Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of amending NHS dental contracts so that they apply to armed forces personnel and their families.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Defence is committed to maintaining a dentally fit Armed Forces to ensure operational capability and force generation. The Defence Medical Services (DMS) deliver dental care for all our Armed Forces personnel, from routine checkups, hygiene appointments and general dental care, while also deploying dentists on operations. Given the nature of this occupationally focussed care, it could not be delivered by the NHS.
Defence does not routinely provide dental care to Armed Forces families; this care is delivered by the NHS or Private Dental Practice. It is however recognised that families can face challenges in accessing this care owing to regular geographical moves. To address this, DMS have established a ‘Tiger Team’ in conjunction with Family Federation representation, NHS England (NHSE) and the Devolved Administrations. This cross-departmental team has already developed and launched significant signposting on the ‘Discover My Benefits’ website, providing families with the most up to date information on dentistry provision in their local area.
Defence remains committed to collaborating cross-government to ensure those who support our Armed Forces personnel are treated fairly and face no disadvantage when accessing public services.
Asked by: Steve Barclay (Conservative - North East Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he was made aware of conclusion 1 in the Sixty-second Report of the Committee of Public Accounts entitled Faulty energy efficiency installations, HC 1229, prior to the decision to appoint a new Permanent Secretary in his Department.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary was appointed following an external competition and approval from the Prime Minister.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will respond to the Public Accounts Committee report (HC 1229) in the usual way.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of armed forces personnel and their families' access to dental services.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Defence is committed to maintaining a dentally fit Armed Forces to ensure operational capability and force generation. The Defence Medical Services (DMS) deliver dental care for all our Armed Forces personnel, from routine checkups, hygiene appointments and general dental care, while also deploying dentists on operations. Given the nature of this occupationally focussed care, it could not be delivered by the NHS.
Defence does not routinely provide dental care to Armed Forces families; this care is delivered by the NHS or Private Dental Practice. It is however recognised that families can face challenges in accessing this care owing to regular geographical moves. To address this, DMS have established a ‘Tiger Team’ in conjunction with Family Federation representation, NHS England (NHSE) and the Devolved Administrations. This cross-departmental team has already developed and launched significant signposting on the ‘Discover My Benefits’ website, providing families with the most up to date information on dentistry provision in their local area.
Defence remains committed to collaborating cross-government to ensure those who support our Armed Forces personnel are treated fairly and face no disadvantage when accessing public services.
Asked by: Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will convene the pensions forfeiture committee to meet and agree to cease the pensions of ex-UK armed forces personnel who are fighting in support of the Russian Federation's illegal war in Ukraine.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Pension forfeiture for public service pension schemes, including the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, is governed by primary and secondary legislation, notably the Pensions Act 1995 and the Occupational Pension Schemes (Assignment, Forfeiture, Bankruptcy etc.) Regulations 1997. Under this legislative framework, an Armed Forces pension may only be forfeited following certain serious criminal convictions, except in cases involving a monetary obligation.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is not aware of any successful convictions of active or former Service Personnel for fighting on behalf of Russia in Ukraine. If the MOD becomes aware of any such convictions, we will consider the implementation of forfeiture policy where relevant.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, if he will breakdown £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament in each remaining financial year of this Parliament defined as (a) the MOD budget and (b) NATO declared defence spending.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The £270 billion is the total of the Ministry of Defence's budget from financial year 2025/26 to 2028/29. This was published following the Spending Review last year.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2026 to question 108885 on Defence: Artificial Intelligence, what is the full scope of the Underwater Acoustic Foundation Model project.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence does not routinely provide detailed or ongoing commentary on the development, deployment, or performance of AI related projects. Releasing such information could reasonably be expected to prejudice UK national security and Defence capability by revealing sensitive details about current or emerging systems, their maturity, and operational relevance.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2026 to question 108885 on Defence: Artificial Intelligence, what is the full scope of the AI Enabled Cyber Defence project.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence does not routinely provide detailed or ongoing commentary on the development, deployment, or performance of AI related projects. Releasing such information could reasonably be expected to prejudice UK national security and Defence capability by revealing sensitive details about current or emerging systems, their maturity, and operational relevance.