Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Investment Plan will be published before the rise of the House on 18 December 2025.

Answered by Maria Eagle

We expect to publish the Defence Investment Plan this autumn, before the Christmas recess period.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Minister for Defence Procurement plans to respond to the hon. Member for South Suffolk's letter dated 1 July 2025.

Answered by Maria Eagle

I responded to the hon. Member’s letter of 1 July 2025 on 29 July 2025. This was within 20 working days of receipt, in accordance with longstanding policy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Armed Forces Recruitment Service contract contains diversity targets.

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

Defence remains committed to attracting, recruiting, retaining and developing the best talent from the broadest diversity of thought, skills, and backgrounds, to ensure our workforce is reflective of today’s society and able to meet current and future security threats.

The Armed Forces Recruiting Service (AFRS) will provide a streamlined, single-entry point for prospective recruits, with the aim of recruiting from the broadest spectrum of society to attract the best talent into the Armed Forces.

Under the AFRS contract, Serco, as the supplier, is required to comply with the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Diversity and Inclusion policy. The contract also includes Annual Mandated Performance Indicators focused on enhancing equality and diversity within the workforce.

As part of the broader Defence Diversity and Inclusion strategy 2018-2030, Levels of Ambition (LOA) exist to guide efforts in creating a more inclusive workplace and are key to attracting and retaining the best talent from across society. It is important to note that the AFRS contract remains cognisant of MOD LOA; however, there is a clear distinction between LOA and contractual diversity targets.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 11 July 2025 on Lancaster 2.0, HCWS812, if he will list each member of the new UK-France Nuclear Steering Board.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare

The UK France Nuclear Steering Group will be chaired by the Presidency of the Republic on the French side and by the Cabinet Office on the UK side. The steering group will be made up of senior officials from other Ministries and organisations as required. The first meeting will take place in the autumn, and it will meet regularly after that. Attendance shall be determined by the agenda items for each meeting; representation will vary accordingly.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 11 July 2025 on Lancaster 2.0, HCWS812, when the new UK-France Nuclear Steering Board will first meet.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare

The UK France Nuclear Steering Group will be chaired by the Presidency of the Republic on the French side and by the Cabinet Office on the UK side. The steering group will be made up of senior officials from other Ministries and organisations as required. The first meeting will take place in the autumn, and it will meet regularly after that. Attendance shall be determined by the agenda items for each meeting; representation will vary accordingly.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 11 July 2025 on Lancaster 2.0, HCWS812, how regularly the new UK-France Nuclear Steering Board will meet.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare

The UK France Nuclear Steering Group will be chaired by the Presidency of the Republic on the French side and by the Cabinet Office on the UK side. The steering group will be made up of senior officials from other Ministries and organisations as required. The first meeting will take place in the autumn, and it will meet regularly after that. Attendance shall be determined by the agenda items for each meeting; representation will vary accordingly.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 11 July 2025 on Lancaster 2.0, HCWS812, who will chair the new UK-France Nuclear Steering Board.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare

The UK France Nuclear Steering Group will be chaired by the Presidency of the Republic on the French side and by the Cabinet Office on the UK side. The steering group will be made up of senior officials from other Ministries and organisations as required. The first meeting will take place in the autumn, and it will meet regularly after that. Attendance shall be determined by the agenda items for each meeting; representation will vary accordingly.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the proposed remuneration package for the new National Armaments Director has been revised since the post was first advertised.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The salary for the National Armaments Director role remains as advertised.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the contract for the acting National Armaments Director has been extended in the 2025-26 financial year.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Andy Start continues to be the acting National Armaments Director. The substantive appointment of the National Armaments Director is underway.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the contract for the Armed Forces Recruitment Service will include specific recruitment targets for the (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Royal Navy.

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

We inherited a retention and recruitment crisis from the last administration and it is the policy of this Government to recover numbers in our Armed Forces and to grow the size of the Army. To deliver this we will be working with the new provider of the tri-service recruitment to deliver improvements in recruitment numbers.

From Full-Service Implementation in 2027, the Armed Forces Recruiting Service (AFRS) will deliver against annual recruitment targets and demand, which will be set by the three Services; the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, via the Command Recruiting Support Plan (CRSP). The CRSP is generated and approved in conjunction with the single Services with the AFRS contract containing a mechanism to adjust demand during each Recruiting Year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July to Question 67413 on France: Military Alliances, whether his Department recognises any distinction between strategic and sub-strategic nuclear capabilities.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The UK does not categorise nuclear weapon capabilities as either strategic or sub-strategic. The UK and NATO have said that any employment of nuclear weapons against NATO would fundamentally alter the nature of a conflict.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will quantify his Department’s (a) underspend and (b) overspend in financial year 2024-2025.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The Department's performance against its control totals for financial year 20245-25 will be set out in its Annual Report and Accounts, which will be published shortly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his oral statement of 17 July 2025 on Ukraine, Official Report, col 475, how many and what proportion of the drones supplied to Ukraine were made by British companies.

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

Where the UK's drone industry can meet Ukraine's drone requirements, the Ministry of Defence sources from UK industry, and this is true of the majority of the spend on drone procurements for Ukraine.

As stated by the Defence Secretary at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on 4 June, where he pledged £350 million investment into drones this financial year, the majority of the spend is with British companies. The proportion of drone spending spent with UK suppliers has varied year on year but this financial year we are on track to spend over 70% through UK suppliers.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of the drones that have been supplied to Ukraine were manufactured in the UK.

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

Where the UK's drone industry can meet Ukraine's drone requirements, the Ministry of Defence sources from UK industry, and this is true of the majority of the spend on drone procurements for Ukraine.

As stated by the Defence Secretary at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on 4 June, where he pledged £350 million investment into drones this financial year, the majority of the spend is with British companies. The proportion of drone spending spent with UK suppliers has varied year on year but this financial year we are on track to spend over 70% through UK suppliers.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Investment Plan will report based on a cost envelope in relation to (a) his Department's budget or (b) NATO qualifying defence expenditure.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The Defence Investment Plan will set out the Department's spending plans to deliver the vision of the Strategic Defence Review against its forecast budget. This will be based on the Department's Spending Review settlement, and the MOD's projected share of the Government's ambition to spending 3% of GDP on defence in the next Parliament as and when fiscal and economic conditions allow.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Investment Plan will report based on a cost envelope of (a) 2.5%, (b) 3% or (c) 3.5% of GDP on defence expenditure.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The Defence Investment Plan will set out how the MOD will deliver the vision of the Strategic Defence Review within the MOD's share of the Government's commitment to spending 2.6% of GDP on defence by 2027, and 3% of GDP in the next Parliament as fiscal and economic conditions allow.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, column 633, whether the annual increase in defence spending will include the Single Intelligence Account.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The Prime Minister has been clear about the contribution our intelligence and security services make to the defence of our nation. The commitment to spend 2.6% on defence from 2027 will include all spend relating the Single Intelligence Account.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his oral statement of 17 July 2025 on Ukraine, Official Report, col 475, whether the three star military officer who commands the multi-national command headquarters for the Multinational Force Ukraine will change when the headquarters moves from Paris to London.

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

The intent is for the three star command of the Multinational Force Ukraine to remain joint between UK and France. This will be reviewed once the detail of any ceasefire is known.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the specified operational locations are which qualify service personnel to receive the Operational Allowance.

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

The number of Service personnel who have received tax free operational allowance in each of the last five financial years including the financial year 2025-26 to date, can be found in the table below.

Service personnel on deployed operations in the following Specified Operational Locations (SOL) qualify for the payment of Operational Allowance:

Chad (all locations)

Egypt (Sinai only)

Iraq (all locations)

Mali (all locations)

Somalia (all locations)

South Sudan (all locations)

Democratic Republic of Congo (Goma only)

Lebanon (Naquora only) – backdated to 7 Oct 23

Red Sea (within operational areas) – backdated to 19 Oct 23

I am withholding the names of some locations for the purpose of safeguarding national security, as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel have received the tax free operational allowance in each of the last five financial years.

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

The number of Service personnel who have received tax free operational allowance in each of the last five financial years including the financial year 2025-26 to date, can be found in the table below.

Service personnel on deployed operations in the following Specified Operational Locations (SOL) qualify for the payment of Operational Allowance:

Chad (all locations)

Egypt (Sinai only)

Iraq (all locations)

Mali (all locations)

Somalia (all locations)

South Sudan (all locations)

Democratic Republic of Congo (Goma only)

Lebanon (Naquora only) – backdated to 7 Oct 23

Red Sea (within operational areas) – backdated to 19 Oct 23

I am withholding the names of some locations for the purpose of safeguarding national security, as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel have received the tax free operational allowance in the 2025-26 financial year.

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

The number of Service personnel who have received tax free operational allowance in each of the last five financial years including the financial year 2025-26 to date, can be found in the table below.

Service personnel on deployed operations in the following Specified Operational Locations (SOL) qualify for the payment of Operational Allowance:

Chad (all locations)

Egypt (Sinai only)

Iraq (all locations)

Mali (all locations)

Somalia (all locations)

South Sudan (all locations)

Democratic Republic of Congo (Goma only)

Lebanon (Naquora only) – backdated to 7 Oct 23

Red Sea (within operational areas) – backdated to 19 Oct 23

I am withholding the names of some locations for the purpose of safeguarding national security, as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of GDP will be spent on (a) NATO qualifying defence spend and (b) the MOD budget in financial year (i) 2025-26, (ii) 2026-27, (iii) 2027-28 and (iv) 2028-29.

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

The estimated percentage GDP figures are set out below:

The future years defence spending figures are based on current OBR GDP.

Under NATO guidance Government expenditure can be counted towards defence spending, provided it is specifically to meet the needs of its armed forces, those of Allies or of the Alliance.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much money attributed to the Single Intelligence Account was included in UK NATO qualifying defence expenditure in (a) 2022-23 and (b) 2023-24.

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

In line with all other NATO members, it is UK Government policy that we do not release individual elements of our NATO return publicly.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) role and (b) size is of the Army's General Service Corps.

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

The General Service Corps (GSC) is an administrative grouping for Service personnel with no other assigned Regiment or Corps, such as those who are recruited directly into limited specialist roles.

As at 28 July 2025, there were c800 Service personnel in the GSC.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the primary language will be in the three-star multi-national command headquarters for the Multinational Force Ukraine.

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

Over 30 nations are working together to provide support for MNF-U. We will be working using usual protocols for international collaboration. The planned working language is English.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the sugar beet industry in South Suffolk constituency.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

The Government is committed to supporting and promoting growth in the UK sugar beet industry, including in South Suffolk. For example: we are funding research into crop resilience and sustainable practices through the Farming Innovation Programme. The Government continues to work with industry stakeholders to ensure fair market conditions and is monitoring challenges faced by the industry.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote growth in the UK sugar beet industry.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

The Government is committed to supporting and promoting growth in the UK sugar beet industry, including in South Suffolk. For example: we are funding research into crop resilience and sustainable practices through the Farming Innovation Programme. The Government continues to work with industry stakeholders to ensure fair market conditions and is monitoring challenges faced by the industry.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the letter from the Right Hon. Member for Liverpool Garston to the Hon. Member for South Suffolk dated 29 July 2025, how much of the stated NATO-qualifying expenditure will be spent on the sustained investment for (a) maintenance and (b) security upgrades across the overseas estate.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The Department’s spending plans will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published in the autumn.

The share of this spending that relates to individual categories of spend will be considered as part of future returns to NATO.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the letter from the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry to the hon. Member for South Suffolk of 29 July 2025, how much of the stated NATO-qualifying expenditure will be spent on hybrid threat responses in the (a) 2027-28 and (b) 2028-29 financial years.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The Department’s spending plans will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published in the autumn.

The share of this spending that relates to individual categories of spend will be considered as part of future returns to NATO.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the letter from the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry to the hon. Member for South Suffolk of 29 July 2025, how much of the stated NATO-qualifying expenditure will be spent on supporting modern deterrence in the (a) 2027-28 and (b) 2028-29 financial years.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The Department’s spending plans will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published in the autumn.

The share of this spending that relates to individual categories of spend will be considered as part of future returns to NATO.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the letter from the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry to the hon. Member for South Suffolk of 29 July 2025, how much of the stated NATO-qualifying expenditure will be spent on strategic stability in the (a) 2027-28 and (b) 2028-29 financial years.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The Department’s spending plans will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published in the autumn.

The share of this spending that relates to individual categories of spend will be considered as part of future returns to NATO.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the letter from the Right Hon. Member for Liverpool Garston to the Hon. Member for South Suffolk dated 29 July 2025, how much of the stated NATO-qualifying expenditure will be spent on the implementation of the UK – EU Security and Defence Partnership.

Answered by Maria Eagle

The Department’s spending plans will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published in the autumn.

The share of this spending that relates to individual categories of spend will be considered as part of future returns to NATO.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 26 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, what discussions his Department has held with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, on plans to expand community-based Cadet Forces by 30% by 2030.

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

The campaign to increase the Cadet Forces by 30% by 2030 (’30 by 30’) is backed by £70 million of extra funding. The diverse and unique nature of the individual Cadet Forces and the federated approach to delivery mean that this funding will be spread across the single Services, Ministry of Defence (MOD) Centre, and supporting organisations. Work is currently underway to establish how the 30% increase will be realised, and costings will be refined through the ongoing Defence Investment Plan process.

The recommendation of the Strategic Defence Review covers both school and community-based Cadet Forces across the country. For a number of years, one focus for Cadet growth has been through the ongoing joint Department for Education (DfE)/MOD Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) in schools. The CEP will form a key component of the new ‘30 by 30’ campaign, and our important engagement with DfE on the delivery of this discreet element will continue.

We wish to grow Cadets in areas where the need is greatest. The MOD and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are working together to achieve this aim. In addition to our ’30 by 30’ campaign, MOD future growth plans will be aligned with areas with the highest deprivation levels and the weakest social infrastructure, including MHCLG’s Plan for Neighbourhoods programme places.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 26 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, what discussions his Department has held with the Department for Education on plans to expand in-school Cadet Forces by 30% by 2030.

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

The campaign to increase the Cadet Forces by 30% by 2030 (’30 by 30’) is backed by £70 million of extra funding. The diverse and unique nature of the individual Cadet Forces and the federated approach to delivery mean that this funding will be spread across the single Services, Ministry of Defence (MOD) Centre, and supporting organisations. Work is currently underway to establish how the 30% increase will be realised, and costings will be refined through the ongoing Defence Investment Plan process.

The recommendation of the Strategic Defence Review covers both school and community-based Cadet Forces across the country. For a number of years, one focus for Cadet growth has been through the ongoing joint Department for Education (DfE)/MOD Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) in schools. The CEP will form a key component of the new ‘30 by 30’ campaign, and our important engagement with DfE on the delivery of this discreet element will continue.

We wish to grow Cadets in areas where the need is greatest. The MOD and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are working together to achieve this aim. In addition to our ’30 by 30’ campaign, MOD future growth plans will be aligned with areas with the highest deprivation levels and the weakest social infrastructure, including MHCLG’s Plan for Neighbourhoods programme places.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 26 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025,what the cost to his Department is of increasing the Cadet Forces by 30% by 2030.

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

The campaign to increase the Cadet Forces by 30% by 2030 (’30 by 30’) is backed by £70 million of extra funding. The diverse and unique nature of the individual Cadet Forces and the federated approach to delivery mean that this funding will be spread across the single Services, Ministry of Defence (MOD) Centre, and supporting organisations. Work is currently underway to establish how the 30% increase will be realised, and costings will be refined through the ongoing Defence Investment Plan process.

The recommendation of the Strategic Defence Review covers both school and community-based Cadet Forces across the country. For a number of years, one focus for Cadet growth has been through the ongoing joint Department for Education (DfE)/MOD Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) in schools. The CEP will form a key component of the new ‘30 by 30’ campaign, and our important engagement with DfE on the delivery of this discreet element will continue.

We wish to grow Cadets in areas where the need is greatest. The MOD and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are working together to achieve this aim. In addition to our ’30 by 30’ campaign, MOD future growth plans will be aligned with areas with the highest deprivation levels and the weakest social infrastructure, including MHCLG’s Plan for Neighbourhoods programme places.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 33 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, whether he plans to make any amendments to the Single Source Contract Regulations regarding the delivery of the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

Answered by Maria Eagle

In accordance with recommendation 33b (Nuclear Industry Flexibility - Ensuring it has the flexibility to incentivise industry investment in infrastructure and asset management) of the Strategic Defence Review, the Department will be conducting a review of the Single Source Contracting Regulations (SSCRs).

The review will commence by the end of September 2025 and will conclude within the current financial year in readiness for any necessary legislative changes following ministerial and parliamentary approval.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 34 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what discussions he has had with stakeholders on the successor to the Dreadnought class submarine since 2 June 2025.

Answered by Maria Eagle

This Government is fully committed to the United Kingdom’s independent nuclear deterrent, underpinned by our triple lock commitment to continue to build the four new Dreadnought Class submarines, maintain our continuous at sea deterrent and deliver all the required upgrades, including the replacement warhead.

The Government has accepted all of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations. We routinely hold discussions on possible future national security and defence capabilities with our industry and international partners.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to clause 23 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on developing an understanding of the armed forces among young people in schools.

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

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the importance of the Department for Education (DfE) in increasing understanding and appreciation of our Armed Forces in young people. Ministers and officials from the MOD have met with colleagues in the DfE and discussed how a formal curriculum could be part of their ongoing curriculum review. Both departments have also discussed the vital work of Cadet Forces in schools, membership of which is proven to help develop self-confidence, teamwork, leadership and resilience in young people. Our ongoing discussions with the DfE are crucial to implementing the Cadet ‘30 in 30’ scheme under which this Government is investing £70 million to add 40,000 new Cadets across the UK by 2030.

The Strategic Defence Review is clear on the need for a whole of society approach to defence and the ongoing relationship between the MOD and the DfE is a key component of that plan. The Armed Forces enjoy good relationships with schools, primarily in terms of engagement to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) curriculum areas but this also extends to careers engagement. The Armed Forces only visit when they have been invited by a school to support activities and such visits cover a range of activities such as career events, citizenship talks, science and maths challenges and exercises.

Regarding the recruitment of young people, it is important to note that the Armed Forces do not target recruitment activity at under-16s, and no visits to schools by the Armed Forces are directly linked to recruitment, other than specific Careers/Jobs Fairs which generally involve a range of employers. While presentations may be given highlighting the careers available in the Armed Forces, no pupil is ever signed up or able to make a commitment to become a recruit in the Armed Forces during the course of a visit.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to clause 23 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether (a) Minister and (b) officials from his Department have had discussions with representatives from the Department for Education on developing understanding of the armed forces among young people in schools since 02 June 2025.

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

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the Royal Navy will play a new leading and coordinating role in securing the UK’s critical undersea infrastructure and maritime traffic. As part of this, the Royal Navy will work with wider Government and commercial partners to develop enhanced maritime surveillance through existing and novel capabilities.

We are continuing to advance existing programmes. RFA PROTEUS, our Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance ship, offers a versatile platform to help protect the integrity of the UK’s Maritime Zones and undersea critical maritime infrastructure. The Mine Hunting Capability Programme (MHC) is delivering a rolling programme of unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles into Royal Navy service for use by frontline Mine Warfare specialists. Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities provide a vital contribution too, through integration with partners from across government and our closest allies, we make it harder for our adversaries to hide.

We will build on these by establishing a national coordination centre to map and monitor infrastructure which will enable responses to suspicious activity or disruptions to be better targeted. We are also developing an ambitious plan to scale and accelerate capabilities already in service and under development with UK industry, including autonomous underwater sensors and uncrewed aerial vehicles. This will create a “flock” of uncrewed systems, which will be “shepherded” by Royal Navy surface ships to secure the seas around our island and dependencies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to clause 23 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether he plans to publish a formal policy document on developing understanding of the armed forces among young people in schools.

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

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the Royal Navy will play a new leading and coordinating role in securing the UK’s critical undersea infrastructure and maritime traffic. As part of this, the Royal Navy will work with wider Government and commercial partners to develop enhanced maritime surveillance through existing and novel capabilities.

We are continuing to advance existing programmes. RFA PROTEUS, our Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance ship, offers a versatile platform to help protect the integrity of the UK’s Maritime Zones and undersea critical maritime infrastructure. The Mine Hunting Capability Programme (MHC) is delivering a rolling programme of unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles into Royal Navy service for use by frontline Mine Warfare specialists. Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities provide a vital contribution too, through integration with partners from across government and our closest allies, we make it harder for our adversaries to hide.

We will build on these by establishing a national coordination centre to map and monitor infrastructure which will enable responses to suspicious activity or disruptions to be better targeted. We are also developing an ambitious plan to scale and accelerate capabilities already in service and under development with UK industry, including autonomous underwater sensors and uncrewed aerial vehicles. This will create a “flock” of uncrewed systems, which will be “shepherded” by Royal Navy surface ships to secure the seas around our island and dependencies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to clause 24 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether he plans to have discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the (a) protection and (b) defence of critical national infrastructure.

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

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the Royal Navy will play a new leading and coordinating role in securing the UK’s critical undersea infrastructure and maritime traffic. As part of this, the Royal Navy will work with wider Government and commercial partners to develop enhanced maritime surveillance through existing and novel capabilities.

We are continuing to advance existing programmes. RFA PROTEUS, our Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance ship, offers a versatile platform to help protect the integrity of the UK’s Maritime Zones and undersea critical maritime infrastructure. The Mine Hunting Capability Programme (MHC) is delivering a rolling programme of unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles into Royal Navy service for use by frontline Mine Warfare specialists. Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities provide a vital contribution too, through integration with partners from across government and our closest allies, we make it harder for our adversaries to hide.

We will build on these by establishing a national coordination centre to map and monitor infrastructure which will enable responses to suspicious activity or disruptions to be better targeted. We are also developing an ambitious plan to scale and accelerate capabilities already in service and under development with UK industry, including autonomous underwater sensors and uncrewed aerial vehicles. This will create a “flock” of uncrewed systems, which will be “shepherded” by Royal Navy surface ships to secure the seas around our island and dependencies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to clause 24 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what steps he is taking to support the Royal Navy in taking a (a) leading and (b) coordinating role in securing undersea (i) pipelines, (ii) cables and (iii) maritime traffic.

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

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the Royal Navy will play a new leading and coordinating role in securing the UK’s critical undersea infrastructure and maritime traffic. As part of this, the Royal Navy will work with wider Government and commercial partners to develop enhanced maritime surveillance through existing and novel capabilities.

We are continuing to advance existing programmes. RFA PROTEUS, our Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance ship, offers a versatile platform to help protect the integrity of the UK’s Maritime Zones and undersea critical maritime infrastructure. The Mine Hunting Capability Programme (MHC) is delivering a rolling programme of unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles into Royal Navy service for use by frontline Mine Warfare specialists. Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities provide a vital contribution too, through integration with partners from across government and our closest allies, we make it harder for our adversaries to hide.

We will build on these by establishing a national coordination centre to map and monitor infrastructure which will enable responses to suspicious activity or disruptions to be better targeted. We are also developing an ambitious plan to scale and accelerate capabilities already in service and under development with UK industry, including autonomous underwater sensors and uncrewed aerial vehicles. This will create a “flock” of uncrewed systems, which will be “shepherded” by Royal Navy surface ships to secure the seas around our island and dependencies.

Found: Letter dated 20/08/2025 from Alistair Carns MP to James Cartlidge MP in response to Written Parliamentary