Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff left his Department in each of the last five years by grade.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many junior soldiers residing at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate were (a) referred to mental health services and (b) signed off sick by a medical professional due to mental ill health between 1 January 2019 and 30 December 2024.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to raise the minimum age of military recruitment to 18.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support Commonwealth war graves in the North East.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff in his Department are recorded as having a (a) mental health condition and (b) physical disability by grade.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many performance reviews were undertaken for staff in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies in each of the last five years; in how many of those cases performance was rated as unsatisfactory or below; how many staff left as a result of such a rating; and what proportion of full-time equivalent staff this represented.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to Answer of 17 January 2024 to Question 10337 in Session 2023-24, how many recruits starting at each training centre for each of the five years listed completed their Phase 2 training.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

Notes/Caveats:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff in his Department (a) did not retain employment following the completion of their probationary period and (b) had their probationary period extended in each of the last five years.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of replacing the L16 81mm mortar.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much of the (a) manufacturing and (b) assembly for the 20 Typhoons to be exported to Turkiye will be carried out in Turkiye.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Manufacturing for the Typhoons for Türkiye will be done by the Eurofighter partner nations (Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK), with 37% of the workshare and final assembly done in the UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve support for veterans in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle and (d) the North East.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Oral Statement of 29 October 2025 on UK-Türkiye Typhoon Export Deal, Official Report, column 338, where the 800 jobs created in Scotland will be located.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what offset agreements have been signed with Turkiye; and what equipment is included in those agreements in order to conclude the export of 20 Typhoon aircraft from the UK to Turkiye.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on reducing veteran homelessness in Scotland.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans for a social value model for defence.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 71248 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, which aircraft were used for the Prime Minister’s seven domestic tasks.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16 September 2025, to Question 75999, on Submarines: Nuclear Weapons, whether the UK’s new F-35A air-launched nuclear capability will use sovereign warheads.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

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

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support families impacted by the Chinook ZD576 crash.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will meet with the families impacted by the Chinook ZD576 crash.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of UK defence readiness following recent Russian incursions in NATO airspace; and what steps he is taking to help ensure that (a) the UK and (b) its allies are able to respond effectively to potential future incursions.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will undertake a full review of the (a) technical, (b) legal and (c) regulatory failures that led to the Chinook ZD576 crash.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Mull of Kintyre crash of 1994 has been extensively investigated, including in two independent, judge-led processes, and in independent inquiries by House of Commons and House of Lords select committees, as well as the original Royal Air Force Board of Inquiry, including a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. The Department has received a formal claim for a Judicial Review of our decision to reject the demand for a further Judge-led inquiry into the circumstances of the crash from the Chinook Justice Campaign and we are committed to engaging fully with this process.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help reduce veteran homelessness in Poole constituency.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

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

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

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

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

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2025 to Question 77638 on Defence and National Security: Finance, whether the expenditure under the Chagos Islands Treaty will be deemed by the Government to be within the 5% target based on the NATO methodology.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The NATO qualifying status of these costs will be considered in the usual way. The NATO definition of defence expenditure, and defence and security related expenditure can be found on the NATO website:

NATO - Topic: Defence expenditures and NATO’s 5% commitment

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 45056 on Artillery: Procurement, what he expects the in service date for RCH155 to be.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The project aims to achieve Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade and will deliver the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) Calibre Wheeled Artillery System. The project remains in its assessment phase and therefore it remains too early to provide an exact in-service date.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 July 2025 to Question 69517 on Typhoon Aircraft: Decommissioning, what planned block upgrades there are to the Typhoon programme after 2035.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 October 2025 to Question 79721.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether all 48 F-35 aircraft ordered from Lockheed Martin under Tranche 1 been delivered.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

To date, 41 aircraft have been delivered.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list (a) Royal Navy and (b) Royal Fleet Auxiliary (i) expenditure and (ii) other commitments to international humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations in each year since 2015-16.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

It will take time to collate the information requested. To ensure I can be as accurate as possible, I will write to the hon. Member with the detail requested and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the Government will make an assessment of the potential merits of diverting spending on foreign aid towards establishing a veterans support network including (a) guaranteed fast-track treatment and mental health support, (b) ring fenced housing priority funds for veterans in every local authority and (c) an employment fund to retrain and reintegrate people leaving the armed forces.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is completely dedicated to recognising our veterans and is keenly aware of the debt that we as a country owe to them for their service and sacrifice. Just this week we launched a new cross government Veterans' Strategy to fundamentally reset how we, as a nation think about these remarkable men and women. At its heart is VALOUR, a new national programme designed to make it easier for veterans across the UK to access the care and support they deserve, with £27 million in VALOUR development funding programme to deliver support hubs across the country for veterans who need them.

In England, NHS England provides Op COURAGE, providing a broad range of specialist mental health wellbeing care and support for service leavers, reservists, and veterans. Op RESTORE provides specialist care and support to veterans who have physical health problems as a result of their time in the Armed Forces. Separate provision is available for veterans living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For veterans in need of housing support, existing regulations state they must be given 'additional priority' status when there is an urgent housing need. We also changed the law to exempt all veterans of the Regular Armed Forces from local connection tests when applying for social housing in England. We recently committed an additional £12 million to vital homelessness services through the Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme, and awarded £4.5 million to organisations supporting hundreds of veterans across the UK, to ensure there is a sustainable supply of veteran accommodation in the long term. Moreover, we have extended Op FORTITUDE, the single referral pathway for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness, which has already housed over 1,000 veterans.

For employment support, the Ministry of Defence-hosted Career Transition Partnership provides support for those within two years before and after leaving service. Op ASCEND is the employment pathway for veterans, available from two years post-service. As of 13 June 2025, Op ASCEND has already successfully engaged over 420 employers and supported over 4600 veterans and family members.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to support the British Legion’s Poppy Appeal 2025.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our country, to recognise the dedication of those who serve in our Armed Forces today to safeguard the peace we enjoy, and to offer our respect and gratitude for their Service.

The Poppy Appeal is a vital part of the nation's annual Remembrance commemorations, and as a veteran myself I was immensely proud, along with everyone in the Ministry of Defence (MOD), to support the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal 2025.

Through the Armed Forces Covenant, the Government remains committed to ensuring that veterans and their families receive the support they need, including through partnerships with organisations like the Royal British Legion.

The MOD continues to work closely with the Royal British Legion to support their efforts in raising funds and awareness for the Poppy Appeal. This includes amplifying their campaigns through our communication channels and supporting their work to provide vital services to veterans and their families. We also work closely with local authorities and community organisations to promote the Poppy Appeal and ensure that Remembrance events are well-supported across the UK.

We have also actively promoted the Poppy Appeal across the Armed Forces and the wider Defence community, encouraging personnel, veterans, and staff to participate in fundraising activities and, as always, to wear their poppies with pride.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to learn from the Ministry of Defence’s handling of the Chinook ZD576 crash.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

One of the primary purposes of each of the investigations and inquiries following the tragic loss of life in the Chinook ZD576 crash, was to ascertain what went wrong and why, in order to prevent a recurrence. This is the aim of all Service Inquiries and consequently the process of learning and applying lessons is a constantly evolving one. My noble friend Lord Coaker has written to the Chinook Justice Campaign inviting family members to meet with him before the end of the year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department plans to take to (a) monitor and (b) report on the operational impact of drones supplied to the Ukrainian armed forces; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the steps taken by his Department to help the Ukrainian armed forces prepare for (i) future requirements for drone systems and (ii) its defence of critical infrastructure during winter.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The UK has worked closely with the Ukrainian Armed Forces to provide military capabilities that meet their needs. This process includes feedback from the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the operational impact of drones supplied, to inform decisions on which drone systems to procure in the future and to focus research and development investment to address the most pressing challenges.

The UK continues to provide air defence capabilities to protect Ukrainian critical infrastructure over the winter. This includes further air defence systems (RAVEN, GRAVEHAWK) and missiles (Lightweight Multi-role Missiles (LMMs), ASRAAM), as well as the work developing the advanced OCTOPUS air defence interceptor drone as part of the UK and Ukraine technology sharing agreement. Most recently, on 24 October, the Prime Minister announced the accelerated delivery of 140 LMM missiles.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions the has had with the Royal Navy on the role of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in the humanitarian aid and disaster relief operation in the Caribbean in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

There have been no discussions on the role of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in support of humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations in the Caribbean in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. The Ministry of Defence’s support to the region during the Hurricane season, Operation VENTUS, is, in the first instance, delivered through the presence of a Royal Navy ship with an embarked crisis response troop. HMS TRENT is currently serving this role and can provide an immediate response and, crucially, set the conditions for further recovery operations.

The Royal Navy, alongside FCDO colleagues, has delivered humanitarian aid and disaster relief in the Caribbean following Hurricane Melissa. This supported the deployment of Operational Liaison and Reconnaissance Teams to Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands. HMS TRENT supported both locations with the ship’s crew and crisis response troop also deployed ashore in Falmouth, Jamaica to clear debris and conduct engineering repairs to restore critical infrastructure ahead of the arrival of other agencies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many planes was the F-35 training squadron reduced by in order to facilitate the recent deployment of the Carrier Strike Group.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Lightning Fleet operates as a total Force, individual airframes are not permanently allocated to units. They are allocated on a day-to-day basis to meet daily tasking requirements of each unit. Throughout the period of the Carrier Strike Group deployment the Operational Conversion Unit 207 Squadron has operated sufficient airframes to meet all its planned training and course output requirements.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what additional support from the Global F-35 programme has the Royal Navy received in order to meet Full Operational Capability for the recent deployment of the Carrier Strike Group.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I am withholding the specific criteria for achieving Full Operating Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The declaration of Full Operating Capability remains on track. The decision will be based on objective criteria and the subjective assessment of the Senior Responsible Owner, following detailed and rigorous analysis, which will be captured in the Full Operating Capability acceptance case report.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria he plans to use to declare Full Operating Capability for the F-35 fleet.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

I am withholding the specific criteria for achieving Full Operating Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The declaration of Full Operating Capability remains on track. The decision will be based on objective criteria and the subjective assessment of the Senior Responsible Owner, following detailed and rigorous analysis, which will be captured in the Full Operating Capability acceptance case report.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 5 of the Committee of Public Accounts report entitled The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC1232, what steps he has taken to help tackle increases in the F-35 stealth fighter capacity programme’s whole-life costs.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This will be achieved through routine Departmental financial management throughout the life of the F-35 fleet to the out-of-service date.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff in (a) Defence Equipment and Support and (b) the Submarine Delivery Agency have job titles which include the words (i) equality, (ii) diversity, (iii) inclusion, (iv) gender, (v) LGBT and (vi) race.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Staff employed by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) have both a Success Profile and an Email Tally. Success Profiles provide outlines of roles, key responsibilities and formal qualifications needed, as well as required technical competences and behaviours, which are aligned to wider Civil Service behaviours. No DE&S or SDA Success Profile title includes the words ‘equality’, ‘diversity’, ‘inclusion’, ‘gender’, ‘LGBT’ or ‘race’.

In DE&S Email Tallies comprise individual’s Profession, Skills Group and a unique number. In SDA Email Tallies are short summaries of an individual’s current team and role. In both cases these appear after individuals’ names in the MOD’s Global Address List.

In total fewer than five members of staff across DE&S and SDA have Email Tallies that include either the word ‘diversity’ and/or the word ‘inclusion’, or abbreviations thereof. No Email Tallies in either DE&S or SDA include the words ‘equality’, ‘gender’, ‘LGBT’ or ‘race’.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria need to be met by a company before it receives a contract for military training services.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

All prospective suppliers are to be checked that they are not on the Debarment List before they are invited to tender or awarded a contract. If the procurement is subject to the Procurement Act 2023 (“the Act”), prospective suppliers can be excluded from tendering in accordance with the grounds listed in Schedules 6 and 7 if the MOD is satisfied that the circumstances given rise to the event are continuing or likely to occur again.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled King Charles III marks historic milestone for nuclear submarine programme, published on 22 September 2025, what the completion timeline is of the fourth boat in the Dreadnought Class.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Dreadnought Class submarines will begin to enter service from the early 2030s. The planned in-service dates for Royal Navy submarines are withheld as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with local authorities, combined authorities and industry representatives in the North East regarding the potential of an "always on" munitions factory in the region.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It is vital we invest our defence spending across UK whenever possible to grow our economy and industrial base. As set out in our recent publication UK Defence Footprint, MoD spent £178 million in the North East in 2024 to 2025. To support economic growth, our industrial base and defence capacity, we have committed £1.5 billion in the Strategic Defence Review to move munitions production to “always on” and build six new munitions and energetics factories, taking our total munitions spend this parliament to £6 billion. The MOD is carefully considering arrangements for those factories, including their potential locations, and more detail will be set out in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the potential contribution to addressing regional imbalances of locating one of the proposed "always-on" munitions factories in the North East.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It is vital we invest our defence spending across UK whenever possible to grow our economy and industrial base. As set out in our recent publication UK Defence Footprint, MoD spent £178 million in the North East in 2024 to 2025. To support economic growth, our industrial base and defence capacity, we have committed £1.5 billion in the Strategic Defence Review to move munitions production to “always on” and build six new munitions and energetics factories, taking our total munitions spend this parliament to £6 billion. The MOD is carefully considering arrangements for those factories, including their potential locations, and more detail will be set out in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to announce the locations of the six new "always-on" munitions factories; and whether they will publish the criteria being used to determine site selection.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It is vital we invest our defence spending across UK whenever possible to grow our economy and industrial base. As set out in our recent publication UK Defence Footprint, MoD spent £178 million in the North East in 2024 to 2025. To support economic growth, our industrial base and defence capacity, we have committed £1.5 billion in the Strategic Defence Review to move munitions production to “always on” and build six new munitions and energetics factories, taking our total munitions spend this parliament to £6 billion. The MOD is carefully considering arrangements for those factories, including their potential locations, and more detail will be set out in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 21 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, what criteria would need to be met to define a UK-based company as part of the defence industrial base.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

To define a UK-based company as part of the defence industrial base, it must contribute to national security and align with the aim of increasing the competitiveness of the UK defence market. This includes being a UK supplier or part of priority defence sub-sectors, supporting capability collaboration, and contributing to exports. The company should also help grow and sustain the UK industrial base in line with increased defence spending.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 114 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, when sixth-generation aircraft will replace (a) Typhoon and (b) F-35.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

With regard to Typhoon out of service dates I refer the hon. Member to the response by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry on 1 September 2025 to Question 69517. The F35 aircraft will remain a cornerstone of our CA capabilities out to the 2060s. The UK’s sixth generation Combat Air Capabilities will be delivered by the Global Combat Aircraft, alongside uncrewed platforms and the current generation of aircraft.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to reduce the time taken to replenish UK munitions stockpiles.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As announced in the Strategic Defence Review, we our investing £6 billion this Parliament in munitions to replenish our stockpiles. This investment includes £1.5 billion specifically to develop an “always on” munitions pipeline, building six new munitions and energetics factories to ensure we increase the capacity and resilience of our domestic munitions production.

I look forward to meeting the hon. Member to discuss her perspectives in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on helping to shape the UK space market to support exports to (a) Europe, (b) Asia and (c) the Middle East.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence is proactively supporting the UK space industry to access export opportunities. Since June 2025, in conjunction with other Departments, we have supported UK space sector companies to attend trade missions and export-focused events in Australia, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, and will support events in Germany and France before the end of 2025.

This work compliments our significant investment in defence space technologies and satellite communications, collaboration with UK industry and international partners, and participation in European Space Agency programmes; all of which contribute to supporting exports.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made in developing an integrated layered air defence system as part of the Land Ground Based Air Defence programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Integrated Air and Missile Defence investments will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on homeland Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that Ministry of Defence contractors that use alternative finance providers, including fintech lenders, meet procurement and financial resilience requirements.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) fully assess the financial status of legal entities before any new contract is awarded. Bidders must be able to demonstrate both economic and financial capacity requirements. These requirements including assets and liabilities are related and proportionate to the subject matter of the contract and are limited to determining that the bidder has the financial capacity to perform the contract.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, from which date the Integrated Force Model will be fully operational.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) is the central command hub for the UK Armed Forces, led by the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS). The MSHQ has been operational since April 2025, bringing together military strategy, operations, and force development in one integrated structure. The Integrated Force Model, as per the Strategic Defence Review, has four elements: a single force design; a common set of foundational enablers; digital enablement at its core; and collaboration with other government departments in real time. All these elements are subject to ongoing work through the Defence Investment Plan which will provide the framework through which the Ministry of Defence is modernised.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) transparency and (b) communication in cases of alleged armed forces pension overpayments.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Armed Forces pension overpayments can occur for various reasons, most commonly following the death of a pension recipient.

When an overpayment is identified, the payment agent, Equiniti, will initially inform the pension recipient or their next of kin about the overpayment and outline the available recovery options.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has established a robust process for managing overpayments, which includes providing advice and welfare support. If repaying the debt poses financial difficulties, recipients are encouraged to contact the debt recovery team. In certain cases, following an individual assessment, the debt may be partially written off, or an affordable repayment plan can be arranged.

Members of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) have the right to raise a complaint through the Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure (IDRP) if they disagree with any decision or action taken by the scheme administrator. This single-stage process reviews all aspects of the complaint, including any additional evidence or information provided. Individuals wishing to challenge overpayment recovery decisions can do so by contacting the AFPS.

The MOD works closely with the payment agent to review and improve communication regarding overpayment issues, incorporating lessons learned to enhance the process.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 46 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, in what locations he plans to launch regional STEM initiatives.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The locations have not been determined, and we will work in partnership with industry, including through the Defence Industrial Joint Council, to launch regional STEM initiatives where there is a large defence presence.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the armed forces serving in England who are considered not medically deployable are awaiting treatment; and how many have been waiting for longer than six months.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As of 8 November 2025, there were 2,375 UK Armed Forces personnel graded as Medically Not Deployable (MND), awaiting an NHS or private healthcare appointment following a referral from a Defence Medical Centre in England. Of these, 930 have been waiting longer than six months.

Information on the number of UK Armed Forces personnel graded as MND awaiting an NHS or private healthcare appointment following a referral from a Defence Medical Centre in Wales or Northern Ireland is not held centrally.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to take steps to ensure that families of staff seconded to his Department's non-departmental public bodies receive the same recognition of ordinary residence as direct employees of his Department.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence has no such plans as Non-Departmental Public Bodies have delegated authority over their HR policies, including the management of secondees.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 79460 on UK Space Command, what the (a) name and (b) scope is of the project for new detection technology.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

In order to maintain operational security and protect our assets, we are unable to provide detailed information on specific technical characteristics or on the scope and deployment of the project's systems. For this reason, we are also unable to provide the name of the project.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 78 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, how much funding the UK provides to the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The UK provided £240,000 in financial year (FY) 2023-24 and £266,000 in the FY 2024-25.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan will specify future air-to-air refuelling requirements.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The future requirement for all military capabilities is being considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan, which is due to be published this year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what interim solutions he has identified to fill the capability gap left by delays to the SPEAR 3 missile programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The F-35B Lightning's fifth-generation capabilities are transforming its operational effectiveness. The Lightning uses advanced stealth low observable capabilities and unparalleled sensor fusion and threat detection. When combined with the Lightning Electronic Warfare, Jamming and Electronic Attack capabilities, it provides the capability to dominate a highly contested battlespace.

In parallel, its sensor fusion and advanced secure datalinks enable it to share threat and advanced targeting information with other UK offensive assets and those of Allies in real time to coordinate with a wide range of other stand-off weapon systems across maritime, land and air-based systems to achieve a wider decisive Joint Fires effect.

The future F-35B munitions strategy is being addressed through the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the average time taken to complete call-outs for urgent repairs to standard family accommodation for military personnel since 11 October 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The table below provides the number of callouts for urgent repairs to standard family accommodation for Military Personnel, as well as the average time taken to complete callouts for urgent repairs to standard family accommodation by our Industry Partners, Amey and VIVO, since 11 October 2025.

Under the Regional Maintenance Services (RAMS) contracts, the required Acceptable Level of Performance for completing urgent repairs raised for Service Family Accommodation (SFA) is within 48 hours.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 79538 on NHS: Defence Medical Services, when was the process of digitally extracting redacted patient notes from general practice surgeries introduced.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The British Army introduced the use of the Intelligent General Practice Supporting (iGPR) software for the secure and efficient processing of sensitive medical reports in January 2025 following an initial pilot. The Royal Navy adopted Medi2data to digitally access candidate medical reports from 9 April 2025, noting the wider benefits of using this service.

The Armed Forces Recruiting Service (AFRS) will provide a streamlined, single-entry point for prospective recruits. The service will launch in 2027, replacing the individual schemes run by the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force. The Defence Medical Services is engaged in this work.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what workshops the Defence Medical Services have participated in with the NHS to explore the United Kingdom’s ability to deal with various combat scenarios and the treatment of casualties.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Medical Services and NHS have participated in a series of exercises to explore the UK’s ability to deal with various combat scenarios and the treatment of casualties in February and July 2025. Further exercises are planned for the end of November 2025 and in 2026. The health services for Devolved Administrations, NATO partners and voluntary sector organisations are engaged in this work.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the level of (a) recruitment and (b) retention of Armed Forces personnel stationed in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Data held in the annually published location statistics for UK Regular Armed Forces report indicates increased recruitment from within the Surrey Heath constituency, in the 12 months to 31 March 2025 compared to the preceding 12-month period. Whilst we have not made similar geographical assessments for retention, given that Surrey Heath is an area with proximity to Army establishments, reduction in the Army's rate of voluntary outflow in the 12 months to 30 June 2025, compared to preceding 12 months serves to highlight likely improvement.

We are committed to improving recruitment and retention through a range of targets, initiatives and measures and have already made a positive impact; although outflow currently remains greater than intake, inflow has increased and outflow has decreased, with the gap between reducing. In the 12 months preceding 1 July 2025 there was an increase of 13% in people joining the Armed Forces compared to the previous 12 month period. At the same time there was a decrease of 11% in people leaving the Armed Forces.

Further information can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/location-statistics-for-uk-regular-armed-forces-and-civilians-2025

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the availability of the F-35 fleet in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not release availability data for operational security reasons; the National Audit Office (NAO) reporting of this metric was also appropriately redacted for this reason. The standard availability metric used by the NAO assumes that the assets are available 24/7; which skews the metric when calculating MOD capability usage, particularly Combat Air, as we do not keep the assets airborne 24/7.

There were a range of factors in the reported October 2024-January 2025 period including Force regeneration as part of standard Force Readiness cycles, and periods of planned personnel leave. This included a period when both Squadrons were deployed to a Carrier for an Exercise, routine post exercise regeneration with personnel leave and scheduled aircraft maintenance for many of the aircraft, and the Christmas and New Year leave period.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 11 of the Fifty-First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts, entitled The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC 1232, for what reason the UK F-35 fleet achieved approximately one-third of the target for the time it was able to fly all its required missions in 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not release availability data for operational security reasons; the National Audit Office (NAO) reporting of this metric was also appropriately redacted for this reason. The standard availability metric used by the NAO assumes that the assets are available 24/7; which skews the metric when calculating MOD capability usage, particularly Combat Air, as we do not keep the assets airborne 24/7.

There were a range of factors in the reported October 2024-January 2025 period including Force regeneration as part of standard Force Readiness cycles, and periods of planned personnel leave. This included a period when both Squadrons were deployed to a Carrier for an Exercise, routine post exercise regeneration with personnel leave and scheduled aircraft maintenance for many of the aircraft, and the Christmas and New Year leave period.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 11 of the Fifty-First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts, entitled The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC 1232, for what reason the UK F-35 fleet achieved two-fifths of the level of availability of the global F-35B fleet between October 2024 and January 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not release availability data for operational security reasons; the National Audit Office (NAO) reporting of this metric was also appropriately redacted for this reason. The standard availability metric used by the NAO assumes that the assets are available 24/7; which skews the metric when calculating MOD capability usage, particularly Combat Air, as we do not keep the assets airborne 24/7.

There were a range of factors in the reported October 2024-January 2025 period including Force regeneration as part of standard Force Readiness cycles, and periods of planned personnel leave. This included a period when both Squadrons were deployed to a Carrier for an Exercise, routine post exercise regeneration with personnel leave and scheduled aircraft maintenance for many of the aircraft, and the Christmas and New Year leave period.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 79617 on Military Bases, what disused bases are earmarked for disposal in this Parliament.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The list of sites that have been identified for disposal are published on Gov.uk and can be found via the following link: Disposal database: House of Commons report - GOV.UK

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of UK F-35 aircraft have had their stealth characteristics measured.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

A revised Business Case for a Sovereign Low Observable Verification Facility will be submitted in 2027. We do not comment on the stealth characteristics of individual aircraft for very obvious operational reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the stealth characteristics of the UK's F-35 aircraft are measured.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

A revised Business Case for a Sovereign Low Observable Verification Facility will be submitted in 2027. We do not comment on the stealth characteristics of individual aircraft for very obvious operational reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on including a UK weapon in the F-35 Joint Programme Office digital accelerator.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of The House.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 13 of the Fifty-First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of Session 2024-26 on The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC1232, published on 31 October 2025, what progress he has made in identifying other weapons to purchase for the F-35 which are already available and integrated.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The F-35B Lightning's fifth-generation capabilities are transforming its operational effectiveness. The Lightning uses advanced stealth low observable capabilities and unparalleled sensor fusion and threat detection. When combined with the Lightning Electronic Warfare, Jamming and Electronic Attack capabilities, it provides the capability to dominate a highly contested battlespace.

In parallel, its sensor fusion and advanced secure datalinks enable it to share threat and advanced targeting information with other UK offensive assets and those of Allies in real time to coordinate with a wide range of other stand-off weapon systems across maritime, land and air-based systems to achieve a wider decisive Joint Fires effect.

The future F-35B munitions strategy is being addressed through the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Fifty First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of Session 2024-26 on The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC 1232, published on 31 October 2025, what steps is he taking to address the lack of a standoff weapon to attack ground-based targets from a safe distance.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The F-35B Lightning's fifth-generation capabilities are transforming its operational effectiveness. The Lightning uses advanced stealth low observable capabilities and unparalleled sensor fusion and threat detection. When combined with the Lightning Electronic Warfare, Jamming and Electronic Attack capabilities, it provides the capability to dominate a highly contested battlespace.

In parallel, its sensor fusion and advanced secure datalinks enable it to share threat and advanced targeting information with other UK offensive assets and those of Allies in real time to coordinate with a wide range of other stand-off weapon systems across maritime, land and air-based systems to achieve a wider decisive Joint Fires effect.

The future F-35B munitions strategy is being addressed through the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made in building the sovereign Air Signature Assessment Facility.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

A revised Business Case for a Sovereign Low Observable Verification Facility will be submitted in 2027. We do not comment on the stealth characteristics of individual aircraft for very obvious operational reasons.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the number of call-outs for urgent repairs to standard family accommodation for military personnel since 11 October 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The table below provides the number of callouts for urgent repairs to standard family accommodation for Military Personnel, as well as the average time taken to complete callouts for urgent repairs to standard family accommodation by our Industry Partners, Amey and VIVO, since 11 October 2025.

Under the Regional Maintenance Services (RAMS) contracts, the required Acceptable Level of Performance for completing urgent repairs raised for Service Family Accommodation (SFA) is within 48 hours.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October to Question 83095 on Armed Forces: Training, what the five key recommendations for improvement for the University Officer Training Corps were.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The five recommendations made by Ofsted after its inspection in February 2024 were as follows:

1. Provide staff with the training they need to further develop their teaching and assessment skills.

2. Swiftly complete any necessary repairs to buildings and facilities.

3. Reduce the time taken to complete medical checks and clearance after recruitment.

4. Minimise the impact of budget reductions and unfilled posts on the care, welfare and training of Officer Cadets and staff workload.

5. Coordinate and collate cross-UOTC quality improvement processes to secure sustainable improvements in care, welfare and training.

The University Officer Training Corps aims to continually improve across all safeguarding and safe training aspects, and in doing so, has made significant progress against the recommendations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support the wellbeing of service families living in Armed Forces accommodation in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

In April 2025 we announced the new Consumer Charter, part of the Defence Housing Strategy, designed to deliver tangible improvement for Defence housing and improve the lived experience for our Service personnel and families across the UK, including those in Surrey Heath. Progress against the seven Charter Commitments is well underway, with many already completed, and all due to complete by the end of December 2025 - the one-year anniversary of the Annington Deal. As commitments are met, we are communicating progress to Service families.

We have also made progress on welfare provisions. In January 2025, our Armed Forces Welfare Support Policy was fully reviewed and updated to ensure welfare structures meet the needs of Service personnel and their families. Each Service has tailored its policies to address unique requirements, supported by the new Welfare HARDFACTS Annex, which provides comprehensive guidance on addressing emotional, medical, housing, financial, and legal concerns. The Tri-Service Welfare Support Agreement ensures collaboration across the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force to deliver consistent and specialist support, including for those living in the Surrey Heath constituency.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how veterans can obtain replacement medals when originals have been (a) lost and (b) stolen in cases where ill health has delayed the submission of (i) police and (ii) insurance reports.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains a long-established policy whereby, upon receipt of proof of loss, due to fire or flood (a successful insurance claim), or theft (a police report), our Medal Office will provide replacement medals.

The requirement for documented proof of loss is applied without exception to all applications, even when illness or other circumstances prevent the individual from expediting their claim. This is to protect the integrity of medallic recognition, and the wider UK Honours system by ensuring, as far as possible, that duplicate copies of medals are not in circulation and to reinforce the intrinsic value of the medals themselves.

The policy and procedure for replacement medals is to be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-medal-or-veterans-badge/replace-a-medal-or-badge

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a memorial to commemorate Force 135 and all those involved in the liberation of the Channel Islands during World War Two at the National Arboretum.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As advised in the answer I gave to Question 78038 on 18 October 2025, the Ministry of Defence maintains a longstanding policy that it does not typically establish or fund memorials. The normal expectation is that new memorials will be supported through private donations or public subscription and established with the agreement of the relevant local authority. On that basis, there are no plans to assess the potential merits of establishing a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum, to commemorate Liberation Task Force 135.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the armed forces serving in Northern Ireland who are considered not medically deployable are awaiting treatment; and how many have been waiting for longer than six months.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As of 8 November 2025, there were 2,375 UK Armed Forces personnel graded as Medically Not Deployable (MND), awaiting an NHS or private healthcare appointment following a referral from a Defence Medical Centre in England. Of these, 930 have been waiting longer than six months.

Information on the number of UK Armed Forces personnel graded as MND awaiting an NHS or private healthcare appointment following a referral from a Defence Medical Centre in Wales or Northern Ireland is not held centrally.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the armed forces serving in Wales who are considered not medically deployable are awaiting treatment; and how many have been waiting for longer than six months.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As of 8 November 2025, there were 2,375 UK Armed Forces personnel graded as Medically Not Deployable (MND), awaiting an NHS or private healthcare appointment following a referral from a Defence Medical Centre in England. Of these, 930 have been waiting longer than six months.

Information on the number of UK Armed Forces personnel graded as MND awaiting an NHS or private healthcare appointment following a referral from a Defence Medical Centre in Wales or Northern Ireland is not held centrally.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 5 of the Fifty First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of Session 2024-26 on The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC 1232, published on 31 October 2025, for what reason the out of service date was extended from 2048 to 2069.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The decision to extend the out-of-service date for the UK F-35B fleet to 2069 was made by the previous Government.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 23 of the Fifty First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of Session 2024-26 on The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC 1232, published on 31 October 2025, what progress has he made on delivering new infrastructure for 809 Naval Air Squadron by 2029.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Department is considering the PAC report in detail and will respond to its findings in detail through the Treasury Minute process.

New infrastructure for the Naval Air Programme continues to be progressed with a current completion target of the first quarter of 2030.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate has he made of the additional whole-life costs of operating the F-35A as a Dual-Capable Aircraft.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The whole-life cost estimate includes procurement and sustainment of 138 F-35 aircraft to 2069, including technical infrastructure, weapons integration, and aircraft upgrades.

Within the development of the Defence Investment Plan, F-35A Dual Capable Aircraft costs are calculated in accordance with departmental policy.

Found: Asymmetric Capabilities) by: Professor Sir Vernon Gibson CB FRS Interim Chief Scientific Adviser, Ministry of Defence

Found: Record of ICO [Information Commissioner’s Office] involvement in the data breach announced by the MoD

Found: March 2020    MoD  In post since January 2018  Anticipating post holder retirement next year  MoD

Found: We have 26 guarantors, which include DESNZ, the Department for Business and Trade, the Ministry of Defence

Found: We have 26 guarantors, which include DESNZ, the Department for Business and Trade, the Ministry of Defence

Found: In support of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence conducted surveillance flights over the Eastern

Found: These include Ministry of Defence, the police, National Health Service and fire and rescue authorities

Found: necessarily believe that they are covered by the civil service rules—there is clearly an issue there in the MOD

Found: We will be using some of those Ministry of Defence resources, which is good for the Ministry, because

Found: We have set up a new alternative accommodation task force which includes us, the Ministry of Defence

Found: government bodies and partners, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Ministry of Defence

Found: government bodies and partners, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Ministry of Defence

Found: of the Home Office, director of GCHQ and deputy under-secretary of state for policy in the Ministry of Defence

Found: of the Home Office, director of GCHQ and deputy under-secretary of state for policy in the Ministry of Defence

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what coordination mechanisms exist between her Department, the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office to align aid spending with (a) defence, (b) resilience and (c) counter-malign influence objectives.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office keeps all aspects of its Official Development Assistance programmes under review to ensure the maximum impact on our objectives, in consultation with other government departments and a wide range of other stakeholders.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the use of MOD Garats Hay to house asylum seekers.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

As part of our commitment to close all asylum hotels, we are working across government to consider a range of more appropriate sites including ex-military sites to reduce the impact on communities.

The Prime Minister has instructed the Home Office and Ministry of Defence to accelerate work on identifying appropriate sites, with results expected in the coming weeks and months.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press notice entitled Mirror, signal, manoeuvres: Military driving examiners mobilised to cut test backlog, published on 12 November 2025, what the total full-time employee equivalent contribution of the defence driving examiners is expected to be during the year of their deployment.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has agreed with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) that 36 defence driving examiners (DDE) will do driving tests for one day a week for 12 months. This equates to a total full-time employee equivalent contribution of up to 6,500 more tests during the year of their deployment. The DDE will predominantly focus on car driving tests but will have the flexibility to do vocational testing as well if needed.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2025 to Question 67377, which (a) Departments and (b) civil servants are represented at the (i) the Cross-Whitehall Working Group and (ii) the Cross-Whitehall Deputy Director Shadow Board.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The quarterly Cross-Whitehall Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) is jointly chaired by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD), with the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive also represented. The Cross-Whitehall Deputy Director Shadow Board includes senior officials from the same UK Government departments and devolved administrations.

Found: - Joint Statement, 19 May 2025 (PDF) 36 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Ministry of Defence

Found: Similarly, Departments with other organisational structures and service providers, such as MoD

Found: 12,0)+1976=MOD(C8+2,12)+1=C7+110261012=F6=ROUNDDOWN((C9+2)/12,0)+1976=MOD(C9+2,12)+1=C8+110361019=F6=

Found: (C6+2,12)+111000=ROUNDDOWN((C7+2)/12,0)+1976=MOD(C7+2,12)+1=C6+11006=ROUNDDOWN((C8+2)/12,0)+1976=MOD(

Found: An application must first be made, by the applicant, to the Ministry of Defence, who will decide if

Found: The Department for Transport, working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), has announced

Found: major national exercise jointly delivered by Eastern Region Counter Terrorism Policing and the Ministry of Defence

Found: managed service providers in recent years, including vital institutions like the NHS and the Ministry of Defence

Found: Areas 7T, 20T, 14T and LFA13, and Air Weapon Ranges) B. w ithin the air space surrounding a Ministry of Defence

Found: representatives of key departments (DSIT, Home Office, DHSC, Defra, Department for Business and Trade, MOD

Found: representatives of key departments (DSIT, Home Office, DHSC, Defra, Department for Business and Trade, MOD

Found: will usually come from Historic England for protected wrecks or scheduled monuments, or the Ministry of Defence

Found: Similarly, Departments with other organisational structures and service providers, such as MoD

Found: If a budget holder within the MOD wishes to read the full proposal to decide if they will fund it, we

Found: An application must first be made, by the applicant, to the Ministry of Defence, who will decide if

Found: DRAFT Handling Instruction: Not to be shared beyond MOD and the supplier(s) named in this document Contract

Found: Security Accelerator, part of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI-DASA) competition is run on behalf of the MOD

Found: and more effective management of them. 5 'The current approach to security risk management in the MOD

Found: As a standard, the MoD uses the NIST framework, specifically ‘NIST 800-30: Guide for Conducting Risk

Found: burner phones in certain countries. 8Process within Government Internal Security Function: Within MoD

Found: provisions of Capital Funding Guide - Shared Ownership, section 3.2 relating to qualifying Ministry of Defence

Found: recognition of outstanding work in support of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) and wider-MOD

Found: was introduced to Prolinx, an SME specialising in secure sovereign cloud solutions for government and MOD

Found: This targeted funding opportunity, delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, invites applications

Found: one of the 31 occupations we have identified as a priority for clean energy sectors.42 42 Ministry of Defence

Found: Competition called Delivering Future Advantage Through Testing and Evaluation (Phase 1) Funded by the Ministry of Defence

Found: veteran employment through a new taskforce, meeting quarterly, bringing together representatives from MOD

Found: veteran employment through a new taskforce, meeting quarterly, bringing together representatives from MOD

Found: Requirements and testing procedures for non- reclosable packages for nonpharmaceutical products (EN 862:2005, MOD

Found: Maria Clark Lay member Direct, financial Lay member of the Ministry of Defence Research Ethics Committee

Found: Midwifery Studies Research Unit Midwifery Unit Network Midwives Information and Resource Service Ministry of Defence

Found: prepared, variously, by the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Transport and Ministry of Defence

Found: Table 1 EFFIS fire danger class bands: VERY LOW LOW MOD HIGH VERY HIGH Green Yellow Brown Red Black

Found: MacAskillWoodland Creation - Native Upland Birch122756.0823FGS70455DM Beith Phase 1Defence Estates (Mod

Found: This includes: • Network Rail • Ministry of Defence • Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Found: This includes: • Network Rail • Ministry of Defence • Department for Energy Security & Net Zero