Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to expand opportunities for veterans to transition into civilian employment.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
This Government is fully committed to renewing the nations contract with those who serve and who have served and to ensure veterans and their families have access to the employment support they need. A range of programmes are in place to support those leaving service, which make full use of their skills and experience in finding fulfilling and sustainable careers.
The Career Transition Partnership is the initial point of employment provision for those transitioning into civilian life, with employment assistance available for up to two years before and two years after leaving service.
For veterans who are more than two years post-service, as well as their families, additional support is provided through Op ASCEND. This initiative has already engaged with over 420 employers to create employment opportunities and successfully supported 5,000 veterans and family members.
In addition, the new Veterans Strategy outlines specific and targeted interventions to connect veterans with strategically important industries. This includes a 12-month Clean Energy Jobs pilot in partnership with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to connect veterans with high-skilled careers in the high demand clean energy sector.
The recent Budget confirmed that the Employer National Insurance contributions relief for veterans will be extended to April 2028.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average waiting time is for repairs requested through the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The table below details the average repair response times for Emergency, Urgent and Routine maintenance tasks by Ministry of Defence (MOD) contractors for Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in the UK in November 2025:
Average | Amey Performance | VIVO Performance | Acceptable Level of Performance as per Contract |
Average Completion Time – Emergency | 1 hour 37 mins | 1 hour 39 mins | Respond and make safe within 2 hours. Then allocated as Urgent or Routine. |
Average Completion Time – Urgent | 45 hrs 32 mins | 29 hours 12 mins | Attend and rectify within 48 hours. |
Average Completion Time – Routine | 9.82days | 10 days | Attend and rectify within 10 days. |
Single Living Accommodation (SLA)
The table below details the average repair response by MOD contractors for Single Living Accommodation across the UK Built Estate in November 2025:
Average | Average Completion Time in Hours | Acceptable level of Performance |
Emergency | 4 hrs 34 mins | Make safe immediately |
Critical | 6.39 days | Restore functionality in up to 12 hours. Permanent resolution up to 12 working days. |
Urgent | 18.61 days | Restore functionality in up to 5 working days. Permanent resolution up to 20 working days. |
Routine | 18.45 days | Permanent resolution up to 20 working days. |
Contractor performance for both SFA and SLA meets the Key Performance Indicators for response times as set out in the contacts.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of potential changes in the retention of (a) engineering and (b) technical specialists.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
We remain committed to strengthening recruitment and retention across the Armed Forces through a range of targeted initiatives and measures. We continually monitor retention and review the overall offer, and recent data shows encouraging progress. For the first time since early 2021, intake now exceeds outflow. In the 12 months to 1 October 2025, the number of people joining the Armed Forces increased by 13% compared to the previous year, while departures fell by 8%. Applications also continue to rise.
Recruiting for certain specialist or technical skills — such as cyber, digital, healthcare, medical, and engineering — remains challenging due to strong competition in the wider labour market. To address this, we are implementing actions to improve retention, including more flexible terms of service, a modernised allowance system, bespoke pay spines, skills payments, Targeted Financial Retention Incentives (FRIs) and a pilot ‘total reward’ approach for engineers.
Recent changes include FRIs for engineers and targeted skills payments for cyber and engineering roles. Early feedback from our pay supplement trial for critical engineering skills indicates a 53% increase in intention to remain – an encouraging sign, though we recognise more work is needed. Further, the Perceived Value of the Offer survey piloted with engineers in 2024 was expanded this year to all Regular personnel. This evidence will inform future reward policies and interventions, ensuring they reflect what personnel value most, thus strengthening retention across the Services, particularly in critical engineering and technical roles.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the number of Armed Forces families affected by delays in allocating service accommodation.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
In November 2025, the Ministry of Defence’s Industry Partner, Pinnacle, allocated 98.52% (532) of applications made by Service personnel entitled to Service Family Accommodation within 15 working days. 1.48% (8) applications fell outside of this target.
Pinnacle’s performance far exceeds their Key Performance Indicator which requires them to process and allocate 90% of housing applications for entitled Service personnel within 15 working days.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve energy efficiency across the defence estate.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Improving energy efficiency means more money to spend on warfighting readiness. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is improving energy efficiency across the Defence Estate through targeted energy management initiatives, behavioural campaigns, the Utility Savings Challenge, LED lighting upgrades, and water-saving measures.
New build assets are designed with energy-saving features, while recognising that much of the estate consists of older infrastructure not built to modern standards.
The MOD has secured £9 billion over 10 years, some of which will be for enhancing energy efficiency in Service Family Accommodation. This includes installing solar panels, heat pumps, energy-efficient lighting, and improving thermal insulation
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment this Department has made of trends in the level of recruitment and retention levels across the armed forces in the latest reporting period.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The figures in the latest reporting period highlight that for the first time since early 2021, Armed Forces intake is now greater than outflow. In the 12 months preceding 1 October 2025 there was an increase of 13% in people joining the Armed Forces compared to the previous 12-month period. At the same time there was a decrease of 8% in people leaving the Armed Forces. In addition to this, the Armed Forces continue to see increased numbers of applications. These trends are very welcome, but we recognise that there is still more to do.
We are committed to improving recruitment and retention through a range of targets, initiatives and measures and we are making a positive impact.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of cyber-security resilience within Defence Digital systems.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Defence prioritises cyber security and regularly reviews its resilience through the GovAssure scheme. This process relies on the National Cyber Security Centre's (NCSC) Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) to assess risk and drive improvements in cyber security and resilience. This is reported to the Cabinet Office on an annual basis. Details of specific assessments are not shared publicly for security reasons.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve the UK’s ability to counter emerging drone-based threats.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Strategic Defence Review announced an investment of £1 billion to enhance our homeland air and missile defence. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on emerging drone based threats, will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the waiting times for Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claims.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. gentleman to the answer I gave to Question 77236 on 15 October 2025.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to expand mental health support services for (a) serving personnel and (b) veterans.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
All Service personnel have access to mental health support throughout their career, including medical and non-medical services. This includes, but is not limited to, preventative support such as wellbeing services, digital content, access to interventional support, and appointments with clinical staff.
For Armed Forces personnel requiring dedicated mental healthcare, the Defence Medical Services (DMS) provides a responsive, flexible, accessible, and comprehensive treatment service.
DMS has established Defence Mental Health Networks (DMHNs) across the UK to improve access to mental health services for Service personnel. These specialist community mental health services provide enhanced access to expert assessment and treatment for service personnel experiencing mental health disorders. By introducing new single points of access, enabling the sharing of specialist skills across network locations and consolidating clinical and governance processes, DMHNs are reducing wait times to enhanced assessments and core treatment therapies.
DMS has further introduced standardised training for primary care clinicians to ensure that service personnel can access initial mental healthcare at any Defence medical centre and to strengthen the initial management of mental health disorders within primary care settings.
Where personnel leaving the Armed Forces have an enduring need for mental healthcare, DMS works in partnership with the NHS to ensure continuation of care. Personnel who have been assessed and diagnosed with a mental health need are able to access Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH) for up to six months after discharge to provide continuity of care during the transition period until appropriate handover to other services can be completed as required.
In some circumstances a DCMH Mental Health Social Worker will undertake a full assessment of transition needs, including onward referral to NHS and third sector services for continued mental healthcare.
Throughout the UK, the MOD Veterans’ Welfare Service (VWS) provides advice and support to veterans, anyone supporting a veteran, their families and dependants. The VWS works with the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, local authorities, voluntary organisations and service charities and will routinely assign a case manager and assist with engagement with other services where needed. In England, Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE provide a broad range of specialist mental health, physical and wellbeing care services to veterans, with similar services available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The VWS and Defence Transition Service deliver additional support to service leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the Armed Forces, including facilitating access to NHS services.
Support will also be delivered through the VALOUR programme will make it easier for veterans across the UK to access the care and support they deserve. It will connect services to help ensure veterans receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
One of the key component parts of VALOUR is a new network of VALOUR Recognised Centres. These centres will be located across the UK and welcome veterans and the wider Armed Forces community to provide support and guidance in key areas, including health, housing and employment. Over £27 million will be available for funding to support this initiative and the first round of funding opened to applications on 10 November 2025 and closes on 14 January 2026.
The through life mental health support now provided to Service personnel will have a positive impact on the veterans of the future; we are ensuring that Armed Forces personnel have the psychological resilience training they need to recognise mental ill-health in themselves and those around them and know how to manage it.