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 3,581–3,600 of 3,710 · this parliament
How much spending on the (a) Future Combat Air System and (b) Global Combat Air Programme he plans to defer from the current financial year.
The UK expects to invest over £1.3 billion in the Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme and the associated Team Tempest R&D programme, in the current financial year.
What plans he has to provide funding for Sea Viper’s enhancement.
The enhancement of Sea Viper is named Sea Viper Evolution, which includes upgrades to the Type 45 Destroyer's Multi-Function Radar, Combat Management System (CMS), Weapon Command and Control (C2), and the Aster 30 missile. The first stage, called Capability 1, is in Demonstration and Manufacture Phase as of March 2023. The next stage, called Capability 2, is in Assessment Phase as of June 2023, completing in 2025.Departmental spending plans will be set out in the usual way.
If he will publish the non-commercially sensitive details of his Department’s Portfolio Management Agreement with MBDA.
Non-commercially sensitive details of the Ministry of Defence’s Portfolio Management Agreement with MBDA have been announced. There are no plans to publish further details.
Whether he plans to (a) implement and (b) cancel efficiency savings budgeted for by the previous Government for (i) his Department and (ii) departmental arm's length bodies; and what plans she has for further such efficiency savings.
Plans for future efficiency savings across the Department will be considered as part of the Spending Review.
If he will list the underspends within (a) his Department and (b) each of its arms length bodies in (i) this financial year and (ii) across the Spending Review period.
The Department’s financial outturn is set out in the published Annual Report and Accounts. Figures for 2024-25 will be made available in next year’s Annual Report and Accounts following the end of the financial year. For individual Arms Length Bodies (ALB) underspends, ALBs are responsible for producing their own Annual Report and Accounts and these are available in the public domain. The ALBs within the boundary of Ministry of Defence are listed in the Departmental Annual Report and Accounts.
If he will have discussions with UK armaments manufacturers about the adequacy of the munitions stockpile.
Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.
Whether he plans to improve his Department’s acquisition system.
The Strategic Defence Review launched on 16 July 2024 will determine the reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. In doing so it will consider the approach taken to acquisition and support to deliver required capabilities in a timely way, secure the best possible value for money and leverage rapidly changing technology.
What the remuneration package of the National Armaments Director will be.
To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director (NAD). Advice and recommendations on potential changes to the NAD role are being scoped for consideration. Further detail will be made available in due course.The current NAD's salary is routinely published in the Defence Equipment and Support Annual Report and Accounts.
How many jobs are (a) directly and (b) indirectly linked to munitions production.
This Government recognises the vital role defence plays not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the United Kingdom. The most recent estimates show that in 2021-22, MOD spent £950 million in the Weapons and Ammunition industry which supported an estimated 5,200 industry wide jobs in the UK. This included 2,700 direct jobs specifically in the Weapons and Ammunition sector and a further 2,500 indirect jobs across all industry sectors to deliver end products and service requirements. Updated jobs figures for 2022-23 will be published later this year.
If he plans to provide an additional £10bn of funding for munitions replenishment over the next ten years.
Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.
What steps his Department is taking to reset relations (a) with the Treasury, (b) with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and (c) within Whitehall.
The Ministry of Defence works closely with other Government Departments, including HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, on a range of issues. The Secretary of State for DEfence and the Foreign Secretary have already held a joint briefing on Ukraine and NATO for MPs. The terms of reference for the Strategic Defence Review outlines the reviewers will consult widely with stakeholders, including across Whitehall, particularly HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, on areas where they support Defence.
How he plans to assess the performance of service chiefs two years after their appointment.
The Secretary of State for Defence, supported by the Permanent Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Staff, regularly takes stock of the performance of the Service Chiefs.
What assessment he has made of the potential effect of changes to the timing of defence spending being 2.5 per cent of GDP on the UK’s stock of MBDA-manufactured missile systems.
The Government is fully committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible. The Government will set out a clear path to 2.5% at a future fiscal event. The Government will deliver a programme for defence which is affordable and provides the capabilities we need to counter the growing, and diversifying, threats Britain is facing in the 21st century.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of munitions stockpiles for each of the Front Line Commands.
Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.
What steps he is taking to ensure that officials in his Department have a stronger voice across Government.
To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.
How he plans to establish a Military Strategic Headquarters.
To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.
What steps he has taken to establish a Military Strategic Headquarters.
To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.
What steps he is taking to establish new strategic leadership in procurement.
To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.
What steps he is taking to give more influence to his Department’s civil service.
To align with the Government's vision for reform in Defence, and the Secretary of State's priority to strengthen leadership through overhauling the Defence Operating Model, we are developing options for establishing a Military Strategic Headquarters, a stronger Department of State, and the role of the National Armaments Director. Further detail will be made available in due course.
Whether he is taking steps to ensure that the volume of his Department's munitions orders from the UK armaments industry delivers a level of output that sustains warfighting levels of production over the Parliament.
Munitions stockpile levels and requirements are kept under constant review, balancing current holdings against threats, availability, industrial capacity and evolving technology. The Ministry of Defence is engaging closely with industry partners and developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure we have the industrial base we need to support our, and our allies’, requirements. The Government is committed to a long-term partnership with our domestic defence industry to support innovation and resilience. The Strategic Defence Review will determine the capabilities and reforms required by UK defence to meet the threats of the 21st century. The Government is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence as soon as possible.