Manuela Perteghella: All Documents

Written Question

Armed Forces: Uniforms

Friday 17th April 2026

Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his department will provide a timetable for reviewing the continued use of real bearskin in military ceremonial uniforms.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The current cost of a bearskin cap is £2,460 including VAT. Whilst the longevity of caps varies depending on how they are maintained, this can be up to and in excess of 20 years.

The Department has not yet identified a synthetic alternative that meets the standards required to provide an effective replacement for bearskin ceremonial caps. However, the Ministry of Defence remains committed to finding a synthetic alternative and continues to welcome submissions of test results, from a testing house accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, on synthetic alternatives that meet our criteria for a suitable, affordable and sustainable alternative to bearskin caps.

Written Question

Armed Forces: Uniforms

Friday 17th April 2026

Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his department has made of the comparative lifetime cost of (a) real bearskin caps and (b) identified synthetic alternatives.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The current cost of a bearskin cap is £2,460 including VAT. Whilst the longevity of caps varies depending on how they are maintained, this can be up to and in excess of 20 years.

Division Vote (Commons)
15 Apr 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Manuela Perteghella (LD) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 52 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 254 Noes - 144

Division Vote (Commons)
15 Apr 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Manuela Perteghella (LD) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 53 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 256 Noes - 150

Division Vote (Commons)
15 Apr 2026 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Manuela Perteghella (LD) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 61 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 278 Noes - 73

Division Vote (Commons)
15 Apr 2026 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Manuela Perteghella (LD) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 57 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 281 Noes - 70

Division Vote (Commons)
15 Apr 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Manuela Perteghella (LD) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 51 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 248 Noes - 139

Division Vote (Commons)
15 Apr 2026 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Manuela Perteghella (LD) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 59 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 1 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 277 Noes - 158