Written questions by Cartlidge.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 34636 on HMS Northumberland: Decommissioning, what the target date is for the delivery of the Type 26 Frigates.

Each of the Ships Programmes are progressing. All of the Type 26 Ships are expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035. The five Type 31 ships are planned to be in service by the early 2030s and the three Fleet Solid Support Ships by 2032. The Multi-Role Strike Ship programme continues to progress through the Concept Phase. The Outline Business Case is due for submission mid-2025 which will detail the schedule for future contract award milestones.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2025 to Question 33508 on Defence Serious Crime Unit, how frequently does the Service Justice Board meet.

The Service Justice Board (SJB) is responsible to the Secretary of State for providing assurance that an effective and efficient system for dispensing Service Justice is in place, in support of the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces. The full membership of the SJB is:Minister for Veterans and People (Chair)A Minister from the Ministry of JusticeThe Solicitor GeneralMinistry of Defence (MOD) Permanent SecretaryChief of Defence PeopleTwo Non-Executive DirectorsRoyal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force Principal Personnel OfficersDirector Service ProsecutionsDirector Military Court ServiceDirector MOD Legal AdvisersThe Victims’ Commissioner for England and WalesObserverThe Judge Advocate General (or nominated representative) is invited to attend the SJB as an observer, having due regard to the independence and constitutional separation from the executive function of Government as a member of the judiciary. The SJB is held at least once a year. It last met on 3 December 2024.

Whether he has authorised changes to the financial threshold for procurement contracts since 25 February 2025.

The Department currently has no financial thresholds for procurement contracts. There continue to be a number of internal review and approval processes before procurement is undertaken, as is normal practice.

Whether he has had discussions with the Prime Minister on the publication date for the Strategic Defence Review since 25 February 2025.

The Strategic Defence Review is well advanced, but not yet complete. As soon as it is completed the Prime Minister will put it before the House.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 March to Question 33948 on Ministry of Defence: Lost Property and Theft, if he will provide details on the two specific incidents referred to in the answer.

The incidents of lost and stolen devices both occurred in the Navy which introduced strengthened accounting processes and completed a comprehensive audit of mobile devices. In total the two incidents account for 259 mobile phones lost or stolen between 5 July 2024 and 27 February 2025, of which 222 were obsolete (running unsupported operating systems, so would not be able to join our network) and would have been disposed of. Obsolete smartphones cannot be used to access Ministry of Defence systems and cannot be used for any other purpose.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 33956 on Defence: Finance, what the increase to defence spending is in real terms.

The Government’s commitment to increase defence investment to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 will result in a £13.4 billion increase to defence spending in cash terms in 2027/28 compared to 2024/25.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 33524 on Strategic Defence Review, what the cost envelope will for the Strategic Defence Review.

The Prime Minister has confirmed plans to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and set an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament. The Strategic Defence Review is looking at the threats we face and the capabilities we need, within the funding available.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 34902 on Uncrewed Systems: Procurement, what the process is for issuing a Defence Infrastructure Organisation license for the use of uncrewed systems on the defence estate.

Anyone wishing to apply for a licence to use Uncrewed Systems on the Defence Estate should contact the local Defence Infrastructure Organisation Office. Officials will engage with the relevant Head of Establishment to determine availability of the site and any security restrictions. If the proposed use is considered acceptable, Officials will engage with the originator to issue a licence for which there would be a charge. There are no plans to change this process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 33951 on Joint Expeditionary Force, if he will publish a summary of his discussions with his Norwegian counterpart on (a) 19-20 February 2025 and (b) 27 February 2025.

Pursuant to my Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 33951, the Secretary of State for Defence discussed future plans for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) with his Norwegian Counterpart during his visit to Norway on 19 - 20 February; in particular, third-party engagement through the JEF + concept. As the Joint Statement on Enhanced Defence Co-operation between the UK and Norway (published during the course of the visit) states, the UK and Norway will step up our commitment to work together to strengthen Euro-Atlantic Security, including through the Joint Expeditionary Force. The meeting of JEF Defence Ministers on 27 February 2025 discussed the situation in Ukraine.

Whether the Strategic Defence Review will include capability annexes for each of the single services.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century. The SDR has been considering all aspects of Defence, including the major features of the force structure needed to create the necessary integrated all-domain Defence capability of the future.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 34902 on Uncrewed Systems: Procurement, whether he has plans to change the process for issuing Defence Infrastructure Organisation licenses for the use of uncrewed systems on the defence estate.

Anyone wishing to apply for a licence to use Uncrewed Systems on the Defence Estate should contact the local Defence Infrastructure Organisation Office. Officials will engage with the relevant Head of Establishment to determine availability of the site and any security restrictions. If the proposed use is considered acceptable, Officials will engage with the originator to issue a licence for which there would be a charge. There are no plans to change this process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 33949 on Ministry of Defence: Public Appointments, whether he plans to have discussions with his European counterparts on the appointment of the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) is one of NATO’s two strategic commanders and is a post that is traditionally held by the US. The Secretary of State does not have plans to have discussions with his European counterparts on the appointment of the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 33511 on Intelligence Services: Departmental Responsibilities, whether funding for intelligence security services will be taken from his Department's budget.

There are no plans for funding to be taken from the Ministry of Defence for the use of the Intelligence and Security services. The Prime Minister has outlined plans to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027, and set an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next Parliament.

What discussions he has had with his US counterpart on sharing US-derived intelligence with the Government of Ukraine.

The Defence Secretary regularly speaks with his US counterpart, most recently on 6 March 2025, regarding our collective support to Ukraine’s armed forces in response to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion. It is standard practice not to comment on the specifics of intelligence sharing matters.

Whether she plans to extend the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund beyond 31 March 2025.

I refer the hon. Member for South Suffolk to the answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 26025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 33946 on Ministry of Defence: Public Appointments, when he plans to advertise for the National Armaments Director.

The National Armaments Director will have significant experience in leading and transforming large organisations, and the ability to build strong, influential partnerships across the globe. We have therefore benchmarked the salary against Defence industry best practice and standards to offer a competitive remuneration package to attract the right candidate with the right skills. The recruitment process for the role has begun, with a search for candidates underway. The application window for the post will open imminently, and the salary will be published alongside the advert.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports that pension funds have chosen not to categorise investments in defence companies as ethical.

We are rightly proud of our world-leading defence industry and recognise the vital role it will play in rising to the challenge of our more dangerous and contested world. The Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, published in December last year, identified the ‘crowding-in’ of private sector investment as critical to the Government’s agenda to grow our economy and strengthen our nation’s defences. We continue to explore how we can create the conditions needed for the private sector to invest more, and proactively, in Defence, consulting with a wide range of defence and financial services stakeholders.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 33946 on Ministry of Defence: Public Appointments, what the proposed remuneration package for the new National Armaments Director is.

The National Armaments Director will have significant experience in leading and transforming large organisations, and the ability to build strong, influential partnerships across the globe. We have therefore benchmarked the salary against Defence industry best practice and standards to offer a competitive remuneration package to attract the right candidate with the right skills. The recruitment process for the role has begun, with a search for candidates underway. The application window for the post will open imminently, and the salary will be published alongside the advert.

Whether he has placed orders for M500 remote operated vehicles for the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy (RN) purchased one M500 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to support the initial capability investigation into autonomous mine hunting concepts leading into Project WILTON in 2015. WILTON informed the capability requirements for the RN's transformation of Mine Countermeasures, under the Mine Hunting Concept (MHC); the first elements of MHC will enter service this year.

What his target date is for the completion of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s Year 3 review.

Work on a new Military Housing Strategy has begun, with plans for publication in Summer 2025. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) Year three Review of the Future Defence Infrastructure Service Accommodation Contracts has started and is on target to complete by Summer 2025. The target date for the launch of the Defence Homes Website is Spring 2025. The Home Hub Portal will be launched this Spring to a closed user group of 200/300 families. The launch date of a Home Hub Portal with Full Operating Capability to all families will follow at the end of the year, once actions following the closed user group testing have been completed.