Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department plans to spend with SMEs in (a) 2026 and (b) 2027.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Defence is an engine for growth, and small businesses are the backbone of UK defence, bringing the innovation, agility and fresh thinking that our Armed Forces need to stay ahead of evolving threats.
As announced by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State of Defence last year, this Government is committed to supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including an ambitious but achievable target to increase our spend with SMEs by £2.5 billion by 2028. The department's forthcoming SME Action Plan will lay out what steps we will be taking during 2026 and 2027 to achieve this uplift by 2028.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his proposed timeline is for publishing a terms of reference for the Defence Investment Plan.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) is the next step in turning the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) into action. It is the first zero-based review of Defence’s budgets in eighteen years and goes significantly further than the last Government’s Equipment Plan by looking across every budget line, including people and infrastructure.
We will publish it as soon as we can, but our aim is to ensure decisions in the DIP are robust and support the development of both current and future capabilities, helping to drive the transformation of our Armed Forces described in the Strategic Defence Review.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, whether he has a target number for the number of UK companies that will be involved in the (a) Low-Cost Effectors & Platforms initiative and (b) new surface-to-air missile.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. UK workshare and company involvement will be dependent on the chosen solutions.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, how many UK companies will be involved in the manufacture of the new surface-to-air weapon.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. UK workshare and company involvement will be dependent on the chosen solutions.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, how many UK companies will be involved in the Low-Cost Effectors & Platforms initiative.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase. UK workshare and company involvement will be dependent on the chosen solutions.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, what is the estimated total cost to the UK of delivering the new surface-to-air weapon.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is entering the concept demonstration phase. The total cost to the UK of delivering the new surface-to-air weapon system will be dependent on the chosen solution and quantities procured.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has discussed his Government's Chagos Islands Treaty with his United States counterpart since 18 February 2026.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State for Defence speaks regularly with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on a wide range of issues, including Diego Garcia.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) he and (b) any of his ministerial colleagues have met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius since (i) 5 July 2024 and (ii) August 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Neither the Secretary of State nor any other Defence Ministers met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius between 5 July 2024 and August 2025.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times has (a) he and (b) his ministerial team met with the lead reviewers of the Strategic Defence Review since 2 June 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Strategic Defence Review sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and make the UK stronger both at home and abroad. The Government endorsed the Review's vision and accepted all 62 recommendations.
Although they have no formal role, we often engage with the lead reviewers.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many draft versions of the Defence Investment Plan have been produced by his Department.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
We are working flat out to finalise the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible.