Luke Akehurst MP: written questions
80 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Estonia: Challenger TanksMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10556More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects Challenger 3 to be deployed to Estonia.
Answer: As announced by the Secretary of State for Defence, the British Army will deploy Challenger 3 tanks to NATO’s eastern border along with armoured vehicles in future years. However, details relating to the fielding plan for Challenger 3 are yet to be confir...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10555More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding has been allocated to the European Long-range Strike Approach programme.
Answer: The European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA) is a multinational framework. Participating nations will consider capability cooperation programmes under the ELSA framework, to be funded on a case-by-case basis. The outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordNATO: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10554More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his (a) planned timetable and (b) key milestones for success are for the DIAMOND initiative.
Answer: In October the UK signed a letter of intent on DIAMOND (Delivering Integrated Air and Missile Operational Networked Defences) alongside six Allies: France, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Poland and Sweden. We are working with these countries to agree the timeta...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10553More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on establishing an integrated air and missile defence system for the UK.
Answer: Air and missile defence is a 24/7, cross-Government and international effort. We take a layered approach to air and missile defence deploying a wide range of advanced capabilities alongside our Allies. Without pre-determining the outcome of the Strategic ...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: LasersMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10552More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding his Department has (a) allocated to and (b) spent on the air protection laser self-protection system.
Answer: Defence is working with several industry partners to generate a UK Defensive Aids Suite in order to provide Air Platform Protection for all three services. Under the banner of Team Pellonia, working with Thales, Leonardo, and Chemring Countermeasures, Air...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordIslamic Revolutionary Guard CorpsHome OfficeTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9836More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to disrupt the activity of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in the UK.
Answer: We do not routinely comment on the detail of operational matters or specific threats. But national security is the first duty of any government, and we take any malicious activity that might pose a significant threat to our security and public safety extr...
Answered 22 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMyanmar: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 16 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9645More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help increase levels of humanitarian aid into Myanmar.
Answer: Since the coup in February 2021, the UK has provided more than £150 million for life-saving humanitarian assistance, healthcare, education and support for civil society and local communities in Myanmar. Most recently, the UK Government provided £1.3 milli...
Answered 25 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: FraudDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6891More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of allegations of fraudulent claims submitted through the Pharmacy First programme.
Answer: The number of community pharmacies has reduced from 11,517 to 10,458 from 2019 to 2024. Pharmacies are private business and decisions to close are made for a range of reasons, as with any other provider market.The detail of the pharmacy contract is set ou...
Answered 11 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6890More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) impact and (b) effectiveness of the Pharmacy First programme.
Answer: The number of community pharmacies has reduced from 11,517 to 10,458 from 2019 to 2024. Pharmacies are private business and decisions to close are made for a range of reasons, as with any other provider market.The detail of the pharmacy contract is set ou...
Answered 11 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: Community Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6889More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to publish the contract for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework 2024.
Answer: The number of community pharmacies has reduced from 11,517 to 10,458 from 2019 to 2024. Pharmacies are private business and decisions to close are made for a range of reasons, as with any other provider market.The detail of the pharmacy contract is set ou...
Answered 11 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: Community Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6888More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework 2019-2024 on the number of community pharmacies in England.
Answer: The number of community pharmacies has reduced from 11,517 to 10,458 from 2019 to 2024. Pharmacies are private business and decisions to close are made for a range of reasons, as with any other provider market.The detail of the pharmacy contract is set ou...
Answered 11 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5790More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many F-35B aircraft he expects his Department to have taken delivery of by the end of 2024.
Answer: Against the current schedule, it is projected that by end of calendar year 2024, the UK will have taken ownership of 37 F-35B aircraft.
Answered 8 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5789More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many aircraft will be procured through the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme.
Answer: The second stage of the New Medium Helicopter competition commenced on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. Only Leonardo Helicopters UK elected to submi...
Answered 8 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMissile Technology Control RegimeMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5787More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
Answer: The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) remains a key component of international export control efforts. The Ministry of Defence continually assesses its effectiveness to ensure it continues to adapt to emerging technological developments in order to...
Answered 8 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordChinook HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5786More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many flying hours the Chinook fleet carried out in each of the last five years.
Answer: The below table shows the recorded flying hours for the Chinook Fleet.Year Chinook Flying Hours2019-2095812020-219734.72021-229283.82022-239055.22023-248027.1Source: Joint Aviation Command
Answered 8 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5785More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2024 to Question 444, what recent progress his Department has made on the New Medium Helicopter programme.
Answer: The second stage of the New Medium Helicopter competition commenced on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. Only Leonardo Helicopters UK elected to submi...
Answered 8 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordRailways: County DurhamDepartment for TransportTabled 22 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1155More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the frequency of rail services (a) at Chester-le-Street station and (b) in County Durham.
Answer: My Department works with stakeholders including Transport for the North, elected mayors, transport authorities and passenger groups, as well as train operators, to assess the demand for services. Rail North Partnership, through which the Department jointl...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordBus Services: North EastDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 844More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to improve the (a) reliability and (b) frequency of bus services in (i) County Durham and (ii) the North East in collaboration with the Mayor of the North East.
Answer: The government knows that Britain needs a modern transport network to help kickstart economic growth. Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will pass the ...
Answered 29 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 446More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the contribution of community pharmacies to local healthcare systems.
Answer: Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system. We are committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and to better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, including by cutting red tape. That includes making prescribing part of...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 444More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the status is of the New Medium Helicopter programme.
Answer: The second stage New Medium Helicopter (NMH) competition commenced on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate and the tender returns are due back on 30 August 2024.
Answered 22 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 442More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to support community pharmacies.
Answer: Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system. We are committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and to better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, including by cutting red tape. That includes making prescribing part of...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Labour TurnoverMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 441More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of recruitment and retention across the armed forces.
Answer: The new Government is reviewing the adequacy of recruitment, readiness and retention efforts. Our Armed Forces face considerable challenges due to the inadequacy of recruitment and retention in recent years. We have not recruited enough people or retained...
Answered 22 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordFleet Solid Support Ships: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 440More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of contractor delivery as part of the Fleet Solid Support Programme.
Answer: The prime contractor, Navantia UK, is contractually obligated to deliver the Fleet Solid Support ship manufacture contract. The Ministry of Defence is well engaged with Navantia UK and members of their supply chain to monitor the progress of all aspects o...
Answered 22 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordRegenerationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 439More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to regenerate town centres (a) in Chester-le-Street, (b) in Stanley and (c) elsewhere.
Answer: This Government is committed to delivering a five-step plan to support high streets and town centres across the country, including in Chester-le-Street and Stanley. We will tackle anti-social behaviour with 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs, roll...
Answered 24 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 438More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the progress of the Ajax armoured vehicle programme towards meeting initial operating capability by December 2025.
Answer: The Armoured Cavalry Programme (Ajax) is due to achieve Initial Operating Capability by December 2025 as planned.
Answered 22 Jul 2024
Original Parliament record
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