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 2,901–2,920 of 3,016 · Ministry of Defence
What steps he has taken 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.
What steps he is taking to establish new strategic leadership in procurement.
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 give more influence to his Department’s civil service.
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 his Department is taking to reset relations (a) with the Treasury, (b) with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and (c) within Whitehall.
The Ministry of Defence works closely with other Government Departments, including HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, on a range of issues. The Secretary of State for DEfence and the Foreign Secretary have already held a joint briefing on Ukraine and NATO for MPs. The terms of reference for the Strategic Defence Review outlines the reviewers will consult widely with stakeholders, including across Whitehall, particularly HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, on areas where they support Defence.
How many jobs are (a) directly and (b) indirectly linked to munitions production.
This Government recognises the vital role defence plays not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the United Kingdom. The most recent estimates show that in 2021-22, MOD spent £950 million in the Weapons and Ammunition industry which supported an estimated 5,200 industry wide jobs in the UK. This included 2,700 direct jobs specifically in the Weapons and Ammunition sector and a further 2,500 indirect jobs across all industry sectors to deliver end products and service requirements. Updated jobs figures for 2022-23 will be published later this year.
How he plans to assess the performance of service chiefs two years after their appointment.
The Secretary of State for Defence, supported by the Permanent Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Staff, regularly takes stock of the performance of the Service Chiefs.
If he plans to provide an additional £10bn of funding for munitions replenishment over the next ten years.
Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of munitions stockpiles for each of the Front Line Commands.
Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.
Whether he is taking steps to ensure that the volume of his Department's munitions orders from the UK armaments industry delivers a level of output that sustains warfighting levels of production over the Parliament.
Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.
Whether he has set targets for the replenishment of munitions stocks in (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy, (c) the Royal Air Force and (d) Strategic Command.
Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.
If he will have discussions with UK armaments manufacturers about the adequacy of the munitions stockpile.
Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.
What steps he is taking to ensure clear strategic authority over the capability of the armed forces.
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 assessment he has made of the potential effect of changes to the timing of defence spending being 2.5 per cent of GDP on the UK’s stock of MBDA-manufactured missile systems.
The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the capabilities we need to counter the growing, and diversifying, threats Britain is facing in the 21st century.
What the remuneration package of the National Armaments Director will be.
To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through 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 (NAD). Advice and recommendations on potential changes to the NAD role are being scoped for consideration. Further detail will be made available in due course.The current NAD's salary is routinely published in the Defence Equipment and Support Annual Report and Accounts.
Whether he plans to improve his Department’s acquisition system.
The Strategic Defence Review launched on 16 July 2024 will determine the reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. In doing so it will consider the approach taken to acquisition and support to deliver required capabilities in a timely way, secure the best possible value for money and leverage rapidly changing technology.
What estimate he has made of the cost of establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters within his Department.
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 estimate he has made of how many (a) officials and (b) military personnel will be required to (i) deliver and (ii) staff a Military Strategic Headquarters within his Department.
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.
With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, what estimate he has made of increases in the number of (a) drones and (b) other uncrewed systems available to the Ukrainian armed forces resulting from the new funding arrangements.
The UK is committed to increasing the quantity and quality of drones being provided to Ukraine, through national and international partnerships for example through the UK co-lead Drone Capability Coalition. We will deliver over 10,000 drones (both aerial and maritime) to Ukraine this financial year, with deliveries well underway. Due to rapid battlefield changes, these drones are being procured and iterated rapidly using the Ministry of Defence’s annual £3 billion of support to Ukraine, rather than the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal.
With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, if he will take steps to ensure that a proportion of the additional funding for export finance to Ukraine is provided to small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK defence and security sector.
The UK/Ukraine Defence Industrial Support Treaty signed on 19 July 2024 enables Ukraine to access export financing to procure defence capability from UK companies. It is for Ukraine to decide their priorities for that financing with the agreement of HMG, and there will be opportunities for UK companies of all sizes to benefit. This includes Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the supply chain, reflecting the significant contribution that SMEs make to a robust, resilient and innovative supply chain and wider UK prosperity.
What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the report by the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing entitled Homes unfit for heroes: The poor condition of armed forces accommodation and what needs to change, published in April 2024.
The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.