Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled, Government launches Back British industry call to action to boost UK jobs, businesses and skills, published on 23 October 2025, whether any new staff will be recruited as part of the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth.

The Office for Small Business Growth will work collaboratively with other Ministry of Defence and Government organisations, including the Department for Business and Trade Growth Hubs, Regional Defence and Security Clusters, trade associations, strategic partners and other suppliers to bring coherence to the total support offering available to SMEs seeking to work in defence as well as non-traditional suppliers that may have offerings for a Defence application.The exact detail of how the Office will operate, including staffing options, is currently under development. Further detail of how the service will be led and resourced will be released shortly with the aim to deliver a modern, digitally-enabled and user-centric service.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled, Government launches Back British industry call to action to boost UK jobs, businesses and skills, published on 23 October 2025, how many staff will be employed as part of the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth.

The Office for Small Business Growth will work collaboratively with other Ministry of Defence and Government organisations, including the Department for Business and Trade Growth Hubs, Regional Defence and Security Clusters, trade associations, strategic partners and other suppliers to bring coherence to the total support offering available to SMEs seeking to work in defence as well as non-traditional suppliers that may have offerings for a Defence application.The exact detail of how the Office will operate, including staffing options, is currently under development. Further detail of how the service will be led and resourced will be released shortly with the aim to deliver a modern, digitally-enabled and user-centric service.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled, Government launches Back British industry call to action to boost UK jobs, businesses and skills, published on 23 October 2025, what proportion of manufacturing will a winning international partner of a UK defence contract be required to deliver in the UK.

As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy's commitment to backing British businesses, we launched a public consultation on a possible UK offset policy on 23 October 2025. The consultation seeks input on key principles for implementation, including on the nature and level of obligations. It is essential that any offset policy is explored and developed in partnership with the defence sector so we should not pre-empt the outcome of this consultation. The hon. Gentlemen is welcome to submit his views to the consultation.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled, Government launches Back British industry call to action to boost UK jobs, businesses and skills, published on 23 October 2025, who will lead the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth.

The Office for Small Business Growth will work collaboratively with other Ministry of Defence and Government organisations, including the Department for Business and Trade Growth Hubs, Regional Defence and Security Clusters, trade associations, strategic partners and other suppliers to bring coherence to the total support offering available to SMEs seeking to work in defence as well as non-traditional suppliers that may have offerings for a Defence application.The exact detail of how the Office will operate, including staffing options, is currently under development. Further detail of how the service will be led and resourced will be released shortly with the aim to deliver a modern, digitally-enabled and user-centric service.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled, Government launches Back British industry call to action to boost UK jobs, businesses and skills, published on 23 October 2025, where the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth will be based.

The Defence Office for Small Business Growth will reflect modern ways of working and will not be restricted by a physical location. Using a networked approach, support will be offered across the country and effective digital tools will enable small businesses to connect with the Office regardless of location. This approach removes a significant barrier to entry for smaller businesses.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled, Government launches Back British industry call to action to boost UK jobs, businesses and skills, published on 23 October 2025, if he will list the skills that an international partner will be required to invest in if a UK defence deal contract is won.

As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy's commitment to backing British businesses, we launched a public consultation on a possible UK offset policy on 23 October. The consultation seeks input on key principles for implementation, including on the nature and level of obligations. It is essential that any offset policy is explored and developed in partnership with the defence sector so we should not pre-empt the outcome of this consultation.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled, Government launches Back British industry call to action to boost UK jobs, businesses and skills, published on 23 October 2025, whether the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth will include service personnel.

The Office for Small Business Growth will work collaboratively with other Ministry of Defence and Government organisations, including the Department for Business and Trade Growth Hubs, Regional Defence and Security Clusters, trade associations, strategic partners and other suppliers to bring coherence to the total support offering available to SMEs seeking to work in defence as well as non-traditional suppliers that may have offerings for a Defence application.The exact detail of how the Office will operate, including staffing options, is currently under development. Further detail of how the service will be led and resourced will be released shortly with the aim to deliver a modern, digitally-enabled and user-centric service.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled, Government launches Back British industry call to action to boost UK jobs, businesses and skills, published on 23 October 2025, what the minimum number of UK based jobs is that the winning international partner of a UK defence contract will be required to provide.

As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy's commitment to backing British businesses, we launched a public consultation on a possible UK offset policy on 23 October. The consultation seeks input on key principles for implementation, including exploring effective ways of applying offset requirements to defence procurement contracts to deliver jobs. It is essential that any offset policy is explored and developed in partnership with the defence sector so we should not pre-empt the outcome of this consultation.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Government launches Back British industry call to action to boost UK jobs, businesses and skills, published on 23 October 2025, which top level budget the Defence Office for Small Business Growth will be allocated to.

The Defence Office for Small Business Growth will be an internal body of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), accountable to the MOD’s Director General Commercial and Industry under the National Armaments Director Group.

Whether he has held discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the availability of state school places for children of armed forces personnel who are relocated during the academic year.

Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials collaborate with colleagues in the Department for Education (DfE) regarding the education of children from Armed Forces families. MOD officials are members of the DfE Admissions Working Group and are presently engaged with the DfE in helping to shape revisions to the 2021 School Admissions Code. The Code already recognises the unique circumstances of Armed Forces families and includes specific provisions to help mitigate disadvantage due to mobility, and the revision will include a focus upon improving Service children’s transition arrangements when they move between schools. In addition, the MOD works with key local authorities and is formally consulted by MOD Local Authority Partnership (MODLAP) admissions authorities when changes to their school admissions arrangements are proposed. Further, this Government plans to extend the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty to more policy areas and across the UK so that Armed Forces personnel and their families will have their unique circumstances legally protected by central and devolved governments for the first time. The Covenant Legal Duty will be extended to cover a broader scope of policy areas, including education.

Whether he has held discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the availability of state school places for children of armed forces personnel.

Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials collaborate with colleagues in the Department for Education (DfE) regarding the education of children from Armed Forces families. MOD officials are members of the DfE Admissions Working Group and are presently engaged with the DfE in helping to shape revisions to the 2021 School Admissions Code. The Code already recognises the unique circumstances of Armed Forces families and includes specific provisions to help mitigate disadvantage due to mobility, and the revision will include a focus upon improving Service children’s transition arrangements when they move between schools. In addition, the MOD works with key local authorities and is formally consulted by MOD Local Authority Partnership (MODLAP) admissions authorities when changes to their school admissions arrangements are proposed. Further, this Government plans to extend the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty to more policy areas and across the UK so that Armed Forces personnel and their families will have their unique circumstances legally protected by central and devolved governments for the first time. The Covenant Legal Duty will be extended to cover a broader scope of policy areas, including education.

What estimate he has made of the average cost of an individual school place in a UK private school for a child of service personnel since the introduction of VAT on school fees.

The Ministry of Defence does not hold information on the average cost of private school places for Service personnel in general. The Department collects data only for those Service personnel in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA); some Service personnel are not eligible to receive CEA despite sending their children to private schools. CEA contributes towards boarding school fees where Service mobility would otherwise disrupt a child’s education. Service parents in receipt of CEA typically pay a 10% contribution towards fees. The overall average cost for an individual school place for a CEA claimant is £2,924 per year since the introduction of VAT on school fees.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of protections in place for British service personnel deployed to Israel to monitor the ceasefire in Gaza.

A small team of UK planning officers, led by a 2* deputy commander, have embedded in the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Israel to ensure that the UK remains integrated into the US-led planning efforts for Gaza post-conflict stability. This team is not monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza. The UK continues to work with international partners to support the Gaza ceasefire to see where the UK can best contribute to the peace process.

If he will publish the rules of engagement for British service personnel deployed to Israel to monitor the ceasefire in Gaza.

A small team of UK planning officers, led by a 2* deputy commander, have embedded in the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Israel to ensure that the UK remains integrated into the US-led planning efforts for Gaza post-conflict stability. This team is not monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza. The UK continues to work with international partners to support the Gaza ceasefire to see where the UK can best contribute to the peace process.

How many British service personnel are deployed to Israel to monitor the ceasefire in Gaza by rank.

A small team of UK planning officers, led by a 2* deputy commander, have embedded in the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Israel to ensure that the UK remains integrated into the US-led planning efforts for Gaza post-conflict stability. This team is not monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza. The UK continues to work with international partners to support the Gaza ceasefire to see where the UK can best contribute to the peace process.

What discussions he has had with (a) NATO allies and (b) European counterparts on the deployment of British service personnel to Israel to monitor the ceasefire in Gaza.

A small team of UK planning officers, led by a 2* deputy commander, have embedded in the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Israel to ensure that the UK remains integrated into the US-led planning efforts for Gaza post-conflict stability. This team is not monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza. The UK continues to work with international partners to support the Gaza ceasefire to see where the UK can best contribute to the peace process.

Whether there is a formal timeframe for the deployment of British service personnel to Israel to monitor the ceasefire in Gaza.

A small team of UK planning officers, led by a 2* deputy commander, have embedded in the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Israel to ensure that the UK remains integrated into the US-led planning efforts for Gaza post-conflict stability. This team is not monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza. The UK continues to work with international partners to support the Gaza ceasefire to see where the UK can best contribute to the peace process.

Whether he has had discussions with (a) NATO allies and (b) his European counterparts on plans to develop a defence space shield to protect British (a) military and (b) communication satellites.

The UK works closely with its NATO and European Allies to improve collective understanding of evolving threats, integrate space more effectively into defence operations, and pursue interoperability and resilience across our space assets and space-based services. In addition to working with partners, the UK continues to invest in its national capabilities, including through the work of UK Space Command and the development of advanced satellite technologies. These efforts are aimed at enhancing Space Domain Awareness strengthening the resilience of critical space assets, and ensuring the UK can respond effectively to emerging threats in the space domain. Working nationally and with Allies and partners, the UK remains committed to maintaining the security and operational integrity of British satellites, as part of a broader strategy to safeguard and ensure we can deter and, if necessary, protect our interests in space.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of protection of British satellites from (a) stalking and (b) disruption.

The Strategic Defenvce Review reinforced this Government's commitment to increasing defence spending and strengthening the UK's space capabilities, with clear recommendations to invest in nationally separable capability to control the domain at a time and place of our choosing, global decision advantage, and space-based sensors to understand and act.Owing to the sensitive nature of UK Space Command's mission and work, we cannot disclose details on its capabilities or assessments on the resilience of UK military space systems.The Ministry of Defence cannot comment on the decisions made by other British satellite manufacturers and operators regarding measures to protect against stalking and disruption.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Groundbreaking Ukraine tech sharing agreement to deliver drones and support jobs, published on 10 September 2025, whether Project Octopus will solely produce interceptor drones.

As part of the groundbreaking new technology sharing agreement with Ukraine, the first project, Octopus, will focus solely on the joint development of an advanced new air defence interceptor drone.