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 Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether the Chief of Defence People will be replaced by a civil service Director General.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This Government is bringing in the deepest reforms in UK Defence for 50 years, to speed up decision-making, secure faster delivery and achieve the best value for money for our troops and taxpayers.
It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements for the new organisational structure created as part of Defence Reform. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge.
There is no intent to replace the Chief of Defence People with a Senior Civil Servant.
The organisation and structure of our Armed Forces, including the ranks of the Chief of the Defence Staff and Military Chiefs, has been considered as part of Defence Reform. It was judged that their seniority and rank remain commensurate to their roles and responsibilities.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the impact of US tariffs on defence exports.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government is assessing the impact of, and our response to, US tariffs across the full spectrum of UK industries. Nobody wants a trade war. The United States remains the United Kingdom's foremost defence and security partner. The UK has a strong and balanced trading relationship with the US worth £315 billion which supports 2.5 million jobs across both countries. This Government is seeking to negotiate an agreement with the US to deepen our economic relationship, while ensuring all options are considered in response to tariffs.
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 25 March 2025 to Question 38645 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, whether he plans to procure decoy cruise missile-like weapons.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Defence requirements are kept under constant review to ensure that our Armed Forces have the battle-winning capabilities they need. Due to the sensitive nature of this capability area it would be inappropriate to comment in detail. All capability requirements, are being considered as part of the Strategic Defence Review process.
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 Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the creation of the National Armaments Director Group will result in the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (c) resubordinating of parts of Defence Support.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The far-reaching changes in this Defence Reform programme will help cut waste, boost British growth and jobs and fast track the technologies of the future into the hands of our frontline forces.
It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements for the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge.
The NAD Group will benefit from a streamlined approach to governance overseen by a Leadership Board. This will send reports and advice to senior committees, e.g. the Ministry of Defence Executive Committee; and will receive reports and advice from supporting committees e.g. its Challenge Board, Strategy and Policy Board, and management boards of Defence Support, and of the delivery and enabling organisations: Defence Equipment and Support; Defence Digital; Defence Infrastructure Organisation; and, Defence Science and Technology Laboratories, which are now part of the collective NAD Group, and whose heads will all sit on the NAD Group Leadership Board.
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 Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the creation of the National Armaments Director Group will result in the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (c) resubordinating absorption of Defence Digital.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The far-reaching changes in this Defence Reform programme will help cut waste, boost British growth and jobs and fast track the technologies of the future into the hands of our frontline forces.
It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements for the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge.
The NAD Group will benefit from a streamlined approach to governance overseen by a Leadership Board. This will send reports and advice to senior committees, e.g. the Ministry of Defence Executive Committee; and will receive reports and advice from supporting committees e.g. its Challenge Board, Strategy and Policy Board, and management boards of Defence Support, and of the delivery and enabling organisations: Defence Equipment and Support; Defence Digital; Defence Infrastructure Organisation; and, Defence Science and Technology Laboratories, which are now part of the collective NAD Group, and whose heads will all sit on the NAD Group Leadership Board.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy will consider the potential impact of US trade tariffs against UK companies.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The United States remains the United Kingdom's foremost defence and security partner. The UK has a strong and balanced trading relationship with the US worth £315 billion which supports 2.5 million jobs across both countries. This Government is seeking to negotiate an agreement with the US to deepen our economic relationship, while ensuring all options are considered in response to tariffs.
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 25 March 2025 to Question 39917 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, which other platforms were procured through an Urgent Capability Requirement since 5 July 2024.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Urgent Capability Requirements process is used to address urgent operational capability risks and risks that present a threat to life. Due to operational sensitivity, it is inappropriate to comment further.
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 Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether he plans to (a) abolish, (b) absorb and (c) resubordinate Defence Equipment and Support in the context of the creation of the National Armaments Director Group.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The far-reaching changes in this Defence Reform programme will help cut waste, boost British growth and jobs and fast track the technologies of the future into the hands of our frontline forces.
It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements for the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge.
The NAD Group will benefit from a streamlined approach to governance overseen by a Leadership Board. This will send reports and advice to senior committees, e.g. the Ministry of Defence Executive Committee; and will receive reports and advice from supporting committees e.g. its Challenge Board, Strategy and Policy Board, and management boards of Defence Support, and of the delivery and enabling organisations: Defence Equipment and Support; Defence Digital; Defence Infrastructure Organisation; and, Defence Science and Technology Laboratories, which are now part of the collective NAD Group, and whose heads will all sit on the NAD Group Leadership Board.
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 Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the creation of the National Armaments Director Group will result in the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (c) resubordinating of Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The far-reaching changes in this Defence Reform programme will help cut waste, boost British growth and jobs and fast track the technologies of the future into the hands of our frontline forces.
It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements for the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge.
The NAD Group will benefit from a streamlined approach to governance overseen by a Leadership Board. This will send reports and advice to senior committees, e.g. the Ministry of Defence Executive Committee; and will receive reports and advice from supporting committees e.g. its Challenge Board, Strategy and Policy Board, and management boards of Defence Support, and of the delivery and enabling organisations: Defence Equipment and Support; Defence Digital; Defence Infrastructure Organisation; and, Defence Science and Technology Laboratories, which are now part of the collective NAD Group, and whose heads will all sit on the NAD Group Leadership Board.
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 Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the creation of the National Armaments Director Group will result in the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (c) resubordinating of Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The far-reaching changes in this Defence Reform programme will help cut waste, boost British growth and jobs and fast track the technologies of the future into the hands of our frontline forces.
It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements for the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge.
The NAD Group will benefit from a streamlined approach to governance overseen by a Leadership Board. This will send reports and advice to senior committees, e.g. the Ministry of Defence Executive Committee; and will receive reports and advice from supporting committees e.g. its Challenge Board, Strategy and Policy Board, and management boards of Defence Support, and of the delivery and enabling organisations: Defence Equipment and Support; Defence Digital; Defence Infrastructure Organisation; and, Defence Science and Technology Laboratories, which are now part of the collective NAD Group, and whose heads will all sit on the NAD Group Leadership Board.