Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vehicles within the armed forces are (a) currently electric (b) scheduled to be electric by 2030.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
The vast majority of vehicles used by the Ministry of Defence are leased through a contract known as Phoenix II. As of 12 July 2023, there are 760 fully electric vehicles in the armed forces' inventory of non-operational vehicles - known as the "white fleet". Vehicles that are not part of the Phoenix II fleet will be operational vehicles, used in roles where the type of vehicles provided under the Phoenix II contract are not appropriate.
We are now working toward converting 100% of our car and van fleet (up to 3.5t) to be fully zero emissions at the tailpipe by 31 December 2027.
It is not possible to retrieve and compile the information requested on vehicles that sit outside of the Phoenix II contract without incurring disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help develop innovative defence technology.
Answered by Alex Chalk
The Ministry of Defence works closely with UK industry and academia, including Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, to identify and invest in innovative technologies that address our most pressing capability challenges as well as publishing our future priorities to incentivise investment. We are transforming processes to drive this at pace. We are already testing and deploying these technologies.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support defence jobs in all regions of the UK.
Answered by Alex Chalk
The most recent estimate shows Ministry of Defence investment supports 219,000 jobs in industries across the UK.
Continued high, and focussed, investment in defence, along with the changes we continue to make as part of our Defence and Security Industrial Strategy, will contribute to further economic growth and prosperity, including jobs, across the Union.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to prepare for the UK to leave the EU since 23 June 2016; and what further such steps his Department plans to take in the remainder of 2016.
Answered by Mike Penning
The Department for Exiting the EU has responsibility for overseeing preparations for the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and conducting these withdrawal negotiations in support of the Prime Minister. In doing this, it is working very closely with other Government departments, including the Ministry of Defence, and a wide range of other interested parties.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made by RAF Charitable Enterprises on its review of RAF air shows.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The RAF Charitable Trust are doing further detailed work, following on from the March 2015 review. Their report will be submitted to the RAF for consideration shortly.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to invest in next generation equipment for the armed forces.
Answered by Philip Dunne
Of the £160 billon ten year investment that will be detailed in the Equipment Plan, £70 billion is investment in new equipment, funding cutting edge capabilities such as the new aircraft carriers, Astute class submarines, the Type 26 Frigates, the F35 Joint Strike Fighter, the A400M Atlas transport aircraft and the Scout armoured vehicle.
Asked by: Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many medical downgrades there have been in the Submarine Service since the removal of retention and recruitment pay, in each month for which figures are available.
Answered by Anna Soubry
Recruitment and retention payments for the Submarine Service have not been removed.