Written questions by Cartlidge.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7495 on Global Combat Air Programme, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) Italy and (b) Japan on the potential merits of the Tempest platform being delivered uncrewed.

AI and autonomous technologies are developing rapidly and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) core platform is being designed to incorporate them as they mature. We assess that pilots will still have a crucial role to play when GCAP comes into service and that their role, and the overall capability of the aircraft, will be augmented substantially by AI and autonomous technologies. For example, extensive use will be made of these technologies to task sensors, triage data, and analyse combat situations more quickly. How and when we incorporate these cutting-edge technologies will be driven by their maturity and ongoing assessments as to what best enables us to fight and win most effectively in highly contested environments.The cost and time to ensure safety, training, and certification of these technologies is being refined through modelling and operational analysis. As the focus is on bringing into service a capability that is initially both piloted and involves substantial AI/autonomous technology, distinct estimates for a crewed versus an uncrewed capability have not been made. The crewed aircraft being developed by the Global Combat Air Programme will operate in a future combat air system that includes uncrewed capabilities. AI and autonomous technology will also be central to the development of these collaborative uncrewed capabilities. Analysis and assessment of procurement options for collaborative uncrewed capabilities to complement Typhoon, F35 and GCAP aircraft is underway. We are in regular discussions with our Italian and Japanese partners on these issues, as together we seek to ensure we are ready to exploit technological opportunities for our joint military and industrial advantage.

What progress he has made on providing a clear demand signal to the UK’s sovereign complex weapons industrial base.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has prioritised long term strategic relationships with our UK sovereign complex weapons industrial base. The MOD has recently signed the PMA2 with MBDA, through which weapon systems design, development, production, and support will be conducted. It presents a significant opportunity to counter current and future threats, providing military capability choice to the UK and Europe. Renewing this partnership for a further 10 years means we can deliver battle-winning equipment to our Armed Forces, while securing thousands of UK jobs and delivering significant savings to the taxpayer. It is an excellent example of the value and importance of long-term strategic collaboration with our industry partners. The MOD is exploring further opportunities for strategic supplier partnerships across the UK Complex Weapons industrial base. The MOD are awaiting the outcome to the Str prior to committing to future demands at this point.

How many artillery shells were procured for Ukraine (a) in 2022, (b) in 2023, (c) from 1 January 2024 to 5 July 2024 and (d) since 5 July 2024.

Since the beginning of the conflict, we have delivered over 490,000 rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine. In February this year, we announced a £245 million munitions package to procure and invigorate supply chains to produce urgently needed ammunition for Ukraine. This Government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as it is needed.

How many long range missiles were procured for Ukraine (a) in 2022, (b) in 2023, (c) from 1 January 2024 to 5 July 2024 and (d) since 5 July 2024.

In May 2023, the UK provided Ukraine with long range Storm Shadow cruise missiles so that Ukraine can better defend its sovereign territory and protect itself from Russia’s deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure. Further details on the number of Storm Shadow cruise missiles provided, or associated delivery schedules, cannot be shared for reasons of operational security. This Government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as it isneeded.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7495 on Global Combat Air Programme, what comparative estimate he has made of the cost of the Tempest platform as a (a) uncrewed and (b) piloted platform.

AI and autonomous technologies are developing rapidly and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) core platform is being designed to incorporate them as they mature. We assess that pilots will still have a crucial role to play when GCAP comes into service and that their role, and the overall capability of the aircraft, will be augmented substantially by AI and autonomous technologies. For example, extensive use will be made of these technologies to task sensors, triage data, and analyse combat situations more quickly. How and when we incorporate these cutting-edge technologies will be driven by their maturity and ongoing assessments as to what best enables us to fight and win most effectively in highly contested environments.The cost and time to ensure safety, training, and certification of these technologies is being refined through modelling and operational analysis. As the focus is on bringing into service a capability that is initially both piloted and involves substantial AI/autonomous technology, distinct estimates for a crewed versus an uncrewed capability have not been made. The crewed aircraft being developed by the Global Combat Air Programme will operate in a future combat air system that includes uncrewed capabilities. AI and autonomous technology will also be central to the development of these collaborative uncrewed capabilities. Analysis and assessment of procurement options for collaborative uncrewed capabilities to complement Typhoon, F35 and GCAP aircraft is underway. We are in regular discussions with our Italian and Japanese partners on these issues, as together we seek to ensure we are ready to exploit technological opportunities for our joint military and industrial advantage.

What steps he is taking with his Polish counterpart to progress the Future Common Missile programme.

As a close ally and partner, we continue to work closely with Poland to progress our relationship in Integrated Air and Missile Defence.

How many helmets were procured for Ukraine (a) in 2022, (b) in 2023, (c) from 1 January 2024 to 5 July 2024 and (d) since 5 July 2024.

Since 2022, we have delivered over 82,000 helmets to Ukraine. We have also provided over 50,000 helmets via Operation Interflex. This government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as it is needed.

How many air defence systems were procured for Ukraine (a) in 2022, (b) in 2023, (c) from 1 January 2024 to 5 July 2024 and (d) since 5 July 2024.

Since February 2022, the UK has provided over 1,800 air defence missiles of various types to Ukraine, including High Velocity Missile (HVM) Starstreak, Martlet Lightweight Multi-Role Missile (LMM), Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) and Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). The UK has also provided hundreds of air defence systems such as Stormer, as well as electronic warfare systems. In addition, the UK led International Fund for Ukraine, has provided over 600 Air Defence systems including radars, electronic warfare systems and counter-uncrewed aerial systems. This government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as it is needed.

What recent progress his Department has made on the Narew UK-Poland missile defence partnership.

Further to finalisation of a contract between Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and MBDA(UK), Polish and UK industry are now delivering the Narew air defence contract worth over £4 billion. The deal was supported by UK Export Finance.

If he will make an estimate of the potential cost to his Department of the Continuity of Education Allowance for financial year (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26, (c) 2026-27, (d) 2027-28 and (e ) 2028-29.

Following the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) in year re-rating exercise, the cost of the allowance for Financial Year 2024-25 is £95 million. The cost for Financial Year 2025-2026 is estimated at £104.4 million (based on current rates and cost). Due to the way the Ministry of Defence carries out its annual CEA rate calculation each summer, ready for the new Academic Year in September, estimates for Financial Years 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29 cannot be provided at this time.

How much his Department plans to spend on (a) upgrading and (b) otherwise maintaining (i) single living accommodation and (ii) service families accommodation in (A) the 2024-25 financial year and (B) each remaining financial year of this Parliament.

The forecast spend for maintaining and improving Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in financial year (FY) 2024-25 is circa £400 million. Of this, circa £131 million is to be spent on improving/upgrading SFA and circa £309 million is to be spent on maintenance. The forecast spend for Single Living Accommodation (SLA) in FY 2024-25 is circa £163 million. Of this, circa £56 million is to be spent on upgrading SLA and circa £107 million is to be spent on maintenance. Funding allocation beyond FY 2024-25 is not yet known and will be dependent on the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

With reference to the Answer of 12 March 2024 to Question 18057, how many such complaints his Department received between (a) 1 January and 31 March, (b) 1 April and 5 July and (c) 6 July and 11 December 2024.

The tables below show the number of reported complaints relating to Service Family Accommodation and Single Living Accommodation between 1 January and 31 March, 1 April and 5 July and 6 July and 11 December 2024. Service Family AccommodationDatesNumber of Complaints01/01/2024 - 31/03/20242,29101/04/2024 - 05/07/20241,78706/07/2024 - 11/12/20242,567Total6,645 Single Living AccommodationDatesNumber of Complaints01/01/2024 - 31/03/20245701/04/2024 - 05/07/20244606/07/2024 - 11/12/2024112Total215

Whether he plans to publish his response to the Strategic Defence Review at the same time as the Spending Review.

The Reviewers will make their final report to the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Defence Secretary in the first half of 2025. The Secretary of State for Defence will subsequently report the Strategic Defence Review to Parliament. Ahead of the final report, the reviewers will report regularly on progress to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Defence Secretary.

How many individual Service Family Accommodation properties will have received new windows (a) between 5 July 2024 and 10 December 2024 and (b) in the remainder of the current financial year.

3,412 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties received a damp and mould treatment between 5 July and 10 December 2024. Data for the remainder of the current Financial Year (FY) cannot be provided as damp and mould is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and the department cannot predict the number of damp and mould reports in the future.Data for windows cannot be provided on its own as windows form part of a wider project which includes the replacement of doors. 998 SFA received replacement windows and doors between 5 July and 10 December 2024. A further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors by the end of FY 2024-25.In addition to the 998 SFA which received new windows and doors as part of a separate project, a further 265 SFA received doors/patio doors during the period 5 July to 10 December 2024. As above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors the end of FY 2024-25.All new window and door projects provide double glazed windows and doors. 1,263 SFA properties received double glazing and as above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new doors and windows by the end of FY 2024-25.298 boilers were installed from 5 July to 10 December 2024.356 additional boilers are due to be installed by the end of FY 2024-25.4,684 new extractor fans were fitted between these dates. Data for the remainder of the current FY cannot be provided as new extractor fans are dealt with on a case by case basis and the department cannot predict the number of new extractor fans that will be required in the future.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 November to Question 11939 on Ministry of Defence: Employers Contributions, if he will list the total cost to his Department from the employer National Insurance Contributions announced in the Autumn Budget for each remaining financial year of this Parliament.

His Majesty's Treasury has confirmed they will provide funding towards the increased cost of National Insurance contributions for the Department.The additional cost of employer National Insurance contributions in future years will be subject to changes in workforce numbers and pay. Budgets beyond next financial year will be subject to the second phase of the Spending Review.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October to Question 1829, on Armed Forces: Housing, how many of the 600 home insulation improvements have (a) been completed before 14 October 2024 and (b) will be completed in the remainder of the financial year.

Of the 600 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) identified for insulation improvements, 491 SFA still have workers onsite with 109 out of the 600 completed. 42 of these were completed by 14 October 2024. All projects are currently expected to be completed before the end of Financial Year (FY) 2024-25. 13 Projects encompassing 1,219 SFA have been completed this FY (976 SFA were completed by 14 October 2024) although some of these SFA will have been completed last FY as projects usually last for a period of six-nine months. seven projects encompassing a further 603 SFA are ongoing - with project completion ranging from 80% to 99%. All are currently expected to be completed by the end of the FY 2024-25. All but one of the remaining long-term empty home refurbishments were completed by 14 October 2024. The remaining home completed and handed over to the Service personnel on 29 November 2024. 4,314 SFA had improvement packages delivered by 14 October 2024. A further 899 damp and mould packages will be carried out over the next few months using existing funding meaning that 8,763 SFA will have received a damp and mould package of work in the last two FY’s.  The damp and mould historic backlog has now been cleared with only emergent and re-emergent cases needing to be addressed. 78 SFA have received heating replacement works this FY, all were completed by 14 October 2024. There are no plans within this FY to upgrade any further heating solutions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October to Question 1829 on Armed Forces: Housing, how many upgraded heating solutions (a) were complete before 14 October 2024 and (b) will be completed in the remainder of the financial year.

Of the 600 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) identified for insulation improvements, 491 SFA still have workers onsite with 109 out of the 600 completed. 42 of these were completed by 14 October 2024. All projects are currently expected to be completed before the end of Financial Year (FY) 2024-25. 13 Projects encompassing 1,219 SFA have been completed this FY (976 SFA were completed by 14 October 2024) although some of these SFA will have been completed last FY as projects usually last for a period of six-nine months. seven projects encompassing a further 603 SFA are ongoing - with project completion ranging from 80% to 99%. All are currently expected to be completed by the end of the FY 2024-25. All but one of the remaining long-term empty home refurbishments were completed by 14 October 2024. The remaining home completed and handed over to the Service personnel on 29 November 2024. 4,314 SFA had improvement packages delivered by 14 October 2024. A further 899 damp and mould packages will be carried out over the next few months using existing funding meaning that 8,763 SFA will have received a damp and mould package of work in the last two FY’s.  The damp and mould historic backlog has now been cleared with only emergent and re-emergent cases needing to be addressed. 78 SFA have received heating replacement works this FY, all were completed by 14 October 2024. There are no plans within this FY to upgrade any further heating solutions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16455 on Nuclear-free Zones: Treaties, whether the proposed treaty with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands will include an exemption for the military base at Diego Garcia from all protocols, with the exception of protocols I and II, of the Treaty of Pelindaba.

With reference to the answers that I provided to questions 16455 and 18117, asked by the Rt Hon Member for Rayleigh and Wickford, the UK’s primary goal throughout negotiations was to protect the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional and international security. For the first time in over 50 years the base will be undisputed and legally secure. Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October to Question 1829, on Armed Forces: Housing, how many of the 200 long-term empty home refurbishments (a) were completed by 14 October 2024 and (b) will be completed in the remainder of the financial year.

Of the 600 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) identified for insulation improvements, 491 SFA still have workers onsite with 109 out of the 600 completed. 42 of these were completed by 14 October 2024. All projects are currently expected to be completed before the end of Financial Year (FY) 2024-25. 13 Projects encompassing 1,219 SFA have been completed this FY (976 SFA were completed by 14 October 2024) although some of these SFA will have been completed last FY as projects usually last for a period of six-nine months. seven projects encompassing a further 603 SFA are ongoing - with project completion ranging from 80% to 99%. All are currently expected to be completed by the end of the FY 2024-25. All but one of the remaining long-term empty home refurbishments were completed by 14 October 2024. The remaining home completed and handed over to the Service personnel on 29 November 2024. 4,314 SFA had improvement packages delivered by 14 October 2024. A further 899 damp and mould packages will be carried out over the next few months using existing funding meaning that 8,763 SFA will have received a damp and mould package of work in the last two FY’s.  The damp and mould historic backlog has now been cleared with only emergent and re-emergent cases needing to be addressed. 78 SFA have received heating replacement works this FY, all were completed by 14 October 2024. There are no plans within this FY to upgrade any further heating solutions.

If he will publish an assessment of the potential impact of VAT on school fees on children of service families who are (a) in receipt of Continuity of Education Allowance and (b) attending an independent school but not in receipt of that Allowance.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) provides Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) to Service personnel to minimise the disruption to their children’s education caused by service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home. Their circumstances must fit within specific regulations as laid out in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 752 (Tri-Service Regulations for Expenses and Allowances), Chapter 14, especially around accompanied service and family mobility. The single Services will monitor the impact on retention in service for those claiming CEA following the introduction of VAT on independent school fees. The Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell (PACCC) will monitor the impact on Service personnel changing schools and withdrawing from CEA. Where a Service person does not meet the eligibility criteria as laid out in JSP 752 and has made a personal choice to use a private school for their child’s education, the MOD is not involved.