Written questions by Cartlidge.

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.

When he plans to respond to Question 98512 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, what discussions he has had with his French and Ukrainian counterparts on scenario planning for the number of UK naval assets for the proposed Multinational Force - Ukraine; and if will set out the ranges of the numbers of such naval assets.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagement with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine. Planning continues at pace, but we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations, due to the risk to operational security.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, if he will list the nations that have agreed in principle to provide (a) air, (b) naval and (c) land assets to Ukraine as part of the Multinational Force - Ukraine.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagement with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine. Planning continues at pace, but we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations, due to the risk to operational security.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, what discussions he has had with his French and Ukrainian counterparts on scenario planning for the composition of UK service personnel for the proposed Multinational Force - Ukraine; and if will set out the ranges of UK service personnel compositions discussed.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagement with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine. Planning continues at pace, but we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations, due to the risk to operational security.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, what discussions he has had with his French and Ukrainian counterparts on scenario planning for the number of UK land assets for the proposed Multinational Force - Ukraine; and if will set out the ranges of the numbers of such land assets.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagement with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine. Planning continues at pace, but we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations, due to the risk to operational security.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, if he will list the nations that have agreed in principle to deploy service personnel to Ukraine as part of the Multinational Force - Ukraine.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagement with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine. Planning continues at pace, but we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations, due to the risk to operational security.

When he plans to respond to Question 98514 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 9 December 2025.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, what discussions he has had with his French and Ukrainian counterparts on scenario planning for the number of UK air assets for the proposed Multinational Force - Ukraine; and if will set out the ranges of the numbers of such air assets.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagement with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine. Planning continues at pace, but we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations, due to the risk to operational security.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, what discussions he has had with other nations on (a) joining and (b) contributing to the Multinational Force - Ukraine.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagement with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine. Planning continues at pace, but we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations, due to the risk to operational security.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, published on 7 January 2026, what discussions he has had with his French and Ukrainian counterparts on scenario planning for the number of UK service personnel for the proposed Multinational Force - Ukraine; and if will set out the ranges of UK personnel deployment discussed.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagement with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities. This Government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine. Planning continues at pace, but we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations, due to the risk to operational security.

How much has been spent on (a) negotiating and (b) implementing the Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union as of 9 January 2026.

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May 2025 is an example of this Government delivering on our manifesto commitments to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO. The work and costs involved in negotiating and implementing the Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union are carried out as part of officials' routine duties. As such, the costs specific to negotiating and implementing the SDP cannot be calculated separately. We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this Government’s NATO First defence policy. Any commitments made will be in support of our defence objectives and will provide value for the UK taxpayer.

What is the total administrative cost to the public purse of (a) negotiating and (b) implementing the Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union as of 9 January 2026.

The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May 2025 is an example of this Government delivering on our manifesto commitments to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO. The work and costs involved in negotiating and implementing the Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union are carried out as part of officials' routine duties. As such, the costs specific to negotiating and implementing the SDP cannot be calculated separately. We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this Government’s NATO First defence policy. Any commitments made will be in support of our defence objectives and will provide value for the UK taxpayer.

When he plans to respond to Question 97294 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 4 December 2025.

The only costs currently anticipated are in terms of Ministry of Defence staff time. There is no current estimate of this cost.

When he plans to respond to Question 94244 tabled by the hon. Member for South Suffolk on 25 November 2025.

In 2024-25, Ministry of Defence spend on equipment was £24.92 billion, which is around 0.85% of GDP. This is an increase of over £2 billion from the equipment budget for 2023-24.While the current financial year is ongoing and work on the Defence Investment Plan continues, it is not possible to provide figures for the remaining financial years of this Parliament.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, if he will state the formal mission of the Multinational Force Ukraine.

The Prime Minister and President Macron have outlined that the mission of the Multinational Force Ukraine is to support Ukraine’s path towards lasting peace and stability. As set out by the Secretary of State in his statement to the House on 7 of January 2026, the force will deploy units from participating nations to carry out operations to secure the skies, support safer seas, and conduct training, planning, recovery and regeneration of Ukrainian forces. Additionally, the UK and France will establish military hubs across the country to facilitate this activity and build protected facilities within Ukraine for the storage and maintenance of weapons and equipment.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in the Urgent Question on 5 January 2026, how many times (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have met with the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner since 5 July 2024.

Since January 2025, when the current Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner took up post, I have formally met, either face to face or virtually, with the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner on 11 separate occasions including a two day visit to Northern Ireland during March 2025. My fellow Ministerial colleagues have formally met with the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner, either face to face or virtually, on two separate occasions. These figures do not include informal occasions such as where I, or my Ministerial colleagues have attended the same meetings or events.

With reference to the Declaration of Intent between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The French Republic and Ukraine relating to the deployment of multinational forces in support of the defence, reconstruction and strategic sustainability of Ukraine, whether UK service personnel operating in Ukraine would be subject to the European Convention of Human Rights.

Ukraine is a member of the Council of Europe and signatory to the European Convention of Human Rights and the Convention rights will be afforded to troops deployed to Ukraine as part of the Multinational Force Ukraine.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Armed Forces in the Urgent Question on 5 January 2026, whether the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will prevent former members of paramilitary organisations from sitting on the Legacy Commission.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my noble Friend, at the Northern Ireland Office (Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent), on 24 November 2025 to Question HL11718 in the House of Lords.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Armed forces to launch 'Gap Year' scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership, published on 27 December 2025, what is his target number of recruits for each remaining year of the current Parliament.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 13 January 2026, to Question 102946.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-05/102946