Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the cost per flight per hour of a Typhoon; what is included in calculating this cost; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her on 21 July 2017 to Question 5476.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the in-year spending for the programmes listed in the Defence Equipment Plan 2018 as (a) Ajax, (b) Apache CSP, (c) Brimstone CSP, (d) BVRAAM on Lightning II, (e) FASGW(H)/Sea Venom, (f) FASGW(L)/Martlet, (g) Sea Ceptor Type 23, (h) Sea Ceptor Type 26, (i) Spear Cap 3, (j) ASRAAM Sustainment (MG1), (k) ASRAAM Sustainment (MG2), (l) Lightning II, (m) Marshall, (n) P-8A Poseidon, (o) Protector, (p) QE Carriers, (q) Sky Sabre, (r) Tide-class Tanker, (s) Type 26 Frigate, (t) Meteor Integration (Typhoon), (u) Meteor Integration (Typhoon), (v) Brimstone 2 Integration (Typhoon), (w) Warrior CSP (x) Dreadnought (y) Astute Boats 4-7 (z) Core Production Capability; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Expenditure for the Demonstration and Manufacture phases for each of the listed projects (rounded to the nearest million) is detailed below. The information includes data for the Equipment Plan 2017.
Spend data for the current financial year (FY), which relates to Equipment Plan 2018, is excluded as this is incomplete.
Project name | FY 2017-18 (£ million) |
AJAX (formerly Scout Specialist Vehicle) | 377 |
Apache Capability Sustainment Programme | 30 |
Brimstone Capability Sustainment Programme | 58 |
BVRAAM on Lightning II | 17 |
Brimstone II integration | 0 |
Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Heavy) | 39 |
Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Light) | 25 |
Sea Ceptor on Type 23 Frigate | 60 |
Sea Ceptor on Type 26 Frigate | 8 |
Spear Capability 3 | 88 |
ASRAAM Sustainment – MG1 & MG2 | 55 |
Lightning II | 521 |
Marshall | 45 |
Tide Class Tanker | 49 |
Protector | 54 |
P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft | 57 |
Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers | 317 |
Sky Sabre (formerly GBAD) | 125 |
Type 26 Global Combat Ship | 378 |
Brimstone Integration onto Typhoon | 65 |
Stormshadow Integration on Typhoon | 25 |
Typhoon Meteor Integration Project | 9 |
Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme | 62 |
Astute 4-7 | 509 |
Core production capacity | 190 |
Dreadnought | 1,218 |
New Style of IT (Deployed) | 39 |
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the in-year spending for the programmes listed in the Defence Equipment Plan 2017 as (a) Ajax, (b) Apache CSP, (c) Astute Boats 4-7, (d) Brimstone 2 Integration, (e) Brimstone CSP, (f) BVRAAM on Lightning II, (g) FASGW(H)/Sea Venom, (h) FASGW(L)/Martlet, (i) Sea Ceptor Type 23, (j) Sea Ceptor Type 26, (k) Spear Cap 3, (l) SRAAM Sustainment (MG1), (m) SRAAM Sustainment (MG2), (n) Core Production Capability, (o) Dreadnought, (p) Lightning II, (q) Marshall, (r) New Style of IT (Deployed), (s) P-8A Poseidon, (t) Protector, (u) QE Carriers, (v) Sky Sabre, (w) Tide-class Tanker, (x) Type 26 Frigate, (y) Meteor Integration (Typhoon), (z) Meteor Integration (Typhoon), (i) Brimstone 2 Integration (Typhoon) and (ii) Warrior CSP; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Expenditure for the Demonstration and Manufacture phases for each of the listed projects (rounded to the nearest million) is detailed below. The information includes data for the Equipment Plan 2017.
Spend data for the current financial year (FY), which relates to Equipment Plan 2018, is excluded as this is incomplete.
Project name | FY 2017-18 (£ million) |
AJAX (formerly Scout Specialist Vehicle) | 377 |
Apache Capability Sustainment Programme | 30 |
Brimstone Capability Sustainment Programme | 58 |
BVRAAM on Lightning II | 17 |
Brimstone II integration | 0 |
Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Heavy) | 39 |
Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Light) | 25 |
Sea Ceptor on Type 23 Frigate | 60 |
Sea Ceptor on Type 26 Frigate | 8 |
Spear Capability 3 | 88 |
ASRAAM Sustainment – MG1 & MG2 | 55 |
Lightning II | 521 |
Marshall | 45 |
Tide Class Tanker | 49 |
Protector | 54 |
P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft | 57 |
Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers | 317 |
Sky Sabre (formerly GBAD) | 125 |
Type 26 Global Combat Ship | 378 |
Brimstone Integration onto Typhoon | 65 |
Stormshadow Integration on Typhoon | 25 |
Typhoon Meteor Integration Project | 9 |
Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme | 62 |
Astute 4-7 | 509 |
Core production capacity | 190 |
Dreadnought | 1,218 |
New Style of IT (Deployed) | 39 |
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter dated of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question 196768, what assessment he has made of the reasons why only a maximum of nine out of the full compliment of 11 full-time investigator posts have ever been filled in the office of the Service Complaints Ombudsman; and whether the problems identified in the United Kingdom Security Vetting agency by the National Audit Office in its report entitled Investigation into national security vetting, published in September 2018, have contributed to the posts being unfilled; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.
The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.
All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.
The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.
To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.
It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question 196768, what (a) the average number of applications made for vacant full-time investigator posts was and (b) the average length of time from a post being advertised and an appointment made was in the office of the Service Complaints Ombudsman from 31 March 2017 to 30 September 2018; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.
The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.
All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.
The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.
To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.
It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question 196768 and with reference to the 122 cases currently unallocated within Service Complaints Ombudsman's office, what plans he has to increase the resources available to that office; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.
The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.
All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.
The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.
To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.
It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question 196768, what the average length of investigations held by each full-time investigator was; and how many complaints were received relating to the length of time investigations were taking in the office of the Service Complaint Ombudsman in each quarter from March 2017 to 30 September 2018; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.
The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.
All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.
The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.
To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.
It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question, how many staff in the Service Complaints Ombudsman's office have taken sick leave as a result of stress related illnesses; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.
The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.
All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.
The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.
To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.
It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question 196768, what steps he is taking to ensure the adequacy of staffing levels in the office of the Service Complaints Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.
The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.
All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.
The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.
To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.
It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.
Asked by: Madeleine Moon (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question 196768, what steps he is taking to ensure the number of full-time investigation officer posts in the office of the Service Complaints Ombudsman's are fully staffed; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.
The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.
All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.
The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.
To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.
It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.