Written questions by Cartlidge.

What steps he plans to take to ensure the Strategic Defence Review team engages fully with UK defence industry (a) primes and (b) SMEs.

The Strategic Defence Review will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century. It will consider the state of the defence technological and industrial base, and the contribution of Defence to the Government’s growth mission. The reviewers will consult widely, including with Parliament, the Defence community, academia, and industry including Primes and SMEs. Defence Ministers met with industry primes and SMEs as a priority in the first weeks of this new Government.

What steps his Department plans to take to ensure the Strategic Defence Review engages with each nation of the UK.

Defence is central not only to the security of the UK, but also to our shared prosperity and economic growth. This Strategic Defenc Review is to be the UK’s review - not just the Government's. The reviewers will consult widely including serving military, veterans, elected representatives, the Defence community, academia and industry across the entirety of the UK.

What he plans to continue with the procurement of T4 bomb disposal robots.

I am answering the question as ‘to ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to continue with the procurement of T4 bomb disposal robots.’ The Ministry of Defence is continuing its procurement of the T4 bomb disposal robot through Defence Equipment and Support, with the first of 50 T4 units being delivered by the end of 2024.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of Recommendation 2 of the report by the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing entitled Homes unfit for heroes: The poor condition of armed forces accommodation and what needs to change, published in April 2024.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of Recommendation 5 of the report by the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing entitled Homes unfit for heroes: The poor condition of armed forces accommodation and what needs to change, published in April 2024.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of Recommendation 8 of the report by the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing entitled Homes unfit for heroes: The poor condition of armed forces accommodation and what needs to change, published in April 2024.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

With reference to page 37 of the report by the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing entitled Homes unfit for heroes: The poor condition of armed forces accommodation and what needs to change, published in April 2024, whether he plans to introduce a preventative maintenance regime.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

With reference to 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 by, published in April 2024, what plans he has to quickly increase funding for Service Family Accommodation and Single Living Accommodation repair services.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

With reference to recommendation 1 of the report of the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Accommodation, whether he plans to commission an independent survey to (a) review service accommodation and (b) determine steps required to ensure all service accommodation meets standards set by his Department.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the statement in the report of the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Accommodation that decisions on repairs and maintenance for Service Family Accommodation and Single Living Accommodation are too top-down.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of trends in the level of service family accommodation funding since 2022.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the report by the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing entitled Homes unfit for heroes: The poor condition of armed forces accommodation and what needs to change, published in April 2024.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the report entitled Homes unfit for heroes: The poor condition of armed forces accommodation and what needs to change, published by the The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing in April 2024.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

With reference to page 5 of the report of the Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Accommodation entitled Homes unfit for heroes, what estimate he has made of the amount of funding required over this Parliament to comprehensively restore and sustain the provision of service accommodation.

The Kerslake Commission on Armed Forces Housing was commissioned by the current Secretary of State and launched in February 2023. The Commission was asked to independently assess the condition of Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation and gather evidence to determine what changes are required to deliver lasting improvements. The Commission’s report –titled Homes Unfit for Heroes: the poor condition of Armed Forces accommodation and what needs to change – found that levels of satisfaction with accommodation among Service personnel have fallen to a record low; that poor housing conditions and poor housing services are cited as major reasons for a fall in overall satisfaction with Service life; and that this is affecting morale, recruitment and retention. The Government has inherited an accommodation provision which is unfit for our Armed Forces. Improving the standard of military housing is a priority for this Government. The MOD is now considering the recommendations of the Kerslake Commission report. In the King’s speech the Government announced the establishment of an Armed Forces Commissioner as a first step in improving service life. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for Serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life, including housing.

Whether his Department plans to deploy the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific in 2025.

Yes, the Ministry of Defence plans to deploy HMS Prince of Wales to the Indo-Pacific in 2025.

Whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including an Indo-Pacific defence strategy in his planned Strategic Review.

The threats we face are growing and diversifying: war in Europe, conflict in the Middle East, and global threats increasing. The review will consider the threats Britain faces and the capabilities needed to meet them. As part of this, the SDR will identify ways to nurture the UK's defence ties to the Indo Pacific region including the delivery of the AUKUS partnership with the US and Australia.

With reference to the current Prime Minister's announcement of the nuclear triple lock and his statement on the delivery of all future upgrades needed for submarines of 2 June 2024, what estimate he has made of the potential cost of the triple lock in relation to all future upgrades of the nuclear deterrent.

The Government is totally committed to the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, and will take all steps necessary to ensure it remains credible and effective. We are building four new Dreadnought Class submarines to replace the current Vanguard Class and developing a replacement nuclear warhead, while also maintaining our existing stockpile. We are recapitalising critical elements of our supporting infrastructure to modernise our naval bases and manufacturing capabilities to meet future fleet and weapons requirements.

With reference to the current Prime Minister's announcement of the nuclear triple lock and his statement on the delivery of all future upgrades needed for submarines of 2 June 2024, what is meant by the phrase all future upgrades.

The Government is totally committed to the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, and will take all steps necessary to ensure it remains credible and effective. We are building four new Dreadnought Class submarines to replace the current Vanguard Class and developing a replacement nuclear warhead, while also maintaining our existing stockpile. We are recapitalising critical elements of our supporting infrastructure to modernise our naval bases and manufacturing capabilities to meet future fleet and weapons requirements.

What his Department's timetable is for ending visa fees for non-UK dependents who have served four or more years in the armed forces.

This Government is committed to scrapping visa fees for non-UK veterans who have served our country for four or more years, and their dependants. The Ministry of Defence has started work with the Home Office to deliver this manifesto commitment.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the time taken to publish a timescale within which the UK will spend 2.5 per cent of its GDP on defence on the morale of armed forces personnel.

This Government is totally 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. Renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve is a priority for this Government. Morale of our Armed Forces is at a record low – the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey published in May 2024 reported that satisfaction with Service life remained at the lowest reported level. In the King's speech the Government announced that we will establish an Armed Forces Commissioner as an independent champion for Service personnel and their families, as a first step to improving Service life.