Asked by: Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timeframe is for the eligibility review for the Nuclear Test Medal.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
As directed by the Defence Secretary, the review of the eligibility criteria for the Nuclear Test Medal is already underway. The Ministry of Defence is prioritising this work and will provide an update in due course.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) welders and (b) electricians required to complete surface warship construction.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence has regular engagement across all aspects of surface warship construction, including the skills required to support it.
This Government recognises the vital role Defence, and its skilled workforce, play not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the United Kingdom.
The Strategic Defence Review will look at the approach to recruiting, educating, training and retaining the people needed across the whole of Defence, including industry.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to provide funding for Sea Viper’s enhancement.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The enhancement of Sea Viper is named Sea Viper Evolution, which includes upgrades to the Type 45 Destroyer's Multi-Function Radar, Combat Management System (CMS), Weapon Command and Control (C2), and the Aster 30 missile. The first stage, called Capability 1, is in Demonstration and Manufacture Phase as of March 2023. The next stage, called Capability 2, is in Assessment Phase as of June 2023, completing in 2025.
Departmental spending plans will be set out in the usual way.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with international partners on the sale of Type 31 frigates.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is actively supporting live and prospective export campaigns based on the Type 31 (with the export variant known as the Arrowhead 140) capability with support from the Department of Business and Trade. For example, the Secretary of State for Defence recently met his Polish counterpart where they discussed the Miecznik programme and its progress.
Asked by: Caroline Dinenage (Conservative - Gosport)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation on the future of Fort Blockhouse.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence continues to explore all options with stakeholders for the future use of this site. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation regularly updates Ministers on plans for the defence estate.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the percentage increase for Single Living Accommodation charges was for grades (a) 1, (b) 2, (c) 3 and (d) 4 in each year since 2010.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The requested information is provided in the following table:
| Percentage Increase (Single Living Accommodation) | |||
Year | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Grade 4 |
2010 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0 |
2011 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0 |
2012 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0 |
2013 | 3.7 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 0 |
2014 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0 |
2015 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0 |
2016 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0 |
2017 | 1 | 0.67 | 0.33 | 0 |
2018 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0 |
2019 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0 |
2020 | 0.8 | 0.53 | 0.27 | 0 |
2021 | 1.7 | 1.13 | 0.57 | 0 |
2022 | 1% cap and tiered/graduated uplift to these charges with smallest increase applied to lowest standard | |||
2023 | 4.5 | 3 | 1.5 | 0 |
2024 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
Note: all percentage increases were recommended by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body. The latest (2024) recommendation was accepted by the previous administration.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much spending on the (a) Future Combat Air System and (b) Global Combat Air Programme he plans to defer from the current financial year.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK expects to invest over £1.3 billion in the Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme and the associated Team Tempest R&D programme, in the current financial year.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department expects to spend on the (a) Future Combat Air System and (b) Global Combat Air Programme in the current financial year.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK expects to invest over £1.3 billion in the Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme and the associated Team Tempest R&D programme, in the current financial year.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the non-commercially sensitive details of his Department’s Portfolio Management Agreement with MBDA.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Non-commercially sensitive details of the Ministry of Defence’s Portfolio Management Agreement with MBDA have been announced. There are no plans to publish further details.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the number of supply chain jobs supported by his Department’s contract with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It is estimated the current live Ministry of Defence contracts with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd to deliver TYCHE to orbit have supported approximately 100 jobs in the direct supply chain.