Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what update they can provide on the progress of initiatives aimed at enhancing the cybersecurity of the UK military; and what measures are in place to protect the UK military's critical infrastructure.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the noble Lord to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (James Cartlidge), in the House of Commons on 24 October 2023 to the right hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne (Mr John Healey) in response to Question number 202622.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what investments they are making to enhance the capacity of the Armed Forces, including modernization of equipment, training and recruitment.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The MOD has set out plans to enhance the capacity of the Armed Forces, details of which can be found in the Defence Command Paper Refresh which was published on 18 July 2023.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of army recruits who take sick leave return to complete their training.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
In training year 2021-22, within the Army Recruiting and Initial Training Command, 454 trainees were removed from training due to injury or illness, of which 213 were recorded as having returned to training (47%). Within the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, of the 34 officer cadets who were discharged from the rehabilitation platoon, 21 returned to training (62%).
This information is not held centrally therefore these are estimated figures and will not include short-term illnesses.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average waiting time between passing the army recruitment process and receiving a job offer.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
There is no waiting time between passing the Army recruitment process and receiving a job offer as job offers are given at the point that a candidate completes the Army recruitment process.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government (1) how many, and (2) what class, of naval ships will be required in the Channel to tackle illegal migrant crossings.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The Royal Navy currently utilises one Class One Offshore Patrol Vessels (from three on rotation), six Archer Class P2000 Patrol Boats, three held at Ramsgate and three held at Portsmouth and a pair of Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) in support of Defence primacy for responding to small boat migration in the channel. As announced by the Prime Minister, primacy will transfer back to the Home Office from 31 January 2023. In anticipation of this, the Home Office will procure a number of Crew Transfer Vessels to replace the capacity provided by Royal Navy assets.