Every parliamentary written question tabled by David Reed this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 80 · Ministry of Defence
What the legal basis is for allowing UK forces to interdict sanctioned shadow fleet vessels transiting UK territorial waters; and whether that legal basis has been confirmed in writing by the Attorney General.
UK forces operate in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and domestic law.
What evidential threshold must be met before a sanctioned shadow fleet vessel may be boarded in UK territorial waters.
We keep maritime activity in UK territorial waters under constant review. We will not provide a running commentary or get into details of our decision-making process as this could compromise our ability to successfully take action against sanctioned ships, only benefitting our adversaries.
Whether he has had recent discussions with his US counterpart on (a) consent to transfer sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory and (b) amendment to the 1966 UK–US treaty.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 January 2026 to Question 107405 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge).
Whether his Department has undertaken modelling on the potential impact of the UK not participating in the first tranche of procurements financed under the EU’s Security Action for Europe programme on the UK defence sector.
The UK is committed to a broad and constructive relationship with the EU. We are working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes taking forward discussions on a bilateral participation agreement for cooperation under the EU’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) instrument. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely across the whole of Government, including the His Majesty’s Treasury, the Department of Business and Trade and the Cabinet Office, and in cooperation with industry partners and all our European allies, to inform our approach to enhancing Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and deliver critical capabilities required to support Ukraine. While we will not give a running commentary on talks, this Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value to the UK and UK industry.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Security and Defence Partnership between the UK and EU on the defence sector.
The UK is committed to a broad and constructive relationship with the EU. We are working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes taking forward discussions on a bilateral participation agreement for cooperation under the EU’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) instrument. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely across the whole of Government, including the His Majesty’s Treasury, the Department of Business and Trade and the Cabinet Office, and in cooperation with industry partners and all our European allies, to inform our approach to enhancing Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and deliver critical capabilities required to support Ukraine. While we will not give a running commentary on talks, this Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value to the UK and UK industry.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the United Kingdom not securing access to the first tranche of Security Action for Europe projects on the economy.
The Brexit deal signed by the last Government did not include UK participation in Security Action For Europe (SAFE). Thanks to the Prime Minister’s EU reset we are now able to explore participation. The UK is committed to a broad and constructive relationship with the EU. We are working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes taking forward discussions on a bilateral participation agreement for cooperation under the EU’s Security Action For Europe instrument. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely across the whole of Government, including the His Majesty’s Treasury, the Department of Business and Trade and the Cabinet Office, and in cooperation with industry partners and all our European allies, to inform our approach to enhancing Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and deliver critical capabilities required to support Ukraine. While we will not give a running commentary on talks, this Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value to the UK and UK industry.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that defence companies in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor are able to (a) recruit staff, (b) receive investment and (c) expand.
As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, we announced a £182 million skills package that will attract, develop and retain the high-skilled workforce required to meet the objectives of the Strategic Defence Review. This investment in skills, in addition to the creation of the Defence Office for Small Business Growth, will help defence companies across the UK, including those in the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor. Further details will be announced with the publication of the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy in 2026.
What assessment his Department has made of the value for money of the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft contract since 2008.
The RAF Voyager fleet provides value for money by serving as a versatile asset for air-to-air refuelling, strategic airlift, and VIP transport. Under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract, Air Tanker is required to provide the Department with their performance data. This gives the Department complete transparency, ensuring regular monitoring and compliance with the terms of the agreement.
What future air-to-air refuelling requirements will be considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
The Defence Investment Plan will consider the UK's future air-to-air refuelling requirements to ensure we meet our commitments to NATO and the nation. The outcome will be included in the Defence Investment Plan, which is due to be published this year.
What steps he plans to take to achieve £6 billion in new efficiencies within the defence budget during this parliament; and what the sources of these will be.
As set out in the SDR, we have identified £6 billion of new savings over the course of this Parliament, through efficiency and productivity savings, civilian workforce changes, structural simplification and contractual efficiencies.Alongside the Defence Investment Plan later this year, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will publish a Defence Reform and Efficiency Plan, which will provide further detail on the range of reforms across the MOD which will deliver these efficiencies.
What steps he is taking to replace the SA80 rifle.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 28 April 2025 to Question 45196 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) and on 14 May 2025 to Question 50537 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge).
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that Project Grayburn (a) supports economic growth, (b) strengthens UK-based supply chains and (c) creates skilled jobs across the United Kingdom.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 28 April 2025 to Question 45196 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) and on 14 May 2025 to Question 50537 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge).
What the annual cost is to maintain the Hawk T1 fleet under the existing fleet maintenance contract.
There are two support contracts in place to support the Hawk TMk1 to its out of service date in March 2030 and the Hawk TMk2 to 2033. Specific terms and conditions are subject to commercial confidentiality. In the financial year from 2023-24 the value for solely the TMk1 aircraft maintenance was £27.7 million.
Pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 23535 on Hawk Aircraft, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the high fatigue index in the remaining Hawk T1 fleet on the total number of available UK-based training hours for personnel.
Hawk T1 is not employed in a flying training role. The Hawk T1 airframes are solely allocated to sustaining the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows.As given in the answer to Question 23535, across all airframes we have retained more than sufficient overall remaining available fatigue life to ensure all Red Arrows tasking until 2030 as planned.
Pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 23535 on Hawk Aircraft, what plans his Department has for the replacement of the Hawk T1 by 2030; and whether it is his policy to maintain a sovereign jet training capability in this process.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 December 2024 for Question 16460 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois).
How many UK personnel have been trained on jet aircraft in (a) the UK and (b) overseas in each of the last five years; and in which countries overseas training has taken place.
In the last five years there have been 82 UK personnel trained on fast jet (FJ) aircraft in the UK and 22 UK personnel trained on fast jet aircraft overseas. Overseas training has taken place in the USA and Italy. Financial Year2020-212021-222022-232023-242024-25TOTALFJ Pilots trained in the UK2428571882FJ Pilots trained overseas0078722
What was the total cost to the public purse of training personnel on jet aircraft in (a) the UK and (b) overseas in each of the last five years; and what proportion of the total training budget each represents.
The UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) cost for the Fast Jet training element over the last 5 years was circa £500.4 million. That includes fixed and multiple variable costs such as fuel, instructor and trainee salary, infrastructure/accommodation upkeep, aerodrome operations and runway refurbishment. The cost detail for Fast Jet Outsourced Training over the last five years is being withheld to protect commercial confidentiality. Outsourcing services are negotiated Government to Government via Memorandums of Understanding and Technical Arrangements and therefore it is not appropriate to disclose specific cost detail. It is not possible to state what proportion of the total training budget this represents as the information is not held in this format and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 17477 on RFA Argus: Amphibious Vehicles, whether his Department has identified reductions in amphibious capability from the use of RFA Argus in place of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark.
The previous administration had no plans for either HMS Albion or HMS Bulwark to return to sea ahead of their leaving service in the 2030s, therefore there has been no reduction in capability. RFA Argus, alongside Bay Class, is a highly capable ship and will continue to support Royal Marine operations until the introduction of Multi-Role Support Ships in the early 2030s.
Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 17476 on Amphibious Vehicles, whether his Department has identified reductions in amphibious capability from the use of Bay Class Landing Ship Docks in place of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark.
The previous administration had no plans for either HMS Albion or HMS Bulwark to return to sea ahead of their leaving service in the 2030s, therefore there has been no reduction in capability. The Bay Class are highly capable ships and, alongside RFA Argus, will continue to support Royal Marine operations until the introduction of Multi-Role Support Ships in the early 2030s.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 December 2024 to Question 17491 on National Security: Cybersecurity, whether there is a formalised process whereby his Department meets with the (a) Cabinet Office and (b) Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to discuss the (i) development and (ii) procurement of digital capabilities for national security.
Officials from the Ministry of Defence regularly meet with officials from the Cabinet Office and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology through a number of Cross Whitehall meetings and boards. These forums allow Defence to feed in and engage on broader digital and national security related matters including the development and procurement of digital capabilities.