Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Royal Navy minesweepers will be included in the Defence Investment Plan.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century. The plan for implementing the Review’s recommendations for the Integrated Force will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March to Question 116531 on Defence: Finance, when the UK's return for 2027 will be produced.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK will submit its 2027 defence return at the next suitable point. NATO returns are usually required in May each year.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 98518 on Uncrewed Systems: Procurement.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 98517 on Uncrewed Systems: Procurement.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February to Question 110439 on Defence: Expenditure, what elements of the 2.6% of GDP spent on Defence in 2027 will not be spent on the MOD budget.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Defence Expenditure is defined by NATO.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 119399 on Cyprus: Military Bases, what the evidential basis is that the relationship with the Republic of Cyprus has never been closer.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The UK's defence relationship with the Republic of Cyprus is multifaceted, underscored by an annual multi-domain bilateral cooperation programme. The activity outlined in this programme continues to increase year-on-year, identifying and exploiting previously unconsidered areas to the benefit of both nations. Evidence of this was the completion of the inaugural UK-Cyprus Industry Day, held at the Cypriot High Commission in December 2025.
The collaboration at the operational level is deep. This has been demonstrated through the coordination of air defence efforts in response to the current situation in the Middle East.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 119399 on Cyprus: Military Bases, whether he has been invited to hold discussions with Defence Minister Palmas and other Cypriot Government officials on the sovereignty of the Sovereign Base Areas on the island of Cyprus.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
No, the Ministry of Defence has not been invited to hold discussions with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the sovereignty of the Sovereign Base Areas on the island of Cyprus.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on communities in South Suffolk constituency; and if she will make it her policy to continue providing financial support for the repair and maintenance of listed places of worship.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department conducted an evaluation of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. The evaluation included an extensive survey of current and past scheme users and is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-listed-places-of-worship-scheme-final-report. The evaluation did not specifically assess the potential impact of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on communities in South Suffolk constituency. However, I can confirm that since August 2022, 146 claims have been paid to listed places of worship in the South Suffolk constituency to a value of £788,456.
On 22nd January the Department announced a new capital fund, the Places of Worship Renewal Fund which will provide support for a range of works. This will have an annual budget of £23m starting in 2026/27. This is providing certainty for the remaining years of the Spending Review until 2029/30, providing £92m over the period. Support will be targeted at places of most need. Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process, will be published in due course.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) he and (b) any of his Ministerial colleagues held discussions with Peter Mandelson on the procurement of contracts between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) he or (b) any of his Ministerial colleagues met with Peter Mandelson between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March 2026, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.