Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of defence budgets in the last 10 years.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The recent increase in defence spending is the largest sustained increase since the end of the Cold War.
The Government is firmly committed to increasing defence spending to reach 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and has set an ambition to reach 3%in the next Parliament, as fiscal and economic conditions allow. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has also made a historic commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security. This is a generational increase in defence and security spending, honouring our commitment to be a leader in NATO.
The Department publishes historic MOD spending in cash and real terms in its annual Departmental Resources publication.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to encourage Commonwealth citizens to join the British Army.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Commonwealth citizens have long made a valued contribution to the British Army and continue to be an important part of its structure and capability. There is always a strong interest in joining the Army. This can result in thousands of applications being received, which must be managed against the Army’s annual limit of 1,000 Basic Training starts for Commonwealth applicants and the 15% limit on the number of Commonwealth citizens who can serve in each cap badge.
In August 2024, the Army re-opened the recruitment window, accepting applications from Commonwealth citizens sponsored by Serving personnel under the Recruit Bounty Scheme. This was limited to specific roles, including Musician, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer, Royal Engineer Technician and Tradesman, and the Parachute Regiment. This initiative generated a high volume of applications from across the Commonwealth.
The recruitment of Commonwealth citizens is subject to regular review by the Army to ensure it remains aligned with operational requirements. At present, the Commonwealth recruiting pipeline is forecast to remain closed in the medium term due to the sheer volume of applications during the 2024-25 recruitment window, which Capita continue to process.
The Ministry of Defence also works closely with the Home Office to ensure that Commonwealth personnel and their families benefit from specific immigration rules which enable them to enter, live, work and settle in the UK and become British citizens.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on using drone technology.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Each of the Front-Line Commands employ a range of different drone capabilities and are currently developing an array of future capabilities aligned to the Defence Drone Strategy. In 2024 the Defence Uncrewed Systems Design Authority (DUxDA) was established to focus on Research and Development, Test and Evaluation, Policy and Regulation, Security and Integration and Knowledge Exploitation across the developing portfolio of Defence Uncrewed Systems.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support the yacht building sector.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government remains fully committed to delivering a thriving UK shipbuilding sector, including the yacht building sector. Skilled manufacturing is critical to UK prosperity and the leisure marine manufacturing sector plays a key role in creating jobs and growth in our coastal communities.
The National Shipbuilding Office regularly engage with stakeholders across the yacht building sector. Yacht builders are also represented on one of the main shipbuilding Government/industry forums, the Shipbuilding Enterprise for Growth.
The Department for Business and Trade’s Civil Maritime team works closely with the sector through the British Marine Federation, in partnership with officers in key markets overseas to further promote the sector and its potential.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support elderly veterans facing historical investigations.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
This Government's commitment to our Armed Forces community is unshakeable. The vast majority of veterans who served on Operation Banner did so with distinction in very difficult circumstances, and ultimately helped bring about the peace that Northern Ireland now enjoys. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude, and we will ensure that their interests are fully considered in the changes we are going to make.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has outlined the Government’s plans to find a practical, human rights-compliant way to deliver on our commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.
We are acutely aware of the impact that historical investigations can have on veterans and their families. The Veterans Welfare Service (VWS), run by the Ministry of Defence, provides free one-to-one support for veterans or anyone supporting a veteran, their families and dependants. Where a veteran (or serving member of the Armed Forces) faces allegations arising from activities related to their duties, we will also offer legal support at public expense.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help protect UK submarine cables from potential foreign threats.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Subsea cables are critical to UK telecommunications digital infrastructure, and the Government are committed to maintaining and enhancing their security. This is a whole-of-Government effort including the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, alongside industry and international partners.
The Strategic Defence Review 2025 underscores the UK's commitment to safeguarding its critical underwater infrastructure; the review designates the Royal Navy to take a leading role in protecting undersea infrastructure.
RFA Proteus, the UK’s first Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance Ship, is now operational and its leading-edge technology can monitor underwater infrastructure in areas of UK sovereign interest
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025 on Veterans Support: A New Approach HCWS619, how much of the £50milllion funding for new support system for veterans will be allocated to the devolved institutions.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I repeat the lines that my Ministerial colleague, the Minister for Veterans and People gave that VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. The detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners and further details will be announced in due course. on 12 May to Questions 50185, 50186, 50187, 50189, 50190, and 50191 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge), and Question 50424 to the Gallant and hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr Jopp).
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Russian aircraft have the RAF intercepted in the last 12 months.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I am withholding further details as deterrence is a principal function of Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) and QRA is in turn which is an integral part of the air defence of the UK. The disclosure of information that might compromise the QRA deterrent capability would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help prevent Russian forces increasing the use of banned gas weapons in Ukraine.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Russia’s use of chemical weapons on the front lines in Ukraine is wholly unacceptable. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has published two reports confirming the presence of CS gas in samples collected by Ukraine from the battlefield. In October, the UK sanctioned Russian troops and laboratories for their involvement in the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The UK will not allow such blatant violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and rules-based order to go unpunished.
The UK continues to work closely with our international partners, both bilaterally and in multilateral forums, to coordinate our response to Russia’s use of Chemical Weapons. This includes ensuring the coordinated provision of Counter-CBRN support and assistance to Ukraine and coordinating our response in international fora. The UK has consistently called out Russian use of chemical weapons in Ukraine at the UN and the OPCW.
The UK has been at the forefront of international support and assistance to Ukraine. In the first few months of Russia’s illegal invasion, UK MOD provided respirators and decontamination kits to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as other protective measures to enhance Ukraine’s protective capabilities against chemical weapons. In December 2024, following a direct request for UK Assistance by Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence announced a further funding of £3million for the procurement of respirators to protect Ukraine's forces. This is being procured jointly with Canada with through the G7 led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction. The UK has also provided funding to the OPCW’s Assistance to Ukraine trust fund to procure assistance and detection equipment to Ukraine, including equipment to help assist Ukraine detect the use of chemicals on the battlefield.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support veterans.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country. I am working across Government and with civil society to ensure veterans get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need.
Housing support is available across the United Kingdom via Op FORTITUDE, a single referral pathway to connect veterans with help and support. This system provides housing guidance and assistance to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Veterans can also access a range of tailored employment support, including the Career Transition Partnership, which is the initial point of provision for those leaving military Service in search of new job opportunities, and via Op ASCEND, the employment pathway for veterans.
For veterans resident in Northern Ireland, the Veterans’ Welfare Service Northern Ireland is a specialist statutory welfare service for veterans and their families. The service provides information and practical support, including physiotherapy and psychological therapies for eligible veterans. The service works closely with the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, which is part of the Ministry of Defence and recently enhanced its presence in Northern Ireland, along with the independent Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner and the 11 Veterans’ Champions in councils across Northern Ireland.