Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 3,181–3,200 of 3,253 · Ministry of Defence
By what date he expects UK defence spending to have reached 2.5 per cent of GDP.
The Government is totally committed to setting out the path to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event.
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for reaching 2.5% GDP of expenditure on defence on the Defence Drone Strategy.
The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the c...
Whether he plans to review his Department’s extreme weather contingency plans.
Defence policy requires all Defence establishments to have business continuity and appropriate contingency plans in place to address risks of disruptions and that these plans are reviewed regularly. The effects of climate change on Departmental business resilience is recognised as a risk factor. As such, extreme weather contingency planning is a regular activity on Defence sites. Defence developed and launched its own Climate Impact Risk Assessment Methodology in 2010 to identify measures to improve the resilience of the Defence estate to climate related hazards, and to ensure continuity of the outputs of Defence establishments.
Whether he plans to implement recommendation seven of the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing's report entitled Homes unfit for heroes: The poor condition of armed forces accommodation and what needs to change, published in April 2024.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 July 2024 to Question 167.
If he will take steps to review the resources and powers available to the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces.
The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life. The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman. The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report. There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.
What steps he plans to take to ensure that the Armed Forces Commissioner (a) is accountable to Parliament and (b) operates in a transparent manner.
The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life. The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman. The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report. There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.
Where the Armed Forces Commissioner will sit in his Department's command structure; whether the Commissioner will be a military role; and what grade they will be.
The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life. The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman. The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report. There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.
How many staff will support the Armed Forces Commissioner; and what the annual cost of those staff will be.
The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life. The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman. The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report. There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.
Whether the office of the Armed Forces Commissioner will be located within the Ministry of Defence Main Building on Whitehall.
The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life. The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman. The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report. There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.
What (a) salary, (b) pension and (c) relevant benefits does he expect the Armed Forces Commissioner to receive.
The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life. The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman. The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report. There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.
When he expects the new Armed Forces Commissioner to be appointed.
The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life. The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman. The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report. There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.
What his planned timetable is for establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner.
The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise issues which impact on service life. The Armed Forces Commissioner will have the power to investigate individual complaints and to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The new Commissioner will have a right of access to information, sites and personnel in order to fulfil their role. The Commissioner will incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman. The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not ministers, via an annual report. There will be opportunities to debate all aspects of the role, remit and operation of Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the Legislation outlined in the King’s Speech. Details on budget, pay, grade, staffing and office location will be set out in due course.
What role the Armed Forces Commissioner will play in delivering his Department’s response to the Kerslake Commission.
The new Government is grateful for the work and contribution of the Kerslake Commission. Improving the condition of military housing is a priority for this Government. The Armed Forces Commissioner's remit will include all aspects of Service life which are raised by Service personnel and their family, including Service accommodation, however, responsibility for implementation and improvements to Service accommodation is for the Ministry of Defence.
With reference to the Haythornthwaite Review of UK Armed Forces Incentivisation, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of developing "people value propositions" for housing and welfare service.
People form the core of our Defence capability and we recognise the urgent need to transform the way we support all Defence’s people and their families, from recruitment through to retirement and beyond. The new Government has met with Rick Haythornthwaite to explain our approach and emphasise our commitment to meeting the challenges set out in his generational review. The publication of a formal response to the report is now a priority.The core principles and recommendations of the review will be central to the recently launched Strategic Defence Review. This will require a new and novel approach to determining the requirements for the UK’s Defence and the recommendations within the Haythornthwaite Review of UK Armed Forces Incentivisation (HRAFI) are already shaping how we deliver this.As a core principle of the HRAFI report, the importance of developing a ‘People Value Proposition’ approach is fully accepted. Consequently, work is underway to map and articulate the ‘whole’ landscape of tangible and intangible elements of the ‘Offer’, ‘Reward’ and ‘Fulfilment’. Housing and Welfare are part of this work, as are all other areas that influence how valued and supported our people and their families feel.
Whether he plans to respond to the review entitled Agency and Agility: Incentivising people in a new era - a review of UK Armed Forces incentivisation, published on 19 June 2023.
People form the core of our Defence capability and we recognise the urgent need to transform the way we support all Defence’s people and their families, from recruitment through to retirement and beyond. The new Government has met with Rick Haythornthwaite to explain our approach and emphasise our commitment to meeting the challenges set out in his generational review. The publication of a formal response to the report is now a priority.The core principles and recommendations of the review will be central to the recently launched Strategic Defence Review. This will require a new and novel approach to determining the requirements for the UK’s Defence and the recommendations within the Haythornthwaite Review of UK Armed Forces Incentivisation (HRAFI) are already shaping how we deliver this.As a core principle of the HRAFI report, the importance of developing a ‘People Value Proposition’ approach is fully accepted. Consequently, work is underway to map and articulate the ‘whole’ landscape of tangible and intangible elements of the ‘Offer’, ‘Reward’ and ‘Fulfilment’. Housing and Welfare are part of this work, as are all other areas that influence how valued and supported our people and their families feel.
With reference to the policy paper entitled Integrated Review Refresh 2023: Responding to a more contested and volatile world, published on 13 March 2023, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the policies set out in that paper on the Indo-Pacific.
As an early priority for this Government the Defence Secretary hosted the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Australia to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to AUKUS and our Indo-pacific partners. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) will identify ways to nurture the UK's defence ties to the Indo-Pacific region, and to do this will consider existing policy and consult widely, drawing on expertise including from the Defence community, Parliament, academia and industry.
What his expected timetable is to negotiate a new UK-EU security agreement.
As we reset our relations with European partners, the Prime Minister and Ministers have already held positive discussions with EU counterparts, including at the European Political Community Summit at Blenheim. Agreeing an ambitious and broad-ranging new security pact with the EU, is a cross-Government priority, and the Government will seek to negotiate in due course. The Ministry of Defence will ensure the pact strengthens security for the UK and EU, underpins closer cooperation between us on threats we collectively face, and complements our unshakable commitment to NATO.
What his planned timetable is for securing a defence and security agreement with Germany.
The Secretary of State for Defence travelled to Berlin on 24 July to sign a joint declaration with German Minister of Defence on enhanced defence cooperation between the UK and Germany. The UK and Germany have agreed shared priority objects for cooperation, including strengthening defence industries, reinforcing Euro-Atlantic security, enhancing inter-operability, addressing emerging threats, supporting Ukraine, and cooperation on long-range capabilities Our nations consider closer defence cooperation as an important first step in a new relationship between Germany and the United Kingdom.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled New era for defence: government launches root and branch review of UK Armed Forces, published on 16 July 2024, how his Department defines a NATO-first defence polcicy.
NATO is the cornerstone of UK and Euro-Atlantic security and our commitment to the Alliance is unshakeable. The UK will continue to make a leading contribution to NATO through our commitment of forces and capabilities, contribution to NATO exercises and operations and defence investment. Further details of our approach will be set out in the Strategic Defence Review.
How many high level experts will participate in the Strategic Defence Review.
The Prime Minister has commissioned the Strategic Defence Review, which will be overseen by the Defence Secretary and headed by three external Reviewers. The lead Reviewer will be Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, with General Sir Richard Barrons and Dr Fiona Hill CMG as the other Reviewers. The Reviewers will select a small Defence Review Team (DRT) to support their work. The DRT will comprise of senior experts from inside and outside Defence, working closely with other Government Departments, notably HM Treasury.