Asked by: Tom Gordon (Liberal Democrat - Harrogate and Knaresborough)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applicants to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme are awaiting a response; and what the average time taken is to process applications under that scheme.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
As of 12 December 2024, 7,662 principal applicants are awaiting an initial eligibility decision under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme. This Government has inherited a large number of ARAP applications but is committed to continuously improving the efficiency of the decision-making process across all cases, so that eligible applicants are identified and relocated quickly. . The time it takes to process an ARAP application varies, and not all applicants will receive an eligibility decision in the same timeframe due a wide range of factors, for example the length of time an applicant takes to respond to a request for information and verification checks required with Other Government Departments. Each case is assessed on its own merit and, as such, some may take longer than others to process.
Asked by: Baroness Goldie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Ministry of Defence has entered into any procurement contracts valued in excess of £1 million since 1 July.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence has entered into 281 procurement contracts valued in excess of £1 million since 1 July 2024.
Asked by: Baroness Goldie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what major projects the National Shipbuilding Office expects to be engaged in between now and July 2025.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) engages extensively in a wide range of shipbuilding pipeline programmes both formally and informally.
Regarding the cross-Government shipbuilding pipeline, the NSO regularly participates in programme boards and decision-making panels to ensure coherence and promote best practice. NSO officials also work directly with programme, commercial and legal teams, and the shipbuilding sector to support the strategic delivery of all these major projects.
On an ongoing basis, the NSO has engaged in some capacity in the following programmes since 1 July 2024, and expects to remain engaged in some capacity between now and July 2025:
Programme | Department |
Defence Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Type 26 Build | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Type 31 Build | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Ministry of Defence Police Launches | Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Defence Police |
Fleet Solid Support | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Defence Marine Services – Next Generation | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Type 31 Support | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Boats In-Service Support 2026 | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy; Army; Strategic Command |
Naval Support Integrated Global Network | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Programme Euston | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Multi-Role Strike Ship | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Future Air Dominance System | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Commando Force – Surface Manoeuvre | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Future Military Data Gathering | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Mine Hunting Capability | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Strategic Sealift – Future | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Submarine Delivery Agency Roll-on, Roll-off | Ministry of Defence; Submarine Delivery Agency |
Project Powerful | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Other Government Department Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Northern Lighthouse Vessel Pole Star | Northern Lighthouse Board (Department for Transport) |
Northeastern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority vessel | Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs |
Sussex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority vessel | Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs |
Kent & Essex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority vessel | Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs |
Border Force Cutters Ship Life Extension Programme | Home Office |
Border Force Coastal Patrol Vessels Ship Life Extension Programme | Home Office |
Fair Isle Ferry Replacement | Shetland Islands Council (Department for Transport part-funded) |
Maritime Capability Replacement Programme | Home Office |
Futures Afloat | Trinity House (Department for Transport) |
Research Vessel Endeavour | Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Sciences |
Nuclear Transport Solutions Roll-on, Roll-off | Department for Energy Security and Net Zero |
Local and Devolved Government Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Motor Vessel Jura: Offboard Boat | Scottish Government |
Scottish small ferries replacement programme | Scottish Government |
Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Diving Vessel | Devon & Cornwall Constabulary |
Marine Scotland vessel replacement | Scottish Government |
Corran Ferry Replacement | Highland Council (Scottish and UK Governments) |
Lower Dart Ferry Replacement | Devon County Council |
The NSO also expects to be engaged in some capacity in the following programmes between now and July 2025:
Programme | Department |
Defence Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Ice Patrol | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Local and Devolved Government Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Further Scottish Ferry Replacements | Scottish Government |
Windermere Ferry Replacement | Westmorland & Furness Council |
Asked by: Baroness Goldie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what major projects the National Shipbuilding Office has engaged in since 1 July.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) engages extensively in a wide range of shipbuilding pipeline programmes both formally and informally.
Regarding the cross-Government shipbuilding pipeline, the NSO regularly participates in programme boards and decision-making panels to ensure coherence and promote best practice. NSO officials also work directly with programme, commercial and legal teams, and the shipbuilding sector to support the strategic delivery of all these major projects.
On an ongoing basis, the NSO has engaged in some capacity in the following programmes since 1 July 2024, and expects to remain engaged in some capacity between now and July 2025:
Programme | Department |
Defence Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Type 26 Build | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Type 31 Build | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Ministry of Defence Police Launches | Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Defence Police |
Fleet Solid Support | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Defence Marine Services – Next Generation | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Type 31 Support | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Boats In-Service Support 2026 | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy; Army; Strategic Command |
Naval Support Integrated Global Network | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Programme Euston | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Multi-Role Strike Ship | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Future Air Dominance System | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Commando Force – Surface Manoeuvre | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Future Military Data Gathering | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Mine Hunting Capability | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Strategic Sealift – Future | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Submarine Delivery Agency Roll-on, Roll-off | Ministry of Defence; Submarine Delivery Agency |
Project Powerful | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Other Government Department Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Northern Lighthouse Vessel Pole Star | Northern Lighthouse Board (Department for Transport) |
Northeastern Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority vessel | Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs |
Sussex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority vessel | Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs |
Kent & Essex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority vessel | Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs |
Border Force Cutters Ship Life Extension Programme | Home Office |
Border Force Coastal Patrol Vessels Ship Life Extension Programme | Home Office |
Fair Isle Ferry Replacement | Shetland Islands Council (Department for Transport part-funded) |
Maritime Capability Replacement Programme | Home Office |
Futures Afloat | Trinity House (Department for Transport) |
Research Vessel Endeavour | Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Sciences |
Nuclear Transport Solutions Roll-on, Roll-off | Department for Energy Security and Net Zero |
Local and Devolved Government Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Motor Vessel Jura: Offboard Boat | Scottish Government |
Scottish small ferries replacement programme | Scottish Government |
Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Diving Vessel | Devon & Cornwall Constabulary |
Marine Scotland vessel replacement | Scottish Government |
Corran Ferry Replacement | Highland Council (Scottish and UK Governments) |
Lower Dart Ferry Replacement | Devon County Council |
The NSO also expects to be engaged in some capacity in the following programmes between now and July 2025:
Programme | Department |
Defence Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Ice Patrol | Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy |
Local and Devolved Government Programmes (by programme maturity) | |
Further Scottish Ferry Replacements | Scottish Government |
Windermere Ferry Replacement | Westmorland & Furness Council |
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Integrated Procurement Model in improving value for money for defence acquisitions.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Good progress has been made on design and implementation of the key features of a reformed model, which form part of the wider defence reforms announced by the Defence Secretary in October.
We will take a more joined up, One Defence approach to our requirements to secure the best possible value for money from the defence budget.
Improving value for money will be a key aim of the reforms and of the new National Armaments Director role being established. Its aim is to ensure the Armed Forces are properly equipped to defend Britain, to build up the British defence industry, and to cut waste.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 17170 on Puma Helicopters tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 2 December 2024.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Puma aircraft based in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) on the island of Cyprus have historically supported emergency response across the SBAs, as well as providing firefighting, troop movement, training and defence engagement tasks. Defence is exploring options to fulfil some short-term capability gaps, before the H-145 platform enters service from 2026. Defence's Strategic Objectives will continue to be fulfilled.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the potential operational implications are of retiring the Puma helicopters early for (a) the RAF, (b) RAF Akrotiri and (c) British Forces Cyprus.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Puma aircraft based in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) on the island of Cyprus have historically supported emergency response across the SBAs, as well as providing firefighting, troop movement, training and defence engagement tasks. Defence is exploring options to fulfil some short-term capability gaps, before the H-145 platform enters service from 2026. Defence's Strategic Objectives will continue to be fulfilled.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 12029 on Army and with reference to the keynote recording of the Chief of the General Staff at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference 2024, published on 23 June 2024, whether it is a formal departmental target to double the lethality of the British Army by 2027 and treble it by 2030.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Ministers are fully supportive of the Chief of the General Staff’s ambition to double the fighting power of the British Army by 2027 and treble it by 2030, which is in line with the Departmental priorities for the British Army.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Oral Statement of 20 November 2024 on Defence Programmes Developments, Official Report, columns 287-289, whether retention bonuses for Army personnel will be made available to the (a) Royal Navy and (b) RAF.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence pay retention payments in a variety of ways depending on the needs of the single-Services. Retention payments for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are targeted where they are most needed, and where they make the most efficient use of tax-payers money.
From January 2025, a new £8,000 retention payment will be awarded to eligible regular Privates and Lance Corporals who have served four years. The payment targets Army Personnel as they enter a critical part of their career, with 12,000 personnel expected to benefit over the next three years.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Oral Statement of 20 November 2024 on Defence Programmes Developments, Official Report, columns 287-289, whether he plans to extend the retention bonuses for aircraft engineers to non-aircraft engineers.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The single-Services each pay targeted retention payments where they are most needed, and where they provide the most efficient use of tax-payers money.
As part of the Government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve, eligible Tri-service aircraft engineers will be given £30,000 when they sign up for additional three years’ of service. From April 2025, this will be applicable to around 5,000 personnel in total.