Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many civilians are currently employed by the Ministry of Defence; and how many civilians have been employed by the Ministry of Defence in each of the past five years.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much was spent by the Ministry of Defence on consultancies in the last year for which figures are available, and in each of the preceding four years.

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

The table below gives the overall expenditure on consultancies in the last five financial years by the Ministry of Defence, On Vote Agencies, Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies and Other Bodies (such as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Royal Hospital Chelsea, the Reserve Forces and Cadet Associations and International Military Services Ltd.).

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review the duties of public company directors about informing shareholders when they receive a serious takeover approach.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government has no plans to review the duties of public company directors in relation to informing shareholders of a takeover approach. Directors owe a number of fiduciary duties to shareholders, including the need to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence, and to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its shareholders as a whole.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 2 December (HL2621), what assessment they have made of the effect of directors of public companies failing to notify the market of a takeover approach by a serious bidder at a premium above the prevailing price on the position of selling shareholders, and of the implications for the transparency of public companies.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Takeover Code, which has a statutory basis under the Companies Act 2006, sets out a clear and orderly framework for takeovers, including measures to ensure fairness to shareholders. The Code is issued and administered by the independent Panel on Takeovers and Mergers. The Panel has enforcement powers for breaches of the Code. Changes to the Code itself are a matter for the Panel.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied that UK military bases in the Middle East, particularly RAF Akrotiri, have appropriate protection.

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

We take the security of all our bases overseas seriously and take appropriate measures for their protection. This process is continually kept under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether banks and insurance companies are discriminating against defence firms; and what steps they intend to take in response.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMG has been actively engaging with the defence industry, trade associations and the financial services sector regarding access to financial services for defence companies.

Decisions regarding the provision of financial services to businesses are primarily a commercial decision, where banks and insurers will need to make an assessment of the relevant risks and conduct appropriate due diligence.

In a time of increasing geopolitical instability, maintaining a robust and thriving defence sector is essential to our national security. No company should be denied access to financial services purely on the basis that they work in 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. The Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, published in December 2024, recognised issues with regards to access to finance, including opening bank accounts or securing a loan. HMG is consulting with a wide range of stakeholders, including defence suppliers and financial institutions, to assess the ways in which we can reduce barriers and create a strong and resilient defence sector. We continue to invite all stakeholders to respond to the Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, either publicly or privately, by 28 February 2025.