Every parliamentary written question tabled by Will Stone this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 81 · this parliament
With reference his Department’s press release entitled UK and Germany sign £52m contract for cutting-edge artillery, published on 28 December 2025, where the capability will be manufactured.
The Early Capability Demonstrator platforms of the RCH155, two for Germany and one for the UK, will be built in Germany for joint testing.The project remains in its assessment phase and a production contract has not yet been placed.
With reference his Department’s press release on 28 December 2025 regarding the signing of a £52 million contract for RCH 155, what assessment has he made of the potential benefits to UK industry from this contract.
The Early Capability Demonstrator platforms of the RCH155, two for Germany and one for the UK, will be built in Germany for joint testing.The project remains in its assessment phase and a production contract has not yet been placed.
Pursuant to Answer of 17 January 2024 to Question 10337 in Session 2023-24, how many recruits starting at each training centre for each of the five years listed completed their Phase 2 training.
The number of recruits who completed their Phase 2 training, having started their Phase 1 training at each respective training centre in the years 2019-2024 are provided below.Table 1. Regular Army Other Rank Untrained Intake by Training Establishment during Financial Year, 2018/19 to 2022/23, as at 1 July 2025 Financial YearTraining Establishment2018/192019/202020/212021/222022/23Total Untrained Intake 5,859 8,956 8,679 6,584 5,560 Army Foundation College Harrogate1,3871,7171,6571,3671,171of which completed phase 2 training9721,173975855814did not complete phase 2 training415544682512357Infantry Training Centre Catterick1,3422,5242,3601,5091,532of which completed phase 2 training9651,8711,5189291,004did not complete phase 2 training377653842580528Army Training Centre Pirbright2,4243,3323,4692,4912,075of which completed phase 2 training1,9602,7532,5981,8321,530did not complete phase 2 training464579871659545Army Training Regiment Winchester6531,1671,032985593of which completed phase 2 training520927757674456did not complete phase 2 training133240275311137Other953216161232189of which-----completed phase 2 training---1-did not complete phase 2 training53216161231189 Source: Analysis (Army) Notes/Caveats: 1. The figures are for the Regular Army only and therefore exclude Gurkhas, Full Time Reserve Service, Mobilised Reserves, Army Reserve and all other Reserves, but includes those personnel that have transferred from GURTAM to UKTAP. 2. All intake figures are for Phase 1 Untrained Intake which includes all Other Ranks joining the Army and starting either Phase 1 Training or pre-Phase 1 courses. All intake figures exclude personnel who have joined Phase 1 Training from another Service. 3. Personnel who have entered more than once are included multiple times in the table above. 4. Training Establishment in Table 1 relates to the Unit at which an individual is recorded upon joining the Army as recorded on the Joint Personnel Administration System (JPA). An individual may not complete their Phase 1 training at the corresponding establishment. 5. Figures for Army Training Regiment Winchester include personnel with a Unit of Army Technical Foundation College Winchester. 6. Other Training establishments include all Untrained Intake not assigned to one of the four Training Establishments in Table 1. 7. Figures in the above table are taken as at 1 July 2025. Any changes to training status after this date will not be recorded in the above figures. 8. Personnel who "did not complete phase 2 training" may have outflowed from the Regular Army, however a small number may still be in the training pipeline. Numbers of personnel who "completed phase 2" are therefore subject to future increases. 9. There are small proportion of personnel in "Other" establishments who later go on to undertake Officer training and therefore did not complete Phase 2 training as an Other Rank.
For what reasons the Army does not offer GCSE retakes.
The Army is an equal opportunities employer, with its literacy and numeracy policy centred on nationally recognised Functional Skills (FS) qualifications, which are the standard for career and service progression within the Army. While GCSEs are recognised as equivalent qualifications, the Army avoids duplicating education already available in the civilian sector, as this does not align with its training model. Instead, the Army provides English and Maths teaching assessed through FS exams, which focus on practical, real-world skills better suited to workplace needs.
What progress his Department has made on (a) the establishment of Independent Advisory Panels and (b) new welfare provisions.
The Ministry of Defence has made significant progress in establishing Independent Advisory Panels (IAPs) for the Army. All Army Basic Training and Initial Trade Training units now have IAPs. IAPs are aligned to units, rather than locations, and some training units are located across split sites. The following locations however are where IAPs are present: HarrogateCatterickSandhurstWinchesterWorthy DownMarchwood and Brize NortonMinleyPortsmouthMiddle WallopLarkhillLeconfieldSouthwick ParkWinterbourne GunnerChathamBovingtonBreconMelton MowbrayBicesterKineton Their effectiveness is reviewed through annual reports, internal reviews by unit commanders, and during 2nd Line of Defence Assurance (2LoDA) visits, which occur at least every four years. Some IAPs are still developing as skilled volunteers are recruited and trained. Regarding the department’s progress on its welfare provisions, in January 2025, JSP 770 – Armed Forces Welfare Support Policy – was fully reviewed and updated to ensure welfare structures meet the needs of Service personnel and their families. Each Service has tailored its policies to address unique requirements, supported by the new Welfare HARDFACTS Annex, which provides comprehensive guidance on addressing emotional, medical, housing, financial, and legal concerns. The Tri-Service Welfare Support Agreement ensures collaboration across the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force to deliver consistent and specialist support, including for Reservists. For deployed and overseas personnel, the Deployed Welfare Package provides tailored support, infrastructure, and facilities, while overseas initiatives address the unique challenges faced by Service families abroad. Additionally, Defence has refreshed its mental fitness platform, HeadFIT, and offers a 24-hour support line and access to HeadSpace to promote mental resilience and wellbeing for personnel, families, and veterans.
If he will make it his policy to raise the minimum age of military recruitment to 18.
The Armed Forces have no plans to raise the minimum age of recruitment. All recruitment into the UK military is voluntary and no young person under the age of 18 years may join our Armed Forces unless their application is accompanied by the formal written consent of their parent or guardian. We take the duty of care towards all recruits seriously, in particular those under 18 years of age. We have robust, effective and independently verified safeguards in place to ensure that under-18s are cared for properly. Service personnel aged under 18 are not deployed on hostile operations outside the UK or on any operations where they could be exposed to hostilities. All new recruits, regardless of age, can discharge within their first three to six months of Service. Our policies on under-18s in Service comply with national and international law. In addition to the comprehensive welfare system that is in place for all Service personnel, we remain fully committed to meeting our obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, and have taken steps to bestow special safeguards on young people under the age of 18. Further, the provision of education and training for 16-year-old school leavers not only provides a route into the Armed Forces that complies with Government education policy and offers a significant foundation for development, but it also enables access to training in literacy and numeracy, as well as enrolment in apprenticeships. Ofsted regularly inspects our care of newly joined young recruits, and we are very proud of the standards we achieve.
How many junior soldiers residing at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate were (a) referred to mental health services and (b) signed off sick by a medical professional due to mental ill health between 1 January 2019 and 30 December 2024.
Between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2024, 182 junior soldiers at AFC Harrogate underwent an initial assessment at a Ministry of Defence (MOD) Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH). There are multiple routes for junior soldiers at the Army Foundation College (AFC) to access mental health services. These include the MOD DCMH and external Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Information on under 18s who were referred to CAMHS is not held centrally. There are various routes for referral to CAMHS, including self-referral and by external medical professionals, which the department does not track centrally. With regard to the number of junior soldiers signed off sick by a medical professional due to mental ill health during the period 1 January 2019 to 30 December 2024, this information is only recorded on individual medical records. It is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
What progress his Department has made on the establishment of Independent Advisory Panels (IAPs); at which barracks have IAPs been created; and when was the last time his Department reviewed the effectiveness of the IAPs.
The Ministry of Defence has made significant progress in establishing Independent Advisory Panels (IAPs) for the Army. All Army Basic Training and Initial Trade Training units now have IAPs. IAPs are aligned to units, rather than locations, and some training units are located across split sites. The following locations however are where IAPs are present: HarrogateCatterickSandhurstWinchesterWorthy DownMarchwood and Brize NortonMinleyPortsmouthMiddle WallopLarkhillLeconfieldSouthwick ParkWinterbourne GunnerChathamBovingtonBreconMelton MowbrayBicesterKineton Their effectiveness is reviewed through annual reports, internal reviews by unit commanders, and during 2nd Line of Defence Assurance (2LoDA) visits, which occur at least every four years. Some IAPs are still developing as skilled volunteers are recruited and trained. Regarding the department’s progress on its welfare provisions, in January 2025, JSP 770 – Armed Forces Welfare Support Policy – was fully reviewed and updated to ensure welfare structures meet the needs of Service personnel and their families. Each Service has tailored its policies to address unique requirements, supported by the new Welfare HARDFACTS Annex, which provides comprehensive guidance on addressing emotional, medical, housing, financial, and legal concerns. The Tri-Service Welfare Support Agreement ensures collaboration across the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force to deliver consistent and specialist support, including for Reservists. For deployed and overseas personnel, the Deployed Welfare Package provides tailored support, infrastructure, and facilities, while overseas initiatives address the unique challenges faced by Service families abroad. Additionally, Defence has refreshed its mental fitness platform, HeadFIT, and offers a 24-hour support line and access to HeadSpace to promote mental resilience and wellbeing for personnel, families, and veterans.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) digitising and (b) introducing an online portal for the Child Maintenance Service.
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) offers a range of digital services designed to support separated families. These include 'Child Maintenance Calculator’, ‘Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance’ and ‘My Child Maintenance Case’(MCMC). Through these services, parents can explore their options, calculate potential payments and submit an online application to the CMS to receive or pay child maintenance. For customers with existing cases, the online services allow them to report changes, check progress, view correspondence and make payments online 24/7.Digital services were developed and will continue to evolve based on research and feedback from charities supporting separated families, victims of domestic abuse, and users with assisted digital needs.
Pursuant to the Answer of 14 November 2023 to Question HL288 on Army: Recruitment, what were the conclusions of the evaluation of bespoke terms of service for under-18s.
The Soldier terms of service will continue to apply to all personnel, including for those under-18. The Army takes its duty of care for all personnel, particularly those under 18, extremely seriously, ensuring they are treated with special consideration. We keep terms of service under continuous review to ensure best practice and to deliver operational effectiveness. The Army ensures under-18s are supported and safeguarded through additional measures, including:Discharge as of Right (DAOR): Recruits under 18 can leave the Army at any time up to their 18th birthday by giving 14 days' written notice to their Commanding Officer (CO). Additionally, those under 18 at attestation can DAOR within six months of joining, following 28 days of service.Operations: No personnel under 18 are deployed on operations, in line with the UK’s obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.Recruitment: The Army complies with all legal and policy requirements, conducting school visits only when invited as part of outreach programmes. Career advice is provided to pupils in Year 9 and above.Trades: Under-18 recruits are not channelled into Infantry or frontline combat roles. Role allocation considers personal preference, age, trainability, academic record, and physical ability.Education and Qualifications: The Army provides a first-class education programme, enabling young people to gain qualifications, life skills, self-confidence, and stability.Safeguarding: The Army determines which roles require disclosure checks when they involve working with under-18 Service Personnel and ensures that personnel filling these roles are appropriately vetted.
How many complaints have been made by (a) junior soldiers and (b) their parents or guardians about unacceptable sexual behaviour at the Army Foundation College between 1 January 2018 and 30 November 2024.
The information is not held in the format requested.However, 159 sexual misconduct allegations were recorded on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system against personnel serving at Army Foundation College (Harrogate) (AFC(H)) between 1 January 2018 and 30 November 2024. 108 of these allegations predated the Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour (USB) policy which came into effect on 19 November 2022. It is important to note that these figures include all Army personnel located at AFC(H), regardless of whether they are staff or Junior Soldiers.AFC(H) reports every instance of unacceptable sexual behaviour under its Zero Tolerance Policy and actively encourages recruits to report concerns from day one. Serious incidents are reported to the civilian police. On arrival at AFC(H) the recruits receive day-one training in Army Values and Standards emphasizing Zero Tolerance and mandatory discharge for certain transgressions. Ofsted inspections in 2021 and 2024 praised how recruits confidently report unacceptable behaviours by peers and staff, knowing complaints will be handled seriously and swiftly. Ofsted noted that emotional and psychological safety, inclusion, and teamwork are firmly embedded in College life.In March 2024, after interviewing 61.5% of female Junior Soldiers, Ofsted found that "female recruits rarely experience instances of sexual harassment or bullying. If they do, they know how to report it and know that staff will deal with it swiftly."
If he will bring forward legislative proposals to (a) reduce decibel levels in fireworks, (b) restrict sales of fireworks to licensed shops and (c) create firework-free zones.
There are currently no plans to bring forward legislation in relation to fireworks. However, the Government is continuing to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues with and impacts of fireworks to inform any future action.The Government has also launched a public campaign on fireworks safety for this year’s fireworks season. The campaign includes new guidance for those running community fireworks events, and new social media posts that emphasise the risks from the misuse of fireworks.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the number of training placements of educational psychologists to meet the expected demand for education, health and care plans by each local authority.
Educational psychologists play a critical role in the support available to children and young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. That is why we are investing over £21 million to train 400 more educational psychologists over two cohorts, starting their studies in 2024 and 2025. This is in addition to the £10 million invested in the training of over 200 educational psychologists who began their training in 2023.As these trainees complete their studies, they will join the workforce to support local authority educational psychology services, including contributing to statutory assessments.
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of basing the energy cap for renewable energy.
The Government has made no such assessment. The criteria around the setting of the energy price cap is a matter for Ofgem. On Wednesday 27 August, Ofgem confirmed the Q4 price cap will be set at £1,755 per year for a typical dual fuel household paying by Direct Debit – an increase of £35 from the current price cap (£1,720). This would cost households an extra £2.93 a month for three months. We know that any price rise is a concern for families. Wholesale gas costs in the price cap are 77% above their levels in the year up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That is the fossil fuel penalty being paid by families, businesses and our economy. That is why the only answer for Britain is this Government’s mission to get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices and onto clean, homegrown power we control, to bring down bills for good.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to strengthen diplomatic relations with Morocco.
On 1 June, the Foreign Secretary co-hosted the UK-Morocco Strategic Dialogue in Rabat, where he signed agreements on education, healthcare, infrastructure and trade. This signalled a step change in the relationship. The Foreign Secretary also endorsed Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara and committed UK support to the parties and UN to reach a mutually acceptable resolution. We are taking this work forward together and remain in frequent contact.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Ofwat on the performance of Thames Water.
The Secretary of State meets with stakeholders regularly such as Ofwat to discuss a range of issues. The Government will continue to work with water sector regulators to hold water companies to account on poor performance and drive improvements which benefit customers and the environment. As part of our Plan for Change, we’ve delivered on our promise to put water companies under special measures through the introduction of The Water (Special Measures) Act which will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry.
If he will review NHS grading bands for phlebotomists.
Phlebotomists are paid on the Agenda for Change pay scale which is underpinned by a job evaluation scheme. The scheme determines the appropriate pay band given the role requirements. Employers are responsible for correctly matching job roles to bands in line with the job evaluation scheme to ensure staff are paid correctly for the work they are asked to deliver.
What steps she is taking to increase political education in the curriculum in the context of lowering the voting age to 16.
Democracy is currently taught through the national curriculum for citizenship at key stages 3 and 4, which covers parliamentary democracy, the key elements of the constitution of the United Kingdom, the power of government and how citizens and Parliament hold it to account, including through the voting system.Support for curriculum delivery is available through optional, free and adaptable resources from Oak National Academy (Oak). The resource package will be ready by this autumn; the resources will be here: https://www.thenational.academy/.The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review which seeks to deliver a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that equips young people with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to thrive in life and work.
What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help protect (a) disabled and (b) vulnerable people from people who seek to take over their homes for illegal activities.
The Government recognises the appalling harm caused by criminals who take over vulnerable people’s homes for illegal activities. This is why we are introducing a new offence of ‘cuckooing’ in the Crime and Policing Bill to target criminals who exploit vulnerable people to take over their homes for criminal purposes. The new offence will be supported by statutory guidance for police, as well as non-statutory guidance for other agencies, to provide information on how to identify, protect and support vulnerable people at risk of cuckooing.It is a matter of deep regret that His Majesty’s Official Opposition chose to vote against these measures at the Third Reading of the Crime and Policing Bill on 18 June.
What recent estimate her Department has made of the proportion of disability benefit claimants who are on a waiting list for NHS treatment.
There were 7.4 million NHS Referral to Treatment (RTT) pathways where the patient was waiting to start treatment at the end of April 2025 (this includes all ages).The number of people (aged 16 to 64) not in work who left their job in the previous year for health reasons was 210,000 in 2023/24.One in every 10 working-age people in Britain is now claiming at least one type of health or disability benefit and as outlined in the Pathways to Work Green paper, when this government took office last July:o 2.8 million people were economically inactive due to long-term sicknesso the number claiming health related benefits with no requirement to work has increased by 800,000 since 2019/2020.The Work Aspirations of Health and Disability Claimants survey found that a third (32%) of those claiming health and disability benefits believe they can work now or in future. 5% say that they would be ready now if the right job or support were available. This equates to around 200,000 individuals. DWP and DHSC work closely, for example through the Joint Work and Health Directorate, to deliver better work outcomes and work experiences for disabled people and people with health conditions. This includes working across the whole of the customer journey to help disabled people and people with long term health conditions who want to work to be in the best position possible to do so. The Joint Work and Health Directorate is collaborating with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to improve the evidence on the relationship between health and labour market outcomes. The ONS plans to link NHS waiting times data (that they recently acquired access to) to Census, DWP Benefits and HMRC PAYE records to analyse the relationship between waiting time duration (for various health conditions and procedures) and labour market outcomes (such as employment status, gross pay and benefit receipt) in England. This may shed light on the role of extended waiting times witnessed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic on benefit receipt, including sickness related benefit receipt. Due to many dependencies and unknowns, ONS is not able to confirm when the analysis will be available.