Written questions by Cartlidge.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when Ministers from his Department have met representatives of the Maldives Government to discuss the future of the Chagos Islands since 4 July 2024; and which Minister met which representative of the Maldives on each such occasion.

The Foreign Secretary met Maldives Foreign Minister Khaleel at the Commonwealth Heads of Government on 25 October. They discussed a range of issues, including matters relating to the British Indian Ocean Territory. Minister West also spoke with Foreign Minister Khaleel virtually on 14 October and met with the Maldivian High Commissioner on 30 September.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when Ministers from his Department have met representatives of the Chagossian community since 4 July 2024; and which Minister met how many Chagossians on each such occasion.

I have met with members of the Chagossian community twice since 4 July 2024. There are a large number of Chagossian groups in the UK and internationally with a spectrum of views. We will continue efforts to engage the community.

Whether he has instituted a freeze in his Department on new procurement to satisfy Urgent Capability Requirements.

The Department has not been told to put a hold on new procurement in this financial year.

What the potential operational implications are of retiring HMS (a) Albion and (b) Bulwark in March 2025.

The retirement of HMS Albion and Bulwark will not impact the operational programme of the Royal Marines, who continue to deploy globally. Both are currently held at lower readiness having not been to sea since 2023 and 2017 respectively. This Government inherited a position where neither was due to go to sea again before their planned out of service dates of 2033 and 2034. The Royal Marines are supported by the three Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) and RFA ARGUS, which also provides aviation support and can act as a casualty receiving ship. These ships will continue to support amphibious capability until they are succeeded by planned Multi Role Support Ships.

When the Strategic Defence Review will be (a) delivered to Ministers and (b) made available to the public.

As previously announced by the Secretary of State for Defence to the House of Commons, the Reviewers will make their final report to the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Defence in the Spring of 2025. The Secretary of State for Defence will subsequently publish a version of that report to Parliament.

When he plans to publish his Department’s pathway for reaching 2.5% of GDP being spent on Defence; and whether he has made any changes to that timetable since 1 November.

As the Prime Minister has confirmed the path to spending 2.5% of GDP on Defence will be set out in spring 2025.

When he received the External Scrutiny Team Report 2024 into the Reserves as referred to in Section 113a of the Reserve Forces Act 1996; and whether he plans to publish his response.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence received the External Scrutiny Team’s 2024 report on 29 July 2024. We are most grateful to the team for their work. The Ministry of Defence will place their 2024 report in the Library of the House in the next few weeks and will provide a substantive response to the report at the same time.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the retirement of HMS (a) Albion and (b) Bulwark on the capability of the armed forces.

The retirement of HMS Albion and Bulwark will not impact the operational programme of the Royal Marines, who continue to deploy globally. Both are currently held at lower readiness having not been to sea since 2023 and 2017 respectively. This Government inherited a position where neither was due to go to sea again before their planned out of service dates of 2033 and 2034. The Royal Marines are supported by the three Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) and RFA ARGUS, which also provides aviation support and can act as a casualty receiving ship. These ships will continue to support amphibious capability until they are succeeded by planned Multi Role Support Ships.

Whether he plans to commission a Women’s Veterans Strategy.

This Government will always stand up for those who have served our country, and I am leading work across Government and with civil society to look at the best ways to ensure all veterans get access to the support and opportunities they need and deserve. Women are a crucial part of the Armed Forces community, both through the value of their service and their contribution to society as veterans. We do not have any plans to commission a Women Veterans’ Strategy, however we will set out our plans in due course for all veterans in our updated Veterans’ Strategy, which will include a specific section on women.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2024 to Question 16211 on National Grid: Costs of the Western and Eastern Links, whether (a) he and (b) Ofgem is able to provide the estimate requested.

The analysis of an onshore reinforcement (i.e. overhead pylons) for Western Green Link was conducted 16 years ago and cost estimates for alternative options are not available.As the option of an onshore reinforcement for Eastern Green Link 1&2 did not meet the timeline for delivery, it was not progressed to the cost benefit analysis stage. As such, an estimate was not made for that option. Analysis of further stages of Eastern Green Link will be available in the future.

What estimate he has made of the cost of providing a (a) commercial and (b) military solution to alternative jungle training helicopter capability in Brunei.

The department will not comment on alternative options for jungle training due to operational sensitivity.

When he plans to announce financial details of the increase to Continuity of Educational Allowance.

The MOD has now concluded its re-rating exercise for Continuity of Education Allowance. The next iteration of Joint Service Publication 752 (Tri-Service Regulations for Expenses and Allowances), to be released on 1 January 2025, will contain the new rates and is available via the gov.uk portal.

With reference to his statement of 20 November 2024 on Defence Programmes Developments, Official Report columns 287 to 289, if he will publish a tabulated breakdown of the forecast £500m of savings.

The information requested is commercially sensitive and cannot be disclosed at this time.

What the potential operational implications are of retiring RFA (a) Wave Knight and (b) Wave Ruler in March 2025.

RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler were placed into extended readiness by the previous Government, and have not been available for operations since 2022 and 2017 respectively. Therefore, the retirements will have no operational implications.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the retirement of HMS Northumberland on the capability of the armed forces prior to delivery of the first Type 26.

Current and planned force levels are continually assessed to ensure that they are optimised to deliver the tasks His Majesty's Government asks of it, now and in the future. The Royal Navy is carefully managing a Surface Fleet Transition Plan to ensure our highest priority outputs are maintained through the 2020s and into the next decade, as we replace ageing Type 23s with eight of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare ships, the Type 26 frigates. They will be bolstered by five general purpose Type 31 frigates, providing opportunity to project power, support NATO operations and influence globally.

With reference to his statement of 20 November 2024 on Defence Programmes Developments, Official Report columns 287 to 289, which Army ranks will qualify for the £8,000 retention payment.

All qualifying Substantive Regular UK Trained Army Personnel (TAP) soldiers ranking from OR2 (Private) to OR3 (Lance Corporal), entering their third year of service, will receive an Army Retention payment of £8,000.

What the potential operational implications are of retiring HMS Northumberland in March 2025.

The retiring of HMS NORTHUMBERLAND in March 2025 will have no impact on current operations. During her planned refit period, significant structural damage was discovered. This would have taken a major amount of time and financial resource to rectify and offered very limited operational return upon completion. As a result, her refit was judged to be uneconomical. HMS NORTHUMBERLAND and her sister Type 23 frigates will be succeeded by eight Type 26 Anti-Submarine Warfare and five Type 31 General Purpose Frigates. These are already in build and the first will be in service before the end of the decade.

What plans he has for HMS Northumberland after she leaves service.

As yet, no further decisions have been made regarding future disposal plans for HMS NORTHUMBERLAND. As with all decommissioned ships, a full suite of options is being assessed to ensure that the disposal achieves value for money and is policy compliant (safety, environmental and security).

What estimate he has made of the cost of providing a (a) commercial and (b) military solution to provide an alternative firefighting helicopter capability in Cyprus.

The MOD is working at pace through various options to fulfil some short-term capability gaps on Cyprus before the introduction of H-145 from 2026. Capability options will be assessed to ensure that the MOD delivers value for money for the taxpayer.

What estimate he has made of the cost of a military solution of providing an alternative firefighting helicopter capability in Cyprus.

The MOD is working at pace through various options to fulfil some short-term capability gaps on Cyprus before the introduction of H-145 from 2026. Capability options will be assessed to ensure that the MOD delivers value for money for the taxpayer.