Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant posts in his Department have been withdrawn since the introduction of internal restrictions in July 2023.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many posts in the Defence Infrastructure Organisation are (a) vacant and (b) not being actively recruited for.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many posts in Strategic Command are vacant but are not actively being filled as of 17 April 2024.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant posts in the Defence Infrastructure Organisation are being actively recruited for.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many posts in Navy Command are (a) vacant and (b) not being actively recruited for.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant posts in Strategic Command have been withdrawn since the introduction of internal recruitment restrictions in July 2023.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many posts in Head Office and Corporate Services are (a) vacant and (b) not being actively recruited for as of 16 April 2024.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant posts in Head Office and Corporate Services are being actively recruited for as of 16 April 2024.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant posts in his Department are being actively recruited for as of 16 April 2024.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many posts in Army Command are (a) vacant and (b) not being actively recruited for.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant posts in Army Command were withdrawn since the introduction of internal recruitment restrictions in July 2023.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant posts in Air Command are being actively recruited for.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant posts in (a) Head Office and (b) Corporate Services were withdrawn since the introduction of internal recruitment restrictions in July 2023.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant posts in Navy Command have been withdrawn since the introduction of internal recruitment restrictions in July 2023.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many posts in Navy Command are (a) vacant and (b) not being actively recruited for as of 16 April 2024.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant posts in Army Command are being actively recruited for..

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant posts in the Defence Nuclear Organisation have been withdrawn since the introduction of internal restrictions in July 2023.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of vacant posts have been withdrawn from Air Command since the introduction of internal restrictions in July 2023.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant posts in Strategic Command are being actively recruited for.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many posts in Air Command are (a) vacant and (b) not being actively recruited for.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In response to the Government's policy announcement to implement a cap on Civil Service headcount, the Department is currently reviewing its future Civil Service workforce requirement aligned to this direction. Vacancies are being reviewed as part of workforce planning and prioritisation activity. Until this work is completed it is not possible to provide specific numbers of posts vacant/not being actively recruited.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many people have been employed in the SME team at UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

2024/25 to date

2.5

2023/24

2.5

2022/23

2.5

2021/22

2.5

2020/21

3.5

2019/20

4

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many people have been employed in the events team in UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

2024

6.5

2023

6.5

2022

6.5

2021

4.5

2020

6.5

2019

6

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support the AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Industry Forum.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Since its announcement at the AUKUS Defence Ministers meeting in December 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) have consulted on the AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Industry Forum TORs, developing them in partnership with trade associations from all three nations. The MOD hosted the first forum trilaterally in Washington DC on 9 April 2024. Two further forums are planned for 2024, in the UK and Australia respectively.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what civil service grade are the officials supporting the AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Industry Forum.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

A variety of officials at varying grades are engaged in supporting the AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Industry Forum. We have an SCS 2 official as a co-chair to the Forum. It is not practical to further quantify a specific number of people supporting it at any given moment.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of service personnel from the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force participated in joint exercises in each year since 2019.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

It is taking time to collate the information. I will write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2024 to Question 17716 on Defence Equipment & Support: Staff, what the total cost of contingent labour was in each financial year since 2018-19.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The total cost of contingent labour in each financial year (FY) since 2018-19 is:

Contingent Labour encompasses individuals temporarily employed, through a variety of schemes, to deliver activity which might otherwise be carried out by permanent DE&S staff. This may be for a number of reasons, for example due to a lack of required skills in the existing workforce, or because the need itself is temporary.

Figures for 2023-24 are not available at this time.

A record of the number of staff who deliver outputs for Defence Equipment & Support through a private sector support contract is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual budget is for the Weapons Support Team at Defence Equipment and Support in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The figures below represent the projected annual operating expenditure budget and forecast costs for the Weapons Support Team at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S).

The Weapons Support Team budget and forecast costs on equipment costs by financial year is as follows:

The Weapons Support Team budget and forecast costs on operating costs by financial year is as follows:

Notes:

• It should be noted that the annual budget for 2024-25 and beyond is not available.
• Due to the Operating Model work currently underway in DE&S, the current team structure is likely to change significantly, and we anticipate that the way that budgets are apportioned will also change.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18053 on Iron and Steel: Procurement, what his planned timetable is for introducing a new condition which will require suppliers delivering larger value contracts to provide detailed supply chain maps.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

DEFCON 565, which mandates suppliers for all new contracts £5 million and above to provide supply chain information, was published on 1 July 2023.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2024 to Question 18996 on Ministry of Defence: Rented Housing, what the total cost of renting 37 unoccupied Bulk Lease Hire Properties was.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The total cost of renting all 37 unoccupied Bulk Lease Hire Properties is £53,206 per month.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people are working on the Defence Equipment and Support operating model.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) have completed the first detailed design of the new Operating Model, which is now undergoing scenario testing and refinement. Implementation of the DE&S Gateway is currently in progress. Iterative improvement will continue between initial implementation and stabilisation of the new Operating Model. DE&S are working towards a full operating capability by March 2025.

119 individuals (96.44 FTE) are currently working on the DE&S Operating Model.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the operating model for Defence Equipment and Support.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) have completed the first detailed design of the new Operating Model, which is now undergoing scenario testing and refinement. Implementation of the DE&S Gateway is currently in progress. Iterative improvement will continue between initial implementation and stabilisation of the new Operating Model. DE&S are working towards a full operating capability by March 2025.

119 individuals (96.44 FTE) are currently working on the DE&S Operating Model.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the letter sent to the Rt hon. Member for Garston and Halewood on 22 March 2024, reference UIN No 7162/7163, how many RAF aircraft were serviceable in each month since January 2023.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The RAF does not track this metric on a monthly basis. The Forward fleet comprises aircraft which are fully serviceable and those which are short-term unserviceable. Short-term issues causing individual aircraft systems to be unserviceable can last from minutes to days.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) domestic and (b) overseas trade shows have Ministers in his Department attended in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on domestic trade shows is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost, whilst information on any attendance of overseas trade shows would have been published online within the Transparency Returns.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what budget his Department plans to provide for the Armed Forces Apprenticeship Programme in the (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 financial years.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 26 March 2024, to Question 19790.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual budget for the Armed Forces Apprenticeship Programme was in each financial year since 2019.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 26 March 2024, to Question 19790.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many meet the buyer events were held by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

2019

1

2020

0

2021

1

2022

2

2023

3

2024 (to date)

1

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the key priorities of UK Defence and Security Exports are over the next (a) 12 months and (b) five years.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The Government has created an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) on Defence and Security Exports to coordinate support for defence and security exports. In December 2023 the IMG agreed that Government should prioritise support for exports which deliver four HMG priorities: geopolitical impact; support for sovereign capabilities; benefits to HMG defence and security; and contribution to UK prosperity.

On 16 April 2024, the IMG agreed to focus its effort on priority markets. These will be reviewed annually. Each IMG will identify and discuss markets requiring specific Ministerial interventions in support of long-term strategic objectives.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many military advisors have worked for UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The total military advisors working for UK Defence and Security Exports as of 1^st April each year between 2019 and 2024 was as follows:

• 1st April 2024 13
• 1st April 2023 12
• 1st April 2022 12
• 1st April 2021 15
• 1st April 2020 6
• 1st April 2019 9

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many companies UK Defence and Security Exports has engaged with in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) strategic industry relationship management programme has 15 companies in it, while UKDSE also engages with many other companies individually and collectively through the relevant Trade Associations.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, on how many occasions officials in her Department attended (a) domestic and (b) overseas trade shows which were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

This information is not recorded with respect to the whole Department for Business and Trade.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much her Department has spent on UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Please see below the full year outturn for UK Defence and Security Exports for the period 2019/20 - 2022/23.

Please note that the 2023/24 outturn will be available once DBT’s accounts are finalised.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many people were employed in total in Defence Equipment and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The number of civil servants employed were

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms attended a trade mission that was supported by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports has supported a number of trade missions since 2019. However, it has not consistently recorded this information because trade missions are not part of the main published UKDSE events programme.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what trade missions UK Defence and Security Exports has supported in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports has supported a number of trade missions since 2019. However, it has not consistently recorded this information because trade missions are not part of the main published UKDSE events programme.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many trade missions UK Defence and Security Exports has supported each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports has supported a number of trade missions since 2019. However, it has not consistently recorded this information because trade missions are not part of the main published UKDSE events programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many officials in his Department attended (a) domestic and (b) overseas trade shows in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This information is not held in the format requested.

Ministry of Defence officials attend domestic and overseas trade shows including Defence and Security Equipment International, Farnborough International Airshow, Royal International Air Tattoo, World Defence Show (Riyadh), DIMDEX (Doha), and the Paris Air Show in support of international collaboration, UK industry, and exports but details of numbers of personnel are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much it costs for a business to purchase a space at the Larkhill UK capability showcase.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Pricing is dependent on the area which the company product covers within the showcase per year. Please see below current pricing:

• Standard item (1m x 1m) £750
• Large item (greater than 1m x 1m) £1000
• ISO (20ft by 8ft) size £1,500 + £500 thereafter for larger ISO and upwards sized items

All prices exclusive of VAT.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what overseas events UK Defence and Security Exports has supported in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

2019 (22 overseas events)

1. Intersec
2. IDEX
3. Aero India
4. RSA Conference
5. LIMA
6. GISEC
7. LAAD
8. IDEF
9. UDT
10. IMDEX
11. SOFIC
12. GovWare
13. MSPO
14. PACIFIC
15. MADEX
16. IACP
17. BIDEC
18. Dubai Airshow
19. DSEI Japan
20. Defense & Security
21. Milipol Paris
22. Expodefensa

2020 (5 overseas events attended others cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic)

1. Intersec
2. DefExpo
3. Singapore Airshow
4. RSA Conference
5. MSPO

2021 (6 overseas events attended, others cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic and Hurricane in USA)

1. Aero India
2. IDEX
3. MADEX
4. IDEF
5. MSPO
6. Dubai Airshow

2022 (9 overseas events supported, others cancelled for Covid-19 and Ukraine-related issues)

1. Intersec
2. World Defense Show
3. DIMDEX
4. Indo Pacific
5. SOFIC
6. MSPO
7. IACP
8. Indo Defence
9. ExpoNaval

2023 (12 overseas events)

1. Intersec
2. IDEX
3. SeaAsia
4. IDEF
5. SOF Week
6. NorShipping
7. MPSO
8. IACP
9. Kormarine
10. Defense & Security
11. Indo Pacific
12. Dubai Airshow

2024 (16 events planned, 4 delivered to date)

1. Intersec
2. World Defense Show
3. DIMDEX
4. APM
5. SOF Week – currently planned
6. Posidonia – currently planned
7. MSPO – currently planned
8. SMM – currently planned
9. ADAS – currently planned
10. Intersec KSA – currently planned
11. IACP – currently planned
12. SAHA Expo – currently planned
13. DefExpo – currently planned
14. IndoDefence – currently planned
15. Metstrade – currently planned
16. ExpoNaval – currently planned

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps UK Defence and Security Exports is taking to help encourage SMEs to attend UK Defence and Security Exports supported (a) domestic and (b) overseas events.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) encourages SME’s to attend UKDSE supported events, domestic and overseas, by:

• Advertising events on the UK Export Faculty Website and newsletters
• Creating webinars on event participation
• Informing International Trade Advisors of events for promotion to their contacts
• Hosting networking events and activities prior to major domestic exhibitions
• 1-2-1 communication with Industry
• Promotion on the UKDSE gov.uk page
• Promotion through Desk Officers, Embassy colleagues, other relevant Civil Servants and UKDSE Capability Advisors
• Promotion through Trade Associations

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the average fee charged by UK Defence and Security Exports was to host a foreign delegation in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports does not charge to host foreign delegations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2024 to Question 16606 on Ministry of Defence: Christmas, what the cost of the event was.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The total cost of the event was £279.52.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Defence and Security Industry Days were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

No record has been kept of this and there was significant disruption to plans during the COVID period.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which domestic events UK Defence and Security Exports have provided support for in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports has provided active support to the following UK domestic events:

2019

Security & Policing 2019 (March 2019)

DPRTE 2019 (March 2019)

DSEI 2019 (September 2019)

International Security Expo 2019 (December 2019)

2020

Security & Policing 2020 (March 2020)

Farnborough International Airshow 2020 (July 2020) – Virtual event due to Covid-19 pandemic

DPRTE 2020 (September 2020) – Virtual event due to Covid-19 pandemic

International Security Expo 2020 (November 2020) – Virtual event due to Covid-19 pandemic

2021

Security & Policing 2021 (March 2021) – Virtual event due to Covid-19 pandemic

DSEI 2021 (September 2021)

International Security Expo 2021 (September 2021)

DPRTE 2021 (October 2021)

2022

Security & Policing 2022 (March 2022)

DPRTE 2022 (May 2022)

Seawork 2022 (June 2022)

Farnborough International Airshow 2022 (July 2022)

International Security Expo 2022 (September 2022)

DVD 2022 (September 2022)

3CDSE (November 2022)

2023

Security & Policing 2023 (March 2023)

DPRTE 2023 (March 2023)

Seawork 2023 (June 2023)

DSEI 2023 (September 2023)

London International Shipping Week (September 2023)

International Security Expo 2022 (September 2023)

2024

Security & Policing 2024 (March 2024)

DPRTE 2024 (March 2024)

Planning for events scheduled to take place later in 2024 is also in progress.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to provide information to domestic defence firms on the services provided by her Department's regional international trade advisers.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade’s ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ export promotion campaign showcases the support available to businesses, including our International Trade Adviser service. In addition, support is provided through the Export Support Service (ESS), a first point of contact service for any businesses seeking to trade internationally. Through the ESS, businesses can access support from DBT’s overseas network, UK Export Finance, UK Export Academy and our international events programme. Businesses can access digital support via great.gov.uk. We work with partners across all sectors, including Defence, to raise awareness of the support available.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what channels SMEs can use to feed into export policy.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Export Digital Enquiry Service is the first point of contact for businesses seeking to trade internationally and the route to the Department for Business and Trade’s wider network of support. SMEs can feed into export policy via numerous channels, including our International Trade Advisers and the Export Champions Advisory Group. The department’s Ministers interact with SMEs regularly and at the recent Business Connect conference, SMEs could put their concerns directly to the Prime Minister.

Trade Associations regularly engage with the department to represent the interests of SMEs.

The department regularly invites businesses, including SMEs, to contribute to Calls for Input ahead of Free Trade Agreement negotiations.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the nuanced sessions listed on the UK Defence and Security Experts Faculty website, how many nuanced sessions UK Defence and Security Exports has delivered in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The number of people registered to a tailored event run by UKDSE Export Faculty since July 2022 (due to staff changes, unable to retrieve number of companies at other tailored faculty before this time): 834 people

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many firms have attended a tailored event run by the UK Defence and Security Exports export faculty in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The number of people registered to a tailored event run by UKDSE Export Faculty since July 2022 (due to staff changes, unable to retrieve number of companies at other tailored faculty before this time): 834 people across 17 sessions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many civil servants are supporting the AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Industry Forum.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

A variety of officials at varying grades will from time to time be engaged in supporting the AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Industry Forum.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Future Combat Air System programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

When I last provided an update to the House in December 2023, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) Treaty had been signed in Tokyo with our international partners Japan and Italy. This laid the ground for the legal entity of the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO). The Treaty has since been laid before UK Parliament, as part of its formal ratification process.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms UK Defence and Security Exports supported to attend Secours Expo from 31 January to 3 February 2024 in France.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this event.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many sessions on (a) export licencing, (b) doing business with prime contractors, (c) working with the media, (d) preparing for events, (e) finance for export, (f) support from other government departments and bodies, (g) developing export strategies, (h) global market focus sessions, (i) business culture and know how across the world and (j) pitching for international contracts have been held by the UK Defence and Security Exports Export Faculty in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The Export Faculty was created in September 2021. The number of sessions as requested was:

(a) export licencing – 1 session 2022

(b) doing business with prime contractors – 1 session 2023

(c) working with the media – No session held to date

(d) preparing for events – 1 session 2023

(e) finance for export – 1 session 2023

(f) support from other government departments and bodies – No session held to date

(g) developing export strategies – No session held to date

(h) global market focus – No session held to date

(i) business culture and know how across the world – No session held to date

(j) pitching for international contracts sessions – 1 session 2022

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many businesses on average attended a meet the buyer event that was organised by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

On average the following number of businesses attended a meet the buyer event that was organised by UKDSE each year.

2019

Data not available.

2020

0 (no Meet the Buyer sessions ran due to COVID).

2021

Data not available.

2022

21

2023

67

2024 (to date)

38

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many posts in his Department are (a) vacant and (b) not being actively recruited for as of 16 April 2024.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to thwe answer given to question 22239 on the 22 April 2024.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, on how many occasions ministers in her Department attended (a) domestic and (b) overseas trade shows which were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Ministers support domestic and overseas trade shows to further the UK national interest. Further information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of UK Defence and Security Exports in building strong relationships with overseas governments.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports within the Department for Business and Trade uses an analytical assessment tool to build a picture of how the UK is perceived by overseas governments. This analysis is combined with information received from overseas networks and industry groups to build a holistic understanding of how effective UK efforts are in terms of building international relationships and influencing customers. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade is updated regularly on perceptions of the UK offer.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what reason her Department allowed UK Export Finance to negotiate a 100% guarantee on lending with Harland and Wolff.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

HM Government does not comment on ongoing commercial discussions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent progress has been made in negotiations between UK Export Finance and Harland and Wolff.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

HM Government does not comment on ongoing commercial discussions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of UK Defence and Security Exports in raising awareness of UK industry capabilities in (a) established and (b) developing markets.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) runs a comprehensive programme of overseas trade events and missions where UK industry capabilities are promoted in established and developing markets. UKDSE also works with Embassies and High Commissions, His Majesty's Trade Commissioners (HMTCs) and the Global Defence Network to promote UK capabilities and build industrial partnerships. Events and trade missions are assessed against objectives set to ensure that continuous improvement is embedded within the UK offer. This includes feedback from UK industry, and the UK's global networks also report regularly on perceptions of the UK at overseas events. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade is updated regularly on progress.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many sector advisors have been based in UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The total sector advisors working for UK Defence and Security Exports (formerly Defence and Security Organisation) as of 1^st April each year between 2020 and 2024 was as follows:

• 1st April 2024 19
• 1st April 2023 18
• 1st April 2022 16
• 1st April 2021 22
• 1st April 2020 12

The department no longer holds the data for 2019, as this data was held on a previous position management system.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when (a) she, (b) Ministers and (c) officials in her Department last met Harland and Wolff.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Ministers at DBT met Harland and Wolff in January and September 2023.

Officials remain in close contact and last met Harland and Wolff in April 2024.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff at UK Defence and Security Exports were based overseas in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports do not have any employed staff based overseas.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many SME defence firms have used the showcase pod at events supported by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) estimate that a total of 171 UK SME defence firms have used the showcase pod at events supported by UKDSE, from 01 January 2019 to present (22 April 2024)

2019
66

2020 (Reduced activity due to Covid-19 pandemic)
5

2021 (Reduced activity due to Covid-19 pandemic)
3

2022
42

2023
41

2024 - to date
14

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many businesses completed the (a) land, (b) maritime, (c) air, (d) security and (e) cyber security modules delivered by the UK Defence and Security Exports export faculty in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Information is not recorded per year, below is the total number of businesses that have completed the listed modules:
(a) land - 236
(b) maritime - 236
(c) air - 236
(d) security - 206
(e) cyber security - 206

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports to attend (a) Oceanology International and (b) Defence Procurement Research, Technology and Exportability (DPRTE) in 2024.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

a) Oceanology International
0 – UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this event.

b) DPRTE
0 – UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this event.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports to attend (a) Intersec and (b) the World Police Summit in 2024.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

a) Intersec

0 – UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this security focussed event.

b) World Police Summit
0 – UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this security focussed event.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff at UK Defence and Security Exports work in the regional team that covers the Americas, Pacific and East Asia.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports have 16 members of staff working in the regional team that covers Americas, Pacific and East Asia.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many businesses attended the (a) export licencing, (b) doing business with prime contractors, (c) working with the media, (d) preparing for events, (e) finance for export, (f) support from other government departments and bodies, (g) developing export strategies, (h) global market focus, (i) business culture and know how across the world and (j) pitching for international contracts sessions led by the UK Defence and Security Exports export faculty in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

a) export licencing – No information available.
b) doing business with prime contractors – 26 individuals attended live.
c) working with the media – No session held to date.
d) preparing for events – 29 attended live.
e) finance for export – 11 attended live.
f) support from other government departments and bodies – No session held to date.
g) developing export strategies – No session held to date.
h) global market focus – No session held to date.
i) business culture and know how across the world – No session held to date.
j) pitching for international contracts sessions – No information available.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms requested that a serving member of the Army accompany them to an exhibition supported by UK Defence and Security Exports in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Information prior to 2021 is not available. The following number of companies requested Soldier on Stand support at an exhibition:

2021
Requested – 3

2022
Requested - 5

2023
Requested – 16

2024 (to date)
Requested – 6

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms have an exhibition space at the UK Defence and Security Exports capability showcase at Larkhill Garrison.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UKDSE currently has 77 companies participating with their products on the capability showcase. This figure will fluctuate as contracts expire and/or new products are placed within the showcase.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many (a) land, (b) maritime, (c) air, (d) security and (e) cyber security modules were delivered by the UK Defence and Security Exports export faculty in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

There have been the following number of sessions delivered in each module delivered since 2019:
(a) Land - 10
(b) Maritime - 10
(c) Air - 10
(d) Security - 8
(e) Cybersecurity - 9

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports to attend the (a) Singapore Airshow and (b) Asia Pacific Maritime conference in 2024.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

a) Singapore Airshow 2024
0 – UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this event. The UK Pavilion was coordinated by ADS Group Trade Association.

b) Asia Pacific Maritime 2024
0 – UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this civil maritime focussed event.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports to attend the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) in March 2024.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UKDSE directly supported 9 defence companies at DIMDEX 2024, either through participation on the UKDSE stand or through the Soldier on Stand service.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether a fee is charged to companies that request that a serving member of the Army accompany them to an exhibition supported by UK Defence and Security Exports.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Yes, when delivering a Soldier on Stand service. Charges are based upon current military capitation rates.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff members at UK Defence and Security Exports work in the regional team that covers (a) Europe, (b) Middle East, (c) Central Asia and (d) South Asia.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports have 24 members of staff working in the regional team that covers (a) Europe, (b) Middle East, (c) Central Asia.

3 members of staff work on d) South Asia which is now in a different team

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the E7 Wedgetail project.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The E-7 Wedgetail Programme submitted its Full Business Case as planned in March 2024 which will target an approval in 2024. The modification of the three E-7 Wedgetail aircraft continues at STS Aviation, Birmingham Airport, targeting an In-Service Date with the RAF in 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Fleet Solid Support Ship project.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The production of the first Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship is expected to begin in 2025. Progress continues on design work, mobilisation of the supply chain and recapitalisation of the facilities at Harland & Wolff.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many firms registered to the UK Defence and Security Exports Export Faculty in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Since the UKDSE Exports Faculty began, the following number of companies have registered:

2021 – 197 firms
2022 – 681 firms
2023 – 471 firms
2024 to date – 184 firms

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms did UK Defence and Security Exports support to attend the recent FIDAE conference in Chile.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this event.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many SME’s have used the UK Defence and Security Exports Export Faculty in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UK Defence and Security Exports does not collect data specifically on SME user rates with respect to the Export Faculty

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the cost is for companies to purchase a showcase pod for a UK Defence and Security Exports supported event.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The current cost for participating on a UKDSE stand through the pod offer is £4,250 + VAT.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the UK Defence and Security Exports Export Faculty’s collaboration with the wider departmental Export Academy.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The UK Defence and Security Exports Export Faculty was designed to operate in parallel with the departmental Export Academy, but is specifically focussed on the defence, security and cyber security sectors. The Faculty and the Academy are both operating successfully.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms were supported by UK Defence and Security Exports to attend the Saudi Arabia World Defence Show in February 2024.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UKDSE directly supported 11 defence companies at World Defense Show 2024, either through participation on the UKDSE stand or through the Soldier on Stand service.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the average number of businesses were that attended a UK Defence and Security Exports supported Defence and Security Exports Day in each year since 2019.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

UKDSE does not have a service offer by this name.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many defence firms did UK Defence and Security Exports support to attend the recent (a) Sea Air Space and (b) Space Symposium conferences in the United States.

Answered by Alan Mak - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)

a) Sea Air Space
0 – UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this event.

b) Space Symposium
0 – UKDSE did not support any defence companies to attend this event.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 April 2024 to Question 21551 Ministry of Defence: Fraud, if he will provide a breakdown of the financial amount lost for each category in each financial year.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The number and detected values of fraud listed below for each financial year represent the categories provided in Question 21551. The total detected fraud values vary slightly from those provided in the letter on 27 February, reference 3427, because the assessed detected value of fraud can change as a case progresses. Since 2010, the information capture requirement has evolved with reporting needs; this is most evident following a review undertaken in 2020.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2024 to Question 22255 on Strategic Command: Vacancies, when he plans to complete the review into his Department's civil service workforce requirement.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Work is ongoing following the Chancellor’s announcement in the Autumn statement requiring Departments to cap Civil Service headcount and then reduce to 2019 levels.

By 2028, we need a refocused Civil Service workforce which will undertake prioritised projects through agile, skilled, and right sized teams who are delivering ‘what really matters’. We will create an environment where we are empowered, included, and recognised for who we are and what we do.

Defence Design is driving system change to unlock a more effective and productive environment which in turn will enable this change in the workforce.

Our civil servants play an essential role in delivering Defence outcomes and we hope that by utilising opportunities for process redesign, digitisation, corporate service modernisation and prioritisation that we can achieve better outcomes and accelerate the changes to our ways of working which are required to achieve a smaller, more productive and more agile civilian workforce.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the agreement between the UK and Ukraine on cooperation on defence and industrial issues on 10 April 2024.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The UK Government do not intend to publish the Defence Material Cooperation Framework Arrangement, signed by the UK and Ukraine 10 April 2024, as the publication of this document could prejudice commercial interests, operational security and international relations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the land Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Lightning programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Future Cruise Anti Ship Weapon programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Chinook Capability Sustainment programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Collective Training Transformation programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Brimstone 3 project.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Armour Main Battle Tank programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Defence Estate Optimisation programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the Armoured Calvary Programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship Programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the TEUTATES facility.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the Type 31 Programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the Submarine Waterfront Infrastructure Future Project.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on performance of defence programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) is published each year alongside the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report. Programme performance information as at 31 March 2024 is expected to be released in July 2024.

Found: of 15 (66.7%) James Daly (Conservative, Bury North) (added 27 Jun 2022) 8 of 15 (53.3%) Maria

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the first E-7 Wedgetail aircraft is expected to achieve initial operating capability within the Royal Air Force.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 29 April 2024 to the right hon. Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle) to Question 23108.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-04-23/23108