Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps to ensure that the volume of his Department's munitions orders from the UK armaments industry delivers a level of output that sustains warfighting levels of production over the Parliament.

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

Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology.

The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience.

The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has set targets for the replenishment of munitions stocks in (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy, (c) the Royal Air Force and (d) Strategic Command.

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

Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology.

The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience.

The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will have discussions with UK armaments manufacturers about the adequacy of the munitions stockpile.

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

Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology.

The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience.

The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of munitions stockpiles for each of the Front Line Commands.

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

Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology.

The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience.

The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he plans to provide an additional £10bn of funding for munitions replenishment over the next ten years.

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

Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology.

The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience.

The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how he plans to assess the performance of service chiefs two years after their appointment.

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

The Secretary of State for Defence, supported by the Permanent Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Staff, regularly takes stock of the performance of the Service Chiefs.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many jobs are (a) directly and (b) indirectly linked to munitions production.

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

This Government recognises the vital role defence plays not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the United Kingdom.

The most recent estimates show that in 2021-22, MOD spent £950 million in the Weapons and Ammunition industry which supported an estimated 5,200 industry wide jobs in the UK. This included 2,700 direct jobs specifically in the Weapons and Ammunition sector and a further 2,500 indirect jobs across all industry sectors to deliver end products and service requirements. Updated jobs figures for 2022-23 will be published later this year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to (a) implement and (b) cancel efficiency savings budgeted for by the previous Government for (i) his Department and (ii) departmental arm's length bodies; and what plans she has for further such efficiency savings.

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

Plans for future efficiency savings across the Department will be considered as part of the Spending Review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the underspends within (a) his Department and (b) each of its arms length bodies in (i) this financial year and (ii) across the Spending Review period.

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

The Department’s financial outturn is set out in the published Annual Report and Accounts. Figures for 2024-25 will be made available in next year’s Annual Report and Accounts following the end of the financial year.

For individual Arms Length Bodies (ALB) underspends, ALBs are responsible for producing their own Annual Report and Accounts and these are available in the public domain. The ALBs within the boundary of Ministry of Defence are listed in the Departmental Annual Report and Accounts.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to reset relations (a) with the Treasury, (b) with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and (c) within Whitehall.

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

The Ministry of Defence works closely with other Government Departments, including HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, on a range of issues. The Secretary of State for DEfence and the Foreign Secretary have already held a joint briefing on Ukraine and NATO for MPs.

The terms of reference for the Strategic Defence Review outlines the reviewers will consult widely with stakeholders, including across Whitehall, particularly HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, on areas where they support Defence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of how many (a) officials and (b) military personnel will be required to (i) deliver and (ii) staff a Military Strategic Headquarters within his Department.

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

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that officials in his Department have a stronger voice across Government.

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

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters within his Department.

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

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure clear strategic authority over the capability of the armed forces.

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

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to give the Chief of the Defence Staff new authority.

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

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to give more influence to his Department’s civil service.

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

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to establish new strategic leadership in procurement.

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

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to establish a Military Strategic Headquarters.

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

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how he plans to establish a Military Strategic Headquarters.

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

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the remuneration package of the National Armaments Director will be.

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

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director (NAD). Advice and recommendations on potential changes to the NAD role are being scoped for consideration. Further detail will be made available in due course.

The current NAD's salary is routinely published in the Defence Equipment and Support Annual Report and Accounts.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to improve his Department’s acquisition system.

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

The Strategic Defence Review launched on 16 July 2024 will determine the reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. In doing so it will consider the approach taken to acquisition and support to deliver required capabilities in a timely way, secure the best possible value for money and leverage rapidly changing technology.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of changes to the timing of defence spending being 2.5 per cent of GDP on the UK’s stock of MBDA-manufactured missile systems.

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

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

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