Written questions by Cartlidge.

What will the spending envelope for the Defence Investment Plan be.

Awaiting answer.

If he will state what his Department's budget will be as a percentage of GDP in 2030.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance will be issued to combined authorities in relation to the application of the Overnight Visitor Levy to educational overnight visits.

The application of the proposed Overnight Visitor Levy to educational overnight visits, including any guidance, exemptions or costs, remains under consideration as part of the policy design process. Decisions on whether to introduce a levy, and on specifi...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been of the potential impact of the proposed Overnight Visitor Levy on costs for schools on overnight educational visits, particularly where related to GCSE o

The application of the proposed Overnight Visitor Levy to educational overnight visits, including any guidance, exemptions or costs, remains under consideration as part of the policy design process. Decisions on whether to introduce a levy, and on specifi...

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill of the resignation letter by the former Armed Forces Minister of 11 June 2026.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will enable all communities to have confidence in legacy processes, provide answers for victims and their families, including those in the Armed Forces, and provide clear protections for our veterans. As the Prime Minist...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made regarding the potential merits of an exemption for school and educational visits from the Overnight Visitor Levy.

The application of the proposed Overnight Visitor Levy to educational overnight visits, including any guidance, exemptions or costs, remains under consideration as part of the policy design process. Decisions on whether to introduce a levy, and on specifi...

Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of how much money schools will be expected to allocate to cover the costs of the Overnight Visitor Levy arising from educational visits.

The application of the proposed Overnight Visitor Levy to educational overnight visits, including any guidance, exemptions or costs, remains under consideration as part of the policy design process. Decisions on whether to introduce a levy, and on specifi...

What estimate he has made of the financial settlement required to deliver the Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Investment Plan will be fully costed, ensuring that it is both affordable and deliverable.

Whether he has authorised a change to the Initial Operating Capability for Challenger 3.

The Challenger 3 manufacture phase timing will be confirmed after the demonstration phase trials prove the performance of the tanks. This complex programme has been impacted by some supply chain delays; the Initial Operating Capability and Full Operating ...

How much has his Department spent on the delivery of Challenger 3 as of 16 June 2026.

As of 31 May 2026, total expenditure on the Challenger 3 programme is approximately £615 million.

Whether he has been instructed to authorise efficiency savings in each of the remaining financial years of this Parliament for (a) maintenance, (b) training, (c) reserves training.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 April 2026 to Question 128871.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-04-21/128871

Whether he has been instructed to authorise efficiency savings in each of the remaining financial years of this Parliament.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 April 2026 to Question 128871.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-04-21/128871

Whether he has discussed the spending envelope for the Defence Investment Plan with the Chief of the Defence Staff.

The Chief of Defence Staff has been and continues to be closely involved in the development of an affordable and deliverable Defence Investment Plan.

When will the Challenger 3 programme reach (a) Initial Operating Capability and (b) Full Operating Capability.

The Challenger 3 manufacture phase timing will be confirmed after the demonstration phase trials prove the performance of the tanks. This complex programme has been impacted by some supply chain delays; the Initial Operating Capability and Full Operating ...

What assessment he has made of the Defence Investment Plan's impact on UK armed forces readiness.

Work to finalise the Defence Investment Plan continues with the new Defence Secretary, and the Prime Minister has been clear that we are determined to publish the DIP before the NATO summit in July. It is a credible plan that will fund major UK defence ca...

What progress his Department has made on the decision on procuring a long-range Precision Strike Missile.

I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to him on 8 June 2026 in response to Question 6453 which remains extant: A review of credible options to fulfil the Land Deep Fires requirement has been undertaken and is being considered as part of the Defen...

What is the total expected cost of delivering the Challenger 3 programme.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question 41789, which remains extant. The total approved cost of delivering the Challenger 3 programme remains at £1.9 billion. The programme’s forecast cost remains within the approved project estimate. https://q...

Whether there will be a reduction in training exercises for the (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Royal Navy in the (i) current and (ii) next financial year.

The single Services remain committed to prioritising training exercises in line with both UK and partner operational requirements, as well as the priorities set out in the Strategic Defence Review. Across Defence, training activity is kept under continuou...

With reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s announcement on the future model for Coastguard Rescue Officers, what plans her Department has to mitigate the potential effect of that announcement on ope

Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling. Public safety remains our priority and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised...

With reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s announcement on the future model for Coastguard Rescue Officers, what assessment her department has made of the sustainability of HM Coastguard in South Su

Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling. Public safety remains our priority and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised...