Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of delays on upgrades for 14,000 defence homes until 2030 on departmental recruitment and retention in Lossiemouth and Kinloss.
Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)
The Ministry of Defence will publish its delivery timeline for the £9.2 billion Defence Housing Strategy over the next 12 months.
Work has already commenced on the 14,000 homes requiring substantial refurbishment, as set out in the Defence Housing Strategy. Over 1,250 military homes were improved last financial year, with more to be upgraded this year.
In addition refurbishment works have been instructed for 92 properties across Lossiemouth and Kinloss, covering kitchen, bathroom and boiler replacements. To date, 15 properties have been completed, with the remaining works progressing and scheduled for completion by August 2026.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his department is taking to support service personnel and their families in Lossiemouth and Kinloss sites in the context of delays to the refurbishment of 14,000 military homes.
Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)
The Ministry of Defence will publish its delivery timeline for the £9.2 billion Defence Housing Strategy over the next 12 months.
Work has already commenced on the 14,000 homes requiring substantial refurbishment, as set out in the Defence Housing Strategy. Over 1,250 military homes were improved last financial year, with more to be upgraded this year.
In addition refurbishment works have been instructed for 92 properties across Lossiemouth and Kinloss, covering kitchen, bathroom and boiler replacements. To date, 15 properties have been completed, with the remaining works progressing and scheduled for completion by August 2026.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with regard to the Defence Investment Plan, how many of the 14,000 military homes affected by delays in refurbishment are occupied by service personnel and their families.
Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)
The Ministry of Defence will publish its delivery timeline for the £9.2 billion Defence Housing Strategy over the next 12 months.
Work has already commenced on the 14,000 homes requiring substantial refurbishment, as set out in the Defence Housing Strategy. Over 1,250 military homes were improved last financial year, with more to be upgraded this year.
In addition refurbishment works have been instructed for 92 properties across Lossiemouth and Kinloss, covering kitchen, bathroom and boiler replacements. To date, 15 properties have been completed, with the remaining works progressing and scheduled for completion by August 2026.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Official Statistics MOD regional expenditure with industry 2024/25, what assessment he has made of the impacts of a 6% reduction in defence spending on industry in Scotland, and if he will take steps to cancel this reduction.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence does not recognise this figure of a 6% reduction in defence spending on industry in Scotland.
We recently published our Defence Investment Plan, which is backed by £298 billion of investment over the next four years. Scotland will continue to benefit from this increased investment through key programmes and infrastructure projects. These include the delivery of the Type 26 and Type 31 frigate programmes, as well as the improvements at RAF Lossiemouth and investment through Project Royal Oak for HMNB Clyde.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Official Statistics MOD regional expenditure with industry 2024/25, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of expenditure per capita in Scotland.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
In 2024–25, MOD spending with industry in Scotland was £2.16 billion, equivalent to £390 per person.
The MOD continues to invest significantly in Scotland through the £50 million Defence Growth Deal, the Type 26 and Type 31 frigate programmes, and the multi-billion-pound Clyde 2070 Transformation Programme.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has formally endorsed the recent change to the terms of the Coastguard Rescue Service.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Since the Court of Appeal judgment in January this year, which meant that the current model could not legally continue, careful consideration has been given to the legal and operational implications.
After careful review and consideration of the options available to comply with the judgment, I agreed with the MCA’s recommendation that they should move the Coastguard Rescue Service to a revised volunteer model with expenses paid, but not hourly remuneration.
Volunteers will continue to receive training, equipment and operational support as well as uniforms and personal protective equipment. This revised volunteer model protects choice, flexibility and the ability for people to serve alongside their primary employment.
This decision does not reflect any reduction in the high value that we place on Coastguard Rescue Officers or the important service they provide.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the September 2026 implementation date of changes to the Terms of Coastguard Rescue Service was informed by forthcoming changes to employment legislation, and whether legal advice informed the chosen timetable.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The revised operating model for the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) has been agreed following a Court of Appeal ruling, following a case brought by a former volunteer, which meant that the current model could not legally continue. It is not a change the Government sought, but one we are required to respond to in a lawful and sustainable way.
Careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implications, the wider organisational impact and the effect on individuals have all been considered, as well as the feedback Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO) have given us through recent surveys and engagement.
Moving to a model of volunteers with expenses but with no hourly remuneration was the best option to protect people’s choice to continue to serve their communities. Feedback from members of the Coastguard Rescue Service overwhelmingly indicated that the primary motivation for volunteering is to serve local communities and save lives. The volunteer model enables flexibility and the ability for people to volunteer alongside their primary employment.
As Volunteers our CROs will continue to receive training, equipment and operational support as well as uniforms and personal protective equipment as they do today.
Public safety remains our priority. The transition will be carefully managed to protect resilience and response capability.
Alongside the Coastguard Rescue Service, HM Coastguard will continue to draw upon the full UK Search and Rescue system, including HM Coastguard aviation assets, RNLI and independent lifeboats, independent rescue teams, lifeguards and other emergency services as they do today.
Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunteers with expenses but no hourly remuneration is due to be implemented in September 2026. The transition date was determined based on operational factors.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the potential impact changes to the Terms of Coastguard Rescue Service will have on remote and rural coastal communities in terms of team sizes and recruitment challenges.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The revised operating model for the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) has been agreed following a Court of Appeal ruling, following a case brought by a former volunteer, which meant that the current model could not legally continue. It is not a change the Government sought, but one we are required to respond to in a lawful and sustainable way.
Careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implications, the wider organisational impact and the effect on individuals have all been considered, as well as the feedback Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO) have given us through recent surveys and engagement.
Moving to a model of volunteers with expenses but with no hourly remuneration was the best option to protect people’s choice to continue to serve their communities. Feedback from members of the Coastguard Rescue Service overwhelmingly indicated that the primary motivation for volunteering is to serve local communities and save lives. The volunteer model enables flexibility and the ability for people to volunteer alongside their primary employment.
As Volunteers our CROs will continue to receive training, equipment and operational support as well as uniforms and personal protective equipment as they do today.
Public safety remains our priority. The transition will be carefully managed to protect resilience and response capability.
Alongside the Coastguard Rescue Service, HM Coastguard will continue to draw upon the full UK Search and Rescue system, including HM Coastguard aviation assets, RNLI and independent lifeboats, independent rescue teams, lifeguards and other emergency services as they do today.
Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunteers with expenses but no hourly remuneration is due to be implemented in September 2026. The transition date was determined based on operational factors.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what measures will be used to monitor operational readiness following the changes to the Terms of Coastguard Rescue Service and potential impacts on public safety.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The revised operating model for the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) has been agreed following a Court of Appeal ruling, following a case brought by a former volunteer, which meant that the current model could not legally continue. It is not a change the Government sought, but one we are required to respond to in a lawful and sustainable way.
Careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implications, the wider organisational impact and the effect on individuals have all been considered, as well as the feedback Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO) have given us through recent surveys and engagement.
Moving to a model of volunteers with expenses but with no hourly remuneration was the best option to protect people’s choice to continue to serve their communities. Feedback from members of the Coastguard Rescue Service overwhelmingly indicated that the primary motivation for volunteering is to serve local communities and save lives. The volunteer model enables flexibility and the ability for people to volunteer alongside their primary employment.
As Volunteers our CROs will continue to receive training, equipment and operational support as well as uniforms and personal protective equipment as they do today.
Public safety remains our priority. The transition will be carefully managed to protect resilience and response capability.
Alongside the Coastguard Rescue Service, HM Coastguard will continue to draw upon the full UK Search and Rescue system, including HM Coastguard aviation assets, RNLI and independent lifeboats, independent rescue teams, lifeguards and other emergency services as they do today.
Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunteers with expenses but no hourly remuneration is due to be implemented in September 2026. The transition date was determined based on operational factors.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether a formal impact assessment has been carried out regarding recruitment, retention and operational capability of the Coastguard Rescue Service across different coastal regions following proposed changes to terms of service.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The revised operating model for the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) has been agreed following a Court of Appeal ruling, following a case brought by a former volunteer, which meant that the current model could not legally continue. It is not a change the Government sought, but one we are required to respond to in a lawful and sustainable way.
Careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implications, the wider organisational impact and the effect on individuals have all been considered, as well as the feedback Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO) have given us through recent surveys and engagement.
Moving to a model of volunteers with expenses but with no hourly remuneration was the best option to protect people’s choice to continue to serve their communities. Feedback from members of the Coastguard Rescue Service overwhelmingly indicated that the primary motivation for volunteering is to serve local communities and save lives. The volunteer model enables flexibility and the ability for people to volunteer alongside their primary employment.
As Volunteers our CROs will continue to receive training, equipment and operational support as well as uniforms and personal protective equipment as they do today.
Public safety remains our priority. The transition will be carefully managed to protect resilience and response capability.
Alongside the Coastguard Rescue Service, HM Coastguard will continue to draw upon the full UK Search and Rescue system, including HM Coastguard aviation assets, RNLI and independent lifeboats, independent rescue teams, lifeguards and other emergency services as they do today.
Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunteers with expenses but no hourly remuneration is due to be implemented in September 2026. The transition date was determined based on operational factors.