James Cartlidge

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements.

The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention.

The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report.

In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements.

The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention.

The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report.

In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements.

The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention.

The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report.

In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements.

The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention.

The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report.

In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements.

The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention.

The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report.

In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

People form the core of our Defence capability and we recognise the urgent need to transform the way we support all Defence’s people and their families, from recruitment through to retirement and beyond.​ The new Government has met with Rick Haythornthwaite to explain our approach and emphasise our commitment to meeting the challenges set out in his generational review. The publication of a formal response to the report is now a priority.

The core principles and recommendations of the review will be central to the recently launched Strategic Defence Review. This will require a new and novel approach to determining the requirements for the UK’s Defence and the recommendations within the Haythornthwaite Review of UK Armed Forces Incentivisation (HRAFI) are already shaping how we deliver this.

As a core principle of the HRAFI report, the importance of developing a ‘People Value Proposition’ approach is fully accepted. Consequently, work is underway to map and articulate the ‘whole’ landscape of tangible and intangible elements of the ‘Offer’, ‘Reward’ and ‘Fulfilment’. Housing and Welfare are part of this work, as are all other areas that influence how valued and supported our people and their families feel.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements.

The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention.

The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report.

In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements.

The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention.

The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report.

In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

I am answering the question as ‘to ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to continue with the procurement of T4 bomb disposal robots.’

The Ministry of Defence is continuing its procurement of the T4 bomb disposal robot through Defence Equipment and Support, with the first of 50 T4 units being delivered by the end of 2024.

Defence is central not only to the security of the UK, but also to our shared prosperity and economic growth. This Strategic Defenc Review is to be the UK’s review - not just the Government's. The reviewers will consult widely including serving military, veterans, elected representatives, the Defence community, academia and industry across the entirety of the UK.

The Strategic Defence Review will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century. It will consider the state of the defence technological and industrial base, and the contribution of Defence to the Government’s growth mission.

The reviewers will consult widely, including with Parliament, the Defence community, academia, and industry including Primes and SMEs. Defence Ministers met with industry primes and SMEs as a priority in the first weeks of this new Government.

The Prime Minister has commissioned the Strategic Defence Review, which will be overseen by the Defence Secretary and headed by three external Reviewers. The lead Reviewer will be Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, with General Sir Richard Barrons and Dr Fiona Hill CMG as the other Reviewers. The Reviewers will select a small Defence Review Team (DRT) to support their work. The DRT will comprise of senior experts from inside and outside Defence, working closely with other Government Departments, notably HM Treasury.

NATO is the cornerstone of UK and Euro-Atlantic security and our commitment to the Alliance is unshakeable. The UK will continue to make a leading contribution to NATO through our commitment of forces and capabilities, contribution to NATO exercises and operations and defence investment. Further details of our approach will be set out in the Strategic Defence Review.

This Government is totally committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on Defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event.

Renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve is a priority for this Government. Morale of our Armed Forces is at a record low – the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey published in May 2024 reported that satisfaction with Service life remained at the lowest reported level.

In the King's speech the Government announced that we will establish an Armed Forces Commissioner as an independent champion for Service personnel and their families, as a first step to improving Service life.

This Government is committed to scrapping visa fees for non-UK veterans who have served our country for four or more years, and their dependants.

The Ministry of Defence has started work with the Home Office to deliver this manifesto commitment.

The Government is totally committed to the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, and will take all steps necessary to ensure it remains credible and effective. We are building four new Dreadnought Class submarines to replace the current Vanguard Class and developing a replacement nuclear warhead, while also maintaining our existing stockpile. We are recapitalising critical elements of our supporting infrastructure to modernise our naval bases and manufacturing capabilities to meet future fleet and weapons requirements.

The Government is totally committed to the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, and will take all steps necessary to ensure it remains credible and effective. We are building four new Dreadnought Class submarines to replace the current Vanguard Class and developing a replacement nuclear warhead, while also maintaining our existing stockpile. We are recapitalising critical elements of our supporting infrastructure to modernise our naval bases and manufacturing capabilities to meet future fleet and weapons requirements.

The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report.

There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.

Yes.

Improving Service accommodation is a priority for this Government.

The Armed Forces Continuous Attitude survey shows Service personnel have low levels of satisfaction with responses to requests for and the quality maintenance/repair work of Service Family Accommodation, and low levels of satisfaction with the general standard of Single Living Accommodation.

As a first step to improving Service life the Government will establish an Armed Forces Commissioner as a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families, to raise issues including housing.

Within each built estate Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) contract, there is an embedded assurance and verification process to check the adequacy of the maintenance and repair service provided. The assessments are made against Acceptable Levels of Performance.

As part of the National Accommodation Management Services contract, Pinnacle is consistently delivering at or above the minimum Acceptable Level of Performance in all areas where they have sole responsibility for delivery. Performance has either improved or been maintained by both VIVO and Amey in the key areas of reactive maintenance timeframes, and against the Move-In Standard. more progress still needs to be made before both are consistently at or above the Acceptable Level of Performance across the board and to meet the needs of Service families.

All FDIS UK Built Estate suppliers are currently performing as a minimum at the Acceptable Level of Performance in all areas. Where performance falls short of that Acceptable Level of Performance, specific performance Rectification Plans are put in place to recover performance and any subsequent contractual performance withholds applied. Each Region manages this performance rectification with suppliers back to an acceptable level of performance with oversight from the Health Check Forum. In general, the levels of performance have been improving due to Supplier competence and experience building commensurate with contract maturity.

Ministers are closely looking at the inherited plans for the Ajax programme.

Improving Service accommodation is a priority for this Government. The Department is committed to improving customer service for Service personnel and families living in Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Service Family Accommodation (SFA).

As a first step to improving Service life the Government will establish an Armed Forces Commissioner as a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families, to raise issues including housing.

SLA

A SLA Expert Group, including Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Top Level Budget (TLB) representatives and delivery teams, is continuing to evolve Defence Minimum Standard (DMS) measures to improve the quality of SLA.

If the DMS is not met and no other accommodation can be offered, charges for Service Personnel may be abated. A data tool that promotes consistency in DMS assessments is under development and is due to be completed by the end of 2024.

SFA

A review of contractual Key Performance Indicators is being initiated in recognition of the concerns raised by Service Families to ensure that they are aligned with and meet their needs. A joint DIO and contractor Case Management Team has been established to deliver targeted intervention for families by providing additional support where immediate action is required. The case management process aims to prevent issues from escalating into complaints.

Additionally, a review of the complaints process is underway to identify where the process might be improved and to make it easier for families to seek swift resolution of reported poor performance.

The attached table shows the number of open complaints made about SFA by Service Personnel since 2022.

As at 1 July 2024, the number of open complaints reduced to 539, down from the peak of 4,190 in early November 2022.

Improving Service accommodation is a priority for this Government. The Department is committed to improving customer service for Service personnel and families living in Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Service Family Accommodation (SFA).

As a first step to improving Service life the Government will establish an Armed Forces Commissioner as a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families, to raise issues including housing.

SLA

A SLA Expert Group, including Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Top Level Budget (TLB) representatives and delivery teams, is continuing to evolve Defence Minimum Standard (DMS) measures to improve the quality of SLA.

If the DMS is not met and no other accommodation can be offered, charges for Service Personnel may be abated. A data tool that promotes consistency in DMS assessments is under development and is due to be completed by the end of 2024.

SFA

A review of contractual Key Performance Indicators is being initiated in recognition of the concerns raised by Service Families to ensure that they are aligned with and meet their needs. A joint DIO and contractor Case Management Team has been established to deliver targeted intervention for families by providing additional support where immediate action is required. The case management process aims to prevent issues from escalating into complaints.

Additionally, a review of the complaints process is underway to identify where the process might be improved and to make it easier for families to seek swift resolution of reported poor performance.

The attached table shows the number of open complaints made about SFA by Service Personnel since 2022.

As at 1 July 2024, the number of open complaints reduced to 539, down from the peak of 4,190 in early November 2022.

This Government is committed to a safe working environment for all. The Secretary of State for Defence set out in his first address to staff that this will be a Government that respects all, will draw on all talents and will have zero tolerance for abuse.

The Ministry of Defence has launched a programme aimed at reaffirming the standards of behaviour that are expected across Defence. The Secretary of State has asked for an update on this work, and will consider what further action is needed across the Department.

The Strategic Defennce Review will be conducted in the most cost-effective way possible, within existing budgets. The ultimate outcome of the review is to identify where reprioritisation of roles, capabilities, activities, and support may be made in the current Defence programme, to allow new investment, achieve better value for money, and secure greater economic gain for the UK.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 July 2024 to Question 167.

Defence policy requires all Defence establishments to have business continuity and appropriate contingency plans in place to address risks of disruptions and that these plans are reviewed regularly. The effects of climate change on Departmental business resilience is recognised as a risk factor. As such, extreme weather contingency planning is a regular activity on Defence sites.

Defence developed and launched its own Climate Impact Risk Assessment Methodology in 2010 to identify measures to improve the resilience of the Defence estate to climate related hazards, and to ensure continuity of the outputs of Defence establishments.

The new Government is grateful for the work and contribution of the Kerslake Commission. Improving the condition of military housing is a priority for this Government. The Armed Forces Commissioner's remit will include all aspects of Service life which are raised by Service personnel and their family, including Service accommodation, however, responsibility for implementation and improvements to Service accommodation is for the Ministry of Defence.

The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report.

There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.

This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country. I am working across Government and with civil society to ensure veterans get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need.

A range of support is in place to help veterans access services, including an accreditation scheme for NHS Trusts and Primary Care Networks across England to ensure they can best support veterans access health care; Government funded housing support for veterans; Armed Forces Champions across the UK’s Job Centre Plus network to help support members of the Armed Forces community into work; and the veterans’ railcard offering discounts on most rail travel.

The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report.

There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.

The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report.

There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.

The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report.

There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.

The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report.

There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.

The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report.

There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.

The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report.

There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.

The Secretary of State for Defence travelled to Berlin on 24 July to sign a joint declaration with German Minister of Defence on enhanced defence cooperation between the UK and Germany. The UK and Germany have agreed shared priority objects for cooperation, including strengthening defence industries, reinforcing Euro-Atlantic security, enhancing inter-operability, addressing emerging threats, supporting Ukraine, and cooperation on long-range capabilities

Our nations consider closer defence cooperation as an important first step in a new relationship between Germany and the United Kingdom.

As we reset our relations with European partners, the Prime Minister and Ministers have already held positive discussions with EU counterparts, including at the European Political Community Summit at Blenheim. Agreeing an ambitious and broad-ranging new security pact with the EU, is a cross-Government priority, and the Government will seek to negotiate in due course. The Ministry of Defence will ensure the pact strengthens security for the UK and EU, underpins closer cooperation between us on threats we collectively face, and complements our unshakable commitment to NATO.

As an early priority for this Government the Defence Secretary hosted the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Australia to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to AUKUS and our Indo-pacific partners. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) will identify ways to nurture the UK's defence ties to the Indo-Pacific region, and to do this will consider existing policy and consult widely, drawing on expertise including from the Defence community, Parliament, academia and industry.

People form the core of our Defence capability and we recognise the urgent need to transform the way we support all Defence’s people and their families, from recruitment through to retirement and beyond.​ The new Government has met with Rick Haythornthwaite to explain our approach and emphasise our commitment to meeting the challenges set out in his generational review. The publication of a formal response to the report is now a priority.

The core principles and recommendations of the review will be central to the recently launched Strategic Defence Review. This will require a new and novel approach to determining the requirements for the UK’s Defence and the recommendations within the Haythornthwaite Review of UK Armed Forces Incentivisation (HRAFI) are already shaping how we deliver this.

As a core principle of the HRAFI report, the importance of developing a ‘People Value Proposition’ approach is fully accepted. Consequently, work is underway to map and articulate the ‘whole’ landscape of tangible and intangible elements of the ‘Offer’, ‘Reward’ and ‘Fulfilment’. Housing and Welfare are part of this work, as are all other areas that influence how valued and supported our people and their families feel.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event.

The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the capabilities we need to counter the growing, and diversifying, threats Britain is facing in the 21^st century.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event.

The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the capabilities we need to counter the growing, and diversifying, threats Britain is facing in the 21^st century.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event.

The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the capabilities we need to counter the growing, and diversifying, threats Britain is facing in the 21^st century.