Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of his Department’s Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on creating the conditions for sustained innovation and industrial support to the Navy.

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

The Defence Investment Plan implements the vision set out in the Strategic Defence Review. It confirms many measures that create the conditions for sustained innovation and industrial support to the Navy. For example, major shipbuilding programmes and export campaigns support skills and productivity in the maritime sector, while setting a clear demand signal by committing at least £1.3 billion to the Hybrid Navy supports the development sovereign expertise in autonomous systems, advanced payloads and digital integration.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of his Department’s Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on the development of a Global Decision Support System.

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

The Global Decision Support System (GDSS) remains at an early concept stage; progress has been made to ensure alignment against the Maritime Fighting Web and Defence Targeting Web. GDSS remains subject to financial and programme approval.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 63 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on establishing the necessary conditions for boosting defence exports and joint capability partnerships.

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

Through Defence Reform and a Machinery of Government change the key teams responsible for exports promotion, capability partnerships and delivery of government-to-government relationships have been successfully brought together under the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group for the first time.

We have established a ministerial Defence Exports Board to provide clear direction, and are introducing Senior Responsible Officers for the most critical relationships to drive progress and enhance join-up cross-government. We have stood up a team responsible for government-to-government partnerships, under a new director level specialist role.

The Ministry of Defence continues to embed exportability and capability partnering into procurement choices from the start, enabled by high-level agreements such as those under Lancaster House (with France), Trinity House (with Germany) and Lunna House (with Norway, signed in December 2025).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 63 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on defence exports to establish clear governance, accountability and a streamlined process.

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

Through Defence Reform and a Machinery of Government change the key teams responsible for exports promotion, capability partnerships and delivery of government-to-government relationships have been successfully brought together under the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group for the first time.

We have established a ministerial Defence Exports Board to provide clear direction, and are introducing Senior Responsible Officers for the most critical relationships to drive progress and enhance join-up cross-government. We have stood up a team responsible for government-to-government partnerships, under a new director level specialist role.

The Ministry of Defence continues to embed exportability and capability partnering into procurement choices from the start, enabled by high-level agreements such as those under Lancaster House (with France), Trinity House (with Germany) and Lunna House (with Norway, signed in December 2025).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 33 of the SDR, what progress he has made on being optimised for warfare against a peer military state since the publication of the SDR.

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

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set a vision for the next decade and beyond, over which the Armed Forces will be transformed to deliver a more lethal and digitally-enabled Integrated Force. The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to providing greater options for deterrence and retaliation to aggression and sets out the Government’s focus on increasing the readiness and lethality of our Armed Forces.

The Government is taking a broad programme of action to improve the readiness, lethality, and survivability of the Armed Forces. Through the DIP, we are investing £298 billion over the next four years to rebuild warfighting readiness, deliver the Strategic Defence Review, and develop a “NATO First” Integrated Force.

Our investments within the Integrated Force have been tailored to include lessons learned from recent and ongoing conflicts, focusing on capabilities that will counter emerging threats to our Armed Forces and the UK. The DIP also secures funding for critical warfighting enabling capabilities, such as our previously underfunded infrastructure and to develop UK Defence Industry capacity. These combined efforts will allow us to deter threats through our warfighting readiness and sustain forces deployed on operations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the target increase to defence exports is in each of the next five years.

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

We have committed to delivering a real terms increase in the five-year average value of defence exports orders. This is in line with the approach taken in publishing defence export figures as Official Statistics.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the expected saving on ammunition with the use of DragonFire.

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

The financial savings in ammunition will depend on the operational employment of the capability.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on improving access to T&E resources.

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

As part of our commitment to support SMEs and aid UK growth, the MOD and QinetiQ, who operate MOD’s Test & Evaluation ranges, have introduced a Test & Evaluation Innovation Gateway to accelerate access and availability to the MOD’s Test & Evaluation ranges. Alongside this, the T&E Transformation Programme is launching the Test and Evaluation Marketplace by the end of 2026. This will help T&E users, both within Defence and industry to connect with suitable T&E facilities, capability and support services from both defence and the private sector.

Further announcements will be made in due course in relation to expanding SME access to T&E resources and facilities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 66 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, what steps he is taking to achieve the fastest innovating military in NATO.

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

The Ministry of Defence(MOD) has established UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), which launched in July 2025.

UKDI’s mission is to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge innovative capabilities so that the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad.

With ringfenced annual funding of at least £400 million, UKDI brings together the innovation efforts from across the MOD, with the clear goal to quickly deliver new technology to the front line and support the growth of a strong defence technology industry.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 70 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether the reserves and civil servants have protected access to the necessary funding, time and equipment for training alongside regulars.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Ministry of Defence recognises the importance of training and development for the Reserves and Civil Servants; they make a significant contribution to the defence of the country and form a critical part of our whole force.

We have protected the activity necessary for Reservists to complete their annual training requirements and achieve their Certificate of Efficiency, as we prioritise activity which contributes most directly to their readiness, deployability and operational effectiveness.

Our Civil Servants are supported to undertake the learning and development necessary to perform their roles effectively and develop the skills required to deliver Defence outputs. Training such as the Higher Command and Staff Course at the Defence Academy, and bespoke role-based training are open to Civil Servants and Service Personnel. This is underpinned by funding mechanisms and policies that promote equitable access to learning opportunities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 73 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress his Department has made on bolstering collective security by actively investing in alliances and partnerships.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

Since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review the Ministry of Defence is continuing to invest in alliances and partnerships. We are working with Allies to deliver a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO as European Allies take greater responsibility for collective security, reinforcing NATO’s deterrence and defence against threats to the Euro-Atlantic area. UK leadership of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is strengthening collective security across the High North, North Atlantic, and Baltic Sea regions, as we work in tandem with JEF Partner Nations. Additionally, the department published the UK’s Defence Diplomacy Strategy in March which sets out how Defence will prioritise investing in alliances and partnerships and is now implementing this approach.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 63 of his Department's Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on a new framework in defence exports for building and sustaining government-to-government relationships.

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

The key teams responsible for exports promotion, capability partnerships and delivery of government-to-government relationships have been successfully brought together under the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. This includes the standing up of a team responsible for government-to-government partnerships, under a new director level specialist role.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the expected increase in mass and lethality by transitioning to uncrewed and autonomous capabilities.

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

The Strategic Defence Review set out a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence within the UK's conventional forces, providing greater accuracy, lethality and cheaper capabilities. The Defence Investment Plan states that this transformation will deliver a cheaper capability, providing the Integrated Force with greater mass and increased lethality. The Defence Investment Plan further states that this shift supports an increase in warfighting readiness and lethality, significantly increasing mass. Defence is investing over £5 billion on autonomous systems to enable this transformation by 2030. This investment includes the Hybrid Navy Fleet, Uncrewed Ground Vehicles and Collaborative Combat Aircraft amongst others.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 43 of his department’s Defence Industrial Strategy, published 8 September 2025, what progress has been made on amending current SME non-disclosure agreements.

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

The Ministry of Defence, through Commercial X, has been working with HMRC to help defence SMEs better understand and access R&D tax relief. Engagement with SMEs identified the complexity of the schemes (including misconceptions regarding the extent to which information can be shared with HMRC in support of R&D tax relief claims), uncertainty regarding eligibility criteria, and navigating the application process as key barriers to uptake.

In response, Commercial X worked with HMRC to co-create a simple guide to help businesses determine whether they may be eligible to claim R&D tax relief, available at Outline of R&D tax reliefs and the key qualifying criteria - GOV.UK

Commercial X and HMRC continue to work together to identify further opportunities to increase SME awareness and uptake of R&D tax relief in the defence sector.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on Test and Evaluation (T&E) Transformation.

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

Following its launch in 2021, the T&E Transformation programme has concluded its discovery phase, launched its programme concept for future test and evaluation (Future Advantage through Evaluation) and is in its first delivery phase aligning to key outcomes highlighted in the Strategic Defence Review, Defence Industrial Strategy and Defence Investment Plan. Progress to note this year is its delivery of Flight Termination Systems, T&E activity at BATUS and the planned launches of the T&E Marketplace and the High-Fidelity Synthetic T&E Range.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 106 of his department’s Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on the development of a Global Decision Support System.

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

The Global Decision Support System (GDSS) remains at an early concept stage; progress has been made to ensure alignment against the Maritime Fighting Web and Defence Targeting Web. GDSS remains subject to financial and programme approval.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what lessons have been learnt from the UK-led DIAMOND initiative.

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

The UK-led DIAMOND (Delivering Integrated Air and Missile Operationally Networked Defences) initiative aims to support the strengthening of Allied air and missile defence systems within NATO. Through this work, the importance of effective command and control, information sharing, the ability of national systems to operate together and a strong and resilient industrial base has been reinforced. The UK is now reviewing where best to focus DIAMOND to complement wider NATO and European IAMD efforts.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on building resilience to attacks and shocks since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review.

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

Defence is strengthening the UK's resilience to attacks and shocks through a range of measures, including an additional £470 million investment to improve the security of critical military sites across the UK. This is supportive of broader home defence planning to ensure the resilience of the UK’s most important CNI in the event of a crisis or conflict. We are working across Government in support of the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme, to take a data-driven approach to identifying the CNI most essential to the UK’s ability to sustain and respond to conflict. By contributing Defence data to the Cabinet Office's CNI Knowledge Base, we are fulfilling the commitments set out in the Resilience Action Plan and improving our understanding of the infrastructure, dependencies and vulnerabilities that would be most critical in a conflict scenario.

This analysis is informing our Home Defence planning by ensuring that we align Defence resources and capabilities to the protection of the most important infrastructure against a broad spectrum of threats, from hybrid activity through to conventional conflict. It will also help to identify what Defence could contribute to support the protection of other priority CNI that is essential to the functioning of the country.

Through the Defence Investment Plan and the wider Home Defence Programme, we are also investing in capabilities including Integrated Air and Missile Defence. Defence is investing £240m in Project PRESAGIUM, an enhanced counter-drone system, providing effective detection and defeat of emerging drone threats. We are growing and equipping the Reserves to support Homeland Defence tasks and enhancing capabilities to protect critical underwater infrastructure. Our Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities will be prioritised against the assessed threat as part of the future Integrated Force.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 45 of his department's Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, in what way is CDS balancing investment between front-line capabilities and the foundational enablers that sustain the force in protracted, high intensity warfare.

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

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) outlines how Defence will outpace threats through sustained investment in warfighting readiness, the rapid introduction of new capabilities, and the integration of advanced and emerging technologies across the force. This requires a model of constant innovation and there is therefore no end state for the Integrated Force.

In addition to investing in front-line capabilities, the DIP invests significantly in the foundational enablers required to sustain the force in times of war. This includes a £11.1 billion investment over the next four years in weapons and munitions. The DIP also secures funding for those capabilities critical to deploying, sustaining, and recovering the force, with £2.9 billion over the next four years invested in Joint Support Enablers and Defence Medical Services. Investments also span more than just the Integrated Force and the DIP has also made significant investment in people, infrastructure, science and technology, and industry to ensure the UK is better prepared for a high-intensity protracted war.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK is able to meet its NATO Article III commitment with emerging technological developments.

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

The Ministry of Defence remains committed to meeting its obligations under Article III of the North Atlantic Treaty, including maintaining and developing the UK's individual and collective NATO capabilities. Defence draws on its strengths in science and technology research to assess and prioritise emerging technologies that can enhance operational effectiveness, resilience and technological advantage, including quantum technologies, engineering biology and advanced materials. This work is aligned with wider Government and Defence strategies which identify science, technology and innovation as critical enablers of future national security, economic growth and military advantage.

Defence also works closely with NATO and Allies on emerging technologies for Defence capability development and interoperability, including through scientific partnerships, demonstrating the UK's and the Alliance's collective commitment, to strengthening military capability and ensuring NATO remains able to respond to future threats.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review in developing strong relationships with allies.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

Since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, the UK has continued to strengthen defence partnerships with our Allies. This includes signing three new defence documents: Lunna House with Norway; the Northolt Treaty with Poland; and the Defence Roadmap with Estonia. The UK’s new approach to Defence Diplomacy was set out in the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, published in March.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the expected delivery time is for equipment funded by the £100m commitment to the NATO Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List.

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

At the 36th Ukraine Defence Contact Group on 8 September, the UK announced a £100 million contribution to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), which will support the delivery of Patriot missiles and other critical equipment before the winter.

US equipment purchased through PURL flows continuously and is prioritised in line with Ukraine's most urgent needs. The equipment funded by the UK will be released as part of this.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 57 of his department's Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, what progress has been made on a pivot to outcomes-based partnerships with innovation organisations, private equity, venture capital and other investors within the UK and NATO member states.

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

The Ministry of Defence is already implementing the Strategic Defence Review commitment to pivot towards outcomes-based partnerships through the establishment of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), which launched in July 2025.

UKDI is bringing together Defence innovation activity into a single system focused on solving clearly defined Defence problems and accelerating successful innovations into operational capability.

This approach places greater emphasis on outcomes rather than processes by linking innovators directly to Defence needs, supporting the development of minimum viable capabilities, and ensuring that promising technologies have a clear route to adoption within Defence programmes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on reducing the number of different land platforms operated across NATO since the Strategic Defence Review.

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

The Strategic Defence Review did not include a commitment to reduce the number of land platforms operated across NATO.

The United Kingdom continues to work closely with NATO Allies to improve interoperability, strengthen collective deterrence and maximise opportunities for commonality and collaboration in capability development, procurement and support. Through the Army's wider modernisation activity, the Department is seeking to deliver a more integrated and effective land force, including through greater commonality where this delivers operational and value-for-money benefits.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what funding has been committed to increase the total number of Regular personnel in the Armed Forces.

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

As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, between financial years 26/27 and 29/30 the Ministry of Defence plans to invest £78.5 billion in our People (regulars, reserve forces, and civilians) and our Veterans.

Between 2030 and 2035, the government plans to invest at least £130 billion in our People, focusing on creating a ‘One Defence’ approach to people and training, to meet the vision set out in the Strategic Defence Review. Investment in people and training will focus on ensuring our workforce is capable and motivated – further improving recruitment and retention within the Armed Forces.

The Government is committed to improving retention across the Armed Forces and renewing the nation's contract with those who serve. Since April 2024, we have delivered two of the largest pay increases in over 20 years for Service Personnel; most have received a cumulative pay award of 14.1% over that period. These measures are showing positive results. For the first time in several years, Armed Forces intake now exceeds outflow, with recruitment increasing and departures reducing compared with previous years. We will continue to monitor retention closely and take action where evidence shows further improvements are needed.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 71 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, whether the funding for the defence estate is currently part of his Department's budget.

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

The £22.7 of investment in the defence estate over the next four years forms part of the Department's spending plans and is being funded through the enhanced settlement set out as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many apprentices and graduates have Team Tempest recruited since 2022.

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

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme is creating opportunities for young people across the UK. Around 3,000 graduates and apprentices have been recruited by the Team Tempest industry partners since 2022, providing the opportunity to work on a range of combat air programmes, including sixth-generation Combat Air development through FCAS.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 53 of his department's Strategic Defence Review, published 2 June 2025, in what way does his department draw on the available S&T and innovation expertise to inform procurement decisions.

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

The MOD draws on science and technology (S&T) and innovation expertise across the Department, including the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA), academia and industry, to inform procurement decisions. As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, expert S&T and innovation views are included the highest levels of decision making to help shape the strategic vision for Defence investment and support its delivery.

The Department also collaborates with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Business and Trade, UK Research and Innovation, and the Advanced Research and Invention Agency to help ensure taxpayer-funded research supports Defence priority problem sets. This helps inform capability and procurement decisions by assessing technological opportunities, risks and maturity against Defence needs.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to pages 52 to 54 of his Department's Defence Investment Plan, published 30 June 2026, what is the current status of the UK-German Deep Precision Strike missile programme

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

Further to the answer provided to Question 16530. The UK and Germany signed a Framework Agreement in March 2026 to generate the Deep Precision Strike Programme. Both nations are invested in the current Accelerated Concept Phase for both a Stealthy Cruise and Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Missile Systems. Subject to approvals, the programme will transition into the development phase for both systems in early 2027.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she plans to respond to the email from the hon. Member for South Shropshire dated 19 May 2026 with case reference SA44124.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Ministers and officials are in regular contact with elected representatives across the country.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of the current level of out-of-hours dental care provision in South Shropshire.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

No assessment has been made by the Department.

Responsibility for commissioning National Health Service dental services, including urgent and out-of-hours dental care, sits with integrated care boards (ICBs). For the South Shropshire constituency, this is the Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin ICB. Further information on the ICB’s urgent dental care services can be found at the following link:

https://www.shropshiretelfordandwrekin.nhs.uk/your-health/where-to-get-advice-and-help/dentists/

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what specific measures are being taken to harden critical national infrastructure against sub-threshold attacks.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The Government's first responsibility is to keep the country safe, and strengthening the resilience of the UK's Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) is a key element of our National Security Strategy and wider domestic resilience agenda. The Government is taking a range of measures to strengthen CNI against the full spectrum of threats, including sub-threshold activity.

The Government's 2025 Resilience Action Plan sets out an ‘all-hazards approach’ to building national resilience, including for CNI, and is supported by the National Security Strategy, Strategic Defence Review and 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy.

We work closely with CNI operators to improve security, preparedness and resilience across all CNI sectors. We have carried out a range of work to build awareness of the threats we face and the steps that businesses can take to strengthen their security and resilience. As part of this, we recently announced that the Security Minister will chair a threat briefing with industry bodies representing CNI.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what lessons his Department has learned from the war in Ukraine; and what impact that war has had on procurement models.

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

The UK is learning extensively from Ukraine, particularly the need for a much faster 'learn and adapt' cycle and the ability to analyse real time data to drive rapid changes in capability and tactics though rapid innovation. This continues to inform UK Defence Policy. As such, we are strengthening collaboration between operators, scientists and industry to accelerate our innovation activity to satisfy Defence requirements.

The war in Ukraine has also demonstrated the importance of speed and technical innovation for UK defence procurement. Our new segmented approach to procurement and accelerated commercial pathways, set out in the Strategic Defence Review, will enable us to get programmes onto contract faster. Through UK Defence Innovation, we will accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge, front-line-ready capabilities, enabling the rapid acquisition and integration of available technologies to strengthen military capability and deliver decisive operational advantage on the battlefield.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Total Efficiency Commitment is split between the (a) 2026-2026, (b) 2027-2028, (c) 2028-2029 and (d) 2029-2030 financial years.

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

As set out in Table 21 of the Annex to the Defence Investment Plan, the Department's total efficiency commitment of £10.7 billion is profiled across the four-year period as follows: