David Reed MP: written questions
98 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Defence: Cost EffectivenessMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57136More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to achieve £6 billion in new efficiencies within the defence budget during this parliament; and what the sources of these will be.
Answer: As set out in the SDR, we have identified £6 billion of new savings over the course of this Parliament, through efficiency and productivity savings, civilian workforce changes, structural simplification and contractual efficiencies.Alongside the Defence I...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRifles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53428More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to replace the SA80 rifle.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 28 April 2025 to Question 45196 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) and on 14 May 2025 to Question 50537 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge).
Answered 23 May 2025
Original Parliament recordArmy: RiflesMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53427More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Project Grayburn (a) supports economic growth, (b) strengthens UK-based supply chains and (c) creates skilled jobs across the United Kingdom.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 28 April 2025 to Question 45196 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) and on 14 May 2025 to Question 50537 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge).
Answered 23 May 2025
Original Parliament recordCybersecurityHome OfficeTabled 8 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45425More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of limitations on enhanced cybersecurity techniques under the current Computer Misuse Act 1990 on (a) the economy, (b) full-time equivalen
Answer: The Government recognises the major role UK cybersecurity professionals play in supporting the economy and protecting the UK’s resilience against cyber threats, and it is vital that we support them.In an increasingly digital world, the Home Office is comm...
Answered 24 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordCybersecurity: Departmental CoordinationCabinet OfficeTabled 8 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45424More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for (a) the Home Department and (b) Science, Innovation and Technology on the potential merits of updating the Computer Misuse Act 1990 to enhance national
Answer: The Government recognises the significant role that UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the country’s resilience against cyber threats; it is essential that we provide them with the necessary support. The Home Office is current...
Answered 24 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordCybersecurity: Artificial IntelligenceHome OfficeTabled 8 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45423More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken to assess the impact of the barriers imposed by the Computer Misuse Act 1990 on cybersecurity professionals' ability to deploy and use artificial intelligence tools
Answer: The Government recognises the major role UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the UK’s resilience against cyber threats, and it is vital that we support them.In an increasingly digital world, it is important that the CMA remains...
Answered 24 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordME/CFS: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32879More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the final delivery plan on myalgic encephalomyelitis will be published in March 2025; and what steps he plans to take to ensure its effectiveness without additional funding.
Answer: We aim to publish the myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), final delivery plan in the coming months. The content of the ME/CFS delivery plan has not yet been finalised. The responses to the 2023 interim delivery plan...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHamas: Hostage TakingForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30489More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the International Committee of the Red Cross on its role in hostage handovers conducted by Hamas.
Answer: We are in regular contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which is facilitating the handover of hostages and the delivery of aid into Gaza. The UK reaffirms its support for the ICRC as the only humanitarian actor with the experien...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPalestinians: SchoolsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30000More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2025 to Question 27041 on Palestinians: Schools, what the timeline is for the full implementation of the recommendations of the Colonna r
Answer: The UN conducts quarterly progress reports on UNRWA's implementation of the recommendations made in the Colonna report, with the latest having issued in January 2025. This includes eight recommendations relating specifically to education. As noted in the ...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordUNRWA: FinanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29999More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2025 to Question 27042 on UNRWA: Finance, what mechanisms are in place to ensure that UK funding to UNRWA is not used (a) directly or (b)
Answer: A Memorandum of Understanding governs UK financial support to the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and we monitor UNRWA's activity through due diligence and annual assessments. The UK is also providing...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordResearch: ExpenditureDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 902726More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has set a target for research and development expenditure in 2030.
Answer: Departmental budgets are currently set up to the end of financial year 2025/26. The government is currently in the middle of a Spending Review, which will set out the government’s spending plans for R&D through to 2029/30. This will conclude in June 2...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHawk AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28862More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 23535 on Hawk Aircraft, what plans his Department has for the replacement of the Hawk T1 by 2030; and whether it is his policy to maintain a sovereign jet tra
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 December 2024 for Question 16460 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois).
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHawk AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28861More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 23535 on Hawk Aircraft, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the high fatigue index in the remaining Hawk T1 fleet on the total number of av
Answer: Hawk T1 is not employed in a flying training role. The Hawk T1 airframes are solely allocated to sustaining the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows.As given in the answer to Question 23535, across all airframes we have retained more than suffic...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHawk Aircraft: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28860More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual cost is to maintain the Hawk T1 fleet under the existing fleet maintenance contract.
Answer: There are two support contracts in place to support the Hawk TMk1 to its out of service date in March 2030 and the Hawk TMk2 to 2033. Specific terms and conditions are subject to commercial confidentiality. In the financial year from 2023-24 the value for...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28858More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the total cost to the public purse of training personnel on jet aircraft in (a) the UK and (b) overseas in each of the last five years; and what proportion of the total training budget each represents.
Answer: The UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) cost for the Fast Jet training element over the last 5 years was circa £500.4 million. That includes fixed and multiple variable costs such as fuel, instructor and trainee salary, infrastructure/accommodatio...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28857More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK personnel have been trained on jet aircraft in (a) the UK and (b) overseas in each of the last five years; and in which countries overseas training has taken place.
Answer: In the last five years there have been 82 UK personnel trained on fast jet (FJ) aircraft in the UK and 22 UK personnel trained on fast jet aircraft overseas. Overseas training has taken place in the USA and Italy. Financial Year2020-212021-222022-232023-2...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordUNRWA: FinanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27042More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what conditions he has placed on the restoration of funding to UNRWA.
Answer: Since the Foreign Secretary restored funding to UNRWA in July 2024, the UK has committed £41 million to UNRWA to deliver essential services for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to Palestinian refugees across the region. A Memorandum of Understandi...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPalestinians: SchoolsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27041More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with UNRWA on ensuring that educational materials used in UNRWA-run schools in the West Bank and Gaza do not incite violence and hatred.
Answer: Education is an essential component of the humanitarian response in Gaza, and critical to building the foundations for a sustainable and lasting peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people, grounded in a two-state solution. It is therefore essential that...
Answered 3 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordRFA Argus: Amphibious WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21932More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 17477 on RFA Argus: Amphibious Vehicles, whether his Department has identified reductions in amphibious capability from the use of RFA Argus in place of HMS A
Answer: The previous administration had no plans for either HMS Albion or HMS Bulwark to return to sea ahead of their leaving service in the 2030s, therefore there has been no reduction in capability. RFA Argus, alongside Bay Class, is a highly capable ship and w...
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordAmphibious WarshipsMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21931More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 17476 on Amphibious Vehicles, whether his Department has identified reductions in amphibious capability from the use of Bay Class Landing Ship Docks in place
Answer: The previous administration had no plans for either HMS Albion or HMS Bulwark to return to sea ahead of their leaving service in the 2030s, therefore there has been no reduction in capability. The Bay Class are highly capable ships and, alongside RFA Argu...
Answered 14 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: InnovationMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21209More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the RUSI Lecture given by the Chief of the Defence Staff on 4 December 2024, what steps his Department is taking to (a) support high-risk, high-reward technology experimentation and (b) track th
Answer: Defence invests in high-risk, high-reward technology experimentation from across the Defence enterprise. Defence’s core Science, Innovation and Technology budgets (e.g. Defence Science & Technology Programme and Defence Innovation Fund) are led from H...
Answered 9 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of DefenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21206More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the RUSI Lecture given by the Chief of the Defence Staff on 4 December 2024, what steps his Department is taking to (a) streamline decision-making and (b) reduce business case approval timelines
Answer: Through the Defence Reform programme, we will improve procurement efficiency and secure better value for taxpayers, creating a simpler Defence focused on warfighting and deterrence. A key facet of this programme is to create a stronger Defence centre with...
Answered 9 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: Career DevelopmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21205More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Education to encourage young people to pursue careers in STEM fields within the defence sector.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is taking steps itself to secure important skills in areas such as digital, cyber, STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), nuclear and space. As we tackle these challenges we will continue to work closely ...
Answered 9 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: Skilled WorkersMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21204More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what measures his Department is taking to help ensure the retention of UK STEM graduates within the highly skilled defence workforce.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is taking steps itself to secure important skills in areas such as digital, cyber, STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), nuclear and space. As we tackle these challenges we will continue to work closely ...
Answered 9 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21202More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve its procurement processes to provide greater certainty for private sector defence investors.
Answer: This Government is committed to improving the UK Defence industrial base to ensure a robust Defence sector and provide greater certainty in procurement processes. The Statement of Intent for the Defence Industrial Strategy, published on 2 December 2024, s...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →