not only in our national security but also in delivering economic growth to all nations and regions of the United Kingdom. Peace and security are the essential preconditions of long-term economic growth. Added to this, Ministry of Defence (MOD) expenditure with industry supports over 200,000 jobs across the United Kingdom, many of which are outside London and the South East. Overall, 68% of MOD UK industry spending goes to areas outside London and the South East. The £2.6 billion spent on R&D in 2023-24 will also contribute to innovation that both keeps the country safe and leads to spillovers into the wider economy. The Ministry of Defence will bring forward a Defence Industrial Strategy that ensures Defence contributes fully to the Government’s number one mission to drive economic growth.

What comparative assessment he has made of the level of defence expenditure in (a) the UK and (b) Russia; and what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Government's commitment to increase defence expenditure to 2.5% of GDP.

The UK currently spends 2.3% of GDP on defence, and the Government is committed to setting a pathway to 2.5% this Spring.Russia's own public assessment forecast their military expenditure at over 7% of GDP in 2024, with some sources estimating that as much as 9% of Russian GDP is being spent on defence. However, the public figures almost certainly do not tell the full story about Russian expenditure or the true burden on the Russian economy.These figures are not directly comparable as the UK follows NATO's definition of defence spending, Russia does not.

If he will take steps to end hospital parking fees for (a) National Health Service staff, (b) patients and (c) visitors; and provide additional funding to help offset lost revenue.

The Government has no plans to end car-parking fees for National Health Service patients, staff, or visitors, or to provide additional funding to help offset lost revenue.All NHS trusts that charge for hospital car parking provide free parking for those in greatest need, which includes NHS staff working overnight, frequent outpatient attenders, disabled people, and parents of children staying overnight in hospital.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of an independent parking regulator with powers to regulate (a) fees, (b) enforcement and (c) appeals.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. This government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector and currently reviewing all options on how to achieve this. The government will set out its plans for a new Code in due course.

How many complaints submitted to the Pension Ombudsman Service are awaiting adjudication; and whether she plans to provide additional resources to the Pension Ombudsman Service to reduce the backlog.

Currently there are approximately 1,700 cases with The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) awaiting adjudication. Recently we agreed the TPO budget for 2025/26 which includes ongoing funding for additional staff to reduce backlogs.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to funding for Level 7 apprenticeships from the Growth and Skills Levy on the availability of talent in professions such as architecture.

The government is committed to spreading opportunities and economic growth with the support of a strong skills system.This government had a dire fiscal inheritance which has made tough choices necessary to fix the foundations of our economy and prioritise...

Whether she plans to continue funding for apprentices undertaking a Level 7 apprenticeship.

The government is committed to spreading opportunities and economic growth with the support of a strong skills system.This government had a dire fiscal inheritance which has made tough choices necessary to fix the foundations of our economy and prioritise...

Whether all Level 7 apprenticeships will be included within the scope of the Growth and Skills Levy.

The government is committed to spreading opportunities and economic growth with the support of a strong skills system.This government had a dire fiscal inheritance which has made tough choices necessary to fix the foundations of our economy and prioritise...

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16051 on Storms: Disaster Relief, how she defines exceptional.

My thoughts remain with householders and business owners impacted by flooding after Storm Bert, flooding is a devastating experience for those affected.Activation of the Flood Recovery Framework is at Ministerial discretion and there is no fixed threshold...

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Minister for Water and Flooding following her visit to Chippenham on 26 November 2024; and if she will publish a note of those discussions.

My thoughts remain with householders and business owners impacted by flooding after Storm Bert, flooding is a devastating experience for those affected.Activation of the Flood Recovery Framework is at Ministerial discretion and there is no fixed threshold...

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of rape trial waiting times on people who have made allegations of rape.

Rape is an abhorrent crime, and its victims are some of the most vulnerable in the criminal justice system. Despite the judiciary prioritising cases involving vulnerable complainants and witnesses, rape victims can wait disproportionately longer the victi...

Communities and Local Government, whether she has determined the appropriateness of central recovery support following flooding in Chippenham after Storm Berk.

I refer the hon Member to my answer to Question UIN 18286 on 10 December 2024.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the timeframe for PIP award reviews; whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of waiting times for appeal on PIP applicants; and what st

We are committed to ensuring people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in a timely manner. Reducing customer journey times for PIP claimants is a priority for the Department and we are working constantly to make impro...

Communities and Local Government, how much funding her Department is providing to (a) residents and (b) businesses affected by flooding following Storm Bert in Chippenham.

My thoughts are with householders and business owners impacted by flooding after Storm Bert, flooding is a devastating experience for those affected. Government support for flood recovery, administrated via the Flood Recovery Framework, is only made avail...

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of adopting World Health Organisation Air Standards.

The Government is committed to meeting current legal targets for air quality, including the targets recently set under the Environment Act 2021, and will review the policy measures needed to achieve them. We will deliver a comprehensive Clean Air Strategy...

What steps he is taking to reduce ambulance waiting times in the South West.

The Government has committed to supporting the National Health Service to improve performance and achieve the standards set out in the NHS Constitution, including for ambulance response times.As a first step, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for ...

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of the UK’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements: and whether the Government plans to publish an updated review timeline.

The government is committed to leading the world in sustainable finance by making the UK a global hub for green and transition finance activity, and delivering a world-leading sustainable finance regulatory framework. The government will provide further i...

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the (a) effectiveness of the Pfand recycling system in Germany and (b) potential merits of adopting a similar approach in the UK.

Defra officials have worked closely with international partners to learn lessons and consider best practice when developing the scheme design of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in the UK. This includes teach-ins with the German scheme administrator, as we...

What steps she is taking to improve communication on the validity of legacy paper documents for people who do not have an e-visa.

An extensive communications campaign is being delivered in support of the transition from physical immigration documents to eVisas, to raise awareness of eVisas, build understanding of how it applies to visa holders and checkers, and encourage them to tak...

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to investigate the cause of floods in (a) Calne and (b) other areas that have not experienced flooding for decades.

Over 300 properties flooded across 50 communities in Wiltshire alone during the winter of 2023/24, which was the wettest since records began 1871. These same areas of Wiltshire also experienced heavy rainfall in September 2024. The rural catchments that h...