Written questions by Cartlidge.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 155 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of the Department’s timetable for reaching expenditure of 2.5% of GDP on defence on (a) infrastructure investment required to support and (b) other aspects of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.

How much his Department has spent on the (a) Future Combat Air System and (b) Global Combat Air Programme in the current financial year.

The UK has invested around £223 million during this financial year in the Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme and the associated Team Tempest R&D programme.

Whether it is his policy to inform Parliament of deferments to planned expenditures on major programmes within the financial year where they occur.

The Government, across all Departments, is currently undertaking a Spending Review and will set out its approach to the House in due course.

How much his Department has spent on the (a) Future Combat Air System and (b) Global Combat Air Programme in each financial year from its inception until 2023-24.

Since its inception, the UK has invested over £2 billion already in the Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme and the associated Team Tempest R&D programme.

What assessment he has made of the accuracy of Sea Venom’s certification forecast for 2026.

Sea Venom remains on schedule to be delivered in 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 163 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of the Department’s timetable for reaching expenditure of 2.5% of GDP on defence on upgrades to the existing fleet of Typhoon fighter jets.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 165 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of the Department’s timetable for reaching expenditure of 2.5% of GDP on defence on the development of the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 168 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of the Department’s timetable for reaching expenditure of 2.5% of GDP on defence on the Land Environment Tactical Communications and Information Systems programme.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 143 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of the Department’s timetable for reaching expenditure of 2.5% of GDP on defence on AUKUS.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.

What plans he has to provide funding for SPEAR Cap 3.

The SPEAR 3 programme is currently in the demonstration phase. The next significant milestone is the first Guided Firing, scheduled to take place later this year. Total investment in the SPEAR 3 programme comprises approximately £1.4 billion.

How much his Department expects to spend on the (a) Future Combat Air System and (b) Global Combat Air Programme in the current financial year.

The UK expects to invest over £1.3 billion in the Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme and the associated Team Tempest R&D programme, in the current financial year.

If he will publish the non-commercially sensitive details of his Department’s Portfolio Management Agreement with MBDA.

Non-commercially sensitive details of the Ministry of Defence’s Portfolio Management Agreement with MBDA have been announced. There are no plans to publish further details.

What plans he has to provide funding for Sea Viper’s enhancement.

The enhancement of Sea Viper is named Sea Viper Evolution, which includes upgrades to the Type 45 Destroyer's Multi-Function Radar, Combat Management System (CMS), Weapon Command and Control (C2), and the Aster 30 missile. The first stage, called Capability 1, is in Demonstration and Manufacture Phase as of March 2023. The next stage, called Capability 2, is in Assessment Phase as of June 2023, completing in 2025.Departmental spending plans will be set out in the usual way.

What plans he has to provide funding for FCASW.

Investment in the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship weapon programme is continuing under an on-going assessment phase contract with MBDA, forming a key part of the recently agreed complex weapons Portfolio Management Agreement 2.

How much spending on the (a) Future Combat Air System and (b) Global Combat Air Programme he plans to defer from the current financial year.

The UK expects to invest over £1.3 billion in the Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme and the associated Team Tempest R&D programme, in the current financial year.

If he will list the underspends within (a) his Department and (b) each of its arms length bodies in (i) this financial year and (ii) across the Spending Review period.

The Department’s financial outturn is set out in the published Annual Report and Accounts. Figures for 2024-25 will be made available in next year’s Annual Report and Accounts following the end of the financial year. For individual Arms Length Bodies (ALB) underspends, ALBs are responsible for producing their own Annual Report and Accounts and these are available in the public domain. The ALBs within the boundary of Ministry of Defence are listed in the Departmental Annual Report and Accounts.

Whether he plans to (a) implement and (b) cancel efficiency savings budgeted for by the previous Government for (i) his Department and (ii) departmental arm's length bodies; and what plans she has for further such efficiency savings.

Plans for future efficiency savings across the Department will be considered as part of the Spending Review.

What plans he has to give the Chief of the Defence Staff new authority.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

What steps he is taking to ensure that officials in his Department have a stronger voice across Government.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

How he plans to establish a Military Strategic Headquarters.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.