Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether he plans to make any service personnel redundant as part of his reforms.

We are undertaking the biggest UK defence reforms for more than 50 years, including building an Armed Forces and Defence Civil Service workforce which will be more skilled, agile and which better exploits technology. This means tackling bureaucracy and streamlining processes to increase productivity. This Government inherited a crisis in Armed Forces recruitment and retention and Ministers are determined to stop the long term decline in troop numbers.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the creation of the National Armaments Director Group on the number of military posts in other organisations within his Department.

Under Defence Reform, Civil Servants and Service personnel in organisations across the Ministry of Defence are re-aligning under four Areas – Department of State, Military Strategic Headquarters, National Armaments Director Group, and Defence Nuclear Enterprise. In the first phase of implementation, teams are mostly moving as complete units. As new ways of working bed in, and in response to operational and policy needs, the Department will continue to assign roles in the most effective and efficient way.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the creation of the National Armaments Director Group on the number of senior civil servants in other organisations within his Department.

Under Defence Reform, Civil Servants and Service personnel in organisations across the Ministry of Defence are re-aligning under four Areas – Department of State, Military Strategic Headquarters, National Armaments Director Group, and Defence Nuclear Enterprise. In the first phase of implementation, teams are mostly moving as complete units. As new ways of working bed in, and in response to operational and policy needs, the Department will continue to assign roles in the most effective and efficient way.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his proposed Departmental reforms on the number of civil servants employed by his Department.

We are undertaking the biggest UK defence reforms for more than 50 years, including building an Armed Forces and Defence Civil Service workforce which will be more skilled, agile and which better exploits technology. This means tackling bureaucracy and streamlining processes to increase productivity. This Government inherited a crisis in Armed Forces recruitment and retention and Ministers are determined to stop the long term decline in troop numbers.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether he has considered absorbing Strategic Command into the Military Strategic Headquarters.

The detailed requirement for the Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) organisational structure is in development and will include a small central team integrating activity and Force Design. This will be drawn from existing resource within the Department. The full detail of the responsibilities of MSHQ is under review as part of Defence Reform. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge. The Chief of Joint Operations (CJO) will remain based at the Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood, which remains part of Strategic Command. CJO will report to the Chief of the Defence Staff for operational matters when required.

If he will change the eligibility requirements for bursary schemes to allow more armed forces personnel to apply.

Bursaries are available only for applicants wishing to join the Armed Forces and are not available to existing Service personnel or any others. They are offered to students in full-time education to attract high-calibre individuals to a career in Defence, aiming to mitigate future potential recruiting challenges. Responsibility for bursary schemes is delegated to the single Services and none have current plans to cancel any of the schemes or change the eligibility requirements. The bursary schemes on offer across the Armed Forces are listed below by Service. As at 1 April 2025 there were 740 students in receipt of a bursary; we do not make estimates of how many students could be entitled to a bursary but do not choose to apply for one. The total cost of bursaries for the 2024-25 financial year was £5,641,350.50. ArmyDefence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship Scheme (in partnership with the Defence Academy)Standard Army Undergraduate SchemeEnhanced Army Undergraduate SchemeScholarship SchemeRoyal Army Medical Services SchemeRoyal College for Army Music Scheme Royal Air ForceUniversity Air Squadron Bursary SchemeMedical Cadetship SchemeDefence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship (in partnership with the Defence Academy) Royal Navy / Royal MarinesDefence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (Legacy Bursary Scheme)RN Bursars (Legacy Bursary Scheme)Defence STEM Undergraduate Scheme (in partnership with the Defence Academy)

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether the Chief of Joint Operations will report to (a) the Military Strategic Headquarters and (b) Commander Strategic Command.

The detailed requirement for the Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) organisational structure is in development and will include a small central team integrating activity and Force Design. This will be drawn from existing resource within the Department. The full detail of the responsibilities of MSHQ is under review as part of Defence Reform. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge. The Chief of Joint Operations (CJO) will remain based at the Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood, which remains part of Strategic Command. CJO will report to the Chief of the Defence Staff for operational matters when required.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether he has considered the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (c) resubordinating of Strategic Command.

The detailed requirement for the Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) organisational structure is in development and will include a small central team integrating activity and Force Design. This will be drawn from existing resource within the Department. The full detail of the responsibilities of MSHQ is under review as part of Defence Reform. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge. The Chief of Joint Operations (CJO) will remain based at the Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood, which remains part of Strategic Command. CJO will report to the Chief of the Defence Staff for operational matters when required.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, what the staffing requirements are for the Military Strategic Headquarters.

The detailed requirement for the Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) organisational structure is in development and will include a small central team integrating activity and Force Design. This will be drawn from existing resource within the Department. The full detail of the responsibilities of MSHQ is under review as part of Defence Reform. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge. The Chief of Joint Operations (CJO) will remain based at the Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood, which remains part of Strategic Command. CJO will report to the Chief of the Defence Staff for operational matters when required.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing his proposed reforms.

Defence Reform is delivering meaningful change through a phased approach over the course of this Parliament to reform Defence. However, it is too early to capture the required level of investment in this programme of work, which we expect will deliver net benefits through changes such as more efficient procurement processes, including a reduction in waste.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether the small central team integrating across activity and force design will require (a) newly created posts and (b) a reallocation of existing posts.

The detailed requirement for the Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) organisational structure is in development and will include a small central team integrating activity and Force Design. This will be drawn from existing resource within the Department. The full detail of the responsibilities of MSHQ is under review as part of Defence Reform. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge. The Chief of Joint Operations (CJO) will remain based at the Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood, which remains part of Strategic Command. CJO will report to the Chief of the Defence Staff for operational matters when required.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether the Chief of Defence People will be replaced by a civil service Director General.

This Government is bringing in the deepest reforms in UK Defence for 50 years, to speed up decision-making, secure faster delivery and achieve the best value for money for our troops and taxpayers. It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements for the new organisational structure created as part of Defence Reform. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge. There is no intent to replace the Chief of Defence People with a Senior Civil Servant. The organisation and structure of our Armed Forces, including the ranks of the Chief of the Defence Staff and Military Chiefs, has been considered as part of Defence Reform. It was judged that their seniority and rank remain commensurate to their roles and responsibilities.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether the reforms will be subject to Parliamentary approval.

Defence Reform is making significant changes as part of this Government's ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of UK Defence. These do not require formal Parliamentary approval, but the Government remains committed to transparency and accountability and will ensure that Parliament is kept informed of progress. The Quad will convene as often as necessary to ensure oversight and momentum of Defence Reform. Ministers will interact with the Quad through structured engagements and briefings. The Quad will provide regular updates to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Ministerial team, ensuring they are fully informed of progress. This will facilitate decision-making and ensure that the Defence Reform agenda aligns with broader Government objectives. It is too early to determine whether the National Armaments Director Group will have a central secretariat or continue to draw on existing capabilities in its constituent parts.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether the National Armaments Director Group will have its own secretariat.

Defence Reform is making significant changes as part of this Government's ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of UK Defence. These do not require formal Parliamentary approval, but the Government remains committed to transparency and accountability and will ensure that Parliament is kept informed of progress. The Quad will convene as often as necessary to ensure oversight and momentum of Defence Reform. Ministers will interact with the Quad through structured engagements and briefings. The Quad will provide regular updates to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Ministerial team, ensuring they are fully informed of progress. This will facilitate decision-making and ensure that the Defence Reform agenda aligns with broader Government objectives. It is too early to determine whether the National Armaments Director Group will have a central secretariat or continue to draw on existing capabilities in its constituent parts.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, how regularly the Quad will meet.

Defence Reform is making significant changes as part of this Government's ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of UK Defence. These do not require formal Parliamentary approval, but the Government remains committed to transparency and accountability and will ensure that Parliament is kept informed of progress. The Quad will convene as often as necessary to ensure oversight and momentum of Defence Reform. Ministers will interact with the Quad through structured engagements and briefings. The Quad will provide regular updates to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Ministerial team, ensuring they are fully informed of progress. This will facilitate decision-making and ensure that the Defence Reform agenda aligns with broader Government objectives. It is too early to determine whether the National Armaments Director Group will have a central secretariat or continue to draw on existing capabilities in its constituent parts.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, how ministers will interact with the Quad.

Defence Reform is making significant changes as part of this Government's ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of UK Defence. These do not require formal Parliamentary approval, but the Government remains committed to transparency and accountability and will ensure that Parliament is kept informed of progress. The Quad will convene as often as necessary to ensure oversight and momentum of Defence Reform. Ministers will interact with the Quad through structured engagements and briefings. The Quad will provide regular updates to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Ministerial team, ensuring they are fully informed of progress. This will facilitate decision-making and ensure that the Defence Reform agenda aligns with broader Government objectives. It is too early to determine whether the National Armaments Director Group will have a central secretariat or continue to draw on existing capabilities in its constituent parts.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether he has considered changing the ranks for the (a) service chiefs and (b) Chief of the Defence Staff.

This Government is bringing in the deepest reforms in UK Defence for 50 years, to speed up decision-making, secure faster delivery and achieve the best value for money for our troops and taxpayers. It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements for the new organisational structure created as part of Defence Reform. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge. There is no intent to replace the Chief of Defence People with a Senior Civil Servant. The organisation and structure of our Armed Forces, including the ranks of the Chief of the Defence Staff and Military Chiefs, has been considered as part of Defence Reform. It was judged that their seniority and rank remain commensurate to their roles and responsibilities.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether these reforms will result in a reduction in senior officers.

This Government is bringing in the deepest reforms in UK Defence for 50 years, to speed up decision-making, secure faster delivery and achieve the best value for money for our troops and taxpayers. It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements for the new organisational structure created as part of Defence Reform. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge. There is no intent to replace the Chief of Defence People with a Senior Civil Servant. The organisation and structure of our Armed Forces, including the ranks of the Chief of the Defence Staff and Military Chiefs, has been considered as part of Defence Reform. It was judged that their seniority and rank remain commensurate to their roles and responsibilities.

When he last met with the lead members of the Strategic Defence Review team.

The Reviewers are reporting regularly on progress to the Defence Secretary, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Review will be published in the Spring. As the Prime Minister reported in his Statement on Defence and Security in the House of Commons, the Strategic Defence Review is advanced, and he will lay it in Parliament as soon as he can. It will help set the path for Britain's defence for the next decade.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 38652 on Multi-role Support Ships: Procurement, on what date it was renamed.

The name change from Multi-role Support Ship to Multi-role Strike Ship (MRSS) took effect on 25 February 2025. No external consultants were involved.