Written questions by Leigh.

What discussions he has had with the Chancellor of Exchequer on meeting the NATO target of spending five per cent of GDP on defence and national security.

The Ministry of Defence remains in close contact with His Majesty's Treasury and No.10 at all levels of the Department on defence spending. This Government has committed to deliver the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War. In addition, last year the Prime Minister made a historic pledge to spend 5% of GDP on defence and security related expenditure by 2035.

What steps he is taking to increase the UK’s amphibious capabilities.

Amphibious shipping remains critical to delivering Littoral Strike and supporting NATO and global crisis response. Following the Strategic Defence Review 2025, the Royal Navy is committed to enhancing its amphibious capabilities through investment in new amphibious shipping, Littoral Response Groups and the ongoing modernisation of the Commando Force. Our ambition is to modernise this capability through the Multi Role Strike Ship programme. Final decisions on capability will be informed by the Defence Investment Plan and the resourced Integrated Force Design due in Autumn 2025.

What steps he plans to take to help increase levels of defence manufacturing.

Our UK industry partners are at the heart of our One Defence approach. This Government is committed to supporting defence manufacturing in the UK and will bring forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned.