Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how they communicate with, and understand the needs of, the spouses and families of military personnel to enable them to offer appropriate support.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Government maintains regular communication with the three single Services, the Armed Forces Families Federations, and Service Charities. These organisations represent and promote the needs of families to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and central Government by engaging in cross-sector fora, under the agreed principles of the Armed Forces Covenant.
The views of partners, spouses, and families of military personnel are gathered on an annual basis through the Families Continuous Attitudes Survey. The results of this survey influence policy making across Government. The MOD is also committed to capturing the opinions of young people, establishing a youth voice working group and hosting local youth fora. Young people attend and present on issues affecting them at senior Board meetings as well as being represented on the Youth Parliament British Forces Overseas.
The single Services ensure that families receive timely information via their HiVE service and provide a wide range of guidance and support to personnel, their families, veterans, and reservists. This is complimented by the British Forces Broadcasting Service, which regularly holds interviews with key individuals on subjects of interest to families.
The Secretary of State for Defence publishes an annual Armed Forces Covenant Report which includes a chapter on the support provided to families across key areas including partner employment, healthcare, children’s education, wellbeing and housing. These reports include the Families Federations’ unedited observations of the Government’s progress in delivering its commitments under the Covenant and which inform future priorities.
An independent review into the needs of Service families ‘Living in Our Shoes’ was commissioned by the MOD in 2019 and published in June 2020. Alongside other research, its findings and recommendations are informing the refresh of the UK Armed Forces Families Strategy which the MOD expects to publish later this year. The Strategy will be supported by an Action Plan outlining targeted measures to improve outcomes for families over the course of the next two years.
During the Covid-19 pandemic it has never been more important to capture the needs of families and to make sure they feel understood and listened to. The HiVE services have played a critical role in getting the latest information to families. Over the course of the pandemic Chief of Defence People has twice written to families to thank them for their support and provide guidance and support on a range of issues including financial resilience, support for partners and spouses’ careers, and access to allowances.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to advocate for an implementation mechanism to give greater meaning and effect to the Draft Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from Humanitarian Harm arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The UK will take a view on the merits of an implementation mechanism for the Political Declaration on the Protection of Civilians in Urban Warfare once its final form is known.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made any contribution to the Draft Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from Humanitarian Harm arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas; and, if so, which department has made this contribution.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Ministry of Defence and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are at the forefront of international discussions on the political declaration. The declaration remains in draft and we await further developments before we can assess any potential impact or implementation requirements. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas is, however, governed by International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which the UK complies fully with.
The UK will continue to take an active role in discussions to ensure that the protection of civilians is appropriately balanced with the need for responsible states to retain operational flexibility.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Draft Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from Humanitarian Harm arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas will be implemented; and what monitoring mechanisms there will be.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Ministry of Defence and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are at the forefront of international discussions on the political declaration. The declaration remains in draft and we await further developments before we can assess any potential impact or implementation requirements. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas is, however, governed by International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which the UK complies fully with.
The UK will continue to take an active role in discussions to ensure that the protection of civilians is appropriately balanced with the need for responsible states to retain operational flexibility.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likely impact of the Draft Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from Humanitarian Harm arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas on (1) targeting of civilians, and (2) related reduction in civilian casualties.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
The Ministry of Defence and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are at the forefront of international discussions on the political declaration. The declaration remains in draft and we await further developments before we can assess any potential impact or implementation requirements. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas is, however, governed by International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which the UK complies fully with.
The UK will continue to take an active role in discussions to ensure that the protection of civilians is appropriately balanced with the need for responsible states to retain operational flexibility.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government where the Centre of Excellence for Human Security, as announced on 4 April, will be based.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
In April 2019, the then Defence Secretary announced an outline plan for a Centre of Excellence on Human Security in Military Operations. An internal feasibility study outlined options for such a project but having reviewed these options, I believe this approach is an ineffective use of resources to deliver our intent and have taken a decision not to proceed with the centre.
In coming to this judgement, we are in no way seeking to divert effort from this key priority and under my direction, officials are developing a comprehensive programme to reinforce Human Security policy and deliver operational best practice.
Looking ahead, we will continue to expand our Human Security training programmes for UK and international personnel, delivered in the UK through the Defence Academy. Beginning in December we will roll out a new series of collaborative international training ventures in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, working with a wide-range of international partners.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Centre of Excellence for Human Security, as announced on 4 April, has been allocated funding.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
In April 2019, the then Defence Secretary announced an outline plan for a Centre of Excellence on Human Security in Military Operations. An internal feasibility study outlined options for such a project but having reviewed these options, I believe this approach is an ineffective use of resources to deliver our intent and have taken a decision not to proceed with the centre.
In coming to this judgement, we are in no way seeking to divert effort from this key priority and under my direction, officials are developing a comprehensive programme to reinforce Human Security policy and deliver operational best practice.
Looking ahead, we will continue to expand our Human Security training programmes for UK and international personnel, delivered in the UK through the Defence Academy. Beginning in December we will roll out a new series of collaborative international training ventures in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, working with a wide-range of international partners.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how the courses delivered by the Centre of Excellence for Human Security will be accredited.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
In April 2019, the then Defence Secretary announced an outline plan for a Centre of Excellence on Human Security in Military Operations. An internal feasibility study outlined options for such a project but having reviewed these options, I believe this approach is an ineffective use of resources to deliver our intent and have taken a decision not to proceed with the centre.
In coming to this judgement, we are in no way seeking to divert effort from this key priority and under my direction, officials are developing a comprehensive programme to reinforce Human Security policy and deliver operational best practice.
Looking ahead, we will continue to expand our Human Security training programmes for UK and international personnel, delivered in the UK through the Defence Academy. Beginning in December we will roll out a new series of collaborative international training ventures in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, working with a wide-range of international partners.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many members of the British Armed Forces had injuries that required amputee sockets in the last (1) five, (2) 10, and (3) 15 years.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The following numbers of UK Armed Forces personnel received a prosthetic limb in the last five, 10 and 15 Financial Years (FY):
Period | Number of Personnel Receiving a Prosthetic Limb |
FY 2013-14 to 2017-18 | 47 |
FY 2008-09 to 2017-18 | 308 |
FY 2003-04 to 2017-18 | 356 |
This includes both Regular and Reservist Armed Forces personnel, injured in operational and non-operational environments. It does not include those who only received a digit prosthetic or those who had an amputation since leaving the Armed Forces.