To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Defence Equipment: Expenditure
Thursday 19th December 2024

Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department spent on (a) weapons, (b) ammunition and (c) armoured fighting vehicles in (i) 2022/2023 and (ii) 2023/24; and what estimate he has made of such spending in 2024/25.

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

This information is not held centrally and therefore it has not been possible to provide the answer within the allotted time frame. I will write to the hon. Member with an update in due course and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Written Question
Armed Forces: Recruitment
Wednesday 18th December 2024

Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average time is between first inquiry and enlistment for candidates wishing to serve in the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Army.

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

The new Government inherited a crisis in recruitment. We have made it a priority to address this with a series of work streams designed to increase recruitment and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve to improve retention.

Many factors affect the time taken to proceed through the recruiting pipeline. Many candidates proceed much faster than the average when they are well prepared and ready to move quickly. Others take longer, for reasons including:

  • Delays in the receipt of primary healthcare records.
  • Medical deferment for those requiring time to get medically fit.
  • The need to align the start of basic of training with trade training.
  • A candidate’s current domestic, employment and housing situation.
  • A candidate’s choice regarding pace and level of engagement.

The requested numerical information is provided in the table below, noting that direct comparisons between each Service should be avoided due to the different processes in use; for example, recruits to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force must achieve a Security Check level of security clearance before joining.

Average Time of Flight taken between Application and Basic Training Starts for Regular Other Ranks UK Nationals in the 12 Months ending 1 October 2024

Service

Time of Flight (Days)

Royal Navy (RN) / Royal Marines (RM)

279

Army

249

Royal Air Force (RAF)

301

Notes:

  1. Time of Flight is defined as the time passed in days between the date of application and the date of intake to the untrained strength.​
  2. Average Time of Flight is expressed as the median number of days, meaning that Time of Flight for half of all candidates is shorter than the figures provided, and half is longer. For example, half of RN/RM candidates take up to 279 days, with half taking longer.
  3. Application data is taken from the Defence Recruitment System and Recruitment IT System (RN and RAF) and matched to intake data from the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system and should reflect time of entry to training.
  4. Army figures differ from Recruiting Group (RG) information reported elsewhere due to differing methodologies. The RG figures are intended to support operational decision-makers monitoring operational and pipeline performance.
  5. Applications from non-UK candidates are excluded, with Nationality as declared on JPA. Army figures include applications from Irish personnel but exclude applications from other countries and those applicants without a known nationality.
  6. For a small number of Navy personnel, application date is recorded as after their intake date, likely due to outflowing and re-joining the Service. These personnel have been excluded from calculations.
  7. When an individual has multiple applications to the RAF, the applications closest before their intake was used as the application submission date.
  8. Where an application date is not held in the data or an application cannot be matched to intake, such as where there is no corresponding service number or National Insurance number, the case is excluded.

Written Question
Ministry of Defence: ICT
Wednesday 18th December 2024

Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of his Department's (a) computers, (b) laptops, (c) phones and (d) USB sticks were (i) lost and (ii) stolen in each month in 2024.

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

The table below shows the number of computers, USBs, phones and laptops which were either lost or stolen in each month in 2024. The data supplied below is only for incidents which have been closed.

Number of computers, USBs, phones and laptops which were either lost or stolen in 2024 (closed incidents)

Computers

USBs

Phones

Laptops

January

1

9

13

13

February

4

4

6

7

March

1

5

16

44

April

3

4

13

7

May

0

3

10

9

June

5

84

11

7

July

11

12

19

10

August

0

0

6

11

September

0

1

19

8

October

0

2

37

19

November

0

1

4

2

December (up to 15th)

0

0

5

1

Total

25

125

159

138

We take the security of defence assets very seriously and have robust policies and procedures to prevent losses and thefts. Defence personnel are regularly reminded of their responsibilities to safeguard Defence assets.

Proportionate security controls are used to protect electronic devices according to the classification and nature of the information which the asset can hold.

Written Question
Defence
Monday 16th December 2024

Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)

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 planned 10% cut to his Department's headcount on military capability.

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

We are currently reviewing the civil service workforce required to deliver Defence’s strategy, and to align with the Chancellor’s announcement on public spending and the recent budget. We are committed to having an agile and sustainable workforce with the right skills, whilst maximising value for the taxpayer.

The Strategic Defence Review will ensure our people are at the heart of Defence’s plans, supporting the security, economic growth and prosperity of the UK.

Over time the civil service workforce will be smaller, but also a team that is better able to deliver Defence outputs efficiently and effectively.

Written Question
Armed Forces: Housing
Monday 16th December 2024

Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many incidents of (a) mould, (b) fire, and (c) flooding were recorded in military service personnel housing in each month in (a) 2022 and (b) 2023.

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

The number of reported incidents of damp and mould, fire, and flooding in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in each month in 2022 and 2023 is detailed in the tables below:

Damp and Mould reported in SFA:

2022

Number of incidents

2023

Number of incidents

Jan-22

-

Jan-23

1,204

Feb-22

-

Feb-23

592

Mar-22

-

Mar-23

534

Apr-22

176

Apr-23

341

May-22

326

May-23

325

Jun-22

268

Jun-23

192

Jul-22

225

Jul-23

199

Aug-22

207

Aug-23

201

Sep-22

215

Sep-23

199

Oct-22

389

Oct-23

408

Nov-22

1157

Nov-23

575

Dec-22

817

Dec-23

455

Total

3,780

Total

5,225

Fire Incidents reported in SFA:

2022

Number of incidents

2023

Number of incidents

Jan-22

-

Jan-23

2

Feb-22

-

Feb-23

1

Mar-22

-

Mar-23

0

Apr-22

3

Apr-23

2

May-22

0

May-23

0

Jun-22

2

Jun-23

3

Jul-22

1

Jul-23

2

Aug-22

1

Aug-23

1

Sep-22

1

Sep-23

0

Oct-22

2

Oct-23

2

Nov-22

1

Nov-23

0

Dec-22

1

Dec-23

2

Total

12

Total

15

The figures for fires in SFA, include smells of burning or a melted plug and the figures for flooding in Service Family Accommodation include incidents that occur inside the property and includes garages and outhouses.

Flooding Incidents reported in SFA:

2022

Number of incidents

2023

Number of incidents

Jan-22

-

Jan-23

59

Feb-22

-

Feb-23

33

Mar-22

-

Mar-23

34

Apr-22

9

Apr-23

16

May-22

14

May-23

18

Jun-22

18

Jun-23

21

Jul-22

20

Jul-23

18

Aug-22

12

Aug-23

25

Sep-22

25

Sep-23

18

Oct-22

10

Oct-23

29

Nov-22

25

Nov-23

17

Dec-22

81

Dec-23

30

Total

214

Total

318

The number of reported incidents of damp and mould, in Single Living Accommodation (SLA) in each month in 2022 and 2023 is detailed in the table below:

Damp and Mould in SLA:

2022

Number of incidents

2023

Number of incidents

Jan-22

-

Jan-23

226

Feb-22

-

Feb-23

240

Mar-22

-

Mar-23

216

Apr-22

74

Apr-23

119

May-22

126

May-23

216

Jun-22

132

Jun-23

241

Jul-22

134

Jul-23

163

Aug-22

93

Aug-23

155

Sep-22

99

Sep-23

167

Oct-22

153

Oct-23

233

Nov-22

171

Nov-23

305

Dec-22

101

Dec-23

182

Total

1,083

Total

2,463

The number of reported incidents of fire and flood, in SLA can only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

Data relating to incidents prior to April 2022 is not held as this predates the current Future Defence Infrastructure Services contracts.

The figures for damp and mould include work orders raised and can include small amounts of mould where a bathroom has not been ventilated.

Written Question
Ministry of Defence: Firearms
Thursday 12th December 2024

Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of his Department’s firearms were (a) lost and (b) stolen in each month in 2023.

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

The security of firearms is taken very seriously within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and we have robust procedures in place to deter and prevent loss and theft. All losses and thefts of firearms and ammunition are fully and rigorously investigated.

The below table details firearm losses and thefts from MOD Facilities in 2023 under the previous Government. This includes military establishments, ranges, training areas and on operations.

2023

December

Glock 19 Pistol

1

Stolen

August

Deactivated WWI German Machine Gun

1[1]

Lost

July

SA80 Rifle

1[2]

Lost

June

Deactivated WWII Luger Pistol

1

Lost

June

Deactivated WWII Sten Gun SMG

1

Lost

[1] Weapon subsequently found.

[2] Weapon subsequently found.

Written Question
Armed Forces: Mental Health Services
Thursday 12th December 2024

Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel were referred to mental health services in 2023.

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

3,444 UK Armed Forces personnel had an initial assessment at a Ministry of Defence Department of Community Mental Health centre between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023.

Written Question
Military Bases
Monday 9th December 2024

Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in which constituencies are each (a) base, (b) garrison and (c) barracks located for each of the armed forces in (i) England, (ii) Wales, (iii) Scotland and (iv) Northern Ireland; and which of those bases are designated for use by (A) NATO and (B) US visiting forces.

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

The information required to answer the hon. Member’s question is not held centrally. Officials are working to produce a consolidated response. I will write to her by late December 2024, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of The House.

Written Question
Ministry of Defence: ICT
Thursday 5th December 2024

Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of his Department's (a) computers, (b) laptops, (c) phones and (d) USB sticks were (i) lost and (ii) stolen in each month in 2023.

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

The table below shows the number of computers, laptops, phones and USB sticks which were either lost or stolen in each month in 2023.

Date

Computers

Laptops

USBs

Phones

Jan-23

0

13

2

9

Feb-23

0

10

0

3

Mar-23

0

38

2

10

Apr-23

0

10

0

3

May-23

0

8

2

8

Jun-23

0

10

1

12

Jul-23

0

9

6

8

Aug-23

0

51

3

9

Sep-23

0

7

3

8

Oct-23

0

8

1

9

Nov-23

0

9

0

11

Dec-23

0

3

0

11

We take the security of defence assets very seriously and have robust policies and procedures to prevent losses and thefts. Defence personnel are regularly reminded of their responsibilities to safeguard Defence assets.

Proportionate security controls are used to protect electronic devices according to the classification and nature of the information which the asset can hold.

Written Question
Veterans: Charities
Thursday 5th December 2024

Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what funds the Government has committed to veterans charities in each of the last two years; and how much each such charity has received.

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

The information is not held in the format requested.

Information held by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not differentiate between veterans’ charities; charities that generally support the Armed Forces community including veterans; and charities that have a wider remit but include support to veterans.

For the MOD, the majority of grant programmes supporting veterans are administered via the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT), and are listed on their website: https://covenantfund.org.uk

During financial year (FY) 2022-23 the AFCFT awarded 134 grants, totalling just over £7 million to 112 different not-for-profit organisations towards projects to support veterans.

During FY 2023-24 the AFCFT awarded 180 grants, totalling £23.8 million to 122 different organisations.

In addition, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA), now part of the MOD, has also funded grant programmes to support veterans, some of which were awarded to charities.

For OVA grants administered by the AFCFT, a total of £12 million has been allocated to the following programmes in FYs 2022-23 and 2023-24, some of which were awarded to charities:

  • Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund
  • Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme
  • Veterans’ Employment Enhancement Programme
  • Veterans’ Mobility Fund
  • LGBT Support Fund

In addition, during FY 2022-23 and 2023-24 the OVA has directly administered grants to veterans’ charities as detailed in the table below.

Charity

FY 2022-23

FY 2023-24

Blesma

£50,000

£150,000

Bravo Victor

£40,310

£178,255

Combat Stress

-

£65,000

Dame Kelly Holmes Trust

-

£500

Defence Medical Welfare Service

£34,801

£304,204

Fighting with Pride

£15,000

£1,500

Forward Assist

£40,000

£76,500

LGBT Foundation

£10,210

£1,500

Nuclear Community Charity Fund

-

£35,000

Royal British Legion

£250,000

-

Total

£440,321

£812,459