Written questions by Cartlidge.

If he will publish an assessment of the potential impact of VAT on school fees on children of service families who are (a) in receipt of Continuity of Education Allowance and (b) attending an independent school but not in receipt of that Allowance.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) provides Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) to Service personnel to minimise the disruption to their children’s education caused by service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home. Their circumstances must fit within specific regulations as laid out in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 752 (Tri-Service Regulations for Expenses and Allowances), Chapter 14, especially around accompanied service and family mobility. The single Services will monitor the impact on retention in service for those claiming CEA following the introduction of VAT on independent school fees. The Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell (PACCC) will monitor the impact on Service personnel changing schools and withdrawing from CEA. Where a Service person does not meet the eligibility criteria as laid out in JSP 752 and has made a personal choice to use a private school for their child’s education, the MOD is not involved.

How many individual Service Family Accommodation properties will have received new windows (a) between 5 July 2024 and 10 December 2024 and (b) in the remainder of the current financial year.

3,412 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties received a damp and mould treatment between 5 July and 10 December 2024. Data for the remainder of the current Financial Year (FY) cannot be provided as damp and mould is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and the department cannot predict the number of damp and mould reports in the future.Data for windows cannot be provided on its own as windows form part of a wider project which includes the replacement of doors. 998 SFA received replacement windows and doors between 5 July and 10 December 2024. A further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors by the end of FY 2024-25.In addition to the 998 SFA which received new windows and doors as part of a separate project, a further 265 SFA received doors/patio doors during the period 5 July to 10 December 2024. As above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors the end of FY 2024-25.All new window and door projects provide double glazed windows and doors. 1,263 SFA properties received double glazing and as above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new doors and windows by the end of FY 2024-25.298 boilers were installed from 5 July to 10 December 2024.356 additional boilers are due to be installed by the end of FY 2024-25.4,684 new extractor fans were fitted between these dates. Data for the remainder of the current FY cannot be provided as new extractor fans are dealt with on a case by case basis and the department cannot predict the number of new extractor fans that will be required in the future.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 November to Question 11939 on Ministry of Defence: Employers Contributions, if he will list the total cost to his Department from the employer National Insurance Contributions announced in the Autumn Budget for each remaining financial year of this Parliament.

His Majesty's Treasury has confirmed they will provide funding towards the increased cost of National Insurance contributions for the Department.The additional cost of employer National Insurance contributions in future years will be subject to changes in workforce numbers and pay. Budgets beyond next financial year will be subject to the second phase of the Spending Review.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October to Question 1829, on Armed Forces: Housing, how many of the 600 home insulation improvements have (a) been completed before 14 October 2024 and (b) will be completed in the remainder of the financial year.

Of the 600 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) identified for insulation improvements, 491 SFA still have workers onsite with 109 out of the 600 completed. 42 of these were completed by 14 October 2024. All projects are currently expected to be completed before the end of Financial Year (FY) 2024-25. 13 Projects encompassing 1,219 SFA have been completed this FY (976 SFA were completed by 14 October 2024) although some of these SFA will have been completed last FY as projects usually last for a period of six-nine months. seven projects encompassing a further 603 SFA are ongoing - with project completion ranging from 80% to 99%. All are currently expected to be completed by the end of the FY 2024-25. All but one of the remaining long-term empty home refurbishments were completed by 14 October 2024. The remaining home completed and handed over to the Service personnel on 29 November 2024. 4,314 SFA had improvement packages delivered by 14 October 2024. A further 899 damp and mould packages will be carried out over the next few months using existing funding meaning that 8,763 SFA will have received a damp and mould package of work in the last two FY’s.  The damp and mould historic backlog has now been cleared with only emergent and re-emergent cases needing to be addressed. 78 SFA have received heating replacement works this FY, all were completed by 14 October 2024. There are no plans within this FY to upgrade any further heating solutions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October to Question 1829 on Armed Forces: Housing, how many upgraded heating solutions (a) were complete before 14 October 2024 and (b) will be completed in the remainder of the financial year.

Of the 600 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) identified for insulation improvements, 491 SFA still have workers onsite with 109 out of the 600 completed. 42 of these were completed by 14 October 2024. All projects are currently expected to be completed before the end of Financial Year (FY) 2024-25. 13 Projects encompassing 1,219 SFA have been completed this FY (976 SFA were completed by 14 October 2024) although some of these SFA will have been completed last FY as projects usually last for a period of six-nine months. seven projects encompassing a further 603 SFA are ongoing - with project completion ranging from 80% to 99%. All are currently expected to be completed by the end of the FY 2024-25. All but one of the remaining long-term empty home refurbishments were completed by 14 October 2024. The remaining home completed and handed over to the Service personnel on 29 November 2024. 4,314 SFA had improvement packages delivered by 14 October 2024. A further 899 damp and mould packages will be carried out over the next few months using existing funding meaning that 8,763 SFA will have received a damp and mould package of work in the last two FY’s.  The damp and mould historic backlog has now been cleared with only emergent and re-emergent cases needing to be addressed. 78 SFA have received heating replacement works this FY, all were completed by 14 October 2024. There are no plans within this FY to upgrade any further heating solutions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16455 on Nuclear-free Zones: Treaties, whether the proposed treaty with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands will include an exemption for the military base at Diego Garcia from all protocols, with the exception of protocols I and II, of the Treaty of Pelindaba.

With reference to the answers that I provided to questions 16455 and 18117, asked by the Rt Hon Member for Rayleigh and Wickford, the UK’s primary goal throughout negotiations was to protect the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional and international security. For the first time in over 50 years the base will be undisputed and legally secure. Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2024 to Question 11939 on Ministry of Defence: Employers Contributions, how much of the cost of employer National Insurance contributions will be covered by additional direct funding from HM Treasury.

His Majesty’s Treasury has confirmed they will provide funding for the increased cost of National Insurance contributions for the Department. I will write to the hon. Member to confirm the amount once this has been finalised and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

How many individual Service Family Accommodation properties will have received new double glazing windows (a) between 5 July 2024 and 10 December 2024 and (b) in the remainder of the current financial year.

3,412 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties received a damp and mould treatment between 5 July and 10 December 2024. Data for the remainder of the current Financial Year (FY) cannot be provided as damp and mould is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and the department cannot predict the number of damp and mould reports in the future.Data for windows cannot be provided on its own as windows form part of a wider project which includes the replacement of doors. 998 SFA received replacement windows and doors between 5 July and 10 December 2024. A further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors by the end of FY 2024-25.In addition to the 998 SFA which received new windows and doors as part of a separate project, a further 265 SFA received doors/patio doors during the period 5 July to 10 December 2024. As above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors the end of FY 2024-25.All new window and door projects provide double glazed windows and doors. 1,263 SFA properties received double glazing and as above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new doors and windows by the end of FY 2024-25.298 boilers were installed from 5 July to 10 December 2024.356 additional boilers are due to be installed by the end of FY 2024-25.4,684 new extractor fans were fitted between these dates. Data for the remainder of the current FY cannot be provided as new extractor fans are dealt with on a case by case basis and the department cannot predict the number of new extractor fans that will be required in the future.

With reference to the Written Statement by the then Minister for Defence Procurement on 13 November 2023 on Service Family Accommodation and Winter Planning, HCWS28, whether he plans to make a Ministerial Statement outlining his Department's planned programme of work to support service accommodation this winter.

The Ministry of Defence currently has no plans to make a Ministerial Statement outlining the Department’s planned programme of work to support Service Family Accommodation this winter.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October to Question 1829, on Armed Forces: Housing, how many of the 200 long-term empty home refurbishments (a) were completed by 14 October 2024 and (b) will be completed in the remainder of the financial year.

Of the 600 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) identified for insulation improvements, 491 SFA still have workers onsite with 109 out of the 600 completed. 42 of these were completed by 14 October 2024. All projects are currently expected to be completed before the end of Financial Year (FY) 2024-25. 13 Projects encompassing 1,219 SFA have been completed this FY (976 SFA were completed by 14 October 2024) although some of these SFA will have been completed last FY as projects usually last for a period of six-nine months. seven projects encompassing a further 603 SFA are ongoing - with project completion ranging from 80% to 99%. All are currently expected to be completed by the end of the FY 2024-25. All but one of the remaining long-term empty home refurbishments were completed by 14 October 2024. The remaining home completed and handed over to the Service personnel on 29 November 2024. 4,314 SFA had improvement packages delivered by 14 October 2024. A further 899 damp and mould packages will be carried out over the next few months using existing funding meaning that 8,763 SFA will have received a damp and mould package of work in the last two FY’s.  The damp and mould historic backlog has now been cleared with only emergent and re-emergent cases needing to be addressed. 78 SFA have received heating replacement works this FY, all were completed by 14 October 2024. There are no plans within this FY to upgrade any further heating solutions.

How many individual Service Family Accommodation properties will have received new external doors (a) between 5 July 2024 and 10 December 2024 and (b) in the remainder of the current financial year.

3,412 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties received a damp and mould treatment between 5 July and 10 December 2024. Data for the remainder of the current Financial Year (FY) cannot be provided as damp and mould is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and the department cannot predict the number of damp and mould reports in the future.Data for windows cannot be provided on its own as windows form part of a wider project which includes the replacement of doors. 998 SFA received replacement windows and doors between 5 July and 10 December 2024. A further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors by the end of FY 2024-25.In addition to the 998 SFA which received new windows and doors as part of a separate project, a further 265 SFA received doors/patio doors during the period 5 July to 10 December 2024. As above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors the end of FY 2024-25.All new window and door projects provide double glazed windows and doors. 1,263 SFA properties received double glazing and as above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new doors and windows by the end of FY 2024-25.298 boilers were installed from 5 July to 10 December 2024.356 additional boilers are due to be installed by the end of FY 2024-25.4,684 new extractor fans were fitted between these dates. Data for the remainder of the current FY cannot be provided as new extractor fans are dealt with on a case by case basis and the department cannot predict the number of new extractor fans that will be required in the future.

How many individual Service Family Accommodation properties will have received new boilers (a) between 5 July 2024 and 10 December 2024 and (b) in the remainder of the current financial year.

3,412 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties received a damp and mould treatment between 5 July and 10 December 2024. Data for the remainder of the current Financial Year (FY) cannot be provided as damp and mould is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and the department cannot predict the number of damp and mould reports in the future.Data for windows cannot be provided on its own as windows form part of a wider project which includes the replacement of doors. 998 SFA received replacement windows and doors between 5 July and 10 December 2024. A further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors by the end of FY 2024-25.In addition to the 998 SFA which received new windows and doors as part of a separate project, a further 265 SFA received doors/patio doors during the period 5 July to 10 December 2024. As above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors the end of FY 2024-25.All new window and door projects provide double glazed windows and doors. 1,263 SFA properties received double glazing and as above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new doors and windows by the end of FY 2024-25.298 boilers were installed from 5 July to 10 December 2024.356 additional boilers are due to be installed by the end of FY 2024-25.4,684 new extractor fans were fitted between these dates. Data for the remainder of the current FY cannot be provided as new extractor fans are dealt with on a case by case basis and the department cannot predict the number of new extractor fans that will be required in the future.

How many individual Service Family Accommodation properties will have received new extractor fans (a) between 5 July 2024 and 10 December 2024 and (b) in the remainder of the current financial year.

3,412 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties received a damp and mould treatment between 5 July and 10 December 2024. Data for the remainder of the current Financial Year (FY) cannot be provided as damp and mould is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and the department cannot predict the number of damp and mould reports in the future.Data for windows cannot be provided on its own as windows form part of a wider project which includes the replacement of doors. 998 SFA received replacement windows and doors between 5 July and 10 December 2024. A further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors by the end of FY 2024-25.In addition to the 998 SFA which received new windows and doors as part of a separate project, a further 265 SFA received doors/patio doors during the period 5 July to 10 December 2024. As above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new windows and doors the end of FY 2024-25.All new window and door projects provide double glazed windows and doors. 1,263 SFA properties received double glazing and as above, a further 991 SFA are due to receive new doors and windows by the end of FY 2024-25.298 boilers were installed from 5 July to 10 December 2024.356 additional boilers are due to be installed by the end of FY 2024-25.4,684 new extractor fans were fitted between these dates. Data for the remainder of the current FY cannot be provided as new extractor fans are dealt with on a case by case basis and the department cannot predict the number of new extractor fans that will be required in the future.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October to Question 1829, on Armed Forces: Housing, how many of the 1,000 long-term damp and mould remediations (a) were completed by 14 October and (b) will be completed in the remainder of the financial year.

Of the 600 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) identified for insulation improvements, 491 SFA still have workers onsite with 109 out of the 600 completed. 42 of these were completed by 14 October 2024. All projects are currently expected to be completed before the end of Financial Year (FY) 2024-25. 13 Projects encompassing 1,219 SFA have been completed this FY (976 SFA were completed by 14 October 2024) although some of these SFA will have been completed last FY as projects usually last for a period of six-nine months. seven projects encompassing a further 603 SFA are ongoing - with project completion ranging from 80% to 99%. All are currently expected to be completed by the end of the FY 2024-25. All but one of the remaining long-term empty home refurbishments were completed by 14 October 2024. The remaining home completed and handed over to the Service personnel on 29 November 2024. 4,314 SFA had improvement packages delivered by 14 October 2024. A further 899 damp and mould packages will be carried out over the next few months using existing funding meaning that 8,763 SFA will have received a damp and mould package of work in the last two FY’s.  The damp and mould historic backlog has now been cleared with only emergent and re-emergent cases needing to be addressed. 78 SFA have received heating replacement works this FY, all were completed by 14 October 2024. There are no plans within this FY to upgrade any further heating solutions.

What types of damp and mould treatment are used for Service Family Accommodation.

Damp and mould treatments used for Service Family Accommodation are specific to the severity level of the damp and mould at the property. The treatments for each level can be found below: Level 1: Minor – wash and treat with mould inhibitor detergent.Level 2: Moderate - wash and treat with mould inhibitor detergent.Level 3: Severe localised – treatment is the First Responder Plus package which covers: wash and treat, decorate, gutter clearance, reseal windows, reseal basins and reseal bath.Level 4: Severe widespread – First Responder Plus package and dependent on severity, temporary relocation may be required.Level 5: Extreme - Immediate temporary relocation or permanent relocation if the damp and mould cannot be addressed within 10 days through a First Responder Plus package.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October to Question 1829 on Armed Forces: Housing, how many minor damp and mould improvement packages (a) were completed before 14 October 2024 and (b) will be completed in the remainder of the financial year.

Of the 600 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) identified for insulation improvements, 491 SFA still have workers onsite with 109 out of the 600 completed. 42 of these were completed by 14 October 2024. All projects are currently expected to be completed before the end of Financial Year (FY) 2024-25. 13 Projects encompassing 1,219 SFA have been completed this FY (976 SFA were completed by 14 October 2024) although some of these SFA will have been completed last FY as projects usually last for a period of six-nine months. seven projects encompassing a further 603 SFA are ongoing - with project completion ranging from 80% to 99%. All are currently expected to be completed by the end of the FY 2024-25. All but one of the remaining long-term empty home refurbishments were completed by 14 October 2024. The remaining home completed and handed over to the Service personnel on 29 November 2024. 4,314 SFA had improvement packages delivered by 14 October 2024. A further 899 damp and mould packages will be carried out over the next few months using existing funding meaning that 8,763 SFA will have received a damp and mould package of work in the last two FY’s.  The damp and mould historic backlog has now been cleared with only emergent and re-emergent cases needing to be addressed. 78 SFA have received heating replacement works this FY, all were completed by 14 October 2024. There are no plans within this FY to upgrade any further heating solutions.

What discussions he has had with his US counterparts on the application of the Treaty of Pelindaba to Diego Garcia.

The Secretary of State holds regular meetings with US counterparts where they cover a range of issues, including the sovereignty negotiations for the Chagos Archipelago.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 12029 on Army and with reference to the keynote recording of the Chief of the General Staff at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference 2024, published on 23 June 2024, whether it is a formal departmental target to double the lethality of the British Army by 2027 and treble it by 2030.

Ministers are fully supportive of the Chief of the General Staff’s ambition to double the fighting power of the British Army by 2027 and treble it by 2030, which is in line with the Departmental priorities for the British Army.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the capacity of the Army’s fleet of heavy equipment transporters.

The Army’s Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) capability is delivered through a service contract with KBR. The contract, which commenced in July 2024, provides the Army with 80 HET trains (consisting of tractor and trailer) and all maintenance activity and Sponsored Reserve personnel to operate them alongside the Regular Army. Under the contract, sufficient HET are maintained at specific readiness levels to enable the Army to conduct its operational and training activity. We do not routinely disclose information pertaining to the operational readiness of Defence’s capabilities, therefore a detailed breakdown has not been provided.

Whether he has had recent discussions with his international allies on the potential export of radio frequency directed energy weapons.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the continued investment in UK Sovereign Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) technology, to provide cutting edge capability to the Armed Forces at pace. The advanced technology is being developed by a joint team from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), working with UK industry.We have explored the export potential for DEW, which is another driver for our pace in developing this technology, and we continue to talk to international partners about opportunities for collaboration and export. We will continue to stimulate UK industry through delivering a capability that prioritises a UK sovereign approach, with a focus on building the UK Directed Energy Weapons supply chain and required suitably qualified and experienced person that can help us to take advantage of this export opportunity.