Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the economic benefits from the Ukraine drone package are distributed across all regions of the United Kingdom, including the North East of England; and what support his Department is providing to defence technology SMEs in the North East of England to help them access supply chain and export opportunities arising from the UK's increased drone manufacturing commitments for Ukraine.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
In April 2026, the Department announced the biggest ever drone package for Ukraine, delivering at least 120,000 drones for Ukraine this year. Most of this spending will be with UK companies, several of which were selected through open and fair competitions.
In terms of supporting defence technology SMEs, particularly in the North East of England, in September 2025, UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) announced funding to support Regional Defence and Security Cluster (RDSC) operations, including in the North-East. In conjunction with UKDI's national programmes, the expanding RDSC network enables innovation to be identified, developed, and accelerated across the whole of the UK.
Asked by: Rebecca Paul (Conservative - Reigate)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has identified which categories of critical national infrastructure should be prioritised for protection under the UK’s integrated air and missile defence planning.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Defence is working with the Cabinet Office to prioritise and protect Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). Defence is capturing data on a CNI knowledge base, which helps government understand the priorities and vulnerabilities between the 13 CNI sectors. This tool is contributing to Defence work to refresh our homeland defence plan as a priority for 2026.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to support the development of new defence shipbuilding infrastructure in British shipyards.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
After the underinvestment and hollowing out of our Armed Forces by the previous administration the Government recognises the importance of developing new infrastructure and continued investment to our sovereign shipbuilding sector, supporting the delivery of vessels for our Royal Navy.
Productivity improvements and large infrastructure upgrades are frequently made possible because of shipyards’ successful tenders awarded by the Ministry of Defence, underpinning the government's commitment to deliver growth for the sector, including through reinvestment to create social value.
Upgrades have taken place at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard, with its Janet Harvey Hall built as part of £300 million worth of investment made possible by the Type 26 programme and the UK’s successful £10 billion export deal with Norway, as well as at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard where £200 million of upgrades were made possible by the Type 31 programme.
The Royal Navy’s ambitions for a hybrid force offers potential opportunities for our small and medium shipyards and supply chain which will drive further investment in infrastructure and capability.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of relocating Army Reserve basic training away from Grantham on the geographic accessibility of training for reservists in civilian employment.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Army is currently conducting an Army Reserve Basic Training Review which will make recommendations by Autumn 2026. This review will provide options for the future delivery of Army Reserve Basic Training across the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many additional instructors and permanent staff will be required to deliver Army Reserve basic training at alternative sites following the closure of Army Training Regiment Grantham.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Army is currently conducting an Army Reserve Basic Training Review which will make recommendations by Autumn 2026. This review will provide options for the future delivery of Army Reserve Basic Training across the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Luke Akehurst (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what milestones and timelines will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan for the delivery of Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities, including counter-drone systems and electromagnetic warfare.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Reviews recommendations, including on the milestones and timelines for delivery of Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities, including counter-drone systems and electromagnetic warfare will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation on whether the disposal of Prince William of Gloucester Barracks remains consistent with current defence requirements.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Prince William of Gloucester (PWoG) Barracks is included in Joint Military Command (JMC) Centre contingency plans for potential resilience operations, along with all other available Defence locations in their Area of Operations. JMC Centre are aware of the pending closure of PWoG Barracks and will adjust contingency plans accordingly when the site is no longer available.
The Barracks currently host HQ 102 Operational Support Brigade, 167 Catering Support Regiment RLC, 294 Supply Squadron of 159 Regiment RLC, Army Training Regiment Grantham (ATR(G)), and various lodger units. Following the planned closure of the site, the planned moves for these units are as follows: ATR(G) is scheduled to relocate to Alexander Barracks, Pirbright; 102 Operational Support Brigade to Munster Barracks, Catterick; and the Royal Logistic Corps and lodger units to Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore.
The closure of PWoG Barracks is being managed under the Defence Estate Optimisation programme, an intent announced by the previous Government in Parliament in 2016 which remains unchanged. As the site is becoming surplus to military requirements, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is required to release it to ensure best value for the taxpayer; therefore, no separate business case for disposal exists.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is part of the MOD. It works closely with Army stakeholders, and is delivering the development of the new training centre at Pirbright, which will meet current and future defence needs and render the Barracks surplus.
Extensive consultation has been undertaken with the Army Reserve, local authorities, stakeholders, local residents, and service families regarding the closure of ATR(G). The MoD remains committed to closing PWoG Barracks only when alternative Army Reserve basic training capacity is fully established and operational.
A comprehensive Value for Money assessment has been conducted as part of the project management for the new bespoke non-infantry basic training centre, which will provide sufficient capacity to meet training and Reserve requirements while delivering efficiencies. Regarding the costs of relocating units and training functions from PWoG Barracks, these vary depending on size, complexity, commercial movement rates, and distance; such forecast costs are commercially sensitive and therefore not disclosed.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what consultation his Department has undertaken with i) the Army Reserve, ii) local authorities and stakeholders, and iii) local residents and service families on the closure of Army Training Regiment Grantham.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Prince William of Gloucester (PWoG) Barracks is included in Joint Military Command (JMC) Centre contingency plans for potential resilience operations, along with all other available Defence locations in their Area of Operations. JMC Centre are aware of the pending closure of PWoG Barracks and will adjust contingency plans accordingly when the site is no longer available.
The Barracks currently host HQ 102 Operational Support Brigade, 167 Catering Support Regiment RLC, 294 Supply Squadron of 159 Regiment RLC, Army Training Regiment Grantham (ATR(G)), and various lodger units. Following the planned closure of the site, the planned moves for these units are as follows: ATR(G) is scheduled to relocate to Alexander Barracks, Pirbright; 102 Operational Support Brigade to Munster Barracks, Catterick; and the Royal Logistic Corps and lodger units to Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore.
The closure of PWoG Barracks is being managed under the Defence Estate Optimisation programme, an intent announced by the previous Government in Parliament in 2016 which remains unchanged. As the site is becoming surplus to military requirements, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is required to release it to ensure best value for the taxpayer; therefore, no separate business case for disposal exists.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is part of the MOD. It works closely with Army stakeholders, and is delivering the development of the new training centre at Pirbright, which will meet current and future defence needs and render the Barracks surplus.
Extensive consultation has been undertaken with the Army Reserve, local authorities, stakeholders, local residents, and service families regarding the closure of ATR(G). The MoD remains committed to closing PWoG Barracks only when alternative Army Reserve basic training capacity is fully established and operational.
A comprehensive Value for Money assessment has been conducted as part of the project management for the new bespoke non-infantry basic training centre, which will provide sufficient capacity to meet training and Reserve requirements while delivering efficiencies. Regarding the costs of relocating units and training functions from PWoG Barracks, these vary depending on size, complexity, commercial movement rates, and distance; such forecast costs are commercially sensitive and therefore not disclosed.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government's planned closure of Prince William of Gloucester Barracks is being managed under the Defence Estate Optimisation programme; and what the most recent review date of that programme was.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Prince William of Gloucester (PWoG) Barracks is included in Joint Military Command (JMC) Centre contingency plans for potential resilience operations, along with all other available Defence locations in their Area of Operations. JMC Centre are aware of the pending closure of PWoG Barracks and will adjust contingency plans accordingly when the site is no longer available.
The Barracks currently host HQ 102 Operational Support Brigade, 167 Catering Support Regiment RLC, 294 Supply Squadron of 159 Regiment RLC, Army Training Regiment Grantham (ATR(G)), and various lodger units. Following the planned closure of the site, the planned moves for these units are as follows: ATR(G) is scheduled to relocate to Alexander Barracks, Pirbright; 102 Operational Support Brigade to Munster Barracks, Catterick; and the Royal Logistic Corps and lodger units to Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore.
The closure of PWoG Barracks is being managed under the Defence Estate Optimisation programme, an intent announced by the previous Government in Parliament in 2016 which remains unchanged. As the site is becoming surplus to military requirements, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is required to release it to ensure best value for the taxpayer; therefore, no separate business case for disposal exists.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is part of the MOD. It works closely with Army stakeholders, and is delivering the development of the new training centre at Pirbright, which will meet current and future defence needs and render the Barracks surplus.
Extensive consultation has been undertaken with the Army Reserve, local authorities, stakeholders, local residents, and service families regarding the closure of ATR(G). The MoD remains committed to closing PWoG Barracks only when alternative Army Reserve basic training capacity is fully established and operational.
A comprehensive Value for Money assessment has been conducted as part of the project management for the new bespoke non-infantry basic training centre, which will provide sufficient capacity to meet training and Reserve requirements while delivering efficiencies. Regarding the costs of relocating units and training functions from PWoG Barracks, these vary depending on size, complexity, commercial movement rates, and distance; such forecast costs are commercially sensitive and therefore not disclosed.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of the business case for the disposal of Prince William of Gloucester Barracks.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Prince William of Gloucester (PWoG) Barracks is included in Joint Military Command (JMC) Centre contingency plans for potential resilience operations, along with all other available Defence locations in their Area of Operations. JMC Centre are aware of the pending closure of PWoG Barracks and will adjust contingency plans accordingly when the site is no longer available.
The Barracks currently host HQ 102 Operational Support Brigade, 167 Catering Support Regiment RLC, 294 Supply Squadron of 159 Regiment RLC, Army Training Regiment Grantham (ATR(G)), and various lodger units. Following the planned closure of the site, the planned moves for these units are as follows: ATR(G) is scheduled to relocate to Alexander Barracks, Pirbright; 102 Operational Support Brigade to Munster Barracks, Catterick; and the Royal Logistic Corps and lodger units to Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore.
The closure of PWoG Barracks is being managed under the Defence Estate Optimisation programme, an intent announced by the previous Government in Parliament in 2016 which remains unchanged. As the site is becoming surplus to military requirements, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is required to release it to ensure best value for the taxpayer; therefore, no separate business case for disposal exists.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is part of the MOD. It works closely with Army stakeholders, and is delivering the development of the new training centre at Pirbright, which will meet current and future defence needs and render the Barracks surplus.
Extensive consultation has been undertaken with the Army Reserve, local authorities, stakeholders, local residents, and service families regarding the closure of ATR(G). The MoD remains committed to closing PWoG Barracks only when alternative Army Reserve basic training capacity is fully established and operational.
A comprehensive Value for Money assessment has been conducted as part of the project management for the new bespoke non-infantry basic training centre, which will provide sufficient capacity to meet training and Reserve requirements while delivering efficiencies. Regarding the costs of relocating units and training functions from PWoG Barracks, these vary depending on size, complexity, commercial movement rates, and distance; such forecast costs are commercially sensitive and therefore not disclosed.