Written questions by Cartlidge.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 34902 on Uncrewed Systems: Procurement, whether he has plans to change the process for issuing Defence Infrastructure Organisation licenses for the use of uncrewed systems on the defence estate.

Anyone wishing to apply for a licence to use Uncrewed Systems on the Defence Estate should contact the local Defence Infrastructure Organisation Office. Officials will engage with the relevant Head of Establishment to determine availability of the site and any security restrictions. If the proposed use is considered acceptable, Officials will engage with the originator to issue a licence for which there would be a charge. There are no plans to change this process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 33951 on Joint Expeditionary Force, if he will publish a summary of his discussions with his Norwegian counterpart on (a) 19-20 February 2025 and (b) 27 February 2025.

Pursuant to my Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 33951, the Secretary of State for Defence discussed future plans for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) with his Norwegian Counterpart during his visit to Norway on 19 - 20 February; in particular, third-party engagement through the JEF + concept. As the Joint Statement on Enhanced Defence Co-operation between the UK and Norway (published during the course of the visit) states, the UK and Norway will step up our commitment to work together to strengthen Euro-Atlantic Security, including through the Joint Expeditionary Force. The meeting of JEF Defence Ministers on 27 February 2025 discussed the situation in Ukraine.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 33524 on Strategic Defence Review, what the cost envelope will for the Strategic Defence Review.

The Prime Minister has confirmed plans to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and set an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament. The Strategic Defence Review is looking at the threats we face and the capabilities we need, within the funding available.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 34902 on Uncrewed Systems: Procurement, what the process is for issuing a Defence Infrastructure Organisation license for the use of uncrewed systems on the defence estate.

Anyone wishing to apply for a licence to use Uncrewed Systems on the Defence Estate should contact the local Defence Infrastructure Organisation Office. Officials will engage with the relevant Head of Establishment to determine availability of the site and any security restrictions. If the proposed use is considered acceptable, Officials will engage with the originator to issue a licence for which there would be a charge. There are no plans to change this process.

Whether the Strategic Defence Review will include capability annexes for each of the single services.

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. The SDR has been considering all aspects of Defence, including the major features of the force structure needed to create the necessary integrated all-domain Defence capability of the future.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 33511 on Intelligence Services: Departmental Responsibilities, whether funding for intelligence security services will be taken from his Department's budget.

There are no plans for funding to be taken from the Ministry of Defence for the use of the Intelligence and Security services. The Prime Minister has outlined plans to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027, and set an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next Parliament.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 33946 on Ministry of Defence: Public Appointments, when he plans to advertise for the National Armaments Director.

The National Armaments Director will have significant experience in leading and transforming large organisations, and the ability to build strong, influential partnerships across the globe. We have therefore benchmarked the salary against Defence industry best practice and standards to offer a competitive remuneration package to attract the right candidate with the right skills. The recruitment process for the role has begun, with a search for candidates underway. The application window for the post will open imminently, and the salary will be published alongside the advert.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports that pension funds have chosen not to categorise investments in defence companies as ethical.

We are rightly proud of our world-leading defence industry and recognise the vital role it will play in rising to the challenge of our more dangerous and contested world. The Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, published in December last year, identified the ‘crowding-in’ of private sector investment as critical to the Government’s agenda to grow our economy and strengthen our nation’s defences. We continue to explore how we can create the conditions needed for the private sector to invest more, and proactively, in Defence, consulting with a wide range of defence and financial services stakeholders.

What discussions he has had with his US counterpart on sharing US-derived intelligence with the Government of Ukraine.

The Defence Secretary regularly speaks with his US counterpart, most recently on 6 March 2025, regarding our collective support to Ukraine’s armed forces in response to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion. It is standard practice not to comment on the specifics of intelligence sharing matters.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 33946 on Ministry of Defence: Public Appointments, what the proposed remuneration package for the new National Armaments Director is.

The National Armaments Director will have significant experience in leading and transforming large organisations, and the ability to build strong, influential partnerships across the globe. We have therefore benchmarked the salary against Defence industry best practice and standards to offer a competitive remuneration package to attract the right candidate with the right skills. The recruitment process for the role has begun, with a search for candidates underway. The application window for the post will open imminently, and the salary will be published alongside the advert.

What his target date is for the launch of the Defence Homes website.

Work on a new Military Housing Strategy has begun, with plans for publication in Summer 2025. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) Year three Review of the Future Defence Infrastructure Service Accommodation Contracts has started and is on target to complete by Summer 2025. The target date for the launch of the Defence Homes Website is Spring 2025. The Home Hub Portal will be launched this Spring to a closed user group of 200/300 families. The launch date of a Home Hub Portal with Full Operating Capability to all families will follow at the end of the year, once actions following the closed user group testing have been completed.

Whether he plans to introduce higher minimum standards for energy efficiency for Service Family Accommodation by 2029.

Work on a new Military Housing Strategy has begun, with plans for publication in Summer 2025. This will set out the Ministry of Defence’s intent for energy efficiency in Service Family Accommodation.

Whether he has placed orders for M500 remote operated vehicles for the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy (RN) purchased one M500 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to support the initial capability investigation into autonomous mine hunting concepts leading into Project WILTON in 2015. WILTON informed the capability requirements for the RN's transformation of Mine Countermeasures, under the Mine Hunting Concept (MHC); the first elements of MHC will enter service this year.

What his target date is for the launch of the Home Hub portal.

Work on a new Military Housing Strategy has begun, with plans for publication in Summer 2025. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) Year three Review of the Future Defence Infrastructure Service Accommodation Contracts has started and is on target to complete by Summer 2025. The target date for the launch of the Defence Homes Website is Spring 2025. The Home Hub Portal will be launched this Spring to a closed user group of 200/300 families. The launch date of a Home Hub Portal with Full Operating Capability to all families will follow at the end of the year, once actions following the closed user group testing have been completed.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 34904 on Defence: Procurement, whether the target for direct SME spending will be published separately to the Strategic Defence Review.

The Ministry of Defence is required, along with all other Government Departments, to agree and publish a target for direct spend with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by June 2025. The Department is committed to publishing a stretching but achievable target to meet this requirement. Work on the SME direct spend target is being undertaken separately but in parallel with development of other departmental publications and the spending review.

What his target date is for the completion of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s Year 3 review.

Work on a new Military Housing Strategy has begun, with plans for publication in Summer 2025. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) Year three Review of the Future Defence Infrastructure Service Accommodation Contracts has started and is on target to complete by Summer 2025. The target date for the launch of the Defence Homes Website is Spring 2025. The Home Hub Portal will be launched this Spring to a closed user group of 200/300 families. The launch date of a Home Hub Portal with Full Operating Capability to all families will follow at the end of the year, once actions following the closed user group testing have been completed.

When he plans to conduct the next Learning from Experience exercise into Service Family Accommodation.

The Department has scheduled the next Learning from Experience exercise into Service Family Accommodation this Spring with outcomes available during early Summer.

Whether he plans to continue the implementation of the Damp and Mould Taskforce.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) Damp and Mould Taskforce is scheduled to maintain operations throughout 2025 and 2026. Since the Damp and Mould Taskforce was established in 2023, over 9,000 Service personnel and their families have benefitted from the delivery of damp and mould packages of works. The severity of damp and mould cases being raised now is has reduced from when the Taskforce was first established with circa 3% of reported cases at the most severe level. The DIO will continue its current approach to ensure cases are addressed on a priority basis.

What recent progress he has made on Project CABOT.

Project CABOT is the Royal Navy’s plan to develop remotely operated and autonomous Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities, aiming for a “Digitalisation of the North Atlantic”. Project CABOT was launched on 5 of March 2025, and the Royal Navy is now working with industry, academia, allies and Defence partners to seek out potential technologies that could provide a suitable capability. Scaling of any capability identified under Project CABOT is dependent on the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

How many Joint Office Areas are operational in the United Kingdom.

Currently, 15 Joint Office Areas are operational in the United Kingdom. The Ministry of Defence continues to review the number to ensure we best support the families we serve. Currently, there are 120 Housing Officers and 16 Senior Housing Officers employed by Pinnacle on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.