Written questions by Cartlidge.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Defence Serious Crime Unit.

Assurance for the effective and efficient operation of the Service Justice System is provided by the Service Justice Board, chaired by the Minister for Veterans and People and includes representatives from outside the Service Justice System, such as the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales and also non-executive directors. It provides challenge and scrutiny in respect of strategic performance data, including that related to the independent Defence Serious Crime Command and Unit.Elements of the Service Justice System are also subject to inspection by independent inspectorates. For example, in November 2024 an HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate report on the Service Prosecuting Authority commented positively on the support provided to victims in the Service Justice System and the handling of sexual offences. Later this year, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) will conduct an inspection of the Defence Serious Crime Command and Unit.

Whether he has amde an assessment of the potential merits of taking additional steps to support service personnel to come forward with behavioural complaints, in the context of the verdict delivered by the assistant Coroner for Wilshire and Swindon on 20 February 2025 into the death of Gunner Jaylsley Beck.

Our thoughts remain with Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck’s loved ones at this difficult time. Jaysley was a young and promising soldier who should have had the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and safe environment. Her death in December 2021 was and still is a tragedy, and we are deeply sorry for the failure to protect her. There is no place for any abuse within the military. I am deeply troubled that women in the Armed Forces continue to be subject to unacceptable behaviours during their service in the Armed Forces. Our Armed Forces personnel play a vital role in protecting the nation, and we are committed to making changes that create a more inclusive environment and enable cultural reform. The Service Chiefs fully endorse and support this work. A range of substantive measures – many already introduced – will help to build a safer, more inclusive environment for them and ensure that their concerns are listened to and swift appropriate action is taken. These measures include robust policies with powerful sanctions which tackle bullying, harassment and discrimination, including zero-tolerance policies on unacceptable sexual behaviour, sexual offences and sexual relationships between instructors and trainees, sexual exploitation, and abuse. This Government is also establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner as a new independent champion with the power to investigate issues raised by Service personnel and their families. To protect our people, we established the Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU) in 2022 and the Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU) in 2023. Anyone who has been a victim of serious crime in the Defence community can contact the DSCU who operate a Public Protection Unit with officers trained to handle serious sexual offences, ensuring victims are safeguarded, supported, and referred to support organisations. The VWCU provides an independent, single point of contact for victims and witnesses of serious crimes committed by Service personnel in the UK and overseas; it puts victims and witnesses at the heart of the investigative process, providing a specialist end-to-end service, from initial contact through to court and beyond. We encourage anyone who feels they are the victim of a crime to come forward and report it, calling the Service Police on 02392 285 180 (24/7) or through their confidential crime line on 0800 085 0658. Crimestoppers can also be contacted to anonymously report a crime or suspicious behaviour by phone 0800 555 111 or online: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ Additionally, anyone wanting to discuss victim support can contact the VWCU, which operates independently from the single Service Chain of Command, on 07974 074259 or via email people-dscc-vwcugroup@mod.gov.uk. Any information provided to the VWCU will be treated in confidence and individuals can discuss their options for reporting any allegations.

What plans he has to engage with service chiefs on the verdict delivered by the assistant Coroner for Wilshire and Swindon on 20 February 2025 into the death of Gunner Jaylsley Beck.

Our thoughts remain with Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck’s loved ones at this difficult time. Jaysley was a young and promising soldier who should have had the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and safe environment. Her death in December 2021 was and still is a tragedy, and we are deeply sorry for the failure to protect her. There is no place for any abuse within the military. I am deeply troubled that women in the Armed Forces continue to be subject to unacceptable behaviours during their service in the Armed Forces. Our Armed Forces personnel play a vital role in protecting the nation, and we are committed to making changes that create a more inclusive environment and enable cultural reform. The Service Chiefs fully endorse and support this work. A range of substantive measures – many already introduced – will help to build a safer, more inclusive environment for them and ensure that their concerns are listened to and swift appropriate action is taken. These measures include robust policies with powerful sanctions which tackle bullying, harassment and discrimination, including zero-tolerance policies on unacceptable sexual behaviour, sexual offences and sexual relationships between instructors and trainees, sexual exploitation, and abuse. This Government is also establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner as a new independent champion with the power to investigate issues raised by Service personnel and their families. To protect our people, we established the Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU) in 2022 and the Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU) in 2023. Anyone who has been a victim of serious crime in the Defence community can contact the DSCU who operate a Public Protection Unit with officers trained to handle serious sexual offences, ensuring victims are safeguarded, supported, and referred to support organisations. The VWCU provides an independent, single point of contact for victims and witnesses of serious crimes committed by Service personnel in the UK and overseas; it puts victims and witnesses at the heart of the investigative process, providing a specialist end-to-end service, from initial contact through to court and beyond. We encourage anyone who feels they are the victim of a crime to come forward and report it, calling the Service Police on 02392 285 180 (24/7) or through their confidential crime line on 0800 085 0658. Crimestoppers can also be contacted to anonymously report a crime or suspicious behaviour by phone 0800 555 111 or online: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ Additionally, anyone wanting to discuss victim support can contact the VWCU, which operates independently from the single Service Chain of Command, on 07974 074259 or via email people-dscc-vwcugroup@mod.gov.uk. Any information provided to the VWCU will be treated in confidence and individuals can discuss their options for reporting any allegations.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the verdict delivered by the assistant coroner for Wilsthire and Swindon on 20 February 2025 into the death of Gunner Jaylsley Beck.

Our thoughts remain with Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck’s loved ones at this difficult time. Jaysley was a young and promising soldier who should have had the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and safe environment. Her death in December 2021 was and still is a tragedy, and we are deeply sorry for the failure to protect her. There is no place for any abuse within the military. I am deeply troubled that women in the Armed Forces continue to be subject to unacceptable behaviours during their service in the Armed Forces. Our Armed Forces personnel play a vital role in protecting the nation, and we are committed to making changes that create a more inclusive environment and enable cultural reform. The Service Chiefs fully endorse and support this work. A range of substantive measures – many already introduced – will help to build a safer, more inclusive environment for them and ensure that their concerns are listened to and swift appropriate action is taken. These measures include robust policies with powerful sanctions which tackle bullying, harassment and discrimination, including zero-tolerance policies on unacceptable sexual behaviour, sexual offences and sexual relationships between instructors and trainees, sexual exploitation, and abuse. This Government is also establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner as a new independent champion with the power to investigate issues raised by Service personnel and their families. To protect our people, we established the Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU) in 2022 and the Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU) in 2023. Anyone who has been a victim of serious crime in the Defence community can contact the DSCU who operate a Public Protection Unit with officers trained to handle serious sexual offences, ensuring victims are safeguarded, supported, and referred to support organisations. The VWCU provides an independent, single point of contact for victims and witnesses of serious crimes committed by Service personnel in the UK and overseas; it puts victims and witnesses at the heart of the investigative process, providing a specialist end-to-end service, from initial contact through to court and beyond. We encourage anyone who feels they are the victim of a crime to come forward and report it, calling the Service Police on 02392 285 180 (24/7) or through their confidential crime line on 0800 085 0658. Crimestoppers can also be contacted to anonymously report a crime or suspicious behaviour by phone 0800 555 111 or online: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ Additionally, anyone wanting to discuss victim support can contact the VWCU, which operates independently from the single Service Chain of Command, on 07974 074259 or via email people-dscc-vwcugroup@mod.gov.uk. Any information provided to the VWCU will be treated in confidence and individuals can discuss their options for reporting any allegations.

If he will seek a judicial review of the Clonoe Coroner’s verdict as delivered in the Coroner’s Court in Northern Ireland on 6 February 2025.

We owe a great deal of debt to our Armed Forces – the vast majority of those who served in Operation Banner during the Troubles, did so with distinction. The Government is committed to ensuring that the legacy of the past is addressed sensitively, efficiently, and lawfully. It is important, as we seek to find an agreed way forward, that we recognise the many bereaved families of ex-service personal who continue to seek answers about the circumstances of their loved ones’ death.

Whether his Department's financial contribution to the proposed Chagos Islands settlement will be included in the figures his Department uses to calculate the percentage of GDP spent on defence.

The treaty is not finalised yet, when the deal is finalised, the Government will put it before the House.

Whether he has had discussions with veterans charities on the potential issuing of compensation payments to persons formally associated with Irish Republicanism.

Neither the Secretary of State for Defence, nor any of his Ministerial team, have had any discussions with veterans charities on the potential issuing of compensation payments to persons formerly associated with Irish Republicanism.

Whether any contracts for the lead members of the Strategic Defence Review team have been extended beyond their original termination date.

The Reviewers will make their final report to in the this Spring. The Secretary of State will then subsequently report to Parliament. The Strategic Defence Review will then be implemented by the Ministry of Defence.

What plans he has to increase the provision of all types of mortar rounds to Ukraine.

We continue to work closely with the Ukrainian Government to ensure the capabilities we provide meet the priorities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.Since 2022, we have provided over 12,000 mortar rounds to Ukraine across various calibres.

How many (a) 60mm and (b) 81mm mortar smoke rounds have been procured for Ukraine since 5 July 2024.

Since 2022, we have provided over 12,000 mortar rounds to Ukraine across various calibres. The hon. Member will be aware that for operational security reasons I am unable to provide more detailed procurement and delivery schedules. This Government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

How many (a) 60mm and (b) 81mm high explosive mortar rounds have been procured for Ukraine since 5 July 2024.

Since 2022, we have provided over 12,000 mortar rounds to Ukraine across various calibres. The hon. Member will be aware that for operational security reasons I am unable to provide more detailed procurement and delivery schedules. This Government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. This year the UK will give more military support to Ukraine than ever before, with a £4.5 billion boost.

Whether he has had discussions with the Cabinet Office on potential efficiency savings in his Department since 30 October 2024.

There have been no discussions with Cabinet Office of potential efficiency savings since that date. However, this is an area that the Department takes extremely seriously. The Department is forecasting £3,376 million of efficiency savings this financial year, of which £171 million are new efficiencies and £3,205 million are in delivery.

Whether he plans to take steps to increase the accountability of senior officials in his Department.

Through the Defence Reform Programme we will improve procurement efficiency and secure better value for taxpayers, creating a simpler Defence focused on warfighting and deterrence. A key facet of this programme is ongoing work to create a stronger Defence centre with clearer accountabilities through the Permanent Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff, National Armaments Director and Chief of Defence Nuclear. Our work on reforming Defence also includes implementation of the renewed Senior Civil Service performance management framework which sets clear expectations of senior officials.

What efficiency savings targets does his Department have for financial year (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

The Ministry of Defence does not have a set efficiency target for 2024-25. However, the Department is forecasting £3,376 million of efficiency savings this financial year, of which £171 million are new efficiencies and £3,205 million are in delivery. His Majesty's Treasury have set all Departments a 2% productivity, efficiency and savings target for RDEL spending in 2025-26.

Whether he plans to introduce new performance standards for senior officials serving in his Department.

Through the Defence Reform Programme we will improve procurement efficiency and secure better value for taxpayers, creating a simpler Defence focused on warfighting and deterrence. A key facet of this programme is ongoing work to create a stronger Defence centre with clearer accountabilities through the Permanent Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff, National Armaments Director and Chief of Defence Nuclear. Our work on reforming Defence also includes implementation of the renewed Senior Civil Service performance management framework which sets clear expectations of senior officials.

When he plans to respond to Question 23387 on the Strategic Defence Review, tabled on 13 January 2025 by the hon. Member for South Suffolk.

I responded to the hon. Member on 7 February 2025.

Whether he has a formal target date for the deployment of Project COOKSON.

Project COOKSON is in the early stages of development and there is no firm target date for its deployment.We are engaging with industry partners to understand what new capabilities may exist that would support our concept for a small, fast attack vessel equipped with modular payloads and capable of operating in challenging environments.In order to inform the next stages of Project COOKSON, we held an industry Challenge Session in January and plan to launch a competitive procurement process in early 2025, for demonstrations in late 2025 or early 2026.

What the estimated cost to the public purse is of delivering Gravehawk.

The UK's financial contribution to the Gravehawk project is circa £13M.The price of designing, producing and delivering the first two Gravehawk prototype systems was circa £6M and borne by the UK. The price for the follow-on 15 Gravehawk systems is circa £14M, which is split 50:50 between the UK and Denmark. The Gravehawk system is a bespoke air defence system rapidly developed for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and jointly funded by the United Kingdom and Denmark.

When he expects the Snapper maritime system to reach minimum deployable capability.

The Snapper system is a new uncrewed maritime system, which has been rapidly developed specifically to support Ukraine. The system is currently undergoing final testing. We are unable to provide further details on the timings for minimum deployable capability at this time for operational security reasons. Responsibility for the employment of the system rests with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

When he expects Gravehawk to reach minimum deployable capability.

Gravehawk is a bespoke air defence system rapidly developed for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and jointly funded by the United Kingdom and Denmark.Following testing last autumn, Gravehawk has now reached minimum deployable capability. Two prototypes have been handed over to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and it will be an operational decision for them when to deploy this capability.