Ministry of Defence
We protect the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD - Life peer)Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Defence)
Conservative
James Cartlidge (Con - South Suffolk)Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Scottish National Party
Dave Doogan (SNP - Angus and Perthshire Glens)Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Defence)
Green Party
Ellie Chowns (Green - North Herefordshire)Green Spokesperson (Defence)
Liberal Democrat
James MacCleary (LD - Lewes)Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Baroness Goldie (Con - Life peer)Shadow Minister (Defence)
Earl of Minto (Con - Excepted Hereditary)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Mark Francois (Con - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Ministers of State
Lord Coaker (Lab - Life peer)Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Al Carns (Lab - Birmingham Selly Oak)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Luke Pollard (LAB - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport)
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Louise Sandher-Jones (Lab - North East Derbyshire)Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The inquiry will examine the current and emerging threats in the region. It will ask what the UK’s defence and …
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date did the Defence Accident Investigation Branch investigation into the …
This Order amends the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme 1983 (“the Scheme”), which makes provision for the payment of pensions and …
A Bill to continue the Armed Forces Act 2006; to amend that Act and other enactments relating to the armed …
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News and Communications
Ministry of Defence Commons Appearances
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:- Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
- Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
- Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.
Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Bills currently before Parliament
Ministry of Defence does not have Bills currently before Parliament
Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament
A Bill to establish, and confer functions on, the Armed Forces Commissioner; to abolish the office of Service Complaints Ombudsman; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd September 2025 and was enacted into law.
Ministry of Defence - Secondary Legislation
Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
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Departmental Select Committee
Defence Committee
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
11 Members of the Defence Committee
Defence Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Defence Committee: Upcoming Events
Pre-appointment hearing for the Armed Forces Commissioner
25 Mar 2026, 9:30 a.m.
At 9:45am: Oral evidence
Polly Miller-Perkins CBE
View calendar - Save to Calendar
Defence Committee: 24 Current Inquiries
Defence Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)The Department will confirm its 2025-26 outturn in the Annual Report and Accounts in the usual way.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy does not make a direct contribution to Operation ASPIDES.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Israel procures F-35 directly from the US. This is a matter between the Israeli and US Governments.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
We will publish the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) as soon as possible. It is essential that we take the time required to ensure decisions are robust and support the transformation of the Armed Forces outlined in the Strategic Defence Review.
As he will recall as former Minister for Defence Procurement, under the last Government only two of 49 defence procurement projects were on time and on budget.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
From the beginning, the Defence Investment Plan has been supported by a flexible cross‑Defence team, with military and civilian personnel allocated at the right level to reflect the complexity of the work and ensure progress to publication. Although they had at least Christmas day off, as is established practice, this work has been continuous.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It would not be appropriate to comment on diplomatic discussions.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
In the interests of operational security of the UK and international partners, we cannot comment on the sharing of data from UK Space Command’s TYCHE satellite with other countries since its launch in August 2024.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) maintains a positive, equitable workplace for all seafarers. RFA employees benefit from comprehensive employment rights and conditions well exceeding Maritime Labour Convention standards, including robust maternity, paternity and wider welfare provisions. The RFA’s commitment to fair treatment, safety and inclusive support ensures all personnel are protected throughout their service.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan will cover investment in infrastructure. It will be published as soon as possible.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Ministry of Defence already supports over 460,000 jobs and 25,000 apprenticeships across all parts of the UK, providing sustainable, high-quality, well-paying jobs. In 2023-24, this included 7,500 jobs in the East Midlands.
As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has announced an £182 million skills package which includes a range of initiatives that will support defence orientated careers including apprenticeships across the UK. The package includes establishing five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges across England, additional investment into the Strategic Priorities Grant for defence-relevant courses, and the Apprenticeship and Graduate Clearing System, which will ensure the defence sector has the skilled workforce it requires.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Having determined top level accountabilities and implemented the associate structural changes to establish the new four Areas on 1 April 2025, Defence Reform is currently in a design phase, during which the new Defence Operating Model is being developed and agreed. From 1 April 2026, Defence Reform moves to the next phase, implementing and refining the operating model in live operation. This implementation phase runs through financial year 2026-27 and includes completing remaining detailed design, informed by early experience of live operation. The aim is to complete implementation and detailed design by 1 April 2027. From that point, responsibility for embedding the Defence Operating Model will sit fully with Defence operating on a business-as-usual basis, with change sustained through normal leadership and governance arrangements, rather than programme mechanisms.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Having determined top level accountabilities and implemented the associate structural changes to establish the new four Areas on 1 April 2025, Defence Reform is currently in a design phase, during which the new Defence Operating Model is being developed and agreed. From 1 April 2026, Defence Reform moves to the next phase, implementing and refining the operating model in live operation. This implementation phase runs through financial year 2026-27 and includes completing remaining detailed design, informed by early experience of live operation. The aim is to complete implementation and detailed design by 1 April 2027. From that point, responsibility for embedding the Defence Operating Model will sit fully with Defence operating on a business-as-usual basis, with change sustained through normal leadership and governance arrangements, rather than programme mechanisms.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Having determined top level accountabilities and implemented the associate structural changes to establish the new four Areas on 1 April 2025, Defence Reform is currently in a design phase, during which the new Defence Operating Model is being developed and agreed. From 1 April 2026, Defence Reform moves to the next phase, implementing and refining the operating model in live operation. This implementation phase runs through financial year 2026-27 and includes completing remaining detailed design, informed by early experience of live operation. The aim is to complete implementation and detailed design by 1 April 2027. From that point, responsibility for embedding the Defence Operating Model will sit fully with Defence operating on a business-as-usual basis, with change sustained through normal leadership and governance arrangements, rather than programme mechanisms.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Ammonia, an important precursor in the production of energetics and munitions, is one of many chemicals critical to defence manufacturing and, as such, supply levels are kept under review.
The levels of ammonia required for munitions manufacturing differs between programmes. The fulfilment of those requirements is managed by Defence suppliers, and the MOD works closely with them to monitor and review national and international supply networks to ensure availability and manage risks to Defence outputs.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century. The plan for implementing the Review’s recommendations for the Integrated Force will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and next steps, as we have since Exercise TITAN STORM. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and next steps, as we have since Exercise TITAN STORM. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and next steps, as we have since Exercise TITAN STORM. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and next steps, as we have since Exercise TITAN STORM. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
As I confirmed to the House during Defence Oral Questions on 16 March 2026, we have received the final Army safety investigation report, and work is ongoing to agree next steps. The department continues to engage with General Dynamics on the report and next steps, as we have since Exercise TITAN STORM. I will update the House after Easter recess to outline next steps.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Funding from the Special Reserve is not limited to any single region. The Reserve exists to meet the net additional costs of National Security Council (NSC)‑approved operations, subject to HM Treasury agreement.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) reports Special Severance Payments in its Annual Report and Accounts in accordance with HM Treasury and FREM requirements. For core MOD, the audited figures published in the Annual Report and Accounts are as follows (rounded to the nearest £1,000):
2022–23: £556,000 (14 cases)
2023–24: £1,074,000 (13 cases)
2024–25: £3,418,000 (40 cases)
In addition, the UK Hydrographic Office has reported two Special Severance Payments in 2025, totalling £80,000. UKHO data is not included in the MOD Annual Report and Accounts as UKHO publishes its own accounts separately.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The size and set-up of each ministerial private office can vary significantly, as they are often determined by the specific requirements and nature of the workload involved at any given time. This flexibility ensures that each office is best equipped to meet its unique responsibilities and demands.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) are committed to providing a safe and high-quality environment for all members. Following a rigorous audit of statutory compliance records, activity has been temporarily suspended at several sites across the country. The suspensions were required to protect cadets and volunteers and continue to ensure compliance with safety, legal and operational duties.
Work is ongoing to ensure these spaces are useable and safe as soon as possible.
Suspension of activities at the sites does not equate to the closure of the Air Training Corps (ATC) Squadrons permanently. Whilst the work is being completed, RAFAC have worked closely with Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to identify and utilise temporary community facilities for use of Air Cadets Dedicated work is ongoing at pace to source further temporary spaces for the remaining Squadrons.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The British Army upholds consistently high professional standards for all recruits undertaking Basic Training. Throughout this period, recruits are trained and mentored to ensure they meet and maintain these standards, not only during Basic Training, but throughout the entirety of their military careers.
Instructors seek first to “train in” rather than “select out” individuals. Recruits will not progress beyond Basic Training until they have met the prescribed Basic Training output standard.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
As at 16 March 2026, the number of members awaiting their initial Remediable Service Statements (RSS) was 37,515.
100,592 members have successfully been issued with their RSS. Any pension adjustments arising from members' elections will be backdated with interest to ensure members receive their full entitlement.
The Ministry of Defence is working with the scheme administrator to finalise the timeline for issuing all RSSs. Once a timeline has been finalised, this will be communicated with members.
Regular progress updates are available to members at the following link on the Armed Forces Pensions gov.uk website:
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
This Government is committed to ensuring that veterans and their families are easily able to access support in Leicester, the East Midlands and across the country, when and where it is needed. Late last year we launched a new Veterans Strategy which recognises veterans as a national asset and resets the nation’s relationship with those who have served.
Alongside this, we launched the £50-million VALOUR programme, which will make it easier for veterans to access the care and support they deserve, and confirmed £12 million for the continuation of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme.
In addition, dedicated supported is available to veterans through Ops FORTITUDE, COURAGE, RESTORE, ASCEND and NOVA as well as through programmes such as the Career Transition Partnership.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
There are 485 fixed-wing aircraft In-Service with the Royal Air Force. Of these 86 are in maintenance for longer than three months and 27 are in fleet management storage.
There are 86 rotary-wing aircraft In-Service with the Royal Air Force. Of these 17 are in maintenance for longer than three months. None are in fleet management storage.
It is part of standard fleet management across all fleets for aircraft to undertake detailed depth maintenance inspections under scheduled timelines. These extensive aircraft strip-down checks ensure safety and continuing airworthiness and often take a period greater than three months to complete.
Aircraft scheduled for decommissioning are no longer considered to be In-Service.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
48 F-35B aircraft have been ordered and delivered. Future orders of F-38A and F-35B, and their delivery schedules are subject to the publication of the Defence Investment Plan.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Under the leadership of the National Armaments Director (NAD), the NAD Group brings together teams delivering the national ‘arsenal’, the Defence Industrial Strategy, innovation and end to end acquisition to enable better ways of working and empower greater collaboration across Defence.
Part of the wider Defence Reform programme, the NAD Group is streamlining previously complex systems and structures, ensuring greater control over our defence development and acquisition structure, with simplified reporting lines, better coordination and less duplication of effort.
The NAD Group is already delivering improvements. For example, in January 2026 the Group’s Commercial and Industry team launched the Defence Office for Small Business Growth, which will simplify procurement processes, provide expert advice, and encourage private sector investment, enabling Small and Medium Enterprises to play a greater role in strengthening the UK’s defence capabilities.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
On 17 March 2026, the Prime Minister announced the Enhanced Security and Defence Industrial Collaboration Declaration between the UK and Ukraine.
This declaration affirms our commitment to building a sustained defence industrial partnership that enhances industrial capacity while supporting the security of both nations. It is founded on the principles of innovation, resilience, and rapid adaptation to evolving security challenges.
Cooperation may include establishing joint production lines, collaborative research and development, integrating defence supply chains, and large-scale production of defence systems and components.
We are determined to strengthen our defence partnership, expand cooperation, and continue contributing to global security.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK is learning extensively from Ukraine, particularly the need for a much faster 'learn and adapt' cycle and the ability to analyse real time data to drive rapid changes in capability and tactics though rapid innovation. This continues to inform UK Defence Policy alongside the Strategic Defence Review and the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. As such, we are strengthening collaboration between operators, scientists and industry to accelerate our innovation activity to satisfy Defence requirements.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK concept demonstration phase of the low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is due to conclude by the end of 2026.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The United States Visiting Forces (USVF) are present in the UK at the invitation of His Majesty’s Government. The USVF operate eleven RAF bases across the UK. There are approximately 12,300 United States Military and Civilian Defence personnel in the UK at various defence sites.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy maintains a high state of operational readiness across its core capabilities, including the Continuous At Sea Deterrent, Carrier Strike, frigates and destroyers, submarines, aviation, the Royal Marines and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The Fleet is deployed globally to protect the UK’s security and interests, working alongside allies and partners.
It is important to understand readiness as a constant cycle with ships moving regularly through maintenance, training, deployment and recovery phases. For reasons of operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not give detailed information on past or current levels of readiness for individual Royal Navy warships.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy maintains a high state of operational readiness across its core capabilities, including the Continuous At Sea Deterrent, Carrier Strike, frigates and destroyers, submarines, aviation, the Royal Marines and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The Fleet is deployed globally to protect the UK’s security and interests, working alongside allies and partners.
It is important to understand readiness as a constant cycle with ships moving regularly through maintenance, training, deployment and recovery phases. For reasons of operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not give detailed information on past or current levels of readiness for individual Royal Navy warships.
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. gentleman to the response given to Question 118648 on 16 March 2026.
For operational and personnel security reasons we do not disclose the precise force levels deployed in the South Atlantic.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
I refer the hon. gentleman to the response given to Question 118648 on 16 March 2026.
For operational and personnel security reasons we do not disclose the precise force levels deployed in the South Atlantic.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
I refer the hon. gentleman to the response given to Question 118648 on 16 March 2026.
For operational and personnel security reasons we do not disclose the precise force levels deployed in the South Atlantic.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The pace of Defence's 'learn and adapt' cycle has accelerated exponentially as a result of lessons learnt in Ukraine, and the Strategic Defence Review highlighted the importance of autonomous systems within the UK's integrated force.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
We cannot comment on the deployment decisions of other nations.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Secretary of State for Defence continues to work closely with NATO allies on the sharing of knowledge and insights about drone, missile threats, electronic warfare, innovation, and supply chains.
The Secretary of State for Defence continues to work with allies in other regions, where the lessons from Ukraine can be applied.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
We do not comment on deployment decisions for reasons of operational security.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
For reasons of operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not comment on detailed readiness assessments or the timelines associated with specific platform movements.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
12 Squadron was deployed to Qatar in February 2026 following a formal request from the Qatari Government.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)