Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 121–140 of 2,790 · Ministry of Defence
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March to Question 116531 on Defence: Finance, when the UK's return for 2027 will be produced.
The UK will submit its 2027 defence return at the next suitable point. NATO returns are usually required in May each year.
Pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2026 to Question 116970 on Autonomous Weapons: Procurement, how many further phases will take place if procurement is progressed.
The low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is now entering the international industrial selection phase in each of the E5 nations. This will be followed by a multilateral phase. Once the multilateral phase is complete the E5 nations will decide whether to proceed to a full demonstration and manufacture phase.
Whether his Department classifies publishing a video on social media filmed at a secret location in an operational theatre containing information that could allow adversaries to geolocate that location as a security incident that could compromise operational security and the safety of personnel.
On 7 March 2026 we further highlighted our support for Ukraine through our maintenance, repair and overhaul systems facilities in Ukraine. These pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks and we are rightly proud of that support. All social and press content was approved by the relevant Ministry of Defence processes ahead of publication, but because we take security seriously, we took steps to further reassure ourselves after publication of this content. The work in the MRO facility continues. From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with Ukraine and we will never waver in that support.
What his Department's policy is on publishing public policy documents during the purdah period.
We will publish the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) as soon as possible. It is essential that we take the time required to ensure decisions are robust and support the transformation of the Armed Forces outlined in the Strategic Defence Review. Once finalised, the DIP will be laid before Parliament in accordance with the appropriate Parliamentary procedures. As always, the Government will adhere to pre‑election period restrictions.
If he will list all orders placed as Urgent Operational Requirements since 1 January 2026 in relation to the current Middle East operations.
The Ministry of Defence is monitoring the threat posed to the UK and our interests, with the Urgent Capability Requirements process in place to rapidly deliver capability required by Operational Commanders. We are working with allies and industry to ensure that capabilities are delivered where required. Due to operational sensitivity, it is inappropriate to comment further.
Whether he has held discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the use of the Treasury Reserve to fund Urgent Operational Requirement orders for munitions in relation to operations in the Middle East.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence has access to the Special Reserve, meaning that the net additional cost of military operations will be funded by the Treasury.
How much his Department is forecast to spend from the Treasury Reserve on supporting operations in the Middle East in the (a) current and (b) next financial year.
Forecast spending remains subject to change as operational requirements develop.Final allocations for the current and next financial years will be confirmed at the Supplementary Estimates, with outturn reported in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts in the usual way.
What discussions he has had with his Cabinet Office colleagues on publishing the Defence Investment Plan during a period of purdah.
We will publish the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) as soon as possible. It is essential that we take the time required to ensure decisions are robust and support the transformation of the Armed Forces outlined in the Strategic Defence Review. Once finalised, the DIP will be laid before Parliament in accordance with the appropriate Parliamentary procedures. As always, the Government will adhere to pre‑election period restrictions.
How much his Department expects to spend from funding allocated from the Treasury Reserve for operations in the Middle East in the (a) current and (b) next financial year.
Forecast spending remains subject to change as operational requirements develop.Final allocations for the current and next financial years will be confirmed at the Supplementary Estimates, with outturn reported in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts in the usual way.
How much his Department has spent from funding allocated from the Treasury Reserve as of 17 March 2026.
The Department will confirm its 2025-26 outturn in the Annual Report and Accounts in the usual way.
When the implementation phase of Defence Reform will conclude.
Having determined top level accountabilities and implemented the associate structural changes to establish the new four Areas on 1 April 2025, Defence Reform is currently in a design phase, during which the new Defence Operating Model is being developed and agreed. From 1 April 2026, Defence Reform moves to the next phase, implementing and refining the operating model in live operation. This implementation phase runs through financial year 2026-27 and includes completing remaining detailed design, informed by early experience of live operation. The aim is to complete implementation and detailed design by 1 April 2027. From that point, responsibility for embedding the Defence Operating Model will sit fully with Defence operating on a business-as-usual basis, with change sustained through normal leadership and governance arrangements, rather than programme mechanisms.
How many further phases will be conducted as part of Defence Reform following the implementation phase.
Having determined top level accountabilities and implemented the associate structural changes to establish the new four Areas on 1 April 2025, Defence Reform is currently in a design phase, during which the new Defence Operating Model is being developed and agreed. From 1 April 2026, Defence Reform moves to the next phase, implementing and refining the operating model in live operation. This implementation phase runs through financial year 2026-27 and includes completing remaining detailed design, informed by early experience of live operation. The aim is to complete implementation and detailed design by 1 April 2027. From that point, responsibility for embedding the Defence Operating Model will sit fully with Defence operating on a business-as-usual basis, with change sustained through normal leadership and governance arrangements, rather than programme mechanisms.
Pursuant to the Answer of 16 March to Question 119960 on Armed Forces: Disclosure of Information, if he will list the technical issues affecting data quality.
An unexpected failure of the data flows into Defence analytical systems meant that our usual data processing procedures could not be applied and we were therefore unable to derive the statistics or assure them to the usual standard. This has been rectified and steps are being taken to prevent it from happening again. We have commenced production of the statistics, which are now scheduled for publication on 2 April 2026.
Pursuant to the Answer of 27 February to Question 112837 on Navy: North Atlantic Ocean, how much of the £14 million committed to testing and development this year is from (a) Ministry of Defence and (b) industry.
The £14 million committed this year to testing and development is a joint investment by the Ministry of Defence and industry partners. Due to commercial sensitivities, it would be inappropriate to give a more detailed breakdown at this stage.
What phase the Defence Reform programme is currently in.
Having determined top level accountabilities and implemented the associate structural changes to establish the new four Areas on 1 April 2025, Defence Reform is currently in a design phase, during which the new Defence Operating Model is being developed and agreed. From 1 April 2026, Defence Reform moves to the next phase, implementing and refining the operating model in live operation. This implementation phase runs through financial year 2026-27 and includes completing remaining detailed design, informed by early experience of live operation. The aim is to complete implementation and detailed design by 1 April 2027. From that point, responsibility for embedding the Defence Operating Model will sit fully with Defence operating on a business-as-usual basis, with change sustained through normal leadership and governance arrangements, rather than programme mechanisms.
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116531 on Defence: Finance, when the UK's return for 2027 is due.
The UK will submit its 2027 defence return at the next suitable point. NATO returns are usually required in May each year.
Pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2026 to Question 116970 on Autonomous Weapons: Procurement, when the concept demonstration phase will conclude.
The UK concept demonstration phase of the low-cost air defence effector project under the LEAP initiative, as announced on 20 February, is due to conclude by the end of 2026.
Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2026 to Question 116025 on Global Combat Air Programme: Expenditure, if he will provide an itemised breakdown of the £2 billion.
Over £2 billion has been spent on Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme (FCAS/GCAP) and the associated Team Tempest research and development programme. This can be broken down as follows: Concepting/Design – over £800 million Enablers and Infrastructure – over £60 million Technology Development and Demonstrators – over £1.4 billion
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116531 on Defence: Finance, what the UK's return for 2025 was.
The UK’s latest defence expenditure return for 2025 has been published by NATO and can be found here. The UK’s final update for 2025 will be submitted by the end of December once the accounts have closed and have been audited.
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116531 on Defence: Finance, whether the UK's return for 2026 has been produced.
The UK will complete its 2026 defence return in line with NATO's standard annual timetable. This will be due in May 2026, and NATO generally publish the returns in late summer.