Written questions by Cartlidge.

What recent progress his Department has made on implementing Project Ark Royal.

Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL have been incorporated into the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation Strategy (MATX). MATX envisages a Fleet Air Arm that is ‘uncrewed where possible; crewed where necessary,’ and will help to realise the Hybrid Air Wing recommended in the Strategic Defence Review. Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL are no longer in use. Instead, Project VANQUISH has been established to demonstrate a short take-off and landing, jet powered Autonomous Collaborative Platform capable of operating from a Queen Elizabeth Class carrier. The project will generate evidence to inform the development of uncrewed fixed wing aircraft for operation from Royal Navy aircraft carriers without requiring the installation of Assisted Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE), subject to Defence Investment Plan decisions.

If he will publish a list of all (a) UK and (b) overseas sites currently used for long-range kinetic drone testing.

Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. Given the geographical constraints of the United Kingdom, some capabilities are better evaluated overseas alongside our allies and partners. I am unable to provide further details due to operational sensitivities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament will be spent in each remaining financial year of this Parliament.

The Ministry of Defence's budget until financial year 2028/29 was published in the Spending Review last year and a year-by-year breakdown can be found there.

If he will publish a list of all (a) UK and (b) overseas sites currently used for long-range kinetic drone testing broken down by the maximum range of each location.

Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. Given the geographical constraints of the United Kingdom, some capabilities are better evaluated overseas alongside our allies and partners. I am unable to provide further details due to operational sensitivities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament will be spent on the procurement of uncrewed systems for the British armed forces.

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including the procurement of uncrewed systems, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

What recent progress his Department has made on implementing Project VIXEN.

Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL have been incorporated into the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation Strategy (MATX). MATX envisages a Fleet Air Arm that is ‘uncrewed where possible; crewed where necessary,’ and will help to realise the Hybrid Air Wing recommended in the Strategic Defence Review. Projects VIXEN and ARK ROYAL are no longer in use. Instead, Project VANQUISH has been established to demonstrate a short take-off and landing, jet powered Autonomous Collaborative Platform capable of operating from a Queen Elizabeth Class carrier. The project will generate evidence to inform the development of uncrewed fixed wing aircraft for operation from Royal Navy aircraft carriers without requiring the installation of Assisted Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE), subject to Defence Investment Plan decisions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much will be spent on Defence in the next Parliament.

The Government has set a clear ambition to spend 3% in the next Parliament as fiscal and economic conditions allow. The Ministry of Defence's settlement over the next Parliament has not been decided and will be considered as part of future Spending Reviews.

If he will state the reason for the termination of Project Lily.

Project Lily related to a proposed procurement to deliver an uncrewed surface vessel and associated remote operations centre capability. Project Lily was cancelled following a decision to consider alternative internal options to meet this requirement. The decision on whether to pursue a replacement competition or an alternative approach is under consideration in line with procurement rules. Should any future procurement be required, details of the opportunity will be published in the usual way via the Defence Sourcing Portal

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, if he will publish a breakdown of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament as a percentage of GDP for each remaining year of the current Parliament.

The annual breakdown of the £270 billion is below: Year2025-262026-272027-282028-29MOD Settlement (TDEL)62.265.57173.5% of GDP2.01%2.03%2.13%2.13% The Government will be spending 2.6% of GDP on defence in 2027.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential role chiropractors could play in reducing the numbers of patients on waiting lists for treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.

As set out in the Plan for Change, we have committed to return to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients, including those waiting for musculoskeletal treatment, wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029.The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, set out the productivity and reform efforts we will undertake to return to the 18-week standard, and to ensure patients have the best possible experience while they wait.NHS England does not nationally commission chiropractic care as it is a complementary and alternative medicine. Integrated care boards can make independent decisions on which health professionals they employ and may commission a limited amount of such treatment.There are currently no plans to review the categorisation of chiropractic care as a complementary and alternative medicine. Where musculoskeletal treatment is required, referrals will be made to physiotherapists where appropriate.

What plans his Department has to utilise existing community-based musculoskeletal healthcare providers to reduce GP workload and NHS waiting lists.

To reduce the general practice workload and National Health Service waiting lists, we are working to deliver the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Musculoskeletal Community Delivery Programme. GIRFT teams are working with health system leaders to further reduce musculoskeletal community waiting times, which are the largest volume of all community waits, and improve data, metrics, and referral pathways to wider support services. This includes mapping and analysing the provision and role of physiotherapists as First Contact Practitioners in primary care.

What steps his Department is taking to resolve the barrier whereby chiropractors cannot work within the NHS because they are not Allied Health Professionals, but Allied Health Professional status requires employment within the NHS.

There are no plans by either the Department or NHS England to review the list of health and care professions that are represented by the Chief Allied Health Professions officer.Where there is demand for services, such as those provided by a chiropractor, integrated care boards are able to make independent decisions on which health professionals they employ and may commission a limited amount of such treatment.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of funding for musculoskeletal conditions within the NHS 10 Year Health Plan.

The Spending Review prioritised health, with record investment in the health and social care system. The Government is providing £29 billion more day-to-day funding for the National Health Service in real terms compared to 2023/24, which is the equivalent to a 3% average annual real terms growth rate.Investment must come with reform, and the 10-Year Health Plan details the change required to secure the financial sustainability of the NHS.The 10-Year Health Plan will support people, including those with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, to better manage their condition and access services and support through the three health shifts.For example, as part of a major transformation of the NHS under the 10-Year Health Plan, patients with MSK conditions will also soon be able to bypass their general practitioners (GPs) and directly access community services, including physiotherapy, pain management, and orthopaedics, in the NHS App. The landmark change will deliver faster treatment for the flare up of existing conditions including arthritis, backpain, and joint pain, while enabling GPs to focus on more complex cases, reducing pressure on hospitals and freeing up GPs.

Whether the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review were fully costed on publication.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was presented to the Department by the external reviewers, who were working to the Terms of Reference that the review be deliverable and affordable within the fiscal envelope available to Defence The Department is now working on the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which will take the SDR’s strategic direction and its costed recommendations, including on capabilities, and turn that into a delivery plan to ensure we deliver an affordable programme that delivers on the SDR. Defence spending will see a major sustained increase over the next decade.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 48156 on Skynet, when the build of the Skynet 6A satellite transitioned into the testing and validation phase.

The Skynet 6 Programme continues to progress to meet Defence’s satellite communication needs. Following build and preparatory activity, the Skynet 6A satellite transitioned into the testing and validation phase in November 2025.

Whether all 62 recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review 2025 will be included in the Defence Investment Plan.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set a path for the next decade and beyond, over which Defence will be transformed. The Government accepted all 62 of the SDR’s recommendations. This is priority business, executed through a whole-of-Defence effort and driven through the reformed structures of Defence. This work is underpinned by a commitment to spend £270 billion on Defence in this Parliament, to reach 3% of GDP spend on Defence in the next Parliament, and to increase this to 3.5% by 2035. The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will turn the SDR’s vision and recommendations into an affordable delivery plan. It will highlight how the Government's historic investment in Defence will deliver warfighting readiness to deter increasing threats and drive Defence as an engine for jobs and growth.

On what cost envelope the Defence Investment Plan will report.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer the right hon. Member for Liverpool Garston (Maria Eagle) provided on 3 September 2025 to his Question 70714.

Whether he has a formal target date to create an Integrated Force.

The Integrated Force Model as per the Strategic Defence Review has four elements: a single force design; a common set of foundational enablers; digital enablement at its core; and collaboration with other Government Departments in real time. The first element – a single force design – will be delivered through the ongoing work to develop the Defence Investment Plan. The integrated force design will be completed this year, with implementation thereafter. The other three elements will be delivered incrementally as part of continued efforts to modernise and reform Defence.

Whether his Department's investors advisory group has been consulted on funding for the Defence Investment Plan.

The Defence Investors Advisory Group (DIAG) exists to help develop and provide expert advice on the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS).As part of this work, we are exploring potential new financing options which could apply to specific opportunities identified through the Defence Investment Plan. However, the DIAG is not directly consulting on the funding decisions within the Defence Investment Plan.

What role the UK will play in the multinational NATO command in Greenland.

The UK agrees on the need to step up security in the High North and Arctic to deter and defend against the threats posed by adversaries such as Russia. This is why the UK already engages in NATO activity in the region. The UK continues to operate UK Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and Maritime Patrol Aircraft in support of NATO deterrence activity on a regular basis and continues to deepen its partnerships with key Allies in the region such as Norway. Discussions amongst Allies about NATO’s future role in the Arctic region are ongoing.