Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1.2.of the Office for Budget Responsibility's report entitled Economic and Fiscal Outlook, published on 26 March 2025, what assessment he has made of the (a) affordability and (b) achievability of increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027.

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

The Government is committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP in 2027, with an ambition to increase to 3% in the next Parliament as fiscal and economic conditions allow.

The increase to defence spending is fully funded. ODA is being reduced to the equivalent of 0.3% of GNI to fund the additional spend required to ensure we reach 2.5% of GDP on defence spending in 2027-28.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of retiring HMS Northumberland on the Royal Navy’s operational capacity; and what steps he is taking to support the Royal Navy until the Type 26 frigates are delivered.

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

I refer the right hon. Member to the response provided by the Minister for the Armed Forces (Luke Pollard) to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) on 10 December 2024 to Question 17147.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate he has made of the total cost of the Challenger 3 programme which include budget increases due to (a) technical challenges or (b) inflation; and how this aligns with the original £800 million contract awarded to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land in 2021.

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

There have not been any increases to the total budget for the Armour Main Battle Tank programme due to technical challenges or inflation. The Approved Budgetary Level for the programme remains £1.9 billion and includes the Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land contract.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help mitigate potential delays in the Challenger 3 programme achieving Initial Operating Capability by 2027.

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

The Armour Main Battle Tank programme has been impacted by some delays within the supply chain. Additional resources have been directed towards resolving these issues and the next phase of trials will start in Quarter 2 2025. Progress will be monitored carefully and any impact on the delivery of Initial Operating Capability will be continually assessed.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the Challenger 3 remains competitive against (a) Russia’s T-14 Armata and (b) other emerging threats; and whether he plans to upgrade the (i) firepower and (ii) protection systems of the Challenger 3 beyond existing specifications by 2030.

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

The Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank will deliver a significant improvement in capability over its predecessor, the Challenger 2. Enhancements include a digitalised turret fitted with the latest 120mm smoothbore gun paired with the most lethal ammunition available; world-class UK-designed armour and an Active Protection System; and improved automotive performance. New advanced sighting systems, sensors and processing capabilities will improve situational awareness and interoperability with other units. We are confident that Challenger 3 will continue to match potential threats throughout its lifecycle, but we will continually review the performance of its specification to ensure that it remains world-leading.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress has been made on the development of the Enhanced Kinetic Energy round for the Challenger 3; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure its lethality matches that of the depleted uranium rounds used with the Challenger 2.

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

The qualification of selected Enhanced Kinetic Energy ammunition has already started under a bilateral UK-Germany programme. This ammunition will deliver a significant enhancement to the lethality provided by the current ammunition of Challenger 2.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the projected cost of establishing and operating the Defence Growth Board is; and how it will be funded within the constraints of the fiscal rules and his Department's existing budget.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Defence Growth Board is an internal cross-departmental board. It has been created to maximise Defence’s contribution to the Government’s first priority, the Growth Mission, through providing a mechanism for Ministers to drive the integration of economic growth considerations into Defence. It will have no cost associated with its establishment or operation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department's latest estimate is of the cost to the public purse of the proposed agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, including (a) annual payments to Mauritius, (b) total projected expenditure over the 99-year lease period and (c) any upfront costs.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Once an agreement is signed further details of the Treaty will be put before both Houses for scrutiny and treaty ratification in the usual way. This will include costs.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government plans to (a) expedite and (b) delay the ratification of the Chagos sovereignty transfer to Mauritius.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Both sides remain committed to concluding a deal on the future of the Chagos Archipelago which protects the long-term effective operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.   Once an agreement is reached and the Treaty is signed, the Treaty will be put before both Houses for scrutiny under the Constitutional Reform and Governance (CRaG) process in the usual way.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of25 February 2025 to Question 28896, whether his Department has now received and processed all outstanding invoices for external legal costs relating to (a) sovereignty matters and (b) migration issues on the Chagos Islands since 5 July 2024; and if he will publish a full breakdown of the total costs incurred.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Due to the ongoing issues highlighted in the answer to his previous Parliamentary Question (28896), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is still to receive a number of invoices for these costs, and it is not possible to provide an accurate figure at this time.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason the Chagos Islands agreement was not finalised in early March 2025.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the response given to his previous Question 41388, which remains the same.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how he plans to (a) monitor and (b) enforce the prohibition on the presence of foreign security forces on the outer Chagos islands.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave to the Urgent Question on the British Indian Ocean Territory on 2 April 2025.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that activities on the outer Chagos islands do not impact the operation of Diego Garcia.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave to the Urgent Question on the British Indian Ocean Territory on 2 April 2025.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the (a) financial and (b) legal liabilities of repealing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Act 2023 (the Act) was almost universally opposed in Northern Ireland. A number of its key provisions, including those relating to the immunity scheme, have been found to be unlawful by the domestic courts. Ongoing litigation regarding the Act has incurred significant cost to the public purse and I regularly take advice on these matters.

Officials in the Northern Ireland Office and His Majesty’s Treasury are in regular contact about the Government’s commitment to repeal and replace the Act, as with any other process of policy development.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any of the contracts for the three external reviewers conducting the Strategic Defence Review have been extended.

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

The external review team continue to support the delivery of this crucial piece of work. The Strategic Defence Review - which will be published in the Spring - will ensure the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad, now and for the years to come.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, will the Defence Growth Board report to (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer, (b) the Secretary of State for Defence or (c) Parliament; and how will its performance be measured.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Defence Growth Board has been created to maximise Defence’s contribution to the Government’s first priority, the Growth Mission. It will be co-chaired by both the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Defence. Membership also includes the Secretary of State for Business and Trade with support from Departmental officials.

The aim of the Defence Growth Board is to oversee the integration of economic growth considerations into Defence. The Board will also oversee the delivery of the relevant recommendations that emerge from the Strategic Defence Review where they relate to growth and industrial strategy. Progress of the specific issues which come to the Board will be measures under milestones agreed between the Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how the Defence Growth Board fits into the upcoming Strategic Defence Review.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Defence Growth Board has been created to maximise Defence’s contribution to the Government’s first priority, the Growth Mission. It will be co-chaired by both the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Defence. Membership also includes the Secretary of State for Business and Trade with support from Departmental officials.

The aim of the Defence Growth Board is to oversee the integration of economic growth considerations into Defence. The Board will also oversee the delivery of the relevant recommendations that emerge from the Strategic Defence Review where they relate to growth and industrial strategy. Progress of the specific issues which come to the Board will be measures under milestones agreed between the Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what her planned timetable is for the Defence Growth Board to create growth.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Defence Growth Board has been created to maximise Defence’s contribution to the Government’s first priority, the Growth Mission. It will be co-chaired by both the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Defence. Membership also includes the Secretary of State for Business and Trade with support from Departmental officials.

The aim of the Defence Growth Board is to oversee the integration of economic growth considerations into Defence. The Board will also oversee the delivery of the relevant recommendations that emerge from the Strategic Defence Review where they relate to growth and industrial strategy. Progress of the specific issues which come to the Board will be measures under milestones agreed between the Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who the membership of the Defence Growth Board will be.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Defence Growth Board has been created to maximise Defence’s contribution to the Government’s first priority, the Growth Mission. It will be co-chaired by both the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Defence. Membership also includes the Secretary of State for Business and Trade with support from Departmental officials.

The aim of the Defence Growth Board is to oversee the integration of economic growth considerations into Defence. The Board will also oversee the delivery of the relevant recommendations that emerge from the Strategic Defence Review where they relate to growth and industrial strategy. Progress of the specific issues which come to the Board will be measures under milestones agreed between the Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 36052 on Strategic Defence Review: Contracts, tabled on 6 March 2025 by the Rt hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford.

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

I responded to the right hon. Member on 3 April 2025.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria was used to select Dapo Akande KC to represent Britain at the International Court of Justice in the 2026 election.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration from each contracting State form "National Groups". Under the International Court of Justice (ICJ) statute, national groups are entitled to nominate candidates for election to the ICJ and should consult its highest court of justice and academia before doing so.

The independent UK National Group intends to nominate Professor Dapo Akande as the UK candidate for the 2026 ICJ election.  Professor Akande was selected following a robust selection process based on merit which is independent of Government.

The UK Government is delighted to support Professor Dapo Akande's nomination. Professor Akande is an elected member of the International Law Commission and a renowned legal scholar and practitioner. He is an outstanding candidate who would make a formidable judge on the ICJ.  Professor Akande's nomination reflects the UK's firm commitment to international justice, human rights and the international rule of law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) Philippe Sands and (b) Dapo Akande have provided external legal advice to his Department since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

It is not normal practice to comment on the provision of external legal advice. However, in this case we can confirm that neither Philippe Sands KC nor Professor Dapo Akande have provided external legal advice to the FCDO since 4 July 2024.

Found: Denyer Irene Campbell Abtisam Mohamed Dame Siobhain McDonagh Chris Law Sir Bernard Jenkin Mr Mark Francois