Neil Shastri-Hurst MP: written questions
195 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Russia: Diplomatic ServiceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40311More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of British diplomats posted to Russia have language proficiency in Russian at CEFR level C1 or higher.
Answer: Around 70 members of staff of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office currently have valid exam passes in Russian at C1 level or above. Exam passes are valid for five years.
Answered 4 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: Space TechnologyMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40310More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the additional resources that will be available for the development of space capabilities in the 2027-28 financial year, in the context of increases in defence spending.
Answer: The hon. Member and I share a passion for space, and he will know that the Ministry of Defence has invested £6.5 billion over ten years in space, including £5 billion in satellite communications through the SKYNET programme and £1.5 billion in innovative ...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed Systems: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40309More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Drone Strategy, published on 22 February 2024, how much of the £4.6 billion has been spent so far; and if he will publish an estimated profile of future spending over the remaining y
Answer: I will write to the hon. Member once the information is available. Any future spend profile for Uncrewed Systems is subject to the outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review.
Answered 9 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40308More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to implement the Defence Drone Strategy, published on 22 February 2024.
Answer: The Defence Drone Strategy was released in February 2024 to provide a strategic approach to drive delivery across Defence and support Frontline Command Drone capabilities. With over £4.5 billion of funding already being invested in Drones, the Ministry of...
Answered 1 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Unmanned Air SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40307More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on delivering the Ukraine-UK uncrewed systems initiative.
Answer: Since February 2022, the UK has provided over 10,000 drones to Ukraine covering a broad range of capabilities including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, logistical and strike drones for both the land and maritime domain. This includes 400 dr...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordSpace TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39721More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many meetings his Department has had with representatives of the civilian space sector since 5 July 2024.
Answer: Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a range of stakeholders representing the civilian space sector.Details of ministerial meetings, including the purpose of meetings, are published quarterly on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/governm...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: Space TechnologyMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39720More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many meetings his Department has had with representatives of the defence space sector since 5 July 2024.
Answer: As discussed during my meeting with the hon. Member on 10 March 2025, the Ministry of Defence engages substantially with the space sector as they are critical to the UK’s status as a global player on space. The Department holds a wide variety of meetings ...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHigh Court: JudgesMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39310More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to improve retention of judges in the Business and Property Courts.
Answer: The data on salaried judge retention shows the majority of salaried judges leave due to retirement, with an average retirement age of 66.As well as continuing to recruit around 1000 judges and tribunal members annually to increase judicial capacity where ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordFirst-tier Tribunal: JudgesMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39309More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to improve retention of judges in the Immigration and Asylum Chamber.
Answer: The data on salaried judge retention shows the majority of salaried judges leave due to retirement, with an average retirement age of 66.As well as continuing to recruit around 1000 judges and tribunal members annually to increase judicial capacity where ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordFirst-tier Tribunal: JudgesMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39308More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to improve retention of judges in the Health, Education, and Social Care Chamber.
Answer: The data on salaried judge retention shows the majority of salaried judges leave due to retirement, with an average retirement age of 66.As well as continuing to recruit around 1000 judges and tribunal members annually to increase judicial capacity where ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Entitlement Chamber: JudgesMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39307More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to improve retention of judges in the Social Entitlement Chamber.
Answer: The data on salaried judge retention shows the majority of salaried judges leave due to retirement, with an average retirement age of 66.As well as continuing to recruit around 1000 judges and tribunal members annually to increase judicial capacity where ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment Appeal Tribunal: JudgesMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39306More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to improve retention of judges in the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Answer: The data on salaried judge retention shows the majority of salaried judges leave due to retirement, with an average retirement age of 66.As well as continuing to recruit around 1000 judges and tribunal members annually to increase judicial capacity where ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment Tribunals Service: JudgesMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39305More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to improve the retention employment tribunal judges.
Answer: The data on salaried judge retention shows the majority of salaried judges leave due to retirement, with an average retirement age of 66.As well as continuing to recruit around 1000 judges and tribunal members annually to increase judicial capacity where ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCoroners: Labour TurnoverMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39304More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to improve the retention of coroners.
Answer: Whilst the Ministry of Justice has responsibility for coroner and inquest law and policy, coroner services are locally funded and administered by individual local authorities. In line with this framework, coroners are appointed by the lead local authority...
Answered 25 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordSupreme Court: JudgesMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39303More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to improve the retention of Supreme Court judges.
Answer: The data on salaried judge retention shows the majority of salaried judges leave due to retirement, with an average retirement age of 66.As well as continuing to recruit around 1000 judges and tribunal members annually to increase judicial capacity where ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCourt of Appeal: JudgesMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39302More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to improve the retention of Court of Appeal judges.
Answer: The data on salaried judge retention shows the majority of salaried judges leave due to retirement, with an average retirement age of 66.As well as continuing to recruit around 1000 judges and tribunal members annually to increase judicial capacity where ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCrown Court: JudgesMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39301More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the retention of judges in the Crown Court.
Answer: The data on salaried judge retention shows the majority of salaried judges leave due to retirement, with an average retirement age of 66.As well as continuing to recruit around 1000 judges and tribunal members annually to increase judicial capacity where ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordMagistrates' Courts: JudgesMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39300More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the retention of district judges in the Magistrates’ Court.
Answer: The data on salaried judge retention shows the majority of salaried judges leave due to retirement, with an average retirement age of 66.As well as continuing to recruit around 1000 judges and tribunal members annually to increase judicial capacity where ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCounty Courts: JudgesMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39299More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the retention of district judges and circuit judges in the County Court.
Answer: The data on salaried judge retention shows the majority of salaried judges leave due to retirement, with an average retirement age of 66.As well as continuing to recruit around 1000 judges and tribunal members annually to increase judicial capacity where ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHigh Court: JudgesMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39298More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the retention of judges in the High Court.
Answer: The data on salaried judge retention shows the majority of salaried judges leave due to retirement, with an average retirement age of 66.As well as continuing to recruit around 1000 judges and tribunal members annually to increase judicial capacity where ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonal Injury: CompensationMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39297More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to reduce personal injury claims being block listed in the County Courts.
Answer: Listing decisions, including whether a claim is suitable for a block list, are a matter for the independent judiciary.
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordGivinostatDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38494More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with (a) NHS England and (b) ITF Pharma UK to ensure that NHS Trusts have the necessary resources and guidance to take part in the Early Access Programme for
Answer: The Department understands the impact that Duchenne muscular dystrophy has on those living with it and their families, and the urgent need for new treatment options. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently published guidance ...
Answered 26 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordGivinostatDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of delays in accessing givinostat through the Early Access Programme on boys and young men living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the UK.
Answer: The Department understands the impact that Duchenne muscular dystrophy has on those living with it and their families, and the urgent need for new treatment options. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently published guidance ...
Answered 26 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: VATDepartment for EducationTabled 14 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2025 to Question 35073 on Private Education: VAT, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the additional independent school closures over the
Answer: As made clear in the HM Treasury impact assessment, the introduction of VAT is anticipated to have extremely limited impact on the number of pupils in private schools. The department has not seen any evidence that contradicts the expectations set out in t...
Answered 29 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordArtillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38491More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the 24 Archer artillery systems ordered in 2019 were operationally ready on 14 March 2025.
Answer: A total of 14 Archer 6x6 artillery systems were procured in 2023 to fill a capability gap following the Granting in Kind of AS90 to Ukraine. Archer reached Initial Operating Capability in November 2024 and there are no current plans to procure any additio...
Answered 24 Mar 2025
Original Parliament record
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