Ministry of Defence

We are reviewing information sources. I will write to the hon. Gentleman in due course and place a copy of my response in the library of the House.

The Secretary of State for Defence received an Information Note which stated that more time would be required to complete contracted deliverables in December 2020.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is considering the optimum route to achieve delivery of the full MORPHEUS capability. The delivery of Morpheus is not a requirement for Ajax to achieve Full Operating Capability

The Department retains the ambition to deliver a fully digitised warfighting division by 2030, as set out in Future Soldier.

MOD officials are in regular discussions with General Dynamics Mission Systems UK to establish a way forward.

Both the Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister for Defence Procurement are regularly updated by the Senior Responsible Owner of the Morpheus programme.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is considering the optimum route to achieve delivery of the full MORPHEUS capability. The delivery of Morpheus is not a requirement for Ajax to achieve Full Operating Capability

The Department retains the ambition to deliver a fully digitised warfighting division by 2030, as set out in Future Soldier.

MOD officials are in regular discussions with General Dynamics Mission Systems UK to establish a way forward.

Both the Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister for Defence Procurement are regularly updated by the Senior Responsible Owner of the Morpheus programme.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is considering the optimum route to achieve delivery of the full MORPHEUS capability. The delivery of Morpheus is not a requirement for Ajax to achieve Full Operating Capability

The Department retains the ambition to deliver a fully digitised warfighting division by 2030, as set out in Future Soldier.

MOD officials are in regular discussions with General Dynamics Mission Systems UK to establish a way forward.

Both the Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister for Defence Procurement are regularly updated by the Senior Responsible Owner of the Morpheus programme.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is considering the optimum route to achieve delivery of the full MORPHEUS capability. The delivery of Morpheus is not a requirement for Ajax to achieve Full Operating Capability

The Department retains the ambition to deliver a fully digitised warfighting division by 2030, as set out in Future Soldier.

MOD officials are in regular discussions with General Dynamics Mission Systems UK to establish a way forward.

Both the Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister for Defence Procurement are regularly updated by the Senior Responsible Owner of the Morpheus programme.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 18 May 2022 to Question 46.

The UK works closely and engages regularly with NATO on our Capability Targets. The Ministry of Defence remains able to meet its obligations to NATO.

While delivery of the first element of the MORPHEUS is running behind schedule, delivery of the other projects within the Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information System programme is progressing satisfactorily against cost and time forecasts. Any changes to costs as a result of MORPHEUS delay will be determined as part of ongoing discussions.

The UK works closely and engages regularly with NATO on our Capability Targets. The Ministry of Defence remains able to meet its obligations to NATO.

While delivery of the first element of the MORPHEUS is running behind schedule, delivery of the other projects within the Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information System programme is progressing satisfactorily against cost and time forecasts. Any changes to costs as a result of MORPHEUS delay will be determined as part of ongoing discussions.

In answer to the right hon. Member's question, the UK’s MRAP fleet is defined as those purchased as Urgent Operational Requirement’s for Operations. This consists of Mastiff, Ridgeback, Wolfhound (MRW), High Mobility Tactical Vehicle (Jackal and Coyote), Foxhound and Husky.

The actual track miles in 2021-2022 were higher than the actual track miles in 2020-2021 (in both cases actual was below forecast). The forecast for 2022-2023 is higher than the actual track miles in 2020-2021 notwithstanding the imminent out of service date for Husky.

This is the first time in five years the National Audit Office have not said the plan is unaffordable. This has been achieved through a combination of increased funding through the Spending Review, reviewing capability decisions including prudent savings measures, and rebalancing to spend more on equipment. Furthermore, the delivery of the plan remains under continuous review and the Department is in a better position to deliver any necessary adjustments to a plan that is affordable at the outset.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 121824 on 21 February 2022 to the hon. Member for York Central (Rachel Maskell).

Defence places great importance on the appropriate management of both suspected and convicted sex offenders. Different arrangements are in place across the three Services. These may include an Employment Suitability Risk Assessment (ESRA) for those under investigation or made subject to registration under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. ESRAs provide a record of management and risk mitigation plans, are completed by the chain of command upon receipt of expert policy advice, and are updated at least every six months. The cases of those convicted of, or in receipt of a caution for a sexual offence could also be referred to the Standing Committee for Employment Risk Analysis (SCERA) who will provide advice on the appropriate action to be taken. Although appointment to roles requiring contact with vulnerable persons or under-18s is conditional upon a clean Disclosure and Barring Service certificate, additional risk assessment may be conducted by the chain of command and decisions may be reviewed by SCERA. An ‘Assignment Restriction’ note can also be placed on a subject’s personnel file within the Joint Personnel Administration System to ensure the individual does not get posted to units where it may be inappropriate to do so.

This is an area of great importance to Defence as we recognise the risk that sex offenders pose to others. We will continue to review and improve our policies and procedures to ensure that they are rigorous and that appropriate safeguarding measures are in place to enable a safe and respectful working environment.

Defence places great importance on the appropriate management of both suspected and convicted sex offenders. Different arrangements are in place across the three Services. These may include an Employment Suitability Risk Assessment (ESRA) for those under investigation or made subject to registration under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. ESRAs provide a record of management and risk mitigation plans, are completed by the chain of command upon receipt of expert policy advice, and are updated at least every six months. The cases of those convicted of, or in receipt of a caution for a sexual offence could also be referred to the Standing Committee for Employment Risk Analysis (SCERA) who will provide advice on the appropriate action to be taken. Although appointment to roles requiring contact with vulnerable persons or under-18s is conditional upon a clean Disclosure and Barring Service certificate, additional risk assessment may be conducted by the chain of command and decisions may be reviewed by SCERA. An ‘Assignment Restriction’ note can also be placed on a subject’s personnel file within the Joint Personnel Administration System to ensure the individual does not get posted to units where it may be inappropriate to do so.

This is an area of great importance to Defence as we recognise the risk that sex offenders pose to others. We will continue to review and improve our policies and procedures to ensure that they are rigorous and that appropriate safeguarding measures are in place to enable a safe and respectful working environment.

The Ministry of Defence’s Zero Tolerance to Sexual Offences policy came into force on 31 March 2022. Under this policy, all Service persons who are convicted of a sexual offence, or who are placed on the Sex Offenders Register, will be dismissed from the Armed Forces as a matter of course. My answer to Question 117868 refers to those few situations where a decision to discharge would be legally unsafe as it conflicts with existing law; for example, cases that are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, we continue to review this area and are committed to making further improvements to ensure that Defence is a safe and respectful environment.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Ajax Update I have issued today through a Written Ministerial Statement.

Sexual offence convictions that pre-date the introduction of the Zero Tolerance policy will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant single Service policy, which may well result, or have resulted, in discharge.

Data will be collected to understand the number of personnel discharged as a result of the policy, but it has not yet been decided whether the data will be published.

Sexual offence convictions that pre-date the introduction of the Zero Tolerance policy will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant single Service policy, which may well result, or have resulted, in discharge.

Data will be collected to understand the number of personnel discharged as a result of the policy, but it has not yet been decided whether the data will be published.

Initiation ceremonies are prohibited within Defence and are not tolerated. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the welfare of its people and anyone who finds themselves a victim of any form of assault or harassment can access a range of support. This includes from the Service Police, from welfare officers, the chain of command, and pastoral support via the chaplaincy. Assisting Officers are also available to support people where cases are being investigated. In addition, we have an independent bullying, harassment and discrimination helpline run by trained professionals and local Diversity and Inclusion Advisers.

Independent support is also available via the charitable sector. For example, SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity) provides help to all Service personnel and veterans with mental or emotional health concerns. SSAFA can signpost individuals to specific organisations for further targeted support. In addition, the MOD works with The Samaritans and other charities to support Serving personnel, veterans, and their families.

This detailed information requested is not held in a format that would allow an answer to be generated without incurring disproportionate costs.

Utilising the £50 million made available to deliver military primacy of small boat operations in the English Channel, the Home Office and Defence are seeking to bring online a range of additional surface and surveillance assets. The objective of procuring new capabilities is to ensure that all small boat crossings can be detected and intercepted such that no migrants arrive on UK shores on their own terms. Specific capabilities are subject to ongoing commercial discussions and will be disclosed in due course.

The plan is for military primacy to end on 31 January 2023, at which point responsibility will revert to the Home Office and Border Force. Any decision on a potential extension to operation ISOTROPE will be taken nearer that time and will take into account the operational requirements and funding arrangements.

48 Lightning aircraft are on contract. We have made provision to buy additional aircraft, and our planning assumption is that we will purchase additional Lightning aircraft, but this remains subject to negotiation.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the cyber security of its supply chains very seriously. However, for security reasons we do not comment on specific details of cyber attacks, as to do so could provide useful information for our adversaries.

The Defence Cyber Protection Partnership is a joint MOD and industry initiative put in place to improve the protection of Defence’s supply chain against cyber threats. Defence contracts undergo a risk assessment to determine a cyber risk profile and what the supplier must do to demonstrate compliance with these requirements. This risk assessment and requirement to comply flows down the supplier’s supply chain until the point where no MOD information is affected.

There are also contractual requirements put on suppliers to maintain cyber security controls and to report all security incidents involving MOD assets or information to the Defence Industry Warning and Reporting Point, which then coordinates investigations as appropriate.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the cyber security of its supply chains very seriously. However, for security reasons we do not comment on specific details of cyber attacks, as to do so could provide useful information for our adversaries.

The Defence Cyber Protection Partnership is a joint MOD and industry initiative put in place to improve the protection of Defence’s supply chain against cyber threats. Defence contracts undergo a risk assessment to determine a cyber risk profile and what the supplier must do to demonstrate compliance with these requirements. This risk assessment and requirement to comply flows down the supplier’s supply chain until the point where no MOD information is affected.

There are also contractual requirements put on suppliers to maintain cyber security controls and to report all security incidents involving MOD assets or information to the Defence Industry Warning and Reporting Point, which then coordinates investigations as appropriate.

At this time, we are not releasing detail about the UAVs or communications equipment we are providing as this information could potentially assist the Russians. As I have previously informed the House, we have sent more than 4,000 night vision devices, as well as 75,000 Ear Defence items.

The UK is sending a small number of Stormer vehicles to Ukraine. The Secretary of State for Defence will update the House on the number provided in due course.

In 2021 there were nine sexual offence investigations at AFC(AH) involving 22 victims who were recruits. The suspects in eight of these investigations were fellow recruits. In one investigation the suspects were three members of AFC(A) staff.

UK Government officials have held numerous discussions with multiple civil society organisations on the Political Declaration on the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas and will continue to do so ahead of the final round of negotiations.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) welcomes this Forces in Mind Trust report and will consider its analysis and recommendations as part of ongoing work to strengthen both the recovery and transition provision for Service personnel and their families.

MOD does not routinely publish a formal response to research that has not been commissioned by the Department. There are no plans to provide a formal response at this time.

The Ministry of Defence and the Army have a Zero Tolerance attitude towards sexual offending in the training environment. In March 2022 The Secretary of Sate for Defence announced that Sexual offences and sexual relationships between instructors and trainees have no place in Defence, or wider society, and a zero-tolerance approach will ensure our commitment to providing a better working environment for our serving personnel is met. We are sending a clear message that the women and men of the Armed Forces must uphold our values and standards

The Army Foundation College has comprehensive measures in place to ensure a safe working environment. This is represented by Junior Soldiers' ability to raise issues or concerns in any of three ways (1) to the Military Chain of Command, (2) in person to the Independent Advisory Panel or (3) via an anonymous reporting tool to the Independent Advisory Panel. All Recruits are well briefed on the multiple methods of raising concerns; all issues raised are taken seriously and are investigated by the appropriate agency be that Civilian Police, Service Police, or the Chain of Command. Junior Soldiers are also surveyed on their experiences during their time at the AFC through the Recruit Training Survey.

AFC maintains a Supervisory Care and Safeguarding Directive which is updated on an annual basis. This Directive ensures we have immediate safeguarding mechanisms in place such as appropriate supervision, impartial assurance mechanisms, and easily accessible welfare outlets.

AFC(H) was marked as Outstanding in 2021 by Ofsted. Ofsted found that "The chief instructor, as the designated safeguarding lead, has a very good understanding of safeguarding. He is a member of the North Yorkshire Children's Safeguarding Partnership. He uses his extensive links with partner agencies to make sure that the few safeguarding incidents that are reported are investigated thoroughly and the recruits involved get the help, support and guidance they need."

A consultant's report obtained through the NHS should not incur a cost. If an individual chooses to seek this through private healthcare, that is a personal choice.

The RAF offers advice and support to all personnel affected by allegations of sexual abuse through its internal welfare system. That the unit involved, the Support Weapons Flight, was disbanded is a measure of how seriously the RAF regards the matter.

It will take time to collate the requested information and I will write to the hon. Member in due course.

Defence does not have any military hospitals in the UK. Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) run by the NHS remain the primary facility for military victims/survivors of rape or sexual assault to be examined by specialist medical and forensic services. SARCs are purpose designed to be multi-functional, for interviews, forensic examinations and counselling services to be undertaken by specialist staff.

Programme CORTISONE will provide an enduring information capability that will fully and effectively support the delivery of evidence-based medical and dental health and healthcare. In due course, it will provide connectivity between the MOD, NHS and our NATO allies and partners.

The recent launch of the CORTISONE MyHEALTH app has for the first time given Service personnel ready access to a subset of their Healthcare record (including vaccination status) through their mobile electronic devices.

The CORTISONE Primary Medical Care (PMC) Solution is currently being developed: it will link MOD systems with National NHS systems in all 4 home countries. In parallel, other parts of the system are being developed to support areas such as occupational health, mental health, rehabilitation, and dental services. CORTISONE services are due to extend beyond Great Britain to all fixed UK Armed Forces locations overseas as well as enable the provision of healthcare services to entitled personnel on deployed operations.

The programme is designed to bring services online in stages: the PMC solution is set to go live early next year, with an estimated eighteen months rollout period across the DMS. While this will be slightly later than originally anticipated due to COVID related issues, full functionality of CORTISONE capabilities is still expected to be delivered by the end of 2025.

Processes can vary considerably, dependent on where the offence takes place. In places where Defence has a well-established presence and appropriate forensic examination facilities exist, standing arrangements will be in place to utilise such facilities, as this allows the best evidence to be obtained. In places where Defence does not have a well-established presence, or where there are no appropriate forensic facilities available, the Service Police Officer in command will need to decide whether an in-theatre examination should be conducted by a UK Medical Officer (MO) who is not qualified in forensic medical examination. If so, the MO will conduct the primary recovery of forensic evidence with the victim’s consent. The MO would be guided by a specially trained Service Police person in this process. The victim would then, with their consent, be recovered back to the UK to attend a Sexual Assault Referral Centre where additional evidence may be gathered and support offered.

For mental health awards under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), the Ministry of Defence (MOD) requires evidence of the diagnosis by either a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist, at the consultant grade. This was a recommendation of the 2013 report by the Independent Medical Expert Group (IMEG), the Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by MOD that provides assurance that AFCS policy and decision-making reflect contemporary medical understanding on causation and progress of disorders and injuries. The Department accepted this recommendation. This approach was reviewed by the IMEG again in their report of 2020, which maintained its recommendation that diagnosis is made at the consultant level by either a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. The next IMEG report, expected to be published in June of this year, will make any new recommendations to the Department on the approach to mental health awards under the AFCS.

No such requirement exists under the War Pension Scheme, which predates the AFCS and operates under a different burden of proof and award system.

While training in the UK, personnel from the Ukrainian military are eligible to receive full access to NHS services and treatments, without being liable to paying the NHS surcharge.

The UK has not yet delivered any UK artillery systems or ammunition from our stockpiles. The UK has, however, been encouraging other countries to provide ammunition for existing Ukrainian systems and we’ve been facilitating the movement of that ammunition to Ukraine. The UK will provide artillery directly to Ukraine, details of these donations will be notified to the House once completed and the operational security situation allows.

There are a total of 779 accommodation buildings on the Defence Estate which have been identified as potentially having combustible components in their external wall system. 591 are Single Living Accommodation and 188 are multi-occupied Service Family Accommodation.

25 of these buildings are categorised as high rise (six storeys and over). This figure has reduced from 27 as the remediation of Vanguard Building at HMS Nelson is complete and Peninsula Tower is no longer under investigation following finding of a site inspection.

754 of these buildings are categorised as low rise (five storeys and under). This figure is an increase from 728 given in my answer in November, as it now includes data from United States Visiting Forces sites.

All buildings have a current Fire Risk Assessment and remain legally compliant for continued occupation.

In 2015 Ministers agreed that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) would no longer release detailed information on Pinch Points into the public domain as it could be of advantage to potential adversaries and thereby impact national security. MOD provides broad information on skills gaps as part of the Annual Report and Accounts each year, the latest edition of which can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-accounts-2020-to-2021

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 March 2022 to Question 132161 to the Rt hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne (Mr Healey).

The longest, shortest and average period of time taken to make repairs to a Service Family Accommodation between November 2021 and March 2022 are shown below:

Longest 234 days (in respect to repairing a damaged fence)

Shortest 21 minutes

Average 15.9 days

The Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Accommodation contracts came into effect on 1 April 2022. In developing the new FDIS Accommodation contracts DIO collaborated closely with key stakeholders, including the Single Services and the Families Federations, to ensure that Service families’ needs are fully considered and an improved ‘lived experience’ is provided.

As part of the department’s Annual Budget Cycle process, we are scoping options to secure c£2.5 billion of savings by 2030. This is reflected in our Spending Review 20 settlement. It is too early to state how these savings will be achieved by 2030 but following the workforce reductions set out in the Integrated Review, there will be wider non-headcount related savings identified as a result of a smaller workforce. We also have ambitious transformation and efficiencies programmes that aim to improve our systems, user experience, decision making, productivity and deliver savings.