Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total estimated cost as a cash figure of accepting and implementing all 62 recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will provide a comprehensive overview of the Department's forward investment priorities across equipment, infrastructure, people, and supporting capabilities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much will be spent on (a) core defence and (b) NATO qualifying defence spend in the current financial year as a cash figure.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) on 16 April 2026 to Question 124427.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) he or (b) any ministers in his department have held discussions with any nations excluding Italy and Japan on the Global Combat Air Programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his international counterparts on a range of issues.

We have always maintained that we remain open to others joining GCAP, however, the UK and GCAP partners, Italy and Japan, are focused on delivering this vital military capability at pace.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if Ministers in his Department will publish correspondence with Peter Mandelson between 10 February and 11 September 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In line with the Humble Address motion agreed on 4 February, any information relevant to this and other questions regarding Mr Mandelson's appointment to, employment in, and withdrawal from, his posting as His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States will be published according to the process and provisions set out in the motion.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the 62 recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review have been implemented.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Government has made significant progress on Strategic Defence Reviw (SDR) implementation since it was published last June. Examples include:

CyberEM Command: The Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEM Force) was established on time and is now up and running, within the Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (Nov 25). SDR Rec 51

MIS and DCIU: The Military Intelligence Services and Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit were launched on time, as part of major overhaul of Defence’s intelligence organisations amid increasing threats to the UK and to keep Britain ahead of hostile states and terrorists (Dec 25). SDR Rec 54 & 56

Nuclear deterrence: The Prime Minister announced at the NATO Hague Summit (Jun 25) that the UK will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets and join NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission. SDR Rec 30

Atlantic Bastion: The UK’s groundbreaking Atlantic Bastion programme was unveiled (Dec 25), which will make Britain more secure from Russian undersea threats in the North Atlantic through a transformation of the Royal Navy and its submarine-hunting capabilities into an advanced hybrid force. SDR vision: Hybrid Navy

UKDI: UK Defence Innovation was launched (Jul 25) to streamline the delivery of innovation technology to Armed Forces personnel through rapid investment, with an annual budget of £400m. SDR Rec 07a

Defence Exports: The UK Defence and Security Exports function was transferred from Department for Business and Trade to MOD (Jul 25); all staff have completed their migration to MOD systems. 2025 was the highest year for UK Defence exports in 40 years including landmark deals with Norway, worth £10bn (T26 frigates; Aug 25), and Türkiye, worth £8bn (Typhoons; Oct 25). SDR Rec 12

DIS: The Defence Industrial Strategy was published (Sep 25) to take forward the SDR’s vision for radical reforms, growth, innovation, industrial resilience and warfighting readiness – backed by nearly £800m this parliament. SDR Rec 3 & 8

Always on munitions: Defence announced a new programme to build factories of the future (Nov 25) with at least 13 potential sites identified to manufacture munitions and explosives in the UK to create an always on capability. This is backed by £1.5bn of new investment in this parliament and creating over 1,000 British jobs. SDR Rec 29

Housing: The Defence Housing Strategy 2025 (Nov 25) set out £9bn of investment over the next decade to upgrade 40,000 Forces’ family homes. An ambitious programme of work to urgently fix 1,000 military homes was completed ahead of schedule (Dec 25). The programme of housing improvements, known as Raising the Minimum Standards, has seen significant work take place at service family homes across the UK. Legislation to establish a specialist arm’s length defence housing service is in the Armed Forces Bill, now in the Commons. SDR Rec 60

Gap Year: Plans to launch the new Armed Forces ‘Gap Year’ Foundation Scheme were announced (Dec 25) to give young people in the UK new opportunities to experience military service. SDR Rec 16

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many of the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review have begun implementation.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Implementation of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) began immediately after the Government endorsed the SDR's 62 recommendations; the delivery of the recommendations remains priority business for the Department and significant progress has been made since the SDR was published last June. Examples include:

Nuclear deterrence: The Prime Minister announced at the NATO Hague Summit (June 25) that the UK will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets and join NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission. SDR Recommendation (Rec) 30

UKDI: UK Defence Innovation was launched (July 25) to streamline the delivery of innovation technology to Armed Forces personnel through rapid investment, with an annual budget of £400 million. SDR Rec 7

Defence Exports: The UK Defence and Security Exports function was transferred from Department for Business and Trade to MOD (July 25); all staff have completed their migration to MOD systems. 2025 was the highest year for UK Defence exports in 40 years including landmark deals with Norway, worth £10 billion (T26 frigates; Aug 25), and Türkiye, worth £8 billion (Typhoons; October 25). SDR Rec 12

Defence Industrial Strategy: The Defence Industrial Strategy was published (September 25) to take forward the SDR’s vision for radical reforms, growth, innovation, industrial resilience and warfighting readiness – backed by nearly £800 million this parliament. SDR Rec 3 and 8

Always on munitions: Defence announced a new programme to build factories of the future (November 25) with at least 13 potential sites identified to manufacture munitions and explosives in the UK to create an always on capability. This is backed by £1.5 billion of new investment in this parliament and creating over 1,000 British jobs. SDR Rec 29

Housing: The Defence Housing Strategy 2025 (November 25) set out £9 billion of investment over the next decade to upgrade 40,000 Forces’ family homes. An ambitious programme of work to urgently fix 1,000 military homes was completed ahead of schedule (December 25). The programme of housing improvements, known as Raising the Minimum Standards, has seen significant work take place at service family homes across the UK. Legislation to establish a specialist arm’s length defence housing service is in the Armed Forces Bill, now in the Commons. SDR Rec 60

CyberEM Command: The Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEM Force) was established on time and is now up and running, within the Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (November 25). SDR Rec 51

MIS and DCIU: The Military Intelligence Services and Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit were launched on time, as part of a major overhaul of Defence’s intelligence organisations amid increasing threats to the UK and to keep Britain ahead of hostile states and terrorists (December 25). SDR Recs 54 and 56

Atlantic Bastion: The UK’s groundbreaking Atlantic Bastion programme was unveiled (December 25), which will make Britain more secure from Russian undersea threats in the North Atlantic through a transformation of the Royal Navy and its submarine-hunting capabilities into an advanced hybrid force. SDR vision: Hybrid Navy

Gap Year: Plans to launch the new Armed Forces ‘Gap Year’ Foundation Scheme were announced (December 25) to give young people in the UK new opportunities to experience military service. SDR Rec 16

DDS: A public summary of the UK's first ever Defence Diplomacy Strategy was published (March 26) which lays the foundation for UK Defence to be more deliberate, targeted and coherent in deepening its international relationships with allies and partners to support defence and wider foreign policy. SDR Rec 21

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to support farmers who have been affected by the increase in the price of red Diesel in South Suffolk.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Farmers retained the entitlement to use red diesel for agricultural machinery after it was withdrawn from most sectors in 2022. In contrast to full duty diesel, taxed at 52.95p per litre, red diesel currently incurs a duty of 10.18p per litre.

At Budget 2025, the Government extended the temporary 5p fuel duty cut alongside extending the proportionate percentage cut for rebated fuels, which includes red diesel. This maintains the red diesel rate at the levels set in March 2022 at 10.18p per litre until the end of August 2026, with rates then gradually returning to March 2022 levels by March 2027, an increase of less than 1p a litre. The planned inflation increase for 2026-27 has also been cancelled.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish all material within his Department that makes reference to Peter Mandelson.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In line with the Humble Address motion agreed on 4 February, any information regarding Mr Mandelson's appointment to, employment in, and withdrawal from, his posting as His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States will be published according to the process and provisions set out in the motion.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department classifies publishing a video on social media filmed at a secret location in an operational theatre containing information that could allow adversaries to geolocate that location as a security incident that could compromise operational security and the safety of personnel.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On 7 March 2026 we further highlighted our support for Ukraine through our maintenance, repair and overhaul systems facilities in Ukraine. These pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks and we are rightly proud of that support.

All social and press content was approved by the relevant Ministry of Defence processes ahead of publication, but because we take security seriously, we took steps to further reassure ourselves after publication of this content. The work in the MRO facility continues. From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with Ukraine and we will never waver in that support.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107732 on Type 45 Destroyers: Guided Weapons, how much of the £405 million committed to upgrading the Sea Viper missile system had been spent on 13 April 2026.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The current commitment of £405 million funds delivery and manufacture of Sea Viper Capability One and the assessment phase of Capability Two. As of 13 April 2026, the project has spent £218.6 million. The cost of delivering and manufacturing the Capability Two upgrade will be negotiated in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107732 on Type 45 Destroyers: Guided Weapons, what is the total remaining cost of the upgrade to the Sea Viper missile system.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The current commitment of £405 million funds delivery and manufacture of Sea Viper Capability One and the assessment phase of Capability Two. As of 13 April 2026, the project has spent £218.6 million. The cost of delivering and manufacturing the Capability Two upgrade will be negotiated in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107732 on Type 45 Destroyers: Guided Weapons, what is the total cost of the upgrade to the Sea Viper missile system.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The current commitment of £405 million funds delivery and manufacture of Sea Viper Capability One and the assessment phase of Capability Two. As of 13 April 2026, the project has spent £218.6 million. The cost of delivering and manufacturing the Capability Two upgrade will be negotiated in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 119386 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, whether he has ordered any Lightweight Multirole missiles since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I can confirm the Ministry of Defence has placed orders for Aster, Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles, Lightweight Multirole Missiles and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System missiles since 5 July 2024. Deliveries of Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles, which are used by the Land Ceptor system, continue under an extant contract. As a former Defence Minister, the hon. Member will understand that I am withholding further details, including quantities ordered and delivered, for reasons of operational security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many orders he has made for air-to-air missiles since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I can confirm the Ministry of Defence has placed orders for Aster, Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles, Lightweight Multirole Missiles and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System missiles since 5 July 2024. Deliveries of Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles, which are used by the Land Ceptor system, continue under an extant contract. As a former Defence Minister, the hon. Member will understand that I am withholding further details, including quantities ordered and delivered, for reasons of operational security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 119387 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, whether he has ordered any Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air missiles since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I can confirm the Ministry of Defence has placed orders for Aster, Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles, Lightweight Multirole Missiles and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System missiles since 5 July 2024. Deliveries of Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles, which are used by the Land Ceptor system, continue under an extant contract. As a former Defence Minister, the hon. Member will understand that I am withholding further details, including quantities ordered and delivered, for reasons of operational security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 119388 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, whether he has ordered any Land Ceptor missiles since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I can confirm the Ministry of Defence has placed orders for Aster, Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles, Lightweight Multirole Missiles and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System missiles since 5 July 2024. Deliveries of Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles, which are used by the Land Ceptor system, continue under an extant contract. As a former Defence Minister, the hon. Member will understand that I am withholding further details, including quantities ordered and delivered, for reasons of operational security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has ordered any Aster missiles since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I can confirm the Ministry of Defence has placed orders for Aster, Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles, Lightweight Multirole Missiles and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System missiles since 5 July 2024. Deliveries of Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles, which are used by the Land Ceptor system, continue under an extant contract. As a former Defence Minister, the hon. Member will understand that I am withholding further details, including quantities ordered and delivered, for reasons of operational security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December to Question 98837 on Cruise Missiles, what were the findings of the Review Note to be submitted in Quarter 1 2026.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The SPEAR Capability 3 Review Note, which was subject to an extended consultation phase, has now been submitted and is under consideration by the approval authority.

Fielding this critical F-35 warfighting capability is targeted within the joint programme from financial year 2028-29; spiral capability upgrades across the programme life cycle will occur thereafter.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December to Question 98837 on Cruise Missiles, when will Initial Operating Capability of the SPEAR Capability 3 programme be delivered.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The SPEAR Capability 3 Review Note, which was subject to an extended consultation phase, has now been submitted and is under consideration by the approval authority.

Fielding this critical F-35 warfighting capability is targeted within the joint programme from financial year 2028-29; spiral capability upgrades across the programme life cycle will occur thereafter.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December to Question 98837 on Cruise Missiles, whether the Review Note was submitted in Quarter 1 2026.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The SPEAR Capability 3 Review Note, which was subject to an extended consultation phase, has now been submitted and is under consideration by the approval authority.

Fielding this critical F-35 warfighting capability is targeted within the joint programme from financial year 2028-29; spiral capability upgrades across the programme life cycle will occur thereafter.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether construction has begun on the first munitions factory announced as part of the six new munitions factories in the Strategic Defence Review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Feasibility studies are planned to be contracted in Spring 2026, and to conclude in August 2026. The Ministry of Defence intends to announce investments in quarter 3 2026 with a view to beginning construction of the first factories before the end of the year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many new munitions factories have begun construction.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Feasibility studies are planned to be contracted in Spring 2026, and to conclude in August 2026. The Ministry of Defence intends to announce investments in quarter 3 2026 with a view to beginning construction of the first factories before the end of the year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on delivering at least six new munitions factories.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Feasibility studies are planned to be contracted in Spring 2026, and to conclude in August 2026. The Ministry of Defence intends to announce investments in quarter 3 2026 with a view to beginning construction of the first factories before the end of the year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to implement efficiency savings in his Department in the (a) current financial year and (b) next financial year.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has agreed efficiency targets with His Majesty's Treasury for 2026-27 and 2027-28, as set out in the Spending Review 2025 and the Departmental Efficiency Plans policy paper, published 11 June 2025.

Further efficiencies, were included in the Strategic Defence Review.

As part of routine financial management, the MOD continues to allocate resources effectively to meet departmental and operational priorities. The Department's final position for 2025-26 will be set out in the Annual Report and Accounts.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what efficiency savings targets does his Department have for financial year (a) 2026-27 and (b) 2027-28.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has agreed efficiency targets with His Majesty's Treasury for 2026-27 and 2027-28, as set out in the Spending Review 2025 and the Departmental Efficiency Plans policy paper, published 11 June 2025.

Further efficiencies, were included in the Strategic Defence Review.

As part of routine financial management, the MOD continues to allocate resources effectively to meet departmental and operational priorities. The Department's final position for 2025-26 will be set out in the Annual Report and Accounts.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Oral Statement of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Defence, Col 78, whether additional security measures were put in place following the removal of his Department's video on social media of a British-run military repair facility in Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On 7 March 2026 we further highlighted our support for Ukraine through our maintenance, repair and overhaul systems facilities in Ukraine. These pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks and we are rightly proud of that support.

All social and press content was approved by Ministry of Defence officials ahead of publication, but because we take security seriously, we took steps to further reassure ourselves after publication of this content. From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with Ukraine and we will never waver in that support.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Oral Statement of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Defence, Col 78, whether his Department received external advice to remove the video on social media of a British-run military repair facility in Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On 7 March 2026 we further highlighted our support for Ukraine through our maintenance, repair and overhaul systems facilities in Ukraine. These pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks and we are rightly proud of that support.

All social and press content was approved by Ministry of Defence officials ahead of publication, but because we take security seriously, we took steps to further reassure ourselves after publication of this content. From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with Ukraine and we will never waver in that support.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Oral Statement of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Defence, Col 78, for how long was his Department's video of a British-run military repair facility in Ukraine on social media before it was removed.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On 7 March 2026 we further highlighted our support for Ukraine through our maintenance, repair and overhaul systems facilities in Ukraine. These pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks and we are rightly proud of that support.

All social and press content was approved by Ministry of Defence officials ahead of publication, but because we take security seriously, we took steps to further reassure ourselves after publication of this content. From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with Ukraine and we will never waver in that support.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Oral Statement of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Defence, Col 78, who issued the instruction to remove the video on social media of a British-run military repair facility in Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On 7 March 2026 we further highlighted our support for Ukraine through our maintenance, repair and overhaul systems facilities in Ukraine. These pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks and we are rightly proud of that support.

All social and press content was approved by Ministry of Defence officials ahead of publication, but because we take security seriously, we took steps to further reassure ourselves after publication of this content. From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with Ukraine and we will never waver in that support.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Oral Statement of 9 March 2026 on Middle East: Defence, Col 78, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the removal of his Department's video on social media of a British-run military repair facility in Ukraine on on the safety of UK personnel.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On 7 March 2026 we further highlighted our support for Ukraine through our maintenance, repair and overhaul systems facilities in Ukraine. These pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks and we are rightly proud of that support.

All social and press content was approved by Ministry of Defence officials ahead of publication, but because we take security seriously, we took steps to further reassure ourselves after publication of this content.. From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with Ukraine and we will never waver in that support.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Q13 of the oral evidence given by the Prime Minister to the Liaison Committee on 23 March 2026, HC 1770, if she will set out a funding plan to spend 3% of GDP on defence before the next Parliament.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government has set an ambition to spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence next Parliament, when economic and fiscal conditions allow. Departmental budgets have been set for the Spending Review period, and will be reviewed at Spending Review 2027.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK service personnel have been stationed at the British Army Training Unit Suffield in each of the last 10 financial years in a (a) permanent and (b) temporary capacity.

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

Data regarding permanent Service personnel stationed at British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) can be found below.

Number of UK Regular Armed Forces Service Personnel Stationed at BATUS, Suffield, Canada 2016 - 2025

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many permanent staff were stationed at British Army Training Unit Suffield in each of the last 10 financial years.

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

Data regarding permanent Service personnel stationed at British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) can be found below.

Number of UK Regular Armed Forces Service Personnel Stationed at BATUS, Suffield, Canada 2016 - 2025

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his department plans to recognise independent celebrants as part of marriage law reform.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones

The Government recognises the contribution that independent celebrants make to the wedding industry. We have been seeking their views, together with a range of others, in order to inform the development of a consultation. We will invite views as to allowing independent officiants to carry out legally binding weddings and the potential consequences of this as part of the consultation

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to conduct a public consultation on wedding reform.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones

Yes, we will be consulting on the reform of weddings law in England and Wales.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has discussed the Global Combat Air Programme with his (a) Swedish, (b) Polish, (c) Canadian, (d) Australian, (e) Saudi Arabian and (f) Singaporean counterpart.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As part of the Ministry of Defence’s close working relationship with HMT, the Chancellor and the Defence Secretary, as well as other Ministers and officials, regularly discuss many of the Department’s largest programmes. These discussions can include the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his international counterparts on a range of issues.

We have always maintained that we remain open to others joining GCAP, however, the UK and GCAP partners, Italy and Japan, are focused on delivering this vital military capability at pace.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much will be spent on (a) core defence and (b) NATO qualifying defence spend in financial year (i) 2027-28 and (ii) 2028-29.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As the hon. Member will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely publish forecast figures. The UK's defence spending figures for 2027-28 and 2028-29 will be published by NATO in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has held discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the cost of delivering the Global Combat Air Programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As part of the Ministry of Defence’s close working relationship with HMT, the Chancellor and the Defence Secretary, as well as other Ministers and officials, regularly discuss many of the Department’s largest programmes. These discussions can include the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his international counterparts on a range of issues.

We have always maintained that we remain open to others joining GCAP, however, the UK and GCAP partners, Italy and Japan, are focused on delivering this vital military capability at pace.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there has been a delay to the presentation of the Defence Accident Investigation Branch investigation on the Ajax programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had internal discussions regarding the implementation of efficiency savings in his Department in the current financial year since 1 April 2026.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Investment Plan will be published before 1 June 2026.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Global Combat Air Programme has received funding since 1 April 2026.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his department has made an assessment of future local planning timetables and how they align with national housing objectives.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department does not hold data relating to future unpublished local plan timetables and their correlation with national housing objectives.

The new plan-making system includes a new process for producing plans with clear steps that a local planning authority will need to take. This should support faster preparation of plans and more frequent updates, helping to ensure that plans delivering higher housing figures are in place more quickly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much does he expect to spend on the delivery of Operation Interflex in financial year (a) 2026-27, (b) 2027-28 and (c) 2028-29.

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

The final figures for Ministry of Defence training support to Ukraine for each financial year are audited and included within the Department’s respective Annual report and Accounts (ARAc).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was spent on the delivery of Operation Interflex in financial year 2025-26.

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

The final figure for Ministry of Defence training support to Ukraine for Financial year 2025-26 will be audited and included within the Department's Annual Report and Accounts (ARAc), which will be published later this year.

Found: (RBVE) (AFB0015) 62 Oral evidence taken by the Defence Committee on 27 February 2024, Q184 [James Cartlidge

Found: Letter dated 16/03/2026 from John Healey MP to James Cartlidge MP regarding deployment of HMS Dragon,