Written questions by Cartlidge.

What the percentage increase for Single Living Accommodation charges was for grades (a) 1, (b) 2, (c) 3 and (d) 4 in each year since 2010.

The requested information is provided in the following table: Percentage Increase (Single Living Accommodation)YearGrade 1Grade 2Grade 3Grade 420101.20.80.4020111.40.90.5020122.91.91.0020133.72.51.2020142.21.50.7020152.81.90.9020163.22.11.10201710.670.33020180.60.40.2020190.60.40.2020200.80.530.27020211.71.130.57020221% cap and tiered/graduated uplift to these charges with smallest increase applied to lowest standard20234.531.5020246420 Note: all percentage increases were recommended by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body. The latest (2024) recommendation was accepted by the previous administration.

If he will make an estimate of the number of jobs created by Team Hersa.

Since the creation of Team Hersa and Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Directed Energy Weapons Demonstrator Programme in 2020, the MOD estimate is that 49 jobs have been created.

If he will make an estimate of the number of supply chain jobs supported by the work of Team Hersa.

Since the creation of Team Hersa and the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Directed Energy Weapons Demonstrator Programme in 2020, the MOD estimate is that 249 supply chain jobs have been supported.

Whether his Department has written to defence contractors to seek efficiency savings.

Senior officials continue to engage with our strategic suppliers on how we can drive efficiency into our contracts and ensure we deliver the Defence programme affordably.

What the annual increase for furniture charges was in Single Living Accommodation in each year since 2010.

There is no separate charge for furniture in Single Living Accommodation.

If he will make an estimate of the number of supply chain jobs supported by his Department’s contract with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.

It is estimated the current live Ministry of Defence contracts with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd to deliver TYCHE to orbit have supported approximately 100 jobs in the direct supply chain.

Whether his Department plans to continue its support for the Minerva satellite project.

The Ministry of Defence's development of space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance continues with Minerva providing game-changing innovation and technology for this programme. The Strategic Defence Review will guide future capability development priorities, to ensure the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad - now and for the years to come.

How many UK-based jobs are (a) directly and (b) indirectly linked to the Global Combat Air Programme.

There are over 3,500 personnel working directly on Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) in the UK across Ministry of Defence and our industry partners; BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK and MBDA UK.These partners are supported by hundreds of organisations, including SMEs and academic institutions, spread across the UK. Major combat air industrial hubs in the north-west and south-west of England, and Edinburgh are supporting the development of the advanced skills base and industrial technologies right across the country.

How much he plans to spend on defence research and development in (a) this financial year and (b) the next four financial years.

The Chancellor has confirmed a challenging in year deficit across all Departments. A spending review process is underway. Departmental spending plans will be set out in the usual way.

What estimate he has made of how many UK-based supply chain jobs are supported by DSTL’s AI programme.

Dstl does not have a mechanism to record the number of jobs supported (either exclusively or in part) by its suppliers or through the lower tiers of the supply chain.

How many people are employed by DSTL’s Air Systems programme.

Dstl delivers science and technology for its customers in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and across Government, working with industry, academia and Government to ensure the UK has the right capabilities for defence and security. An overview of Dstl’s Science and Technology (S&T) Programmes can be found on its website, highlighting the wide range of expertise within the organisation. This breadth of knowledge allows expertise to be diverted, as required, to support dedicated programme technical teams to deliver its S&T Programmes. Information relating to Dstl’s workforce is routinely published in its Annual Report and Accounts. Detailed staffing data in respect of the AI programme cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

How many people are employed by DSTL’s AI programme.

Dstl delivers science and technology for its customers in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and across Government, working with industry, academia and Government to ensure the UK has the right capabilities for defence and security. An overview of Dstl’s Science and Technology (S&T) Programmes can be found on its website, highlighting the wide range of expertise within the organisation. This breadth of knowledge allows expertise to be diverted, as required, to support dedicated programme technical teams to deliver its S&T Programmes. Information relating to Dstl’s workforce is routinely published in its Annual Report and Accounts. Detailed staffing data in respect of the AI programme cannot be provided in the interests of National Security.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 162 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of the Department’s timetable for reaching expenditure of 2.5% of GDP on defence on the delivery of Shadow MK1 fleet.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 135 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of his Department’s timetable for reaching expenditure of 2.5% of GDP on defence on funding for enablers relating to replenishment of the munitions stockpile.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 135 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of his Department’s timetable for reaching expenditure of 2.5% of GDP on defence on the (a) defence industry and (b) ability of the defence industry to achieve always-on production for (i) artillery shells, (ii) core munitions, (iii) ground-based air defence and (iv) missiles for air and naval use.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 135 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of his Department’s timetable for reaching expenditure of 2.5% of GDP on defence on economic growth.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 136 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of the Department’s timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on the resources available to Defence Equipment and Support.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 138 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of the Department’s timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on the procurement of a new mobile fires platform.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 139 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of the Department’s timetable for reaching expenditure of 2.5% of GDP on the procurement of (a) new deep fires munitions and (b) associated enablers.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 140 on Defence: Expenditure, whether the future fiscal event will cover the potential impact of the Department’s timetable for reaching expenditure of 2.5% of GDP on the procurement of directed energy weapons.

The pathway to 2.5% will set the overall envelope for Defence spending. Funding for specific programmes is considered as part of the Department’s annual budget setting process.