Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 2,761–2,780 of 3,162 · this parliament
What assessment he has made of the potential (a) size and (b) scale of a British peacekeeping force for Ukraine.
We are not going to get into any further details at this stage, our focus is on ensuring Ukraine is in as strong a position as possible. We will continue our dialogue with allies to secure a path to a lasting peace in Ukraine.
With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, whether the Defence Industrial Strategy will be included in the National Security Strategy or published separately.
This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security, and a high-growth economy are aligned. The Statement of Intent outlined that the Defence Industrial Strategy will be published in late-Spring 2025.
With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, whether responsibility for the intelligence security services will be moved to his Department.
There are no plans for the Ministry of Defence to have responsibility for the intelligence and security services.
With reference to the Prime Minister’s Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, whether the cost of the Chagos settlement will be funded from the announced rise to 2.5% of GDP for his Department’s budget.
The terms of the treaty are still being finalised, once the treaty is finalised it will be put before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual way.
With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, whether the announced increase in defence spending will be used to fund the Chagos settlement.
The terms of the treaty and the associated funding arrangements are still being finalised and no decision has been made at this time.
With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, if he will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of the increase in defence spending for financial year (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26 and (c) 2026-27.
The announced pathway to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027 has not changed the Ministry of Defence's budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26 as set out in the Autumn Budget.His Majesty's Treasury is currently undertaking the second phase of the Spending Review, which will be announced on 11 June 2025. This will set Departmental budgets for three years from 2026-27 for RDEL and four years for CDEL.The 2.5% commitment will be funded by reductions in ODA to 0.3% of GNI from 2026-27 onwards and does not require the Government to change the spending envelope.
With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, whether the funding announced for the intelligence and security services will meet the NATO definition of defence expenditure.
The definition of defence spending will be broadened to include our security and intelligence services, which could have the effect of increasing the GDP percentage of NATO qualifying defence spending in 2027-28 by around an additional 0.1%.
With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, what the planned publication date is for the Strategic Defence Review.
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is well underway, and the Reviewers are reporting regularly on progress to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Secretary of State for Defence. The Reviewers will make their final report to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State in the spring of this year. The Secretary of State will then subsequently report to Parliament.
With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, whether the Strategic Defence Review will report based on a cost envelope of 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence expenditure.
The conclusion of the Strategic Defence Review regarding the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty first century must be deliverable and affordable within the resources available to Defence. This takes account of the commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP, which is included in the Terms of Reference of the Review, and the ambition to reach 3% of GDP in the next Parliament, as economic and fiscal conditions allow.
How many service personnel have been discharged as a result of the Zero Tolerance to Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour policy across Defence.
47 Service personnel were discharged under the Zero Tolerance to Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour policy, between its implementation in November 2022 and the end of the most recent reporting period in September 2024. The policy carries with it a presumption of discharge. 56 Service personnel were discharged under the Zero Tolerance to Sexual Offences (Instructor/Trainee Sexual Relationships) policy, between its implementation in July 2022 and the end of the most recent reporting period in September 2024. Discharge is mandatory under this policy. Defence is committed to preventing unacceptable behaviours from occurring and we have zero tolerance for such behaviour. We are also committed to making the step changes required to create a safe and inclusive environment for all our Service personnel, enabling us to deliver our Defence outputs and enhance our operational effectiveness.
With reference to the Prime Minister’s statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, whether any of the 0.2% funding reallocated from the Overseas Development Assistance budget will be used to fund the Chagos settlement.
The terms of the treaty and the associated funding arrangements are still being finalised and no decision has been made at this time.
What are the (a) economic and fiscal conditions and (b) operational needs required to reach three per cent of GDP on defence expenditure in the next Parliament.
The Chancellor will continue to set fiscally responsible, credible spending plans to meet this goal, supported by the number one mission of this government – to drive economic growth. Putting a stake in the ground now drives preparation and sends a clear message about prioritising security in an increasingly turbulent world.
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Defence Serious Crime Unit.
Assurance for the effective and efficient operation of the Service Justice System is provided by the Service Justice Board, chaired by the Minister for Veterans and People and includes representatives from outside the Service Justice System, such as the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales and also non-executive directors. It provides challenge and scrutiny in respect of strategic performance data, including that related to the independent Defence Serious Crime Command and Unit.Elements of the Service Justice System are also subject to inspection by independent inspectorates. For example, in November 2024 an HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate report on the Service Prosecuting Authority commented positively on the support provided to victims in the Service Justice System and the handling of sexual offences. Later this year, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) will conduct an inspection of the Defence Serious Crime Command and Unit.
With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, whether there will be an increase in defence spending for financial year 2024-25.
The announced pathway to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027 has not changed the Ministry of Defence's budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26 as set out in the Autumn Budget.His Majesty's Treasury is currently undertaking the second phase of the Spending Review, which will be announced on 11 June 2025. This will set Departmental budgets for three years from 2026-27 for RDEL and four years for CDEL.The 2.5% commitment will be funded by reductions in ODA to 0.3% of GNI from 2026-27 onwards and does not require the Government to change the spending envelope.
How many service personnel have been discharged as a result of the Zero Tolerance to Sexual Offences and Sexual Relationships Between Instructors and Trainees policy across Defence.
47 Service personnel were discharged under the Zero Tolerance to Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour policy, between its implementation in November 2022 and the end of the most recent reporting period in September 2024. The policy carries with it a presumption of discharge. 56 Service personnel were discharged under the Zero Tolerance to Sexual Offences (Instructor/Trainee Sexual Relationships) policy, between its implementation in July 2022 and the end of the most recent reporting period in September 2024. Discharge is mandatory under this policy. Defence is committed to preventing unacceptable behaviours from occurring and we have zero tolerance for such behaviour. We are also committed to making the step changes required to create a safe and inclusive environment for all our Service personnel, enabling us to deliver our Defence outputs and enhance our operational effectiveness.
With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, if he will provide a cost breakdown of the funding announced for defence spending from 2027.
The announced pathway to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027 has not changed the Ministry of Defence's budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26 as set out in the Autumn Budget. His Majesty's Treasury is currently undertaking the second phase of the Spending Review, which will be announced on 11 June 2025. This will set Departmental budgets for three years from 2026-27 for RDEL and four years for CDEL. The 2.5% commitment will be funded by reductions in ODA to 0.3% of GNI from 2026-27 onwards and does not require the Government to change the spending envelope.
With reference to the Prime Minister’s Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, whether the Strategic Defence Review will be published separately to the National Security Strategy.
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is well underway, and the Reviewers are reporting regularly on progress to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Secretary of State for Defence. The Reviewers will make their final report in the spring and the Defence Secretary will subsequently report to Parliament. The SDR will feed into the national security strategy which brings together the reviews already commissioned across Government.
With reference to the Prime Minister’s statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, whether the Strategic Defence Review will include a spending plan which takes into account the planned increased expenditure to 3% in the next Parliament.
The conclusions of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) regarding the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century must be deliverable within the resources available to Defence, which is included in the review terms of reference. This takes account of the commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% GDP from April 2027 and the ambition to spend 3% GDP on defence in the next Parliament, as economic and fiscal conditions allow.
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the verdict delivered by the assistant coroner for Wilsthire and Swindon on 20 February 2025 into the death of Gunner Jaylsley Beck.
Our thoughts remain with Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck’s loved ones at this difficult time. Jaysley was a young and promising soldier who should have had the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and safe environment. Her death in December 2021 was and still is a tragedy, and we are deeply sorry for the failure to protect her. There is no place for any abuse within the military. I am deeply troubled that women in the Armed Forces continue to be subject to unacceptable behaviours during their service in the Armed Forces. Our Armed Forces personnel play a vital role in protecting the nation, and we are committed to making changes that create a more inclusive environment and enable cultural reform. The Service Chiefs fully endorse and support this work. A range of substantive measures – many already introduced – will help to build a safer, more inclusive environment for them and ensure that their concerns are listened to and swift appropriate action is taken. These measures include robust policies with powerful sanctions which tackle bullying, harassment and discrimination, including zero-tolerance policies on unacceptable sexual behaviour, sexual offences and sexual relationships between instructors and trainees, sexual exploitation, and abuse. This Government is also establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner as a new independent champion with the power to investigate issues raised by Service personnel and their families. To protect our people, we established the Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU) in 2022 and the Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU) in 2023. Anyone who has been a victim of serious crime in the Defence community can contact the DSCU who operate a Public Protection Unit with officers trained to handle serious sexual offences, ensuring victims are safeguarded, supported, and referred to support organisations. The VWCU provides an independent, single point of contact for victims and witnesses of serious crimes committed by Service personnel in the UK and overseas; it puts victims and witnesses at the heart of the investigative process, providing a specialist end-to-end service, from initial contact through to court and beyond. We encourage anyone who feels they are the victim of a crime to come forward and report it, calling the Service Police on 02392 285 180 (24/7) or through their confidential crime line on 0800 085 0658. Crimestoppers can also be contacted to anonymously report a crime or suspicious behaviour by phone 0800 555 111 or online: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ Additionally, anyone wanting to discuss victim support can contact the VWCU, which operates independently from the single Service Chain of Command, on 07974 074259 or via email people-dscc-vwcugroup@mod.gov.uk. Any information provided to the VWCU will be treated in confidence and individuals can discuss their options for reporting any allegations.
What plans he has to engage with service chiefs on the verdict delivered by the assistant Coroner for Wilshire and Swindon on 20 February 2025 into the death of Gunner Jaylsley Beck.
Our thoughts remain with Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck’s loved ones at this difficult time. Jaysley was a young and promising soldier who should have had the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and safe environment. Her death in December 2021 was and still is a tragedy, and we are deeply sorry for the failure to protect her. There is no place for any abuse within the military. I am deeply troubled that women in the Armed Forces continue to be subject to unacceptable behaviours during their service in the Armed Forces. Our Armed Forces personnel play a vital role in protecting the nation, and we are committed to making changes that create a more inclusive environment and enable cultural reform. The Service Chiefs fully endorse and support this work. A range of substantive measures – many already introduced – will help to build a safer, more inclusive environment for them and ensure that their concerns are listened to and swift appropriate action is taken. These measures include robust policies with powerful sanctions which tackle bullying, harassment and discrimination, including zero-tolerance policies on unacceptable sexual behaviour, sexual offences and sexual relationships between instructors and trainees, sexual exploitation, and abuse. This Government is also establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner as a new independent champion with the power to investigate issues raised by Service personnel and their families. To protect our people, we established the Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU) in 2022 and the Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU) in 2023. Anyone who has been a victim of serious crime in the Defence community can contact the DSCU who operate a Public Protection Unit with officers trained to handle serious sexual offences, ensuring victims are safeguarded, supported, and referred to support organisations. The VWCU provides an independent, single point of contact for victims and witnesses of serious crimes committed by Service personnel in the UK and overseas; it puts victims and witnesses at the heart of the investigative process, providing a specialist end-to-end service, from initial contact through to court and beyond. We encourage anyone who feels they are the victim of a crime to come forward and report it, calling the Service Police on 02392 285 180 (24/7) or through their confidential crime line on 0800 085 0658. Crimestoppers can also be contacted to anonymously report a crime or suspicious behaviour by phone 0800 555 111 or online: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ Additionally, anyone wanting to discuss victim support can contact the VWCU, which operates independently from the single Service Chain of Command, on 07974 074259 or via email people-dscc-vwcugroup@mod.gov.uk. Any information provided to the VWCU will be treated in confidence and individuals can discuss their options for reporting any allegations.