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 341–360 of 3,710 · this parliament
How much does he expect to spend on the delivery of Operation Interflex in financial year (a) 2026-27, (b) 2027-28 and (c) 2028-29.
The final figures for Ministry of Defence training support to Ukraine for each financial year are audited and included within the Department’s respective Annual report and Accounts (ARAc).
Communities and Local Government, whether his department has made an assessment of future local planning timetables and how they align with national housing objectives.
My Department does not hold data relating to future unpublished local plan timetables and their correlation with national housing objectives. The new plan-making system includes a new process for producing plans with clear steps that a local planning authority will need to take. This should support faster preparation of plans and more frequent updates, helping to ensure that plans delivering higher housing figures are in place more quickly.
Pursuant to the Answer of 18 December to Question 98837 on Cruise Missiles, what were the findings of the Review Note to be submitted in Quarter 1 2026.
The SPEAR Capability 3 Review Note, which was subject to an extended consultation phase, has now been submitted and is under consideration by the approval authority. Fielding this critical F-35 warfighting capability is targeted within the joint programme from financial year 2028-29; spiral capability upgrades across the programme life cycle will occur thereafter.
How many orders he has made for air-to-air missiles since 5 July 2024.
I can confirm the Ministry of Defence has placed orders for Aster, Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles, Lightweight Multirole Missiles and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System missiles since 5 July 2024. Deliveries of Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles, which are used by the Land Ceptor system, continue under an extant contract. As a former Defence Minister, the hon. Member will understand that I am withholding further details, including quantities ordered and delivered, for reasons of operational security.
How much will be spent on (a) core defence and (b) NATO qualifying defence spend in the current financial year as a cash figure.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) on 16 April 2026 to Question 124427.
Whether he plans to implement efficiency savings in his Department in the (a) current financial year and (b) next financial year.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has agreed efficiency targets with His Majesty's Treasury for 2026-27 and 2027-28, as set out in the Spending Review 2025 and the Departmental Efficiency Plans policy paper, published 11 June 2025. Further efficiencies, were included in the Strategic Defence Review. As part of routine financial management, the MOD continues to allocate resources effectively to meet departmental and operational priorities. The Department's final position for 2025-26 will be set out in the Annual Report and Accounts.
Whether he has had internal discussions regarding the implementation of efficiency savings in his Department in the current financial year since 1 April 2026.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Pursuant to the Answer of 18 December to Question 98837 on Cruise Missiles, whether the Review Note was submitted in Quarter 1 2026.
The SPEAR Capability 3 Review Note, which was subject to an extended consultation phase, has now been submitted and is under consideration by the approval authority. Fielding this critical F-35 warfighting capability is targeted within the joint programme from financial year 2028-29; spiral capability upgrades across the programme life cycle will occur thereafter.
Whether he has ordered any Aster missiles since 5 July 2024.
I can confirm the Ministry of Defence has placed orders for Aster, Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles, Lightweight Multirole Missiles and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System missiles since 5 July 2024. Deliveries of Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles, which are used by the Land Ceptor system, continue under an extant contract. As a former Defence Minister, the hon. Member will understand that I am withholding further details, including quantities ordered and delivered, for reasons of operational security.
Pursuant to the Answer of 18 December to Question 98837 on Cruise Missiles, when will Initial Operating Capability of the SPEAR Capability 3 programme be delivered.
The SPEAR Capability 3 Review Note, which was subject to an extended consultation phase, has now been submitted and is under consideration by the approval authority. Fielding this critical F-35 warfighting capability is targeted within the joint programme from financial year 2028-29; spiral capability upgrades across the programme life cycle will occur thereafter.
What is the total estimated cost as a cash figure of accepting and implementing all 62 recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review.
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 his department plans to recognise independent celebrants as part of marriage law reform.
The Government recognises the contribution that independent celebrants make to the wedding industry. We have been seeking their views, together with a range of others, in order to inform the development of a consultation. We will invite views as to allowing independent officiants to carry out legally binding weddings and the potential consequences of this as part of the consultation
How much will be spent on (a) core defence and (b) NATO qualifying defence spend in financial year (i) 2027-28 and (ii) 2028-29.
As the hon. Member will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely publish forecast figures. The UK's defence spending figures for 2027-28 and 2028-29 will be published by NATO in due course.
Whether he plans to conduct a public consultation on wedding reform.
Yes, we will be consulting on the reform of weddings law in England and Wales.
With reference to the press release entitled New Storm Shadow and missile cooperation to boost job as UK and France reboot defence relationship, published on 9 July 2025, when the 50,000 strong combined joint force will reach full operational capability.
Following the UK-France Lancaster House 2.0 declaration in July 2025, the Ministry of Defence regularly engages with French counterparts on detailed planning for the Combined Joint Force (CJF). We are working together to define the timeline for establishing the CJF and reaching full operational capability.
What steps her Department is taking to support farmers who have been affected by the increase in the price of red Diesel in South Suffolk.
Farmers retained the entitlement to use red diesel for agricultural machinery after it was withdrawn from most sectors in 2022. In contrast to full duty diesel, taxed at 52.95p per litre, red diesel currently incurs a duty of 10.18p per litre. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the temporary 5p fuel duty cut alongside extending the proportionate percentage cut for rebated fuels, which includes red diesel. This maintains the red diesel rate at the levels set in March 2022 at 10.18p per litre until the end of August 2026, with rates then gradually returning to March 2022 levels by March 2027, an increase of less than 1p a litre. The planned inflation increase for 2026-27 has also been cancelled.
Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107732 on Type 45 Destroyers: Guided Weapons, what is the total cost of the upgrade to the Sea Viper missile system.
The current commitment of £405 million funds delivery and manufacture of Sea Viper Capability One and the assessment phase of Capability Two. As of 13 April 2026, the project has spent £218.6 million. The cost of delivering and manufacturing the Capability Two upgrade will be negotiated in due course.
Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107732 on Type 45 Destroyers: Guided Weapons, how much of the £405 million committed to upgrading the Sea Viper missile system had been spent on 13 April 2026.
The current commitment of £405 million funds delivery and manufacture of Sea Viper Capability One and the assessment phase of Capability Two. As of 13 April 2026, the project has spent £218.6 million. The cost of delivering and manufacturing the Capability Two upgrade will be negotiated in due course.
Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107732 on Type 45 Destroyers: Guided Weapons, what is the total remaining cost of the upgrade to the Sea Viper missile system.
The current commitment of £405 million funds delivery and manufacture of Sea Viper Capability One and the assessment phase of Capability Two. As of 13 April 2026, the project has spent £218.6 million. The cost of delivering and manufacturing the Capability Two upgrade will be negotiated in due course.
Whether there has been a reduction in the number of usable training villages at the Global Hub Oman since 5 July 2024.
The facility continues to have three usable training villages.