Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether each of the armed forces has diversity targets.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Armed Forces do not have diversity targets. There are agreed Levels of Ambition for recruitment and representation of females and ethnic minority personnel.

In a competitive age, our advantage derives from the talent and skills of our people. We must attract, recruit, and retain the best people drawn from the broadest diversity of thought, skills and background – it is mission critical to our operational effectiveness and to ensuring we continue to meet the threats we face and safeguard the security, stability and prosperity of our nation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on whether information gathered by unarmed UK surveillance aircraft and provided to the Israeli military was used in Operation Arnon in Nuseirat on 8 June 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Our mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only, including British nationals. Only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed to the relevant authorities.

We are unable comment further on detailed intelligence matters for operational security reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Surface to Air Missile Centre command and control systems, (b) Giraffe Agile Multibeam radars and (c) Land Ceptor launcher and missile systems comprising the Sky Sabre system are deployed in (i) the UK (ii) Poland and (iii) the Falklands.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

We do not routinely disclose the locations or numbers of these platforms in the interests of security and operational effectiveness.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6280 on Gaza: Air Force, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that information gathered by unarmed UK surveillance aircraft and shared with the Israeli military is only used to help locate hostages.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Our mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only, including British nationals. Only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed to the relevant authorities.

We are unable comment further on detailed intelligence matters for operational security reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has shared information gathered from surveillance flights over Gaza with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office; and if he will (a) declassify and (b) publish that information.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Our mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only, including British nationals. Only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed to the relevant authorities.

We are unable comment further on detailed intelligence matters for operational security reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what name has been given to the operation of RAF surveillance flights over Gaza; and what the cost of this operation was in the period between October 2023 and October 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Our mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only, including British nationals.

We are unable comment further on detailed intelligence matters for operational security reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to footnote 1 to table 4.8 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, published on 30 October 2024, what the (a) financial quantum, (b) relevant programme, (c) Other Government Departments involved in and (d) other relevant details of those Budget Cover Transfers are.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

All of the information relating to Budget Cover Transfers for the Department is already published in the public domain in the Ministry of Defence Main Estimates Memorandum for 2024 to 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the fire at Barrow nuclear shipyard.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the written statement I laid in the House on 30 October 2024, HCWS176.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the increase in (a) direct and (b) indirect costs to his Department of the 1.2% rise in employer national insurance contributions announced in the budget.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The changes to employer national insurance contributions from April are expected to increase Departmental costs c.£216million in financial year 2025-26.

The Chancellor has agreed to provide funding to the public sector to support with the cost of employer national insurance contributions, which will be confirmed at a future date.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of when Defence spending will reach 2.5% of GDP, and whether he has issued subsequent guidance to (a) Lord Robertson and (b) the external reviewers of Strategic Defence Review 2004-05.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This Government's commitment to spending 2.5% on Defence is included in the Strategic Defence Review Terms of Reference. The Review will conclude in accordance with these terms, taking into account what is deliverable and affordable.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department since the dissolution of the last Parliament; and on what items this was spent.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

There has been no expenditure on new furniture and fittings, or other refurbishment of the Ministerial offices in Ministry of Defence Main Building since the dissolution of the last Parliament on 30 May 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the second undersea cable protection ship will join the Royal Navy.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

RFA PROTEUS, the first of two Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance ships, is in service providing protection to undersea critical national infrastructure. The Strategic Defence Review will inform how to best deliver and augment RFA PROTEUS, taking advantage of the opportunity presented by new technologies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 8178 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, tabled by the Hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 October 2024 for answer on 14 October 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much financing his Department will contribute to the Chagos leasing settlement.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the results of training flights using Watchkeeper WK450 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle systems in Estonia in August 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

A battery from 47^th Regiment Royal Artillery successfully deployed to Estonia this August to operate the Watchkeeper system as part of Exercise ATHENA SHIELD. This was a proof-of-concept exercise to fly Watchkeeper at the latest build standard, in a strategically relevant theatre.

Lessons from this deployment are still being analysed and no decisions about Watchkeeper’s future commitments have been made. While there are no current plans to permanently deploy a full Drone Regiment to Estonia, the recently updated defence roadmap with Estonia demonstrates the UK’s continuing commitment to Estonia and securing NATO’s eastern flank.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to permanently deploy a drone-specialist regiment in Estonia.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

A battery from 47^th Regiment Royal Artillery successfully deployed to Estonia this August to operate the Watchkeeper system as part of Exercise ATHENA SHIELD. This was a proof-of-concept exercise to fly Watchkeeper at the latest build standard, in a strategically relevant theatre.

Lessons from this deployment are still being analysed and no decisions about Watchkeeper’s future commitments have been made. While there are no current plans to permanently deploy a full Drone Regiment to Estonia, the recently updated defence roadmap with Estonia demonstrates the UK’s continuing commitment to Estonia and securing NATO’s eastern flank.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to undertake further drone flight tests in Estonia following the 47th Regiment Royal Artillery’s testing during August.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

A battery from 47^th Regiment Royal Artillery successfully deployed to Estonia this August to operate the Watchkeeper system as part of Exercise ATHENA SHIELD. This was a proof-of-concept exercise to fly Watchkeeper at the latest build standard, in a strategically relevant theatre.

Lessons from this deployment are still being analysed and no decisions about Watchkeeper’s future commitments have been made. While there are no current plans to permanently deploy a full Drone Regiment to Estonia, the recently updated defence roadmap with Estonia demonstrates the UK’s continuing commitment to Estonia and securing NATO’s eastern flank.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Army’s Watchkeeper mid-life extension programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Work to assess the options available to the Department regarding the Watchkeeper Mid-Life Extension programme is ongoing, as such no final assessment has been made.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the fire in a submarine construction facility in Barrow-in-Furness on delivery of the AUKUS submarine programme.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the written statement I laid in the House on 30 October 2024 on this issue. The UK remains committed to delivering the SSN-AUKUS Optimal Pathway announced by the three leaders of the AUKUS nations in March 2023. The UK’s continued commitment to AUKUS was recently demonstrated by the Defence Secretary hosting his Australian and US counterparts at the Old Royal Naval College in London to drive forward progress on AUKUS.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many operational frigates are in the Royal Naval order of battle.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As a new government we inherited a situation in which the Royal Navy has nine Type 23 frigates in service, six of which are currently available. The normal operating cycle of every ship involves them entering different readiness levels depending on their programmes, periods of refit and departmental planning requirements. The Royal Navy will be transitioning from Type 23 Frigates to two new classes, Type 26 and Type 31, over the next decade.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps with his international counterparts to help ensure that Commonwealth War Graves are protected in Gaza.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is aware that both Gaza and Deir el Belah War Cemeteries have been damaged, but the full extent is not yet clear. A more detailed assessment cannot be carried out until the current situation subsides.

The CWGC will, however, restore those sites to a befitting standard as and when circumstances allow.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of F-35 components produced by UK companies are wear-sensitive parts.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The F-35 inventory is owned by the US Department of Defence and is managed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Pratt and Whitney. The details on the proportion of F35 components produced by UK companies are not known.

The F35 Programme does not classify components as wear-sensitive. Components are either "repairable" or "consumable".

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the potential cost of funding pay rises for armed forces personnel in each of the next three financial years.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The cost of funding pay rises for Armed Forces personnel in future years will be subject to the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Board.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether UK components supplied to the F-35 programme are coded using the NATO codification system.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

F-35 Components are owned by the US Department of Defence and managed in a Global Spares Pool. The F-35 components within the Global Spares Pool are not subject to NATO Codification.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide a breakdown of the additional money he will release for munitions procurement as part of the £2.9bn defence spending announced in the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, published on 30 October 2024.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Future prioritisation will be determined in the usual way and in line with the findings of the Strategic Defence Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the cost of the Military Strategic Headquarters.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

While the design and organisational structure of the future Military Strategic Head Quarters (MSHQ) is still in the development stage, it is expected that the creation of the MSHQ will be cost neutral and contained within the overall Defence budget.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to recognise the 80th anniversary of VJ Day in 2025.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The 80th anniversary of Victory Over Japan (VJ) Day in August 2025 will be an important opportunity to commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who finally brought the Second World War to a close.

As the Chancellor announced in the Budget, the Government will provide funding to the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) and VJ day, to remember those who gave their lives and honour those who served at home and abroad. DCMS is leading on the Government plans for what those national commemorations will look like, and the Ministry of Defence will play a significant supporting role.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the additional funding for Continuity of Education Allowance to compensate for introducing VAT on private school fees will come from the Ministry of Defence budget.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

In line with how the Continuity of Education Allowance normally operates, the Ministry of Defence will continue to pay up to 90% of private school fees following the VAT changes on 1 January.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what definition his Department uses of Sovereign Capability.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned. As part of the strategy it is expected the categorisation of sovereign production capacity will be considered, working closely with industry.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is fully engaged with NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) programme across all areas in which the UK is supporting DIANA initiatives, including strategic direction, challenge formation and rapid adoption.

As the host of the European Regional Office of DIANA, the UK MOD and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office retains a close working relationship with the DIANA Executive to ensure we meet our responsibilities on duty of care to NATO International Staff living and working in the UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to continue providing funding for NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic into 2025/26.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK remains committed to funding NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), as part of its wider commitment to NATO.

As the host of the European Regional Office of DIANA, the UK has been a champion of this initiative, additionally committing an affiliated UK Accelerator and bolstering access to national test centres across the UK to innovators and start-ups.

DIANA's success is essential to ensure NATO remains agile and responsive to technological threats and opportunities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on helicopter pilot training in the armed forces.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government remains committed to setting a path to spending 2.5% of GDP at a future fiscal event. Budget allocations will be set in the usual way and informed by the findings of the Strategic Defence Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on engineer retention in the armed forces.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government is committed to setting a path to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence at a future fiscal event. Budget allocations will be set in the usual way and informed by the findings of the Strategic Defence Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Research and Development programmes were listed under the Defence Sourcing Portal in the last twelve months.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

There were 114 Invitation To Tender (ITTs) published on the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) in the last twelve months (01/11/2023 to 31/10/2024). These ITTs were listed under the category of Research and Development services.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many helicopter engineers are employed at RAF Shawbury.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Due to commercial sensitivities, we cannot disclose the number of contracted civilian engineers based at RAF Shawbury.

There are a number of military engineers based at RAF Shawbury but they are not necessarily employed in direct engineering roles.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's budget for 2025-26 includes 24 Typhoon jets.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Budget allocations for 2025-26 will be set in the usual way and informed by the findings of the Strategic Defence Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on the future of the Tempest programme.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Tempest is the name used in the UK for the next generation combat aircraft being jointly developed with Japan and Italy under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). GCAP is an important programme, as the Prime Minister has stated, which is why the Defence Secretary hosted his Japanese and Italian counterparts within weeks of taking office. Positive progress on GCAP continues, with over 3,500 people employed on future combat air. In October, the UK completed its ratification processes for the GCAP Convention, the International Treaty that sets up the GCAP International Government Organisation, earlier this month.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the manufacture of large-calibre gun barrels as part of the Trinity House Agreement will exclusively use recycled British steel.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Trinity House Agreement will drive investment into the UK, and pave the way for the way for a new artillery gun barrel factory to be opened in the UK. The opening of the Rheinmetall factory will see the UK manufacture artillery gun barrels for the first time in 10 years, using British steel produced by Sheffield Forgemasters.

Discussions are ongoing between Rheinmetall and Sheffield Forgemasters on the specific arrangements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answers of 28 October 2024 to Questions 4187, 4188, and 4189 on USA: Veterans, whether he has held discussions with veterans organisations on encouraging Camp Lejeune veterans to come forward if they believe they have been affected by contaminated water.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

We take the safety of our personnel very seriously and any veteran that may have served at Camp Lejeune during this period and believe that their health was affected can apply for compensation under the War Pension Scheme.

The US compensation scheme had been running for almost two years at the point it was raised on 30 July 2024 to the new Ministerial team. Immediate instruction was given to Service Chiefs to communicate the scheme to anyone who may have been based at Camp Lejeune between 1 August 1953 and 31 December 1987, as well as on Ministry of Defence external channels.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answers of 28 October 2024 to Questions 4187, 4188, and 4189 on USA: Veterans, what steps his Department is taking to encourage Camp Lejeune veterans to come forward if they believe they have been affected by contaminated water.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

It is worth noting that the US compensation scheme had been running for almost two years at the point it was raised on 30 July 2024 to the new Ministerial team.

On notification, I immediately instructed the Ministry of Defence to release several statements encouraging those who think they may have been affected by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to contact the department. This was done through an article on Gov.uk, on the Department’s social media accounts and internally through Veterans UK and all three Services.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2024 to Question 4189 on USA: Veterans, how many Camp Lejeune veterans have contacted his Department as a result of the encouragement cited.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The US compensation scheme for those affected by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune had been running for almost two years at the point it was raised on 30 July 2024 to the new Ministerial team.

The Ministry of Defence has received three pieces of Ministerial Correspondence from relatives of veterans and veterans, one letter direct from a veteran and nine Freedom of Information Requests on the matter.

I once again encourage anyone who was based at Camp Lejeune between 1 August 1953 and 31 December 1987 to write to the Ministry of Defence so that we may provide them with advice. We take the safety of our personnel very seriously and any veteran that may have served at Camp Lejeune during this period and believe that their health was affected can apply for compensation under the War Pension Scheme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many trained military personnel were ready to deploy in a combat role in each branch of the armed forces in each of the last five years.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The below table represents the number of UK Armed Forces personnel with a Medical Deployability Standard (MDS) of Medically Fully Deployable (MFD) and Medically Limited Deployable (MLD), in a combat role, as at 1 July for each year between 2020 and 2024, by Service.

Source: Analysis (Health)

The new Government is determined to improve readiness and recruitment levels from those we inherited. Work to do so is underway and the MOD will be making announcements on action in due course.

Notes/caveats:

1. For the Army, the figures reflect the MDS of Full-Time Trade Trained Strength of the Infantry, the Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps and the Army Air Corps only, which are defined by the Army as personnel serving in a ‘combat role’.
2. The Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force do not have a definition for ‘combat role’ and the figures therefore reflect the MDS of Full-Time Trained Strength.
3. The figures include Reserve Forces personnel filling Regular posts whilst serving on Full Time Reserve Service and Gurkha personnel. Other Reserves, Civilians, Foreign Service, and non-UK military personnel are excluded.
4. The Defence Medical Information Capability Programme (DMICP) was used to obtain information on MDS. Prior to July 2022, MDS was sourced from a combination of DMICP medical records and data held on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system. Since July 2022 MDS has been sourced directly from DMICP due to improvements in data quality.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to (a) continue and (b) amend the Defence STEM Undergraduate scheme.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Defence is fully committed to encouraging and recruiting high quality STEM graduates. The Defence STEM Undergraduate Scheme (DSUS) is a key part of that, with enduring funding secured within the Departments Annual Budget Cycle (ABC) 24. Amendments to the DSUS will be considered as demands on Defence require it.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that Northern Ireland is integrated into the national defence strategy for (a) cyber defence and (b) hybrid threats.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Cyber defence and hybrid threats are crucial considerations as part of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which will establish the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century.

The first duty of Government is to defend the UK and its citizens, making the defence of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales a priority for the SDR. The Reviewers have invited the views of the devolved administrations and will ensure that Defence is central both to the security, economic growth and prosperity of the United Kingdom.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of how many helicopter pilots at RAF Shawbury will be unable to complete their training on schedule this year.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

There will be a limited short-term impact to the number of trainees completing UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) Rotary Wing aircrew training at RAF Shawbury this year.

However, this will not have an impact to the number of Tri-Service aircrew commencing Operational Conversion Unit training or on Front Line units. UKMFTS continues to deliver the number of Rotary Wing aircrew needed by Defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October to Question 10454 on Strategic Defence Review, whether all submissions by Parliamentarians will be read in the first instance by human beings, before the use of artificial intelligence.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review received a number of submissions from Parliamentarians, and all have been read by human beings.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recruitment targets there were in each branch of the armed forces in each of the last five years; and how many people were recruited to each branch in the same period.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The information requested by the hon. Member can be found below.

The new Government has made improving recruitment and readiness of our armed forces an early priority. The Secretary of State has already made announcements to improve recruitment and further announcements will be made by the Ministry of Defence in due course.

Notes:

Royal Navy

1. Full-Time Naval Service personnel (Royal Navy and Royal Marines), including Nursing Services, but excluding Full-Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel and reservists.

2. Untrained intake for Navy include Marines and comprises new entrants into Phase 1 training. Figures do not include transfers from another Service or include transfers from Other Rank to Officer.

Army

1. The figures are for the 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. Untrained intake for Army comprises new entrants into Phase 1 training. Figures do not include transfers from another Service. Figures also do not include transfers from Other Rank to Untrained Direct Entry Officer.

3. The Army Regular Other Rank Basic Training Starts (BTS) targets exclude re-joiners and personnel joining the Military Provost Guard Service and the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.

4. In 2019-20 the target was exceeded; however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent reduction in BT capacity, the number of BTS was impacted. Recruits were loaded to training, however, but were unable to start BT in year.

5. The Army reduced its recruitment targets in 2020-21 and 2021-22 due to measures under Future Soldier, which are reflected in the above figures. The Other Ranks target for 2020-21 was reported as 8,270 due to an administrative error in an earlier Parliamentary Question (UIN 7264) dated 8 January 2024 and has been corrected in the calculations for the above table.

6. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 for presentational purposes.

Royal Air Force

1. Intake to the Regular RAF includes both trained and untrained intake. The figures match the Service Personnel Statistics, Table 5A.

2. Recruitment and intake is likely to be affected by wider circumstances, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living.

3. Figures have been rounded to 10 for presentational purposes. Numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systemic bias.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the ratio of STEM-related MOD Apprenticeship schemes to Civilian MOD Apprenticeship schemes.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

There has been no specific assessment undertaken on the policy implications of ratios of Civil Service to Military STEM apprenticeships. Both organisations separately draw upon the government apprenticeship levy reducing the impact of any policy changes relating to the ratio of Military to Civil Service apprenticeships. STEM apprenticeship schemes are strongly supported across both the Civil Service and Military commands and are a priority as we look to the future of apprenticeships.

The Ministry of Defence is the largest single deliverer of apprenticeships in the UK, with over 24,000 personnel employed on a nationally recognised apprenticeship programme at any one time. Over 95% of our non-commissioned military recruits are offered an apprenticeship aligned to their trade training and 7.5% of Armed Forces personnel have started an apprenticeship in the last two years. In addition, 3.6% of our Civil Service workforce is currently undertaking an apprenticeship, spanning over 80+ different apprenticeship programmes within a variety of sectors and professional areas, working to build a skilled workforce fit for the future.

Defence's commitment to apprenticeship provision is recognised by the Department for Education’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers rankings 2024, with Army (1), RN (2), RAF (4) and Civil Service (33). Collectively, 130 apprenticeships are offered across the three Services and the Civil Service, ranging from Aeronautical Engineering to Clinical Healthcare Support and Nuclear.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing assistance with VAT on school fees to children of service families not currently in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Continuity of Education (CEA) scheme recognises the enormous sacrifices our military families make and aims to minimise the disruption to their children’s education caused by Service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home.

The Government remains committed to improving Service life and renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and their families. Whilst the new VAT policy does not offer any exemptions, the Government is committed to monitoring how these changes affect military families, with any potential adjustments to the scheme being considered during the next Spending Review.

To protect the integrity of the allowance the Secretary of State has directed that the cap on the current rates is uprated, and CEA rates are recalculated to take into account the addition of VAT. This will ensure the Ministry of Defence continues to pay up to 90% of private school fees following the taxation changes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to assist recipients of the Continuity of Education Allowance with payment of VAT on school fees.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Continuity of Education (CEA) scheme recognises the enormous sacrifices our military families make and aims to minimise the disruption to their children’s education caused by Service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home.

The Government remains committed to improving Service life and renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and their families. Whilst the new VAT policy does not offer any exemptions, the Government is committed to monitoring how these changes affect military families, with any potential adjustments to the scheme being considered during the next Spending Review.

To protect the integrity of the allowance the Secretary of State has directed that the cap on the current rates is uprated, and CEA rates are recalculated to take into account the addition of VAT. This will ensure the Ministry of Defence continues to pay up to 90% of private school fees following the taxation changes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to take steps to recognise people who were prisoners of war in the Far East at any VJ Day 80th anniversary commemoration.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The 80th anniversary of VJ Day in August 2025, led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will serve as a significant occasion to honour the service and sacrifice of all those who served in the Far East and brought the Second World War to an end. The Government continues to recognise those that served in the Far East during World War II, with eligible personnel entitled to receive the Pacific Star and the Burma Star in recognition of their service.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that former Armed Forces personnel based in Northern Ireland are adequately supported through veterans' services.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government is committed to ensuring that veterans are able to access the appropriate support they require wherever they live in the UK and will be seeking to more effectively coordinate and cohere the support that is available.

Specialist statutory support is delivered by the Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland, which has been successfully expanded to all veterans and their families across Northern Ireland. This provides information and practical support to veterans and their families, including physiotherapy and psychological therapies for eligible veterans.

In addition, the £500,000 Defence Medical Welfare Service pilot, which supports veterans’ health and wellbeing in Northern Ireland, is providing valuable insight to improve our understanding of veterans’ health needs.

These initiatives also build on the work of the 11 Veterans’ Champions in Northern Ireland and the recent enhancement of the Office for Veterans Affairs’ presence in Northern Ireland.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact that closing blast furnaces in (a) Port Talbot and (b) Scunthorpe on the UK's (i) virgin steel supply and (ii) defence industry.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This Government recognises the vital role the UK steel industry plays in Defence, to both our national security and economic growth. .

It is not anticipated that the closure of the blast furnaces at Port Talbot or Scunthorpe will have any adverse impact on Defence, but we will continue to monitor that situation. The Government will be bringing forward a new Steel Strategy next spring that will ensure a sustainable future for UK steelmaking.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies recommendation of the Haythornthwaite Review that the Armed Forces trial new total reward approaches for (a) engineers and (b) other key skills cohorts.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government is prioritising its response to the Armed Forces recruitment and retention challenge, and has taken action already to modernise recruitment processes and award our Armed Forces the largest pay increase in over two decades. The Haythornthwaite Review work-streams are being taken forward in our longer-term plans, and will be informed by the findings of the Strategic Defence Review. These include trials aimed at a wide engineering cohort, along with other measures to meet the needs of today’s Service people and their families.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to upgrade and modernise married living quarters at RAF Cosford.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Circa 95% of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) supporting RAF Cosford is at or above Decent Homes Standard.

Improving our Service accommodation across the UK and providing good quality homes that are safe and well maintained is a top priority for the Department. This Government is committed to setting new minimum standards for military housing, with the aim of improving the standard of SFA across the estate.

Circa £440 million is currently forecast to be spent on maintaining and improving SFA across the Defence Estate within financial year 2024-25.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support the creation of new jobs in the defence sector.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

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

In 2022-23, Ministry of Defence (MOD) expenditure supported 239,000 jobs in UK industry and a further 196,000 MOD Civilian and UK Regular Armed Forces personnel based in the UK.

The Defence Secretary has directed that the Defence Industrial Strategy be developed at pace to support this further.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Type 45 destroyers are (a) operationally available and (b) capable of being deployed simultaneously.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As of 31 October 2024, two Type 45 destroyers were immediately available, or deployed. The normal operating cycle of every ship involves them entering different readiness levels depending on their programmes, periods of refit and Departmental planning requirements. This is carefully managed to ensure the Royal Navy has sufficient assets available to deliver concurrent operational outputs, both in the UK and around the globe, whilst sustaining longer term availability, to meet changing defence demands in an uncertain world.

Readiness is a priority for this Government. Options to improve the readiness and availability of the Royal Navy Surface Fleet forms a key part of the ongoing Strategic Defence Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Type 23 frigates are (a) operationally available and (b) capable of being deployed simultaneously.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As of 31 October 2024, six Type 23 frigates were available. The normal operating cycle of every ship involves them entering different readiness levels depending on their programmes, periods of refit and Departmental planning requirements. This is carefully managed to ensure the Royal Navy has sufficient assets available to deliver concurrent operational outputs today, both in the UK and around the globe, whilst ensuring longer term Frigate availability tomorrow to meet changing defence demands in an uncertain world.

Readiness is a priority for this Government. Options to improve the readiness and availability of the Royal Navy Surface Fleet forms a key part of the ongoing Strategic Defence Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to ensure the security of Gibraltar.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The UK Government is committed to safeguarding the security of all our Overseas Territories, including Gibraltar. The Ministry of Defence undertakes regular assessments of the requirements for Defence support to Gibraltar.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times (a) his Department and (b) each agency sponsored by his Department has experienced a cyber attack in each year since 2010; what the cost to the public purse was of each cyber attack; and who the perpetrator was of each cyber attack.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The hon. Member will understand that it is not possible for me to reveal all details of cyber incidents for reasons of volume and security. For the same reason, it is usual practice not to reveal costs of cyber attacks as this is valuable information that our adversaries can use to determine weaknesses in our systems. The Ministry of Defence is the target of interest for the full range of malign cyber actors and has invested heavily in its defensive capabilities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the keynote recording of the Chief of the General Staff at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference 2024, published on 23 June 2024, whether his Department has taken recent steps to double the lethality of the British Army by 2027 and treble it by 2030.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Chief of the General Staff is working hard to fulfil the ambition outlined at the RUSI Land Warfare conference. The British Army continues to work to these goals, in tandem with the ongoing Strategic Defence Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) recruitment and (b) retention in the Royal Navy.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The new Government inherited a very challenging retention and recruitment position for all Services including the Royal Navy. Since taking office we have announced a number of new initiatives to improve recruitment including removing or updating over 100 outdated medical policies. We have also announced our intention to reduce the time it takes to join the Royal Navy as part of a new package of measures to improve recruitment.

The Royal Navy continues to meet its operational commitments, but tackling recruitment and retention challenges is a top priority.

The Royal Navy has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention including streamlining its recruiting and selection process with the aim of reducing the time candidates spend in the recruitment pipeline.

Specific initiatives include an improved medical assessment procedure, an augmented recruitment workforce to increase outreach, additional funding to support an extended marketing campaign and a modernised and streamlined recruitment website.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of New Zealand joining the AUKUS partnership.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Our ambition to deliver nuclear-powered submarines for Australia under AUKUS Pillar One will remain trilateral, however AUKUS nations are seeking opportunities to engage key partners and allies on discrete advanced capability projects under AUKUS Pillar Two. Recognising New Zealand’s close bilateral defence partnerships with the AUKUS nations, we have commenced consultations with New Zealand to identify possibilities for collaboration on advanced capabilities, on a project-by-project basis. We cannot prejudge the outcome of those consultations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether plans to terminate tenancies of private sector tenants living in his Department's homes on the Dreghorn (Edinburgh) estate.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has identified the Dreghorn (Edinburgh) estate as surplus to requirements. As a result, all private sector tenants will be given at least two months’ notice to vacate, in accordance with their tenancy agreements.

There is currently no timeframe for the notices to be issued. MOD officials will engage with those affected and advise them when a schedule has been agreed.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2024 to Question 7009 on Ministry of Defence: Official Cars, if he will publish a list of senior officials with access to a government car.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

For security reasons specific details of allocations including make and model of vehicles are not issued.

The arrangements relating to the usage of vehicles in the Government Car Service are set out in the Civil Service Management Code.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2024 to Question 7008 on Ministry of Defence: Official Cars, how many of those vehicles are electric.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

For security reasons specific details of allocations including make and model of vehicles are not issued.

The arrangements relating to the usage of vehicles in the Government Car Service are set out in the Civil Service Management Code.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans that the GUARDIAN Air Command and Control system based in the UK will reach full operating capability.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The GUARDIAN Air Command and Control system based in the UK is expected to reach Full Operating Capability in 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans that the GUARDIAN Air Command and Control system based in the Falklands will reach full operating capability.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The GUARDIAN Air Command and Control system based in the Falkland Islands reached Full Operating Capability in April 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has met with his New Zealand counterpart.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Secretary of State has met the Defence Minister for New Zealand, and looks forward to our countries working together on a range of defence and security issues.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the extent of the damage caused by the fire at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness on 30 October 2024.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the written statement I laid in the House on 30 October 2024, HCWS176.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated minimum deployable capability date is for the Boxer (a) 120mm self-propelled mortar system and (b) 155mm self-propelled artillery system.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Mechanised Infantry (BOXER) programme uses the terms Initial Operating Capability (IOC) and Full Operating Capability. The Armoured Mortar Vehicle is a project within this programme and therefore uses those terms. The Mobile Fires Platform project is a part of the Close Support Fires Programme, which uses the term Minimum Deployable Capability instead.

Whilst the Mechanised Infantry (BOXER) programme has an IOC, the definition of the IOC for the Armoured Mortar Vehicle project within the programme is yet to be confirmed. The Mobile Fires Platform project does not have a confirmed definition for Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC). Therefore, an estimated IOC or MDC for either variant cannot be projected at this time.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assumed increase in the UK's defence budget his Department is using for the purposes of estimating its 10-year Equipment Plan, calculated (a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of gross domestic product.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On 30 October His Majesty's Treasury published the Autumn Budget which confirmed the Ministry of Defence's Departmental Expenditure Limit for financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26. The longer-term budget will be confirmed through phase two of the Spending Review which is planned for late Spring 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to implement a mechanism to ensure that intelligence information shared with the Israeli government is used within the boundaries of international humanitarian law, and what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on ensuring that any information provided is used in compliance with international humanitarian law.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only, including British nationals. Only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed to the relevant authorities. The MOD has robust policies, practices and processes which are entirely consistent with our legal obligations under domestic and international law.

The Secretary of State for Defencec, and MOD officials, have regular discussions with their Israeli counterparts on the remaining hostages and other matters, including complying with International Humanitarian Law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

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Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number of asylum seekers who will be accommodated at Wethersfield in (a) 2024 and (b) each of the next five years.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The government inherited an asylum system under unprecedented strain. We have taken immediate action to restart asylum processing which will save an estimated £7 billion for the taxpayer over the next ten years, and are delivering a major uplift in returns to remove people with no right to be in the UK. Over the long term this will reduce our reliance on hotels and costs of accommodation.

Occupancy at the Wethersfield site is currently capped at 580 as part of the Special Development Order. This means that during current operation of the site, the population will not exceed 580.

Once the relevant Special Development Order conditions have been discharged, regular occupancy will be capped at 800.

The number of residents on the site at any one time is likely to vary due to a number of factors, including individuals having moved to onward dispersed accommodation while their claims are being considered.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to continue to use the Wethersfield site to provide accommodation for asylum seekers.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The government inherited an asylum system under unprecedented strain. We have taken immediate action to restart asylum processing which will save an estimated £7 billion for the taxpayer over the next ten years, and are delivering a major uplift in returns to remove people with no right to be in the UK. Over the long term this will reduce our reliance on hotels and costs of accommodation.

Occupancy at the Wethersfield site is currently capped at 580 as part of the Special Development Order. This means that during current operation of the site, the population will not exceed 580.

Once the relevant Special Development Order conditions have been discharged, regular occupancy will be capped at 800.

The number of residents on the site at any one time is likely to vary due to a number of factors, including individuals having moved to onward dispersed accommodation while their claims are being considered.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the cost of operating the Wethersfield site for asylum accommodation in each of the next five years.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

Cost information is prospective and commercially sensitive, and as such is not available to be released.

The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at HO annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab). It does not publish a breakdown of statistics which disaggregates asylum accommodation costs by type or location.

Asylum seekers who are resident in accommodation where meals are provided, such as Wethersfield, are in receipt of 8.86 per week. Further details about support asylum seekers may be entitled to can be found at Asylum support: What you'll get - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) average and (b) total cost of financial support provided to asylum seekers at the Wethersfield site was in the last 12 months.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

Cost information is prospective and commercially sensitive, and as such is not available to be released.

The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at HO annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab). It does not publish a breakdown of statistics which disaggregates asylum accommodation costs by type or location.

Asylum seekers who are resident in accommodation where meals are provided, such as Wethersfield, are in receipt of 8.86 per week. Further details about support asylum seekers may be entitled to can be found at Asylum support: What you'll get - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Malaysian Government on the protection of the wreck of HMS Prince of Wales, sunk in December 1941.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Illegally salvaged artefacts from HMS Prince of Wales seized by Malaysian authorities are part of an ongoing Malaysian criminal investigation. The UK Ministry of Defence and the British High Commission continue to work closely with the relevant authorities in the region to afford these sites suitable protection. As investigations into the illegal salvage are still ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further until these investigations have concluded.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, what estimate her Department has made of the cost of the increase to employer's national insurance contributions on the Ministry of Defence.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government will be supporting departments with the cost of additional employer national insurance contributions. This is in line with the Government’s usual approach to supporting the public sector, as was the case with the previous government’s Health and Social Care Levy. The allocation for the Ministry of Defence, along with all other departments, will be set out in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment the Government has made of the potential impact of the ending of support payments on the provision of combined cadet forces in state schools.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The government, through the Ministry of Defence, provides in the region of £180 million to support cadets schemes. The Department for Education has contributed up to £1.1 million annually since the academic year 2021/22. This has provided some additional funding to support cadet expansion in the form of the school staff instructor (SSI) grant. This has been distributed to 230 state schools.

Due to the current challenging fiscal context the government is having to take difficult decisions to ensure the stability of the economy and, while the importance of cadets is being recognised by continued support for cadet units through core funding provided by the Ministry of Defence, the department has had to take the difficult decision to not extend the additional SSI grant into this academic year. All schools in receipt of the SSI grant have been informed.

The cadet expansion programme will continue to be delivered and receive £3.6 million in government funding for this academic year. This £3.6 million per year funding is within the Ministry of Defence’s annual budget cycle settlement showing a profile out to financial year 2033/2034. This funding goes to the single Service (Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force) cadet organisations to provide funding for cadet expansion in schools.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many Home Office staff work at the Wethersfield accommodation site.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

ClearSprings Ready Homes (CRH) operates the Wethersfield site on behalf of the Home Office and is responsible for the safeguarding of those accommodated there.

The site and CRH are overseen by a Home Office assurance team which includes a dedicated safeguarding lead and an on-site senior responsible officer.

CRH delivers asylum accommodation and support services across the South and Wales regions. There are a number of requirements in the Asylum Accommodation and Support contract regarding safeguarding and identifying and responding to specific needs of residents. CRH operates in line with both the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contract Safeguarding Framework and Safeguarding Reporting Protocol.

Along with our accommodation providers, we have robust processes in place to ensure that where someone is at risk, they are referred to the appropriate statutory agencies for the appropriate safeguarding interventions.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there is a requirement for employees at the Wethersfield accommodation site to be trained in detecting signs of trauma and torture, as well as mental health awareness.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

ClearSprings Ready Homes (CRH) operates the Wethersfield site on behalf of the Home Office and is responsible for the safeguarding of those accommodated there.

The site and CRH are overseen by a Home Office assurance team which includes a dedicated safeguarding lead and an on-site senior responsible officer.

CRH delivers asylum accommodation and support services across the South and Wales regions. There are a number of requirements in the Asylum Accommodation and Support contract regarding safeguarding and identifying and responding to specific needs of residents. CRH operates in line with both the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contract Safeguarding Framework and Safeguarding Reporting Protocol.

Along with our accommodation providers, we have robust processes in place to ensure that where someone is at risk, they are referred to the appropriate statutory agencies for the appropriate safeguarding interventions.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many residents at Wethersfield accommodation site have had their asylum case substantive interview since 1 September; and how many of these cases had a legal representative.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office publishes statistics on the number of people in asylum accommodation (including Wethersfield) in table Asy_D09 of the quarterly Immigration System Statistics, and on the number of interviews conducted in table Asy_05(M) of the Migration Transparency Data ‘Immigration and protection’ collection. However, there is no data published on whether individuals in a particular location have had an interview, or whether they had a legal representative.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what (a) policy reviews, (b) new and revised strategies, (c) green papers and (d) white papers relating to the policy areas covered in the (i) The Integrated Review 2021, published on 16 March 2021, and (ii) Integrated Review Refresh 2023, published on 13 March 2023, each Department is working on.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The government has launched a number of reviews and strategies relating to policy areas covered in the Integrated Review (2021) and Integrated Review Refresh (2023). These include but are not limited to:

• Strategic Defence Review - Ministry of Defence

• AUKUS Review - Ministry of Defence

• China Audit - Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

• Global Impact Review - Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

• Economic Diplomacy Review - Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

• International Development Review - Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

• Resilience Review - Cabinet Office

• Trade Strategy - Department for Business and Trade

• Industrial Strategy - Department for Business and Trade

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 3.19 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, published on 30 October 2024, if she will publish an allocation breakdown of the £20.4 billion spending on research and development for 2025-26.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

To fully harness the potential of the UK's excellent science base and to foster a dynamic investment economy, the Budget protects record levels of government research and development (R&D) investment with £20.4 billion allocated in 2025-26. This is allocated as per the table below.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, published on 30 October 2024, if her Department will publish a tabular summary of Capital DEL allocated in the Budget to research and development by Department.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

To fully harness the potential of the UK's excellent science base and to foster a dynamic investment economy, the Budget protects record levels of government research and development (R&D) investment with £20.4 billion allocated in 2025-26. This is allocated as per the table below.

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