Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average annual running cost is of a Type 23 frigate.

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

I am withholding this information for reasons of operational security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average annual running cost is of a Type 45 destroyer.

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

I am withholding this information for reasons of operational security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of female recruits at each Phase 1 training establishment were issued correctly sized uniform and equipment at first issue in the latest year for which data is available.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

All recruits in Phase 1 training establishments undergo an individual sizing process, with uniform and equipment subsequently issued in accordance with these measurements. Opportunities are in place to exchange items if the fit is not correct.

Specific data on whether equipment or uniform is correctly sized at first issue is not recorded.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether local authorities will be required to follow the proposed motor neurone disease pathway.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 7 September in response to Question 22114 and the answer provided on 14 September in response to Question 24375. Further details about the pathway will be set out in due course, and will consider the health, social care, and housing needs of people with motor neurone disease.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she expects the motor neurone disease pathway to come into effect.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 7 September in response to Question 22114 and the answer provided on 14 September in response to Question 24375. Further details about the pathway will be set out in due course, and will consider the health, social care, and housing needs of people with motor neurone disease.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she has had with local authorities on the adequate provision of adapted housing for people with motor neurone disease.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 7 September in response to Question 22114 and the answer provided on 14 September in response to Question 24375. Further details about the pathway will be set out in due course, and will consider the health, social care, and housing needs of people with motor neurone disease.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the net increase in the number of women joining the Reserves in each year since 2015.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The table below shows the net change in intake numbers of women for each of the single Services and the Reserves, when compared to the previous Financial Year.

Notes:

1. Financial Year is the period from the 1st April up to the 31st March of the following year.
2. Figures include both trained and untrained intake.
3. Figures include both officers and other ranks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the net increase in the number of women joining the Royal Marines in each year since 2015.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The table below shows the net change in intake numbers of women for each of the single Services and the Reserves, when compared to the previous Financial Year.

Notes:

1. Financial Year is the period from the 1st April up to the 31st March of the following year.
2. Figures include both trained and untrained intake.
3. Figures include both officers and other ranks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the net increase in the number of women joining the Royal Navy in each year since 2015.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The table below shows the net change in intake numbers of women for each of the single Services and the Reserves, when compared to the previous Financial Year.

Notes:

1. Financial Year is the period from the 1st April up to the 31st March of the following year.
2. Figures include both trained and untrained intake.
3. Figures include both officers and other ranks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the net increase in the number of women joining the British Army in each year since 2015.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The table below shows the net change in intake numbers of women for each of the single Services and the Reserves, when compared to the previous Financial Year.

Notes:

1. Financial Year is the period from the 1st April up to the 31st March of the following year.
2. Figures include both trained and untrained intake.
3. Figures include both officers and other ranks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the net increase in the number of women joining the Royal Air Force in each year since 2015.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The table below shows the net change in intake numbers of women for each of the single Services and the Reserves, when compared to the previous Financial Year.

Notes:

1. Financial Year is the period from the 1st April up to the 31st March of the following year.
2. Figures include both trained and untrained intake.
3. Figures include both officers and other ranks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Common Combat Vessels will enter service.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 20 July 2026 to Question 17810 to the hon. Member for South Shropshire (Stuart Anderson).

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-10/17810

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what number of defence contracts were allocated via uncompetitive tender in each year since 2020.

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

MOD contract data does not include a field or classification identifying suppliers as ‘Prime Contractors.’ However, statistics on the value of contracts awarded over time are publicly available and may be of assistance.

The number of Defence contracts awarded through competitive tendering processes, together with the number awarded through uncompetitive procurement routes in each year since 2020, is publicly available and can be found via the link provided below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/defence-trade-and-industry-index

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what number of defence contracts were allocated via competitive tender in each year since 2020.

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

MOD contract data does not include a field or classification identifying suppliers as ‘Prime Contractors.’ However, statistics on the value of contracts awarded over time are publicly available and may be of assistance.

The number of Defence contracts awarded through competitive tendering processes, together with the number awarded through uncompetitive procurement routes in each year since 2020, is publicly available and can be found via the link provided below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/defence-trade-and-industry-index

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what value of contracts has his Department awarded to defence primes in each year since 2020.

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

MOD contract data does not include a field or classification identifying suppliers as ‘Prime Contractors.’ However, statistics on the value of contracts awarded over time are publicly available and may be of assistance.

The number of Defence contracts awarded through competitive tendering processes, together with the number awarded through uncompetitive procurement routes in each year since 2020, is publicly available and can be found via the link provided below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/defence-trade-and-industry-index

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the remaining Type 45 vessels will be withdrawn from service.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 July 2026 to Question 14521.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-06-30/14521

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on female-specific personal equipment in each year since 2020.

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

‘Female-specific personal equipment’ has been interpreted to mean equipment or clothing that is specifically designed or provided for female Service Personnel, rather than standard unisex equipment issued in a wide range of sizes. Therefore, combat Personal Protective Equipment such as body armour and general combat clothing is not included in these figures.

The table below provides the expenditure on ‘female-specific personal equipment’ per calendar year across the Ministry of Defence:

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what budget has been allocated to the Complex Geometry Body Armour project; what stage the project has reached; and what the (a) earliest and (b) latest expected in-service date is.

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

The Complex Geometry Body Armour (CGBA) project is awaiting formal commissioning of the Concept Phase, which will assess the feasibility and utility of CGBA to enhance body armour designs, particularly for servicewomen. As the project remains at the Concept Phase, no in-service date has been determined. The feasibility studies will inform any future in-service date.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Service Complaint Forms related to ill-fitting equipment supplied to women service personnel across the Armed Forces received in 2026 to date.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

There have been no service complaints received in 2026 relating to ill-fitting equipment supplied to female service personnel.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when Storm Shadow deep-strike-capable missiles will be withdrawn from service.

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

Storm Shadow is a combat-proven, long-range, precision cruise missile that will continue to be in-service with the UK Armed Forces for the foreseeable future. The Defence Investment Plan provided £1.4 billion investment in the STRATUS programme, which is the successor to Storm Shadow, and deliver a long range strike capability against complex targets for both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force in the 2030s.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of risks of delaying the publication of the Defence Readiness Bill.

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

We have accepted the 2025 Strategic Defence Review recommendation to develop a Defence Readiness Bill to ensure the Government has the powers to respond effectively to keep the UK safe in any escalation towards war.

The Defence Readiness Bill is proceeding on the expected timeline for a bill after this Parliament which allows the MOD to engage across industry and Government to ensure the measures being brought forward are correct. As the hon. Gentleman will know, all future legislation is subject to the usual approval and announcement processes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what value of contracts has his Department awarded to small-and-medium-sized firms in each year since 2020.

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

The Department’s SME spend is published annually on the gov.uk website as part of the ‘MOD Regional Spend With Industry’ report:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-regional-expenditure-statistics-with-industry-202526

Table 9 provides MOD direct expenditure with Small and Medium sized enterprises in current prices by region from 2019-20 to 2025-26.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of Canada joining the Global Combat Air Programme as a full participant.

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

Canada’s involvement as an Observer in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) will further strengthen the UK’s bilateral defence cooperation with Canada, building on decades of close collaboration as Five Eyes members and NATO Allies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his Canadian counterpart on Canada joining the Global Combat Air Programme as a full participant.

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

Canada’s involvement as an Observer in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) will further strengthen the UK’s bilateral defence cooperation with Canada, building on decades of close collaboration as Five Eyes members and NATO Allies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the establishment of a European Security Council which includes the UK.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

Europe faces the most dangerous security environment since the Cold War, and we are stepping up alongside our allies to build a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO.

The EU’s State of Union address is a welcome contribution. We look forward to hearing more detail about the proposed European Security Council whilst noting the importance for EU mechanisms to complement NATO structures.

The UK will continue to deepen our cooperation with the EU in a way which reinforces NATO as the cornerstone of Euro Atlantic Security, including through the implementation of the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of the UK joining a European Security Council.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

Europe faces the most dangerous security environment since the Cold War, and we are stepping up alongside our allies to build a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO.

The EU’s State of Union address is a welcome contribution. We look forward to hearing more detail about the proposed European Security Council whilst noting the importance for EU mechanisms to complement NATO structures.

The UK will continue to deepen our cooperation with the EU in a way which reinforces NATO as the cornerstone of Euro Atlantic Security, including through the implementation of the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership.

River Lavant

Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026

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Political donations and campaign finance regulation

E1 settlement project and international law