Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to address the challenges of integrating advanced technologies into the UK's defence capabilities.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Integrated Review Refresh, Defence Command Paper Refresh, and recent Defending Britain paper have all outlined changes the MOD is making to promote greater pull-through of integrating advanced technologies into deployable capabilities. The Integration Design Authority (IDA) will traffic-light proposals for new equipment (including advanced technologies), introduce new checks and balances to avoid previous procurement challenges, speed up frontline delivery and bring down costs.
The Integrated Procurement Model (IPM) announced in February 2024 is a fundamental shift in the way the MOD acquires defence capability. Taken together, these changes will drive increased pace in the delivery of military capability to UK Armed Forces and promote effective integration of technology into deployable capability so that we stay ahead of our adversaries.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what initiatives are currently in place to ensure military veterans receive timely access to (1) physical rehabilitation, and (2) mental health, services, particularly those suffering post-traumatic stress disorder after combat.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Medical Services (DMS) provides healthcare to Serving Armed Forces Personnel, to ensure that they are medically fit, mentally and physically, to undertake their duties. To overcome injuries, comprehensive rehabilitation services are provided to Service Personnel, through a network of Primary Care Rehabilitation Facilities, Regional Rehabilitation Units and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall.
All Service Personnel have access to mental health support throughout their career, including medical and non-medical services. The Trauma Risk Management process (TRiM) is a Tri-Service endorsed strategy for providing support to Armed Forces Personnel involved in a traumatic event, whether on Operations or in any other circumstance. For Armed Forces Personnel requiring mental healthcare, including for post-traumatic stress disorder, the DMS provides a responsive, flexible, accessible, and comprehensive treatment service.
The MOD is not responsible for the provision of healthcare, including mental healthcare, for veterans in the UK. Where personnel leaving the Armed Forces have an enduring need for medical care, the DMS works in partnership with the NHS in England and the Devolved Administrations. Personnel who have been assessed and diagnosed with a mental health need are able to access MOD Departments of Community Mental Health for up to six months after discharge to provide continuity of care during the transition period until appropriate handover to other services can be completed as required.
The Defence Recovery Capability is a MOD-owned capability designed to deliver programmed, command-led and coordinated support to wounded, injured and sick Serving Personnel. Each person who comes under the Defence Recovery Capability will get a tailored Individual Recovery Plan which enables them to focus on either their return to duty or transition to civilian life.
The Veterans Welfare Service and Defence Transition Service deliver additional support to Service Leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the Armed Forces, including facilitating access to NHS services.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure transparency and cost-effectiveness in the procurement of defence equipment, given the increasing complexity and expense of modern military hardware.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave him on 3 April 2024 in response to Question number HL3443.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to streamline the transition of medical care from military services to the NHS for service leavers.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave him on 3 April 2024 to Question HL3445.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what measures are being taken to ensure that the UK's defence spending aligns with the current strategic threat landscape, particularly in the light of emerging hybrid and cyber warfare tactics observed in recent international conflicts.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Since the latest Defence Command Paper was published the security landscape has continued to deteriorate and hybrid threats persist. The volatile, complex and ambiguous security environment demands a fully integrated approach to deterrence and our defence - including across domains, across the spectrum of competition, across Government, and with allies and partners - exploiting all the levers of state power.
To support this, the Prime Minister has committed to defence spending reaching 2.5% of GDP in 2030. Defence is establishing a prioritisation process to work through future capability and investment choices which will conclude at the next Spending Review. In the immediate term, this increased investment will be focused in part on accelerating investment in new technology for defence and ensuring our Armed Forces are benefitting from the latest technologies.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what support is available for military veterans transitioning back into civilian life.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The vast majority of Service personnel successfully transition to civilian life with very few challenges. The Defence Holistic Transition Policy (JSP100) was launched in 2019 and sets out how the Ministry of Defence supports Service leavers to assist in a successful transition.
All Service leavers are entitled to support from the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). This has recently been changed to be an opt-out service, increasing attendance of service leavers.
The Veterans Welfare Service (VWS), Defence Transition Services (DTS) and the Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans (IPC4V) work together to deliver holistic transition and welfare support to the Armed Forces community. All three services provide information, guidance and support. They facilitate access to entitlements and services provided by MOD, OGDs, local authorities and the charity sector via signposting or referrals, as required in line with client need and capacity. The teams are based throughout the UK, including Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the resilience of the supply chain across the UK and to reduce friction at the borders.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
In January the government published the Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy, setting out the actions we are taking to protect supply chains vital to the UK's economic prosperity, national security, and essential services. These include sharing more information and guidance with businesses on key risks; introducing a way for businesses to tell us about barriers affecting critical imports; and working with international partners to tackle shared supply chain challenges.
The Border Target Operating Model, published in August 2023, sets out our new global regime of border controls that makes better use of technology and data to reduce friction and costs for businesses and consumers. It will create a radically simpler yet secure experience for traders moving goods across the UK border.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the issue of increased operating costs for hauliers, including those related to (1) fluctuating fuel prices, and (2) administrative requirements relating to the Windsor Framework.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has continued its support for haulage companies by freezing HGV Vehicle Excise Duty and the HGV Levy for 2024-25, as announced at Autumn Statement 2023. This has resulted in a tax saving for one of the most popular HGVs (a 38-44 tonne articulated lorry with 3 axles, EURO VI) of £47 per annum. These measures form a package of support for hauliers, alongside the freezing of Fuel Duty as announced at Spring Budget 2024.
More broadly, at Autumn Statement 2023, the Chancellor announced that full expensing would be made permanent, meaning companies can claim 100% capital allowances on qualifying main rate plant and machinery investments, so that for every pound invested its taxes is cut by up to 25p. Following representations from industry – including the haulage sector – at Spring Budget 2024, the Chancellor confirmed that draft legislation on extending full expensing to assets for leasing will soon be published for a period of technical consultation. The extension will remain under consideration for a future fiscal event.
Additionally, the Windsor Framework will ensure the smooth flow of goods within the UK internal market. Under the new UK internal market system, which will come into force later this year, there will be no checks save those conducted by UK authorities as part of a risk-based or intelligence-led approach to tackle criminality, abuse of the scheme, smuggling and disease. The requirements in the old Protocol for both international customs paperwork and supplementary declarations will also be scrapped.
The Department for Transport does not hold a formal assessment of the specific impacts of fuel prices on businesses, nor on haulage and transport industries. However, the department is in regular contact with haulage and other transport sectors where discussions include the impact of fuel prices among other economic factors.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes weekly fuel prices and the Office for National Statistics conducts a regular survey of business sectors on concerns such as energy prices.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to address the challenges of integrating advanced technologies into the UK's defence capabilities, to maintain a cutting-edge military in 2024 and beyond.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence has set out plans to integrate advanced technologies into the UK's defence capabilities, details of which can be found in the Defence Command Paper Refresh (DCPR), published on 18 July 2023.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK's defence spending aligns with the current strategic threat landscape, particularly in the light of emerging hybrid and cyber warfare tactics.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Command Paper Refresh (DCPR23) recognises the range and complexity of threats globally, including cyberspace, means we must foster a truly integrated approach to deterrence and defence by enhancing integration across all services and domains, across Government, as well as across regions, and the spectrum of conflict.
To support this, the Department has set out our longer-term aspiration to invest 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as the fiscal and economic circumstances allow. The Chancellor reaffirmed this commitment at the Spring Budget 2024 and the Prime Minister has indicated that the path towards 2.5% will be set out at the next Spending Review.