Written questions by Cartlidge.

What steps he is taking to ensure that officials in his Department have a stronger voice across Government.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

How he plans to establish a Military Strategic Headquarters.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

How many jobs are (a) directly and (b) indirectly linked to munitions production.

This Government recognises the vital role defence plays not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the United Kingdom. The most recent estimates show that in 2021-22, MOD spent £950 million in the Weapons and Ammunition industry which supported an estimated 5,200 industry wide jobs in the UK. This included 2,700 direct jobs specifically in the Weapons and Ammunition sector and a further 2,500 indirect jobs across all industry sectors to deliver end products and service requirements. Updated jobs figures for 2022-23 will be published later this year.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of munitions stockpiles for each of the Front Line Commands.

Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.

What steps he has taken to establish a Military Strategic Headquarters.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

Whether he is taking steps to ensure that the volume of his Department's munitions orders from the UK armaments industry delivers a level of output that sustains warfighting levels of production over the Parliament.

Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.

Whether he has set targets for the replenishment of munitions stocks in (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy, (c) the Royal Air Force and (d) Strategic Command.

Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.

If he will have discussions with UK armaments manufacturers about the adequacy of the munitions stockpile.

Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.

What steps he is taking to establish new strategic leadership in procurement.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

What steps he is taking to give more influence to his Department’s civil service.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to reset relations (a) with the Treasury, (b) with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and (c) within Whitehall.

The Ministry of Defence works closely with other Government Departments, including HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, on a range of issues. The Secretary of State for DEfence and the Foreign Secretary have already held a joint briefing on Ukraine and NATO for MPs. The terms of reference for the Strategic Defence Review outlines the reviewers will consult widely with stakeholders, including across Whitehall, particularly HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, on areas where they support Defence.

What estimate he has made of how many (a) officials and (b) military personnel will be required to (i) deliver and (ii) staff a Military Strategic Headquarters within his Department.

To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.

How he plans to assess the performance of service chiefs two years after their appointment.

The Secretary of State for Defence, supported by the Permanent Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Staff, regularly takes stock of the performance of the Service Chiefs.

If he plans to provide an additional £10bn of funding for munitions replenishment over the next ten years.

Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, if he will take steps to ensure that a proportion of the additional funding for export finance to Ukraine is provided to small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK defence and security sector.

The UK/Ukraine Defence Industrial Support Treaty signed on 19 July 2024 enables Ukraine to access export financing to procure defence capability from UK companies. It is for Ukraine to decide their priorities for that financing with the agreement of HMG, and there will be opportunities for UK companies of all sizes to benefit. This includes Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the supply chain, reflecting the significant contribution that SMEs make to a robust, resilient and innovative supply chain and wider UK prosperity.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, whether any (a) goods and (b) services are excluded from the funding arrangement.

More than two years since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK continues to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.£3.5 billion is the total capacity UK Export Finance (UKEF) has to support transactions with Ukraine. It is already in place for support for eligible transactions, including any future transactions entered into under the new treaty. All transactions are subject to UKEF’s regular due diligence and approvals processes.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, what his planned timetable is for making the additional finance available.

More than two years since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK continues to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.£3.5 billion is the total capacity UK Export Finance (UKEF) has to support transactions with Ukraine. It is already in place for support for eligible transactions, including any future transactions entered into under the new treaty. All transactions are subject to UKEF’s regular due diligence and approvals processes.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, whether that funding is additional funding on top of pre-existing levels of export finance support from the UK to Ukraine.

More than two years since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK continues to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.£3.5 billion is the total capacity UK Export Finance (UKEF) has to support transactions with Ukraine. It is already in place for support for eligible transactions, including any future transactions entered into under the new treaty. All transactions are subject to UKEF’s regular due diligence and approvals processes.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, whether the finance provided will be subject to UK Export Finance’s Transition Export Development Guarantee.

UK Export Finance's Export Development Guarantee product helps companies who export from, or plan to export from the UK, access high value loan facilities for general working capital or capital expenditure purposes. The risk associated with this product remains centred in the UK, and consequently does not impact UKEF’s market limit for Ukraine.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, what percentage of UK- (a) manufactured and (b) originated content will be required for (i) goods and (ii) services purchased under the arrangement to qualify for support.

More than two years since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK continues to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.£3.5 billion is the total capacity UK Export Finance (UKEF) has to support transactions with Ukraine. It is already in place for support for eligible transactions, including any future transactions entered into under the new treaty. All transactions are subject to UKEF’s regular due diligence and approvals processes.