Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the Government will commit to a specific deadline for the publication of its response to Lord Etherton's Independent Review into the treatment of LGBT+ Veterans in the Army.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 June 2023 to question 190453.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to tackle loneliness and social isolation among armed forces (a) personnel and (b) veterans.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
For the serving community there are extensive welfare systems that offer support for those in need, including those experiencing loneliness and isolation, provided by the Chain of Command, welfare, pastoral, and medical staff. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) also works closely with the Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA), National Health Service, and the Service charity sector. In 2021, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust awarded 60 grants of £70,000 to various projects across the UK, under the Tackling Loneliness Programme. In total £4.2 million was provided to projects in traditionally harder to reach groups with the aim of helping beneficiaries to engage in their community, access services and build stronger networks with peers, support organizations and service providers.
For veterans, support is available via the MOD through Veterans UK, which provides free support for veterans and their families, including a helpline and the Veterans Welfare Service. It is important to recognise, however, that the welfare of veterans is a cross-Government responsibility, overseen by the OVA in the Cabinet Office, and statutory services for veterans are provided by the responsible Departments, Devolved Administrations, and Local Authorities as applicable, in common with the general population. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has primary responsibility for tackling loneliness and social isolation among the UK population.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) increase employment and (b) protect jobs in surface fleet maintenance support at His Majesty's Naval Base, Portsmouth.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) programme is in its pre-concept stage with plans yet to be matured. No contracts have been tendered or awarded.
NSIGN will be fundamental to safeguarding the future of His Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth and those at Clyde and Devonport. Maintaining our duty to protect Royal Navy operations and ensuring defence is delivered as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
A key requirement for the NSIGN programme will be workforce capability and capacity. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will seek to ensure there is scope to provide improved opportunities for integration, training and conditions across the entire maritime enterprise including the military, civil service and industrial workforce. Service providers under NSIGN will require personnel with similar skills and experience to those currently employed. The MOD will protect the existing workforce by requiring service providers to meet their legal obligations under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations and by ensuring an orderly transition from the present Future Maritime Support Programme.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help support His Majesty's Naval Base, Portsmouth, in transitioning from the Future Maritime Support Programme to the Naval Support Integrated Global Network surface fleet maintenance support.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) programme is in its pre-concept stage with plans yet to be matured. No contracts have been tendered or awarded.
NSIGN will be fundamental to safeguarding the future of His Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth and those at Clyde and Devonport. Maintaining our duty to protect Royal Navy operations and ensuring defence is delivered as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
A key requirement for the NSIGN programme will be workforce capability and capacity. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will seek to ensure there is scope to provide improved opportunities for integration, training and conditions across the entire maritime enterprise including the military, civil service and industrial workforce. Service providers under NSIGN will require personnel with similar skills and experience to those currently employed. The MOD will protect the existing workforce by requiring service providers to meet their legal obligations under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations and by ensuring an orderly transition from the present Future Maritime Support Programme.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the impact of surface fleet maintenance support contracts tendered under the Naval Support Integrated Global Network on employees of His Majesty's Naval Base, Portsmouth.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) programme is in its pre-concept stage with plans yet to be matured. No contracts have been tendered or awarded.
NSIGN will be fundamental to safeguarding the future of His Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth and those at Clyde and Devonport. Maintaining our duty to protect Royal Navy operations and ensuring defence is delivered as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
A key requirement for the NSIGN programme will be workforce capability and capacity. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will seek to ensure there is scope to provide improved opportunities for integration, training and conditions across the entire maritime enterprise including the military, civil service and industrial workforce. Service providers under NSIGN will require personnel with similar skills and experience to those currently employed. The MOD will protect the existing workforce by requiring service providers to meet their legal obligations under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations and by ensuring an orderly transition from the present Future Maritime Support Programme.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Government plans to publish its response to the LGBT Veterans Independent Review; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans' Affairs jointly commissioned the independent review to better understand the impacts and implications of the pre-2000 policy relating to LGBT people serving in HM Armed Forces. The review underlines Defence's unwavering commitment to understanding how best to support its veteran and LGBT community.
Lord Etherton recently concluded his independent review and submitted his report and recommendations to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs in the Cabinet Office. The Government will now consider the report and recommendations and decide which Departments are best placed to take action. Defence is committed to publishing the report and responding in full in due course after giving the report due consideration, as per the terms of reference.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of housing for armed forces personnel.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) fully recognises that the provision of safe, good quality and well-maintained accommodation is essential to operational output, and providing such accommodation is one of the MOD’s top priorities.
In the last seven years, MOD has invested more than £936 million in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) improvements. Currently, just under 97% of MOD SFA meet or exceed the Government’s Decent Homes Standard. Only these properties are allocated to Service families.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of housing for armed forces personnel.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) fully recognises that the provision of safe, good quality and well-maintained accommodation is essential to operational output, and providing such accommodation is one of the MOD’s top priorities.
In the last seven years, the MOD has invested more than £936 million in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) improvements and currently just under 97% of MOD SFA meet or exceed the Government’s Decent Homes Standard. Only these properties are allocated to Service families. In addition, they meet statutory and mandatory housing safety requirements.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department plans to open the application process for the Nuclear Test Veterans' commemorative medal.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 February 2023 to Question 148519 to the hon. Member for New Forest East (Sir Julian Lewis).
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department plans to publish the eligibility criteria for the Nuclear Test Veterans' commemorative medal.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 February 2023 to Question 148519 to the hon. Member for New Forest East (Sir Julian Lewis).