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.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

John Healey
Secretary of State for Defence

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

Liberal Democrat
Helen Maguire (LD - Epsom and Ewell)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence)

Scottish National Party
Dave Doogan (SNP - Angus and Perthshire Glens)
Shadow SNP 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)
Maria Eagle (Lab - Liverpool Garston)
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Al Carns (Lab - Birmingham Selly Oak)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Luke Pollard (LAB - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Tuesday 8th July 2025
Select Committee Docs
Wednesday 9th July 2025
00:01
Select Committee Inquiry
Wednesday 2nd April 2025
AUKUS

This inquiry will examine the AUKUS partnership, a trilateral security agreement between Australia, the US and the UK which was …

Written Answers
Wednesday 9th July 2025
Ministry of Defence: Remote Working
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff in his Department have permission to work remotely outside …
Secondary Legislation
Monday 9th June 2025
Armed Forces Act 2006 (Continuation) Order 2025
Section 382 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”) provides that the 2006 Act will expire at the …
Bills
Wednesday 6th November 2024
Armed Forces Commissioner Bill 2024-26
A Bill to establish, and confer functions on, the Armed Forces Commissioner; to abolish the office of Service Complaints Ombudsman; …
Dept. Publications
Monday 7th July 2025
15:15

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.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Jun. 30
Oral Questions
Jun. 02
Urgent Questions
Jul. 08
Westminster Hall
Jun. 05
Adjournment Debate
View All Ministry of Defence Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Ministry of Defence does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Ministry of Defence has not passed any Acts during the 2024 Parliament

Ministry of Defence - Secondary Legislation

Section 382 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”) provides that the 2006 Act will expire at the end of one year beginning with the day on which the Armed Forces Act 2021 (“the 2021 Act”) was passed, unless continued in force by Order in Council in accordance with that section. The 2021 Act was passed on 15th December 2021. The Armed Forces Act 2006 (Continuation) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/1120) provided for the continuation of the 2006 Act for a period of 12 months. This Order provides for the continuation of the 2006 Act for a further period of 12 months, so that it expires at the end of 14th December 2026.
This Order amends the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme 1983 (“the Scheme”), which makes provision for the payment of pensions and allowances to, or in respect of, civilians who were killed or injured during the 1939-1945 World War.
View All 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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Petitions with most signatures
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9,829 Signatures
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6,527 Signatures
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2,752 Signatures
(45 in the last 7 days)
Ministry of Defence has not participated in any petition debates
View All Ministry of Defence Petitions

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
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Portrait
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Defence Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Derek Twigg Portrait
Derek Twigg (Labour - Widnes and Halewood)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Fred Thomas Portrait
Fred Thomas (Labour - Plymouth Moor View)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Michelle Scrogham Portrait
Michelle Scrogham (Labour - Barrow and Furness)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Jesse Norman Portrait
Jesse Norman (Conservative - Hereford and South Herefordshire)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Emma Lewell Portrait
Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Lincoln Jopp Portrait
Lincoln Jopp (Conservative - Spelthorne)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Alex Baker Portrait
Alex Baker (Labour - Aldershot)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Calvin Bailey Portrait
Calvin Bailey (Labour - Leyton and Wanstead)
Defence Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Ian Roome Portrait
Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Mike Martin Portrait
Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Defence Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Defence Committee: Upcoming Events
Defence Committee - Private Meeting
15 Jul 2025, 10 a.m.
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Defence Committee: Previous Inquiries
The Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review The Security of 5G SDSR 2015 and the Army inquiry Russia: implications for UK defence and security inquiry Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2015–16 inquiry BBC Monitoring inquiry Defence Acquisition and Procurement inquiry Awards for Valour (Protection) Bill inquiry Naval Procurement: Type 26 and Type 45 inquiry NATO Warsaw summit and Chilcot Report Work of the Department 2017 inquiry F-35 Procurement inquiry North Korea inquiry Indispensable allies: US, NATO and UK Defence relations inquiry Defence Acquisition and Procurement inquiry Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2016-17 inquiry Locally Employed Civilians inquiry The effects of BAE restructuring on UK Defence inquiry National Security Capability Review inquiry The Royal Marines and UK amphibious capability inquiry The Government’s Brexit position paper: Foreign policy, defence and development: a future partnership paper inquiry Military exercises and the duty of care: follow up inquiry Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2016 inquiry UK National Shipbuilding Strategy inquiry The indispensable ally? US, NATO and UK Defence relations inquiry Locally employed interpreters inquiry Trident missile testing inquiry Investigations into fatalities involving British military personnel inquiry SDSR 2015 and the RAF inquiry Defence industrial policy: procurement and prosperity inquiry Military Exercises and the Duty of Care: Further Follow-Up inquiry Evidence from the new Defence Secretary inquiry UK Defence and the Strait of Hormuz inquiry Ministry of Defence Annual Reports and Accounts 2018-19 inquiry Procurement Update inquiry Domestic Threat of Drones inquiry UK Defence and the Far East inquiry Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2018 inquiry Work of the Service Complaints Ombudsman inquiry UK Response to Hybrid Threats inquiry INF Treaty withdrawal inquiry Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2017-18 inquiry Departmental Priorities – Post-NATO Summit inquiry Work of Defence Equipment and Support inquiry Work of the Chief of Defence Staff inquiry Mental Health and the Armed Forces, Part Two: The Provision of Care inquiry Future anti-ship missile system inquiry Statute of limitations – veterans protection inquiry UK Military Operations in Mosul and Raqqa inquiry Mechanised Infantry Vehicle Procurement inquiry Modernising Defence Programme inquiry Departmental priorities inquiry Armed forces and veterans mental health inquiry Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2017 inquiry Global Islamist Terrorism inquiry MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13 Work of the Chief of the Defence Staff MoD Supplementary Estimates 2012-13 Operations in Afghanistan Strategic Defence and Security Review & the National Security Strategy The Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Part 1: Military Casualties Operations in Libya Developing Threats to Electronic Infrastructure The Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Part 2: Accommodation Defence Implications of Possible Scottish Independence Impact on UK Defence of the proposed merger of BAE systems and EADS MoD Main Estimates 2013-14 Towards the next Defence and Security Review: Part One Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Educating Service Personnel Children Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Part 4: Service Personnel Education Defence Acquisition Defence and cyber-security UK Armed Forces Personnel and Legal Framework for Future Operations Future Army 2020 Future Maritime Surveillance Lariam inquiry Publication of the SDSR UK military operations in Syria and Iraq inquiry Shifting the Goalposts? Defence Expenditure and the 2% pledge Flexible Response? An SDSR checklist of potential threats Towards the next defence and security review: Part Three Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14 The situation in Iraq and Syria Decision-making in Defence Policy Future Force 2020 Armed Forces (Services Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill MoD Main Estimates 2014-15 Inquiry Defence Growth Partnership Ministry of Defence Mid Year Report Towards the next Defence and Security Review: Part Two: NATO Afghanistan - Camp Bastion Attack Defence Materiel Strategy Afghanistan The Armed Forces Covenant in Action Part 5: Military Casualties Pre-appointment hearing: Service Complaints Commissioner Defence contribution to the UK’s pandemic response Progress in delivering the British Army’s armoured vehicle capability Foreign Involvement in the Defence Supply Chain The Integrated Review – Threats, Capabilities and Concepts Defence and Climate Change National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh Armed Forces Readiness Future Aviation Capabilities Defence in the Grey Zone Women in the Armed Forces: Follow-Up The UK contribution to European Security The Armed Forces Covenant AUKUS NATO, US and UK Defence Relations National security and investment Beyond endurance? Military exercises and the duty of care Defence in the Arctic MoD support for former and serving personnel subject to judicial processes Defence in the Arctic (Sub-Committee) Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2018 Defence industrial policy: procurement and prosperity Departmental Priorities – Post-NATO Summit Domestic Threat of Drones Evidence from the new Defence Secretary Global Islamist Terrorism INF Treaty withdrawal UK Military Operations in Mosul and Raqqa Future anti-ship missile system Statute of limitations – veterans protection Mental Health and the Armed Forces, Part Two: The Provision of Care Work of Defence Equipment and Support Ministry of Defence Annual Reports and Accounts 2018-19 European Defence Industrial Development Programme Modernising Defence Programme Military Exercises and the Duty of Care: Further Follow-Up Procurement Update Work of the Service Complaints Ombudsman UK Defence and the Far East UK Defence and the Strait of Hormuz UK Response to Hybrid Threats Work of the Chief of Defence Staff

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

3rd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 63964 on India: F-35 Aircraft, how many personnel have been required to recover the F-35B from India; and what the cost to the public purse was for removing the wings and flying the plane back to the UK as cargo.

An engineering team of less than ten personnel has deployed from the UK with a spares package. We are developing options for recovering the aircraft with Air-to-Air refuelling support once the repairs are complete. All flights will be taken from the annual budgeted flying hours for the respective fleets and therefore come at no additional cost.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
3rd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which companies have been awarded contracts for the (a) provision, (b) maintenance and (c) refurbishment of service family accommodation properties in East Wiltshire constituency; and if he will publish details of the nature and scope of those contracts.

No contracts have been awarded for the provision of Service Family Accommodation properties in the East Wiltshire constituency as the Ministry of Defence has not purchased any new properties.

VIVO Defence Services under the Regional Accommodation Maintenance Services Contract for the South West have the responsibility for maintenance and refurbishment of Service Family Accommodation properties in the East Wiltshire constituency.

Details on the nature and scope of the contract as awarded can be found in Contracts Finder at the following link:

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/fc5d2d7a-0a36-49ca-bc84-33ebc0265ad4?origin=SearchResults&p=4

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
2nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many homes his Department owns in East Wiltshire constituency; and how many of those (a) have Ministry of Defence tenants, (b) have private tenants and (c) are vacant.

As of 4 July 2025, there are 4,739 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties in East Wiltshire that are owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Of the 4,739 SFA properties:

a) 3,717 SFA are occupied by Service families.

b) 317 SFA are sublet to private tenants.

c) 705 SFA are vacant. 307 of these are available to be occupied (177 have been allocated to Service families to move into) and 398 are classed as void unavailable and therefore currently unavailable to be occupied.

The MOD is currently undertaking an extensive review of its entire estate, including how the department will make best use of the properties that have been reacquired from Annington, and which homes and locations can most benefit from investment to be brought back online, refurbished, and renovated for the use of Service families.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
2nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) service and (b) service family accommodation properties there are in East Wiltshire, by property type.

There are 313 permanent Single Living Accommodation Blocks across 17 Ministry of Defence Establishments in East Wiltshire. These consist of 10,577 rooms of which 10,465 are single en-suite and 112 are multi-occupancy with shared ablutions.

There are 4,753 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties in East Wiltshire, the table below shows the total split by Property Type:

Type

Bedrooms/Rank

SFA Total

Type 1

4+ bedrooms (Officer SFA)

4

Type 2

4+ bedrooms (Officer SFA)

20

Type 3

4 bedrooms (Officer SFA)

161

Type 4

4 bedrooms (Officer SFA)

304

Type 5

3 bedrooms (Officer SFA)

365

B Type

2 bedrooms (Other Rank SFA)

772

C Type

3 bedrooms (Other Rank SFA)

2583

D Type

4 bedrooms (Other Rank SFA)

537

DS Type

4+ bedrooms (Other Rank SFA)

7

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
2nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff in his Department have permission to work remotely outside the UK; and in which countries those staff are based.

A total of 45 Ministry of Defence (MOD) Civil Servants have been permitted international remote working since the temporary concession was introduced in 2021. The vast majority were to accompany their partners/spouses who work in the Armed Forces and are posted abroad to NATO countries. This figure does not include MOD Civil Servants who are posted overseas on Government business.

MOD Civil Servants are not normally allowed to work remotely overseas, unless they have been exceptionally approved for a temporary concession. The criteria for the temporary concession includes accompanying their spouse/civil partner/unmarried cohabiting partner who is a member of the Armed Forces who has been formally posted overseas, or exceptional personal/domestic reasons.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
3rd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the United States' decision to pause certain arms supplies to Ukraine.

The UK and our allies have been steadfast in our support for Ukraine and continue to send a wide range of lethal aid alongside continued humanitarian and fiscal support. We work closely with Ukraine and allies, including through our joint leadership of the Ukraine Defence Contact group, to ensure that our collective support meets Ukrainian needs.

We welcome US support to Ukraine, including President Trump’s work to secure a just and lasting peace and we will continue to work closely with the US as we have always done.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 30 June 2025 on Nuclear Test Veteran records exercise and the Merlin database, HCWS748, which office the staff that are reviewing (a) the Merlin Database and (b) other archives are based in.

Teams from across the Ministry of Defence are involved in the Nuclear Test Veterans records exercise, and have reviewed so far over 43,000 files. The files in scope of the records exercise are primarily being reviewed by each of the Single Service Historic Branches and the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE). The release of the Merlin database to the National Archives is being led by the Defence Nuclear Organisation with AWE preparing the records for release.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many veteran ID cards have been issued to veterans who were discharged before December 2018, by council area.

Over 192,000 HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards have been issued to eligible veterans discharged before December 2018. Due to the data collected, it can only be accurately mapped to region and postcode area, rather than council areas.

The tables below include all Veteran Cards posted since January 2024, excluding cards automatically issued to those leaving service after December 2018. The data is rounded to the nearest hundred to allow for:

  • A small number of duplicate cards posted, for example replacements;
  • Any inaccuracies in mapping postcodes on area boundaries;
  • Address changes since postage; and
  • Disclosure protection for areas with low numbers.

The Veterans Data Dashboard also provides more robust population data, including by local authorities, using census and other open government data - https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/office.for.veterans.affairs/viz/2024-07-29VeteransDataDashboardv2final/Story1

Posted Veteran Cards by Region

Channel Islands

200

East England

4,600

East Midlands

18,200

East of England

13,000

Greater London

8,300

Isle of Man

100

North East

19,300

North West

22,300

Northern Ireland

3,700

Scotland

16,400

South East

29,900

South West

30,700

Wales

11,300

West Midlands

14,100

Total

192,100

Posted Veteran Cards by Postcode Area

Aberdeen

1,400

Bath

2,600

Belfast

3,700

Birmingham

2,400

Blackburn

1,100

Blackpool

1,300

Bolton

800

Bournemouth

2,200

Bradford

1,000

Brighton

2,000

Bristol

2,500

Bromley

300

Cambridge

900

Canterbury

1,900

Cardiff

3,100

Carlisle

1,300

Chelmsford

1,200

Chester

2,500

Cleveland

2,300

Colchester

1,600

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

100

Coventry

2,000

Crewe

1,100

Croydon

400

Darlington

2,500

Dartford

700

Derby

2,000

Doncaster

3,400

Dorchester

1,700

Dudley

700

Dumfries

600

Dundee

1,100

Durham

1,200

Edinburgh

2,200

Enfield

300

Exeter

2,500

Falkirk

900

Galashiels

500

Glasgow

2,300

Gloucester

3,000

Guernsey

100

Guilford

3,400

Halifax

400

Harrogate

600

Harrow

300

Hemel

1,200

Hereford

1,000

Huddersfield

600

Hull

1,900

Ilford

100

Inverness

1,600

Ipswich

2,500

Isle of Man

100

Jersey

100

Kilmarnock

1,200

Kingston

700

Kirkaldy

1,900

Kirkwall

200

Lancaster

1,200

Leeds

1,300

Leicester

2,400

Lincoln

2,800

Liverpool

2,100

Llandrindod

300

Llandudno

2,100

London

3,000

Luton

500

Manchester

1,800

Medway

1,900

Milton Keynes

1,300

Motherwell

900

Newcastle

4,400

Newport

1,800

Northampton

2,100

Norwich

2,700

Nottingham

4,300

Oldham

1,000

Oxford

2,200

Paisley

900

Perth

600

Peterborough

4,600

Plymouth

5,000

Portsmouth

7,600

Preston

1,900

Reading

2,700

Redhill

1,500

Romford

600

Salisbury

2,800

Sheffield

3,300

Shetland

100

Shrewsbury

1,500

Slough

600

Southall

400

Southampton

2,700

Southend

1,000

St. Albans

300

Stevenage

1,000

Stockport

1,300

Stoke on Trent

2,000

Sunderland

1,000

Sutton

400

Swansea

2,500

Swindon

3,600

Taunton

1,700

Telford

1,300

Tonbridge

2,000

Torquay

1,400

Truro

1,700

Twickenham

700

Wakefield

1,300

Walsall

900

Warrington

1,900

Watford

300

Wigan

900

Wolverhampton

700

Worcester

1,100

York

2,600

Total

191,700

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) expanding RAF operations at the Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove and (b) re-establishing RAF Aldergrove at Belfast International Airport.

The RAF continually assesses its basing footprint based on operational need and the demands of its future activity. While the RAF is embarking on a significant programme of investment across its Estate, the increased use of Aldergrove Flying Station or the movement to Belfast International Airport does not currently feature within the RAF's plans. Should operational demands change, the RAF will ensure all options are considered as part of any future review.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield at Defence Questions on 19 May 2025, Official Report, Col 739, what recent discussions he has had with UK drone component suppliers on up to date drone (a) technology and (b) capability.

Defence routinely engages with drone component suppliers to iterate, and spiral develop capability in close cooperation with allies.

One of the key mechanisms to ensure that Defence is up to date with the latest developments in drone technology and associated tactics is learning lessons from global conflicts and through our support to Ukraine, where drone capabilities are developed and exploited in cooperation with drone component suppliers. As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, Defence will continue to invest in drone technology to advance our capabilities in tandem with UK industry.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal on his Department.

The landmark detail concluded with the US in May this year protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK. In addition, an estimated 260,000 jobs are supported by the auto industry in the wider economy.

The Government remains focused on making sure British businesses can feel the benefits of the deal as soon as possible. The Government is continuing discussions on the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains.

The Ministry of Defence will continue to support the ongoing negotiations with the US led by the Department for Business and Trade.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the UK military support to Lebanon.

For more than a decade, the UK has been a trusted partner of the Lebanese Armed Forces, providing £106 million of financial support and offering training, infrastructure, and equipment.

In collaboration with international partners, we continue to work closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces, identifying opportunities to support capability development to ensure the Lebanese Armed Forces are able to exert a monopoly of force across Lebanon.

Over the past six months, we have completed construction of key infrastructure to enhance border security on the eastern border and will be seeking to work with the Lebanese authorities to replicate this in the South. We have also started training Lebanese Armed Forces troops to conduct area security operations in southern Lebanon. This support package is confirmed and will cost £10 million for financial year 2025-26.

We also continue to coordinate our bilateral support with international partners. This government recognises the critical role the Lebanese Armed Forces play in ensuring future stability and security in Lebanon.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) capacity and (b) operational readiness of the Lebanese Armed Forces, in the context of (i) disarmament initiatives and (ii) regional stability in southern Lebanon.

For more than a decade, the UK has been a trusted partner of the Lebanese Armed Forces, providing £106 million of financial support and offering training, infrastructure, and equipment.

In collaboration with international partners, we continue to work closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces, identifying opportunities to support capability development to ensure the Lebanese Armed Forces are able to exert a monopoly of force across Lebanon.

Over the past six months, we have completed construction of key infrastructure to enhance border security on the eastern border and will be seeking to work with the Lebanese authorities to replicate this in the South. We have also started training Lebanese Armed Forces troops to conduct area security operations in southern Lebanon. This support package is confirmed and will cost £10 million for financial year 2025-26.

We also continue to coordinate our bilateral support with international partners. This government recognises the critical role the Lebanese Armed Forces play in ensuring future stability and security in Lebanon.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
25th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 50563 on Israel: Military Aid, what gifts of controlled military equipment were provided to Israel between 7 October 2023 and 17 July 2024.

While I am unable to comment on specific capabilities, equipment gifted to Israel by the UK Government since 7 October 2023 has been non-lethal.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2024 to Question 54793 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, what is the cash terms, monetary value of the Defence payment towards the Chagos deal in each individual year of the Spending Review 2025.

I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge), in response to Question 59129, on 23 June 2025.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2024 to Question 54793 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether his Department's spending on the deal will count towards meeting the (a) 2.5 percent and (b) 3 percent defence spending targets.

The NATO qualifying status of these costs will be considered in the usual way.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to promote careers in the Armed Forces among young people in Northern Ireland.

The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. Since July 2024 we have taken decisive measures to redress the recruitment crisis, to attract and recruit more from across the United Kingdom including Northern Ireland, as well as maximise the number of applicants that successfully enter and remain in Armed Forces employment. Policies have included one of the largest pay increases in the last 20 years for existing personnel, slashing the time it takes to access medical records from weeks to hours and restructuring the Army’s recruitment organisation.

These activities and their impacts will inform the development of the Armed Forces Recruitment Service which is being implemented to further improve the speed with which highly motivated and capable people can join our Armed Forces, wherever they are from across the United Kingdom. The results are clear: year on year inflow is up 19%, outflow is down 7%, the Navy’s yearly recruiting target has been exceeded, the RAF’s applications are up 34% compared to early 2024, and the Army is seeing a seven-year high in applications.

In addition to the existing national recruitment campaigns including online material, the Services conduct recruitment that is tailored to Northern Ireland. The Services use Outreach stands to facilitate face to face recruitment and attend recruitment fairs such as the UK Careers Fair Belfast and the NI Graduate Recruitment Fair. They also attend local events such as the Portrush Airshow and the Northern Ireland Armed Forces Day.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
2nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2025 to Question 39917 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many military drones in (a) logistics, (b) strike and (c) intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance roles were purchased by his Department since 25 March 2025.

Due to operational security, we cannot provide details on the numbers or types of military drones purchased by the Ministry of Defence for its own purposes or on behalf of the Drone Capability Coalition or those purchased for Ukraine.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
26th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many new jobs will be created in the UK from the manufacture of 12 new F-35 A jets.

UK industry contributes approximately 15% by value of F-35 production, working with over 100 suppliers and supporting more than 20,000 jobs. The Ministry of Defence will purchase 12 F-35A aircraft as part of the previously agreed F-35B procurement schedule.

It will help sustain the significant employment and industrial benefits provided by the programme. The rear fuselage and tail surfaces of every F-35 are manufactured in Lancashire; the ejection seats are manufactured in Middlesex; and core avionics and electronics systems are manufactured in Scotland, Kent and the South West.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on equipment for civil servants to work from home in each of the last three years.

The Department embraces flexible working arrangements where appropriate.

In some cases the Department may provide additional equipment to support flexible working patterns, but to gather the costs of these across the Department would require disproportionate time.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what steps his Department is taking to support the creation of defence-related jobs in (a) domestic supply chains, (b) advance manufacturing and (c) other areas; and what proportion of new manufacturing work will be assembly-based compared to that delivered through the wider supply chain.

The Strategic Defence Review sets the path for making defence an engine for growth, boosting prosperity, jobs and security for working people across the UK, in support of this Government’s growth mission.

The UK’s manufacturing industry is vital not only to our national security but to our prosperity and economic growth which is why the Defence Industrial Strategy will include measures to back UK business and make defence an engine for growth as we realise the defence dividend. This Government is committed to strengthening domestic supply chains including in the advanced manufacturing sector.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many unmanned (a) air, (b) ground, (c) underwater and (d) surface systems the armed forces have in service.

This Strategic Defence Review recommends that an immediate priority for force transformation should be a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the UK's conventional forces. Uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Integrated Force in a significant way over the next five years as part of a 'high-low' mix of capabilities whether undersea, at sea, on land, or over land. The major funding package includes more than £4 billion for autonomous systems in this Parliament. Further details will be set out as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many unmanned (a) air, (b) ground, (c) underwater and (d) surface systems the armed forces require to meet the Strategic Defence Review's proposed approach to war fighting.

This Strategic Defence Review recommends that an immediate priority for force transformation should be a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the UK's conventional forces. Uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Integrated Force in a significant way over the next five years as part of a 'high-low' mix of capabilities whether undersea, at sea, on land, or over land. The major funding package includes more than £4 billion for autonomous systems in this Parliament. Further details will be set out as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many additional unmanned (a) air, (b) ground, (c) underwater and (d) surface systems are planned to be delivered over the next three years.

This Strategic Defence Review recommends that an immediate priority for force transformation should be a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the UK's conventional forces. Uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Integrated Force in a significant way over the next five years as part of a 'high-low' mix of capabilities whether undersea, at sea, on land, or over land. The major funding package includes more than £4 billion for autonomous systems in this Parliament. Further details will be set out as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
27th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 May 2005 to Questions 50084 on Defence: Space Technology, what role Northern Ireland will play in the delivery of a refreshed Defence Space Strategy.

As the Strategic Defence Review highlights, Space is critical for the UK’s national infrastructure and central to future defence operations. In line with the Government’s wider industrial strategy, Defence is collaborating closely with partners across Government, industry, academia, and civil society to build a strong and resilient UK space sector.

Northern Ireland contributes significantly to the UK’s space technology sector through its advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity capabilities. These strengths contribute to the UK’s capacity for space innovation, security, and industrial excellence.

The forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy will highlight capabilities deemed critical to national security, supply chain resilience, and economic growth for the UK more broadly. Space has been identified as an important area of strategic interest to Defence.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
27th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to expand (a) Army, (b) Navy, and (c) Air Cadet programmes in Northern Ireland.

Given the fantastic benefits which can be gained from the Cadet experience this Government is committed to getting more young people to become Cadets. The Strategic Defence Review has recommended an expansion of in-school and community-based Cadet Forces across the country by 30% by 2030.

Expanding the Cadet Forces, which provide skills and qualifications to young people from diverse backgrounds across the country, and support economic growth, will benefit all four nations of the UK including Northern Ireland. Planning for this expansion is currently underway, and more detail will be provided in due course.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to review the criteria for which applications to join the British Army are rejected on medical grounds.

This Government inherited a recruitment crisis, with targets being missed every year for the past 14 years, and is taking decisive action to get recruitment back on track. This has included the largest pay rise to personnel in decades and scrapping 100 outdated policies that slow recruitment down.

Defence is committed to a diverse workforce and is seeking to ‘select in’ rather than ‘select out’ and is focused on work to review the current policies for Armed Forces recruiting.

An update to Joint Service Publication (JSP) 950 Leaflet 6-7-7, which outlines the medical entry standard for the Armed Forces, was published in August 2024 following an intensive period of review undertaken by clinical experts, Defence personnel staff and the recruiting agencies. Recent updates to policy include; new regulations for a range of conditions including asthma and eczema, and candidates with Autism Spectrum Disorder may now be able to join the Armed Forces providing they meet certain criteria.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
2nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to answer Question 59988, tabled on 16 June 2025.

I responded to the right hon. Member on 3 July 2025.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
3rd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support veterans in (a) Eastbourne and (b) the South East.

This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country, no matter which community they are based in. Across the country, including in Eastbourne and across the South East, a wide range of support is available for Armed Forces personnel as they transition into civilian life. The Veterans Welfare Service is a first port of call for veterans and their families if they are facing challenges and provides support on a wide range of issues.

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. Across 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.

We recently 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 recognised support centres and regional field officers, will help to ensure that services are designed to meet the needs of their local communities. Further details on VALOUR will be announced in due course and more information can be found at the following link:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valour-information-and-next-steps

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
26th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost of the 12 new F-35 A jets will be.

Final prices will be identified during contract negotiation.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
26th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timeline is for manufacturing 12 new F-35 A jets.

The UK will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets and join NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission in a major boost for national security. The Secretary of State for Defence has said he expects those F-35As to start being delivered before the end of the decade.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
24th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which (a) UK and (b) non-UK companies have been awarded contracts for drones; and what the value is of each contract.

In total since January 2024, The Department can identify 48 ‘drone’ related contracts valuing £3.6 billion that have been active within the Ministry of Defence.

Nine of these are marked as having a primary supplier address outside the UK.

24 of these contracts were competitively tendered, 23 were single source tenders and one unknown.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
24th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which contracts for drones have been awarded by (a) competitive tender and (b) single source.

In total since January 2024, The Department can identify 48 ‘drone’ related contracts valuing £3.6 billion that have been active within the Ministry of Defence.

Nine of these are marked as having a primary supplier address outside the UK.

24 of these contracts were competitively tendered, 23 were single source tenders and one unknown.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
25th Jun 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the security breach at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June, what plans they have to improve the security of all RAF airfields.

We are now conducting a review of security across Defence that will assess and assure the state of protective security at all sites. As I am sure you can appreciate, we will not comment on the specifics before the review has concluded.

Lord Coaker
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
2nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Written Statement of 30 June 2025 on Nuclear Test Veteran Records Exercise and the Merlin Database, HCWS748, for what reason the Individual Medical Records of military personnel who participated in the nuclear testing programme are not being examined as part of the search for relevant medical data.

This Government has reset our relationship with nuclear test veterans and the organisations that support them, and we remain committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.

I understand that many are eager for an update on progress on the records exercise. Our focus has been to start by reviewing all surviving policy records and instructions related to blood and urine testing, as well as policies relating to the retention of these records. We have begun with the policy files to ensure there is an understanding of the policy procedures and instructions for medical tests that were given at the time. Doing this first helps us to understand whether policies and instructions were followed. The Ministry of Defence has begun the process of looking at Nuclear Test Veterans' service and medical records.

I will update the House when I am in a position to share the findings of this exercise.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
2nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Written Statement of 30 June 2025 on Nuclear Test Veteran Records Exercise and the Merlin Database, HCWS748, if he will publish the findings gathered from the 43,000 files which have already been reviewed, in the context of the (a) age and (b) infirmity of the remaining Nuclear Test Veterans.

This Government has reset the relationship with nuclear test veterans and the organisations that support them, and we remain committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.

As of 30 June 2025, officials have reviewed over 43,000 files, including files from the Merlin Database, as part of the exercise that is looking at concerns raised with me about some Nuclear Test Veterans' medical records. The contents of the Merlin database will be transferred to The National Archives (TNA) as formal public records under the Public Records Act. Records will be held in perpetuity and made available via the public facing online catalogue at TNA called "Discovery". As the records are digital they will be free to download and there will be no limit on the number that can be downloaded.

I will update the House when I am in a position to share the findings of the exercise that is looking at concerns raised with me about some Nuclear Test Veterans' medical records.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
2nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the Defence Housing Strategy.

The Defence Housing Strategy will be published later this year and will set out wider plans to improve the standard of Service family homes.

The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking an extensive review of its entire estate, including how the Department will make best use of the properties that have been reacquired from Annington, and which homes and locations can most benefit from investment.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
2nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding his Department allocated for cadet services in (a) each of the last three financial years, (b) the 2025-26 financial year and (c) the 2026-27 financial year.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 May 2025 to Question 55117 to the hon. Member for Fylde (Mr Andrew Snowden).

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with the Scottish Government on the withdraw funding for Veterans First Point Lothian.

I engage regularly with the Scottish Government and with the Scottish Veterans' Commissioner on issues affecting veterans who live in Scotland. Health is a devolved matter, so it is for the Scottish Government to decide on funding allocations.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with his US counterpart on spending 5% of gross national income on defence.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagements with the US Secretary of Defense where they discuss a range of topics including defence spending. At the Hague Summit, Allies committed to investing 5% of GDP annually on defence and security, which will build an Alliance that is stronger, fairer and more lethal than ever before.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55488 on Military Bases: Closures, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the site disposal guidelines due to increasing risks to (a) global and (b) national security.

Both global and national security risks are already continually assessed as part of the military requirement for sites that shape the disposal position.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is planning to take to improve the (a) quality and (b) availability of data on the educational (i) outcomes and (ii) experiences of armed forces children; and if he will make it his policy to develop a national dataset to help inform evidence-based (A) policy and (B) practice in this area.

We are committed with counterparts in Government to maintaining robust data around the educational outcomes of all children to inform future strategic and policy development. It is important to remember that education is a devolved matter, and caution should be applied in considering the feasibility of a UK-wide dataset, where very different education systems would be compared. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the importance of the devolved administrations maintaining their own datasets to inform where their resources should be targeted.

The Department for Education (DfE) continues to provide the MOD updated datasets on how Service children perform in state schools in England across key measures of academic attainment; this information is published in the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report. The DfE and the MOD have also recently published joint guidance to schools and local authorities on how best to support Service children in education.

In Scotland, the Additional Support for Learning (ASL) Act places duties on education authorities, who retain the statutory responsibility for the delivery of education in Scotland. These duties require Scottish authorities to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of pupils. This includes Service children and young people, who may require extra support, short or long term and for whatever the reason. Delivery of ASL is a joint endeavour between the Scottish Government and Scottish Local Authorities.

The Welsh Government are currently exploring the potential to broaden the definition of Service children in Wales to ensure the maximum number of children can benefit from the support available. Linked to this they are considering how they collect data on Service children in Welsh schools to ensure that policy and support is based on robust evidence.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
30th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding for support for education professionals working with armed forces children; and what steps he is taking to ensure that funding in this area is (a) informed by research, (b) supported by evaluation and (c) aligned with improving outcomes for armed forces families.

Understanding that education is a devolved matter, the Secretary of State for Defence does not issue core funding to educational settings for Service children.

However, the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Armed Forces Families Fund provides additional funding opportunities for schools and local authorities across the UK. Since 2023, £4.5 million has supported the Service Pupil Support Programme (SPSP) in schools and local authorities across the UK. The sub themes of the SPSP align with the aims of the Armed Forces Families Strategy and include elements focusing upon the educational outcomes of Service children and supporting Service children with additional learning needs. The SPSP is evaluated externally and is also presently funding three university research projects in areas of specific interest.

In England the Department for Education continues to allocate additional funding in the form of the Service Pupil Premium (SPP) to state funded schools with Service children among their pupils. Service Pupil Premium funding helps schools to provide pastoral and academic support to current and former Service children. Schools are allocated SPP funding for each pupil aged 5 to 16 who is currently recorded as a Service child in the autumn school census or who has held this status in the last six years via ‘Ever 6’, or who receives a child pension from the MOD. The SPP is now worth £350 per eligible pupil annually. For example, more than £26 million has been paid to schools in the financial year 2023 to 2024, benefiting more than 78,000 pupils.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
27th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve housing options for veterans in Northern Ireland.

On 26 June 2025, I was delighted to announce £300,000 of funding for wraparound housing support for veterans in Northern Ireland. This will sit alongside VALOUR, the Government's new UK-wide initiative to ensure easier access to essential care and support. This regional approach, based on a network of VALOUR support centres providing multiple services in one place, together with regional field officers coordinating the provision of local services, will ensure that services are designed to meet the needs of their local communities.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
25th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled UK to purchase F-35As and join NATO nuclear mission as Government steps up national security and delivers defence dividend, published on 24 June 2025, whether his Department plans to buy fewer F-35B aircraft.

The Ministry of Defence will initially purchase 12 F-35A aircraft from within previously agreed F-35B purchase schedules. Future F-35 purchases will be reviewed as part of the Defence Investment Plan, which will conclude in the autumn.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
26th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where the 12 new F-35 A jets will be manufactured.

UK industry contributes approximately 15% by value of F-35 production, working with over 100 suppliers and supporting more than 20,000 jobs. Although final assembly of all F-35 aircraft takes place at Lockheed Martin's facility in Fort Worth, Texas, the UK plays a significant role in the programme through the manufacture of key components.

The rear fuselage and tail surfaces of every F-35 are manufactured in Lancashire; the ejection seats are manufactured in Middlesex; and core avionics and electronics systems are also produced throughout the UK.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
25th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 7 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what the remit is of the new defence exports office; and when that office will be operational.

With the creation of the National Armaments Group on 31 March 2025 and the transfer of Ministerial responsibility for defence exports to the Ministry of Defence on 31 July, Whitehall teams specialising in defence exports are being brought together for the first time. The new team will have responsibility for supporting defence exports, including supporting a new framework for an enhanced Government-to-Government mechanism to support defence exports.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
26th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what current air-to-air refuelling capability within the Royal Air Force will be used to refuel the new F-35A aircraft.

We have longstanding reciprocal arrangements to use allies Air-to-Air refuelling support when required, just as our Voyagers also support refuelling of other allies' jets. Future national air-to-air refuelling options will be considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan, and in subsequent force development work.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
1st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether operations conducted by special forces will be subject to the notifications requirements of paragraph 2 of Annex 1 of the UK-Mauritius Treaty.

As per longstanding Government policy, I can neither confirm nor deny information relating to UK Special Forces.

Annex 1, paragraph 2 of the Chagos Archipelago Treaty, once it has entered into force, will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information and will not require prior notification of any military operation.

Moreover, Article 3(2) of the treaty states that Mauritius cannot undermine, prejudice or otherwise interfere with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the military base on Diego Garcia, and that Mauritius shall cooperate to that end.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)