Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking with European allies to jointly (a) procure and (b) stockpile defence equipment; and if he will make it his policy to work with European allies to coordinate mutual large-scale rearmament.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Europe faces a generational threat to our shared security. As part of strengthening our international relationships this Government will seek an ambitious, broad-based UK-EU security partnership to protect the UK and EU and enhance cooperation on the threats we collectively face. We will seek a new geopolitical partnership with the EU that drives closer coordination and complements our unshakable commitment to NATO, which will remain the foremost vehicle for European security.
The need for collective European and NATO industrial and procurement initiatives is apparent in programmes such as the European Long-Range Strike Approach, the DIAMOND integrated air and missile defence initiative and NATO’s Defence Production Action Plan and Multinational Procurement initiatives. Collective procurement will deliver more of the capabilities we need across the continent and enhance our shared deterrence. This Government recognises the vital role the UK’s defence industry plays not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the UK.
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 publish the Defence Planning Assumptions before the Defence Spending Review.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Defence Planning Assumptions (DPAs) will be revised following the Strategic Defence Review. We remain committed to transparency and will release a public version of updated DPAs once this detailed work is complete and tested.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to Question 35453 on USA: Ammunition when he will provide an answer.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I responded to the hon. Member on 4 April 2025.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what munitions the UK sources (a) directly and (b) via supply chains from the United States.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK’s munitions stockpile is maintained through the procurement of new rounds and the refurbishment or upgrading of existing munitions. Many types of in-service munitions are from UK suppliers, and many components of systems procured from overseas are manufactured in the UK.
Munitions procured directly through the United States through Foreign Military Sale include complex weapons such as cruise missiles, anti-armour and anti-air weaponry.
Munitions procured by the Ministry of Defence from the United States via supply chains through other contractual arrangements include Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rounds, an Extended Range variant of GMLRS rounds, a range of small arms ammunition and explosive charges, and the Trident nuclear deterrent.
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.