Written questions by Cartlidge.

What estimate his Department has made of the total operational cost paid by the United States for all military bases shared with the United Kingdom.

In accordance with the 1973 Cost Sharing Arrangement (CSA), the US is responsible for bearing the cost for the operational running of the bases it occupies such as utilities, as well as any development in support of its forces at those locations. There are some exceptions to that, where development is a requirement of UK legislation or Ministry of Defence policy and there is no equivalent United States legal or policy requirement.

What the annual rent paid by the United States is for the use of (a) RAF Mildenhall, (b) RAF Lakenheath, (c) Ascension Island, (d) Diego Garcia and (e) any other UK base in use by that country.

In accordance with the 1973 Cost Sharing Arrangement (CSA), the US is responsible for bearing the cost for the operational running of the bases it occupies such as utilities, as well as any development in support of its forces at those locations. There are some exceptions to that, where development is a requirement of UK legislation or Ministry of Defence policy and there is no equivalent United States legal or policy requirement.

What recent progress his Department has made on launching the Families Hub.

The Families Hub launched on 26 February 2025. The Hub is an online information portal for Armed Forces families and personnel, designed to help them navigate Service life. It signposts users to support, organisations, policies and guidance on issues such as childcare, health and wellbeing, housing, partner support and finance. The Hub aims to provide the Service community, particularly families, with a single, easily accessible source of relevant information so that they are better equipped to understand their options and make informed decisions on how they manage Service life as a family. The Hub can be accessed at: https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/families/

What his policy on visa fees is for non-UK based veterans and their dependents who have served in the UK armed forces for four or more years.

This Government is committed to removing visa fees for non-UK veterans who have served our country for four or more years, and their dependents. The Ministry of Defence is actively working with the Home Office to take this forward.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 36716 on Armed Forces: Housing, how many of the 9,000 Service personnel and their families benefitted from the delivery of damp and mould packages (a) between July 2023 and 4 July 2024 and (b) since 5 July 2024.

Over 9,000 damp and mould packages have been delivered since the Damp and Mould Taskforce was established in 2023, of which:a) 5,253 packages were delivered between July 2023 and 4 July 2024.b) 3,714 packages were delivered since 5 July 2024 to date.

Whether he has authorised any changes to the length of training undertaken by the Royal Air Force for pilot cohorts since 5 July 2024.

No significant changes to the length of pilot training courses have been made since 5 July 2024. Changes to the length of the training undertaken by Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots do not require authorisation by the Secretary of State for Defence. RAF training courses have a nominated individual who is appointed as the Training Requirements Authority (TRA), who authorises the courses through a Training Authorisation Document. The TRA adjusts training routinely based on feedback from trainees and to ensure training reflects the needs of the front-line.

Whether he has authorised any changes to the allocated rotary budget for the (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 financial year.

There is no centrally held rotary budget. Rotary capability is delivered across multiple front line commands, who make prioritisation decisions within their budgets as a part of normal financial management.

With reference to the Answer by the Minister for Veterans and People to Question 123 at the Defence Committee on 11 March 2025, HC 572, what the 100 out-of-date medical requirements were that have been removed from the recruitment process.

The latest version of Joint Service Publication (JSP) 950, Leaflet 6-7-7, which sets the medical entry standards for the Armed Forces, was published in August 2024 following an intensive review undertaken by clinical experts, Defence personnel staff and the recruiting agencies. Medical entry standards have been designed to select people in, rather than be a barrier to entry and, where evidence exists to support change, standards have been made more permissive. Each standard was considered in light of existing and/or emerging medical evidence and assessed against the likelihood of the associated medical risk of a five-year engagement. This work resulted in 100 changes to JSP 950 Leaflet 6-7-7 and revised medical entry standards for conditions including respiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. I will place a copy of JSP950 Leaflet 6-7-7 (August 2024) in the Library of the House.

How frequently the Covenant Community Action Group meets.

The Covenant Community Action Group meets quarterly and is co-Chaired by the Ministry of Defence and Forces in Mind Trust. The most recent meeting took place on 19 March 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 36712 on Ministry of Defence: Public Appointments, what the annual salary will be of the incoming National Armaments Director.

The advert for the new National Armaments Director role was published on 18 March 2025. It sets out that if the successful candidate is from outside of the Civil Service, they can expect their salary on appointment to be in the range of £290,000 - £400,000 plus a bonus of up to 60% of salary, per annum. If they are an existing Civil Servant, their salary will be agreed in line with the Civil Service pay rules in place on the date of their appointment. The salary has been benchmarked against Defence industry best practice and standards to offer a competitive remuneration package to attract the right candidate with the right skills.

What recent discussions he has had with businesses on the applicability of the Armed Forces Covenant.

I have been fortunate enough to meet with many businesses and organisations that are both signed up and who are also interested in signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant. This Government is committed to fully extending the legal duty, which will increase education and awareness of the unique nature of Service. Defence Relationship Management provides direct engagement with employers across the UK through its account management team. This engagement supports employers in understanding the Armed Forces Covenant, developing bespoke and meaningful pledges, and progressing on to the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme where appropriate. The Ministry of Defence has policy in place to hold organisations to account known as the ‘the Covenant Test’, where ultimately, if a company fails the test, their right to utilise the Armed Forces Covenant title and branding can be removed.

Whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of constructing a UK-based space launch facility.

The European demand for satellite launches up to 2033 is forecast to be worth $50 billion. Capturing even 2% of this would bring around $1 billion in revenues for the UK economy. Positioning the UK with growing launch capabilities is a key part of our ambitions to be a global space player, and foster strategic independence. There would be value for the UK’s strategic independence in the long-term if this sector is able to flourish, in addition to the economic growth it will being. That is why we are supporting the development of a sustainable UK launch industry, collaborating with both industry and international partners. Additionally, the UK is involved in NATO's STARLIFT programme to enhance space launch capabilities within the alliance, ensuring preparedness for future launch requirements.

What steps he is taking to increase the accountability of businesses that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

I have been fortunate enough to meet with many businesses and organisations that are both signed up and who are also interested in signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant. This Government is committed to fully extending the legal duty, which will increase education and awareness of the unique nature of Service. Defence Relationship Management provides direct engagement with employers across the UK through its account management team. This engagement supports employers in understanding the Armed Forces Covenant, developing bespoke and meaningful pledges, and progressing on to the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme where appropriate. The Ministry of Defence has policy in place to hold organisations to account known as the ‘the Covenant Test’, where ultimately, if a company fails the test, their right to utilise the Armed Forces Covenant title and branding can be removed.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 March to Question 37252 on Defence: Finance, what the real terms equivalent of that cash figure is.

The Government’s commitment to increase defence investment to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 will result in a £13.4 billion increase to defence spending in cash terms in 2027/28 compared to 2024/25. The final real terms equivalent will depend on inflation rates between this year and 2027.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 37236 on Fleet Solid Support Ships: Procurement, whether that answer should refer to Multi Role Support Ships.

The answer given to the hon. Member is correct. The Multi Role Support Ship has been renamed the Multi Role Strike Ship (MRSS). MRSS will be a Royal Navy crewed warship with a combat system, self-defence and offensive capabilities. The amended name better reflects the platform’s function and does not indicate any change of requirement.

What steps he is taking to increase UK sovereign capability in the defence space sector.

The Ministry of Defence is supporting the Government's ambition to strengthen the UK's space sector. Through major investments from Defence, including £1.5 billion over 10 years in Defence space technologies and £5 billion over a similar period in satellite communications through the SKYNET programme, we have supported the development of technology and economic growth opportunities for the sector. Initiatives like ISTARI, a satellite constellation for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, will boost operational independence using unique technology developed in the UK. Collaboration with industry, academia, and Government is ongoing to ensure the necessary infrastructure, skilled personnel, satellites, ground stations and operators are in place for sovereign capability.

What steps he is taking to increase the retention of engineers in the (a) Royal Navy, (b) British Army and (c) Royal Air Force.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Veterans and People (Alistair Carns) on 13 January 2025 to Question 21528 to the right hon. Member for Gosport (Dame Caroline Dinenage).

If he plans to have discussions with local government on the implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Ministry of Defence’s Covenant Team has utilised its established local Government engagement structures to inform proposals for the Armed Forces Covenant Duty extension. Officials have undertaken an extensive research and engagement programme, including hosting roundtable discussions and other workshops with more than 150 stakeholders, including local Government organisations.

What recent progress his Department has made on the procurement of a medium range precision strike system.

A Prior Information Notice for Medium Range Precision Strike was released in October 2024, and a well attended Industry day was held in December 2024. Since then, the team at Defence Equipment and Support have actively engaged with industry to ensure communication continues between stakeholders and industrial partners. Concurrently, significant internal work has been completed on necessary documentation for project progression at pace; project approvals by required stakeholders remain on schedule, with contract award anticipated in 2027 and introduction into service in 2028.

When he expects the sustainment contract for E-7 Wedgetail to be signed.

The sustainment contract for E-7 Wedgetail will be established once the Full Business Case is approved. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 February 2025 to Question 26433 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois).