Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to the Spring Statement on 26 March 2025, what the forecasted cost to establish the Defence Reform Model is.

Defence Reform is delivering meaningful change through a phased approach over the course of this parliament to reform Defence. However, it is too early to capture the required level of investment in this programme of work, which we expect will deliver net benefits through changes such as more efficient procurement processes, including a reduction in waste. A temporary team was established in Autumn 2024 to lead Defence Reform activity. The team is expected to continue for the duration of the transformation work, and resource and budget will flex to meet the requirements of the programme. A Written Ministerial Statement setting out the key areas and features of Defence Reform was released to the House today.

How many Outline Business Cases are being considered by Departmental Spend Control Approvals.

In year controls are used across the Department to manage its performance against the Defence budget as part of good financial management. This is separate to the full business case scrutiny process which continues as usual.

What recent assessment he has made of the (a) extent and (b) nature of military support from North Korea to Russia’s campaign against Ukraine.

The military co-operation between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has serious security implications for Europe and the Indo-Pacific. North Korea already sends significant munitions and arms to Russia, in direct violation of multiple UN resolutions. It has also been reported that DPRK has subsequently deployed limited numbers of additional troops in support of Russian Forces, who have made territorial gains in recent weeks in offensive operations against Ukrainian forces in Kursk.

Whether he has considered a derogation from the European Convention on Human Rights in the event of the deployment in Ukraine of a British (a) peacekeeping and (b) reassurance force.

The Government is leading detailed military planning, along with allies and partners, to develop potential security guarantees for Ukraine. As longstanding practice over many decades, the UK complies fully with UK and international law whenever it conducts military operations at home or abroad. Our Armed Forces will always have out fullest support.

What size force he intends to send on Exercise Hedgehog in May 2025.

The UK has endorsed the deployment of 4 Brigade and four Typhoons to Exercise HEDGEHOG. The UK will provide roughly 2,500 Service personnel towards the exercise, in addition to the Forward Land Forces armoured battle group already deployed in Estonia, comprising circa 800 soldiers. France will also provide support, alongside Finland and the US.

If he will (a) publish and (b) deposit a paper in the library of the House of Commons details of the Defence Reform Model.

Defence Reform is delivering meaningful change through a phased approach over the course of this parliament to reform Defence. However, it is too early to capture the required level of investment in this programme of work, which we expect will deliver net benefits through changes such as more efficient procurement processes, including a reduction in waste. A temporary team was established in Autumn 2024 to lead Defence Reform activity. The team is expected to continue for the duration of the transformation work, and resource and budget will flex to meet the requirements of the programme. A Written Ministerial Statement setting out the key areas and features of Defence Reform was released to the House today.

Whether the Defence Reform Model will have (a) an annual budget and (b) a full time staffing allocation.

Defence Reform is delivering meaningful change through a phased approach over the course of this parliament to reform Defence. However, it is too early to capture the required level of investment in this programme of work, which we expect will deliver net benefits through changes such as more efficient procurement processes, including a reduction in waste. A temporary team was established in Autumn 2024 to lead Defence Reform activity. The team is expected to continue for the duration of the transformation work, and resource and budget will flex to meet the requirements of the programme. A Written Ministerial Statement setting out the key areas and features of Defence Reform was released to the House today.

How many British service personnel are deployed to (a) Estonia, (b) Latvia, (c) Lithuania and (d) Poland as part of the UK contribution to the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence.

As part of the UK contribution to the NATO Enhanced Forward presence, circa 1,300 British Service personnel are deployed to Estonia and circa 100 to Poland. The UK does not contribute forces to Latvia or Lithuania within the context of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence.

If he will publish a summary of his discussions with his Estonian counterpart that took place on 26 March 2025.

As I am sure the hon. Gentleman will understand, we do not routinely publish readouts after individual bilateral meetings. The Secretary of State had productive discussions with his Estonian counterpart about our bilateral cooperation with Estonia and our cooperation through the JEF and NATO.

What the annual cost is of Substitute Service Family Accommodation by region.

As of 28 March 2025, 174 Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA) properties are in use in the United Kingdom. The cost of SSFA for financial year 2024-25 is £1.28 million. Information regarding the annual cost of SSFA by region is not held.

Whether he has had discussions with (a) the Chief of Defence People, (b) the Deputy Chief of the General Staff and (c) other military representatives on changing elements of the Army Officer Internship scheme.

Since 2021, the Gap Year Commission has been integrated into the Army Internship Programme, which has provided individuals with the opportunity to experience a challenging and rewarding year with the Army in the role of an Army Officer for 12 months before, during or after University. The Army offers up to 30 places per year on the Internship programme. 52 different opportunities are provided to allow applicants their choice of role. Whilst we do not hold data for the entire period requested, below are the number of completions for each academic year since 2017-18. Courses start in September and conclude the following year. YearInternship completions2017-2018112018-2019142019-2020142020-2021162021-2022102022-2023102023-202411 There are currently fewer than 10 active Service personnel enrolled on an internship for the 2024-25 scheme. Those awarded an internship are paid a spot rate at Pre-Career officer rates and are non-pensionable. These rates are reviewed annually on the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. Internship officers are also provided with an accommodation solution in accordance with Joint Service Policy. Furthermore, any internship officers who become ill or are injured are eligible to receive benefits from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. There have been no recent discussions or proposed changes to the Internship scheme.

How many Substitute Service Family Accommodation properties are in use in the United Kingdom.

As of 28 March 2025, 174 Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA) properties are in use in the United Kingdom. The cost of SSFA for financial year 2024-25 is £1.28 million. Information regarding the annual cost of SSFA by region is not held.

How many service personnel live in Substitute Service Family Accommodation.

As of 28 March 2025, there were 174 Service personnel and their families, living in Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA). Information on the number of Service personnel living in SSFA by rank or by the number of dual Serving Service personnel is not held.

What the annual cost is of Substitute Service Family Accommodation.

As of 28 March 2025, 174 Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA) properties are in use in the United Kingdom. The cost of SSFA for financial year 2024-25 is £1.28 million. Information regarding the annual cost of SSFA by region is not held.

Whether the forecasted cost of the Rented Living Accommodation Project has changed since 5 July 2024.

The average annual cost of the Rented Living Accommodation Project (RLAP) is £80 million. The RLAP Contract is due for renewal on 1 April 2027. The overall forecast cost for RLAP has not changed since 5 July 2024.

How many service personnel were living in Substitute Service Family Accommodation by rank as of 27 March 2025.

As of 28 March 2025, there were 174 Service personnel and their families, living in Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA). Information on the number of Service personnel living in SSFA by rank or by the number of dual Serving Service personnel is not held.

With reference to paragraph 2.8 of the Spring Statement, 26 March 2025, what his Department's definition of novel technology is.

At the Chancellor’s Spring Statement the Ministry of Defence (MOD) committed to establishing UK Defence Innovation (UKDI). This new body will simplify and consolidate the current MOD structures for innovation. The Spring Statement also confirmed that from next year the MOD will spend at least 10% of its equipment procurement budget on novel technology. Novel technology investments include dual-use technologies such as uncrewed and autonomous systems and AI-enabled capabilities. This list is not exhaustive, and work is ongoing to establish a formal definition of novel technology that UKDI and the wider Department will work against. The creation of UKDI underlines this Government's commitment to exploiting new ideas and technologies to equip our Armed Forces with cutting edge tech and grow high tech businesses across the UK.

With reference to paragraph 2.8 of the Spring Statement, 26 March 2025, when he plans to achieve his target for major platforms to have an average of two years to contract.

The Ministry of Defence is reforming its acquisition system to deliver defence capabilities at greater pace, drive productivity and secure the best possible value for money, under the leadership of a new National Armaments Director.A timescale for practical application of a segmented approach to procurement will be developed in consultation with industry and closely integrated with implementation of wider defence reforms, the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy.

With reference to paragraph 2.8 of the Spring Statement, 26 March 2025, what his planned timetable is for achieving pace-setting modular upgrades to have an average of one year to contract.

The Ministry of Defence is reforming its acquisition system to deliver defence capabilities at greater pace, drive productivity and secure the best possible value for money, under the leadership of a new National Armaments Director.A timescale for practical application of a segmented approach to procurement will be developed in consultation with industry and closely integrated with implementation of wider defence reforms, the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy.

What the entitlement requirements are for an application to live in Substitute Service Family Accommodation.

When Service Family Accommodation (SFA) is unavailable on assignment to a new duty unit, Service personnel who are married and accompanied by their family, registered in a civil partnership, a lone single parent, or are married unaccompanied fulfilling certain key appointments are entitled to apply for Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA) broadly equivalent to SFA entitlement. SSFA is provided by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) contractor responsible for sourcing suitable properties from the commercial rental market, subject to the following criteria: The applicant must be entitled to SFA in accordance with MOD regulations;The MOD contractor must have issued a non-availability certificate in respect of the applicant;They expect to occupy the property for a minimum of six months.