Written questions by Maguire.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the salary level for Armed Forces reservists.

Reserves enable our Armed Forces to meet the threats we face at home and overseas, by providing the scale, skills, agility and connection to society needed, in a cost-effective way. Defence believes that the pension and salary offered to today’s Reservists represents fair and competitive remuneration. A pension has been part of the offer to all Reservists since 2015 who are enrolled in the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 (AFPS 15). This is the same scheme in which Regular members of the Armed Forces are enrolled. AFPS 15 is a non-contributory scheme and is calculated according to average earnings over a Service person’s career. All Armed Forces salaries up to 1* rank, including those for Reservists, are reviewed by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review body (AFPRB). On 29 July 2024, the Government accepted the AFPRB’s recommendations in full for the 2024/25 Pay Round, which was paid in September salaries, backdated to 1 April 2024. Most personnel up to and including 1* rank received an overall 6% increase. This was the largest headline percentage uplift in 22 years for our Armed Forces.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of pension entitlements for Armed Forces reservists.

Reserves enable our Armed Forces to meet the threats we face at home and overseas, by providing the scale, skills, agility and connection to society needed, in a cost-effective way. Defence believes that the pension and salary offered to today’s Reservists represents fair and competitive remuneration. A pension has been part of the offer to all Reservists since 2015 who are enrolled in the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 (AFPS 15). This is the same scheme in which Regular members of the Armed Forces are enrolled. AFPS 15 is a non-contributory scheme and is calculated according to average earnings over a Service person’s career. All Armed Forces salaries up to 1* rank, including those for Reservists, are reviewed by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review body (AFPRB). On 29 July 2024, the Government accepted the AFPRB’s recommendations in full for the 2024/25 Pay Round, which was paid in September salaries, backdated to 1 April 2024. Most personnel up to and including 1* rank received an overall 6% increase. This was the largest headline percentage uplift in 22 years for our Armed Forces.

When his Department will publish the 2024 update to Parliament on the United Kingdom’s future nuclear deterrent.

The scheduled annual update to Parliament on the United Kingdom’s future nuclear deterrent is undergoing final clearance procedures and will be published in due course.

With reference to his Department's statistics entitled Murder, manslaughter and sexual offences in the Service Justice System: 2023, published on 28 March 2024, how many victims of sexual crimes under the age of 18 were based at the Army Foundation College.

I am sure you will understand that I am unable to release any details concerning alleged victims of sexual offences which could lead to their identification. This is because of statutory restrictions and also to ensure that victims of sexual offences are not deterred from coming forward.Therefore, in the interests of protecting the anonymity of the victims I will not be releasing information confirming whether or not any of the victims of sexual offences referred to in your question were based at the Army Foundation College at the time of the offence.I can however advise you that the published figures for victims of sexual offences aged under 18 are based on investigations opened (including referral and non-referral to the Service Prosecuting Authority), and not based on conviction.

What safeguarding training is provided to new instructors at the Army Foundation College before working with recruits.

The following safeguarding training is provided to new instructors at the Army Foundation College (AFC) before working with recruits: · Permanent Staff Development Course Part 1. This is a Defence Learning Environment Course covering the Basic Care of Trainees which includes Level 1 Safeguarding Training. · Permanent Staff Development Course Part 2. This delivers the Advanced Care of Trainees (ACoT) course, a safeguarding brief at level 2 and a review of the Supervisory Care Directive. This training is contextualised for the under 18 audience at AFC. Instructors are not able to conduct duties until they have completed ACoT. · AFC(H) staff do refresher training prior to each new intake which includes training on safeguarding and the Supervisory Care Directive. · The Commanding Officer, Designated Safeguard Lead, Chief Instructor, All Training Company Officer's Commanding, Adjutant and Unit Welfare Officer will complete the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Designated Safeguard Lead course.

With reference to the Answer of 9 May 2024 to Question 24728 on Army Foundation College: Sexual Offences, how many (a) perpetrators were involved and (b) of the victims were recruits for each category of offence listed.

Due to the small number of offences, victims and perpetrators, it would be inappropriate to release any further breakdown of the figures provided in Question 24728. I am sure you will understand that I am unable to release any details which could lead to the identification of victims of sexual offences. This is because of statutory restrictions and also to ensure that victims of sexual offences are not deterred from coming forward. Court Martial results are published online, including the Rank, charges outcome and sentence and unit at the time of Court Martial.

With reference to the Answer of 9 May 2024 to Question 24727 on Army Foundation College: Staff, how many Army Foundation College staff found to have started sexual relationships with recruits since 2014 were allowed to continue working there.

At the point of notification, the personnel were no longer working at the Army Foundation College. The cases subsequently went to Court Martial and the sentences all included Dismissal from HM Forces.

How many King’s Coronation Medals have been issued; what his planned timeline is for completing distribution to all eligible recipients; and what steps his Department is taking to help reduce delays in issuing the remaining medals.

As at 26 February 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Medal Office has despatched 144,155 medals to Service personnel, Veterans, Cadets, MOD civilian personnel and agency personnel sponsored by the MOD. The timeline for issuing the remainder of medals to eligible personnel is dependent on the confirmation from Veterans of their home address as once an individual leaves service, the efficacy of records significantly reduces. The MOD continues to explore methods of contacting those individuals who have left the Armed Forces since the 6 May 2023, as it is important to ensure that medals do not go astray by sending to unconfirmed addresses. Any veteran can apply for medals at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/apply-medal-or-veterans-badge/apply-for-a-medal.

What process there is for former members of the armed forces who left service after 6 May 2023 to apply for the King’s Coronation Medal; and when his Department plans to provide further details on this application process.

As at 26 February 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Medal Office has despatched 144,155 medals to Service personnel, Veterans, Cadets, MOD civilian personnel and agency personnel sponsored by the MOD. The timeline for issuing the remainder of medals to eligible personnel is dependent on the confirmation from Veterans of their home address as once an individual leaves service, the efficacy of records significantly reduces. The MOD continues to explore methods of contacting those individuals who have left the Armed Forces since the 6 May 2023, as it is important to ensure that medals do not go astray by sending to unconfirmed addresses. Any veteran can apply for medals at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/apply-medal-or-veterans-badge/apply-for-a-medal.

What steps are taken against permanent staff at the Army Foundation College who develop (a) sexual and (b) otherwise intimate relationships with recruits.

Sexual relationships between instructors and trainees are unacceptable. The Army Foundation College Harrogate fully implements the MOD’s Zero Tolerance policy to sexual relationships between instructors and trainees. Instructors or personnel in a position of authority, who engage in sexual relationships with trainees or recruits at any stage of training, where the sexual relationship took place whilst the trainee or recruit was still in training, are abusing their position of trust, may be committing an offence, and will be discharged from Service.

On how many occasions staff at the Army Foundation College have been disciplined for violent behaviour against recruits in each year since 2013; and what the nature was of each incident.

From 2013 to 2024, there have been 14 occasions where staff or former staff at the Army Foundation College Harrogate were convicted of an offence via Court Martial or Summary Hearing for violent behaviour against recruits. The 14 occasions consisted of eight Court Martials and six Summary Hearings. A further break down of figures may be disclosive and trigger potential breaches of the Data Protection Act.

How many and what proportion of army recruits participating in the long course at the Army Foundation College left the army before completing the course in 2024.

Of the 707 Junior Entry trainees that were due to complete training in 2024 as a result of starting the long course at the Army Foundation College in 2023, 198 left and discharged from training prior to completing the course. This equated to 28% of the total discharging from the course prior to completion. The main reason for early discharge was individuals exercising their “Discharge As Of Right”, i.e. voluntary discharge. An average of 167 personnel discharged voluntarily between 2013 and 2023.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK to extend training programme for Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel throughout 2025, published on 6 September 2024, if he will make it his policy to extend Operation Interflex into 2026, subject to conflict in Ukraine continuing into that year.

In late 2024 the Secretary of State extended Op INTERFLEX into 2025. We continually assess how we can improve our training offer to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Operation INTERFLEX remains our main training effort in support of Ukraine and, together with our international partners, we have trained over 51,000 Ukrainian personnel since June 2022. The UK is committed to working with partners to meet Ukraine's training requirements now and in the future.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 24080 on Joint Expeditionary Force, how many full-time permanent employees are employed by the Joint Expeditionary Force HQ.

11 personnel are engaged on the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) on a full-time basis at the Standing Joint Force Headquarters, the JEF HQ.

How much funding he has provided for Operation Interflex in each year since its launch in July 2022.

The Ministry of Defence's spending figures on training in support of Ukraine are £115 million for financial year 2022-23 and £200 million for financial year 2023-24. Figures for the current financial year will be released in due course.

How many full-time permanent MOD staff have worked on coordinating Operation Interflex in each year since 2002.

The table below is based on those who have been involved in co-ordinating Operation INTERFLEX for each of the six Tranches, which to date have delivered more than 51,000 trained Ukrainians. The table includes those assigned to INTERFLEX HQ, the training delivery units and the logistic support element. Please note the UK delivers Op INTERFLEX in conjunction with our partners. Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Lithuania, Australia, Romania, Netherlands, Kosovo, and Estonia are all supporting the training programme. Albania will also be joining from the end of February, so UK personnel numbers alone do not represent output of total personnel. TrancheDates fromNo of UK Personnel1Jun-221,3892Jan-231,2703Jul-231,2704Jan-243885Jul-244286Jan-25369

What estimate he has made of the (a) number and (a) value of unclaimed armed forces (i) preserved and (ii) deferred pensions; and what steps he is taking to pass those pensions to beneficiaries.

The answer to this question could only be provided at disproportionate cost as all Armed Forces’ pensions would require review and a forecast conducted to confirm they are payable and to give a value. However, it may be helpful to know that with regards to unclaimed pensions, once a pension reaches 60 working days past the point of being due for payment, proactive attempts are made to trace the pensioner. On receiving a current address, an explanatory letter and application form is sent advising that a pension may be due, and if returned, the deferred pension is put into payment. Where there is information advising that the individual is deceased, the Ministry of Defence engages to confirm whether there are dependants and then process as normal.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to (a) increase the role of the private sector within the defence sector and (b) allow industry partners to carry out essential cyber defence activities.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) works with multiple industry partners to carry out essential cyber defence activities. The Department works in a collaborative and integrated way across the technology and security sectors to deliver defensive cyber capabilities across Defence. There are two main Defensive Cyber Programmes that aim to bring in new technologies, processes, and ways of working to reduce cyber risk exposure across UK Defence. The programmes include a range of small, medium, and larger technology partners as part of their delivery ecosystems and are informed through insights gained via a wider group of Defence Industry partners through the Defence Cyber Protection Partnership (DCPP). Furthermore, the new Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) will be a future-focused and representative defence sector council that will extensively engage the private sector and other key industry partners, allowing them to help deliver Ministerially-endorsed and MOD official-endorsed recommendations into the Department.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 on the (a) effectiveness and (b) operational capabilities of UK defence.

The Ministry of Defence operates within the Computer Misuse Act 1990, and we ensure that our activities are legally covered. We do not comment on details for security reasons. The Computer Misuse Act (CMA) plays a vital role in ensuring that the UK has the right legislative framework to allow us to tackle cyber harms. The Government is committed to ensuring the CMA remains up to date and effective to tackle criminality.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20117 on Defence Equipment Expenditure, when his Department plans to send that letter.

The response to Question 20117 on Defence Equipment Expenditure is in the process of being finalised and will be sent shortly.