Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of caretaker staffing levels to maintain reservist estate buildings.

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

The Army has assessed caretaker staffing requirements through the Army Caretaker Review, which considered the ongoing requirement for civilian caretaker roles across the Reserve and University Officers Training Corps estate.

The review found that sites could be maintained through alternative arrangements, including facilities management contracts and security systems.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the national security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security.

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

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) regards the national security assessment on global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse as a critical contribution to understanding emerging security risks. MOD is integrating its findings into strategic planning, intelligence assessments, and preparedness activities, consistent with the Strategic Defence Review. The Department continues to work closely with government partners and academia to ensure that military planning reflects the complex challenges posed by environmental degradation and ecosystem collapse, thereby supporting UK national security and resilience.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to commission an assessment of the military implications of ecosystem collapse in the six critical ecosystem regions identified by the Joint Intelligence Committee.

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

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is actively integrating the findings of the Joint Intelligence Committee’s assessment on global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse into its strategic planning and intelligence work.

While MOD has not separately commissioned a dedicated military implications assessment focused solely on the six critical ecosystem regions, it is working closely with cross-government partners and internal analysis teams to understand and anticipate the security risks arising from ecosystem degradation globally. These considerations are embedded within the broader Strategic Defence Review and ongoing resilience planning, such as the UK’s National Adaptation Programme, to ensure military preparedness for emerging environmental challenges.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential risk of interstate conflict and military escalation arising from competition for arable land, water and critical minerals, as set out in the national security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security.

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

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that competition for scarce resources poses a significant risk to regional and global stability. The MOD works closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, the Met Office, Defra, the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre, and internal analysis teams to monitor and assess these risks.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Ministry of Defence's climate change and sustainability strategy has been updated to incorporate the findings of the national security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security.

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

The MOD's Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach (CCSSA) published in 2021 established a framework for integrating environmental risks into defence planning, infrastructure and operations. In August 2025, the Department endorsed a new internal Energy and Environment Strategic Direction which builds on progress achieved under the CCSSA and which supports policy development in relation to national security assessments of climate change and biodiversity loss and contributions to cross-government initiatives such as the UK's National Adaptation Programme.

These steps support Defence’s move towards warfighting readiness, increased productivity, and responsible environmental action.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to increase UK food system and supply chain resilience, with reference to the national security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The UK’s Nature Security Assessment examined how global biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation could affect the UK’s national security, resilience and prosperity, including potential disruptions to food systems.

To boost domestic food and supply chain resilience, this Government is investing £120 million in 2026 through grants to increase farming productivity and innovation, while Environmental Land Management schemes support practices that improve resilience and reduce reliance on artificial fertiliser.

Defra will continue strengthening preparedness for risks to our food supply including working closely with Cabinet Office, other Government Departments, Devolved Governments on resilience planning and food security.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government plans to raise the national security implications of ecosystem collapse at (a) the United Nations Security Council (b) NATO (c) the Council of Europe (d) other multilateral security forums.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government recognises that environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse can have implications for prosperity, resilience and security. We engage regularly with international partners through multilateral institutions on these issues. The Government determines its engagement in specific fora based on where it can be most effective.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which Government departments and agencies contributed to the national security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Nature Security Assessment on Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse and National Security was published 20 January 2026. It is a cross-government strategic assessment, developed by analysts and subject matter experts across Government. The Assessment was not produced by a single department, it brings together scientific evidence, policy analysis and national security expertise to inform long-term resilience and security planning.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to reduce the UK's reliance on imported (a) soy, (b) palm oil and (c) phosphorus fertiliser, with reference to the national security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government is committed to improving the resilience of the UK's food system and supply chains in the face of environmental and geopolitical risks. With reference to the findings of the UK's National Security Assessment on global ecosystem degradation, Defra is supporting sustainable domestic production, strengthening supply chain resilience, and working with international partners to protect the ecosystems that underpin global food security and economic prosperity.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated average annual running cost is of a Type 31 frigate.

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

The Type 31 frigates are not yet in service. The future support solution for the class is currently being developed and remains subject to commercially sensitive considerations, it would be inappropriate to provide an estimate of the average annual running cost at this stage.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Cadet Force Adult Volunteers there were in each of the last five years.

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

The information requested is available in the Department's published statistics, accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mod-sponsored-cadet-forces-statistics-index

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to retain Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 19511 on 2 September 2026.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-16/19511

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to recruit additional Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 19511 on 2 September 2026.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-16/19511

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the vulnerability of UK food production to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, through (a) depleted soils, (b) loss of pollinators, and (c) drought and flood conditions.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Nature Security Assessment on Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse and National Security was published 20 January 2026. It is a cross-government strategic assessment, developed by analysts and subject matter experts across Government. The Assessment was not produced by a single department, it brings together scientific evidence, policy analysis and national security expertise to inform long-term resilience and security planning.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support the Government is providing for coral reef protection in the UK, with reference to the national security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The UK is home to cold-water corals domestically and significant tropical reefs in its Overseas Territories.

In England, our deep-water coral habitats, situated within The Canyons Marine Conservation Zone, are protected by the Marine Management Organisation’s byelaw restricting bottom-trawling.

We also work closely with our Overseas Territories through the Coral Conservation in the Overseas Territories Working Group to support resilience-based reef management, collaboration and implementation of national reef action plans.

The nature security assessment on biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security identified coral reefs in SE Asia as one of 6 ecosystems of strategic importance for the UK. The UK is the largest donor to the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, a blended finance instrument that mobilises action to protect, restore and safeguard coral reef ecosystems and the communities that depend on them including in SE Asia.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the national security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security, whether the UK is providing support to South East Asian states for coral reef and mangrove protection.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The UK’s Blue Planet Fund supports partners in South East Asia to protect their corals reefs and mangroves by providing funding for locally-led solutions, technical assistance, and to catalyse additional finance. The UK is the largest donor to the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, a blended finance instrument that mobilises action to protect, restore and safeguard coral reefs and the communities that depend on them. Our bilateral programme, Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transitions (COAST), works closely with partners in Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. The UK has also signed the Mangrove Breakthrough and the High-Level Climate-Resilient Coral Reef Commitment.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support the Government is providing for boreal-like forest protection in the UK, with reference to the national security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The UK Forestry Standard and regulatory frameworks for forestry that apply in all UK administrations ensure that sustainable forest management is practised in all woodlands, with detailed requirements for the protection of biodiversity.

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