The government recognises that the demand for data centres is growing, reflecting their critical importance to the economy, public services and national security. This is placing increasing demands on the national grid, and we are taking steps to ensure that development is supported by sufficient energy infrastructure. We have established the AI Energy Council where we work with industry to enable data centre growth and manage challenges to the energy system. We are working with Ofgem, NESO and DESNZ to manage speculative applications for data centre connections, and ensure that network infrastructure can be built in the right places to support demand.

The UK works closely with the French Government and French law enforcement partners to prevent dangerous small boat crossings and tackle the criminal gangs that facilitate them.

Since the election, joint work with France has prevented more than 48,000 attempted crossings and resulted in the seizure of over 1,100 boats and engines. Operational decisions in French territorial waters remain a matter for the French authorities but reports of them assisting migrant journeys is a mischaracterisation of their activity.

Through the Home Secretary's latest deal we have strengthened this cooperation through increased French law enforcement deployments, specialist policing units, enhanced surveillance and intelligence sharing. France has also reviewed its maritime approach and authorised new interventions at sea to intercept taxi boats and prevent dangerous crossings.

The Government discusses the international protection system regularly with international partners. As indicated previously, in the answer of 7 July 2026 to Question HL1510, the former Foreign Secretary met the UN High Commissioner for Refugees on 16 June 2026, where they discussed the importance of maintaining an effective international protection system, while also addressing abuse of asylum systems and maintaining public confidence. The Government continues to engage the UN Refugee Agency, refugee-hosting countries and like-minded partners on the continued relevance of the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol.

There are no crown dependencies in the Caribbean region.

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from Ireland to the UK, with no immigration checks being undertaken on the Northern Ireland-Ireland land border. The UK does however operate intelligence-led operational activity on CTA routes – away from the land border. This is to detect those who intend to abuse CTA arrangements. Anyone identified attempting to circumvent UK border controls is liable to be detained and, if they are not lawfully present within the UK, removed.

In support of this the UK and Ireland have a close and collaborative working relationship on a range of issues, including migration and border security. A key focus of that collaboration is our shared commitment to protect the CTA from abuse while preserving the rights of British and Irish citizens. Discussions are ongoing, including through the Common Travel Area Forum (CTAF), an official-level forum co-chaired by the UK Home Office and Ireland's Department of Justice.

The Government does not routinely publish details of these discussions or any measures under consideration. However, where appropriate, information on joint activity or agreed measures may be announced publicly.

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from Ireland to the UK, with no immigration checks being undertaken on the Northern Ireland-Ireland land border. The UK does however operate intelligence-led operational activity on CTA routes – away from the land border. This is to detect those who intend to abuse CTA arrangements. Anyone identified attempting to circumvent UK border controls is liable to be detained and, if they are not lawfully present within the UK, removed.

In support of this the UK and Ireland have a close and collaborative working relationship on a range of issues, including migration and border security. A key focus of that collaboration is our shared commitment to protect the CTA from abuse while preserving the rights of British and Irish citizens. Discussions are ongoing, including through the Common Travel Area Forum (CTAF), an official-level forum co-chaired by the UK Home Office and Ireland's Department of Justice.

The Government does not routinely publish details of these discussions or any measures under consideration. However, where appropriate, information on joint activity or agreed measures may be announced publicly.

Defence keeps all spending, including Army training, under review to ensure the highest priorities are pursued in the face of an ever-changing threat.

Defence continues to prioritise training that delivers the greatest operational effect, while protecting essential readiness, operational commitments, safety-critical activity and our NATO commitments.

The Army continues to meet its operational requirements while adapting training to reflect lessons identified from Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Through the Defence Investment Plan, Defence is investing £2 billion over 15 years to transform British Army training.

The UK Government continues to engage with Mauritius on issues related to the UK-Mauritius Chagos Treaty.  We do not intend to provide a running commentary on these conversations.

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls of individuals arriving in the UK by air or sea from within the CTA, and no immigration checks are undertaken at the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border.

There is a high level of cooperation on migration and border security between the UK and Ireland to identify and tackle migration trends as they emerge. As per the commitment made at the 2026 UK-Ireland Summit, between the previous Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, the UK and Ireland continue to work together, which includes expanding immigration data sharing.

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls of individuals arriving in the UK by air or sea from within the CTA, and no immigration checks are undertaken at the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border.

There is a high level of cooperation on migration and border security between the UK and Ireland to identify and tackle migration trends as they emerge. As per the commitment made at the 2026 UK-Ireland Summit, between the previous Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, the UK and Ireland continue to work together, which includes expanding immigration data sharing.

I refer the Noble Lord to the FCDO travel advice for Gibraltar: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/gibraltar/entry-requirements UK citizens entering Gibraltar must have a passport issued within the previous 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after they depart either Gibraltar or the Schengen Area. They can spend up to 90 days in Gibraltar without a visa. This period will count towards the 90-day limit in any 180-day period for time spent in the Schengen Area. On arriving at the airport, they undergo two checks: Gibraltar immigration controls performed by the Gibraltar authorities, and Schengen immigration controls performed by the Spanish authorities.

The Home Office is responsible for delivering asylum policy and ensuring eligible destitute asylum seekers are accommodated.

Eligibility for social housing in England is tightly controlled. If a person's immigration status does not allow them recourse to public funds then they are not eligible for an allocation of social housing. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.

Where foreign nationals are eligible, they will have their housing needs considered on the same basis as other eligible applicants in accordance with the local council’s housing allocation scheme. People who are homeless, in overcrowded housing or who need to move for medical reasons are prioritised.

I refer the noble Lord to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Mr Pollard), in the House of Commons on 8 June 2026 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty) in response to Question 4887.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-05-29/4887

I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that I cannot provide the specific details requested as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of any relevant forces.

First, the incident in Belfast a couple of nights ago was truly horrific, and an individual has now been charged with offences. It is right that he go before the court and that I do not comment on those issues. It is also important, from the Home Office’s perspective, that we work closely with partners, including the police and local safeguarding bodies, to ensure that public protection remains strong. As the noble Lord will know, Northern Ireland has devolved policing; they will examine this issue. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is there today.

The noble Lord raises a number of issues about immigration. Asylum claims in Northern Ireland are down 7% year on year. The Government have a very strong White Paper and a forthcoming Bill to look at the potential for managing immigration. We have reduced the number of hotels in use from over 400 in 2024 to around 160 now. We will continue to make sure that our borders are secure. It is best that I let the incident in Belfast be seen and determined in the courts, and in due course we will reflect with the Northern Ireland Executive on any lessons learned.

I thank the noble Lord for his question. On the regional contact we have, as well as the other contacts from the Foreign Office, the Prime Minister and others, I have met virtually every single week the ambassadors and/or the defence attachés of the various Middle East countries in the Ministry of Defence to discuss what they require. As a consequence of their answers, we have provided further fighter jets, drone capabilities, radar and anti-air defensive capabilities, so we have done a significant amount of work already. There are 1,000 British service personnel across the region. There have been one of two issue that have arisen, but it is important to recognise the important military support we have given to the region, and they have been very appreciative of that.

My Lords, I start by paying tribute to the three members of the Royal Navy who died during a helicopter training exercise in the early hours of Wednesday near Sourton in Devon. The families have requested a period of grace before further details are released, but I am sure that the thoughts of the whole House are with their families and friends at this terrible time. This tragic news comes after the Defence Secretary sadly announced on Monday the death of Lance Corporal Freeman during a joint training exercise in Iraq. I am sure that Members of the House will want to extend their deepest sympathies to his loved ones and those of the American service person who died in the same incident.

The UK maintains a network of bases across the region. They include the United Kingdom Naval Support Facility in Bahrain and Donnelly Lines at Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE, while the UK Joint Logistics Support Base at Port Duqm in Oman opened in 2018, a port that is large enough to accommodate Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. This ongoing commitment to the region is demonstrated by our response to the current Strait of Hormuz challenge, where the UK and France are leading planning for a multinational military mission.

We have no plans. The Bar Council is conducting a review of this and we will, like any responsible Government, consider that review once it is reported and take matters from there.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

We work closely with Skills England and with the DfE to understand the changes that AI is bringing and what that means in terms of the education system, what skills students need to develop and how to apply them. We are supporting the expansion of AI education in universities, for example through the TechLocal AI degree accelerator. This is a conversation that is ongoing. As the noble Lord suggests, it is something that we need to be very mindful of.

The Government has not asked the government of Greece to provide naval protection to UK interests on the island of Cyprus.