All recruits in Phase 1 training establishments undergo an individual sizing process, with uniform and equipment subsequently issued in accordance with these measurements. Opportunities are in place to exchange items if the fit is not correct.

Specific data on whether equipment or uniform is correctly sized at first issue is not recorded.

HMRC does not collect data on VAT incurred on specific categories of goods or services purchased by charities, as it would impose an unnecessary administrative burden on its customers.

Decisions on station security, the replacement or reallocation of stolen equipment, working with Police, and the continuity arrangements needed to maintain local cover, are all matters for each Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), informed by its assessment of local risk.

The Department does not hold central data on these thefts.

The Department also is, however, working with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and FRSs to improve information sharing within the sector on break-ins and equipment thefts, such that it can facilitate better understanding of the pattern of incidents and inform local protective measures within the sector.

The cost of purchasing, transporting, and installing the cocoa-processing machine was £6,861. The machine was funded from a local programme managed by the British High Commission in Honiara. Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KOSI), which received the machinery, is one of the main cocoa exporters and processors in Solomon Islands. In September, KOSI exported 500kg of beans to the UK. The machinery will support KOSI scale production and expand into new areas, including the production of chocolate paste.

The cost of purchasing, transporting, and installing the cocoa-processing machine was £6,861. The machine was funded from a local programme managed by the British High Commission in Honiara. Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KOSI), which received the machinery, is one of the main cocoa exporters and processors in Solomon Islands. In September, KOSI exported 500kg of beans to the UK. The machinery will support KOSI scale production and expand into new areas, including the production of chocolate paste.

The cost of purchasing, transporting, and installing the cocoa-processing machine was £6,861. The machine was funded from a local programme managed by the British High Commission in Honiara. Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KOSI), which received the machinery, is one of the main cocoa exporters and processors in Solomon Islands. In September, KOSI exported 500kg of beans to the UK. The machinery will support KOSI scale production and expand into new areas, including the production of chocolate paste.

The department is still at an early stage of developing the new technical education pathways. Our ambition is to give every young person access to high-quality technical education pathways from age 14 and support progression into further study, training and skilled employment. We will work with the Mayoral and Strategic Authorities and local leaders to design locally tailored, vocationally focussed pathways for each region to begin rolling them out from September 2028. We will work closely with Strategic Authorities, schools, colleges and employers to understand the implications of the proposals for staffing, facilities and infrastructure.

Procurement and commercial decisions are matters for individual police. Chief Constables of those forces are operationally independent and are responsible for determining how best to equip and resource their forces to meet local needs.

On 9 February, the Ministry published the 2026/27 Local Government Finance Settlement which sets out funding allocations for all local authorities including fire and rescue. This financial year, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority will have a core spending power of £105.36 million, an increase of 3.8% compared to 2025/26. Decisions on how fire and rescue authorities use their resources and equipment to meet those risks are a matter for each fire and rescue authority.

We’re investing nearly £100 million in the biggest upgrade of national resilience capabilities in nearly twenty years, part of which includes more specialist equipment and wildfire training for firefighters that can deploy nationally to support in wildfires across the country.

Fire and Rescue Authorities are responsible for assessing and planning for wildfire risk locally through their Community Risk Management Plans and work with other responders to ensure appropriate preparedness.

The health and wellbeing of firefighters is a top priority for the Government. Firefighters perform a unique and demanding role, facing a range of physical and mental health risks as part of their duties. We are committed to supporting firefighters throughout their careers and beyond, focusing on prevention, early intervention and long-term wellbeing.

Through our firefighter health and wellbeing programme, the Government is working with the sector to strengthen the evidence base, support and improve understanding of the long-term risks firefighters face. This includes considering how national activity can better support services in protecting firefighters’ health, safety and wellbeing during demanding operational activity.

Since February 2022, the UK has committed £25.1 billion for Ukraine. In response to Ukraine's requests, the UK has provided 96 ambulances, including 20 NHS ambulances and 76 new vehicles. The UK has also provided vehicles in support of Ukraine's humanitarian and emergency response efforts, including 19 armoured vehicles gifted to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine earlier this year. We continue to work with the Government of Ukraine and relevant partners to understand requirements for vehicles and any practical challenges affecting provision and delivery.

Since February 2022, the UK has committed £25.1 billion for Ukraine. In response to Ukraine's requests, the UK has provided 96 ambulances, including 20 NHS ambulances and 76 new vehicles. The UK has also provided vehicles in support of Ukraine's humanitarian and emergency response efforts, including 19 armoured vehicles gifted to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine earlier this year. We continue to work with the Government of Ukraine and relevant partners to understand requirements for vehicles and any practical challenges affecting provision and delivery.

This Government has not received reports of any issues with the supply of diagnostic equipment or replacement components to veterinary practices in Northern Ireland.

The constructive loss relates to training equipment procured during the Demonstration and Manufacture phases of the Joint Fires Synthetic Training programme, which was subsequently declared surplus to requirements with the costs written-off.

This was as a result of a reassessment by Front Line Command units of their requirements and the implementation of a revised deployment plan that rescaled the scope of the programme.

The Government takes the safety of police officers extremely seriously and is clear that police officers should have the best possible protection when facing physical violence.

The Home Office sets robust standards for a range of personal protective equipment used by policing, including protective headwear, body armour (including ballistic protection and slash resistance), flame retardant overalls and irritant sprays. This equipment is subject to a comprehensive testing and certification process which supports consistency and ensures confidence in police personal protective equipment. These standards are based on police operational requirements and outline the minimum performance requirements and test methods to ensure that protective equipment purchased for police officers is safe and fit for purpose. Manufacturers and police forces can submit equipment for testing against these standards. Equipment that meets the required criteria is certified as compliant with Home Office standards.

The Government takes the safety of police officers extremely seriously and is clear that police officers should have the best possible protection when facing physical violence.

The Home Office sets robust standards for a range of personal protective equipment used by policing, including protective headwear, body armour (including ballistic protection and slash resistance), flame retardant overalls and irritant sprays. This equipment is subject to a comprehensive testing and certification process which supports consistency and ensures confidence in police personal protective equipment. These standards are based on police operational requirements and outline the minimum performance requirements and test methods to ensure that protective equipment purchased for police officers is safe and fit for purpose. Manufacturers and police forces can submit equipment for testing against these standards. Equipment that meets the required criteria is certified as compliant with Home Office standards.

Decisions on the procurement and operational use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for wildfire incidents are matters for individual fire and rescue authorities and services. Fire and rescue authorities are responsible for planning for foreseeable risks in their areas, including wildfire, and for ensuring they have the appropriate capabilities, equipment and resources in place to respond safely and effectively.

The Government will bring forward legislation to establish the National Police Service as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

The Local Government Finance Settlement made available almost £1.95 billion in core spending power (CSP) for standalone fire and rescue authorities in England. We work closely with fire and rescue services to ensure they can prepare for and manage local risks. Decisions on how fire and rescue authorities use their resources and equipment to meet those risks are a matter for each fire and rescue authority.

We’re investing nearly £100 million in the biggest upgrade of national resilience capabilities in nearly twenty years, part of which includes more specialist equipment and wildfire training for firefighters that can deploy nationally to support in wildfires across the country.