Written questions by Cartlidge.

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.

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, 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, 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 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 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.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March to Question 39042 on Helicopters: Finance, if he will outline the prioritisation decisions made by the multiple front line commands to lay out an estimated budget for (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

Prioritisation decisions made by front line commands regarding spending on rotary wing will take account of capability requirements, as well as the Accounting Officer principles set out in Managing Public Money.

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 01 April 2025 to Question 41483 on Defence: Procurement, what the (a) eight business cases waiting for approval with His Majesty's Treasury and (b) seven cases waiting for approval with the Cabinet Office are.

The eight cases with HM Treasury are as follows:1) Sheffield Forgemaster Recapitalisation2) Future Maritime Support Programme3) Project BRAMLEY (ICT infrastructure)4) Defence Marine Services – Next Generation5) Astute6) Dreadnought Support7) Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme8) Submarine Disposal Capability (NB - this case was approved by HM Treasury on 1 Apr 25). The seven cases with Cabinet Office are as follows:1) Defence Marine Services Next Generation2) AWE Client Partnership Framework3) Future Maritime Support Programme4) Land Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) Mounted SHORAD5) HESTIA (Facilities Management) - All regional contracts - UK MOD Estate: South West; South; South East; East; North; Wales & W Midlands; Scotland and North Ireland6) Project “Appivate” - RAF Digital Technology Contract7) Defence Digital ICT manage services project.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 38652 on Multi-role Support Ships: Procurement, whether external consultants were involved in the renaming process.

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.

What his Department's recruitment targets for the armed forces are for 2025-26.

As the hon. Gentleman will know, the current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. We have made a series of announcements to improve recruitment since July 2024. The 2025-26 Single Service recruitment targets are detailed below: Royal Navy – 3,890Army – 10,200Royal Air Force – 3,230 These figures are the totals for Regular Service personnel only and are rounded to the nearest 10.

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.

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

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

How many (a) of his Department's civilian personnel, (b) Armed Forces personnel and (c) external private contractors work on recruitment for the (i) Royal Navy, (ii) British Army, (iii) Royal Air Force and (iv) Royal Marines.

The requested information is presented in the table below. A separate return for the Royal Marines is not available as Royal Navy and Royal Marines recruiting are combined under the Royal Navy Recruit and Attract organisation. ArmyRoyal NavyRoyal Air ForceRegulars417228250Reservists84266105Civil Servants183567Contractors70817*14* *Note: contractors provide a range of outsourced Services, some held jointly. For the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force we hold no details on the numbers of individuals who work for the provider on each contract.

How many (a) full time and (b) reservist armed forces personnel were working on recruitment for the (i) British Army, (ii) Royal Navy, (iii) RAF and (iv) Royal Marines as of 01 April 2025.

The requested information is presented in the table below. A separate return for the Royal Marines is not available as Royal Navy and Royal Marines recruiting are combined under the Royal Navy Recruit and Attract organisation. ArmyRoyal NavyRoyal Air ForceRegulars417228250Reservists84266105Civil Servants183567Contractors70817*14* *Note: contractors provide a range of outsourced Services, some held jointly. For the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force we hold no details on the numbers of individuals who work for the provider on each contract.

If he will list the contracts managed by Defence Business Services.

The total value of the contracts managed by Defence Business Services (DBS) is £957,204,131.21, this sum represents the total forecast value of each contract at its end. All the contracts DBS manage are listed below. Disclosure & Barring Service eBrokerDBS Daily Shuttle BusFor the Provision of CR Recruitment AdvertisingCLA Education Licence RenewalOccupational Health, Employee Assistance ProgrammesProvision of Childcare Voucher SchemeMaintenance and Repair of Grade 3 Intruder Detection SystemRM3080-Provision of WIFI and Telephony Services at Ilford Park Polish Home (IPPH)Provision & Fixing of Military Pattern Memorials for Armed Forces PersonnelTranslations Services for AFCS/AFPS/WPSMOD Corporate EyecareDigital Information & Technology (DIT) Professional Services Support (PSS)Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) ACD Upgrade.Legal Support Services to Service Delivery Contract (SDC) HOCS4/00015Automation Garage - DBSProvision of Online Standards, Databases and PublicationsMOD Badges and CoinsMOD Medals, Awards and Associated ItemsProvision of DNA, Anthropology & Genealogy ServicesThe Provision of the Services of a Polish Catholic PriestPrincipal Civil Service Pension Scheme – new Scheme Medical Advisor-PseudoProvision of Employee Relocation ServicesProvision of Repatriation ServicesSystems Evolution - Migration to CloudDigital and Technology Solutions Specialist level 7Provision of General Practitioner (GP) Services for Ilford Park Polish Home (IPPH).Level 3 Payroll Assistant Administration ApprenticeshipCONTRACT NO: HOCS4/00015 FUTURE SERVICES DELIVERY CONTRACT relating to the provision of Armed Forces Pay, Pensions, other Military HR Services and Administrative ServicesProvision of Cost-of-Living InformationPayroll Giving - Armed Forces CharitiesPan Govt Copyright Licence Agency Renewal (Pseudo)DBS Debt Management Legal Support and Tracing ServicesIPPH - NEWCROSSPan Government Records Management & Archive services700004980 - Provision of 2 x Laser Engraving machines, all associated equipment and a 10-year Maintenance and support package.The provision of physiotherapy service for all NI Veterans Aftercare ServiceOutsourced Investigation Service – Conflict ManagementDigital and Technology Solutions Specialist level 7

What the total cost to his Department was for bursary schemes in the armed forces for the 2024-25 financial year.

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)

What bursaries were available in the (a) Army, (b) RAF, (c) Royal Navy and (d) Royal Marines on 1 April 2025.

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)

How many (a) serving personnel, (b) students, (c) others were (i) entitled to and (ii) in receipt of a bursary on 1 April 2025.

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)

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 37603 on Ammunition: Lost Property and Theft, if he will list incidents recorded on the Defence Incident Management Database since 5 July 2024.

Since 5 July 2024 to 31 March 2025 11,763 security incidents have been raised and recorded in the Defence Incident Management Database. When any type of security incident is raised, it is reviewed by security personnel and subjected to an initial security risk assessment, with further action taken on a proportionate basis. As has been the policy for successive Governments, for security reasons we would not publish details of suspected or reported security incidents.