Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 2,221–2,240 of 2,980 · Ministry of Defence
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many hours of firing time have been lost at Whittington ranges due to (a) physical incursion into the range danger area by (i) members of the public and (ii) animals, (b) aerial incursion into the range danger area by drones and (c) for other reasons since 5 July 2024.
The requested information is not held. The time lost due to incursions on Ministry of Defence Ranges, is not recorded.
How many hours of firing time have been lost at Beckingham due to (a) physical incursion into the range danger area by (i) members of the public and (ii) animals, (b) aerial incursion into the range danger area by drones and (c) for other reasons since 5 July 2024.
The requested information is not held. The time lost due to incursions on Ministry of Defence Ranges, is not recorded.
How many hours of firing time have been lost at Ash Ranges due to (a) physical incursion into the range danger area by (i) members of the public and (ii) animals, (b) aerial incursion into the range danger area by drones and (c) for other reasons since 5 July 2024.
The requested information is not held. The time lost due to incursions on Ministry of Defence Ranges, is not recorded.
How many hours of firing time have been lost at Sennybridge Training Area due to (a) physical incursion into the range danger area by (i) members of the public and (ii) animals, (b) aerial incursion into the range danger area by drones and (c) for other reasons since 5 July 2024.
The requested information is not held. The time lost due to incursions on Ministry of Defence Ranges, is not recorded.
How many hours of firing time have been lost at Catterick Training Area due to (a) physical incursion into the range danger area by (i) members of the public and (ii) animals, (b) aerial incursion into the range danger area by drones and (c) for other reasons since 5 July 2024.
The requested information is not held. The time lost due to incursions on Ministry of Defence Ranges, is not recorded.
How many hours of firing time have been lost at Barton Road due to (a) physical incursion into the range danger area by (i) members of the public and (ii) animals, (b) aerial incursion into the range danger area by drones and (c) for other reasons since 5 July 2024.
The requested information is not held. The time lost due to incursions on Ministry of Defence Ranges, is not recorded.
How many hours of firing time have been lost at Feldom Ranges due to (a) physical incursion into the range danger area by (i) members of the public and (ii) animals, (b) aerial incursion into the range danger area by drones and (c) for other reasons since 5 July 2024.
The requested information is not held. The time lost due to incursions on Ministry of Defence Ranges, is not recorded.
With reference to the Army's submission to the Strategic Defence Review, whether it is his policy that the Army fights on the land to be the world-class army that (a) NATO is asking for and (b) the UK needs.
The Strategic Defence Review will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century, including for the British Army. The Review has been considering all aspects of Defence, including the major features of the force structure needed to create the necessary integrated multi-domain Defence capability of the future. NATO will remain the cornerstone of UK Defence, the Review has been looking at enhancing the UK's contribution to the Alliance, while protecting vital UK sovereign requirements and strategic reach.
With reference to the Army's submission to the Strategic Defence Review, whether it is his policy that the Army (a) fights and (b) operates differently by rapidly integrating technology at every level to multiply (i) lethality, (ii) mass and (iii) effect.
The Strategic Defence Review will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century, including for the British Army. The Review has been considering all aspects of Defence, such as the opportunities for modernisation and transformation, including through the rapid and consistent application of new technologies.
With reference to the Army's submission to the Strategic Defence Review, whether it is his policy that the Army harnesses the talent of exceptional people (a) enabling, (b) inspiring and (c) optimising the force.
The Strategic Defence Review will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century, including for the British Army. All Defence personnel-in and out of uniform-are at the heart of Defence's plans, the Review has been considering the approach to recruiting, educating, training, and retaining the people needed for One Defence. This includes Regular, Reserve, Civil Service, and industry and how Service life can be improved for those who commit to serve their country in uniform.
With reference to the Army's submission to the Strategic Defence Review, whether it is his policy that the Army fights from the land as an enabler for multi-domain operations as part of the Integrated Force alongside allies and partners.
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century, including for the British Army. The Review has been considering all aspects of Defence, including the major features of the force structure needed to create the necessary integrated multi-domain Defence capability of the future. The SDR has also been considering the UK's international partnerships and alliances, and how these can be strengthened in the cause of collective security and deterrence.
With reference to the Army's submission to the Strategic Defence Review, whether it is his policy that the Army enhances (a) society, (b) cohesion and (c) resilience with land forces as the framework integrator for national (i) resilience, (ii) defence and (iii) regeneration.
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century, including for the British Army. The first duty of Government is to keep the country safe and protect its citizens. The SDR has been examining the Defence capabilities and options to reinforce UK homeland security.
What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of childcare for serving personnel.
We recognise that appropriate childcare provision can be challenging for parents who serve in the Armed Forces and continue to explore options for improving support to our personnel in affording and accessing it. Although the responsibility for childcare provision lies elsewhere within Government and is not a core Defence output, many Defence sites within the UK provide opportunities for local childcare providers to make use of facilities on, or close to, the Defence estate. These settings can also benefit the local civilian community. Overseas, we have extended Wraparound Childcare to families serving overseas which will potentially save up to £3,400 annually for Service families.
With reference to the Army's submission to the Strategic Defence Review, whether it is his policy that the Army should be (a) resilient, (b) built upon collaboration with industry, (c) increasing UK prosperity and reinforcing operational independence.
The Strategic Defence Review will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century, including for the British Army. The Review has been considering the state of the defence technological and industrial base, and the contribution of Defence to the Government's Growth Mission.
What the annual rent paid by the United States is for the use of (a) RAF Mildenhall, (b) RAF Lakenheath, (c) Ascension Island, (d) Diego Garcia and (e) any other UK base in use by that country.
In accordance with the 1973 Cost Sharing Arrangement (CSA), the US is responsible for bearing the cost for the operational running of the bases it occupies such as utilities, as well as any development in support of its forces at those locations. There are some exceptions to that, where development is a requirement of UK legislation or Ministry of Defence policy and there is no equivalent United States legal or policy requirement.
What estimate his Department has made of the total operational cost paid by the United States for all military bases shared with the United Kingdom.
In accordance with the 1973 Cost Sharing Arrangement (CSA), the US is responsible for bearing the cost for the operational running of the bases it occupies such as utilities, as well as any development in support of its forces at those locations. There are some exceptions to that, where development is a requirement of UK legislation or Ministry of Defence policy and there is no equivalent United States legal or policy requirement.
Pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 36712 on Ministry of Defence: Public Appointments, what the annual salary will be of the incoming National Armaments Director.
The advert for the new National Armaments Director role was published on 18 March 2025. It sets out that if the successful candidate is from outside of the Civil Service, they can expect their salary on appointment to be in the range of £290,000 - £400,000 plus a bonus of up to 60% of salary, per annum. If they are an existing Civil Servant, their salary will be agreed in line with the Civil Service pay rules in place on the date of their appointment. The salary has been benchmarked against Defence industry best practice and standards to offer a competitive remuneration package to attract the right candidate with the right skills.
Whether he has authorised any changes to the allocated rotary budget for the (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 financial year.
There is no centrally held rotary budget. Rotary capability is delivered across multiple front line commands, who make prioritisation decisions within their budgets as a part of normal financial management.
With reference to the Answer by the Minister for Veterans and People to Question 123 at the Defence Committee on 11 March 2025, HC 572, what the 100 out-of-date medical requirements were that have been removed from the recruitment process.
The latest version of Joint Service Publication (JSP) 950, Leaflet 6-7-7, which sets the medical entry standards for the Armed Forces, was published in August 2024 following an intensive review undertaken by clinical experts, Defence personnel staff and the recruiting agencies. Medical entry standards have been designed to select people in, rather than be a barrier to entry and, where evidence exists to support change, standards have been made more permissive. Each standard was considered in light of existing and/or emerging medical evidence and assessed against the likelihood of the associated medical risk of a five-year engagement. This work resulted in 100 changes to JSP 950 Leaflet 6-7-7 and revised medical entry standards for conditions including respiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. I will place a copy of JSP950 Leaflet 6-7-7 (August 2024) in the Library of the House.
What recent progress his Department has made on launching the Families Hub.
The Families Hub launched on 26 February 2025. The Hub is an online information portal for Armed Forces families and personnel, designed to help them navigate Service life. It signposts users to support, organisations, policies and guidance on issues such as childcare, health and wellbeing, housing, partner support and finance. The Hub aims to provide the Service community, particularly families, with a single, easily accessible source of relevant information so that they are better equipped to understand their options and make informed decisions on how they manage Service life as a family. The Hub can be accessed at: https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/families/