Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Snowden this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 95 · Ministry of Defence
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of recruitment levels of pilot trainees for meeting the RAF’s future operational requirements.
A full and ongoing assessment has been made by the Royal Air Force (RAF) to ensure that there are adequate pilot recruits entering the Service to meet future operational requirements. The RAF has sufficient pilots to meet its current front line operational requirements.
How many local (a) suppliers and (b) contractors have been engaged in the delivery of the (i) single living accommodation and (ii) solar projects at Weeton Barracks.
New Single Living Accommodation (SLA) at Weeton Barracks is currently being delivered through the Ministry of Defence’ Future Defence Infrastructure Services contractor, VIVO. VIVO as the principal contractor, engages with sub-contractors who need to demonstrate how they will meet social value criteria including tackling economic inequality, tackling workforce inequality, and utilising support from local Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, where appropriate. For the Weeton project, the workforce for the on-site construction was drawn from the local area to support employment and the local economy. Contractor Mitie were appointed to deliver the solar project at Weeton Barracks. Mitie’s policy for sourcing local suppliers and contractors is driven by commitment to sustainability and social value, aiming to increase supply chain resilience and local economic support.
What comparative assessment he has made of the (a) design, (b) sustainability and (c) cost per bedspace of the single living accommodation under construction at (i) Weeton Barracks and (ii) other recently built single living accommodation across the Army estate.
Weeton Barracks is in the first wave of the Army’s Single Living Accommodation (SLA) upgrade programmes since the Single Living Accommodation Management (SLAM) Programme completed in 2017. The building complies with the Government’s Net Zero Carbon Strategy, the UK Infrastructure 10-Year Strategy and tackles the recommendations of the National Audit Office Report: Improving Single Living Accommodation February 2021. Cost efficiency is a key driver of Defence’s procurement strategy for the SLA programme, and all tenders are reviewed, benchmarked and assured against market data to ensure value for money is delivered to meet the performance specifications.
What estimate he has made of the number of military families who will be affected by the Forces First approach in each of the next three years.
The Forces First approach will mean more Service personnel have access to the high-quality homes and home-ownership opportunities they deserve and will form part of the upcoming Defence Housing Strategy. This approach will be applied by agreement with local authorities and development partners on a site-by-site basis, so it is not possible to currently estimate the number of military families who will benefit in future years. A trailblazer for this approach is already underway at Ministry of Defence (MOD) Feltham in South-West London, where the MOD, the London Borough of Hounslow and the Greater London Authority have agreed to adopt a Forces First approach as part of a groundbreaking partnership to develop the site. Once vacated, this new development alone is expected to deliver hundreds of homes and jobs.
With reference to the press release entitled Military families and veterans prioritised in ‘forces first’ housing scheme, published on 29 September 2025, whether the planned 100,000 homes on surplus land will be in addition to existing Government housebuilding targets.
The Defence Secretary has identified the long-term potential for 100,000 homes on Ministry of Defence (MOD) surplus land, demonstrating the opportunity for MOD to contribute to the Government’s important housebuilding ambitions. A new approach to realising this opportunity will be set out in the Defence Housing Strategy later this year.
What assessment his Department has made of the resilience of Lancashire-based defence supply chains supporting military aerospace.
The Department recognises supply chains as a foundational priority for Defence and is actively working to de-risk critical vulnerabilities in collaboration with industry. We maintain close working relationships with our suppliers across the United Kingdom, including those based in Lancashire, to ensure resilient, adaptive and collaborative defence supply chains to support our Armed Forces.
How the proposed Defence Technical Excellence Colleges will be supported in (a) funding, (b) curriculum and (c) student recruitment; what geographical coverage is planned; and what steps he plans to take to ensure skills shortages in the defence industrial base are reduced.
To meet growing demand for a skilled workforce, we have announced a £182 million skills package as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy that will attract, develop and retain a high-skilled, well-paid UK defence workforce both now and into the future. We will work closely with industry on this package including through the newly established Defence Industrial Joint Council. This funding includes investment in five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges which will be appointed through a fair and transparent application process run by the Department for Education, working with the Ministry of Defence. Defence Technical Excellence Colleges will be recognised for provision of high-quality teaching, curriculum and effective collaboration with local employers. This aims to provide clear pathways into defence sector jobs for learners. All general further education colleges in England will be able to apply, subject to meeting specific eligibility criteria. Further details on the process and criteria will be published in due course.
How much funding his Department has allocated to the new single living accommodation block at Weeton Barracks.
A new Single Living Accommodation project is underway at Weeton Barracks, where contractual costs are approximately £15 million. The project will provide a modern, sustainable building with 69 bed spaces. The building is due to be completed in December 2025.
What his planned timeline is for the full weapons fit of the Type 26 frigate to become operational.
The Type 26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates. T26 will be fitted with the Mk41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) and there will be options for spiral development of weapon systems throughout the ships’ life. The first T26 frigate is expected to enter service from 2028.
What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the performance of the Sea Ceptor system during recent naval (a) exercises and (b) deployments.
The SEA CEPTOR system delivers Local Air Defence capability against complex air threats both now and into the future. SEA CEPTOR is already in service on the Type 23 frigates and will be installed on the Type 26 and 31 classes. All six Type 45 destroyers are adding the SEA CEPTOR system to their arsenal. The Ministry of Defence does not comment on effectiveness of weapon systems but I can reassure the hon. Member that we would not install weapon systems on our Royal Navy ships if they were not effective.
How the newly established Office of Defence Exports will measure success; and what target increase in export orders is expected in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 September 2025 to Question 76093. Design work for the Office of Defence Exports is well underway. Initial stand up continues at pace, with full implementation - including the development of performance measures - continuing over the next 12 months.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution of the BAE Systems site at Warton to the delivery of the Future Combat Air Systems; and what proportion of FCAS-related research and development and production work is expected to take place in Lancashire.
BAE Systems is a prime contributor to the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, and the Warton site plays a central role in the development of advanced technologies, systems integration, and digital engineering as part of Team Tempest.
Whether his Department has conducted recent test firings of the Spearfish torpedo in UK waters.
The Ministry of Defence has made significant progress in implementing the Spearfish Upgrade Programme, focusing on enhancing the capabilities of the Spearfish torpedo system to meet evolving defence requirements. The integration of the Spearfish MOD 1 torpedo with the submarine's combat system has been demonstrated through in-water firings. The most recent test firing of the Spearfish torpedo took place in June 2025 at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre (BUTEC).
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76091 on Defence: Plymouth and Yorkshire, what other regions were considered for initial Defence Growth Deals; and what criteria was used for selection.
Multiple regions across the United Kingdom were considered and assessed as potential recipients of the Defence Growth Deal. As mentioned in the previous response, the regions were assessed using the following criteria: Defence Industrial Base and Ecosystem: The area's strategic importance to defence, including strengths in specific DIS sub-sectors. Strategic Location Alignment with existing Government regional growth initiatives. Growth Potential: Measures to boost local productivity (e.g., training, R&D) and the overall labour market.
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76091 on Defence: Plymouth and Yorkshire, whether his Department conducted a public consultation or engaged with local stakeholders before selecting the initial five regions.
Prior to the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Department conducted a public consultation with over 200 responses and there was significant engagement and collaboration between local and national government officials to identify and develop specific proposals for each nation and region.
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76091 on Defence: Plymouth and Yorkshire, what consultation with local hon. Members in the five areas took place; and what impact this consultation had upon the decision to award deals to the areas.
Prior to the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Department conducted a public consultation with over 200 responses. There was not a specific consultation directed at MPs in specific Defence Growth Deal areas, in part because work is still ongoing to establish the precise focus and scope of these areas. Significant engagement is taking place with devolved and Local Governments, and we will continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure these deals drive growth in their respective areas.
How many Malloy T-150 drones have been procured by his Department.
The Royal Navy took delivery of 20 Malloy T-150 Drones in November 2024. In September 2025 the Royal Navy declared that they had been 'Released to Service' in accordance with Military Aviation Authority Regulations.
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76091 on Defence: Plymouth and Yorkshire, when his Department plans to announce the next wave of regions eligible for Defence Growth Deals; and whether the same assessment criteria will apply.
Any additional Defence Growth Deals will be announced, should fiscal and economic circumstances permit in the next Parliament, the selection of eligible regions will be informedby the assessment criteria for Defence Growth Deals. This criteria will be robustly assessed against our ambitions set out in the plan for change to increase living standards in every region and nation in the UK and making Defence an Engine for Growth.
What locations have been selected for the Defence Technical Excellence Colleges; and how will the £182 million investment in defence skills be distributed.
No locations for Defence Technical Excellence Colleges have yet been chosen. They will be selected through a fair and transparent competition process, run by the Department for Education working with the Ministry of Defence. We expect the competition to be launched later this year. All general further education colleges in England will be able to apply, subject to meeting specific eligibility criteria. Further details on the process and criteria will be published in due course. The Ministry of Defence, working with partners across Government, industry and the skills community, will oversee the £182 million investment to ensure the skills package is delivered effectively to boost skills in the sector.
What criteria his Department used to select Plymouth and South Yorkshire as the initial locations for Defence Growth Deals.
The five Defence Growth Deals announced on 8 September 2025 by the Secretary of State for Defence covering Plymouth, South Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland were assessed using a criteria that looked at the Defence Industrial Base and Ecosystem, the area’s strategic importance to defence, including strengths in specific D Industrial Strategy sub-sectors. It looked at Strategic Location and alignment with existing HMG regional growth initiatives. Finally it looked at Growth Potential such as measures to boost local productivity (e.g., training, R&D) and the overall labour market.