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 2,981–3,000 of 3,016 · Ministry of Defence
Whether it is his policy that the UK will spend at least £3bn on support for Ukraine in each financial year of this Parliament.
Yes. The Ministry of Defence is committed to spending £3 billion a year on military support for Ukraine until 2030-31 or for as long as support is needed.
What steps his Department are taking to ensure veterans are effectively supported to access public services.
This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country. I am working across Government and with civil society to ensure veterans get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. A range of support is in place to help veterans access services, including an accreditation scheme for NHS Trusts and Primary Care Networks across England to ensure they can best support veterans access health care; Government funded housing support for veterans; Armed Forces Champions across the UK’s Job Centre Plus network to help support members of the Armed Forces community into work; and the veterans’ railcard offering discounts on most rail travel.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the time taken to publish a timescale within which the UK will spend 2.5 per cent of its GDP on defence on the morale of armed forces personnel.
This Government is totally 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. Renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve is a priority for this Government. Morale of our Armed Forces is at a record low – the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey published in May 2024 reported that satisfaction with Service life remained at the lowest reported level. In the King's speech the Government announced that we will establish an Armed Forces Commissioner as an independent champion for Service personnel and their families, as a first step to improving Service life.
What his Department's timetable is for ending visa fees for non-UK dependents who have served four or more years in the armed forces.
This Government is committed to scrapping visa fees for non-UK veterans who have served our country for four or more years, and their dependants. The Ministry of Defence has started work with the Home Office to deliver this manifesto commitment.
With reference to the current Prime Minister's announcement of the nuclear triple lock and his statement on the delivery of all future upgrades needed for submarines of 2 June 2024, what is meant by the phrase all future upgrades.
The Government is totally committed to the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, and will take all steps necessary to ensure it remains credible and effective. We are building four new Dreadnought Class submarines to replace the current Vanguard Class and developing a replacement nuclear warhead, while also maintaining our existing stockpile. We are recapitalising critical elements of our supporting infrastructure to modernise our naval bases and manufacturing capabilities to meet future fleet and weapons requirements.
With reference to the current Prime Minister's announcement of the nuclear triple lock and his statement on the delivery of all future upgrades needed for submarines of 2 June 2024, what estimate he has made of the potential cost of the triple lock in relation to all future upgrades of the nuclear deterrent.
The Government is totally committed to the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, and will take all steps necessary to ensure it remains credible and effective. We are building four new Dreadnought Class submarines to replace the current Vanguard Class and developing a replacement nuclear warhead, while also maintaining our existing stockpile. We are recapitalising critical elements of our supporting infrastructure to modernise our naval bases and manufacturing capabilities to meet future fleet and weapons requirements.
Whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including an Indo-Pacific defence strategy in his planned Strategic Review.
The threats we face are growing and diversifying: war in Europe, conflict in the Middle East, and global threats increasing. The review will consider the threats Britain faces and the capabilities needed to meet them. As part of this, the SDR will identify ways to nurture the UK's defence ties to the Indo Pacific region including the delivery of the AUKUS partnership with the US and Australia.
Whether his Department plans to deploy the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific in 2025.
Yes, the Ministry of Defence plans to deploy HMS Prince of Wales to the Indo-Pacific in 2025.
With reference to page 5 of the report of the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Accommodation entitled Homes unfit for heroes, what estimate he has made of the amount of funding required over this Parliament to comprehensively restore and sustain the provision of service accommodation.
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.
If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the report entitled Homes unfit for heroes: The poor condition of armed forces accommodation and what needs to change, published by the The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing 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.
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the UK's ability to contribute to the Joint Expeditionary Force.
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 c...
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on his Department's expenditure plans for the Global Combat Air programme's (a) un-crewed and
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 c...
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on his Department's expenditure plans for the Global Combat Air programme core platform.
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 c...
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on his Department's research and development budget.
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 c...
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the procurement of directed energy weapons.
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 c...
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the procurement of (a) new deep fires munitions and (b) associated enablers.
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 c...
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the procurement of a new mobile fires platform.
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 c...
Whether the Strategic Defence Review will conclude in its entirety before the next Spending Review commences.
The Strategic Defence Review will report in the first half of 2025. The timing of the next Spending Review will be announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in due course.
By what date he expects UK defence spending to have reached 2.5 per cent of GDP.
The Government is totally committed to setting out the path 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.
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the replenishment of the munitions stockpile.
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 c...