As part of NATO's focus on Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area, NATO manages its Strategic, Operational and Tactical Plans across all domains to assure the Alliance's ability to respond to any threat that posed by Russia, including on NATO’s eastern flank. The UK has a predefined role in these plans, including the Forward deployment of our battlegroup in Estonia reinforced by a brigade held at readiness in the UK. The Forward Land Forces Battlegroup and Brigade at readiness undertakes sovereign and NATO Allied Land Command validation exercises before it is deployed to ensure it meets NATO operating standards expected to repel an attack from Russia.

In the event of an attack and where Article 5 is invoked, it is SACEUR has the operational permission to implement and execute all military measures necessary to restore and ensure the territorial integrity of the alliance.

As part of NATO's focus on Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area, NATO manages its Strategic, Operational and Tactical Plans across all domains to assure the Alliance's ability to respond to any threat that posed by Russia, including on NATO’s eastern flank. The UK has a predefined role in these plans, including the Forward deployment of our battlegroup in Estonia reinforced by a brigade held at readiness in the UK. The Forward Land Forces Battlegroup and Brigade at readiness undertakes sovereign and NATO Allied Land Command validation exercises before it is deployed to ensure it meets NATO operating standards expected to repel an attack from Russia.

In the event of an attack and where Article 5 is invoked, it is SACEUR has the operational permission to implement and execute all military measures necessary to restore and ensure the territorial integrity of the alliance.

As part of NATO's focus on Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area, NATO manages its Strategic, Operational and Tactical Plans across all domains to assure the Alliance's ability to respond to any threat that posed by Russia, including on NATO’s eastern flank. The UK has a predefined role in these plans, including the Forward deployment of our battlegroup in Estonia reinforced by a brigade held at readiness in the UK. The Forward Land Forces Battlegroup and Brigade at readiness undertakes sovereign and NATO Allied Land Command validation exercises before it is deployed to ensure it meets NATO operating standards expected to repel an attack from Russia.

In the event of an attack and where Article 5 is invoked, it is SACEUR has the operational permission to implement and execute all military measures necessary to restore and ensure the territorial integrity of the alliance.

MHCLG have supported local authorities to respond to two ransomware incidents in the last 12 months. Historically, MHCLG has not collected data on local authority ransomware related expenditure but maintains a clear opposition to ransom payments. This government intends to introduce a targeted ban to prohibit public sector bodies and operators of critical national infrastructure, including local government, from paying ransom demands to criminals.

Since 2020, MHCLG has provided £23 million of cyber grant funding and technical support to local government. This includes support to deliver the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) for local government, which sets a clear cyber security standard for the sector.

MHCLG will also be launching a local government Cyber Incident Response service to support English local authorities respond to successful ransomware attacks, helping to limit the impact these have on data and services.

I have been asked to reply as my right hon. and learned Friend the Prime Minister is attending the NATO summit in The Hague. At this time of international volatility, we are working with our allies to de-escalate tensions in the middle east and ensure that the conflict does not further intensify. Our aim continues to be preventing Iran from securing nuclear weapons and urging the Iranians to return to negotiations.

The situation in Gaza remains of the gravest concern. Seeing the return of more hostages’ bodies, including that of Shay Levinson, an Israeli with British family, is heartbreaking. The remaining hostages must be released, while aid must be delivered at greater speed and volume.

This week is Armed Forces Week. Our commitment to the armed forces is unwavering. The strategic defence review outlines how we will give our armed forces better pay, better housing and better kit. I pay tribute to their commitment, bravery and selflessness.

This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall have further such meetings later today.

Order. This is about Government responsibilities, not the Opposition. I call Sir Mel Stride.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for reminding us of the horrendous human rights record of this regime, a regime that is the worst sponsor of state terrorism in the world.

The Home Office checks all small boat arrivals against a range of secure systems. These include internal databases, law enforcement records, biometric verification platforms and immigration history systems.

Biometrics and biographic details taken are checked and compared against relevant Home Office systems and police criminality databases, including domestic and international data to establish whether the person is a threat to public safety.

Timings for the returns of results can vary, some systems provide instant access due to direct integration and others require third party intervention. Overall, we aim to receive results within 24-hours.

All security checks are completed before any individual is bailed from Manston.

I met the Estonian ambassador and, indeed, all ambassadors from JEF nations on board HMS Sutherland last week, and my hon. Friend is absolutely right: fast, deployable forces are vital deterrents against Russian aggression. They underline our key commitment to NATO’s eastern flank, and particularly our strong commitment to our friends in Estonia. We will continue to have their backs and to ensure that we have forces deployed there, securing that nation’s freedom.

As we speak, Exercise Hedgehog is currently demonstrating the rapid deployment of the 4th Brigade by road, rail, sea and air to Estonia as part of NATO’s forward land force, with nearly 2,000 British service personnel in addition to those already permanently deployed to Estonia. To keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad, we are working with our EU, NATO and JEF partners to enhance military mobility.

The recently published maritime decarbonisation strategy supports sustainable growth, working with industry to reach zero emissions by 2050, supported by £30 million for clean maritime research and development. The Government have also allocated £850,000 to maritime clusters to support skills and training programmes, boosting growth and improving our coastal communities.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that infrastructure, which is so important to our nation. I was pleased to meet Doug Bannister, the chief executive officer of the Port of Dover, just the other day to talk about these matters. This Government are implementing a new strategic planning process and reforming connections to ensure that electricity meets future demands. If we do that right, we can have the greenest shipping corridors in the world.