Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to page 5 of the report of the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Accommodation entitled Homes unfit for heroes, what estimate he has made of the amount of funding required over this Parliament to comprehensively restore and sustain the provision of service accommodation.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the report entitled Homes unfit for heroes: The poor condition of armed forces accommodation and what needs to change, published by the The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing in April 2024.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the report by the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing entitled Homes unfit for heroes: The poor condition of armed forces accommodation and what needs to change, published in April 2024.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of trends in the level of service family accommodation funding since 2022.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the statement in the report of the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Accommodation that decisions on repairs and maintenance for Service Family Accommodation and Single Living Accommodation are too top-down.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on (a) infrastructure investment required to support and (b) other aspects of the Defence Nuc

The Government remains committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence. This will be dealt with at a future fiscal event. Defence spending plans and consideration of their impact will be assessed as part of the Spending Review and the Strategic Defence Revie...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on AUKUS.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. As set out in the Terms of Reference for the Strategic Defence Review, the UK is committed...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the budget for (a) service family accommodation and (b) single living accommodation.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the procurement of a new mobile fires platform.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the procurement of (a) new deep fires munitions and (b) associated enablers.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on AUKUS.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular meetings with the Prime Minister, and other Cabinet colleagues, on a wide range of defence issues including AUKUS. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also spoken to United States President, Biden and Australian ...

What his policy is on AUKUS.

The Secretary of State for Defence reaffirmed the UK's staunch commitment to AUKUS, during a visit earlier this month to Sheffield Forgemasters with the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles. During the visit, the Secretary...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the Land Environment Tactical Communications and Information Systems programme.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the procurement of directed energy weapons.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on his Department's research and development budget.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on his Department's expenditure plans for the Global Combat Air programme's (a) un-crewed and

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on upgrades to the existing fleet of Typhoon fighter jets.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the delivery of the Shadow Mk1 fleet.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the development of heavy uncrewed ground systems.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the delivery schedule for (a) Type 26 and (b) Type 31 frigates.

The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...