Written questions by Cartlidge.

Whether he has discussed any draft versions of the Defence Investment Plan with the (a) Chief of the Air Staff, (b) Chief of the General Staff and (c) First Sea Lord.

We are working flat out to complete the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible. As part of this process, senior military leaders, including the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the General Staff and the First Sea Lord, are fully engaged in defence planning.

Whether he expects to receive any further proposals for the Defence Investment Plan from the (a) Chief of the Air Staff, (b) Chief of the General Staff and (c) First Sea Lord.

We are working flat out to complete the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible. As part of this process, senior military leaders, including the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the General Staff and the First Sea Lord, are fully engaged in defence planning.

Whether he has received final proposals for the Defence Investment Plan from the (a) Chief of the Air Staff, (b) Chief of the General Staff and (c) First Sea Lord.

We are working flat out to complete the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible. As part of this process, senior military leaders, including the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the General Staff and the First Sea Lord, are fully engaged in defence planning.

How much his Department expects to spend on the (a) Future Combat Air System and (b) Global Combat Air Programme in the current financial year.

The current Financial Year (FY) is ongoing therefore, figures will be finalised within the Departmental Accounts once FY2025-26 has concluded.

Whether any changes have been made to the job specifications for the Armed Forces Commissioner since 1 January 2026.

No changes have been made to the job specification for the Armed Forces Commissioner.

Whether any draft versions of the Defence Investment Plan have been approved by the (a) Chief of the Air Staff, (b) Chief of the General Staff or (c) First Sea Lord.

We are working flat out to complete the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible. As part of this process, senior military leaders, including the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the General Staff and the First Sea Lord, are fully engaged in defence planning.

How many draft versions of the Defence Investment Plan have been produced by his Department.

We are working flat out to finalise the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible.

How many times has (a) he and (b) his ministerial team met with the lead reviewers of the Strategic Defence Review since 2 June 2025.

The Strategic Defence Review sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and make the UK stronger both at home and abroad. The Government endorsed the Review's vision and accepted all 62 recommendations. Although they have no formal role, we often engage with the lead reviewers.

Whether (a) he and (b) any of his ministerial colleagues have met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius since (i) 5 July 2024 and (ii) August 2025.

Neither the Secretary of State nor any other Defence Ministers met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius between 5 July 2024 and August 2025.

Whether he has discussed his Government's Chagos Islands Treaty with his United States counterpart since 18 February 2026.

The Secretary of State for Defence speaks regularly with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on a wide range of issues, including Diego Garcia.

Whether copies of the proposed Defence Investment Plan Bill will be available on the day it is presented to Parliament.

Major Government documents are usually published when they are presented to Parliament or shortly thereafter, with materials typically made available online and placed in the House of Commons Library unless sensitivity prevents this. Copies will be laid in parliament as appropriate.

How much has been spent on delivering the Global Combat Air Programme as of 25 February 2026.

Since its inception, the UK has invested over £2 billion already in Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme (FCAS/GCAP). This includes the associated Team Tempest research and development programme.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies, published on 20 February 2026, when will the testing phase of the Low-Cost Effectors & Autonomous Platforms initiative begin.

UK trials for the low-cost air defence effector under the LEAP initiative are currently planned for Autumn 2026; however, this is dependent on engagement with industry and the maturity of the solutions offered. This will be followed by multilateral trials with our European partners in 2027.

Whether the Defence Investment Plan will contain costings for all (a) current and (b) future defence programmes.

We are working flat out to complete the Defence Investment Plan and it will be published as soon as possible.

How many of the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review have begun implementation.

Implementation of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) began immediately after the Government endorsed the SDR's 62 recommendations; the delivery of the recommendations remains priority business for the Department and significant progress has been made since the SDR was published last June. Examples include:Nuclear deterrence: The Prime Minister announced at the NATO Hague Summit (June 25) that the UK will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets and join NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission. SDR Recommendation (Rec) 30UKDI: UK Defence Innovation was launched (July 25) to streamline the delivery of innovation technology to Armed Forces personnel through rapid investment, with an annual budget of £400 million. SDR Rec 7Defence Exports: The UK Defence and Security Exports function was transferred from Department for Business and Trade to MOD (July 25); all staff have completed their migration to MOD systems. 2025 was the highest year for UK Defence exports in 40 years including landmark deals with Norway, worth £10 billion (T26 frigates; Aug 25), and Türkiye, worth £8 billion (Typhoons; October 25). SDR Rec 12Defence Industrial Strategy: The Defence Industrial Strategy was published (September 25) to take forward the SDR’s vision for radical reforms, growth, innovation, industrial resilience and warfighting readiness – backed by nearly £800 million this parliament. SDR Rec 3 and 8Always on munitions: Defence announced a new programme to build factories of the future (November 25) with at least 13 potential sites identified to manufacture munitions and explosives in the UK to create an always on capability. This is backed by £1.5 billion of new investment in this parliament and creating over 1,000 British jobs. SDR Rec 29Housing: The Defence Housing Strategy 2025 (November 25) set out £9 billion of investment over the next decade to upgrade 40,000 Forces’ family homes. An ambitious programme of work to urgently fix 1,000 military homes was completed ahead of schedule (December 25). The programme of housing improvements, known as Raising the Minimum Standards, has seen significant work take place at service family homes across the UK. Legislation to establish a specialist arm’s length defence housing service is in the Armed Forces Bill, now in the Commons. SDR Rec 60CyberEM Command: The Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEM Force) was established on time and is now up and running, within the Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (November 25). SDR Rec 51MIS and DCIU: The Military Intelligence Services and Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit were launched on time, as part of a major overhaul of Defence’s intelligence organisations amid increasing threats to the UK and to keep Britain ahead of hostile states and terrorists (December 25). SDR Recs 54 and 56Atlantic Bastion: The UK’s groundbreaking Atlantic Bastion programme was unveiled (December 25), which will make Britain more secure from Russian undersea threats in the North Atlantic through a transformation of the Royal Navy and its submarine-hunting capabilities into an advanced hybrid force. SDR vision: Hybrid NavyGap Year: Plans to launch the new Armed Forces ‘Gap Year’ Foundation Scheme were announced (December 25) to give young people in the UK new opportunities to experience military service. SDR Rec 16DDS: A public summary of the UK's first ever Defence Diplomacy Strategy was published (March 26) which lays the foundation for UK Defence to be more deliberate, targeted and coherent in deepening its international relationships with allies and partners to support defence and wider foreign policy. SDR Rec 21

Whether any spending commitments for his Department will not be included in the Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will provide a comprehensive overview of the Department's forward investment priorities across equipment, infrastructure, people, and supporting capabilities.

Whether he plans to publish the Defence Investment Plan in the form of a single document.

We are working flat out and intend to publish the Defence Investment Plan as soon as possible.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to visas for overseas shearers, particularly from New Zealand and Australia, on (a) animal welfare and (b) the local economy in South Suffolk constituency.

Immigration Rules concessionary arrangements are temporary and subject to regular Ministerial review. The sheep shearing concession had been operating for 14 years and closed after the 2025 shearing season as it is reasonable to expect that over this period a long-term sustainable solution had been found to fill this workforce gap. To provide plenty of time to plan and transition to new arrangements DEFRA and the sector were informed last year that the concession would not be renewed again.In addition, those in the UK on visas which allow general work rights, such as dependants or Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders, are free to take up work as a sheep shearer subject to the relevant visa restrictions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 January 2026 to Question 104517 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, when he plans to respond to Question 98515 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 106312 on Defence: Expenditure, when he plans to write to the hon. Member for South Suffolk.

The response is in the process of being finalised and will be provided shortly.