Written questions by Thomas.

What steps his Department is taking to mitigate the potential impact of the delayed publication of the Defence Investment Plan on small and medium defence manufacturers.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department is taking to mitigate the impact on armed forces personnel from any delay in announcing the 2026/27 Armed Forces pay round.

Awaiting answer.

When he plans to announce final pay figures for the 2026/27 Armed Forces pay round.

Awaiting answer.

What the annual electricity consumption at MoD Ashchurch was, provided as Half-Hourly electricity data, for the most recent 12-month period.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information on the annual electricity consumption at MOD Ashchurch, provided as Half-Hourly electricity data, for the most recent 12-month period.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of installing renewable energy sources at MoD Ashchurch on i) energy cost savings and ii) carbon reduction.

The Vehicle Storage and Support Programme (VSSP) at MOD Ashchurch is delivering modern, sustainable storage solutions for the Army’s Stored Fleets. The project, on track for completion in March 2027, includes the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) array to support the energy needs of new Controlled Humidity Environment (CHE) units. These units will reduce vehicle degradation and maintenance requirements, delivering long-term cost savings and improved operational readiness. While the CHE units will increase electricity usage, the PV array—anticipated to produce 1,542,499 kWh annually—will meet 60% of this additional demand. This will reduce reliance on external electricity, enhance energy resilience, and avoid 427,735 kg of CO2 emissions per year. Furthermore, all new buildings that are part of the VSSP will incorporate energy-efficient systems, including heat recovery, air source heat pumps, and advanced lighting, reducing fossil fuel use and cutting carbon emissions by a third. These measures will ensure that the increased energy usage is offset by significant cost savings, improved efficiency, and a reduced carbon footprint, supporting the Department’s sustainability objectives.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a joint procurement plan for the nations making up the Coalition of the Willing.

Alongside France, the UK is jointly leading the Coalition of the Willing to support Ukraine's long-term security. The Coalition remains focused on increasing pressure on Russia, sustaining the flow of military assistance to Ukraine, and tightening economic restrictions to degrade Putin's war machine and help create the conditions for a just peace.No decisions have been made on a joint procurement plan under the Coalition of the Willing.

What steps his Department is taking to streamline the recruitment process for the armed forces.

The Government is focused upon improving Armed Forces recruitment, modernising and refining our policies and processes to attract the best possible talent. We have delivered this through policies which have included a 35% pay increase for new recruits; one of the largest pay increases in the last 20 years for existing personnel; scrapping over 100 outdated medical policies; the creation of novel entry pathways such as the military Direct-Entry Cyber and ZigZag Careers pathways as well as the recently announced Armed Forces Foundation Scheme (‘Gap Year’); and delivering the ambition to make a conditional offer of employment to candidates within 10 days, and a provisional training start date within 30 days. These activities and their impacts will inform the development of the Armed Forces Recruiting Service (AFRS) which is being implemented to further improve the speed with which highly motivated and capable people can join our Armed Forces. The AFRS contract with Serco commenced on 1 April 2025 and will fully unify recruitment by October 2027, replacing the separate schemes that are currently run by the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Airforce. AFRS will create a streamlined, single-entry point to attract diverse talent and modernise recruitment - making it faster, simpler, and more accessible. It will deliver a single digital system to support candidates and recruiters. It will utilise military personnel and civilian staff to support candidates through the recruitment process. This contract is vital for building a capable, motivated future force ready to meet evolving global challenges.

What steps his Department is taking to streamline the transition between regular and reserve service.

As part of a wider programme to enable a more flexible workforce we are examining our policies and regulations to make transition between all parts of the Armed Forces as seamless as possible. The first step in this is a measure in the Armed Forces Bill 2026 that will enable service people to transfer between the Regular Force and the Volunteer Reserve without having to leave and rejoin.

What steps he is taking to ensure the reliability of issued kit.

The appropriate reliability requirement for items of defence equipment is identified during the early stages of a project. During the stages prior to introduction to service the supplier provides evidence via the Reliability Case that the item will meet the agreed reliability needs of the user. In accordance with Public Procurement Regulations, contracts placed with suppliers to deliver equipment to our Armed Forces must be proactively managed to ensure such items are delivered on time, on budget and to the standard expected for our Armed Forces. Delivery Teams within the Ministry of Defence monitor the performance of contractors against the terms and conditions of a contract through the use of Progress Reports and/or Progress Meetings. Furthermore, the Department monitors the quality management systems within major suppliers to provide assurance that defence equipment is delivered to the required standard.

What recent assessment his Department has made of further access to MoD establishments, assets and personnel by Chinese foreign students enrolled on MoD courses beyond the scope of that course since 2010.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that Defence establishments, assets and personnel are attractive targets for foreign intelligence services and takes the threat they pose extremely seriously. This is reflected in the establishment of the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit in December 2025 which seeks to cohere and strengthen the UK’s counter-intelligence capabilities. All MOD courses are delivered in line with Government security classification standards and nationality requirements to ensure the appropriate protective measures are in place. It is not Government policy to comment on specific intelligence matters.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential that Chinese foreign students enrolled on MoD courses since 2010 were Foreign Intelligence Services personnel.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that Defence establishments, assets and personnel are attractive targets for foreign intelligence services and takes the threat they pose extremely seriously. This is reflected in the establishment of the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit in December 2025 which seeks to cohere and strengthen the UK’s counter-intelligence capabilities. All MOD courses are delivered in line with Government security classification standards and nationality requirements to ensure the appropriate protective measures are in place. It is not Government policy to comment on specific intelligence matters.

What number per year of Chinese foreign students completed training courses at (a) BRNC Dartmouth, (b) RMA Sandhurst and (c) RAFC Cranwell, since 2010.

It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the hon. Member's Question. I will write to him when the information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.

What number per year of Chinese foreign students were withdrawn from training courses at (a) BRNC Dartmouth, (b) RMA Sandhurst and (c) RAFC Cranwell since 2010; and under what circumstances they were withdrawn.

It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the hon. Member's Question. I will write to him when the information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the cumulative value of intelligence gathered by Chinese foreign students enrolled on MoD courses since 2010.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that Defence establishments, assets and personnel are attractive targets for foreign intelligence services and takes the threat they pose extremely seriously. This is reflected in the establishment of the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit in December 2025 which seeks to cohere and strengthen the UK’s counter-intelligence capabilities. All MOD courses are delivered in line with Government security classification standards and nationality requirements to ensure the appropriate protective measures are in place. It is not Government policy to comment on specific intelligence matters.

What assessment she has made of the compatibility of the US National Security Strategy with the UK's Strategic Defence Review.

It is for the US to answer questions about the specifics of their own National Security Strategy. The UK shares the US’s objectives of bringing the war in Ukraine to an end, strengthening Euro-Atlantic security, burden sharing through NATO and increased defence spending, which are all set out in our Strategic Defence Review. The Defence Secretary discussed this when he met with US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, in December. Our commitment to NATO and to European security is ironclad.

What assessment he has made of the viability of the purchase of F-35As as an expansion of the UK nuclear deterrent in the context of the US National Security Strategy.

The United Kingdom is purchasing at least 12 F-35A aircraft. The aircraft will allow the UK to participate in NATO's Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) nuclear mission. The nuclear weapons allocated to the NATO DCA nuclear mission are United States (US) nuclear weapons and the US retains control and custody over them. NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept states that the strategic nuclear forces of the Alliance, particularly those of the US, are the supreme guarantee of the security of the Alliance. The Government has no plans to expand the UK nuclear deterrent beyond our existing submarine-based system but continues to keep its nuclear posture under constant review in light of the international security environment and the actions of potential adversaries.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the US National Security Strategy, dated November 2025.

Just last weekend, 24 hours after the National Security Strategy was launched, I was in the US at the Reagan National Defence Forum – and spoke about this very issue with US and European Defence leaders. The US remains a critical ally and we will continue to work closely with them on NATO and wider Euro-Atlantic security.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the presence of asbestos at Ashchurch military barracks since 2019.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the health and safety of our people and we have robust policies in place to safely manage asbestos in Defence in accordance with relevant legislation and Health and Safety Executive guidance. MOD complies with its legal obligation not to construct any new infrastructure containing asbestos and to maintain a risk register for legacy asbestos, treating it as appropriate. In 2019 routine sampling identified asbestos within buildings on the Ashchurch site. The MOD immediately implemented measures and controls to reduce exposure risk and provide additional safeguards on site. Significant amounts of asbestos have now been removed and work continues to ensure any remaining asbestos is removed or made safe.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of asbestos on sites owned by his Department on (a) local communities and (b) surrounding infrastructure.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has robust policies in place to safely manage asbestos in accordance with relevant legislation and Health and Safety Executive guidance. Where asbestos is being remediated and/ or removed from MOD sites, we notify local residents in accordance with the appropriate legislation.

What steps his Department is taking to support people who came to the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.

The UK has a moral obligation to assist our Afghan friends and allies who served for, with or alongside our Armed Forces in support of UK objectives in Afghanistan. We will honour that moral duty. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) offers a range of packages for those relocated under the ARAP upon their arrival. This includes transitional accommodation on the Defence Estate, orientation and cultural awareness briefings, safeguarding, and English language support, as well as help to register to access mainstream services (such as the NHS, education, employment, and universal credit). Working with Local Authorities and other Government Departments, the MOD has also supported families in moving into settled accommodation. This Government is fully committed to delivering on the pledge to those in Afghanistan who are eligible to relocate and resettle, and we continue to welcome these Afghans and their families to the UK through our Afghan resettlement schemes. This is why, as announced by the Secretary of State for Defence on 18 December 2024, we are launching the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP), which will draw together a single pipeline for Afghan resettlement, working cross-Government, to deliver greater efficiency and better outcomes. Further information on the resettlement offer under the ARP can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-resettlement-programme