Written questions by Snowden.

What steps he is taking to encourage people to sign up to the Reserve Forces in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire.

The three Services routinely undertake Reserve recruitment activity nationally and in the Northwest of England. The Royal Navy has recently commissioned a nationwide Maritime Reserve recruitment campaign which will go live next month. Both the Royal Navy Reserve and Royal Marines Reserve are located at HMS Eaglet in the City of Liverpool and routinely undertake engagement activities; these may include Fylde and Lancashire in the future. The Army is increasing recruitment into the Army Reserves, including a digital and physical marketing campaign; a renewed focus on training and upskilling courses and improved financial incentives. For the former, this includes a two-week recruiting surge in the region commencing 4 July 2025, involving 17 recruiters from four counties, which includes stands in town centres and shopping centres in Blackburn and Blackpool among other local cities and towns in the Northwest. They will also have a presence at festivals and at shows such as Blackpool Music Festival; Blackpool Prom; Barrow Festival of Transport; Festival of Works (Lakes College) and Silloth Show; and at employer events such as ‘Breakfast with the Lions’ in Accrington and ‘Brunch with the Lions’ in Barrow Bridge. The RAF Reserves recruiting initiatives include support to a team building day at BAe Systems in Blackburn, and providing resource to the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association-led Exercise NORTHERN EXPOSURE. This showcases Reserves opportunities to employers, offering personal development opportunities and military insight. The North Region Support Wing also has a dedicated recruiter post, based in Liverpool, which provides support to Reserve recruiting processing and engagement in the Northwest.

What steps his Department is taking to increase participation by (a) young people and (b) young people from (i) disadvantaged and (ii) underrepresented communities in Cadet Units in Fylde constituencies.

We are committed to sustaining and growing the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Cadet Forces across the UK, including in the Fylde constituency. Uplift in Cadet numbers will benefit all regions of the UK, but it will be targeted at those communities most in need. Given the fantastic benefits which can be gained from the Cadet experience we want more young people to be able to join and we aim to significantly grow both community and school Cadet numbers, expanding by 30% by 2030, with an ambition to reach 250,000 in the longer term. To encourage young people to join, the Cadet Force headquarters run national and regional marketing campaigns showcasing the benefits of personal development, adventure, and community involvement. The Cadet Forces are also very active on social media with regular posts publicising activities and further information about joining is also posted on the Cadet Forces’ websites. The Cadet Forces are inclusive organisations, committed to equality of opportunity for young people with activities heavily subsidised to ensure inclusivity. We are proud of the fact that we invest a significant amount in our Cadet Forces, and it is worth noting that if the cadet experience helps just 1% of cadets every year change their life outcomes so that they are in employment, education or training, the annual cost of the Cadet Forces is covered. Independent research shows that participation in the Cadet Forces has significant positive impacts on young people. It increases their performance at school and improves their employment and career prospects and the impact is particularly strong for those cadets that suffer economic and other disadvantages.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 39631 on Armed Forces: Fylde, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) financial, (b) geographic and (c) cultural barriers to participation in the Cadet forces.

We are committed to sustaining and growing the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Cadet Forces across the UK, including in the Fylde constituency. Uplift in Cadet numbers will benefit all regions of the UK, but it will be targeted at those communities most in need. Given the fantastic benefits which can be gained from the Cadet experience we want more young people to be able to join and we aim to significantly grow both community and school Cadet numbers, expanding by 30% by 2030, with an ambition to reach 250,000 in the longer term. To encourage young people to join, the Cadet Force headquarters run national and regional marketing campaigns showcasing the benefits of personal development, adventure, and community involvement. The Cadet Forces are also very active on social media with regular posts publicising activities and further information about joining is also posted on the Cadet Forces’ websites. The Cadet Forces are inclusive organisations, committed to equality of opportunity for young people with activities heavily subsidised to ensure inclusivity. We are proud of the fact that we invest a significant amount in our Cadet Forces, and it is worth noting that if the cadet experience helps just 1% of cadets every year change their life outcomes so that they are in employment, education or training, the annual cost of the Cadet Forces is covered. Independent research shows that participation in the Cadet Forces has significant positive impacts on young people. It increases their performance at school and improves their employment and career prospects and the impact is particularly strong for those cadets that suffer economic and other disadvantages.

How much funding his Department has allocated to support Cadet Forces in each of the (a) last and (b) next five years.

The Ministry of Defence allocates funding to the cadets through a number of different channels and therefore the cost of delivering and supporting Cadet activity falls across a wide range of business areas, agencies, and organisations. However, the latest estimate of the cost of the Cadet Forces, based on financial year 2023-24 was in the region over £210 million. This Government is absolutely committed to supporting the Cadet Forces across the UK and the Strategic Defence Review has recommended expanding in-school and community-based Cadet Forces across the country by 30% by 2030, with an ambition to reach 250,000 in the longer term. We are proud that we will continue to invest a significant amount each year in these excellent youth organisations. We know that if just 1% of cadets change their life outcomes each year – so that they take part in education or training or gain employment – the annual cost of the Cadet Forces is fully covered.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed increase to employers’ National Insurance contributions on the defence industry in Fylde constituency.

As individual suppliers and contractors will manage the changes to Employer National Insurance Contributions differently, it would be extremely difficult for the Department to estimate the impact this will have on the defence industry, including those based in the Fylde constituency.

What steps he is taking to increase his Department’s support for SMEs in the defence industry in Fylde constituency.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) make a vital contribution to economic growth and are a valuable source of technical innovation in defence. This is recognised in the Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, as well as the Department’s Social Value policies. We work with our largest suppliers through a network of their SME Champions, trade associations and SME representatives to ensure that SMEs have fair access to opportunities in our supply chain and that our prime contractors are adopting policies, such as fair payment practices, that support small businesses working in defence. We have announced the launch of a new hub to provide SMEs with better access to the defence supply chain and have committed to set direct SME spending targets for the Ministry of Defence by June this year, ensuring that thousands of small businesses in the UK, including those in the Fylde constituency, will benefit from the decision to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

What steps he is taking to support veterans who served in Northern Ireland in Fylde constituency.

This Government recognises the important contribution and sacrifice of those who served in Northern Ireland to keep us safe, and that of the families who enabled them to do so. Veterans who served in Northern Ireland are eligible for a range of support, wherever they reside in the United Kingdom. Veterans can additionally access tailored employment support via the Career Transition Partnership, which supports those leaving military service in search of new job opportunities, and Op ASCEND, a new employment pathway for veterans operating across the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, specialist care for physical and mental health conditions is available to veterans in Fylde via Op RESTORE and Op COURAGE respectively. For those who may be homeless or at risk of homelessness, housing guidance and support is available across the country via Op FORTITUDE, a single referral pathway to connect veterans with help and support. In Fylde specifically, UK Government funding enables Burnley FC In The Community to provide mentoring and capacity building to AFC Fylde, helping to develop their Armed Forces community engagement programmes. The funding is delivered through the Thrive Together programme, which is administered by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust on behalf of the Government. Additionally, Armed Forces Community HQ CIC in Wigan delivers Wigan Council’s Homes at Ease programme, which is funded through the Government’s Reducing Veteran Homelessness Fund. This ‘housing first’ solution for homeless veterans across the North West is making a tangible difference, to date housing 21 veterans across Lancashire and four within Fylde. Where historic investigations impact on veterans who served during Op BANNER, I have committed that the Ministry of Defence will continue to provide welfare and legal support to those affected. The Department is working with the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery to support its important work.

What steps he is taking to support cadet forces in Fylde constituency.

The Government is convinced of the benefits of cadets, not just for young people who participate, but for society. Participation in the Cadet Forces has significant positive impacts on young people, increasing their performance at school and improving their employment and career prospects. The Cadet Forces instil values and standards and provide the opportunity for young people to develop key skills including self-discipline, confidence, and resilience which equip them for life. The skills, confidence, and cultural capital that young people gain from being cadets improves their social mobility, and in terms of health and wellbeing alone, participation in the Cadet Forces produces an annual return on investment in the region of £120 million. Independent research has shown the cost of cadets is fully covered if the life outcomes of just 1% of cadets change each year so that they are in education, training, or employment. For all these reasons, we are committed to sustaining the Cadet Forces across the UK, including within the Fylde constituency, where there are currently nine separate Cadet Units.

What steps his Department is taking to manage the potential impact of recent legal cases against veterans on trends in the level of recruitment for the Armed Forces.

Across Defence, a range of surveys and polls are regularly used which indicate broad engagement levels and attitudes towards the Armed Forces. The information is routinely used to ensure that Armed Forces’ recruitment activity can most effectively attract the best possible talent that the Armed Forces need. We expect the highest standards of our Service personnel. The overwhelming majority meet those expectations and serve with great distinction, but we rightly hold them to account when they fall short of these expectations. Equally though, we recognise the importance of doing everything we can, within the law, to protect serving personnel and veterans from repeat, malicious and often self-serving allegations. We will continue to explore options for enhancing these protections. Legal and pastoral support is provided to veterans affected by legal proceedings.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of an increase in defence spending on investment in Fylde constituency.

The increase in defence spending will fund critical investments in areas like autonomous systems, AI, cyber, rebuilding stockpiles and munition reserves, and therefore will support the security and resilience of the whole of the UK, including Fylde. The full details will be set out in the Strategic Defence Review.

With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, if he will order additional Eurofighter Typhoon jets.

To provide the UK with the most relevant and capable Combat Aircraft force, the Ministry of Defence continually reviews the expected threat and the ability of our forces to counter it. Any further purchases would be set out in the usual way.

Whether British manufacturers will be given priority in new defence infrastructure contracts.

The additional investment in defence announced by the Prime Minister on 25 February 2025 will both 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. This includes maximising jobs, growth, skills and innovation in the UK. This Government is committed to supporting UK based manufacturers and will bring forward a new Defence Industrial Strategy later this year to align the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy. Defence infrastructure projects already make extensive use manufacturers based in the UK, but do also source materials and equipment to be used in contracts from overseas. Allowing sourcing from overseas helps maintains the competitive advantage of UK businesses and can provide better value for money.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 November 2024 to Question 12181 on Typhoon Aircraft: Procurement, what steps he is taking to ensure that skilled workers in the defence sector are retained.

This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned. The defence sector, including the combat air sector, provides highly skilled jobs across the UK and the Defence Industrial Strategy will consider how we grow and retain the skills needed, working closely with partners across Government, industry and skills bodies to ensure we retain and attract a skilled workforce across the sector.

Following the Chancellor's commitment of £3 billion a year for the Ukraine war effort, what similar commitment does this budget make for our continued support of Israel's war effort.

A resolution to this conflict has been a priority since day one of this Government. An immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to the crisis. The UK continues to fund our operational presence in Middle East to support regional stability as we push for a long-term political solution that includes the implementation of a two-state solution.

Whether his Department's budget for 2025-26 includes 24 Typhoon jets.

Budget allocations for 2025-26 will be set in the usual way and informed by the findings of the Strategic Defence Review.