Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to the Spring Statement on 26 March 2025, what the forecasted cost to establish the Defence Reform Model is.

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. A temporary team was established in Autumn 2024 to lead Defence Reform activity. The team is expected to continue for the duration of the transformation work, and resource and budget will flex to meet the requirements of the programme. A Written Ministerial Statement setting out the key areas and features of Defence Reform was released to the House today.

What recent assessment he has made of the (a) extent and (b) nature of military support from North Korea to Russia’s campaign against Ukraine.

The military co-operation between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has serious security implications for Europe and the Indo-Pacific. North Korea already sends significant munitions and arms to Russia, in direct violation of multiple UN resolutions. It has also been reported that DPRK has subsequently deployed limited numbers of additional troops in support of Russian Forces, who have made territorial gains in recent weeks in offensive operations against Ukrainian forces in Kursk.

How many British service personnel are deployed to (a) Estonia, (b) Latvia, (c) Lithuania and (d) Poland as part of the UK contribution to the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence.

As part of the UK contribution to the NATO Enhanced Forward presence, circa 1,300 British Service personnel are deployed to Estonia and circa 100 to Poland. The UK does not contribute forces to Latvia or Lithuania within the context of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence.

Whether the Defence Reform Model will have (a) an annual budget and (b) a full time staffing allocation.

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. A temporary team was established in Autumn 2024 to lead Defence Reform activity. The team is expected to continue for the duration of the transformation work, and resource and budget will flex to meet the requirements of the programme. A Written Ministerial Statement setting out the key areas and features of Defence Reform was released to the House today.

How many Outline Business Cases are being considered by Departmental Spend Control Approvals.

In year controls are used across the Department to manage its performance against the Defence budget as part of good financial management. This is separate to the full business case scrutiny process which continues as usual.

What the annual cost to his Department for Substitute Service Single Accommodation is, by region.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 31 March 2025, to Question 41231.

How many dual serving service personnel are living in Substitute Service Family Accommodation.

As of 28 March 2025, there were 174 Service personnel and their families, living in Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA). Information on the number of Service personnel living in SSFA by rank or by the number of dual Serving Service personnel is not held.

How many service personnel were living in Substitute Service Family Accommodation by rank as of 27 March 2025.

As of 28 March 2025, there were 174 Service personnel and their families, living in Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA). Information on the number of Service personnel living in SSFA by rank or by the number of dual Serving Service personnel is not held.

Whether there are any benefits that are provided to a service person living in Substitute Service Single Accommodation that would not be provided to a service person living in private accommodation.

Substitute Service Single Accommodation (SSSA) exists to accommodate Service personnel who are entitled to Single Living Accommodation (SLA) at their primary duty unit where none is available. SSSA is intended to mirror the conditions of SLA in so far as possible and cannot be compared like-for-like with private accommodation. There are a wide range of allowances available to Service personnel to meet the costs incurred in carrying out their duties, and eligibility will depend on a number of permutations, not just the type of accommodation in which they are resident.

Whether the forecasted cost of the Rented Living Accommodation Project has changed since 5 July 2024.

The average annual cost of the Rented Living Accommodation Project (RLAP) is £80 million. The RLAP Contract is due for renewal on 1 April 2027. The overall forecast cost for RLAP has not changed since 5 July 2024.

What the annual cost is of Substitute Service Family Accommodation.

As of 28 March 2025, 174 Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA) properties are in use in the United Kingdom. The cost of SSFA for financial year 2024-25 is £1.28 million. Information regarding the annual cost of SSFA by region is not held.

What the annual cost is of the Rented Living Accommodation Project.

The average annual cost of the Rented Living Accommodation Project (RLAP) is £80 million. The RLAP Contract is due for renewal on 1 April 2027. The overall forecast cost for RLAP has not changed since 5 July 2024.

How many service personnel live in Substitute Service Family Accommodation.

As of 28 March 2025, there were 174 Service personnel and their families, living in Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA). Information on the number of Service personnel living in SSFA by rank or by the number of dual Serving Service personnel is not held.

When the Rented Living Accommodation Project is due for renewal.

The average annual cost of the Rented Living Accommodation Project (RLAP) is £80 million. The RLAP Contract is due for renewal on 1 April 2027. The overall forecast cost for RLAP has not changed since 5 July 2024.

With reference to paragraph 2.8 of the Spring Statement, 26 March 2025, what his planned timetable is to achieve his target for rapid commercial exploitation to have a three-months cycle.

The Ministry of Defence is reforming its acquisition system to deliver defence capabilities at greater pace, drive productivity and secure the best possible value for money, under the leadership of a new National Armaments Director.A timescale for practical application of a segmented approach to procurement will be developed in consultation with industry and closely integrated with implementation of wider defence reforms, the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy.

If he will publish a summary of his discussions with his Estonian counterpart that took place on 26 March 2025.

As I am sure the hon. Gentleman will understand, we do not routinely publish readouts after individual bilateral meetings. The Secretary of State had productive discussions with his Estonian counterpart about our bilateral cooperation with Estonia and our cooperation through the JEF and NATO.

With reference to paragraph 2.8 of the Spring Statement, 26 March 2025, what his planned timetable is for achieving pace-setting modular upgrades to have an average of one year to contract.

The Ministry of Defence is reforming its acquisition system to deliver defence capabilities at greater pace, drive productivity and secure the best possible value for money, under the leadership of a new National Armaments Director.A timescale for practical application of a segmented approach to procurement will be developed in consultation with industry and closely integrated with implementation of wider defence reforms, the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy.

With reference to paragraph 2.8 of the Spring Statement, 26 March 2025, what his Department's definition of novel technology is.

At the Chancellor’s Spring Statement the Ministry of Defence (MOD) committed to establishing UK Defence Innovation (UKDI). This new body will simplify and consolidate the current MOD structures for innovation. The Spring Statement also confirmed that from next year the MOD will spend at least 10% of its equipment procurement budget on novel technology. Novel technology investments include dual-use technologies such as uncrewed and autonomous systems and AI-enabled capabilities. This list is not exhaustive, and work is ongoing to establish a formal definition of novel technology that UKDI and the wider Department will work against. The creation of UKDI underlines this Government's commitment to exploiting new ideas and technologies to equip our Armed Forces with cutting edge tech and grow high tech businesses across the UK.

Whether he has had discussions with (a) the Chief of Defence People, (b) the Deputy Chief of the General Staff and (c) other military representatives on changing elements of the Army Officer Internship scheme.

Since 2021, the Gap Year Commission has been integrated into the Army Internship Programme, which has provided individuals with the opportunity to experience a challenging and rewarding year with the Army in the role of an Army Officer for 12 months before, during or after University. The Army offers up to 30 places per year on the Internship programme. 52 different opportunities are provided to allow applicants their choice of role. Whilst we do not hold data for the entire period requested, below are the number of completions for each academic year since 2017-18. Courses start in September and conclude the following year. YearInternship completions2017-2018112018-2019142019-2020142020-2021162021-2022102022-2023102023-202411 There are currently fewer than 10 active Service personnel enrolled on an internship for the 2024-25 scheme. Those awarded an internship are paid a spot rate at Pre-Career officer rates and are non-pensionable. These rates are reviewed annually on the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. Internship officers are also provided with an accommodation solution in accordance with Joint Service Policy. Furthermore, any internship officers who become ill or are injured are eligible to receive benefits from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. There have been no recent discussions or proposed changes to the Internship scheme.

What the annual cost is of Substitute Service Family Accommodation by region.

As of 28 March 2025, 174 Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA) properties are in use in the United Kingdom. The cost of SSFA for financial year 2024-25 is £1.28 million. Information regarding the annual cost of SSFA by region is not held.