Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Waive visa requirement for Ukrainian refugees.
Gov Responded - 6 Apr 2022 Debated on - 14 Mar 2022 View James Gray's petition debate contributionsJoin other nations in providing a route to safety for refugees. Waive all visa requirements for Ukrainian passport holders arriving in the UK.
Renationalise the NHS, scrap integrated care systems, and end PFI contracts
Gov Responded - 23 Dec 2021 Debated on - 31 Jan 2022 View James Gray's petition debate contributionsWe demand the Government restore England’s publicly funded, publicly provided NHS by reversing all privatising legislation, ending ongoing PFI contracts, and scrapping plans for Integrated Care Systems and for-profit US-style ‘managed care’.
Make it a legal requirement for nightclubs to thoroughly search guests on entry
Gov Responded - 4 Nov 2021 Debated on - 8 Nov 2021 View James Gray's petition debate contributionsI would like the UK Government to make it law that nightclubs must search guests on arrival to prevent harmful weapons and other items entering the establishment. This could be a pat down search or metal detector, but must involve measures being put in place to ensure the safety of the public.
Stop work on HS2 immediately and hold a new vote to repeal the legislation
Gov Responded - 14 Jan 2021 Debated on - 13 Sep 2021 View James Gray's petition debate contributionsWe ask Parliament to repeal the High Speed Rail Bills, 2016 and 2019, as MPs voted on misleading environmental, financial and timetable information provided by the Dept of Transport and HS2 Ltd. It fails to address the conditions of the Paris Accord and costs have risen from £56bn to over £100bn.
Teach Britain's colonial past as part of the UK's compulsory curriculum
Gov Responded - 30 Jul 2020 Debated on - 28 Jun 2021 View James Gray's petition debate contributionsCurrently, it is not compulsory for primary or secondary school students to be educated on Britain's role in colonisation, or the transatlantic slave trade. We petition the government to make education on topics such as these compulsory, with the ultimate aim of a far more inclusive curriculum.
Protect Retail Workers from Abuse, Threats and Violence.
Gov Responded - 15 Sep 2020 Debated on - 7 Jun 2021 View James Gray's petition debate contributionsEnact legislation to protect retail workers. This legislation must create a specific offence of abusing, threatening or assaulting a retail worker. The offence must carry a penalty that acts as a deterrent and makes clear that abuse of retail workers is unacceptable.
Do not restrict our rights to peaceful protest.
Gov Responded - 6 Apr 2021 Debated on - 26 Apr 2021 View James Gray's petition debate contributionsThe right to peaceful assembly and protest are fundamental principles of any democracy and the proposed part of this bill that gives the police new powers to tackle disruptive peaceful protests should be removed from The Policing, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
Make LGBT conversion therapy illegal in the UK
Gov Responded - 21 May 2020 Debated on - 8 Mar 2021 View James Gray's petition debate contributionsI would like the Government to:
• make running conversion therapy in the UK a criminal offence
• forcing people to attend said conversion therapies a criminal offence
• sending people abroad in order to try to convert them a criminal offence
• protect individuals from conversion therapy
Implement sanctions against the Nigerian Government and officials
Gov Responded - 11 Nov 2020 Debated on - 23 Nov 2020 View James Gray's petition debate contributionsThe Government should explore using the new sanctions regime that allows individuals and entities that violate human rights around the world to be targeted, to impose sanctions on members of the Nigerian government and police force involved in any human rights abuses by the Nigerian police.
Increase Number of Guests Permitted at Weddings, according to Venue Capacity
Gov Responded - 11 Sep 2020 Debated on - 9 Nov 2020 View James Gray's petition debate contributionsWeddings take months and even years of intricate planning. Myself and many others believe the maximum number of guests authorised at wedding ceremonies should be increased. The number of guests permitted at weddings should be calculated according to venue capacity.
Let Us Dance - Support nightclubs, dance music events and festivals
Gov Responded - 14 Oct 2020 Debated on - 9 Nov 2020 View James Gray's petition debate contributionsExtend funding to nightclubs, dance music events and festivals as part of the £1.57bn support package announced by the government for Britain's arts and culture sector to survive the hit from the pandemic. #LetUSDance
Impose sanctions on China over its treatment of Uyghur Muslims
Gov Responded - 28 Jul 2020 Debated on - 12 Oct 2020 View James Gray's petition debate contributionsThe UK Government plans to introduce “Magnitsky law”, a law which targets people who commit gross human rights violations. Through this law or alternative means, this petition urges the UK Government to impose sanctions on China for their human rights violations on the Uyghur people.
These initiatives were driven by James Gray, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
James Gray has not been granted any Urgent Questions
James Gray has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
James Gray has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Lithium-ion Battery Storage (Fire Safety and Environmental Permits) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Maria Miller (Con)
Recognition of Armenian Genocide Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)
Plastics (Wet Wipes) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Fleur Anderson (Lab)
Carbon Emissions (Buildings) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Duncan Baker (Con)
Landfill Sites (Odorous Emissions) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Aaron Bell (Con)
Desecration of War Memorials Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Jonathan Gullis (Con)
Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies (Environmentally Sustainable Investment) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Anna McMorrin (Lab)
Clean Air (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Chris Philp (Con)
Armed Forces (Statute of Limitations) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Lord Benyon (Con)
Children of Armed Services Personnel (Schools Admission) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Con)
The Government’s four-step roadmap has been informed by the latest scientific evidence and seeks a balance between our key social and economic priorities, while preserving the health and safety of the country. The approach focuses on scientific data, not hard and fast dates. The dates shown in the roadmap are the earliest that changes will be made, subject to the data confirming it is safe to do so.
Marinas have not been required to close during the lockdown and have been able to open for permitted activities. Boating activities, including access to marinas and their re-opening where they are closed, should be conducted in line with the roadmap. The Royal Yachting Association is represented at regular stakeholder meetings between Defra officials and other inland waterway representatives.
Boat owners wishing to access their boats during periods of national lockdown should consult the relevant coronavirus regulations and associated guidance on the GOV.UK website to determine what is and is not permitted. Navigation authorities, other industry representatives, and membership bodies in many instances also publish guidance for their waterways on their websites.
Non-essential travel is not permitted anywhere in England during the national lockdown, and while the regulations around essential travel do include some exemptions, attending to regular boat maintenance is not one of them. The regulations allow for an individual or company to employ someone in a professional capacity to visit their boat to undertake regular maintenance works, and they also allow people to leave home exceptionally to secure their second home, caravan or boat to avoid it posing a risk of harm or injury to themselves or others.
From 29 March, people will no longer be legally required to Stay at Home, but should continue to minimise travel wherever possible and should not be staying away from home overnight at this stage.
Under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, it is an offence to take or kill common and grey seals out of season (when they have pups) or to use certain methods to kill or take, unless permitted to do so by a licence issued under the Act. In the last ten years there have been no licenses issued to shoot seals to protect aquaculture or fisheries interests in England.
Fishers have the legal defence to take unlicensed emergency measures in relation to individual seals to prevent damage to their fishing equipment or fish contained within it. There are no reporting requirements under this provision.
Defra is working closely with Marine Scotland, the Marine Management Organisation, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Seafish, the University of St Andrews, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and the British Embassy in Washington DC on the UK’s approach to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Our aim is that the UK can continue to export to the United States when the MMPA is implemented on 1 January 2022.
We have a long-term UK bycatch monitoring programme that uses dedicated observers to focus monitoring efforts on fisheries that pose a high risk of cetacean bycatch. The data from this programme have been used to complete our response to the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration to fulfil requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
We continue to engage with the United States to discuss the details of the UK’s approach to cetacean bycatch monitoring and management and to ensure that we meet the requirements of the MMPA Import Provision Rule.
Under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, it is an offence to take or kill common and grey seals out of season (when they have pups) or to use certain methods to kill or take, unless permitted to do so under exceptional circumstances or by a licence issued under the Act. In the last ten years there have been no licenses issued to shoot seals to protect aquaculture or fisheries interests in England.
The UK Government and devolved administrations are in regular dialogue with the EU, the United States and stakeholders about our US Marine Mammal Protection Act preparation, including any implications for UK seal licensing regimes, to ensure future access to US markets.
The Government’s number one priority for adult social care is for everyone who relies on care to get the care they need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are committed to bringing forward a plan for social care to ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect and to find long term solutions for one of the biggest challenges we face as a society.
The Government Office for Science currently publishes the latest estimates of R in NHS England regions on a weekly basis and these are available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-r-number-in-the-uk
Regional R estimates are more uncertain and variability in the data means they are more likely to fluctuate from one week to the next.
Estimates of R for geographies smaller than regional level are less reliable and it is more appropriate to identify local hotspots through, for example, monitoring numbers of cases, hospitalisations, and deaths. Because of this, it is the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies’ view that estimating R for such small geographies would not provide meaningful insight, so the Government does not intend to publish more localised estimates.
We do not produce forecasts of future trends in the value of R at either national or regional level.
The Joint Biosecurity Centre will support local authorities and Public Health Directors to develop local outbreak plans. Working with Public Health England, we will provide an outbreak management toolkit to contain an infection. This will also include agreed triggers and escalation routes to regional or national decision makers if an outbreak is not containable locally.
The local Health Protection Team undertakes a joint risk assessment with care homes reporting outbreaks of COVID-19, as part of its routine procedures. We have launched the whole care home testing portal which will enable all symptomatic and asymptomatic care home staff and residents to get tested. We have the capacity to deliver up to 30,000 tests a day. For staff who are self-isolating they can book a test online or be referred by their employer through the employer referral portal. Tests can be booked online at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test
Public Health England has published clear guidance on infection prevention and control within care homes which is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance#adult-social-care
As the nearest neighbour to the Arctic, we remain committed to working in partnership with our allied Arctic States to maintain the region as one of low tension, while continuing to make a significant contribution to Arctic science, security and environmental protection.
The UK is committed to upholding and strengthening the Antarctic Treaty System and maintaining our leadership on Antarctic policy and science, especially on the implications of climate change.
The precise statistics requested are not readily available as stamp duty transactions and revenue are derived on a monthly basis.
HM Revenue and Customs have published Official Statistics for the months in question. The “Monthly property transactions completed in the UK with value of £40,000 or above” publication contains the residential transaction figures, and the “HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK” publication contains the SDLT receipts figures. More specific information would only be available at disproportionate cost.
Under the British Nationality Selection Scheme introduced in 1990, a limited number of Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel who were settled in Hong Kong could apply to register as a British citizen. The Scheme ran until 1 July 1997.
The Immigration Rules which apply to those who have served in the Brigade of Gurkhas were introduced on the basis of the unique nature of the Gurkhas’ service.
The table below provides details of VAT paid and not recovered by MOD’s main VAT registration for the previous three financial years (FY).
VAT paid by HMRC and not recovered £million | |
FY20/21 | 3,026 |
FY21/22 | 3,143 |
FY22/23 | 3,607 |
Total | 9,776 |
These payments are not notional balance sheet transactions. They are are actual cash payments made by MOD and are accordingly considered part of the Department’s spend for NATO purposes.
Under NATO guidance pensions for defence personnel form part of qualifying defence spend. This includes both military pensions and Ministry of Defence civil servants. For Financial Year 2022-23, this is £1,523 million and £123 million respectively.
The closed records held at The National Archives contain personal information relating to third party individuals involved with the board of inquiry and of the next of kin.
It is assumed that all individuals are alive and the early release of this information would breach their data protection rights. This will be reconsidered during the Ministry of Defence’s business as usual activity to renew the Retention Instrument associated with the closed records due to take place in 2029.
The closed records held at The National Archives contain personal information relating to 3rd party individuals. The early release of this information would breach those individuals’ data protection rights. As part of MOD’s business as usual activity to renew the Retention Instrument associated with these closed records, an assessment of the potential merit of removing the 100-year closure status is due to take place in 2029.
The annual remit for the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body (AFPRB) and Defence’s annual affordability for the AFPRB’s annual pay award are both agreed with Ministerial colleagues.
Last year, the independent AFPRB recommended a 3.75% uplift in pay and other targeted measures, including a 1% cap on accommodation charges. At the same time, the independent Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) recommended a 3.5% award to the most senior officers at two-Star rank and above. All these recommendations were accepted in full. Evidence for this year has been provided to both the AFPRB and SSRB and we are awaiting their 2023 reports.
In determining their recommendations, the pay review bodies operate within their respective remits. For the AFPRB, this explicitly includes comparative assessments with other workforces as part of their consideration of the need for the pay of the Armed Forces to be broadly comparable with pay levels in civilian life.
On 21 June 2022, the HIV positive status bar was lifted with amendments being made to the Joint Service Manual of Medical Fitness (Leaflet 6-7-7 of Joint Service Publication 950).
The original policy and its amendment were based on specialist medical opinion. This included consideration of the risk to the individual if they were denied essential medication or access to specialist medical services due to operational circumstances; the risk to everyone operating in the military exposure prone environment in the UK and overseas; and the cost-benefit of training an individual with a chronic medical condition, that would previously have attracted career restrictions in a fixed liability organisation.
The Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs within the Cabinet Office are jointly commissioning an independent review to better understand the impacts and implications of the pre 2000 ban on homosexuals serving in the Armed Forces. The review underlines Defence’s unwavering commitment to understanding how best to support its veteran and LGBT+ community. Defence recognises and accepts that its historic policies were unacceptable and that its LGBT+ veteran community suffered as a consequence.
The scope of those dishonourably discharged due to their sexual orientation is currently unknown and a cross-departmental programme of work is underway to better understand the size of the affected cohort. Defence expects the review will provide further context and insights into the lived experience of our veteran community and allow us to take effective and genuine steps towards a more inclusive future for all.
Work is currently underway to appoint an independent review chair and the independent review is expected to commence in the near future following their appointment. The independent review chair and the terms of reference for the review will be announced in due course. The independent review team can be contacted via email: Lgbtveteransreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Defence is proactively working with the Home Office to enable more veterans to apply for a disregard of service convictions relating to sexuality. We have also introduced policy allowing veterans to apply for restoration of medals forfeited upon dismissal based on sexuality. To date, seven applications have been received and one veteran has had their medals restored. The other cases remain under review in light of the recent Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. Every case has required careful consideration of the circumstances and reference to contemporary records – some from several decades ago. We invite any personnel who were discharged from service due to their sexuality, to apply to have their forfeited medals restored by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-awards-commemorations
We take the wellbeing of all those who have served extremely seriously and are determined that the Armed Forces Covenant is upheld, meaning those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and all veterans, irrespective of when they served and how they left the Services are entitled to access the provisions of the Covenant. Former service personnel can access specialist medical care from the NHS, and every part of the UK now has a dedicated mental health service for veterans. Veterans can also call the Defence-funded 24-hour helpline, the Veterans’ Gateway, in times of need: https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk (0808 802 1212)
The Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs within the Cabinet Office are jointly commissioning an independent review to better understand the impacts and implications of the pre 2000 ban on homosexuals serving in the Armed Forces. The review underlines Defence’s unwavering commitment to understanding how best to support its veteran and LGBT+ community. Defence recognises and accepts that its historic policies were unacceptable and that its LGBT+ veteran community suffered as a consequence.
The scope of those dishonourably discharged due to their sexual orientation is currently unknown and a cross-departmental programme of work is underway to better understand the size of the affected cohort. Defence expects the review will provide further context and insights into the lived experience of our veteran community and allow us to take effective and genuine steps towards a more inclusive future for all.
Work is currently underway to appoint an independent review chair and the independent review is expected to commence in the near future following their appointment. The independent review chair and the terms of reference for the review will be announced in due course. The independent review team can be contacted via email: Lgbtveteransreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Defence is proactively working with the Home Office to enable more veterans to apply for a disregard of service convictions relating to sexuality. We have also introduced policy allowing veterans to apply for restoration of medals forfeited upon dismissal based on sexuality. To date, seven applications have been received and one veteran has had their medals restored. The other cases remain under review in light of the recent Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. Every case has required careful consideration of the circumstances and reference to contemporary records – some from several decades ago. We invite any personnel who were discharged from service due to their sexuality, to apply to have their forfeited medals restored by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-awards-commemorations
We take the wellbeing of all those who have served extremely seriously and are determined that the Armed Forces Covenant is upheld, meaning those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and all veterans, irrespective of when they served and how they left the Services are entitled to access the provisions of the Covenant. Former service personnel can access specialist medical care from the NHS, and every part of the UK now has a dedicated mental health service for veterans. Veterans can also call the Defence-funded 24-hour helpline, the Veterans’ Gateway, in times of need: https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk (0808 802 1212)
The Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs within the Cabinet Office are jointly commissioning an independent review to better understand the impacts and implications of the pre 2000 ban on homosexuals serving in the Armed Forces. The review underlines Defence’s unwavering commitment to understanding how best to support its veteran and LGBT+ community. Defence recognises and accepts that its historic policies were unacceptable and that its LGBT+ veteran community suffered as a consequence.
The scope of those dishonourably discharged due to their sexual orientation is currently unknown and a cross-departmental programme of work is underway to better understand the size of the affected cohort. Defence expects the review will provide further context and insights into the lived experience of our veteran community and allow us to take effective and genuine steps towards a more inclusive future for all.
Work is currently underway to appoint an independent review chair and the independent review is expected to commence in the near future following their appointment. The independent review chair and the terms of reference for the review will be announced in due course. The independent review team can be contacted via email: Lgbtveteransreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Defence is proactively working with the Home Office to enable more veterans to apply for a disregard of service convictions relating to sexuality. We have also introduced policy allowing veterans to apply for restoration of medals forfeited upon dismissal based on sexuality. To date, seven applications have been received and one veteran has had their medals restored. The other cases remain under review in light of the recent Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. Every case has required careful consideration of the circumstances and reference to contemporary records – some from several decades ago. We invite any personnel who were discharged from service due to their sexuality, to apply to have their forfeited medals restored by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-awards-commemorations
We take the wellbeing of all those who have served extremely seriously and are determined that the Armed Forces Covenant is upheld, meaning those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and all veterans, irrespective of when they served and how they left the Services are entitled to access the provisions of the Covenant. Former service personnel can access specialist medical care from the NHS, and every part of the UK now has a dedicated mental health service for veterans. Veterans can also call the Defence-funded 24-hour helpline, the Veterans’ Gateway, in times of need: https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk (0808 802 1212)
Defence remains proud of all our LGBT+ military and civilian personnel and the significant contributions they make to ensure our security, support our national interests, and safeguard our prosperity. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs are jointly commissioning an independent review to better understand the impacts and implications of the pre-2000 ban on homosexuals serving in HM Armed Forces. The review underlines the MOD’s unwavering commitment to understanding how best to support its veteran and LGBT+ community. Work is currently underway to appoint an independent review chair and the independent review is expected to commence in the near future, following their appointment. The independent review chair and the terms of reference for the review will be announced in due course.
We anticipate the report should be placed in the Library of the House prior to 8 December 2021.
We are very grateful to the External Scrutiny Team for their work. The Ministry of Defence will place their 2021 report in the Library of the House in the next few weeks.
The Light Aircraft Flying Training 2 contract was awarded to VT Aerospace Ltd in 2009. The contract was transferred to Babcock International following their takeover of VT Aerospace Ltd in 2010; it has been extended under its terms and is due to run until 2022.
The whole life costs for the Light Aircraft Flying Training 2, through to March 2022, have been assessed as approximately £263 million.
The TELUM Prior Information Notice (PIN) seeking expressions of interest was issued to industry on 7 October 2020. Project TELUM is still in its early stages and it is still under development. It is, therefore, too early to state when the new contract will be awarded.
The TELUM Prior Information Notice (PIN) seeking expressions of interest was issued to industry on 7 October 2020. Project TELUM is still in its early stages and it is still under development. It is, therefore, too early to state when the new contract will be awarded.
The Light Aircraft Flying Training 2 contract was awarded to VT Aerospace Ltd, (subsequently taken over by Babcock Interantional) in 2009 following a competitive tender exercise. The Single Source Regulations did not apply at that time as they did not come into force until the Defence Reform Act 2014.
In December 2019, the contract was transitioned to a Qualifying Defence Contract and is now subject to Single Source Regulations and oversight by the Single Source Regulations Office.
The whole life costs for the Light Aircraft Flying Training 2, through to March 2022, have been assessed as approximately £263 million.
The training sites that will be utilised under Project TELUM have yet to be confirmed. However, given that the project is to replace and enhance an existing capability, it is likely that they will mirror current locations. These are:
Flying Station Aldergrove
RAF Benson
Boscombe Down Airfield
RAF Cosford
RAF Cranwell
Glasgow Airport
Leuchars Station
RAF Leeming
St Athan airfield
RAF Wittering
RAF Woodvale
AAC Middle Wallop
RNAS Yeovilton
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing live flying opportunities to Royal Air Force Air Cadets and Combined Cadet Force (Royal Air Force) cadets and aims to provide each cadet with one 20-minute flight per year, subject to them meeting the necessary medical requirements.
The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Data on the number of individuals undertaking flights is not held centrally, however, the number of flying hours flown by cadets is recorded and can be found in the table below:
Financial Year | Hours flown |
2014-15 | 10,144 |
2015-16 | 10,649 |
2016-17 | 10,268 |
2017-18 | 9,102 |
2018-19 | 9,360 |
Up to three cadets can complete a flight during one hour, depending on several factors that may include but are not limited to, an individual’s fitness to fly and weather conditions.
Royal Air Force Air Cadets does not collate information regarding the gender of cadets who participate in Air Experience Flights.
The contract was awarded in 2009. Information relating to the first tendering of the contract is not held electronically and can be provided only, if at all, at disproportionate cost.
Project TELUM will provide the end to end solution for RAF Air Cadet and University Student flying experience, whilst simultaneously supporting Defence flying grading and streaming. In addition to the necessary live flying, where feasible the use of synthetics and virtual training to support training requirements will be encouraged from potential bidders.
The objective is to inspire a practical interest in aviation, attract undergraduates to military service through provision of military flying training and to de-risk flying training through early introduction and screening as a precursor to the provisions of UKMFTS.
The number of careers in aviation required to fulfil the Project TELUM requirements will be a matter for the successful bidder for the contract.
The Royal Navy will assess approximately 48 candidates per year and the Army will assess approximately 90 candidates per year.
For the current financial year fewer than ten Royal Navy and Army pilots failed flying training, following grading/streaming.
The Light Aircraft Flying Training 2 contract was awarded to VT Aerospace Ltd in 2009. The contract was transferred to Babcock International following their takeover of VT Aerospace Ltd in 2010; it has been extended under its terms and is due to run until 2022.
The RAF has introduced a number of safety enhancements on its aircraft, including the addition of electronic Collision Warning Systems on the Tutor aircraft. Military Aviation, including cadet flying, is now governed by a Duty Holder system in which senior responsible officers are held accountable to ensure that all safety risks are managed to as low as reasonably practicable. Contractors are required to comply with the safety standards in place and the Tutor fleet has operated safely under the Light Aircraft Flying Training 2 contract.
Policy dictates that the current issue of the fuel specification, Defence Standard (Def Stan) 91-090, for Aviation Gasoline (Avgas) is adhered to.
Avgas 100LL is the staple fuel for most piston engine aircraft and contains the additive tetra-ethyl lead (TEL). TEL is used to boost and maintain the octane level and prevent destructive detonation within engines. High-compression and turbocharged engines are particularly affected by such issues.
The Ministry of Defence is driving to reduce environmental contaminants such as TEL where possible and, as soon as alternatives are proven to be fit for purpose and safe in use, it is our policy to seek clearances from the airframe and engine Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for their inclusion in the procurement process.
Project TELUM will provide the end to end solution for RAF Air Cadet and University Student flying experience, whilst simultaneously supporting Defence flying grading and streaming. In addition to the necessary live flying, where feasible the use of synthetics and virtual training to support training requirements will be encouraged from potential bidders.
The objective is to inspire a practical interest in aviation, attract undergraduates to military service through provision of military flying training and to de-risk flying training through early introduction and screening as a precursor to the provisions of UKMFTS.
Project TELUM will provide the end to end solution for RAF Air Cadet and University Student flying experience, whilst simultaneously supporting Defence flying grading and streaming. In addition to the necessary live flying, where feasible the use of synthetics and virtual training to support training requirements will be encouraged from potential bidders.
The objective is to inspire a practical interest in aviation, attract undergraduates to military service through provision of military flying training and to de-risk flying training through early introduction and screening as a precursor to the provisions of UKMFTS.