Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 621–640 of 2,790 · Ministry of Defence
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Armed forces to launch 'Gap Year' scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership, published on 27 December 2025, what is the annual cost of implementing the scheme.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 13 January 2026, to Question 102946.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-05/102946
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Armed forces to launch 'Gap Year' scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership, published on 27 December 2025, what the length will be of the RAF scheme.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 13 January 2026, to Question 102946.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-05/102946
Whether he has discussed the potential impact of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on recruitment and retention with the (a) Chief of the Defence Staff, (b) Chief of the General Staff, (c) First Sea Lord, (d) Chief of the Air Staff, and (e) Commander Cyber and Specialist Operations Command.
My Ministerial colleagues and I routinely meet with the Single Service Chiefs, where we discuss a range of priority Defence matters. The hon. Member will understand that it would be inappropriate to comment further on these discussions.
Whether he has discussed the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill with any members of the armed forces senior command.
My Ministerial colleagues and I routinely meet with the Single Service Chiefs, where we discuss a range of priority Defence matters. The hon. Member will understand that it would be inappropriate to comment further on these discussions.
With reference to the Minister for the Armed Forces answer to an Urgent Question on 5 January 2026 from the Hon. Member for South Suffolk, whether any current members of the armed forces senior command have raised the potential impact of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on recruitment and retention.
My Ministerial colleagues and I routinely meet with the Single Service Chiefs, where we discuss a range of priority Defence matters. The hon. Member will understand that it would be inappropriate to comment further on these discussions.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in the Urgent Question on 5 January 2026, which associations (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have met with to discuss the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill since 5 July 2024.
The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions. It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in the Urgent Question on 5 January 2026, which military cohorts (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have met with to discuss the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill since 5 July 2024.
The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions. It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during the Urgent Question on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention of 5 January 2026, Official Report, column 63, how many of the five protections for veterans in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will apply to (a) coronial inquests and (b) subsequent criminal investigations.
The Government has worked closely with veterans’ groups to develop protections that apply both to Coronial Inquests and the Legacy Commission, so that veterans giving evidence as witnesses are protected regardless of which legacy mechanism they engage with. The presumption in favour of remote evidence will apply across Coronial Inquests and Legacy Commission Inquisitorial Proceedings. The Troubles Bill also extends the right to request anonymity, currently applicable to inquests, to Legacy Commission Inquisitorial Proceedings. The duty not to duplicate any aspect of previous investigations unless essential, the highest legal bar, will apply to all investigations and Inquisitorial Proceedings conducted by the Legacy Commission, and to coronial inquests. As for witness welfare, the Legacy Commission is required to have regard to this in all investigations, while coroners must adhere to witness management protocols that dictate consideration of welfare. Finally, the Victims and Survivors Advisory Group, which can include representation from the armed forces, will provide advice to the Legacy Commission and the Secretary of State. It will have no role in relation to inquests.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during the Urgent Question on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention of 5 January 2026, Official Report, column 63, how many of the five protections for veterans in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will also apply to alleged paramilitaries.
The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill introduces five protections that have been specifically designed for veterans. Some of these protections apply universally, including to all other former members of the security forces, recognising their service. The Government has been clear that no former Paramilitaries may be part of the Legacy Commission’s Victim and Survivor Advisory Group.
Whether he plans to publish the Defence Investment Plan before 1 March 2026.
The Department is working flat out to finalise the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published as soon as possible.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Armed forces to launch 'Gap Year' scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership, published on 27 December 2025, what the estimated total cost of implementing the scheme is.
The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) is a response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society. Tranche1, beginning in 2026, is expected to include 150 entrants, with an intention to increase capacity for future tranches. The total cost to Defence to deliver Tranche 1 of the scheme is £13 million. The cost of future tranches will be informed by lessons drawn from Tranche 1.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Armed forces to launch 'Gap Year' scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership, published on 27 December 2025, how much has been spent on implementing the scheme as of 6 January 2026.
The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) is a response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society. Tranche1, beginning in 2026, is expected to include 150 entrants, with an intention to increase capacity for future tranches. The total cost to Defence to deliver Tranche 1 of the scheme is £13 million. The cost of future tranches will be informed by lessons drawn from Tranche 1.
Whether the Defence Diplomacy Strategy has been completed.
The Defence Diplomacy Strategy’s development was completed in December 2025. The Department plans to launch a public summary of the Strategy early this year.
Whether the CyberEM Command has established initial operating capability.
Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEMF) was achieved on 1 December 2025. This followed a public announcement by the Commander, Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC), on 27 November 2025. IOC marks the establishment of the Force Headquarters and the integration of core Cyber and Electromagnetic (CyEM) functions within CSOC. Work continues to scale capability and workforce, including the stand-up of new venture teams to establish several new-to-Defence capabilities, including the nucleus of a Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Centre, as DCEMF matures towards Full Operating Capability.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in response to the question from the hon. Member for South Suffolk during the Urgent Question on Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention of 5 January 2026, Official Report, column 63, if he will provide a list of the veterans groups that (a) he and (b) Ministers have met to discuss the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill since 5 July 2024.
The Government has engaged closely with a wide range of military stakeholders in relation to the Troubles Bill to ensure that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill effectively supports veterans. This has involved meeting with veterans and current serving members of the Armed Forces whose service took place across different time periods, including during Op BANNER, and across a wide range of regiments. This has included myself, and other Ministerial colleagues across Government meeting with members of the Associations on several occasions. It may be helpful to further quantify that since 5 July 2024, in my previous, and current Ministerial role, I have conducted over 70 veterans’ engagements, where I spoke with hundreds of veterans, from all Services and cohorts, from a wide range of different associations, about a number of matters.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what will the new uncrewed helicopter be called.
The new uncrewed helicopter is part of the Royal Navy's move towards a future 'hybrid air wing' which includes Project PROTEUS. PROTEUS is a project funded by UK Defence Innovation for the development of a heavy-lift vertical take-off and landing uncrewed aerial system.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what weapons will be procured for the new uncrewed helicopter.
No specific effector (or weapon system) has been procured for this project yet. The project aims to determine the most effective means of countering air-to-air threats, which may or may not involve the use of a specific weapon system.
When he expects Proteus to be deployed.
The Proteus Technology Demonstrator Project (TDP) is testing the efficacy of a large, unmanned helicopter, designed from the outset to incorporate modular payloads and a high degree of autonomy, to fulfil a range of warfighting roles for the Royal Navy. The Proteus TDP will culminate with the first flight of the air vehicle, expected to take place in January 2026. Thereafter, the Royal Navy intends to take the knowledge gained from Proteus to inform the development of an operational rotary wing platform for maritime surveillance and strike roles during the next decade.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, when will the air-launched collaborative uncrewed air vehicle reach full operating capability.
The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms. The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of factors, several of which are dependent on the Defence Investment Plan. However, I am withholding further details as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and also would prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Rapid £140 million boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation, published on 15 December 2025, what will the air-launched collaborative uncrewed air vehicle be called.
The RAF’s Rapid Capability Office are working with industry partners and allies on key underpinning technologies that support the development of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms. The timeline to fielding frontline capability is subject to a range of factors, several of which are dependent on the Defence Investment Plan. However, I am withholding further details as disclosure would prejudice commercial interests and also would prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces.