Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 3,185 · this parliament
Whether (a) he or (b) any ministers in his department have held discussions with any nations excluding Italy and Japan on the Global Combat Air Programme.
The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his international counterparts on a range of issues. We have always maintained that we remain open to others joining GCAP, however, the UK and GCAP partners, Italy and Japan, are focused on delivering this vital military capability at pace.
Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 119386 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, whether he has ordered any Lightweight Multirole 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.
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
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.
Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 119388 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, whether he has ordered any Land Ceptor 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 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.
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.
Whether he has discussed the Global Combat Air Programme with his (a) Swedish, (b) Polish, (c) Canadian, (d) Australian, (e) Saudi Arabian and (f) Singaporean counterpart.
As part of the Ministry of Defence’s close working relationship with HMT, the Chancellor and the Defence Secretary, as well as other Ministers and officials, regularly discuss many of the Department’s largest programmes. These discussions can include the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his international counterparts on a range of issues. We have always maintained that we remain open to others joining GCAP, however, the UK and GCAP partners, Italy and Japan, are focused on delivering this vital military capability at pace.
Whether he has held discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the cost of delivering the Global Combat Air Programme.
As part of the Ministry of Defence’s close working relationship with HMT, the Chancellor and the Defence Secretary, as well as other Ministers and officials, regularly discuss many of the Department’s largest programmes. These discussions can include the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his international counterparts on a range of issues. We have always maintained that we remain open to others joining GCAP, however, the UK and GCAP partners, Italy and Japan, are focused on delivering this vital military capability at pace.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 119387 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, whether he has ordered any Advanced Short Range 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.
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.
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 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.