Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the transparency data published by his Department entitled MOD: spending over £500 on a GPC for January to December 2022, updated on 18 July 2022, for what reason his Department spent (a) £1,367,833.28 under the merchant description Schools - Default and (b) £18,211.88 under the merchant description Elementary/Secondary School; which five schools received the highest share of that expenditure; and whether that expenditure was separate to any payments made by his Department under the Continuity of Education Allowance scheme.

Government Procurement Card (GPC) expenditure in respect of the merchant description 'Elementary/Secondary School' for 2022 reported under published MOD transparency data to date totals £18,211.88. It is assumed that, consistent with the other 10 questions tabled at the same time, this question relates to Jan - May 2022 (the sum of £1,367,833.28 in the question is not recognised).

None of the eight transactions that make up the £18,211.88 relate to schools as such (although it includes payments to Glasgow University and Fife College) but instead relate to training courses, community engagement/recruitment at universities and educational support to overseas military personnel. None of them relate to the Continuity of Education Allowance scheme which is dealt with through payroll and not GPC.