Written questions by Ribeiro-Addy.

How many veterans have received compensation through the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme.

As of 9 June 2025, 44 Veterans have received a financial recognition through the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS). We have been prioritising payment to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible, with the first payments issued as planned within 15 weeks of the scheme going live to these prioritised groups. Some cases are more complex and require additional time due to the unique and individual circumstances involved. We envisage the scheme speeding up once the most complex cases are delt with. Payments made by the FRS are not compensation payments and do not seek to compensate for any pecuniary losses or attempt to place personnel in a financial position they could have been in, had the ban not existed. Since the Scheme was launched in December 2024, Defence’s LGBT Restorative Action Team have worked closely with external and internal Defence communications teams to deliver campaigns to drive awareness of, and encourage, eligible LGBT Veterans to make a claim. Defence continues to work with local councils, the NHS, LGBT and military charities, to better inform affected Veterans of the FRS and how to apply. Defence has also allocated £90,000 worth of grants to charities, including Fighting With Pride, to support Veterans with their FRS applications. The LGBT Restorative Action team also continues to engage with relevant Veterans networks to ensure that eligible applicants to the FRS receive the appropriate information, support, and guidance. The Government encourages those affected by the Ban to visit the following website on gov.uk for further information, guidance, and support on how to make an application: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterans-of-the-lgbt-ban-financial-recognition-scheme It is not possible for the LGBT FRS to estimate the number of applicants who may pass away before their application is decided. However, the scheme has processes in place to ensure that the award can delivered (to eligible next-of-kin) if a Veteran passes away after they have submitted their application. Additionally, the scheme prioritises applicants who are terminally ill or over 80.

What steps he is taking to ensure LGBTQ+ veterans eligible for the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme are aware of their right to claim.

As of 9 June 2025, 44 Veterans have received a financial recognition through the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS). We have been prioritising payment to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible, with the first payments issued as planned within 15 weeks of the scheme going live to these prioritised groups. Some cases are more complex and require additional time due to the unique and individual circumstances involved. We envisage the scheme speeding up once the most complex cases are delt with. Payments made by the FRS are not compensation payments and do not seek to compensate for any pecuniary losses or attempt to place personnel in a financial position they could have been in, had the ban not existed. Since the Scheme was launched in December 2024, Defence’s LGBT Restorative Action Team have worked closely with external and internal Defence communications teams to deliver campaigns to drive awareness of, and encourage, eligible LGBT Veterans to make a claim. Defence continues to work with local councils, the NHS, LGBT and military charities, to better inform affected Veterans of the FRS and how to apply. Defence has also allocated £90,000 worth of grants to charities, including Fighting With Pride, to support Veterans with their FRS applications. The LGBT Restorative Action team also continues to engage with relevant Veterans networks to ensure that eligible applicants to the FRS receive the appropriate information, support, and guidance. The Government encourages those affected by the Ban to visit the following website on gov.uk for further information, guidance, and support on how to make an application: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterans-of-the-lgbt-ban-financial-recognition-scheme It is not possible for the LGBT FRS to estimate the number of applicants who may pass away before their application is decided. However, the scheme has processes in place to ensure that the award can delivered (to eligible next-of-kin) if a Veteran passes away after they have submitted their application. Additionally, the scheme prioritises applicants who are terminally ill or over 80.

What estimate he has made of the number of LGBTQ+ veterans who have passed away before having their claim under the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme decided.

As of 9 June 2025, 44 Veterans have received a financial recognition through the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS). We have been prioritising payment to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible, with the first payments issued as planned within 15 weeks of the scheme going live to these prioritised groups. Some cases are more complex and require additional time due to the unique and individual circumstances involved. We envisage the scheme speeding up once the most complex cases are delt with. Payments made by the FRS are not compensation payments and do not seek to compensate for any pecuniary losses or attempt to place personnel in a financial position they could have been in, had the ban not existed. Since the Scheme was launched in December 2024, Defence’s LGBT Restorative Action Team have worked closely with external and internal Defence communications teams to deliver campaigns to drive awareness of, and encourage, eligible LGBT Veterans to make a claim. Defence continues to work with local councils, the NHS, LGBT and military charities, to better inform affected Veterans of the FRS and how to apply. Defence has also allocated £90,000 worth of grants to charities, including Fighting With Pride, to support Veterans with their FRS applications. The LGBT Restorative Action team also continues to engage with relevant Veterans networks to ensure that eligible applicants to the FRS receive the appropriate information, support, and guidance. The Government encourages those affected by the Ban to visit the following website on gov.uk for further information, guidance, and support on how to make an application: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterans-of-the-lgbt-ban-financial-recognition-scheme It is not possible for the LGBT FRS to estimate the number of applicants who may pass away before their application is decided. However, the scheme has processes in place to ensure that the award can delivered (to eligible next-of-kin) if a Veteran passes away after they have submitted their application. Additionally, the scheme prioritises applicants who are terminally ill or over 80.

What steps he is taking to help tackle (a) emerging security challenges from melting of Arctic sea ice and (b) related potential threats to critical infrastructure.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recognises the challenges that climate change poses; in particular, the likelihood that the Arctic will be ice-free each summer by 2040. The UK will continue to work closely with our Allies, including through the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), to maintain access, basing, overflight, and sea lines of communication in the region. Similarly, the SDR highlights an increasing role for Defence in contributing to the protection of its Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and recommends strengthening Government powers to protect CNI through legislation and exploring options for a ‘new deal’ for the protection of CNI in partnership with private-sector and allied operators. Working with our Allies in this area is also key, and the JEF has already proved its worth having activated a JEF Response Option, known as NORDIC WARDEN, in January to track potential threats to critical undersea infrastructure and monitor the Russian shadow fleet.

How Serco performed against the key performance indicators at the most recent performance review on their Future Defence Infrastructure Services contract.

Serco do not hold a Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) contract. Serco and Equans are the parent companies of VIVO. VIVO hold two Built Estate FDIS contracts in the South-West and Central Regions, as well as FDIS Accommodation contracts. The FDIS contracts are held with VIVO and therefore we do not score Serco independently when reviewing performance.

How Serco performed against the key performance indicators at the most recent performance review on their RAF Brize Norton Support Services contract.

At their most recent performance review, Serco had achieved the target for all Key Performance Indicators for this contract. The Contract Management Plan for the RAF Brize Norton Support Service contract can be found along with quarterly performance reports at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-performance-indicators-kpis-for-governments-most-important-contracts

How Serco performed against the key performance indicators at the most recent performance review on their Royal Navy Helicopter Support contract.

The contract between the Royal Navy and Serco for the provision of Air Engineering Support and Airfield services is subject to routine performance reviews. The most recent of which was held on 30 April 2025 when the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) relating to safety, service quality, aircraft engineering services, off-aircraft engineering services, airfield services and contract governance were reviewed. No significant shortfalls in Serco’s delivery against agreed key performance indicators were identified at that review. Quarterly KPI information is published four times a year for transparency and can be found at Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government’s most important contracts - GOV.UK

How Serco performed against the key performance indicators at the most recent performance review on their UK Air Defence Radars contract.

Serco provide Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) to Remote Radar Heads (RRH) in the UK and UK Overseas Territories. CLS performance is monitored and reported on the following two contracts: Contract number ADEWS/137 (Sanson Two) – This CLS support and maintenance contract is for one RRH and commenced on 1 May 2025. As a result, no Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reporting information exists. Contract number ADEWS/099 (KARKINOS) – This CLS support and maintenance contract is for five RRH’s. There is an operational availability KPI for the Radar Systems in the contract. Serco have met this contracted KPI for each calendar month in the last report period March 2024 to February 2025.

With reference to the Answer of 9 February 2024 to Question 12736 on Israel: Armed Forces, how many Israeli armed forces personnel were undertaking training in the UK on 9 September 2024; which courses they took part in; and to which UK military bases they were posted.

I thank the hon. Member for her question, I’m sure she will understand I am unable to provide an answer in order to protect personal information.