Ministry of Defence
We protect the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD - Life peer)Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Defence)
Conservative
James Cartlidge (Con - South Suffolk)Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Liberal Democrat
Helen Maguire (LD - Epsom and Ewell)Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Baroness Goldie (Con - Life peer)Shadow Minister (Defence)
Earl of Minto (Con - Excepted Hereditary)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Mark Francois (Con - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Ministers of State
Lord Coaker (Lab - Life peer)Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Maria Eagle (Lab - Liverpool Garston)
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Al Carns (Lab - Birmingham Selly Oak)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Luke Pollard (LAB - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport)Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
10:30
Oral Evidence
This inquiry will examine the AUKUS partnership, a trilateral security agreement between Australia, the US and the UK which was …
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to expand signal jamming practice for armed …
This Order amends the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme 1983 (“the Scheme”), which makes provision for the payment of pensions and …
A Bill to establish, and confer functions on, the Armed Forces Commissioner; to abolish the office of Service Complaints Ombudsman; …
09:57
News and Communications
Ministry of Defence Commons Appearances
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:- Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
- Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
- Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.
Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Bills currently before Parliament
Ministry of Defence does not have Bills currently before Parliament
Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament
Ministry of Defence has not passed any Acts during the 2024 Parliament
Ministry of Defence - Secondary Legislation
Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
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Departmental Select Committee
Defence Committee
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
11 Members of the Defence Committee
Defence Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Defence Committee: Upcoming Events
3 Jun 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Oral evidence
One-off session on Defence in the High North
3 Jun 2025, 10 a.m.
At 10:30am: Oral evidence
Brigadier General (Retd) Robbie Boyd - Associate Fellow at Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
Professor Caroline Kennedy-Pipe - Professor of War Studies at Loughborough University
Dr James Patton Rogers - Executive Director, Brooks Tech Policy Institute at Cornell University
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
10 Jun 2025, 2:30 p.m.
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Defence Committee - Oral evidence
One-off Session with the Chief of the Defence Staff
10 Jun 2025, 2:30 p.m.
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
17 Jun 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
24 Jun 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
1 Jul 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
8 Jul 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee - Private Meeting
15 Jul 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee: 24 Current Inquiries
Defence Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)There is no place for harassment or any form of abuse within the Armed Forces – or anywhere within Defence.
Last month the Minister for Veterans and People announced the formation of a new tri-Service complaints unit for the Armed Forces. The new team will be independent of the single Service chain of command to provide individuals with greater confidence and help ensure that the most serious complaints, including bullying, harassment and misconduct, are dealt with quickly.
The Ministry of Defence is also setting up a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Taskforce which will be supported by a network of regional VAWG Advisors, trained to offer support on topics including domestic violence and sexual offending. These roles will connect with existing networks of multidisciplinary experts to support Armed Forces personnel, including healthcare providers, social workers, and HR advisors, in particular working hand in glove with the Victim and Witness Care Unit. The VAWG Taskforce will provide an escalation route independent from the military chain of command, directly up to ministerial level if required.
The upcoming Armed Forces Bill will also introduce new measures to ensure the Service Justice System protects victims of the most serious offences, including sexual assault. The Government is also establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner as a new independent champion with the power to investigate issues raised by Service personnel and their families.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Humanitarian aid should never be contingent on a ceasefire or used as a political tool. On 13 May 2025, along with European partners, the UK convened a UN Security Council meeting to call for Israel to lift its block on aid into Gaza. We will continue to make our views clear, both in public and in private to the Israeli government and work with our partners to achieve an enduring and sustainable end to the hostilities.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office leads on coordinating the Government’s humanitarian response to deliver lifesaving assistance to the civilian population in Gaza. The Ministry of Defence has provided military support when requested to facilitate the delivery of this assistance, including participating in airdropping aid as part of the Jordanian international coalition in 2024. Currently land routes are the only viable option for delivering aid at scale into Gaza. We remain ready to support as required.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Defence activity with Israel, as with any other State, is subject to rigorous processes to ensure that it is compliant with domestic and international law.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence does not have a British Overseas Base in Qatar but we do have forces hosted on the Qatari owned, US-operated Al Udeid Air Base outside Doha.
Indicative operating costs for being based at Al Udeid airbase in financial year 2024-25 are in the region of £3.7 million. The exact cost will be finalised after the publication of the Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
As at 12 May 2025, there are 497 Service Family Accommodation properties in the Huntingdon constituency, of which 19 are void and not suitable for occupation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagements with the US Secretary of Defense where they discuss a range of topics including Red Sea security. The UK Ministry of Defence also undertakes frequent engagement with US AFRICOM on a range of issues.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Down (Alex Easton) on 13 May 2025 to Question 50001.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Over 240 protected mobility vehicles have been donated to Ukraine since February 2022.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Over 240 protected mobility vehicles have been donated to Ukraine since February 2022.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Over 240 protected mobility vehicles have been donated to Ukraine since February 2022.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Over 240 protected mobility vehicles have been donated to Ukraine since February 2022.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Following guidance from Ministers to “put the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law”, officials are currently developing plans to extend the scope of the Covenant Legal Duty, in line with our manifesto commitment, across a broad range of policy areas.
This broad, and maximalist approach will demonstrate and reinforce the Government’s steadfast commitment to improving the lives of the Armed Forces community and renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve.
Ministry of Defence officials anticipate that plans for the Duty extension will raise awareness of the Covenant, drive better outcomes for the Armed Forces community, including those in Wiltshire, and help mitigate and tackle disadvantage.
Further details will be brought forward in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
There are two international space liaison officers stationed in UK Space Command.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I can confirm the Department intends to upgrade the UK F-35B Lightning fleet with Block 4 modifications.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) assets, which are responsible for transferring the President and Vice President for the United States, have not been used to transport UK Ministers during the period in question.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
No, translation and interpretation for a range of languages other than English (‘non-UK’ languages) is, and will continue to be, required to provide a wide variety of services across multiple areas of Defence.
Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
There are no Service Family Accommodation properties in Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme constituency.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I repeat the lines that my mMnisterial colleague, the Minister for Veterans and People gave: that VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. The detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners and further details will be announced in due course. on 12 May to Questions 50185, 50186, 50187, 50189, 50190, and 50191 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge), and Question 50424 to the Gallant and hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr Jopp).
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
We recognise the work of the Defence Gardens Scheme, along with so many others working hard to support our Armed Forces community and make a difference to the wellbeing of veterans. The Minister for Veterans and People saw first hand the Defence Gardens Scheme on a visit earlier this year to Northern Ireland.
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs works closely with many Armed Forces charities and organisations who play a vital part of the wider support system for veterans, and the Minister for Veterans and People is actively exploring ways of simplifying and cohering access to Government support, working in partnership with the charity sector, via VALOUR, which was announced on 5 May 2025.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
As the Prime Minister said in his Statement on Defence and Security in the House of Commons, the Strategic Defence Review is advanced and we will bring it to the House as soon as we can.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) incorporates representation from the breadth of the defence sector, including defence primes, Small and Medium Enterprises, mid-tiers, investors, academia, trade unions and trade associations. The membership composition of the DIJC includes subject matter experts that reflect the diversity of the defence sector. An announcement of the initial membership composition for the Top Level Council will be provided in due course.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) incorporates representation from the breadth of the defence sector, including defence primes, Small and Medium Enterprises, mid-tiers, investors, academia, trade unions and trade associations. The membership composition of the DIJC includes subject matter experts that reflect the diversity of the defence sector. An announcement of the initial membership composition for the Top Level Council will be provided in due course.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
On 2 December 2024, as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, it was announced by the Secretary of State that the Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) will be replaced by a new Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC). At this point the Defence Suppliers Forum was disbanded, but strategic engagement with Industry and the Defence Sector has continued via the Defence Industrial Strategy Consultation and at Official level to continue delivering relevant work managed under the DSF. The inaugural DIJC meeting is planned to take place in June 2025.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
On 2 December 2024, as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, it was announced by the Secretary of State that the Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) will be replaced by a new Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC). At this point the Defence Suppliers Forum was disbanded, but strategic engagement with Industry and the Defence Sector has continued via the Defence Industrial Strategy Consultation and at Official level to continue delivering relevant work managed under the DSF. The inaugural DIJC meeting is planned to take place in June 2025.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) has been replaced by the new Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC). The DSF Main last met on 15 November 2023 and the DSF Executive Group on 25 September 2024.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) has been replaced by the new Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC). The DSF Main last met on 15 November 2023 and the DSF Executive Group on 25 September 2024.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I repeat the lines that my Ministerial colleague, the Minister for Veterans and People gave that VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. The detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners and further details will be announced in due course. on 12 May to Questions 50185, 50186, 50187, 50189, 50190, and 50191 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge), and Question 50424 to the Gallant and hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr Jopp).
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Our new Defence Industrial Strategy will make sure national security and a high-growth economy are aligned to deliver the change we promised: cracking down on waste, building resilient supply chains and boosting Britain's defence industry.
By strengthening our relationship with industry, innovators and investors we will make it easier and more attractive to do business in Defence than ever before.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This year the UK will give more military support to Ukraine than ever before, with a £4.5 billion boost.
At the 27th Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, we announced a rapid surge in support, valued at around £450 million. This follows the £2.26 billion loan agreement with Ukraine earmarked for military spending.
We are absolutely committed to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
This year the UK will give more military support to Ukraine than ever before, with a £4.5 billion boost.
At the 27th Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, we announced a rapid surge in support, valued at around £450 million. This follows the £2.26 billion loan agreement with Ukraine earmarked for military spending.
We are absolutely committed to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Cables and pipelines are as vital for our economy as factories and power stations.
This Government is increasing defence spending to keep Britain safe at home and secure abroad. And that includes investing in RFA Proteus to protect our undersea cables.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
There is no maximum weight of an Uncrewed Aerial System which an operator can use during military training.
UK Service personnel are routinely training with uncrewed systems that range in weight from grammes to tonnes.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Training time lost due to incursions on Ministry of Defence ranges is not recorded as the Defence Infrastructure Organisation has not been requested to do so.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank (MBT) upgrade has been developed to deliver multiple improvements to the existing Challenger 2 platform. Challenger 3 MBT will upgrade and replace 148 Challenger 2 platforms from 2027.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The number of overturned War Pension entitlement appeals from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2024:
Financial Year | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
Allowed | 130 | 125 | 110 |
Sources: War Pensions Computer System (WPCS)
Figures include both first claims to pension and further condition claims.
By financial year the tribunal decision was made.
Numbers rounded to the nearest 5 in line with the WPS Accredited Official Statistic.
Data for financial year 2024/25 is scheduled for release on 3 July 2025.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy allocated £38,000 of funding for the First Sea Lord's Sea Power Conference 2025. This money has not been spent and will be utilised when the conference is re-scheduled.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The data requested for the previous five financial years can be found below. These costs relate to MOD Woodbridge (Rock Barracks and Woodbridge Airfield), as the only Army owned site within the hon. Member’s constituency:
Year | £ million |
FY2024-25 | 4.416 |
FY2023-24 | 4.528 |
FY2022-23 | 4.723 |
FY2021-22 | 3.799 |
FY2020-21 | 3.768 |
Note: These figures represent the total actual costs for the Hard and Soft Facilities Management of the establishment.
Funds are allocated appropriately to deliver strategic objectives. In advance of the conclusions of the Strategic Defence Review , I hope the hon. Member will understand that I cannot anticipate future budgetary allocations.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Housing Strategy includes an extensive review of our entire Service Family Accommodation (SFA) portfolio to determine how we will utilise our properties. I expect we will be able to provide details of our future intentions when the review is completed.
There are 225 SFA properties located in the Suffolk Coastal constituency of which, 60 (27%) are currently unoccupied. 41 of these SFA are ready to be occupied by families and 19 require improvement works before they can be allocated to Service families.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Housing Strategy includes an extensive review of our entire Service Family Accommodation (SFA) portfolio to determine how we will utilise our properties. I expect we will be able to provide details of our future intentions when the review is completed.
There are 225 SFA properties located in the Suffolk Coastal constituency of which, 60 (27%) are currently unoccupied. 41 of these SFA are ready to be occupied by families and 19 require improvement works before they can be allocated to Service families.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration, and this Government is focused upon improving Armed Forces recruitment, modernising and refining our policies and processes to attract the best possible talent. Defence is committed to reducing the time taken for candidates to pass through Armed Forces recruitment processes and enter service. Access to medical records is one of the main frictions in current Armed Forces recruitment processes, adding time into candidates’ progress through their application journey. To reduce this friction we are actively taking steps to optimise relevant processes working with the Department for Health and Social Care. This is already delivering results with shorter wait times.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The UK is co-leading the Drone Capability Coalition (DCC) with Latvia, which will increase the quality and quantity of drones provided to Ukraine, including through a recent order of 30,000 drones.
Nationally, in the 2024-25 financial year, the UK delivered drones worth over £325 million to Ukraine, which included collaboration between UK and Ukrainian drone companies. This includes the co-development of drone technologies, for example; radios, alternative navigation methods, electronic warfare resistant GPS antennas.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence's SME direct spend target continues to be developed in parallel with and as part of the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy. We intend to publish an updated SME Action Plan setting out how we will deliver on the target and take forward the broader commitments to SMEs set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 30 April 2025, to Question 44696.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Spear Capability 3 air-to-surface weapon programme is currently undergoing re-baselining, with a Review Note expected towards the end of 2025. Until that is approved, dates are considered draft and of low confidence. The estimated current timeline for in-service capability is expected to be early 2030s.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does hold some of the information requested.
Please see below showing the companies in the area requested who provided defence goods or services. These are based on the supplier site set as the primary invoice address for the contract.
The MOD does not distinguish suppliers from contractors and does not hold data on any sub-contractors a direct contract might use.
The Department cannot provide the granularity for each service provided as this would require a review of each individual contact. The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Parent Supplier Name |
ACTIVINSIGHTS LIMITED |
AUDIO PRECISION UK LTD |
BABCOCK DYNCORP LIMITED |
CABLECONNECT SOLUTIONS LIMITED |
DAVID GARRARD |
DUFAYLITE DEVELOPMENTS LTD |
GRAS SOUND & VIBRATION UK LIMITED |
HEATCON COMPOSITE SYSTEMS (EUROPE) LTD. |
IAN HOPWELL LIMITED |
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS LIMITED |
JOHN GRAHAM CONSTRUCTION LIMITED |
KIER GRAHAM DEFENCE LIMITED |
MASS CONSULTANTS LIMITED |
MUNTERS LTD |
PLEXSYS INTERFACE PRODUCTS UK LTD |
SVANTEK UK LTD |
SYSTEMWARE EUROPE LIMITED |
THE COLLEGE OF ANIMAL WELFARE LIMITED |
V-BANDZ LIMITED |
VINTAGE ENGINE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED |
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is actively assessing the potential of uncrewed remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to support airborne early warning (AEW) roles across the air environment.
These assessments are part of broader efforts to modernise UK defence capabilities through the integration of autonomous systems. While current RPAS platforms are predominantly used for land and maritime surveillance tasks, future developments may enable their use in AEW missions.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Through the MQ-9 International Cooperation Support Partnership, of which the United Kingdom is a signatory, the Royal Navy (RN) has established that the General Atomics MQ-9 can be modified to operate from the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers. As such, the MQ-9 is being considered as a candidate for the RN’s requirement for Carrier Strike Airborne Early Warning following the planned withdrawal of the Crowsnest Airborne Early Warning system when it reaches the end of its service life.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Strategic Defence Review has been considering the state of the defence industrial base, the approach to be taken to acquisition and support, and the contribution of Defence to the Government's Growth Mission. The Review will make Defence central both to the security, and to the economic growth and prosperity, of the United Kingdom.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)