Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is continually seeking to ensure all women in our Armed Forces are equipped with appropriate clothing, including uniforms, and equipment.

Following the House of Commons Defence Sub-Committee on Women in the Armed Forces report, "Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life" published on 25 July 2021, the MOD responded by starting work on improving the experience for women in the Armed Forces, and a branch of that was through updating clothing.

Women’s uniform and equipment is now regularly reviewed and discussed at a Defence-level working group to ensure the equal provision of safe and suitable clothing and equipment to all Service personnel to allow them to deliver their operational outputs and effects.

So far, suppliers have developed more than 85 samples across 38 key clothing items to ensure the female fit meets the requirement. New items now available to women include sports bras, Mess Dress trousers and under-body armour combat shirts.

The Tactical Ballistic Plate project will deliver hard armour plates in a range of different sizes, ensuring greater comfort and integration for all users across Defence. Successful Human Factors Integration trials have been completed across a diverse cohort, that included female representation.

Narrow-fit Scalable Tactical Vest STV are now in service, which provides improved fit and comfort for all personnel, with special measuring available for those who measure outside of the 12 sizes available.

The Department is currently trialling a new ‘Global Mobility Allowance’ for Service personnel who are posted overseas. This allowance provides a fixed sum of money at the start and end of an overseas posting. This provides our Service personnel with greater choice and flexibility, allowing them to prioritise expenditure according to their specific needs, which could include transporting a pet overseas.

Allowances for Service personnel and their accompanying families are subject to periodic review. In addition, each Service may propose that a particular allowance be reviewed, or a new allowance introduced, in response to feedback from Service personnel, Continuous Attitude Surveys, Family Federations and other Service-related organisations. The cost associated with relocating pets abroad has not yet been raised via any of those forums and therefore there is no immediate plan to review the topic.

The Department is currently trialling a new ‘Global Mobility Allowance’ for Service personnel who are posted overseas. This allowance provides a fixed sum of money at the start and end of an overseas posting. This provides our Service personnel with greater choice and flexibility, allowing them to prioritise expenditure according to their specific needs, which could include transporting a pet overseas.

Allowances for Service personnel and their accompanying families are subject to periodic review. In addition, each Service may propose that a particular allowance be reviewed, or a new allowance introduced, in response to feedback from Service personnel, Continuous Attitude Surveys, Family Federations and other Service-related organisations. The cost associated with relocating pets abroad has not yet been raised via any of those forums and therefore there is no immediate plan to review the topic.

The UK and its partners remain committed to equipping Ukraine with the capabilities it needs to defend its sovereign territory, in line with its priority requirements. This includes the provision of Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (UGVs).

We continue to work closely with the Government of Ukraine to ensure that the support we provide aligns with the evolving tactical demands of the conflict.

I am grateful for the contribution of our Reserve Forces who provide the UK with the ability to meet the threats we face at home and overseas, with the scale, skills, agility and connection to society that it needs, in a cost-effective way.

Information on the average time to process applications to join the Reserves by Service and year, and the number of people recruited by constituency is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The single Services do not set recruitment targets by constituency.

Information on the number of applications to the Volunteer Reserves is provided in the following table:

Applications to the Volunteer Reserves, broken down by Service, From 1 April 2020 - 31 March 2025 (12 months ending each 31 March)

Source: Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics 1st July 2025

Note:

1. Naval figures for the period ending 31 March 2025 are provisional. There is a break in the time series for the Naval Service following the period ending 31 March 2024 due to a methodology refinement.

I am grateful for the contribution of our Reserve Forces who provide the UK with the ability to meet the threats we face at home and overseas, with the scale, skills, agility and connection to society that it needs, in a cost-effective way.

Information on the average time to process applications to join the Reserves by Service and year, and the number of people recruited by constituency is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The single Services do not set recruitment targets by constituency.

Information on the number of applications to the Volunteer Reserves is provided in the following table:

Applications to the Volunteer Reserves, broken down by Service, From 1 April 2020 - 31 March 2025 (12 months ending each 31 March)

Source: Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics 1st July 2025

Note:

1. Naval figures for the period ending 31 March 2025 are provisional. There is a break in the time series for the Naval Service following the period ending 31 March 2024 due to a methodology refinement.

I am grateful for the contribution of our Reserve Forces who provide the UK with the ability to meet the threats we face at home and overseas, with the scale, skills, agility and connection to society that it needs, in a cost-effective way.

Information on the average time to process applications to join the Reserves by Service and year, and the number of people recruited by constituency is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The single Services do not set recruitment targets by constituency.

Information on the number of applications to the Volunteer Reserves is provided in the following table:

Applications to the Volunteer Reserves, broken down by Service, From 1 April 2020 - 31 March 2025 (12 months ending each 31 March)

Source: Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics 1st July 2025

Note:

1. Naval figures for the period ending 31 March 2025 are provisional. There is a break in the time series for the Naval Service following the period ending 31 March 2024 due to a methodology refinement.

We are committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth in all regions across the UK, including West Dorset. Our new Defence Industrial Strategy will be a truly nationwide effort, ensuring that the benefits of every pound spent on defence will be felt across the UK.

Recognising the potential opportunities SAFE could provide for UK industry, we have set out our ambition to explore the potential for enhanced cooperation through the proposed SAFE instrument, as soon as the EU’s necessary processes are complete.

We are committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth in all regions across the UK, including West Dorset. Our new Defence Industrial Strategy will be a truly nationwide effort, ensuring that the benefits of every pound spent on defence will be felt across the UK.

Recognising the potential opportunities SAFE could provide for UK industry, we have set out our ambition to explore the potential for enhanced cooperation through the proposed SAFE instrument, as soon as the EU’s necessary processes are complete.

The Union Flag is flown permanently on the Ministry of Defence Main Building.

This Government has delivered an ambitious security and defence partnership with the European Union. The Strategic Defence Review will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence, and it will help grow the economy. It allows us to step up on Euro-Atlantic security together and ensures we are able to explore UK access to Security Action for Europe (SAFE). We are working with our European partners to understand how an arrangement might work. The exact detail of UK participation will be subject to discussions on the specific terms of a UK-EU bilateral participation agreement; we do not wish to pre-empt the outcome of any such negotiations. This Government wants the right deal on the right terms.

Chagossian Heritage Visits to Diego Garcia were routine prior to COVID-19. They are not frequent, are limited in the number of participants and are tightly controlled. Any person visiting Diego Garcia is subject to a number of security protocols.

Defence is committed to maintaining the highest standards of security and will continue to adapt and respond to all threats to safeguard our national defence capabilities.

While we are unable to comment on specific security arrangements including the security risks posed by what3words and other digital mapping platforms, I can assure the hon. Member that we take the security of our sites extremely seriously and we are continually reviewing and updating our security measures.

It is longstanding UK and NATO policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any location.

The implementation of the McCloud Pension Remedy represents one of the most complex undertakings ever associated with Public Sector Pension Schemes, affecting over three million individuals

Within the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, the scale of delivery and the technical challenges involved have unfortunately resulted in delays for some members in receiving their Remedial Service Statements. However, the Ministry of Defence is making significant efforts to address these challenges and remains fully committed to ensuring that all members receive their Remedial Service Statements as promptly as possible, with a firm deadline of 31 March 2026.

Regular updates on the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 Remedy are available on GOV.UK via the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans#pension-remedy

As the hon. Member's question asks about cyber attacks across the UK the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is the appropriate authority with the remit for Cyber defence of the wider nation, and a response best coordinated through the Cabinet Office. The NCSC public sites expand on their mission: What we do at the NCSC - NCSC.GOV.UK

The Ministry of Defence cannot offer a view outside of our purview, and we will only report cyber events involving our systems, the details around that will be treated with varying levels of sensitivity to protect our overall security posture.

As a matter of longstanding policy we do not publicly comment on the readiness levels of His Majesty's Armed Forces. This is to safeguard operational security, and that of our Service people.

Planning continues to progress at pace through the UK-French led Coalition of the Willing, including at the Defence Minister and Leader-level meetings last week.

The UK will continue stepping up to support Ukraine and work with our allies to secure a just and lasting peace.

The Ministry of Defence undertakes regular assessments of its future requirements for its basing in the South Atlantic. The Department is supporting the FCDO to publish a UK Antarctic strategy by the end of this year, which will set the Government’s aims and ambitions for Antarctica for the next five years.

Between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, a total of 360,823 working days were lost to sickness absence across the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) civilian workforce, an average of 6.65 days per employee.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA)’s data is collected separately. For the RFA in this period, a total of 18,338.5 24-hour days were lost to sickness absence, an average of 11 days per employee.

MOD civil servant sickness absence statistics are published by the Cabinet Office on an annual basis at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence

All applications are submitted to the Home Office. The Ministry of Defence does not hold information about the number of applications submitted by Service personnel on discharge, or by their family members.

All applications are submitted to the Home Office. The Ministry of Defence does not hold information about the number of applications submitted by Service personnel on discharge, or by their family members.

We are committed to ensuring our Armed Forces are appropriately equipped to respond to all challenges. As part of this commitment, urgent operational requirements are considered in our assessments and reviews.

As a matter of longstanding policy we do not publicly comment on the readiness levels of His Majesty’s Armed Forces. This is to safeguard operational security, and that of our Serving people.

As a matter of longstanding policy we do not publicly comment on the readiness levels of His Majesty's Armed Forces. This is to safeguard operational security, and that of our Service people.

Planning continues at pace within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing, including at the Defence Minister and Leader-level meetings last week, to ensure the UK and Ukraine's partners are ready to deploy quickly post cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.

As a matter of longstanding policy we do not publicly comment on the readiness levels of His Majesty's Armed Forces. This is to safeguard operational security, and that of our Service people.

Planning continues at pace within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing, including at the Defence Minister and Leader-level meetings last week, to ensure the UK and Ukraine's partners are ready to deploy quickly post cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.

There are currently no Ajax specific events due to be held at Bovington to which journalists will be invited.

The FV430 Bulldog series is distributed to the units below in line with the Army’s fielding plan and Defence priorities.

The Department does not release detailed information on unit equipment holdings below top-level figures. I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Amphibious shipping remains critical to delivering Littoral Strike and supporting NATO and global crisis response. Following the Strategic Defence Review 2025, the Royal Navy is committed to enhancing its amphibious capabilities through investment in new amphibious shipping, Littoral Response Groups and the ongoing modernisation of the Commando Force. Our ambition is to modernise this capability through the Multi Role Strike Ship programme. Final decisions on capability will be informed by the Defence Investment Plan and the resourced Integrated Force Design due in Autumn 2025.

The UK Government will introduce a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on 1 January 2027 to address the risk of carbon leakage, and support efforts towards industrial decarbonisation to achieve net zero.

Initially, the CBAM will apply only to specific imports from a limited number of sectors at risk of carbon leakage, including aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, iron and steel. These sectors collectively account for less than 3% of total UK imports. The government expects the CBAM to have a negligible inflationary impact on consumers in the near term.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will continue to engage as the policy develops to fully assess the implications for Defence. The MOD is committed to addressing climate and environmental challenges, complying with environmental legislation and standards, while ensuring Defence activities and national security are protected.

As of 1 July 2025, the new innovation body – UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) – has launched within the Ministry of Defence to harness UK ingenuity and boost military technology

UKDI has brought together previously separate innovation organisations including the Defence and Security Accelerator, the Defence Innovation Unit, Command Innovation Hubs, and Future Capability Innovation, to create a streamlined system that enhances collaboration across defence, security, academia, industry, and international partners.

With a ringfenced annual budget of at least £400 million, UKDI will serve as an engine for growth in the defence, security, and dual-use technology sectors.

The Government has already published an interim report evaluating these programmes which identified notable successes. As of 24 August 2025, the service has taken over 3,900 referrals and supported 980 veterans into housing. It is the Government's intention to also publish the next evaluation report of these programmes in due course.

This Government is committed to ensuring that veterans have access to the support they need, including with regards to their housing.

As the Minister for Veterans and People, I regularly attend the Inter-Ministerial Group on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping which is chaired by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. This group drives progress on Government strategy to get Britain back on track to ending homelessness, ensuring we are working across Government, and in partnership with local authorities and Mayors, to tackle the root causes. I represent the Ministry of Defence at these meetings, ensuring that the needs and experiences of veterans are considered in the development of cross-Government housing and homelessness policy.

In response to the second part of the hon. Member's question, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June 2025 to Question 57385.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and the products they produce, ensuring they have the best opportunities to win UK public contracts and deliver high-quality goods and services.

Cabinet Office are consulting on a package of further reforms to public procurement to support the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

The Government maintains robust standards across a range of categories of spend, these are set out by the Government Buying Standards, including for Paper & paper products. Furthermore, the Government has also implemented a Timber Procurement Policy to ensure that only timber and wood-derived products (including paper) originating from an independently verifiable Legal and Sustainable source will be used on the Government estate.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and the products they produce, ensuring they have the best opportunities to win UK public contracts and deliver high-quality goods and services.

The Cabinet Office are consulting on a package of further reforms to public procurement to support the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

The Government maintains robust standards across a range of categories of spend, these are set out by the Government Buying Standards (GBS). e.g. Furniture, Office ICT, and Paper & paper products

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and the products they produce, ensuring they have the best opportunities to win UK public contracts and deliver high-quality goods and services.

The Cabinet Office are consulting on a package of further reforms to public procurement to support the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

The Government maintains robust standards across a range of categories of spend, these are set out by the Government Buying Standards (GBS). e.g. Furniture, Office ICT, and Paper & paper products

AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and economic growth in communities across all three nations.

As one of our closest allies, the Defence Secretary and US Secretary of War have regular engagements where they discuss a number of matters, including AUKUS. The UK continues to work closely with the US and Australia at all levels to maximise the benefits and opportunities which AUKUS presents for our three nations.

Service personnel who develop lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are able to claim compensation under the War Pension Scheme or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme which are subject to annual uplifts. The Department is currently reviewing the mesothelioma lump sum payment to ensure it remains fair and appropriate for those affected.

Service personnel who develop lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are able to claim compensation under the War Pension Scheme or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme which are subject to annual uplifts. The Department is currently reviewing the mesothelioma lump sum payment to ensure it remains fair and appropriate for those affected.

It is a principle of public service pensions policy, including Armed Forces Pensions, and one that has been upheld by successive Governments, that improvements to pension schemes are not made retrospectively. To concede retrospection for one group would place great pressure on other public service schemes.

The Wider Service Medal was introduced to provide medallic recognition for operational activity that delivers a significant and direct contribution to UK objectives in rigorous circumstances, but not necessarily in roles exposed to physical risk.

The date of 11 December 2018 was determined as a clearly defined point in time when Her Late Majesty The Queen approved the initial concept of the Wider Service Medal. At that time there was no intention to include any retrospection, so using December 2018 as the start date for the Medal is considered a balanced approach that recognises the original discussions and Her Late Majesty’s initial approval.

The Department has no plans to review the date of December 2018.

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published in the Autumn. Both Deep Precision Strike and Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force.

The Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century.

The Defence Investment Plan will be published in the Autumn, to take onboard the Review's vision and recommendations and turn them into a delivery plan. We will ensure this plan considers the capabilities we need to deliver a new design for a more lethal and agile Integrated Force, alongside investment in infrastructure and people.

The baseline design for the Integrated Force will be finalised after the Defence Investment Plan has been published. Thereafter, statements will be submitted to the Secretary of State on an annual basis to identify what has changed to ensure accountability for the continual adaptation of the Integrated Force over time.

The Strategic Defence Review recommends that a new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre (DUSC) should be established at Iinitial Operating Capability by February 2026, with centralised authority to accelerate the adoption of Uncrewed System technologies across all three Services. Cost, staffing, governance and basing options are currently under development in tandem with the Defence Investment Plan due to be published in the Autumn.

The Government endorses the Strategic Defence Review’s vision and accepts all 62 recommendations; implementation is underway as priority business through a whole of UK Defence effort, supported by Other Government Departments including the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT). Ongoing collaboration, at a senior and working level, between Defence and DSIT (including UK Research and Innovation) will ensure shared awareness of priority technology objectives and subsequent cross Departmental planning, prioritisation and engagement with academia and industry.

Changes have already been made to how science, innovation and technology is managed within Defence, including the establishment of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) on the 1 July 2025 within the new National Armaments Director Group. This work is enabling flexibility to seize new technological opportunities and maximise the potential of Defence spending to grow the UK economy.

The Government endorses the Strategic Defence Review’s vision and accepts all 62 recommendations; implementation is underway as priority business through a whole of UK Defence effort, supported by Other Government Departments including the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT). Ongoing collaboration, at a senior and working level, between Defence and DSIT (including UK Research and Innovation) will ensure shared awareness of priority technology objectives and subsequent cross Departmental planning, prioritisation and engagement with academia and industry.

Changes have already been made to how science, innovation and technology is managed within Defence, including the establishment of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) on the 1 July 2025 within the new National Armaments Director Group. This work is enabling flexibility to seize new technological opportunities and maximise the potential of Defence spending to grow the UK economy.