Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page eight of the National Audit Office's report entitled The Equipment Plan 2023-2033, published on 4th December 2023, what steps he is taking to increase funding for the Type 32 frigate fleet.

The Type 32 programme has not yet reached the level of maturity for full budget allocation. To date, approximately £4 million of concept funding has been spent. This is consistent with a programme of this size and complexity at this stage in its development.