Ministry of Defence

This is a Government that will always stand up for those who serve our country.

This Government is fully committed to ensuring that all veterans, including those living in Poole, have access to the support they need on housing. That is why we have committed an additional £12 million to ensure the continuation of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme.

Op FORTITUDE will also be extended, putting the service that has already housed over 1,000 veterans on a sustainable footing. These programmes will deliver three years of support services across the UK for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness, fulfilling the Prime Minister's pledge that homes will be there for heroes.

Organisations across the UK have been eligible to apply for funding under the Veterans' Capital Housing Fund. This funding is used to refurbish or build new social and affordable accommodation for veterans. Funding from this programme has included two grants to Bournemouth War Memorial Homes totalling £560,000.

The Typhoon programme supports 800 jobs in Scotland, the majority of these are based at Leonardo UK in Edinburgh.

There was no offset package as part of the Türkiye Typhoon agreement.

This Government is fully committed to ensuring that veterans in Hexham, Northumberland, the North East, and across the whole country have easy access to support when and where it is needed. At the 2021 census, 3,997 people in Hexham reported that they had previously served in the UK Armed Forces, representing 5.2% of the population aged 16 and over.

The Ministry of Defence runs the Veterans Welfare Service, who provide advice and support to veterans and their families. In England Op RESTORE and Op COURAGE provide physical and mental health specialist services. Housing support is available across the United Kingdom via Op FORTITUDE, a single referral pathway connecting veterans with support. For support with employment, the Career Transition Partnership is the initial point of provision for those leaving military Service and Op ASCEND is the employment pathway for veterans.

In May we announced VALOUR, a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support, which will ensure easier access to essential care and support for veterans across the country. A new regional approach, based on a network of VALOUR support centres and VALOUR field officers, will help to ensure that services are designed to meet the needs of their local communities.

This is a Government that will always stand up for those who serve our country. I am working closely with Devolved Governments to ensure veterans across the UK have access to the support they need on housing, which is a devolved matter.

I, and my predecessor have engaged regularly with the Scottish Government and with the Scottish Veterans’ Commissioner on issues affecting veterans who live in Scotland.

The Reducing Veterans’ Homelessness Programme provides vital supported housing services to veterans across the UK. This programme has awarded grants to organisations across the UK, including £290,882 for organisations supporting veterans in Scotland.

Organisations across the UK have been eligible to apply for funding under the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund. This funding is used to refurbish or build new social and affordable accommodation for veterans. To date, this programme has awarded five grants to organisations in Scotland totalling £1,565,931.

The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) makes a commitment to establish a Social Value Model that works for defence. This involves introducing a new approach to applying social value, aimed at encouraging industry to align with DIS objectives of fostering growth and a thriving industrial sector, while maximising the delivery of social value across the UK. While it is estimated this work will be completed shortly, and implemented in 2026-27, it will build on the existing Social Value opportunities that support DIS objectives.

The aircraft used for the Prime Minister's seven domestic tasks was the RAF Envoy.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 September 2025 to Question 70471.

As confirmed when the Ministry of Defence announced our intention to participate in NATO’s nuclear mission, the nuclear weapons allocated to the NATO dual capable aircraft (DCA) nuclear mission are United States (US) nuclear weapons and the US retains control and custody over them, as the UK does with its own nuclear weapons.

The NATO DCA nuclear mission would operate under the orders of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, when authorised by NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group, through which Allies exercise political control over the mission. The UK would always retain the right to participate, or not participate, according to a political decision by the UK Prime Minister.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-08-29/70471

I can confirm that my noble friend the Lord Coaker has written to the Chinook Justice Campaign inviting representatives to meet with him before the end of the year.

The Ministry of Defence has supported families, and upheld our commitment to transparency and accountability, by fully cooperating with previous inquiries and investigations into this tragic accident. My noble friend Lord Coaker has written to the Chinook Justice Campaign inviting family members to meet with him before the end of the year.

The UK is committed to defending every inch of NATO territory, including our contribution of Typhoon jets to defend Polish airspace as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry. NATO is more united than ever as we continue to work closely to support Ukraine and defend the alliance’s territory. The Defence Secretary recently confirmed that we will be extending our contribution to Eastern Sentry until the end of 2025. Over the past 18 months, the RAF has also conducted routine deployments of Typhoons to both Poland and Romania to protect NATO airspace.

In the UK, RAF fighter jets at RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth are held at continuous high readiness 24/7, 365 days a year, to protect UK sovereign airspace. They routinely launch to intercept unidentified aircraft flying in the UK’s area of interest as part of NATO’s air policing mission.

The L16A2 81 mm mortar remains an effective piece of equipment. The Army is regularly assessing the effectiveness of its capabilities to ensure that soldiers have the best possible range of weapons to help them achieve their mission.

Ministry of Defence probation policy and guidance advises managers on the steps to take to assess a new employee’s suitability for the post and to provide support to enable them to succeed. It also advises on the steps to take where performance, attendance or conduct are not satisfactory. This can include exiting the employee or extending their probation to provide further evidence for a final decision on their suitability.

The table below shows the number of probations which were extended, and the number of staff who did not retain employment following the completion of their probationary period for the last five years:

*The number of probations extended in the year 2020 and 2021 is not centrally held.

It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the hon. Member's Question. I will write to him when the information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.

Information on the number of people declaring a disability by each Government Department is published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Latest published data as at 31 March 2025 can be found at Table 29 of the statistical tables at the following web address:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2025

Information on mental health conditions or type of disability is not reported as part of the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey, however the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does record them based on voluntary self-declarations which is then recorded on the MOD’s HR systems.

The tables below outline the number of recorded Physical and Mental Health disabilities within the department as at 31 October 2025.

Please note that the data in these tables do not reflect the actual numbers of MOD employees with a mental health or physical condition, but the number of employees who have self-voluntarily recorded their condition as a disability.

Where figures are less than or equal to 5, the data is shown as ‘≤5’ to avoid identifying the individuals concerned.

The number of recruits who completed their Phase 2 training, having started their Phase 1 training at each respective training centre in the years 2019-2024 are provided below.

Notes/Caveats:

1. The figures are for the Regular Army only and therefore exclude Gurkhas, Full Time Reserve Service, Mobilised Reserves, Army Reserve and all other Reserves, but includes those personnel that have transferred from GURTAM to UKTAP.

2. All intake figures are for Phase 1 Untrained Intake which includes all Other Ranks joining the Army and starting either Phase 1 Training or pre-Phase 1 courses. All intake figures exclude personnel who have joined Phase 1 Training from another Service.

3. Personnel who have entered more than once are included multiple times in the table above.

4. Training Establishment in Table 1 relates to the Unit at which an individual is recorded upon joining the Army as recorded on the Joint Personnel Administration System (JPA). An individual may not complete their Phase 1 training at the corresponding establishment.

5. Figures for Army Training Regiment Winchester include personnel with a Unit of Army Technical Foundation College Winchester.

6. Other Training establishments include all Untrained Intake not assigned to one of the four Training Establishments in Table 1.

7. Figures in the above table are taken as at 1 July 2025. Any changes to training status after this date will not be recorded in the above figures.

8. Personnel who "did not complete phase 2 training" may have outflowed from the Regular Army, however a small number may still be in the training pipeline. Numbers of personnel who "completed phase 2" are therefore subject to future increases.

9. There are small proportion of personnel in "Other" establishments who later go on to undertake Officer training and therefore did not complete Phase 2 training as an Other Rank.

The table below shows the outflow of Ministry of Defence Civil Servants by grade within the last five years.

Between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2024, 182 junior soldiers at AFC Harrogate underwent an initial assessment at a Ministry of Defence (MOD) Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH).

There are multiple routes for junior soldiers at the Army Foundation College (AFC) to access mental health services. These include the MOD DCMH and external Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Information on under 18s who were referred to CAMHS is not held centrally. There are various routes for referral to CAMHS, including self-referral and by external medical professionals, which the department does not track centrally.

With regard to the number of junior soldiers signed off sick by a medical professional due to mental ill health during the period 1 January 2019 to 30 December 2024, this information is only recorded on individual medical records. It is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The Armed Forces have no plans to raise the minimum age of recruitment. All recruitment into the UK military is voluntary and no young person under the age of 18 years may join our Armed Forces unless their application is accompanied by the formal written consent of their parent or guardian. We take the duty of care towards all recruits seriously, in particular those under 18 years of age. We have robust, effective and independently verified safeguards in place to ensure that under-18s are cared for properly.

Service personnel aged under 18 are not deployed on hostile operations outside the UK or on any operations where they could be exposed to hostilities. All new recruits, regardless of age, can discharge within their first three to six months of Service.

Our policies on under-18s in Service comply with national and international law. In addition to the comprehensive welfare system that is in place for all Service personnel, we remain fully committed to meeting our obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, and have taken steps to bestow special safeguards on young people under the age of 18.

Further, the provision of education and training for 16-year-old school leavers not only provides a route into the Armed Forces that complies with Government education policy and offers a significant foundation for development, but it also enables access to training in literacy and numeracy, as well as enrolment in apprenticeships. Ofsted regularly inspects our care of newly joined young recruits, and we are very proud of the standards we achieve.

During the Financial Year 2024-25, the Ministry of Defence paid the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) £56.31 Million Grant-in-Aid funding so that it may continue to honour, in perpetuity, the 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died during the First and Second World Wars by caring for 23,000 war memorials and war cemeteries around the world. Within CWGC’s North East region, more than 22,500 personnel are commemorated at almost 1,360 locations, including war memorials and cemeteries in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham, Yorkshire and Humberside.

The Defence Reform programme is establishing robust and streamlined governance, clearer accountabilities, and faster decision-making processes across the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Armed Forces. The Prime Minister’s Productive and Agile State initiative to reduce duplication and inefficiency, including through Arm’s length Body (ALB) reform, is an integral part of Defence’s approach to reform.

The closure of the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less Lethal Weapons (SACMILL) is an important step in Defence’s ALB reform journey. The MOD reviewed and recommended the abolition of the SACMILL – an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) – as the function is no longer required by MOD and the focus of advice from SACMILL in recent years has been in relation to Police equipment.

The ALB review recognised an enduring requirement for expert advice on the medical implications of less-lethal weapons by the Home Office (HO). MOD has worked with HO to enable the establishment of an alternative mechanism to provide independent, evidence-based advice. SACMILL will close on 30 November 2025.

The Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons Expert Committee (MILLWEC), an expert committee sponsored by the HO, will provide independent, scientific advice to the HO and other government departments. This will focus on the medical implications, including risk of injury, of less-lethal weapons (for example, TASERs™).

Further details about MILLWEC can be found at the following website: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/medical-implications-of-less-lethal-weapons-expert-committee

The Defence Reform programme is establishing robust and streamlined governance, clearer accountabilities, and faster decision-making processes across the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Armed Forces. The Prime Minister’s Productive and Agile State initiative to reduce duplication and inefficiency, including through Arm’s length Body (ALB) reform, is an integral part of Defence’s approach to reform.

The closure of the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less Lethal Weapons (SACMILL) is an important step in Defence’s ALB reform journey. The MOD reviewed and recommended the abolition of the SACMILL – an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) – as the function is no longer required by MOD and the focus of advice from SACMILL in recent years has been in relation to Police equipment.

The ALB review recognised an enduring requirement for expert advice on the medical implications of less-lethal weapons by the Home Office (HO). MOD has worked with HO to enable the establishment of an alternative mechanism to provide independent, evidence-based advice. SACMILL will close on 30 November 2025.

The Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons Expert Committee (MILLWEC), an expert committee sponsored by the HO, will provide independent, scientific advice to the HO and other government departments. This will focus on the medical implications, including risk of injury, of less-lethal weapons (for example, TASERs™).

Further details about MILLWEC can be found at the following website: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/medical-implications-of-less-lethal-weapons-expert-committee

The Defence Reform programme is establishing robust and streamlined governance, clearer accountabilities, and faster decision-making processes across the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Armed Forces. The Prime Minister’s Productive and Agile State initiative to reduce duplication and inefficiency, including through Arm’s length Body (ALB) reform, is an integral part of Defence’s approach to reform.

The closure of the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less Lethal Weapons (SACMILL) is an important step in Defence’s ALB reform journey. The MOD reviewed and recommended the abolition of the SACMILL – an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) – as the function is no longer required by MOD and the focus of advice from SACMILL in recent years has been in relation to Police equipment.

The ALB review recognised an enduring requirement for expert advice on the medical implications of less-lethal weapons by the Home Office (HO). MOD has worked with HO to enable the establishment of an alternative mechanism to provide independent, evidence-based advice. SACMILL will close on 30 November 2025.

The Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons Expert Committee (MILLWEC), an expert committee sponsored by the HO, will provide independent, scientific advice to the HO and other government departments. This will focus on the medical implications, including risk of injury, of less-lethal weapons (for example, TASERs™).

Further details about MILLWEC can be found at the following website: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/medical-implications-of-less-lethal-weapons-expert-committee

Defence continually assesses the potential impacts of disruption to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), including the US Global Positioning System (GPS), on Defence activities.

Defence is taking steps to bolster the resilience of our positioning, navigation and timing capabilities through technology fusion and increasing co-operation with relevant partners. This includes close engagement with the Department of Science Innovation and Technology and our allies to examine mitigations and alternatives across this field.

The Ministry of Defence is continuously evaluating its capabilities, including potential enhancements to the Royal Navy's fleet. As stated in the Strategic Defence Review, the Royal Navy is transitioning towards a Hybrid Navy, delivering a mixed fleet of crewed and uncrewed vessels. These will be delivered through faster, smarter procurement and enabled by modular, reconfigurable technology and scalable platforms to increase mass and effect.

Future capability plans for the Royal Navy are being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP). It would be inappropriate to provide further detail at this time.

The Royal Navy is undertaking a significant programme to modernise and increase the lethality of the Fleet. The introduction of Sea Venom and the Naval Strike Missile are key aspects of this programme which will be followed by further capability upgrades over the next few years.

All Ministry of Defence (MOD) procurements must include DEFCON 516 (Equality) in their contracts. This requirement ensures suppliers shall adhere to the UK Equality Act 2010 and shall not unlawfully discriminate either directly or indirectly on the characteristics outlined in the Act. Any supplier or prospective supplier in breach of this can result in their exclusion from a tender process or give grounds to termination of a contract. The inclusion of this DEFCON also covers equivalent legislation in the country where the Contract is being performed if it is being performed overseas.

All MOD procurements must also assess the potential risks of modern slavery throughout the supply chain in new and existing procurements. This assessment helps inform whether prospective suppliers are in breach of any mandatory and discretionary grounds under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), during the supplier selection stage, if there is any evidence of modern slavery offences having been committed.

All Ministry of Defence (MOD) procurements must include DEFCON 516 (Equality) in their contracts. This requirement ensures suppliers shall adhere to the UK Equality Act 2010 and shall not unlawfully discriminate either directly or indirectly on the characteristics outlined in the Act. Any supplier or prospective supplier in breach of this can result in their exclusion from a tender process or give grounds to termination of a contract. The inclusion of this DEFCON also covers equivalent legislation in the country where the Contract is being performed if it is being performed overseas.

All MOD procurements must also assess the potential risks of modern slavery throughout the supply chain in new and existing procurements. This assessment helps inform whether prospective suppliers are in breach of any mandatory and discretionary grounds under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), during the supplier selection stage, if there is any evidence of modern slavery offences having been committed.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15 October 2025 to the hon. Member for Angus and Perthshire Glens (Dave Doogan) to Question 78509.

Parts a,b and c of the hon. Member's question are answered in the table below.

The Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose the trained strength of individual branches or specialisations as to do so could, or would be likely to, prejudice the security of the Armed Forces. For this reason, I am withholding the answer to parts D and E of this question.

A full and ongoing assessment has been made by the Royal Air Force (RAF) to ensure that there are adequate pilot recruits entering the Service to meet future operational requirements.

The RAF has sufficient pilots to meet its current front line operational requirements.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) Directorate of Flying Training continues to engage on a regular basis with private and allied training providers regarding pilot training capacity.

There have been recent discussions with private training providers, in line with the Strategic Defence Review 2025, recommendation 48d. These discussions have been focused on assessing the cost-effectiveness and viability of private training providers for elements of multi-engine pilot training to meet a short-term increase in front-line demand for multi-engine pilots due to the introduction of new Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) platforms within the RAF.

For allied training providers, military engagement is conducted through the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) high visibility project, as well as Air Staff talks with strategic partner nations, Due to the commercial tender process and pending defence engagement technical agreements, it is not possible to disclose more specific details of discussions with specified private and allied training providers.

A full Departmental response could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The majority of Departmental advertising expenditure is undertaken by the three branches of the Armed Forces to aid recruitment. Generic advertising expenditure outside of this remit is not held centrally. The most recent available information on tri service recruitment advertising can be found here: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament and here Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

The Army is an equal opportunities employer, with its literacy and numeracy policy centred on nationally recognised Functional Skills (FS) qualifications, which are the standard for career and service progression within the Army.

While GCSEs are recognised as equivalent qualifications, the Army avoids duplicating education already available in the civilian sector, as this does not align with its training model. Instead, the Army provides English and Maths teaching assessed through FS exams, which focus on practical, real-world skills better suited to workplace needs.

The Ministry of Defence has made significant progress in establishing Independent Advisory Panels (IAPs) for the Army. All Army Basic Training and Initial Trade Training units now have IAPs.

IAPs are aligned to units, rather than locations, and some training units are located across split sites. The following locations however are where IAPs are present:

• Harrogate
• Catterick
• Sandhurst
• Winchester
• Worthy Down
• Marchwood and Brize Norton
• Minley
• Portsmouth
• Middle Wallop
• Larkhill
• Leconfield
• Southwick Park
• Winterbourne Gunner
• Chatham
• Bovington
• Brecon
• Melton Mowbray
• Bicester
• Kineton

Their effectiveness is reviewed through annual reports, internal reviews by unit commanders, and during 2nd Line of Defence Assurance (2LoDA) visits, which occur at least every four years. Some IAPs are still developing as skilled volunteers are recruited and trained.

Regarding the department’s progress on its welfare provisions, in January 2025, JSP 770 – Armed Forces Welfare Support Policy – was fully reviewed and updated to ensure welfare structures meet the needs of Service personnel and their families. Each Service has tailored its policies to address unique requirements, supported by the new Welfare HARDFACTS Annex, which provides comprehensive guidance on addressing emotional, medical, housing, financial, and legal concerns. The Tri-Service Welfare Support Agreement ensures collaboration across the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force to deliver consistent and specialist support, including for Reservists.

For deployed and overseas personnel, the Deployed Welfare Package provides tailored support, infrastructure, and facilities, while overseas initiatives address the unique challenges faced by Service families abroad. Additionally, Defence has refreshed its mental fitness platform, HeadFIT, and offers a 24-hour support line and access to HeadSpace to promote mental resilience and wellbeing for personnel, families, and veterans.

The Ministry of Defence has made significant progress in establishing Independent Advisory Panels (IAPs) for the Army. All Army Basic Training and Initial Trade Training units now have IAPs.

IAPs are aligned to units, rather than locations, and some training units are located across split sites. The following locations however are where IAPs are present:

• Harrogate
• Catterick
• Sandhurst
• Winchester
• Worthy Down
• Marchwood and Brize Norton
• Minley
• Portsmouth
• Middle Wallop
• Larkhill
• Leconfield
• Southwick Park
• Winterbourne Gunner
• Chatham
• Bovington
• Brecon
• Melton Mowbray
• Bicester
• Kineton

Their effectiveness is reviewed through annual reports, internal reviews by unit commanders, and during 2nd Line of Defence Assurance (2LoDA) visits, which occur at least every four years. Some IAPs are still developing as skilled volunteers are recruited and trained.

Regarding the department’s progress on its welfare provisions, in January 2025, JSP 770 – Armed Forces Welfare Support Policy – was fully reviewed and updated to ensure welfare structures meet the needs of Service personnel and their families. Each Service has tailored its policies to address unique requirements, supported by the new Welfare HARDFACTS Annex, which provides comprehensive guidance on addressing emotional, medical, housing, financial, and legal concerns. The Tri-Service Welfare Support Agreement ensures collaboration across the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force to deliver consistent and specialist support, including for Reservists.

For deployed and overseas personnel, the Deployed Welfare Package provides tailored support, infrastructure, and facilities, while overseas initiatives address the unique challenges faced by Service families abroad. Additionally, Defence has refreshed its mental fitness platform, HeadFIT, and offers a 24-hour support line and access to HeadSpace to promote mental resilience and wellbeing for personnel, families, and veterans.

Between July 2024 and 03 November 2025 there were no appointments made by exception to Ministerial Private Offices among the delegated grades (below Senior Civil Servant (SCS) level). However, during this period there was one direct Ministerial appointment at SCS level, this was the Strategic Advisor to the Secretary of State and Head of Review and Challenge.

Avril Joliffe is the Director General for International Collaboration and Exports. This is a permanent position with no current plans for recruitment.

The Army has joined the Technical Agreement for Common Armoured Vehicle System joining several European partners in early scoping of a modular single platform which can be adapted for different roles. The vehicle roles in scope are General Purpose, Utility, Communications, Maintenance, Medical, Troop Carrying, Protected Patrol, Tactical Mobility and Air Defence.

As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy's commitment to backing British businesses, we launched a public consultation on a possible UK offset policy on 23 October. The consultation seeks input on key principles for implementation. It is essential that any offset policy is explored and developed in partnership with the defence sector so we should not pre-empt the outcome of this consultation. The Defence Industrial Strategy sets out the metrics for 'Backing UK Based Business' policies, effective monitoring and evaluation will be essential to our implementation plan.

I refer the Member to the answer I gave on Friday 31 October to Question 84841.

Since the start of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK has provided financial and technical support to missile interceptor technology projects to protect Ukraine's people, its Critical National Infrastructure and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This includes the supply of air defence munitions and air interceptor drones, including from UK industry.

In addition, the UK and Ukraine have established a new tech sharing agreement and under Project OCTOPUS, we have agreed arrangements for the development of an advanced air defence interceptor drone.

The UK plans to continue to provide this support, recognising the ongoing threat from Russian missiles.

A key part of the SDR's vision for UK defence is innovation driven by lessons from Ukraine - harnessing counter drone technology, data, and digital warfare to make our Armed Forces stronger and safer. This Government is investing an additional £2 billion this Parliament into autonomous systems, including countering drones.

Research and Development has been at the core of this rapid transformation, this has been an engine for growth and is happening all across industry, including in our support to Ukraine. This innovation and the funding associated with it, has involved many segments of the Ministry of Defence including the Defence and Security Accelerator, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and frontline capability development programmes. However, funding information across a five-year period is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) aims to put Armed Forces pensions into payment as quickly as possible so as not to cause undue delay and stress, and every individual's pension entitlement is considered with the utmost diligence.

We recognise the impact on pension calculations of the late announcement of annual pay awards and are committed to reducing the delay. We announced both the 2025 pay award and 2026/27 pay round two months earlier than last year and remain committed to bringing forward pay announcements further.

Defence officials are working with the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body on this year’s pay round and the submission of their 2026 report. We will publish this report and the Government’s response to their recommendations as soon as practicable in 2026, recognising the importance of giving certainty on pay settlements as early as possible.

This Government is committed to the independent Pay Review Body process and is focused on delivering fair and timely rewards for public sector workforces, including the Armed Forces, getting well-deserved pay rises to those delivering our vital public services.