Asked by: Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on the armed forces’ modernisation plans, in particular with regard to investment in new technology and equipment to ensure operational readiness for future conflicts.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government launched the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) to ensure we have the military capabilities needed to protect the United Kingdom now and in the future. The SDR will consider all aspects of Defence, including opportunities for modernisation, transformation, and greater productivity through the rapid and consistent application of Digital Age technologies. The SDR will review current modernisation plans and make recommendations on where the UK should focus our investment in equipment and technology.
At the same time, we are continuing to deliver modernised equipment and technology for the Armed Forces, as shown by the recent arrival of more F-35 stealth aircraft into UK service, and the launch of the 6th of the Astute class of advanced Hunter-Killer submarines, HMS AGAMEMNON. We also continue to invest in cutting edge science, technology, and innovation shown through the department's core Science and Technology programme and the Innovation Fund.
Asked by: Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve mental health support services for both active duty armed forces personnel and veterans.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the mental health and wellbeing of our Armed Forces personnel and veterans. The MOD works with stakeholders including the single Services and Defence Medical Services (DMS) to promote mental fitness, resilience and reduce stigma.
For those personnel requiring medical intervention the Defence Medical Services (DMS) provide a responsive, flexible, accessible and comprehensive treatment service. The DMS is reshaping mental health provision to reduce waiting lists, improve timelines for patient recovery and refocus on earlier intervention. This will provide a single point of access for specialist mental health networks allowing quicker access to initial assessment and earlier allocation to the right treatment pathway. DMS is increasing access to resources and online therapy to improve the care offered by GPs.
Several non-medical interventions across Defence complement medical services, including key MOD initiatives such as the Defence Senior Leaders Mental Fitness and Resilience course (SLMFR), HeadFIT and the Annual Mental Fitness Brief (AMFB). Additionally, each of the single Services provide through career mental health and stress management training.
NHS England has several bespoke services and initiatives to meet the needs of our Armed Forces community including Op COURAGE, the Veterans Mental Health, and Wellbeing Service, which provides an integrated mental health care pathway for veterans. Since its inception in April 2017, there have been over 38,500 referrals to Op COURAGE.
There are some veterans who prefer to access mainstream NHS services, for example NHS Talking Therapies. In addition to Op COURAGE services, between 1 April 2020 and 30 June 2024, 63,810 veterans have entered NHS Talking Therapy treatment services.
Asked by: Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps the armed forces are taking to enhance their partnerships and collaborations with NATO and other international allies to address shared security challenges in the light of recent geopolitical events.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK Armed Forces strengthen partnerships through NATO and with Allies through industrial cooperation, and by training and exercising providing visible security assurance inside and outside of SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility. We support NATO broadening its global outreach to strengthen unity on key issues including support to Ukraine, deterring and defending against malign Russian hybrid activity, and capability collaboration.
We welcome NATO’s deepened cooperation with partners in the Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Global South. The attendance of the Indo-Pacific Four Defence Ministers at the Defence Ministerial Meeting was a clear demonstration of the interconnectedness of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.
Asked by: Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase recruitment and retention in the armed forces.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave to the noble Lord Kempsall on 22 October 2024 in response to Question HL1397.
Asked by: Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour - Life peer)
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 - Shadow Minister (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.