Written questions by Glen.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that the (a) financial and (b) related professional services industry is represented on the Defence Industrial Joint Council.

The Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) aims to harness a wide and diverse set of expertise to shape the future of Britain's defence manufacturing, supply chain and innovation. The DIJC's top-level council is comprised of experts from across the sector, including representatives from the finance and investor community (Kerry Baldwin, IQ Capital and Dame Fiona Murray, NATO Innovation Fund). The membership of the DIJC runs on a principle of rotation, with all appointments for an initial tenure of 12 months. The financial sector will have opportunities for participation in DIJC initiatives as these are stood up. The DIJC has strong links through its membership to the CBI-led Defence Economic Growth Taskforce, an initiative that is mobilising defence and finance leaders, to shape the UK's future prosperity and is co-chaired by the Chancellor and Defence Secretary.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2025 to Question 33375 on Environment Protection: Finance, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) divestment and (b) the UK green finance framework on (i) the economic viability of the UK defence industry and (ii) defence procurement costs.

This Government is clear that we see no conflict between sustainable investment and investment in our world-leading defence sector. The new Defence Industrial Strategy will align the UK’s economic and security priorities and unlock the potential of every region and nation across the UK. This will include creating the conditions needed for the private sector to invest more, and pro-actively, in the defence sector. The Trade Association ADS’s first Defence Environment, Social and Governance Charter Report highlighted the positive contribution that the defence industry is making to supporting our environment and our communities.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of divestment in the UK defence industry as a consequence of (a) the Paris Climate Agreement and (b) UK Climate Transition Benchmarks.

We have not carried out an assessment into the impacts of divestment in the UK’s Defence Industry due to (a) the Paris Climate Agreement and (b) UK Climate Transition Benchmarks. This is because we see no conflict between investment in Defence and sustainable investment. The Defence Industrial Strategy - Statement of Intent, published in December 2024, identified the mobilisation of additional private sector investment as essential to the Government’s agenda to strengthen our nation’s defences and grow our economy.Reducing the carbon footprint of Defence is not differentiated from this investment. Accelerating the development and adoption of dual use energy and circular economy technologies can deliver operational advantage and resilience while reducing emissions. For example, trials integrating alternative fuel sources and renewable energy technology can further unlock an ability to operate for longer periods without resupply and at greater reach across a dispersed battlefield.Our ambition is for a better, more integrated, more innovative and more resilient defence industry and we will be publishing a Defence Industrial Strategy aligned to this ambition.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 1248 on Military Aircraft: Helicopters, whether the Prime Minister’s Office plans to use insourced armed forces’ helicopters for official travel after December 2024.

No. Routine helicopter transport will be sourced through the Ministerial Transport Office, not from Military helicopters.