Every parliamentary written question tabled by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 81–100 of 121 · Ministry of Defence
Whether his Department segregates armaments into (a) defensive and (b) offensive categories.
The Ministry of Defence does not categorise armaments as defensive or offensive during the procurement process. Items are generally considered in terms of the capability that they provide, and many items are capable of being used both offensively and defensively.
What his planned timeline is for the introduction of the Digital Veteran Card.
The digital HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is scheduled for release by the end of summer 2025.
What recent discussions he has had with local councils on the implementation of VALOUR support centres.
On 5 May 2025 my hon. Friend, the Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns) announced VALOUR, a new UK-wide approach to veteran support, to foster the enterprising spirit of veteran charities, better connect local and national services and ensure that veterans’ support is data driven. We will establish a network of field officers and VALOUR-recognised support centres, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. The detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners. That includes engagement and discussions with a range of stakeholders including local councils, who are a vital partner in this new endeavour.
What assessment they have made of the potential impact of the use of AI in their Department on security.
The Ministry of Defence takes all aspects of security very seriously, and our AI and Security teams are working closely to ensure that the impact of AI on our work is positive and does not adversely affect security. We do not comment on details of security.
What the median age is of computers issued to officials in their Department.
The median age of computers issued to officials in the Department is four years.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK's explosive ordnance removal capabilities in (a) the UK and (b) internationally.
The Ministry of Defence has a world leading Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search capability, providing critical support to military operations and UK resilience. Additionally, Defence recognises the importance of Explosive Ordnance Clearance (EOC) capabilities delivered both internally and to external stakeholders. As we look ahead, Defence spending is being prioritised to face the threats and challenges of the twenty-first century. To meet the demand for EOC services, we currently have a framework through the Counter Explosive Ordnance Defence Engagement office, and in conjunction with the FCDO, to deliver EOC capability through a contracted solution, assured by Defence. Future capability decisions will be subject to the outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review.
What recent discussions he has had with charities that provide assistance to veterans who have (a) conducted and (b) assisted with Explosive Ordnance Disposal duties.
The Government works closely with the Armed Forces charity sector, who play a vital part in the wider support system for veterans; I meet regularly with representatives of Armed Forces charities to discuss the support available and how we can work effectively together. I am actively exploring ways of simplifying and coordinating access to Government support, which includes working in partnership with the charity sector to harness and cohere that support.
What steps his Department is taking with Cabinet colleagues to expand (a) apprenticeship schemes and (b) skills training to meet demand for welders within the defence industry.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is working closely with Skills England and the Department for Education to ensure the boost in defence spending supports the training and development of new generations of defence sector workers required to support critical capabilities. The demand for craft skills, including welders, is a recognised challenge across the economy and is not solely an issue for defence. The MOD is one of the largest providers of apprenticeships in the UK with over 25,000 apprenticeships across the Armed Forces and Civil Service in 2024. Within industry, the defence trade association ADS estimated that there were around 8,100 apprentices in the UK defence sector in 2024. The future skills requirement for defence is being assessed as part of the ongoing development of the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy.
Whether he has had recent discussions with his (a) French, (b) Italian and (c) other EU nations' counterparts on accelerating the transfer of (i) ammunition and (ii) other armaments to Ukraine.
We are in frequent contact with partner nations to discuss how to collectively accelerate the transfer of ammunition and other armaments to Ukraine. As co-leaders of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group the UK is taking a leading role in ensuring coordination and coherence of international support to Ukraine.With European partners, we are also members of the artillery capability coalition and co-leads of the maritime and drone capability coalitions, which deliver immediate support to Ukraine and also have a long-term plan to support Ukraine's ambitions for a NATO interoperable future force.
Whether he is taking steps to reduce the duration of submarine patrols.
The Royal Navy has successfully maintained Operation RELENTLESS – the Continuous At Sea Deterrent – without interruption for over 56 years. We do not disclose details of the operation, including the duration of time spent at sea, as such information could be used to undermine the security and capability of the mission and our personnel.
What estimate his Department has made of the number of vacancies for welders within the defence industry.
The demand for craft skills, including welders, is recognised across the defence sector and is a particular area of interest for the joint Government and industry Shipbuilding Skills Delivery Group. Meeting this demand is also recognised as a challenge across the economy and not solely as an issue for defence. As part of the ongoing Defence Industrial Strategy work, the Ministry of Defence is closely engaged with the Department for Education to identify additional opportunities and approaches to meet the future demand.
What steps he is taking tackle skills gaps within the defence industry.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that attracting and retaining the right mix of skills is critical to sustaining a vibrant, innovative and competitive UK defence sector. This is an important area of focus in the development of the Defence Industrial Strategy and will be a topic given close attention by the Defence Industrial Joint Council. The MOD continues to work closely with the Department for Education, the Department for Business and Trade and defence sector companies to ensure the sector has access to the skilled workforce it requires.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of US steel tariffs on UK military shipbuilding.
The potential impact of US steel tariffs on UK military shipbuilding is still being explored. The UK benefits from a strong and balanced trade relationship with the US and we continue to share a longstanding, close relationship on all defence issues.
What the (a) proportion and (b) value was of steel from the (i) US and (ii) EU used in UK military shipbuilding in each of the last five years.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) contributes to the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) steel public procurement return. The information is published annually and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/steel-public-procurement The data available from the information published includes steel purchased for MOD shipbuilding projects. The response to this question assumes that UK military shipbuilding relates solely to the building of surface warships, and does not include submarine construction. The tables below set out a summary of the details available, for each of the last five years. Data for Financial Year (FY) 2023-24 has not yet been published. The data gathered and subsequently published by DBT has matured and become more detailed since the start of publishing steel data for FY 2017-18 in January 2019. Therefore, the origin of the steel is only available for FY 2022-23. Financial Year 2022-23 ProjectSteel product typeEU / UK / USCountries of originValue of steel £Type 31Flat rolled, Plate, Sections & shapesEUFinland, Spain£41,850,500 Sections & shapes, Tubes/Pipes/Hollow sectionsUKUK£1,311,790 Type 26Plate, Sections & shapesEUSweden, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain£3,162,171 Plate, Sections & shapesUKUK£1,537,996 Financial Year 2021-22 ProjectSteel product typeCountries of originValue of steel £Type 31Plate, Bulb bar, SectionsNot detailed£43,600,000Type 26PlateNot detailed£465,498 Financial Year 2020-21 ProjectSteel product typeCountries of originValue of steel £Type 31Structural steel, SectionsNot detailed£391,949Type 26Plate, Sections, Sheet, Non-shipNot detailed£3,758,269 Financial Year 2019-20 ProjectSteel product typeCountries of originValue of steel £Type 26Various gradesNot detailed£3,401,994 Financial Year 2018-19 No steel was recorded as having been purchased in FY 2018-19 for any UK shipbuilding projects.
With reference to the oral statement by the Prime Minister of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, columns 631 to 634, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the announcements on defence spending on the publication timescale for the new Defence Industrial Strategy.
This Government recognises the vital role the UK defence industry plays not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the UK. Raising defence expenditure to 2.5% of GDP has the potential to enhance the security and economic prosperity of the entire UK. The announcement of increased defence spending does not affect the schedule for the Defence Industrial Strategy.
What recent progress the Royal Navy has made on the (a) development and (b) deployment of autonomous maritime mine hunting technologies.
The Royal Navy has made significant progress in developing autonomous maritime mine hunting technologies, since the delivery of the WILTON mine hunting system in 2020. WILTON has been assimilated into the wider Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme which is delivering a rolling programme of unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles for use by Royal Navy minewarfare specialists.The mine hunting and sweeping systems being delivered through the MHC Programme, employ high technology sonars and sensors to improve the Royal Navy's ability to detect and dispose of modern mines quickly and autonomously. Autonomous mine hunting systems are in regular use, both in the UK and globally.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) accessibility and (b) consistency of information on (i) rights and (ii) entitlements available to non-UK recruits.
There is a wide range of information and support available to non-UK recruits and Serving personnel on the Ministry of Defence website and intranet pages, from the single Services, the HIVE Information Centres, the Families Federations, Service Charities and on the Home Office website. This includes single Service guides and policy documents, briefings to personnel, articles in publications such as Welfare Matters and Soldier Magazine and information in: The Service Leavers Guide Service leavers' guide - GOV.UKJoint Service Publication 100: Defence Holistic Transition Policy Defence Holistic Transition PolicyDiscover My Benefits and the Families Hub Discover My BenefitsThe Home Office specific immigration rules for the Armed Forces and their families - the Appendix HM Armed Forces Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix HM Armed Forces - Guidance - GOV.UK. Information is kept under review and updated to ensure it is clear, concise and reflects current policy and rules.
What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of support available to non-UK armed forces personnel.
There is a wide range of information and support available to non-UK recruits and Serving personnel on the Ministry of Defence website and intranet pages, from the single Services, the HIVE Information Centres, the Families Federations, Service Charities and on the Home Office website. This includes single Service guides and policy documents, briefings to personnel, articles in publications such as Welfare Matters and Soldier Magazine and information in: The Service Leavers Guide Service leavers' guide - GOV.UKJoint Service Publication 100: Defence Holistic Transition Policy Defence Holistic Transition PolicyDiscover My Benefits and the Families Hub Discover My BenefitsThe Home Office specific immigration rules for the Armed Forces and their families - the Appendix HM Armed Forces Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix HM Armed Forces - Guidance - GOV.UK. Information is kept under review and updated to ensure it is clear, concise and reflects current policy and rules.
Whether he plans to increase the UK's explosive ordnance disposal capacity.
The Ministry of Defence has a world leading Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search (EOD&S) capability, providing critical support not just to military operations, but also to UK resilience and security through established arrangements in support of the Home Office. Future force designs of the Royal Navy and British Army will be part of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) so it would be inappropriate to provide further detail until SDR decisions have been made.
What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of Royal Air Force fighter pilots.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continually assesses pilot numbers to appropriately resource the Combat Air Force and are comfortable with the number of Royal Air Force fighter pilots against extant Defence Tasks. The MOD has a range of governance measures in place to analyse UK Military Flying Training System throughput to ensure pilot numbers meet the demand for Defence both now and in the future. The MOD will continue to provide quarterly statistics to the Hon Gentleman’s select committee on pilot training as agreed in the last Parliament.