Written questions by Cartlidge.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of installing a passenger lift at Marks Tey station.

This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Marks Tey has step free access to all platforms but not between platforms. It was nominated for the Access for All programme but is not among the next tranche of stations selected for feasibility studies by the previous Government. If any passenger is unable to use the station, they should contact Greater Anglia who will arrange alternative transport at no additional cost.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 November to Question 11947 on Armed Forces: Private Education, whether the decision to not offer any exemptions from the VAT policy for service families included an assessment of the exemption of US personnel whose children attend British independent schools.

The Government greatly values the contribution of our serving military personnel. The Ministry of Defence has increased the funding allocated to the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) to account for the impact of any private school fee increases on the proportion of fees covered by the CEA in line with how the allowance normally operates. The changes mean that UK military families with a child at a mainstream boarding school can now claim over £30,000 per year. US personnel do not receive funding from the UK Government for their school places. They can only claim back the VAT element of fees, under a scheme that entitles UK military personnel to reciprocal reliefs when visiting other NATO countries. The NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) means that visiting NATO personnel have access to Visiting Forces Relief (VFR), for example the VAT free purchase scheme which provides relief on goods and services to US personnel in the UK.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Defence Attaché network for engaging with overseas partners.

The effectiveness of the Defence Attaché (DA) network is subject to continuous assessment through diplomatic feedback, and operational impact reviews and the intelligence reporting received from the host nation. The outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review have the potential to see the expansion and growth of the DA network, thereby having an intrinsic link to its level of effectiveness. Recent assessments indicate that the DA network continues to play a critical role in strengthening strategic alliances, enhancing interoperability with key allies and partners, facilitating defence exports, and advancing bilateral agreements.

Whether he has had recent discussions with his French counterpart on the acquisition of additional Aster missiles for use by the Royal Navy.

Whilst the Secretary of State for Defence has not met recently with the French Defence Minister, negotiations to purchase Aster 30 have concluded and a Contract placement is expected imminently.

What recent progress he has made on replenishing stocks of all types of Aster missile in use by the Royal Navy.

Negotiations to purchase Aster 30 have concluded and a Contract placement, via the multi-national procurement agency OCCAR, is expected imminently. The shorter-range Aster 15 munition is being phased out under the replacement programme Sea Viper CAMM.

Whether he plans to expand the Defence Attaché network.

The Ministry of Defence remains committed to strengthening our global defence partnerships and ensuring our national security interests are well represented abroad. Whilst we carefully prioritise locations where a greater presence will have the most impact, the outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and subsequent Spending Review will have a direct impact on Defence’s desire to expand the Diplomatic Network. 2024 saw the assignment of a residentially accredited Defence Attaché to a newly established Defence Section in Montevideo (Uruguay). Whilst in 2025, Defence Sections in Baku (Azerbaijan) and Yerevan (Armenia) are scheduled to open. Expansion of the Defence Attaché network aligns with our broader foreign and security objectives, ensuring we are well-positioned with allies and partners to respond to emerging threats and evolving geopolitical challenges.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 25988 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, how much has been spent on the Chagos Islands negotiations by his Department.

The costs to which I referred in the Answer to Question 25988 have not been centrally aggregated between Departments or within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The negotiations began in 2022, and to identify the costs would incur disproportionate expense.

If she will make an estimate of the total net fiscal impact of no longer paying fees associated with EU membership on overall UK public expenditure.

The Government has no overall estimate of the impact of the UK’s exit from the EU on public finances and it is not possible to accurately estimate the UK’s hypothetical contributions to the EU had it remained a Member State. As part of the Withdrawal Agreement with the EU, the UK agreed the Financial Settlement, which is a methodology for settling pre-existing UK financial obligations to the EU. The European Union Finances Statement 2023 (available in the library of the House and on Gov.uk) sets out HM Treasury’s estimates of the size of these obligations. As at December 2023, the UK is estimated to have paid £23.8bn (€27.4bn) in net liabilities to date as part of the EU financial settlement. Estimated UK outstanding net liabilities as of December 2023 were £6.4bn (€7.4bn).In the next iteration of the EU Finances Statement, expected in Spring 2025, HM Treasury will publish details of UK payments under the Financial Settlement in 2024 and its latest estimate for outstanding UK liabilities as at 31st December 2024.

What proportion of his Department's expenditure was with SMEs in (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25 financial years.

The proportion of the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) procurement expenditure that goes to Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises is published annually as part of the MOD Regional Expenditure Statistics MOD regional expenditure with industry: index - GOV.UK For Financial Year (FY) 2022-23 5% (£1.4 billion) of the Department’s procurement spend went to SMEs. The figure for FY 2023-24 was 4% (£1.3 billion). Figures for FY 2024-25 are expected to be published in November 2025.

What steps he is taking to help improve the efficiency of procurement supply chains.

As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, we will reform the Ministry of Defence procurement and acquisition processes to ensure we deliver the capabilities defence requires now and in the future, whilst reducing waste, supporting growth and ensuring compliance with our obligations under our international trade agreements. Coupled with this, the Defence Supply Chain Capability Programme is starting to deliver on the Government’s intent to create a bigger, better and more innovative and resilient Defence industrial sector supporting UK security and driving economic growth.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the time taken for his Department to process invoices for contracted work by SMEs in the defence sector.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring its suppliers of all sizes are paid what they are owed promptly. The department aims to pay 90% of undisputed and valid invoices from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within five days. We are exceeding this target, in the last quarter of this financial year, over 95% of invoices have been paid within this timescale. Additionally, 100% of all undisputed and valid invoices should be paid within 30 days. Information relating to the department's supplier payment performance can be found at the gov.uk website.

What steps he is taking to ensure that his Department pays contracted defence companies on time.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring its suppliers of all sizes are paid what they are owed promptly. The department aims to pay 90% of undisputed and valid invoices from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within five days. We are exceeding this target, in the last quarter of this financial year, over 95% of invoices have been paid within this timescale. Additionally, 100% of all undisputed and valid invoices should be paid within 30 days. Information relating to the department's supplier payment performance can be found at the gov.uk website.

What his policy is on maintaining a military presence in the Kingdom of Brunei.

This Government is committed to maintaining our unique defence relationship with Brunei. His Majesty, the Sultan of Brunei, and the Prime Minister signed the five-yearly renewal of the Garrison Agreement in December 2024, which signals His Majesty the Sultan's wish to maintain British military presence in Brunei.

If she will make an estimate of the total net fiscal impact of no longer paying fees associated with EU membership on overall UK public expenditure in each remaining financial year this Parliament.

The Government has no overall estimate of the impact of the UK’s exit from the EU on public finances and it is not possible to accurately estimate the UK’s hypothetical contributions to the EU had it remained a Member State. As part of the Withdrawal Agreement with the EU, the UK agreed the Financial Settlement, which is a methodology for settling pre-existing UK financial obligations to the EU. The European Union Finances Statement 2023 (available in the library of the House and on Gov.uk) sets out HM Treasury’s estimates of the size of these obligations. As at December 2023, the UK is estimated to have paid £23.8bn (€27.4bn) in net liabilities to date as part of the EU financial settlement. Estimated UK outstanding net liabilities as of December 2023 were £6.4bn (€7.4bn).In the next iteration of the EU Finances Statement, expected in Spring 2025, HM Treasury will publish details of UK payments under the Financial Settlement in 2024 and its latest estimate for outstanding UK liabilities as at 31st December 2024.

How many police officers there have been Suffolk in each financial year since 2019.

The Home Office collects and publishes data on the size of the police workforce in England and Wales on a bi-annual basis in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales.The latest information at the link above covers the situation as at 30 September 2024. Information on the number of police officers, broken down by police force area, at the end of each financial year (31 March) from 2007 to 2024 can be found in the ‘Police Workforce Open Data Table’ here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/669a910da3c2a28abb50d34b/open-data-table-police-workforce-240724.odsData on the police workforce as at 31 March 2025 is due to be published in Summer 2025.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on the relationship between the Kingdom of Brunei and China.

The Secretary of State for Defence has not had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on this matter. The Ministry of Defence has discussed matters relating to the Kingdom of Brunei and the People's Republic of China with other Government Departments including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

If she will make an estimate of the number of police officers in Suffolk in each financial year this Parliament.

The Home Office collects and publishes data on the size of the police workforce in England and Wales on a bi-annual basis in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales.The latest information at the link above covers the situation as at 30 September 2024. Information on the number of police officers, broken down by police force area, at the end of each financial year (31 March) from 2007 to 2024 can be found in the ‘Police Workforce Open Data Table’ here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/669a910da3c2a28abb50d34b/open-data-table-police-workforce-240724.odsData on the police workforce as at 31 March 2025 is due to be published in Summer 2025.

What discussions he has had with the new US Administration on NATO defence spending levels.

The Defence Secretary held an introductory call with the US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on 31 January 2025. The Defence Secretary welcomed that 23 Allies are now hitting the 2% target but both discussed the need for all Allies to do more – to support Ukraine, tackle shared threats and safeguard the Alliance’s future. The Defence Secretary looked forward to meeting Secretary Hegseth at NATO Defence Ministers.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 25988 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, how much and what proportion of spend to date on the Chagos Islands negotiations will be borne by the (a) his Department and (b) the Ministry of Defence.

Costs, including those of staffing, legal counsel, travel and accommodation and other expenses arising from the negotiations have been incorporated into the budgets of those Departments involved in the negotiations. There has been no central aggregation of those costs.To go back over costs and expenses for the last three years in different parts of FCDO, different finance systems, and data that would have to be manually checked would exceed reasonable costs.

If he will make an estimate of the total financial remuneration for Non-Executive Directors in (a) his Department, (b) Defence Equipment & Support, (c) the Atomic Weapons Establishment and (d) all other connected agencies for financial year 2024-25.

The estimated financial remuneration for financial year 2024-25 for the Department’s public appointments (which includes a range of roles including non-executive board members, statutory officeholders and expert committee members, etc) is as follows: a) Departmental - £1,270,920 (95 roles)b) Defence Equipment & Support - £318,000 (7 roles)c) Atomic Weapons Establishment - £359,965 (8 roles)d) All other connected agencies - £1,305,257 (55 roles)