Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the weapons support team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the complex weapons delivery, complex weapons portfolio, weapons engineering and weapons support future enterprise teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Note: The numbers employed in the Weapons Support team is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the complex weapons delivery team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the complex weapons delivery, complex weapons portfolio, weapons engineering and weapons support future enterprise teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Note: The numbers employed in the Weapons Support team is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the complex weapons portfolio team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the complex weapons delivery, complex weapons portfolio, weapons engineering and weapons support future enterprise teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Note: The numbers employed in the Weapons Support team is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the soldier training and special projects team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed in the Soldier Training and Special Projects team in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the fires, infrastructure and manoeuvre support team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed in the Fires, Infrastructure and Manoeuvre Support team in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the vehicle support team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed in the Vehicle Support team in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the future and common support services team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Future and Common Support Services team did not stand up until the 2023-24 Financial Year and the data for this year will not be available until the end of the Financial Year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase levels of armed forces recruitment and retention.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 January 2024 to Question 9841 to the hon. Member for Barnsley Central (Dan Jarvis).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much and what proportion of the energy used by his Department is from renewable sources.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In financial year (FY) 2022-23 1.2% of Ministry of Defence (MOD) electricity consumption was generated directly from renewable sources. The majority of MOD electricity supply comes from the National Grid, of which a sizable proportion is generated from renewable sources. The proportion of renewable sources used in the National Grid varies but based on Government figures published for the UK in December 2023, renewable generation reached 44.5%.

MOD's energy consumption figures are published in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts (ARAC).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of his Department's contribution to the Government's total carbon emissions in the last 12 months.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) assesses carbon emissions at the end of the Financial Year. (FY) Once the data has been gathered for FY 2023-24 the breakdown of the Department's carbon emissions will be published as part of the MOD Annual Report and Accounts. In the last published Greening Government Commitment Report MOD emissions made up 53.7% of the total Government emissions.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consultation they undertook with service personnel and their families regarding the Modernised Accommodation Offer for the armed forces.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Modernised Accommodation Offer built on extensive consultation from the Future Accommodation Model as well as further research as the policy was finalised. As part of the current review, we will be undertaking further consultations with Service personnel and families.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the weapons support future enterprise team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the complex weapons delivery, complex weapons portfolio, weapons engineering and weapons support future enterprise teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Note: The numbers employed in the Weapons Support team is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the weapons engineering team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the complex weapons delivery, complex weapons portfolio, weapons engineering and weapons support future enterprise teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Note: The numbers employed in the Weapons Support team is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many fires broke out on Royal Navy warships in (a) 2020, (b) 2021, (c) 2022, (d) 2023 and (e) 2024 as of 19 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The table below shows the numbers of fires that have broken out on Royal Navy warships since 2020.

All of the fires listed were considered minor and were extinguished by first responder firefighters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Royal Navy is taking to (a) assess the cause of the fire on HMS Queen Elizabeth on 8 March 2024 and (b) prevent future fires on ships.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

An investigation is underway to establish the cause of the fire onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth on 8 March 2024. This will seek to identify any appropriate lessons that can be implemented in future instances of this nature.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a comparative assessment of the adequacy of recruitment and retention strategies for armed forces personnel in (a) the UK and (B) other NATO countries.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 January 2024 to Question 9841 to the hon. Member for Barnsley Central (Dan Jarvis).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there has been any change to the 2028 Out of Service Date (OSD) of RFA Fort Victoria.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Navy constantly explore options to ensure optimal availability of the fleet. However, in order to preserve the Operational Security of the Fleet, individual out of service dates are no longer released.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many operational personnel of the British Army are currently based in (1) England, (2) Wales, (3) Scotland, (4) Northern Ireland, and (5) overseas.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the Noble Lord to the below table which shows the number of Trade Trained Regular Army Personnel by Stationed Location, as of 1 January 2024.

Notes/Caveats:

1. The figures are for the Trade Trained Regular Army only and therefore exclude Gurkhas, Full Time Reserve Service, Mobilised Reserves, Army Reserve and all other Reserves, but includes those personnel that have transferred from GURTAM to UKTAP.
2. Figures include all Trade Trained Regular Army personnel, regardless of whether they are currently deployed on operation. This also includes personnel regardless of their Medical Deployability Status.
3. Figures include both Officers and Soldiers.
4. The figures are based on service personnel’s stationed location and not their area of residence – where personnel work isn’t necessarily where they live. Personnel deployed on operations to an area away from their stationed location are shown against their most recent stationed location.
5. There are approximately 20 personnel with an unallocated location as recorded on the Joint Personnel Administration System (JPA).
6. Figures have been rounded to 10 for presentational purposes; numbers ending in “5” have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.
7. Totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not appear to be a sum of their parts.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by The Earl of Minto on 11 March (HL Deb col 1805), how will the 138 F35B Lightning aircraft be allocated to squadrons.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Lightning Force is configured to be flexible and interchangeable as individual aircraft cycle between the Forward Fleet and periods of maintenance. Squadrons will gain aircraft from the available Forward Fleet in line with their readiness cycle, expeditionary deployment requirements, and associated training and exercises. The size of Air Groups for every Carrier deployment are tailored based on the overall balance of Defence requirements at that time.

Specific airframes are not allocated to specific Squadrons on a permanent basis. As is normal across all aircraft fleets, as part of the readiness cycle and routine fleet management across the Front-Line Squadrons and Operational Conversion Unit, the exact number of airframes operated by individual units varies day-to-day. A Squadron held at Very High Readiness will require a full complement of airframes, while a Squadron on lower readiness or undertaking post Operational deployment leave will require fewer airframes for day-to-day pilot currency and competency requirements.

Our plan remains to procure 138 aircraft through the life of the programme. This procurement is phased; our first acquisition phase of 48 aircraft is underway at present, with the second phase consisting of a further 27 aircraft now progressing through the approvals process, which will form the basis of our third Front-line Lightning Squadron with deliveries expected to continue into 2033. The Ministry of Defence will seek approval for further acquisition phases at the appropriate time.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the varied needs of the families of those serving in the armed forces; what steps they have taken to increase support available to those families; and to what extent they have addressed the recommendations outlined in the report commissioned by the Ministry of Defence, Living in our shoes: understanding the needs of UK Armed Forces Families published in June 2020.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence recognises the important role that families play in supporting our Armed Forces, which is why in 2022 we published our UK Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022 – 2032. There is much crossover between the Living in Our Shoes report and the Families Strategy Action Plan, with two authors of the report holding Defence to account via our Families Strategy Steering Group and progress being reported biannually to Ministers and being placed on record in the annual Armed Forces Covenant and Veterans Report.

The needs of families are constantly evolving, which is why Defence undertakes an annual Tri-Service Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FAMCAS). FAMCAS captures the key issues impacting our families which we then work to relieve. This may be achieved through direct intervention, for example via the Defence-funded Wraparound Childcare scheme, or by collaborating closely with other stakeholders or Government Departments, such as with the Office for Students to ensure that Service children are recognised within its Equality of Opportunity Risk Register.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on multi-mission aircraft in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The DE&S Multi-Mission Aircraft Delivery Team total spend on equipment by financial year (FY) is as follows:

The Multi-Mission Aircraft delivery team total spend on operating costs by financial year is as follows:

The Multi-Mission Aircraft Delivery Team is a specific project team in DE&S and the figures above represent the total spend of that team. The figure does not represent the total spend on all multi-mission aircraft projects across Defence which would not be held centrally and would not be answerable without a disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on the PULSAR project in each financial year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 2 April 2024 to Question 19791.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the Remotely-Piloted Air Systems Team at Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the Typhoon delivery, Lightning II delivery, Military Flying Training Systems and Remotely Piloted Air Systems teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the UK Military Flying Training Systems Team at Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the Typhoon delivery, Lightning II delivery, Military Flying Training Systems and Remotely Piloted Air Systems teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the Typhoon delivery team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the Typhoon delivery, Lightning II delivery, Military Flying Training Systems and Remotely Piloted Air Systems teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people worked on the Lightning II Team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the Typhoon delivery, Lightning II delivery, Military Flying Training Systems and Remotely Piloted Air Systems teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinooks, published on 14 March 2024, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the foreign exchange rate on the value of the contract for new Chinook helicopters.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Foreign Military Sales agreement with the US Government is denominated in US dollars in common with all such cases. The forecasted cost of the programme is based on the most up to date exchange rate predictions from Defence Economics. The risk of future foreign exchange exposure will be mitigated by the Department’s use of forward purchasing arrangements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which hazardous military waste materials are prohibited from being put into landfill as of 21 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

There are no derogations, exemptions or disapplications for defence activities within waste legislation. Therefore, hazardous military waste is dealt with in the same way as non-military hazardous waste. Hazardous waste prohibited from landfill, of relevance to Ministry of Defence activities, includes liquid waste and waste that would be explosive, corrosive, oxidising, flammable or highly flammable.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on (a) chemical, (b) biological and (c) radiological defence in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

A number of areas within Defence, including DE&S, the Front Line Commands and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) conduct work or incur costs in these areas and financial information is not held centrally. Accordingly a departmental response can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinooks, published on 14 March 2024, what is the Initial Operating Capability of the new Chinook helicopters; and when this will be achieved.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 15 February 2024 to Question 12919.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2024 to Question 10351 on Armed Forces: Housing, if he will provide a regional breakdown of those figures.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The table below provides a breakdown per region of the number of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) which have been treated for damp and mould, loss of heating, loss of hot water, loss of water supply, electrical faults, and pest infestation since 1 April 2022.

As previously advised, the damp and mould figures are provided from February 2023 and issues relating to the loss of heating and hot water are not recorded separately as boiler faults often affect both.

The 1,674 SFA properties which had been treated for damp and mould was reported as at 10:00 hours on 18 January 2024 from the live reporting system. The end of day final figure recorded for 18 January 2024 was 1,679, as shown in the table below.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on air systems (a) equipment and (b) training in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The DE&S Air Systems Equipment and Training delivery team total spend on equipment by financial year (FY) is as follows:

The DE&S Air Systems Equipment and Training delivery team total spend on operating costs by financial year is as follows. This is not split out into separate Equipment and Training costs:

Air Systems is a specific project team in DE&S and the figures above represent the total spend of that team. The figure does not represent the total spend on all air system project equipment and training across Defence which would not be held centrally and would not be answerable without a disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 22 of his Department's UK Armed Forces Defence Accommodation Strategy, published in October 2022, for what reason the target of no more than 10% of service family accommodation properties being vacant by September 2023 was not met; and whether he has set a new vacancy rate target.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) 10% void rate remains a valid target, however, a revised achievement date of 1 November 2026 was agreed with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in June 2023.

The Modernised Accommodation Offer (MAO) will significantly increase eligibility and demand for Service Family Accommodation (SFA), which will be satisfied through the use of void SFA. This has changed the planning assumptions on which the original target was set and to dispose of void SFA ahead of MAO would increase reliance on the Private Rental Sector (PRS), creating additional, avoidable long-term costs to the MOD.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on land combat vehicles in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Land Combat Vehicle (LCV) delivery team total spend on equipment and support by financial year is as follows:

The LCV total spend on operating costs by financial year is as follows:

LCV is a specific project team in DE&S and the figures above represent the total spend of that team. The figures do not represent the total spend on all land combat vehicles across the Department which would not be held centrally and would not be answerable without a disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on space integrated battlespace in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Space total spend on equipment costs by financial year is as follows:

The Space delivery team total spend on operating costs by financial year is as follows:

The Space team, which was stood up in March 2021, is a specific project team in DE&S and the figures above represent the total spend of that team. The figure does not represent the total spend on all space projects across Defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 December to Question 5174 on Defence Equipment, when he plans to send the response letter to the Rt hon. Member for Garston and Halewood.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I responded to the right hon. Member on 3 April 2024. A copy of my letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to address the challenges of integrating advanced technologies into the UK's defence capabilities, to maintain a cutting-edge military in 2024 and beyond.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence has set out plans to integrate advanced technologies into the UK's defence capabilities, details of which can be found in the Defence Command Paper Refresh (DCPR), published on 18 July 2023.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the use of RAF planes to transport asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The Secretary of State for Defence has frequent discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on issues affecting their Departments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK's defence spending aligns with the current strategic threat landscape, particularly in the light of emerging hybrid and cyber warfare tactics.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Command Paper Refresh (DCPR23) recognises the range and complexity of threats globally, including cyberspace, means we must foster a truly integrated approach to deterrence and defence by enhancing integration across all services and domains, across Government, as well as across regions, and the spectrum of conflict.

To support this, the Department has set out our longer-term aspiration to invest 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as the fiscal and economic circumstances allow. The Chancellor reaffirmed this commitment at the Spring Budget 2024 and the Prime Minister has indicated that the path towards 2.5% will be set out at the next Spending Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what support is available for military veterans transitioning back into civilian life.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) supports serving personnel, veterans, the military bereaved, and their families, who have an enduring welfare need or need help to access DWP benefits or injury, bereavement and compensation schemes.

Defence Transition Services (DTS) helps Service leavers and their families, who face challenges as they leave the military and adjust to civilian life.

The support from these two services is available from two years before discharge, through into civilian life and regardless of time served or reason for discharge.

Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans (IPC4V) supports Armed Forces personnel who are leaving the services and are suffering from complex and enduring physical, neurological and mental health issues resulting from an injury that is attributable to Service.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure transparency and cost-effectiveness in the procurement of defence equipment, given the increasing complexity and expense of modern military hardware.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence is implementing a new Integrated Procurement Model to drive pace in delivery of military capability to UK forces on the front line, so that we stay ahead of our adversaries in a fast changing strategic environment.

A key feature will be a Defence-wide portfolio to prioritise requirements at the departmental level to ensure we achieve greater effect from the available budget.

Spiral development, the delivery of a minimum deployable capability quickly which is then iterated in the light of experience and advances in technology throughout its in-service life, will be supported by new commercial pathways to increase speed and value for money.

As part of a new alliance with industry we will be more transparent about Defence's future acquisition pipeline to help shape markets, focus R&D efforts and build resilience into our industrial base.

In addition, the Procurement Act 2023 will deliver a step change in transparency and openness, with notices mandated for direct awards and publication requirements extended from planning to termination, including contract performance. A single central platform for contract data will give everyone access to certain procurement information, although there will be occasions when information will be withheld from publication on national security grounds.

Finally, we have reformed the Single Source Contract Regulations which provide regulatory assurance on value for money where we procure in the absence of competition. These reforms, which come into effect on 1 April, introduce simplifications and flexibilities to ensure the Regulations continue to adapt to changes in what we buy and how we buy it.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by The Earl of Minto on 19 March (HL3052), when the 150 documents related to the nuclear test veterans were declassified; and who authorised their declassification.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Minister for Defence People and Families personally examined all 150 records at the Atomic Weapons Establishment on 18 March 2024 and will update the House on plans for their release in due course. The documents consist of around 4,000 pages and were declassified following a review by officials at AWE and the Ministry of Defence which was completed in March this year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by The Earl of Minto on 19 March (HL3052), whether they will place a copy of the declassified documents concerning the nuclear test veterans in the Library of the House.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Minister for Defence People and Families personally examined all 150 records at the Atomic Weapons Establishment on 18 March 2024 and will update the House on plans for their release in due course. The documents consist of around 4,000 pages and were declassified following a review by officials at AWE and the Ministry of Defence which was completed in March this year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by The Earl of Minto on 19 March (HL3052), how many total pages are contained within the 150 declassified documents related to the nuclear test veterans.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Minister for Defence People and Families personally examined all 150 records at the Atomic Weapons Establishment on 18 March 2024 and will update the House on plans for their release in due course. The documents consist of around 4,000 pages and were declassified following a review by officials at AWE and the Ministry of Defence which was completed in March this year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to streamline the transition of medical care from military services to the NHS for service leavers.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Where personnel leaving the Armed Forces have an enduring need for medical care, the Defence Medical Services (DMS) works in partnership with the NHS in each of the four nations. Wherever they live in the UK, all veterans are able to receive veteran specific health care support if they need it. Personnel who have been assessed and diagnosed with a mental health need are able to access Ministry of Defence (MOD) Departments of Community Mental Health for up to six months after discharge to provide continuity of care during the transition period until appropriate handover to other services can be completed as required.

DMS facilitates the transfer of healthcare information for all service personnel when they leave the Armed Forces. Programme CORTISONE will provide the ability to transfer a service person’s healthcare record in electronic form to a GP practice at the end of their service.

The Defence Recovery Capability is a MOD-owned capability designed to deliver programmed, command-led and coordinated support to wounded, injured and sick serving personnel. 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 Veterans Welfare Service and Defence Transition Service deliver additional support to service leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the Armed Forces, including facilitating access to NHS services.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the New Bletchley Network, Rebuild The Army Now – to Prepare, Prevent, Deter War, published on 27 February.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Army is alive to many of the themes discussed in this report and, for those that have not already been addressed, is actively and constructively challenging itself in these areas.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the international relations group in Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the International Relations Group in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the Human Performance and Protection programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the High Level Decision Support programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on Future Workforce and Training programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the Hypersonics programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the communications and networks programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the Defence Science and Technology Futures programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the crime and policing programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the cyber security programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the autonomy programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the maritime combat systems team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

The Boats team did not exist prior to FY 2020-21, therefore the FTE figures are not available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the naval ships support team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

The Boats team did not exist prior to FY 2020-21, therefore the FTE figures are not available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the marine systems support team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

The Boats team did not exist prior to FY 2020-21, therefore the FTE figures are not available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the boats team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

The Boats team did not exist prior to FY 2020-21, therefore the FTE figures are not available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinook, published by his Department on 14 March 2024, what the cost is of the 14 new Chinook helicopters.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Chinook Extended Range Programme has an Approved Budgetary Level of £1.5 billion. Final costs will be subject to the conclusion of negotiations with the US Government and Boeing, and variance throughout the life of the programme in common with all FMS cases.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinook, published by his Department on 14 March 2024, what the £300 million reduction in costs includes; and how this will be achieved.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The £300 million reduction in cost is derived from more detailed planning between the UK, the US Government and Boeing. This includes refinements in capability requirements, maturation of costs, and programme risk adjustments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinook, published by his Department on 14 March 2024, when the first new Chinook helicopter will be delivered.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for North Durham (Kevan Jones) on 14 March 2024 to Question 18680.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinooks, published on 14 March 2024, if he will publish a breakdown of the estimated £151 million of extra investment to the economy.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This is commercially sensitive due to ongoing negotiations within the US Government's Foreign Military Sales arrangements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding his Department provided for the Maritime Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 2 April 2024 to Question 19791.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding his Department provided for the Influence and Command programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 2 April 2024 to Question 19791.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding his Department provided for the Missile Defence programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 2 April 2024 to Question 19791.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding his Department provided for the Land Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 2 April 2024 to Question 19791.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the advanced materials programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the Air Systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the AI programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the future maritime platforms team at Defence Equipment and Support in each year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

The Boats team did not exist prior to FY 2020-21, therefore the FTE figures are not available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinook, published by his Department on 14 March 2024, whether his Department plans to retire older models of Chinook helicopters.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

14 of the oldest Chinook helicopters from the existing fleet will be retired as the 14 new Chinook ER aircraft are introduced to service.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the Future Kinetic Effects and Weapons programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the deterrent and submarines systems programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the electromagnetic activities programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of spending on the Future Sensing programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019-20.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Dstl works with industry, academia and Government to make sure the UK has the right defence science and technology capabilities, and to deliver work for our customers in the Ministry of Defence and the rest of Government.

Dstl provides summary information on its Science and Technology Programmes on its website to inform the public of the nature of the work it is undertaking. Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2023 to Question 140032 on Type 26 Frigates: Iron and Steel, what the grades of UK-produced steel purchased for the (a) Batch 1 Type 26 and (b) Type 31 frigates were, broken down by (i) each order’s classification under the SAE grading system and (ii) the value and tonnage of each of those orders.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to question 14479 answered on 5 March 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December to Question 7162 on Air Force: Military Aircraft, when he plans to send the response letter to the Rt hon. Member for Garston and Halewood.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I responded to the right hon. Member on 22 March 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the integrated battlespace commercial team in Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the commercial teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the tables below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Commercial people for the above areas are deployed across DE&S, into different teams, as and when required. The data provided above is the most detailed information available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the Logistics Delivery Commercial Team at Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 21 March.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the commercial teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the tables below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Commercial people for the above areas are deployed across DE&S, into different teams, as and when required. The data provided above is the most detailed information available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the special projects team at Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the Electronic Warfare and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear, the Air, Space, Command, Control and Defence, the Special Projects and the Future Capability Group delivery teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the future capability group at Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the Electronic Warfare and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear, the Air, Space, Command, Control and Defence, the Special Projects and the Future Capability Group delivery teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the impact of each additional 0.5% of GDP spent on defence up to 3% of GDP on (a) force readiness and (b) levels of recruitment to the armed forces.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It is not possible to provide this information as the Department does not undertake its planning activity in this way.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the electronic warfare and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear team in Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the Electronic Warfare and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear, the Air, Space, Command, Control and Defence, the Special Projects and the Future Capability Group delivery teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the air, space, command, control and defence team at Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employed within the Electronic Warfare and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear, the Air, Space, Command, Control and Defence, the Special Projects and the Future Capability Group delivery teams in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the table below. The figures include civilian and military employees and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the domain commercial (a) air and (b) ships team in Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the commercial teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the tables below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Commercial people for the above areas are deployed across DE&S, into different teams, as and when required. The data provided above is the most detailed information available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the air support commercial team in Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the commercial teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the tables below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Commercial people for the above areas are deployed across DE&S, into different teams, as and when required. The data provided above is the most detailed information available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the combat air commercial team in Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the commercial teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the tables below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Commercial people for the above areas are deployed across DE&S, into different teams, as and when required. The data provided above is the most detailed information available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the helicopters commercial team in Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the commercial teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the tables below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Commercial people for the above areas are deployed across DE&S, into different teams, as and when required. The data provided above is the most detailed information available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the land equipment commercial team in Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the commercial teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the tables below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Commercial people for the above areas are deployed across DE&S, into different teams, as and when required. The data provided above is the most detailed information available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the ships commercial team in Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the commercial teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the tables below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Commercial people for the above areas are deployed across DE&S, into different teams, as and when required. The data provided above is the most detailed information available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were employed in the weapons commercial team in Defence Equipment and Support on average in each year from 2019 to 2024 as of 20 March 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The number of Full Time Equivalent employed in the commercial teams requested, in each Financial Year (FY) since 2019 as at 31 March, is detailed in the tables below. The figures include civilian and military employees, and workforce substitutes.

Figures for 2023-24 will not be available until the end of the FY.

Commercial people for the above areas are deployed across DE&S, into different teams, as and when required. The data provided above is the most detailed information available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding his Department provided for the Support and Sustainability programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in each financial year since 2019.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 2 April 2024 to Question 19791.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual budget is for the Advanced Materials programme at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26 financial year.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 2 April 2024 to Question 19791.

Found: 10 Eighth report of Session 2023-24 Ministry of Defence Improving Defence Inventory Management

Found: Supplementary written evidence from Ministry of Defence, 18 March 2024 Re GCAP International Government

Found: The Ministry of Defence will be writing to the NAO to invite them to be the UK’s designated national

Found: One of the largest cost increases in the Ministry of Defence (MoD)’s Equipment Plan for 2023–33 came

Found: Forces, which include a lower MIR, the Home Office consulted with and worked collaboratively with the Ministry

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many times since 2015 ministers have asked to forego a ministerial salary, either full or in part; and who were those ministers.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The number of ministerial salaries available to the government at any one time is 109. This is a statutory limit governed by the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975.

It is routinely the case that some ministers will be asked to serve in an unpaid capacity given the statutory limitations on the number of available salaries. A list of ministers who are currently serving in an unpaid capacity are as follows:

• Richard Holden MP, Minister of State (Minister without Portfolio) in the Cabinet Office (receives a salary from the Conservative Party)

• The Rt Hon John Glen MP, Minister of State and Paymaster General, Cabinet Office

• The Lord Johnson of Lainston CBE, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade.

• The Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office.

• The Earl of Minto, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence.

• The Rt Hon. the Earl Howe, Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords.

• The Rt Hon. the Lord Benyon, Minister of State, jointly at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

• The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

• Andrew Griffith MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

• The Baroness Barran MBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education and Government Equalities Spokesperson in the Lords.

• The Lord Douglas-Miller OBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

• The Lord Markham CBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care.

• The Lord Bellamy KC, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice

• The Viscount Camrose, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

• The Lord Offord of Garvel CVO, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business and Trade.

• The Lord Cameron of Lochiel, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Scotland Office.

• The Lord Roborough, Lord in Waiting (Government Whip)

The list of all government ministers on GOV.UK is updated following each reshuffle. The current government list is on gov.uk at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers.

It would be a significant undertaking to calculate the exact number of unpaid ministers since 2015, especially given some ministers have dual roles (where they are paid in one role but not in another) such as if they hold more than one ministerial position. We can estimate however that over the last decade, this number has been approximately 10-20 at any given time.

It is ultimately for the Prime Minister to decide how to organise the executive and which ministers are paid a salary. While the Cabinet Office provides advice to the Prime Minister on the number of salaries available, the department does not decide the allocation of salaries.

Ministers are continuing to voluntarily waive part of their salaries, foregoing any pay increase to their Ministerial salaries. This means ministers in the Commons’ salaries have not increased since 2010; and ministers in the House of Lords have received frozen salaries since 2019. Further information is published on GOV.UK at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-salary-data.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many times since 2015 ministers have been asked to forego a ministerial salary; and what were the reasons for those requests.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The number of ministerial salaries available to the government at any one time is 109. This is a statutory limit governed by the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975.

It is routinely the case that some ministers will be asked to serve in an unpaid capacity given the statutory limitations on the number of available salaries. A list of ministers who are currently serving in an unpaid capacity are as follows:

• Richard Holden MP, Minister of State (Minister without Portfolio) in the Cabinet Office (receives a salary from the Conservative Party)

• The Rt Hon John Glen MP, Minister of State and Paymaster General, Cabinet Office

• The Lord Johnson of Lainston CBE, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade.

• The Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office.

• The Earl of Minto, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence.

• The Rt Hon. the Earl Howe, Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords.

• The Rt Hon. the Lord Benyon, Minister of State, jointly at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

• The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

• Andrew Griffith MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

• The Baroness Barran MBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education and Government Equalities Spokesperson in the Lords.

• The Lord Douglas-Miller OBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

• The Lord Markham CBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care.

• The Lord Bellamy KC, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice

• The Viscount Camrose, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

• The Lord Offord of Garvel CVO, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business and Trade.

• The Lord Cameron of Lochiel, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Scotland Office.

• The Lord Roborough, Lord in Waiting (Government Whip)

The list of all government ministers on GOV.UK is updated following each reshuffle. The current government list is on gov.uk at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers.

It would be a significant undertaking to calculate the exact number of unpaid ministers since 2015, especially given some ministers have dual roles (where they are paid in one role but not in another) such as if they hold more than one ministerial position. We can estimate however that over the last decade, this number has been approximately 10-20 at any given time.

It is ultimately for the Prime Minister to decide how to organise the executive and which ministers are paid a salary. While the Cabinet Office provides advice to the Prime Minister on the number of salaries available, the department does not decide the allocation of salaries.

Ministers are continuing to voluntarily waive part of their salaries, foregoing any pay increase to their Ministerial salaries. This means ministers in the Commons’ salaries have not increased since 2010; and ministers in the House of Lords have received frozen salaries since 2019. Further information is published on GOV.UK at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-salary-data.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many times since 2015 a minister has foregone a ministerial salary at the request of the Cabinet Office.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The number of ministerial salaries available to the government at any one time is 109. This is a statutory limit governed by the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975.

It is routinely the case that some ministers will be asked to serve in an unpaid capacity given the statutory limitations on the number of available salaries. A list of ministers who are currently serving in an unpaid capacity are as follows:

• Richard Holden MP, Minister of State (Minister without Portfolio) in the Cabinet Office (receives a salary from the Conservative Party)

• The Rt Hon John Glen MP, Minister of State and Paymaster General, Cabinet Office

• The Lord Johnson of Lainston CBE, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade.

• The Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office.

• The Earl of Minto, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence.

• The Rt Hon. the Earl Howe, Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords.

• The Rt Hon. the Lord Benyon, Minister of State, jointly at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

• The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

• Andrew Griffith MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

• The Baroness Barran MBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education and Government Equalities Spokesperson in the Lords.

• The Lord Douglas-Miller OBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

• The Lord Markham CBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care.

• The Lord Bellamy KC, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice

• The Viscount Camrose, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

• The Lord Offord of Garvel CVO, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business and Trade.

• The Lord Cameron of Lochiel, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Scotland Office.

• The Lord Roborough, Lord in Waiting (Government Whip)

The list of all government ministers on GOV.UK is updated following each reshuffle. The current government list is on gov.uk at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers.

It would be a significant undertaking to calculate the exact number of unpaid ministers since 2015, especially given some ministers have dual roles (where they are paid in one role but not in another) such as if they hold more than one ministerial position. We can estimate however that over the last decade, this number has been approximately 10-20 at any given time.

It is ultimately for the Prime Minister to decide how to organise the executive and which ministers are paid a salary. While the Cabinet Office provides advice to the Prime Minister on the number of salaries available, the department does not decide the allocation of salaries.

Ministers are continuing to voluntarily waive part of their salaries, foregoing any pay increase to their Ministerial salaries. This means ministers in the Commons’ salaries have not increased since 2010; and ministers in the House of Lords have received frozen salaries since 2019. Further information is published on GOV.UK at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-salary-data.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there is a cap on the combined total for ministerial salaries in any financial year.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The number of ministerial salaries available to the government at any one time is 109. This is a statutory limit governed by the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975.

It is routinely the case that some ministers will be asked to serve in an unpaid capacity given the statutory limitations on the number of available salaries. A list of ministers who are currently serving in an unpaid capacity are as follows:

• Richard Holden MP, Minister of State (Minister without Portfolio) in the Cabinet Office (receives a salary from the Conservative Party)

• The Rt Hon John Glen MP, Minister of State and Paymaster General, Cabinet Office

• The Lord Johnson of Lainston CBE, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade.

• The Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office.

• The Earl of Minto, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence.

• The Rt Hon. the Earl Howe, Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords.

• The Rt Hon. the Lord Benyon, Minister of State, jointly at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

• The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

• Andrew Griffith MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

• The Baroness Barran MBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education and Government Equalities Spokesperson in the Lords.

• The Lord Douglas-Miller OBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

• The Lord Markham CBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care.

• The Lord Bellamy KC, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice

• The Viscount Camrose, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

• The Lord Offord of Garvel CVO, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business and Trade.

• The Lord Cameron of Lochiel, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Scotland Office.

• The Lord Roborough, Lord in Waiting (Government Whip)

The list of all government ministers on GOV.UK is updated following each reshuffle. The current government list is on gov.uk at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers.

It would be a significant undertaking to calculate the exact number of unpaid ministers since 2015, especially given some ministers have dual roles (where they are paid in one role but not in another) such as if they hold more than one ministerial position. We can estimate however that over the last decade, this number has been approximately 10-20 at any given time.

It is ultimately for the Prime Minister to decide how to organise the executive and which ministers are paid a salary. While the Cabinet Office provides advice to the Prime Minister on the number of salaries available, the department does not decide the allocation of salaries.

Ministers are continuing to voluntarily waive part of their salaries, foregoing any pay increase to their Ministerial salaries. This means ministers in the Commons’ salaries have not increased since 2010; and ministers in the House of Lords have received frozen salaries since 2019. Further information is published on GOV.UK at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-salary-data.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the potential (a) risk and (b) prevalence of (i) re-export and (ii) diversion of UK exports to Hamas.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade works alongside other government departments to regularly assess UK export licences. This includes working with the Ministry of Defence on risks of diversion of exported goods and national security risks arising from hostile state activity.

The Export Control Joint Unit will not issue an export licence to any destination where to do so would be inconsistent with the UK’s Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, including where there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law. HMG can and does refuse applications where there is a planned re-export that is inconsistent with the Criteria, or where we assess that the goods may be diverted to an undesirable destination.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of when defence spending will reach 2.5% of GDP; whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of raising defence spending to 3% of GDP; and if he will have discussions with the Leader of the House on finding time to debate the Early Day Motion in the name of the hon. Member for Clacton, number 455, on Future defence spending.

Answered by Laura Trott - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The government has consistently prioritised defence spending. The Ministry of Defence was the first department to get certainty on its budgets in this Parliament. This settlement was the largest sustained spending increase in defence since the end of the Cold War, with a £24 billion uplift in cash terms over the four-year period. In March 2023, we also provided an extra £11 billion for defence and national security priorities over the next five years, with £4.95 billion over the next two years.

The government’s aspiration over the longer-term is to invest 2.5% of GDP on defence, when the fiscal and economic circumstances allow.

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