Ministry of Defence

The new Government’s work in improving retention and recruitment is part of a package of measures aimed to renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. We are modernising and refining our policies and processes to attract, and then retain the best possible talent, highlighting that Defence is a modern, forward-facing employer which offers a valuable and rewarding career. Our aim is to attract and recruit more, as well as maximise the number of applicants that successfully enter and remain in Armed Forces employment.

We have already awarded the largest Armed Forces pay increase in 22 years, ensuring that the starting Armed Forces’ salary is in line with the National Living Wage, and have set a new ambition for the Armed Forces to make a conditional offer of employment to candidates within 10 days and to give people a provisional training start date within 30 days. We have reviewed and implemented changes to the Armed Forces’ Entry Medical Employment Standards, setting new regulations for a range of conditions including asthma and eczema. Furthermore, Defence is creating a new military direct-entry cyber pathway. This will help boost our cyber resilience and support the UK’s ability to conduct operations in cyberspace.

Service Chiefs are appointed for three years. After 18 months in post, an extension of one additional year (to four years) may be considered, factoring in performance and succession planning requirements.

The Chief of the Defence Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander UK Strategic Command have all had their postings extended to four years.

All British military personnel, including Service Chiefs, receive an annual performance review.

The average cost to train a Regular Army recruit at the Army Training Centre Pirbright is approximately £47,900. This is the estimated cost of delivering the Basic Training course, known as the Common Military Syllabus Future Soldier, which is completed by all Standard Entry recruits when they join the Army.

Note: These are the latest available costings and are based on data for the financial year 2023-24.

During the financial year 2023-24, the Ministry of Defence paid £2,805 to the Crown Estate in relation to its activities in Wales.

On 1 April 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) civilian personnel headcount was 63,702.

The below table show the MOD civilian personnel headcount for the past five years, as at 1 April.

This data excludes Non-Departmental Public Bodies, Short-Term Employees and Contractors.

Statistics on the number of civilian personnel employed by the MOD by both headcount and FTE are published by the Office for National Statistics on gov.uk at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-biannual-civilian-personnel-report-april-2024/mod-biannual-civilian-personnel-report-april-2024

The Ministry of Defence is committed to adopting and using Artificial Intelligence technologies safely and responsibly, working closely with our international partners and experts in industry, academia and civil society.

Artificial Intelligence is being considered for a range of military applications, including helping to accelerate operational tempo; strengthening the Force through greater mass, persistence and reach; enabling us to operate in environments that would otherwise not be possible; removing our people from harm's way; and making our workforce more effective.

I have interpreted your question to be asking for the number of foreign personnel on exchange or embedded with the UK Armed Forces.

The table below shows the number of foreign exchange personnel that were on strength with an active assignment, as at 15 Oct 2024, by assigned location country in either overseas or the United Kingdom.

The Logistics Commodities and Services Transformation (LCST) budget for all Clothing Raw Materials and Consumables purchases in the 2024-25 financial year (FY) is £79.839 million.

The value of orders placed with companies based in Northern Ireland for FY 2024-25 to date totals £16,441,905. We are forecast to spend an additional £11,755,371 for the remainder of the FY2024-25.

It has not been possible to identify which items are classed as uniform or which are protective clothing within the timeframe permitted.

Notes:

• This budget amount covers all uniforms and protective clothing purchased by Defence Equipment and Support through the LCST contract with Leidos Supply Limited across all Front Line Commands.
• This excludes items purchased directly by the Front Line Commands.

This Government recognises the vital role of the defence industry in both keeping our country safe and in providing businesses, jobs, prosperity and tax in all corners of our United Kingdom.

Our UK industry partners, of all sizes, are very much at the heart of our One Defence approach and we recognise the value that suppliers bring to the defence enterprise. That is why this Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy.

The Defence Industrial Strategy will align our national security and economic priorities and will aim to create a better, bigger, more modern, connected, innovative, and resilient defence sector. It will also consider requirements for onshore production capability to ensure the UK has the industrial base needed to meet potential future threats.

I can confirm that since 2010, one Landing Platform Dock (LPD) ship has been held in extended readiness so that she can be regenerated if required.

HMS Albion has taken HMS Bulwark’s position in extended readiness so that HMS Bulwark can undergo regeneration. Once regenerated she can be ready to deliver defence outputs if required.

The Ministry of Defence annually releases readiness data for the Royal Navy surface fleet, however for reasons of operational security, we do not disclose timetables or forecasts as this information would be helpful to our adversaries.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the health and wellbeing of our Armed Forces personnel. For those personnel requiring medical intervention the Defence Medical Services (DMS) provides occupationally focused primary healthcare to serving Armed Forces personnel, to ensure that they are medically fit, mentally and physically, to undertake their duties.

For wounded, injured and sick personnel, the Defence Recovery Capability is a MOD-owned capability designed to deliver programmed, command-led and coordinated support. Each person who comes under the Defence Recovery Capability will get a tailored Individual Recovery Plan which enables them to focus on either their return to duty or transition to civilian life.

The Department is reviewing its medical capabilities, including the provision of healthcare delivered by DMS to Armed Forces personnel as part of the Strategic Defence Review. The review will report in the first half of 2025.

The Armed Forces Veteran Card Scheme was launched in two phases. Phase one is complete, with all Service leavers since December 2018 being automatically issued with a card as part of their discharge process.

Phase two extended access to veterans who left service before December 2018. The new digital application and verification service launched at 00:01 on 28 January 2024 allowing pre-2018 veterans to apply for the card.

The Ministry of Defence does not collect or hold information on all veterans, so it is not possible to make an estimate specifically on the proportion of pre-18 veterans who now have a card.

However, I can confirm that as of 15 October 2024, 139,328 Phase two cards had been dispatched to pre-2018 veterans who had applied, and we continue to receive approximately 270 applications per day. These figures exclude duplicates.

The Government Property Agency is the formal custodian of the the Royal Navy Division War Memorial. Responsibility for the Government Property Agency is held by the Cabinet Office, and as such I have asked my colleagues to write to the Noble Lord with further detail regarding the renovation programme.

The Government Property Agency is the formal custodian of the the Royal Navy Division War Memorial. Responsibility for the Government Property Agency is held by the Cabinet Office, and as such I have asked my colleagues to write to the Noble Lord with further detail regarding the renovation programme.

The Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship project is currently in the design phase, with design work on schedule, and its successful delivery remains a priority. Production of the first FSS ship is expected to begin in 2025 and to enter service by 2031, after first of class trials and equipment fits. All three ships are expected to be in service by 2032, following equipment fits and military trials.

Following a review of Harland and Wolff’s financial situation, the Government is clear that the market is best placed to address the challenges the company is facing. We continue to work extensively with all parties to find an outcome for the company that continues to deliver shipbuilding and manufacturing in the UK.

The Government's first priority is ensuring the security of the nation and its citizens. The Prime Minister has confirmed that the UK will provide £3 billion a year in military support every year for as long as it takes.

The Prime Minister has launched the Strategic Defence Review to ensure that Defence is both capable and affordable now and into the future.

Readiness levels are regularly reviewed in relation to the threats faced by both the UK and NATO, and military assets are deployed accordingly. The Ministry of Defence remains fully engaged with industry, allies and partners to ensure both the continuation of supply to Ukraine, and that all equipment and munitions granted in kind from UK stocks are replaced as rapidly as possible.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is working within Defence’s digital ecosystem to support the Strategic Defence Review, consistent with the Department’s Digital and Data Strategy. As part of the SDR, MOD has contracted under the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSPCR), Regulation 16. An exemption can be used in certain situations where a contract is specifically for the purpose of research and development.

The tool is enhancing the team's ability to focus on high-value tasks, such as in-depth reading and discussion of the submissions, thereby facilitating a more comprehensive Review. AI is not a replacement, but an enabler of greater efficiency and just one part of the process. The Reviewers and supporting team are applying robust challenge to submissions through Panel Sessions during October and November.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is working within Defence’s digital ecosystem to support the Strategic Defence Review, consistent with the Department’s Digital and Data Strategy. As part of the SDR, MOD has contracted under the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSPCR), Regulation 16. An exemption can be used in certain situations where a contract is specifically for the purpose of research and development.

The tool is enhancing the team's ability to focus on high-value tasks, such as in-depth reading and discussion of the submissions, thereby facilitating a more comprehensive Review. AI is not a replacement, but an enabler of greater efficiency and just one part of the process. The Reviewers and supporting team are applying robust challenge to submissions through Panel Sessions during October and November.

Artificial intelligence aids in reviewing and analysing submissions during the Strategic Defence Review process. However, AI is not a replacement of human involvement, but an enabler of greater efficiency and just one part of the process. This tool helps the team concentrate on tasks like detailed reading and discussion.

Artificial intelligence aids in reviewing and analysing submissions during the Strategic Defence Review process, which include recommendations on defence expenditure. However, AI is not a replacement of human involvement, but an enabler of greater efficiency and just one part of the process. This tool helps the team concentrate on tasks like detailed reading and discussion.

We are in the process of finalising the job advert for the National Armaments Director role. The National Armaments Director recruitment is expected to launch imminently.

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation, including the banning of trail hunting. Licenses to trail hunt on Ministry of Defence (MOD) land are currently under Ministerial review. To date, no licenses to trail hunt on MOD land have been granted for the 2024-25 hunting season, pending Ministerial review.

An alternative framework for VIP air transport and military command support air transport is being considered. The review will explore means of delivery and consider cost-effectiveness while ensuring the important military command function can be met appropriately.

The Government Car Service (GCS) offers vehicles to Government Departments as a shared resource. Each Department independently determines the allocation of these vehicles. The arrangements relating to the using of vehicles in the Government Car Service is set out in the Civil Service Management Code. There has been no change in this policy since the General Election.

This information is being withheld in order to protect personal information and to avoid prejudicing relations between the United Kingdom and another State.

The East of England plays an important role in defending the UK from growing threats and Defence's contribution to the economy, with approximately £1.4 billion of Ministry of Defence (MOD) spend in the region in 2022-23. Bedfordshire in particular is home to a number of our strategic suppliers and a variety of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises working in defence, underlining the importance of the county in the Defence supply chain.

Mid Bedfordshire also hosts the prestigious DVD (Defence Vehicle Demonstration) Event, providing opportunities for industry and key MOD stakeholders to develop next-generation capabilities to meet the requirements of a modern, lethal army.

The Submarine Disposal Capability project was established in 2022 to identify an enduring disposal solution. The project is in its Concept Phase and market engagements were undertaken in July 2023 and June 2024 to inform the optimum way ahead.

The next phase of this work is to develop a business case for approval which will set out the approach and future timelines for any procurement action, including further marker engagement, such as the publishing of a Contract Notice.

As part of the AUKUS partnership, Australia will be responsible for the disposal of its own conventionally-armed, nuclear powered submarines. While there are no plans to include the Submarine Dismantling Project as part of AUKUS, the UK Government continues to support the Australian Government to develop their own plans for the disposal of their retired nuclear powered submarines, including decommissioning, defueling, dismantling, recycling, and the management of the used fuel following its removal.

Successful delivery of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) Ships project remains a priority. On current plans, the three FSS ships will be assembled from blocks which are expected to be built in Harland & Wolff (H&W) shipyards in Belfast and Appledore in Devon and Navantia's shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. Assembly and integration of the ships is planned to take place in Belfast.

Following a review of H&W's financial situation, the Government is clear that the market is best placed to address the challenges the company is facing. We continue to work extensively with all parties to find an outcome for the company that continues to deliver shipbuilding and manufacturing in the UK.

The UK respects its obligations to international partners to seek their agreement prior to the re-export of sensitive technologies, including those controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). The US and UK have worked closely to ensure that Storm Shadow can be provided to Ukraine.

All decisions on Defence strategy, encompassing our relationship with NATO, are fully assessed to ensure UK defence requirements are met, including the shipbuilding supply chain.

The National Shipbuilding Office works with colleagues across Government and industry to promote growth and resilience across the entire UK shipbuilding sector to enable it to meet our NATO commitments and, where possible, seize opportunities presented by working closely with allies.

This Government recognises the vital role the defence industry plays not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the UK.

The UK's defence industry is a global leader and defence spending provides good, well-paid jobs. Ministry of Defence spending supports around 434,000 jobs across the UK, with around 239,000 of those supported by industry across the UK. The Strategic Defence Review will put personnel across defence at the core of future defence work.

Our industry partners, of all sizes, are very much at the heart of our One Defence approach. That is why this Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy aligning our security and economic priorities to boost the prosperity of our people across the country, provide resilience for the UK, and ensure the credibility of our deterrence.

The Government Car Service (GCS) offers vehicles to Government Departments as a shared resource. Each Department independently determines the allocation of these vehicles to its Ministerial cadre/officials, as under previous administrations.

The Ministry of Defence is currently allocated 18 vehicles including allocated and shared vehicles. For security reasons specific details of allocations including make and model of vehicles are not issued. The average cost to a Department for a single Department Pool Car in 2024-25 financial year is £108,000 per annum.

Swiftsure, the first submarine to be fully disposed of, is being used as a demonstrator to refine the dismantling and recycling processes under the Ministry of Defence's Submarine Dismantling Project. There will be a continual process of learning as Swiftsure dismantling progresses. This will inform a baseline approach and schedule for all current decommissioned Royal Navy submarines.

Swiftsure dismantling is on track and due to complete in 2026, achieving the commitment given to the Public Accounts Committee in 2019. Over 90% of the submarine will be recycled. We are currently working with Babcock in Rosyth to plan for the next two boats in sequence, with a view to being on contract next year.

Swiftsure, the first submarine to be fully disposed of, is being used as a demonstrator to refine the dismantling and recycling processes under the Ministry of Defence's Submarine Dismantling Project. There will be a continual process of learning as Swiftsure dismantling progresses. This will inform a baseline approach and schedule for all current decommissioned Royal Navy submarines.

Swiftsure dismantling is on track and due to complete in 2026, achieving the commitment given to the Public Accounts Committee in 2019. Over 90% of the submarine will be recycled. We are currently working with Babcock in Rosyth to plan for the next two boats in sequence, with a view to being on contract next year.

Swiftsure, the first submarine to be fully disposed of, is being used as a demonstrator to refine the dismantling and recycling processes under the Ministry of Defence's Submarine Dismantling Project. There will be a continual process of learning as Swiftsure dismantling progresses. This will inform a baseline approach and schedule for all current decommissioned Royal Navy submarines.

Swiftsure dismantling is on track and due to complete in 2026, achieving the commitment given to the Public Accounts Committee in 2019. Over 90% of the submarine will be recycled. We are currently working with Babcock in Rosyth to plan for the next two boats in sequence, with a view to being on contract next year.

The Ministry of Defence regularly engages with Scottish Government officials on the Submarine Disposals Programme, allowing constructive dialogue on a wide range of issues including jobs.

Swiftsure, the first vessel to be disposed of, is being used as a demonstrator to refine the dismantling and recycling processes under the Ministry of Defence's Submarine Dismantling Project. Learning from this, alongside market engagement, is informing our approach to both current and future submarine disposal plans.

The Submarine Dismantling Project currently sustains more than 500 jobs across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and, so far, has invested upwards of £200 million into Babcock International Group's Rosyth dockyard and the wider UK supply chain. It continues to provide a source of highly skilled jobs in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

The Ministry of Defence regularly engages with Scottish Government officials on the Submarine Disposals Programme, allowing constructive dialogue on a wide range of issues including jobs.

Swiftsure, the first vessel to be disposed of, is being used as a demonstrator to refine the dismantling and recycling processes under the Ministry of Defence's Submarine Dismantling Project. Learning from this, alongside market engagement, is informing our approach to both current and future submarine disposal plans.

The Submarine Dismantling Project currently sustains more than 500 jobs across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and, so far, has invested upwards of £200 million into Babcock International Group's Rosyth dockyard and the wider UK supply chain. It continues to provide a source of highly skilled jobs in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to engage with industry partners to ensure we can deliver an optimised submarine dismantling programme. The Swiftsure demonstrator project serves as a proof of concept and benchmark against which market testing of future dismantling proposals can be assessed.

The MOD has also engaged with our international allies including the USA and France, sharing information and learning, to aid the acceleration of the UK's dismantling programme.

The Government is committed to ensuring the availability of submarine berths to support submarine operations, which includes the Continuous at Sea Deterrent. We are focussed on the long-term infrastructure development of His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde and HMNB Devonport to support the United Kingdom’s submarines.

For reasons of operational security, further details on specific berths cannot be disclosed.

c.£27 million was directly attributed to The British Army Training Unit Kenya for the financial year 2023-24.

Due to the broad range of offences applied to same-sex sexual acts and the record keeping practices prior to 2000, there is no way of conducting a search for data on sexuality based convictions. Court martials were held on a single Service basis until 2009, with the results of such cases being recorded in district court martial books and individuals’ Service records until the introduction of the Joint Personnel Administration database in 2006. Therefore, the data from prior to 2006 is not centrally held in a way which would enable this type of analysis.

The Government encourages anyone who was convicted based on their sexuality to apply for a disregard through the Home Office’s Disregard and Pardon scheme.

The Government acknowledges the historic policy prohibiting homosexuality in the Armed Forces was regrettable, wrong and completely unacceptable. The treatment of LGBT Serving personnel between 1967 and 2000 was wholly unacceptable and does not reflect today’s Armed Forces.

All 49 recommendations made in Lord Etherton’s report have been accepted and to date, 32 of the 49 recommendations have already been implemented, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to supporting our veterans and the LGBT+ community. Full details about these recommendations and the non-financial restorative measures already available can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lgbt-veterans-apply-for-restorative-measures

Lord Etherton’s report demonstrated the broad range of ways that personnel were impacted by the Ban. The financial redress scheme has been designed with this in mind, intending to provide a sense of closure to all those affected. Defence has worked with experts across Government to design an appropriate scheme where applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, enabling appropriate distribution of the available funds. Defence cannot confirm the estimated number of applicants, nor the average payment amounts that can be expected.

The Government will continue to finalise the details of the scheme and is committed to providing an update as soon as possible. Further updates on the development of the financial redress scheme will be added to the LGBT Veterans: Support and next steps GOV.UK page:   https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps

I hope this helps explain Defence’s position and reassures you that we are committed to welcoming back LGBT veterans into the Armed Forces community, where they have always belonged.

The Government acknowledges the historic policy prohibiting homosexuality in the Armed Forces was regrettable, wrong and completely unacceptable. The treatment of LGBT Serving personnel between 1967 and 2000 was wholly unacceptable and does not reflect today’s Armed Forces.

All 49 recommendations made in Lord Etherton’s report have been accepted and to date, 32 of the 49 recommendations have already been implemented demonstrating the Government’s commitment to supporting our veterans and the LGBT+ community.

Full details about these recommendations and the non-financial restorative measures already available can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lgbt-veterans-apply-for-restorative-measures.

Lord Etherton’s report demonstrated the broad range of ways that personnel were impacted by the Ban. The financial redress scheme has been designed with this in mind, intending to provide a sense of closure to all those affected. Defence has worked with experts across Government to design an appropriate scheme where applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, enabling appropriate distribution of the available funds.

I hope this helps explain Defence’s position and reassures you that we are committed to welcoming back LGBT veterans into the Armed Forces community, where they have always belonged.