Ministry of Defence

All applicants to the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) are directed to a confirmation screen on completion of the application form, with the option to print or save this as record of their submission.

In the latter stages of Op PITTING and subsequently we have received a very large number of applications, including 12,000 since the end of the operation. The time taken to process applications varies enormously, in particular based on the amount of information the applicant provides. Security checks are principally a Home Office requirement and are conducted once eligibility in principle has been established.

The Ministry of Defence deploys the appropriate unit to each operation dependent on a number of factors. These include readiness, capability and the required task, as well taking into account current commitments. Consequently, elements from the RAF Regiment were deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation PITTING.

From the start of the scheme in April to 31 August 2021, 60,000 applications for relocation to the UK under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) were received.

Approximately 52,350 were rejected, either at the initial triage or following detailed casework.

Of the total applications received during this period, 6,800 are still being processed by a casework team. In many cases, more information has been requested so that the most appropriate eligibility decision is made.

The MOD is doing everything it possibly can for those called forward but not evacuated under the ARAP scheme. We are in contact with the majority of them and are continuing to press the Taliban for their safe passage. Some may decide to make their way to third countries – we will provide whatever support we can with their journey. We have arrangements in place for their welfare in third countries and their subsequent journey on to the UK.

The Armed Forces provide support to the civil authorities where a situation goes beyond the capacity and/or capability of local authorities and other agencies, through a process known as Military Aid Civil Authorities (MACA) process. The Secretary of State for Defence has had discussions with Cabinet Colleagues around Defence’s role in winter resilience, however, at present, there has been no MACA requests for the Armed Forces to transport seasonal flu vaccines in the event that the shortage of HGV drivers continues.

My noble. Friend Baroness Goldie is the Defence Minister with responsibility for engagement with the devolved nations. Baroness Goldie last met with Ministers in the Welsh Government on 23 March 2021 and will be meeting them again later this year. Additionally, the Minister for Defence People and Veterans met with the Welsh Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, Hannah Blythyn, on 6 July 2021, and 27 April 2020. I will be meeting with the Ministers in the Welsh Government in October this year.

The Government made a range of assessments of the military strength and capabilities of the Taliban and the likely speed and success of their efforts to regain control over Afghanistan. However, none suggested that the Taliban assume power through military force alone. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said during the debate, the Taliban will be aware that there must be 'a peaceful and a negotiated settlement for the political crisis' as well.

The National Flagship is not a direct replacement for HMY Britannia and will not therefore be a Royal Yacht. The design criteria against which bids will be assessed will be communicated to bidders in due course as part of the Design competition tender documentation. A wide pool of designers are being taken forward to this next stage of the competition. It would be inappropriate to place this information in the public domain ahead of its disclosure as part of the commercial process. As the National Flagship, the design of the ship must encompass innovative proposals which incorporate the most up to date and sustainable technology, reflecting the UK’s status as an independent trading nation and showcasing the best of what Britain has to offer.

It is the intention of the Government that the National Flagship will be built in the UK to help contribute to the renaissance in the British shipbuilding industry.

The National Flagship is not a direct replacement for HMY Britannia and will not therefore be a Royal Yacht. The design criteria against which bids will be assessed will be communicated to bidders in due course as part of the Design competition tender documentation. A wide pool of designers are being taken forward to this next stage of the competition. It would be inappropriate to place this information in the public domain ahead of its disclosure as part of the commercial process. As the National Flagship, the design of the ship must encompass innovative proposals which incorporate the most up to date and sustainable technology, reflecting the UK’s status as an independent trading nation and showcasing the best of what Britain has to offer.

It is the intention of the Government that the National Flagship will be built in the UK to help contribute to the renaissance in the British shipbuilding industry.

The National Flagship is not a direct replacement for HMY Britannia and will not therefore be a Royal Yacht. The design criteria against which bids will be assessed will be communicated to bidders in due course as part of the Design competition tender documentation. A wide pool of designers are being taken forward to this next stage of the competition. It would be inappropriate to place this information in the public domain ahead of its disclosure as part of the commercial process. As the National Flagship, the design of the ship must encompass innovative proposals which incorporate the most up to date and sustainable technology, reflecting the UK’s status as an independent trading nation and showcasing the best of what Britain has to offer.

It is the intention of the Government that the National Flagship will be built in the UK to help contribute to the renaissance in the British shipbuilding industry.

The National Flagship is not a direct replacement for HMY Britannia and therefore, will not be a Royal Yacht. The National Flagship will be crewed by the Royal Navy and is expected to be in service for around 30 years.

The National Flagship is not a direct replacement for HMY Britannia and will not therefore be a Royal Yacht. The design criteria against which bids will be assessed will be communicated to bidders in due course as part of the Design competition tender documentation. A wide pool of designers are being taken forward to this next stage of the competition. It would be inappropriate to place this information in the public domain ahead of its disclosure as part of the commercial process. As the National Flagship, the design of the ship must encompass innovative proposals which incorporate the most up to date and sustainable technology, reflecting the UK’s status as an independent trading nation and showcasing the best of what Britain has to offer.

It is the intention of the Government that the National Flagship will be built in the UK to help contribute to the renaissance in the British shipbuilding industry.

We have not received a further hearing date from the court in respect of this dispute.

Day-to-day activity of IMS Ltd has been overseen by permanent Defence officials since they were appointed to the Board of Directors the 4 of September 2020.

IMS Ltd is fully aware of the reporting requirements and regulations associated with its status as an Arms Length Body. These are reviewed and considered through regular dialogue between the company and relevant Defence officials.

The whole of government is rightly focused on delivering the best start to life in the UK for individuals who have supported the UK over the last 20 years of operations in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence is particularly committed to actively supporting the integration of Afghan nationals who have supported Defence wherever we can.

The Ministry of Defence has already offered Local Authorities the opportunity to lease up to one hundred units of Service Family Accommodation to house Afghan evacuees across the United Kingdom. Whilst the provision of accommodation is clearly a crucial part of the resettlement programme, of equal importance is ensuring that Local Authorities have the capacity to provide the right level of access to health and education provision to ensure the integration of Afghan evacuees.

The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government, and the Home Office support on a cross-Government efforts to identify where we can best support this endeavour. This includes the provision of additional Defence accommodation where appropriate to do so.

Before a decision is made on the provision of additional Defence accommodation, we continue to work with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to assess the impact allocating additional houses to Afghan families would have on our ability to support Service families who are eligible but not currently entitled to occupy surplus Service Families Accommodation.

The whole of government is rightly focused on delivering the best start to life in the UK for individuals who have supported the UK over the last 20 years of operations in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence is particularly committed to actively supporting the integration of Afghan nationals who have supported Defence wherever we can.

The Ministry of Defence has already offered Local Authorities the opportunity to lease up to one hundred units of Service Family Accommodation to house Afghan evacuees across the United Kingdom. Whilst the provision of accommodation is clearly a crucial part of the resettlement programme, of equal importance is ensuring that Local Authorities have the capacity to provide the right level of access to health and education provision to ensure the integration of Afghan evacuees.

The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government, and the Home Office support on a cross-Government efforts to identify where we can best support this endeavour. This includes the provision of additional Defence accommodation where appropriate to do so.

Before a decision is made on the provision of additional Defence accommodation, we continue to work with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to assess the impact allocating additional houses to Afghan families would have on our ability to support Service families who are eligible but not currently entitled to occupy surplus Service Families Accommodation.

The Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) has been one of the most generous in the world, under which approximately 7,000 Afghan nationals who supported the UK Government in Afghanistan have been relocated to the UK since April 2021.

Prior to 8 September, approximately 1,700 individual cases have been approved under the ARAP scheme. That scheme is not time-limited and will endure. As we continue to receive and assess applications we expect to identify more Afghan nationals who are eligible for relocation under ARAP.

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme tariff levels are under constant review by the Department to ensure that they remain fair and fit for purpose. As part of this process, the Independent Medical Expert Group provides impartial, evidence-based, medical and scientific advice and recommendations on these issues.

The current service life expiry date for each type of ammunition is shown below:

As is normal practise for most higher value General Munitions, an assessment process, considering both safety and performance, is ongoing to extend the service life.

The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) for those who worked with the UK in Afghanistan is not time-limited and will endure. We are now looking at all possible avenues to facilitate relocation, from third countries if possible, for those eligible.

To anyone to whom we have made commitments - and who is currently in Afghanistan - we are working urgently with our friends in the region to secure safe passage. As soon as routes are available we will do everything possible to help these eligible individuals to reach safety.

Preliminary Market Analysis is being carried out to identify the possible export markets for Ajax, their value to the UK and the likely timescales. Clearly successful exports are dependent on the outstanding issues being resolved.

BCIP 5.6 has already been tested and accepted into service. It has been fielded to all units, including those deployed on operations, who are equipped with BCIP. Full Operational Capability was formally declared in December 2020.

The Ministry of Defence is not able to release financial information regarding forecasted RDEL (run cost) to maintain BCIP 5.6 until its out of service date, as this would prejudice our ability to conduct future negotiations with Industry in order to deliver best value for money.

The ammunition for the CT40 cannon is manufactured at the BAE Systems Glascoed site in South Wales.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 6 September to question 40704.

Medallic recognition for the evacuation in Afghanistan will be considered in due course. The current qualifying length of service is 30 days and any decision to change that will take lengthy consideration.

Medals or awards for individual acts of bravery or leadership are separate to the length of deployment criteria and are therefore considered based on a citation by citation basis.

Defence has collaborated with the Home Office on countering illegal migration issues in the English Channel for over a year. Defence has provided a range of support including the provision of surveillance, planning expertise, and assisting in the delivery of trials of novel tactics which could help the Border Force and Home Office better interdict and deter migrant vessels. This has currently amounted to four requests under the mechanism of Military Aid to the Civilian Authority during 2021.

The last occasion the Ministry of Defence acquired such 30mm ammunition was in the early 1990's. I will write to my Rt Hon. Friend with further details and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 June 2021 to Question 8558 to the Rt Hon. Member for North Durham (Mr Jones).

The Type 23 frigate was first advertised for potential sale through the Defence Equipment Sales Authority on the Gov.UK website in their online brochure published on 6 September 2021.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the health and resilience of its supply chains very seriously and we always work with suppliers to understand and take action on any threats that could result in their disruption. The initiatives that are in place include an extensive MOD-wide Supply Chain Resilience and Risk Programme, which aims to map our most critical supply chains to ensure that any potential impact on the delivery of Defence outputs is minimised.

The MOD is also active in the pan-government Global Supply Chains initiative to review those critical supply chains so that vulnerabilities can be assessed, and mitigations considered. In addition, we have worked closely together with industry at all levels and maintained an open dialogue, to identify and put in place the measures needed to protect the supply chains of our key programmes, and to maintain the resilience of the UK's industrial and technology base.

Throughout the COVID crisis the MOD supported the Defence sector with increased government financial assistance including the Cabinet Office led initiative to support strategically important suppliers and the use of payments to maintain business continuity (commonly known as interim payments).

The vehicle is capable of firing a single round or burst engagement and it will be the decision of the vehicle commander at the time, which engagement is most appropriate for the tactical situation.

This capability provides us with enhanced resilience to meet future threats as armour and defence suites evolve.

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is a no-fault scheme which provides benefit for injury, illness or death caused wholly or predominantly by service on or after 6 April 2005. Personnel who have sustained injuries or illness whilst participating in the Armed Forces activities can make a claim under the scheme. Any award made is then offset by any successful common law damages settlement or vice versa to ensure there is no double recovery of compensation.

Competitive Procurement Phase contracts have now been awarded to four consortia, all including UK companies, to mature their design proposals. The contracts are initially worth around £5 million each.

The majority of the remaining cost to the public purse for the tendering process for the Fleet Solid Support Ships is attributable to the personnel employed in the process, these are primarily existing Defence staff. The department is also supported by legal and professional services.

The Sandown Class Minehunters were first advertised for potential sale on the GOV.UK website in their online brochure published on 6 September 2021.

The Charm 3 120mm armoured piercing ammunition used by the Challenger 2 Main battle Tank has not been manufactured since 2001. An estimated cost per round (Armour Piercing shot with necessary Propelling Charge and initiating TVE charge), based on latest prices, is approximately £2,762.

The Media Buying Brief for the 2021 Army recruitment campaign, "Fail. Learn. Win" will be placed in the Library of the House shortly. It is currently being reviewed for any commercial sensitivities.

The Media Buying Brief for the 2021 Army recruitment campaign, "A Soldier is a Soldier" will be placed in the Library of the House shortly. It is currently being reviewed for any commercial sensitivities.

Defence has not been asked to provide logistical support to the Department for Health and Social Care or National Health Service this winter. The Armed Forces can provide support to the civil authorities at their request where a situation goes beyond the capacity and/or capability of local authorities and other agencies under the Military Aid to Civil Authorities process

The Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the LE TacCIS programme is currently Major General Jonathan Cole. He combines his duties as SRO on LE TacCIS with being the Army’s Chief information officer.

The SRO is supported by a dedicated Programme Director and programme team and, where appropriate, industry.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 September 2021 to Question 40637 to right hon. Member for North Durham (Mr Kevan Jones).

Since the conclusion of Operation PITTING on 28 August no further evacuation flights have been conducted, however we are aware that some individuals who are eligible for relocation under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) have left the country by their own means.

The ARAP scheme is not time-limited and remains open to all current and former Locally Employed Staff (LES) who worked for the UK Government in Afghanistan. We are working to facilitate the continued relocation of ARAP eligible individuals and their dependants, from third countries if possible. To date, two individuals have been relocated to the UK. We will continue to do all we can to support those Afghans who have supported us, and we are clear that the Taliban must ensure safe passage for these people out of Afghanistan.

As of 14 September 2021, HMS IRON DUKE, HMS SOMERSET, HMS SUTHERLAND and HMS ST ALBANS are in upkeep/refit at Devonport Royal Dockyard.

HMS RICHMOND and HMS KENT are supporting Carrier Strike Group 2021 in the Far East.

HMS MONTROSE is forward deployed to the Middle East.

The remaining five Type 23 Frigates (HMS ARGYLL, HMS LANCASTER, HMS NORTHUMBERLAND, HMS PORTLAND and HMS WESTMINSTER) are located in UK waters or the North Atlantic and are available for operations. Of these, HMS ARGYLL is supporting Defence at Security Equipment International (DSEI) in London.