Written questions by Shastri-Hurst.

How many FTE civil servants primarily focus on China policy; and their grades.

As of 15 April 2026, there are 34.5 FTE civil servants in DBT and based in the UK who work in the China Team or have a role that includes China as the primary focus. However, these individuals may also perform duties unrelated to China policy. There are additional staff members who contribute to China policy, although it may not be their primary responsibility.” GradeFTEEO0.5HEO6SEO9Fast Streamer1Grade 713Grade 64SCS 11Total34.5

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many civil servants in her Department attended at least one session on (a) equality, diversity and inclusion, (b) culture and (c) wellness in each of the last three years.

In responding to the Hon Member's eleven detailed questions about the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's relative focus on its public sector equality duty obligations compared to certain key foreign policy priorities, I refer him to the answer of 13 November 2025 to Question 88798, and inform him that - by comparison - the Department currently has more than 400 staff in the UK and overseas working on various aspects of the Iran crisis, the conflict in Ukraine, and our policies in respect of Russia and China.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many FTE civil servants were allocated to the Iran desk in each of the last three years for which data is available; and what their grades were.

In responding to the Hon Member's eleven detailed questions about the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's relative focus on its public sector equality duty obligations compared to certain key foreign policy priorities, I refer him to the answer of 13 November 2025 to Question 88798, and inform him that - by comparison - the Department currently has more than 400 staff in the UK and overseas working on various aspects of the Iran crisis, the conflict in Ukraine, and our policies in respect of Russia and China.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many full-time equivalent civil servants were allocated to the China desk in each of the last three years for which data is available; and what were their grades.

In responding to the Hon Member's eleven detailed questions about the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's relative focus on its public sector equality duty obligations compared to certain key foreign policy priorities, I refer him to the answer of 13 November 2025 to Question 88798, and inform him that - by comparison - the Department currently has more than 400 staff in the UK and overseas working on various aspects of the Iran crisis, the conflict in Ukraine, and our policies in respect of Russia and China.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many civil servants in her Department held a language qualification in each of the last three years; and in what languages.

In responding to the Hon Member's eleven detailed questions about the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's relative focus on its public sector equality duty obligations compared to certain key foreign policy priorities, I refer him to the answer of 13 November 2025 to Question 88798, and inform him that - by comparison - the Department currently has more than 400 staff in the UK and overseas working on various aspects of the Iran crisis, the conflict in Ukraine, and our policies in respect of Russia and China.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of people employed in the defence industry in (a) July 2024 and (b) March 2026.

The ‘MOD Supported Employment Estimates Report’ presents the number of direct and indirect jobs supported by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in 2023-24 by UK region and industry group. The report can be found on the gov.uk website at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-supported-employment-estimates-202324/mod-supported-employment-estimates-202324 For financial year 2023-24 (the most recent time period available), 272,000 direct and indirect jobs were supported through MOD expenditure with UK industry. The Statistics covering 2024-25 will be published later this summer.

What the expected cost is to his Department of meeting net zero and environmental targets over the next five years.

The Ministry of Defence will contribute to the UK’s Net Zero and environmental targets primarily through the Greening Government Commitments. These commitments provide the central framework for Departments and their agencies to reduce their impact on the environment over a five-year period. The Greening Government Commitments for the period 2025-2030 are currently under review to ensure that they remain aligned with this government’s priorities.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of freezing Army personnel postings in the context of the geopolitical situation.

The Department has no plans to freeze Army personnel movements in the context of the geopolitical situation and personnel management continues under existing arrangements to meet the needs of the Army, and to ensure the right people capability is provided to fulfil our national Defence commitments.

How many Sea Cadet units there were in (a) July 2024 and (b) March 2026.

The latest available data for cadet forces is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-sponsored-cadet-forces-statistics-2025/mod-sponsored-cadet-forces-1-april-2025

How many Air Cadet squadrons there were in (a) July 2024 and (b) March 2026.

In July 2024 there were 877 Royal Air Force Air Cadet Squadrons, and as of March 2026 there was 871.

How many Army Cadet detachments there were in (a) July 2024 and (b) March 2026.

In July 2024 there were 1,586 Army Cadet Force detachments. In March 2026 there were 1,568.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of freezing Royal Air Force personnel postings in the context of the geopolitical situation.

The Department has no plans to freeze Royal Air Force personnel movements. Personnel management continues under existing arrangements.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of freezing Royal Navy personnel postings in the context of the geopolitical situation.

The Department has no plans to freeze Royal Navy personnel movements. Personnel management continues under existing arrangements.

How many military personnel are working on the Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Investment Plan has been supported by a flexible cross‑Defence team, with personnel allocated at the right level to reflect the complexity of the work and ensure progress to publication.

How many civil servants are working on the Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Investment Plan has been supported by a flexible cross‑Defence team, with personnel allocated at the right level to reflect the complexity of the work and ensure progress to publication.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) small, (b) medium and (c) large businesses in the defence industry in (i) July 2024 and (ii) March 2026.

This information is not held in the format requested.

Whether the number of civil servants working on the Defence Investment Plan has changed since June 2025.

The Defence Investment Plan has been supported by a flexible cross‑Defence team, with personnel allocated at the right level to reflect the complexity of the work and ensure progress to publication.

What data her Department holds on the number of Remediable Service Statements issued to retired teachers; and whether her Department will publish these statistics on a regular basis.

Recalculating benefits for retired members is a complex process. For those members retiring, these cases are relatively straightforward, as no benefits are already in payment. For retired members, additional complications around tax, interest rules and system functionality required extensive consultation.As of 18 March 2026, 73,913 Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) have been issued to retired members, and there are 68,126 remaining to be issued. There are currently no plans to publish RSS statistics on the website. However, the scheme administrator keeps affected members informed of general progress through established channels, including My Pension Online and its website. The latest update is available here: https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/news/public-news/2025/11/timeline-for-sending-out-remediable-service-statements-rss.aspx.

How many pupil barristers who undertook pupillage with the Government Legal Department left upon completion in each of the past five years.

The Government Legal Department’s (GLD) Legal Trainee Scheme lasts for two years in total. Those who join the GLD as pupil barristers qualify as barristers at the end of Year 1 of the Training Scheme (the pupillage period). They then remain on the Training Scheme for a further 12 months, during which they gain wider experience of GLD’s legal work.The number of pupil barristers who left upon completion of the two‑year Training Scheme in each of the past five years is as follows:Out of the 5 pupil barristers that completed the scheme, 3 pupil barristers left upon completion in 2021.Out of the 5 pupil barristers that completed the scheme, no pupil barristers left upon completion in 2022.Out of the 5 pupil barristers that completed the scheme, 1 pupil barrister left upon completion in 2023.Out of the 3 pupil barristers that completed the scheme, 2 pupil barristers left upon completion in 2024.Out of the 3 pupil barristers that completed the scheme, 1 pupil barrister left upon completion in 2025.

How many trainee solicitors who undertook a training contract with the Government Legal Department left upon completion in each of the past five years.

The Government Legal Department’s (GLD) Legal Trainee Scheme is a two‑year programme. Accordingly, the year of completion reflects cohorts who began their training contracts two years earlier.The number of trainee solicitors who undertook a training contract with the GLD and left upon completion of the two‑year scheme in each of the past five years is as follows:Out of the 37 trainee solicitors that completed the scheme, 2 trainee solicitors left upon completion in 2021.Out of the 36 trainee solicitors that completed the scheme, 3 trainee solicitors left upon completion in 2022.Out of the 37 trainee solicitors that completed the scheme, 2 trainee solicitors left upon completion in 2023.Out of the 33 trainee solicitors that completed the scheme, 2 trainee solicitors left upon completion in 2024.Out of the 36 trainee solicitors that completed the scheme, 1 trainee solicitor left upon completion in 2025.