Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March to Question 35454, whether he has made an assessment of the level of defence procurement can be moved to the UK from the US.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Strategic Defence Review will guide the Ministry of Defence's future investment priorities and will also shape the Defence Industrial Strategy. To support the UK’s Armed Forces we procure a diverse range of systems both domestically and in collaboration with our international allies and partners.
The United States is the United Kingdom's primary defence and security ally. Our collaboration in defence is mutually beneficial, and we maintain robust working partnerships in the areas of intelligence, nuclear, science and technology, and operations.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 35451 on USA: Defence, what information his Department holds on (a) spending on the procurement of defence-related (i) items and (ii) services from the US and (b) projected defence spending on US (A) goods, (B) services and (C) land rents in the next five years.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Department does hold information relating to contract duration, spend to date, and total contract value, which could allow for basic modelling. However, information to identify projected spending over the next five years with US suppliers is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what equipment his Department has procured from the United States for the armed forces since 1 January 2024.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Department does hold information relating to contract duration, spend to date, and total contract value, which could allow for basic modelling. However, information to identify projected spending over the next five years with US suppliers is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will hold discussions with PTSD Resolution on tackling (a) harassment and (b) sexual assault in the armed forces.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
There is no place for harassment or any form of abuse within the Armed Forces – or anywhere within Defence. I am deeply concerned that Service women in particular have been – and continue to be- subject to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other unacceptable behaviours as they carry out the vital role of protecting the nation. Our Ministerial team and Service Chiefs are committed to making changes that hold people to account for their actions and to also create a more inclusive environment.
We have a range of robust policies in place with powerful sanctions to tackle harassment and unacceptable sexual behaviour and these are kept under continuous review. Where behaviour involves sexual offending, the Defence Serious Crime Unit and the Victim and Witness Care Unit carry out an independent investigation and provide confidential and professional support and guidance to those affected.
This Government is also establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner as a new independent champion with the power to investigate issues raised by Service personnel and their families.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much the (a) UK pays the US and (b) US pays the UK in defence-related expenditure each year.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Department routinely publishes its regional spend with industry, including North America. In financial year 2023-24 the Department's defence related expenditure with North America was £2.48 billion, of which £2.38 billion was for work taking place in the US. This is just one example of the special relationship between the UK and the US on Defence.
US defence-related expenditure with the UK is not captured centrally and cannot be provided.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will fully implement the findings of the Etherton Review.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Government accepts the intent behind all of Lord Etherton’s recommendations and Defence continues to work at pace to deliver them. As of 4 March 2025, 42 of the 49 recommendations have been implemented, with work to implement the outstanding seven recommendations underway, demonstrating our commitment to supporting the LGBT veteran community.
Out of the seven remaining recommendations, two are for Defence and five are for Department of Health and Social Care. The two for Defence include recommendation 44 focusing on female veterans affected by the ban; this will be implemented as part of the new inclusive veterans’ strategy. Recommendation 17 to implement a dedicated memorial to LGBT personnel at the National Memorial Arboretum; this is expected to be unveiled before the end of the 2025. Defence officials are also supporting Department of Health and Social Care colleagues with progressing their five remaining recommendations (recommendations 31, 35, 36, 38 and 42), which are all for the NHS.
Defence encourages those affected to apply for non-financial restorative measures and the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme by completing the application forms available at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will publish a breakdown of projected defence spending on US (a) goods, (b) services and (c) land rents in the next five years.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This information is not held in the format requested.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the UK defence budget is spent on the procurement of (a) items and (b) services from the US.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This information is not held in the format requested.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to comments by President Trump on support for Ukraine, whether he is taking steps to re-allocate funding to domestic (a) procurement, (b) services and (c) other defence expenditure.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The United States is the United Kingdom's primary defence and security ally. Our collaboration in defence is mutually beneficial, and we maintain robust working partnerships in the areas of intelligence, nuclear, science and technology, and operations.
The defence sector plays a vital role not only in our national security but also to the prosperity and economic growth of the UK. That is why we are bringing forwards a Defence Industrial Strategy that will review the consideration of sovereign capability and capacity and will align our security and economic priorities.
We are determined to achieve a secure, lasting peace in Ukraine, which means putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position to prevent any return to Russian aggression. Since July 2024, the Government has provided over £5.26 billion in military aid and financial support to Ukraine, including a £3 billion annual military aid and a £2.26 billion loan for military spending.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to divest from defence procurement from the US.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
This Government is committed to improving the UK defence industrial base to ensure a robust defence sector, support economic growth and provide greater certainty in procurement processes.
The United States is the United Kingdom's primary defence and security ally. Our collaboration in defence is mutually beneficial, and we maintain robust working partnerships in the areas of intelligence, nuclear, science and technology, and operations.
The UK and US share a strong economic relationship that is equitable, balanced, and reciprocal. With $1.5 trillion invested in each other's economies and supporting over 2.5 million jobs collectively, our economic ties are significant.