Written questions by Cartlidge.

Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the statement made by the Prime Minister of Mauritius to the Mauritian Parliament on 17 December 2024.

Prime Minister Ramgoolam of Mauritius reiterated his willingness to conclude a deal with the UK in his statement of 17 December. We are confident that the agreement is in both sides' shared interests, and we will continue working with the new Mauritian government to finalise the deal.

When he plans to respond to Question 17170 on Puma Helicopters tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 2 December 2024.

The Puma aircraft based in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) on the island of Cyprus have historically supported emergency response across the SBAs, as well as providing firefighting, troop movement, training and defence engagement tasks. Defence is exploring options to fulfil some short-term capability gaps, before the H-145 platform enters service from 2026. Defence's Strategic Objectives will continue to be fulfilled.

How much funding he has allocated for urgent capability requirements for Estonia in (a) this financial year and (b) each of the next three financial years.

Urgent Capability Requirements (UCRs) are rapidly implemented capabilities delivered to the front line to meet urgent operational needs. The department cannot comment publicly on the specific costs associated with operations in Estonia, as the Ministry of Defence continues to deploy to this location and must protect operationally sensitive information. UCRs are reviewed on a rolling monthly basis to ensure the capability is still required and provides value for money.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the time taken for a decision to be made in relation to (a) the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement and (b) upgrades to Haughley Rail Junction on the (i) Orwell Bridge, (ii) Copdock Interchange and (iii) wider road networks in the Ipswich area.

The 2022 Outline Business Case for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) forecast that the scheme would lead to 98,000 fewer lorry journeys every year, implying benefits to the Ipswich road network. Despite its public statements of support, the previous government made no funding available for EACE or upgrades to Haughley Junction. The Chancellor has been clear about the state of the nation's finances and has launched a multi-year Spending Review. The Transport Secretary is conducting a thorough review of the previous government's transport plans to ensure that our transport infrastructure portfolio drives economic growth and delivers value for money for taxpayers. Decisions EACE and upgrades to Haughley Junction will be informed by this review process and confirmed in due course.

If she will take steps to expedite the approval process for (a) the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement and (b) upgrades to the Haughley Rail Junction.

Despite its public statements of support, the previous government made no funding available for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) or upgrades to Haughley Junction. The Chancellor has been clear about the state of the nation's finances and has launched a multi-year Spending Review. The Transport Secretary is conducting a thorough review of the previous government's transport plans to ensure that our transport infrastructure portfolio drives economic growth and delivers value for money for taxpayers. Decisions about EACE and upgrades to Haughley Junction will be informed by this review process and confirmed in due course.

When he plans to publish the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report for 2023-24.

The IPA Annual Report is due to be published in early 2025.

What his timetable is for publishing the Infrastructure and Projects Authority annual report for 2023-2024.

The IPA Annual Report is due to be published in early 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 December to Question 19375 on Strategic Defence Review, whether he plans to report the Strategic Defence Review to Parliament before 30 June 2025.

The Reviewers are reporting regularly on progress to the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Defence Secretary and will make their final report to them in the spring of 2025. The Secretary of State for Defence will subsequently publish a version of that report to Parliament. It will then be implemented by the Ministry of Defence.

Whether he plans to allocate additional funding for the Long-Range Area Affects Programme in financial year (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

The Long-Range Area Effects (LRAE) project is currently pre-concept. Defence is considering its wider Deep Fires options subject to outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review.

With reference to the response of Lord Robertson to Question 1 in the Defence Committee Session on the Strategic Defence Review, HC 484 on 3 December 2024, if he will list the political parties that have made a formal written submission to the Strategic Defence Review.

In the Review's initial evidence-gathering phase, the Reviewers set out to consult widely, including with Parliament, the Defence community, academia, industry and our closest Allies and Partners, including NATO. We received several responses from UK political parties and cross-party committees with membership across several parties.

Whether he plans to implement all the recommendations in the Haythornthwaite Review into Armed Forces Incentivisation.

The Government is committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve. We have already taken action including delivering the largest pay rise for our Armed Forces in over 20 years, expanding wraparound childcare support for Service families deployed overseas and introducing legislation to establish an independent Armed Forces Commissioner. We welcome the Haythornthwaite Report, which was published under the previous Government and have engaged with Rick Haythornthwaite to discuss our plans to deliver widespread improvements to service personnel life. This activity is being coordinated through a portfolio approach and includes numerous programmes and projects that directly address the report’s recommendations. Implementation will be incremental, with targeted improvements evaluated and then potentially scaled up to the wider workforce. Several longer-term programmes are also underway to drive the culture change needed to embrace a total reward approach.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 18982 on Ministry of Defence: Employers’ Contributions, how much HM Treasury will contribute towards the increased cost of National Insurance contributions for the Department in the next financial year.

As set out in the Autumn Budget, the Government has set aside funding to support the public sector with employer National Insurance Contributions. Details of the funding set aside for 2025-26, including its allocation, will be published in the usual way.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 December to Question 19373 on Armed Forces: Private Education, how much of the (a) £95 million and (b) £104.4 million will be used to fund the uprating of CEA in (i) 2024-25, (ii) 2025-26, (iii) 2026-2027 and (iv) 2028-29.

The estimated cost of Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) for Financial Year (FY) 2024-25 is £95 million. This includes a £4 million increase for spring term 2025 as a result of the re-rating exercise done for December 2024, a response to the addition of VAT on independent schools. CEA with the current rates would be estimated to cost £104.4 million for a full year; however, estimating actual spend for FY 2025-26 is not possible as rates will be reviewed before the next academic year starting September 2025.

What the remuneration package is for the National Security Adviser.

Information about the remuneration of special advisers will be published in the Annual Report on Special Advisers. All special advisers are employed under the terms of the Model Contract for Special Advisers, available on GOV.UK.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6342 on Skynet, whether SKYNET 6A satellite procurement remains on schedule.

Airbus Defence and Space has not changed their estimate for the launch date for the Skynet 6A satellite since the answer to Question 6342 was provided on 14 October 2024.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Major defence reforms launched, with new National Armaments Director to tackle waste and boost industry, published on 25 October 2024, how the new National Armaments Director (NAD) role will defer in practice in their (a) duties and (b) responsibilities from the current NAD role.

The National Armaments Director (NAD) will be a Senior Civil Servant appointment.Currently the Chief Executive Officer of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) acts as the UK representative that is responsible for ensuring DE&S delivers the right equipment in line with NATO Conference of NAD (CNAD) requirements. Apart from continuing to be the UK representative on several NATO boards, all other responsibilities of the role will be new.Recruitment of the future NAD is ongoing, and we expect to invite applications shortly. Details of the new NAD duties and responsibilities and the associated renumeration package will be available in the job description once published.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Major defence reforms launched, with new National Armaments Director to tackle waste and boost industry, published on 25 October 2024, what the rank of the National Armaments Director will be.

The National Armaments Director (NAD) will be a Senior Civil Servant appointment.Currently the Chief Executive Officer of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) acts as the UK representative that is responsible for ensuring DE&S delivers the right equipment in line with NATO Conference of NAD (CNAD) requirements. Apart from continuing to be the UK representative on several NATO boards, all other responsibilities of the role will be new.Recruitment of the future NAD is ongoing, and we expect to invite applications shortly. Details of the new NAD duties and responsibilities and the associated renumeration package will be available in the job description once published.

With reference to his Department’s press release entitled Major defence reforms launched, with new National Armaments Director to tackle waste and boost industry, published on 25 October 2024, what the remuneration package will be for the new National Armaments Director role; and how that package will differ from the current one.

The National Armaments Director (NAD) will be a Senior Civil Servant appointment.Currently the Chief Executive Officer of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) acts as the UK representative that is responsible for ensuring DE&S delivers the right equipment in line with NATO Conference of NAD (CNAD) requirements. Apart from continuing to be the UK representative on several NATO boards, all other responsibilities of the role will be new.Recruitment of the future NAD is ongoing, and we expect to invite applications shortly. Details of the new NAD duties and responsibilities and the associated renumeration package will be available in the job description once published.

How many artillery shells were procured for Ukraine (a) in 2022, (b) in 2023, (c) from 1 January 2024 to 5 July 2024 and (d) since 5 July 2024.

Since the beginning of the conflict, we have delivered over 490,000 rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine. In February this year, we announced a £245 million munitions package to procure and invigorate supply chains to produce urgently needed ammunition for Ukraine. This Government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as it is needed.

How many (a) offensive drones and (b) drones primarily for logistical use were procured for Ukraine (i) in 2022, (ii) in 2023, (iii) from 1 January 2024 to 5 July 2024 and (iv) since 5 July 2024.

Since February 2022, the UK has provided over 4,000 drones to Ukraine covering a broad range of capabilities including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, logistical and strike drones for both the land and maritime domain. Most of these drones are offensive drones; either directly providing lethal effect or enabling lethal effect. Of these drones, a minority were primarily for logistical use. In addition, the UK led International Fund for Ukraine, has provided over 400 drones to Ukraine covering a broad range of capabilities. Most of these drones are offensive drones; either directly providing lethal effect or enabling lethal effect. Of these drones, a minority were primarily for logistical use. This government is steadfast in our commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. On 10 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide Ukraine with £3 billion a year of military support for as long as it is needed.