Written questions by Dance.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the planned reduction of tariff-free import quotas on steel on defence manufacturing in Yeovil constituency.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to reduce the time it takes to process a war pension scheme application.

I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer provided to 103061 in January 2026, and 126385 in April 2026.The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently managing a high volume of War Pension Scheme (WPS) claims, which has resulted in longer processing times. We remain fully committed to improving performance and reducing delays in claim processing. To address these challenges, the Department has implemented a range of targeted measures:Flexible resource management: Teams now have the ability to reallocate resources as needed, while staff are being trained in multiple skillsets to enhance efficiency and build greater resilience across operations.Accelerated processing: Overtime and weekend working have been introduced to expedite the clearance of outstanding claims.Increased capacity: Additional administrative and caseworker staff have been recruited to strengthen processing capabilities and improve overall throughput.The MOD places the highest priority on claims from terminally ill individuals, ensuring they are fast-tracked at every stage. Furthermore, MOD Veterans Services continues to provide dedicated support and assistance to veterans, Service personnel, and their families, ensuring they receive the help they need.

What steps he is taking to raise awareness amongst (a) serving and (b) former military personal of the risks posed by wealth creation scams.

The Department's Fraud, Bribery and Corruption training for all personnel includes advice on fraud in personal life. Personal fraud risks are also addressed through fraud prevention campaigns aimed at Serving personnel, and former military personnel through BFBS. The Department is also working in partnership with RMA – The Royal Marines Charity and the Financial Times Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign to develop an online financial education programme, funded by the Association of British Insurers, for all serving personnel, their families and veterans.

When he will publish the Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will be published when it is ready. Our aim is to ensure decisions in the DIP are robust and support the development of both current and future capabilities, helping to drive the transformation of our Armed Forces described in the Strategic Defence Review.

What steps he is taking to make the defence procurement process more (a) accessible, (b) efficient, and (c) transparent for Small to Medium Sized Enterprises in Yeovil constituency.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) hold a crucial place in UK defence. They are the backbone of the UK economy and are vital to delivering the innovation, expertise and agility that we need now and in the future. This is recognised in the Defence Industrial Strategy, as well as the Department’s Social Value policy. Support through the new Office for Small Business Growth will be available to SMEs in the Yeovil constituency. The Office’s offering will be across the country and utilising effective digital tools, enabling small businesses to connect with the Office regardless of location. The Office stands up shortly. We are also introducing a new SME Commercial Pathway as part of our broader acquisition transformation. Through this pathway, Defence will increase the number of opportunities for SMEs, and make our contracting processes simpler, less onerous and faster.

Whether the Defence Investment Plan will be published by the end of 2025.

We are working flat out between now and the end of the year to finalise the Defence Investment Plan. I am sure the Hon. Gentleman will appreciate the scale of the decisions that we need to make, including with AJAX. He will also appreciate the scale of the problems that we face, including those to do with a programme of the last Government’s that over-committed, and was underfunded and unsuited to meeting the threats that we will face in the future.

What his Department's planned timetable is for awarding the contract for the New Medium Helicopter.

The New Medium Helicopter programme is an initiative to acquire a modern medium-lift support helicopter, addressing multiple rotary wing requirements to improve efficiency and operational flexibility. All capability requirements, including the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme, are being considered as part of the Government's Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Investment Plan which is due to be published later in the year. The NMH programme is currently awaiting Government approval which must be allowed to complete before a decision on contract award is made. Whilst this approval process continues, the Ministry of Defence cannot comment further.

What role UK-based suppliers of (a) defence and (b) security equipment will have in reaching the target of spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027.

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. Our industry partners, of all sizes, are very much at the heart of our One Defence approach. The Defence Industrial Strategy will align our security and economic priorities to boost the prosperity of our people across the country, provide resilience for the UK, and ensure the credibility of our deterrence. We will ensure a strong defence sector and resilient supply chains across the whole of the UK.The investment in defence announced by the Prime Minister on 25 February 2025 will protect UK citizens from threats and create a secure and stable environment in which businesses of all sizes can thrive, supporting the Government’s number one mission to deliver economic growth. The new Defence Industrial Strategy will set out how UK-based suppliers will support both our national security and economic prosperity when it is published later this year.

With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, whether his Department has plans to prioritise awarding contracts to domestic suppliers of defence and security equipment.

Through the Defence Industrial Strategy, we will examine how to prioritise and promote UK based businesses for defence investment without losing the benefits of competition, including in those areas of the defence sector that present the greatest opportunities for UK economic growth and competitive advantage. We will also reform procurement to reduce waste and support industry to seize export opportunities.The government has been clear that it will use the additional investment in defence announced by the Prime Minister on 25 February 2025 to maximise jobs, growth, skills and innovation in the UK. This investment in defence will protect UK citizens from threats and create a secure and stable environment in which businesses can thrive, supporting the Government’s number one mission to deliver economic growth.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2025 to Question 20867 on Military Aircraft: Helicopters, whether the introduction into service of the New Medium Helicopter will be brought forward in light of the commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027.

The progress of the New Medium Helicopter programme is not affected by the commitment to spend 2.5% GDP on defence by 2027. There are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter competition which started on 27 February 2024 with the release of the Invitation to Negotiate to Aribus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK. The Ministry of Defence is continuing with the established procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Suport, and the proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 December 2024 to Question 16219 on Military Aircraft: Helicopters, what the timetable is for introduction into service of the New Medium Helicopter.

The Ministry of Defence is continuing with the established procurement process, managed by Defence Equipment and Support, for the New Medium Helicopter programme. The competition remains commercially sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process must complete before further details, including the timetable for introduction into service, can be confirmed. The proposal will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to Government approvals, a contract award is anticipated.