Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with veterans charities on the potential issuing of compensation payments to persons formally associated with Irish Republicanism.

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

Neither the Secretary of State for Defence, nor any of his Ministerial team, have had any discussions with veterans charities on the potential issuing of compensation payments to persons formerly associated with Irish Republicanism.

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, whether the Defence Industrial Strategy will be included in the National Security Strategy or published separately.

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

This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security, and a high-growth economy are aligned.

The Statement of Intent outlined that the Defence Industrial Strategy will be published in late-Spring 2025.

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, whether the cost of the Chagos settlement will be funded from the announced rise to 2.5% of GDP for his Department’s budget.

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

The terms of the treaty are still being finalised, once the treaty is finalised it will be put before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual way.

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, whether responsibility for the intelligence security services will be moved to his Department.

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

There are no plans for the Ministry of Defence to have responsibility for the intelligence and security services.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what economic assumptions her Department has used to calculate the proposed increase in defence spending of £13.4bn by 2027.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Economic assumptions are based on independent forecasts provided by the OBR, under the Charter of Budget Responsibility. The next forecast will become available at the Spring Statement on 26 March in the usual way.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any proportion of the proposed increase in defence spending from 2027 will be spent on providing further military aid to Ukraine.

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

The Government is committed to providing at least £3 billion a year to Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will seek a judicial review of the Clonoe Coroner’s verdict as delivered in the Coroner’s Court in Northern Ireland on 6 February 2025.

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

We owe a great deal of debt to our Armed Forces – the vast majority of those who served in Operation Banner during the Troubles, did so with distinction.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the legacy of the past is addressed sensitively, efficiently, and lawfully. It is important, as we seek to find an agreed way forward, that we recognise the many bereaved families of ex-service personal who continue to seek answers about the circumstances of their loved ones’ death.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Defence Serious Crime Unit.

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

Assurance for the effective and efficient operation of the Service Justice System is provided by the Service Justice Board, chaired by the Minister for Veterans and People and includes representatives from outside the Service Justice System, such as the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales and also non-executive directors. It provides challenge and scrutiny in respect of strategic performance data, including that related to the independent Defence Serious Crime Command and Unit.

Elements of the Service Justice System are also subject to inspection by independent inspectorates. For example, in November 2024 an HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate report on the Service Prosecuting Authority commented positively on the support provided to victims in the Service Justice System and the handling of sexual offences. Later this year, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) will conduct an inspection of the Defence Serious Crime Command and Unit.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel have been discharged as a result of the Zero Tolerance to Sexual Offences and Sexual Relationships Between Instructors and Trainees policy across Defence.

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

47 Service personnel were discharged under the Zero Tolerance to Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour policy, between its implementation in November 2022 and the end of the most recent reporting period in September 2024. The policy carries with it a presumption of discharge.

56 Service personnel were discharged under the Zero Tolerance to Sexual Offences (Instructor/Trainee Sexual Relationships) policy, between its implementation in July 2022 and the end of the most recent reporting period in September 2024. Discharge is mandatory under this policy.

Defence is committed to preventing unacceptable behaviours from occurring and we have zero tolerance for such behaviour. We are also committed to making the step changes required to create a safe and inclusive environment for all our Service personnel, enabling us to deliver our Defence outputs and enhance our operational effectiveness.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel have been discharged as a result of the Zero Tolerance to Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour policy across Defence.

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

47 Service personnel were discharged under the Zero Tolerance to Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour policy, between its implementation in November 2022 and the end of the most recent reporting period in September 2024. The policy carries with it a presumption of discharge.

56 Service personnel were discharged under the Zero Tolerance to Sexual Offences (Instructor/Trainee Sexual Relationships) policy, between its implementation in July 2022 and the end of the most recent reporting period in September 2024. Discharge is mandatory under this policy.

Defence is committed to preventing unacceptable behaviours from occurring and we have zero tolerance for such behaviour. We are also committed to making the step changes required to create a safe and inclusive environment for all our Service personnel, enabling us to deliver our Defence outputs and enhance our operational effectiveness.

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, if he will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of the increase in defence spending for financial year (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26 and (c) 2026-27.

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

The announced pathway to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027 has not changed the Ministry of Defence's budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26 as set out in the Autumn Budget.

His Majesty's Treasury is currently undertaking the second phase of the Spending Review, which will be announced on 11 June 2025. This will set Departmental budgets for three years from 2026-27 for RDEL and four years for CDEL.

The 2.5% commitment will be funded by reductions in ODA to 0.3% of GNI from 2026-27 onwards and does not require the Government to change the spending envelope.

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, if he will provide a cost breakdown of the funding announced for defence spending from 2027.

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

The announced pathway to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027 has not changed the Ministry of Defence's budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26 as set out in the Autumn Budget.

His Majesty's Treasury is currently undertaking the second phase of the Spending Review, which will be announced on 11 June 2025. This will set Departmental budgets for three years from 2026-27 for RDEL and four years for CDEL.

The 2.5% commitment will be funded by reductions in ODA to 0.3% of GNI from 2026-27 onwards and does not require the Government to change the spending envelope.

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, whether there will be an increase in defence spending for financial year 2024-25.

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

The announced pathway to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027 has not changed the Ministry of Defence's budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26 as set out in the Autumn Budget.

His Majesty's Treasury is currently undertaking the second phase of the Spending Review, which will be announced on 11 June 2025. This will set Departmental budgets for three years from 2026-27 for RDEL and four years for CDEL.

The 2.5% commitment will be funded by reductions in ODA to 0.3% of GNI from 2026-27 onwards and does not require the Government to change the spending envelope.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister’s statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, whether the Strategic Defence Review will include a spending plan which takes into account the planned increased expenditure to 3% in the next Parliament.

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

The conclusions of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) regarding the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century must be deliverable within the resources available to Defence, which is included in the review terms of reference. This takes account of the commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% GDP from April 2027 and the ambition to spend 3% GDP on defence in the next Parliament, as economic and fiscal 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, what the planned publication date is for the Strategic Defence Review.

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

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is well underway, and the Reviewers are reporting regularly on progress to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Secretary of State for Defence. The Reviewers will make their final report to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State in the spring of this year. The Secretary of State will then subsequently report to Parliament.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister’s statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, whether any of the 0.2% funding reallocated from the Overseas Development Assistance budget will be used to fund the Chagos settlement.

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

The terms of the treaty and the associated funding arrangements are still being finalised and no decision has been made at this time.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to conduct an investigation into drone activity over (a) RAF Mildenhall, (b) RAF Feltwell and (c) RAF Lakenheath in November 2024.

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

The use of uncrewed aerial systems around protected areas in the UK causes a risk to life and is illegal. Such activity will be subject to thorough investigation.

The Ministry of Defence Police is leading the investigation into drone activity over RAF sites on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and we continue to work in partnership with our allies and the appropriate civilian authorities.

We take the safety and security of our sites seriously and we maintain robust security measures, including counter-drone capabilities.

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, whether the Strategic Defence Review will be published separately to the National Security Strategy.

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

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is well underway, and the Reviewers are reporting regularly on progress to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Secretary of State for Defence. The Reviewers will make their final report in the spring and the Defence Secretary will subsequently report to Parliament. The SDR will feed into the national security strategy which brings together the reviews already commissioned across Government.

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, whether the announced increase in defence spending will be used to fund the Chagos settlement.

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

The terms of the treaty and the associated funding arrangements are still being finalised and no decision has been made at this time.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are the (a) economic and fiscal conditions and (b) operational needs required to reach three per cent of GDP on defence expenditure in the next Parliament.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Chancellor will continue to set fiscally responsible, credible spending plans to meet this goal, supported by the number one mission of this government – to drive economic growth. Putting a stake in the ground now drives preparation and sends a clear message about prioritising security in an increasingly turbulent world.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, whether the funding announced for the intelligence and security services will meet the NATO definition of defence expenditure.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The definition of defence spending will be broadened to include our security and intelligence services, which could have the effect of increasing the GDP percentage of NATO qualifying defence spending in 2027-28 by around an additional 0.1%.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has held with international allies regarding Britain’s role in the ARRC, in the context of his attendance at the Munich Security Conference 2025.

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

Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (HQ ARRC) provides NATO with a rapidly deployable, flexible HQ that can act as a Joint, Land or Corps HQ for operations and crisis response. The United Kingdom is HQ ARRC’s ‘framework nation’ and British personnel comprise over 60% of its workforce. Located in Gloucester, HQ ARRC is a multinational organisation, with twenty-one NATO and Partner Nations contributing personnel.

While the Secretary of State had a number of engagements with Allies at the Munich Security Conference 2025, he did not specifically discuss Britain’s role in the ARRC during these meetings.

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, whether the Strategic Defence Review will report based on a cost envelope of 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence expenditure.

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

The conclusion of the Strategic Defence Review regarding the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty first century must be deliverable and affordable within the resources available to Defence. This takes account of the commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP, which is included in the Terms of Reference of the Review, and the ambition to reach 3% of GDP in the next Parliament, as economic and fiscal conditions allow.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has held with international allies regarding Britain’s role in NATO, in the context of his attendance at the Munich Security Conference 2025.

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

At the Munich Security Conference, the Secretary of State for Defence met with his counterparts from Norway, Sweden, and New Zealand. He also attended a working breakfast, which was attended by a number of Allied Defence Ministers. Earlier in the same week, the Secretary of State attended the NATO Defence Ministers meeting and Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels. In these meetings, the Secretary of State reiterated the Government’s NATO First policy and the UK’s commitment to remaining the leading NATO Ally in Europe.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of electrical devices (a) misplaced by and (b) stolen from staff in his Department.

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

The Ministry of Defence takes the security of defence assets very seriously, and we have robust policies and procedures to prevent losses and thefts, including where such devices can be taken and not leaving them unattended. Defence personnel are regularly reminded of their responsibilities to safeguard Defence assets.

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has held with international allies on the appointment of the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe in the context of his attendance at the Munich Security Conference 2025.

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

Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) is one of NATO’s two strategic commanders and is a post that is traditionally held by the US.

The Secretary of State did not have any specific discussions about the appointment of the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe in the context of his attendance at the Munich Security Conference 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the work undertaken on the development of the RCH 155 will be British; and whether this proportion has changed since 5 July 2024.

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

The Mobile Fires Project (MFP), delivering the Remote Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155), is currently in its Assessment Phase. I am withholding further information relating to the number of RCH 155 platforms being procured as it is commercially sensitive. I can confirm, however, that the number is subject to ongoing commercial negotiations and will also be guided by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

The proportion of work undertaken on the production of RCH 155, including manufacturing workshare, by the United Kingdom and Germany will be subject to contractual arrangements with industry following commercial negotiations. Throughout this process the Department will seek opportunities to maximise the nation’s workshare in support of UK prosperity and realisation of benefits to the Land Industrial Strategy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of the RCH 155 will be primarily manufactured in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Germany.

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

The Mobile Fires Project (MFP), delivering the Remote Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155), is currently in its Assessment Phase. I am withholding further information relating to the number of RCH 155 platforms being procured as it is commercially sensitive. I can confirm, however, that the number is subject to ongoing commercial negotiations and will also be guided by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

The proportion of work undertaken on the production of RCH 155, including manufacturing workshare, by the United Kingdom and Germany will be subject to contractual arrangements with industry following commercial negotiations. Throughout this process the Department will seek opportunities to maximise the nation’s workshare in support of UK prosperity and realisation of benefits to the Land Industrial Strategy.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase the number of uncrewed land systems in use by the British army.

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

The Army is undergoing a combined programme of work to ensure our Land Forces will have the lethality, protection and mobility to fight and win against any adversary.

There are a number of programmes and projects across the Army actively developing and aiming to deliver uncrewed land system capabilities over the next decade. Project TIQUILA will equip the Royal Artillery with a Brigade-level Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) capability and remains on track for Initial Operating Capability by May 2025.

Whilst the Army’s modernisation will continue over the next decade with a programme of investment worth billions of pounds, future capability development priorities will be guided by the Strategic Defence Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm (RCH 155) he plans to procure; and whether this number has changed since 5 July 2024.

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

The Mobile Fires Project (MFP), delivering the Remote Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155), is currently in its Assessment Phase. I am withholding further information relating to the number of RCH 155 platforms being procured as it is commercially sensitive. I can confirm, however, that the number is subject to ongoing commercial negotiations and will also be guided by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

The proportion of work undertaken on the production of RCH 155, including manufacturing workshare, by the United Kingdom and Germany will be subject to contractual arrangements with industry following commercial negotiations. Throughout this process the Department will seek opportunities to maximise the nation’s workshare in support of UK prosperity and realisation of benefits to the Land Industrial Strategy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the revenues to the Exchequer will be from the application of Inheritance Tax to death in service payments in the (a) 2024-25 financial year and (b) each remaining financial year in this Parliament.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Estates of emergency services personnel will benefit from the normal nil-rate bands, reliefs, and exemptions available. For example, the nil-rate bands mean an estate can pass on up to £1 million with no inheritance tax liability and the general rules mean any transfers, including the payment of death benefits, to a spouse or civil partner are fully exempt from inheritance tax. There is also an existing full exemption from inheritance tax when a member of the emergency services dies from an injury sustained, accident occurring, or disease contracted when that person was responding to emergency circumstances. More information is available at www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/inheritance-tax-manual/ihtm11291.

The Government will bring most unused pension funds and death benefits payable from a pension into a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes from 6 April 2027. Inheritance tax is already applied to death in service benefits for some pension schemes.

The expected revenue from reforms to the inheritance tax treatment of unused pension funds and death benefits was set out at Autumn Budget 2024. A specific breakdown of the expected revenue from different forms of death benefits is not readily available.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the application of inheritance tax to death in service payments will apply to (a) fire, (b) police service and (c) any other emergency service payments.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Estates of emergency services personnel will benefit from the normal nil-rate bands, reliefs, and exemptions available. For example, the nil-rate bands mean an estate can pass on up to £1 million with no inheritance tax liability and the general rules mean any transfers, including the payment of death benefits, to a spouse or civil partner are fully exempt from inheritance tax. There is also an existing full exemption from inheritance tax when a member of the emergency services dies from an injury sustained, accident occurring, or disease contracted when that person was responding to emergency circumstances. More information is available at www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/inheritance-tax-manual/ihtm11291.

The Government will bring most unused pension funds and death benefits payable from a pension into a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes from 6 April 2027. Inheritance tax is already applied to death in service benefits for some pension schemes.

The expected revenue from reforms to the inheritance tax treatment of unused pension funds and death benefits was set out at Autumn Budget 2024. A specific breakdown of the expected revenue from different forms of death benefits is not readily available.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has held with international allies regarding Britain’s role in the Joint Expeditionary Force, in the context of his attendance at the Munich Security Conference 2025.

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

The UK is the framework nation for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). Since the Munich Security Conference, the Secretary of State has discussed the JEF with his Norwegian counterpart during a visit to Norway from 19 - 20 February 2025 and at a meeting of JEF Defence Ministers by VTC on 27 February 2025. The Secretary of State will also host a meeting of JEF Defence Ministers in London on 26 March 2025. Additionally, I discussed matters relating to JEF on visits to Finland, Lithuania, Denmark and the Netherland last week.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the decision by the US Defence Secretary to suspend (a) operations and (b) planning for offensive cyber operations against Russia.

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

The Ministry of Defence maintains a close security partnership with US counterparts. While the UK’s offensive cyber capabilities remain essential to both its and partner nations national security, I hope the hon. Gentleman will recall from his time as a Minister in the Department that we do not comment on operational matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's financial contribution to the proposed Chagos Islands settlement will be included in the figures his Department uses to calculate the percentage of GDP spent on defence.

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

The treaty is not finalised yet, when the deal is finalised, the Government will put it before the House.