Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure all Royal Navy vessels are kept in a high state of repair.

This Government inherited Armed Forces that had been hollowed out and underfunded. We are ending that with a focus on warfighting readiness by 2030 and increasing defence spending. The Royal Navy maintains platforms at varying states of readiness reflecting the demands on the service and duties it delivers. This Government is investing billions in new autonomous and uncrewed capabilities alongside world-class crewed platforms. The Hon. Gentleman will be aware that we are constructing new frigates in Scotland, building the Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and developing the future Amphibious Transport Ship with the Netherlands and a new class of standardised vessels with Norway. We are also continuing to strengthen our submarine capability through the Astute and Dreadnought programmes at Barrow, while progressing work on the future SSN-AUKUS submarine programme.