Every parliamentary written question tabled by James Cartlidge this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1,061–1,080 of 3,185 · this parliament
When he plans to implement the South Yorkshire Defence Growth Deal.
Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the South Yorkshire Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangible benefits to local economies and the wider defence sector.
How the competition for the Battlegroup Small Uncrewed Air System will align with the Defence Drone Strategy's commitment to keep up with relentless cycles of battlefield adaptation.
The information as to who exactly has bid remains commercially sensitive and is currently not for onward release. There are however a number of UK companies involved, providing various different Small Uncrewed Aeriel System (sUAS) solutions. This is testament to the growth of the Uncrewed System development in the UK.
What recent steps he has taken to protect British waters from infiltration by the Russian spy vessel Yantar.
The Royal Navy constantly monitors threats to UK waters, and we are ready and willing to respond if required. The YANTAR’s most recent incursion into British waters was met with a robust response, using capabilities from across the full spectrum of Defence. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force deployed HMS SOMERSET and RAF P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to monitor the YANTAR’s every move within the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In addition, the Defence Secretary took steps to alter and enhance the Royal Navy’s posture to ensure we can better track and respond to threats from YANTAR or any other spy ship. As the Strategic Defence Review underlined, the protection of Critical Underwater Infrastructure is a priority for Defence. We have invested in new capabilities to ensure our Critical Underwater Infrastructure remains resilient, such as the Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance (MROS) programme, which includes RFA PROTEUS. We also will continue to invest in our international partnerships and alliances, including NATO, to coordinate surveillance of the threat, expose those who seek to threaten us and hold them accountable.
When he plans to respond to Question 70669 on NATO.
I responded to the hon. Member on 28 November 2025.
Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 39926 on Senior Civil Servants: Pay, when he plans to publish the next list of senior officials high earners salaries.
Departments and their partner organisations are currently collecting the data for the next ‘high earner’ list. It will be published when the data set is complete and the personal information being released about individuals has been fully quality assured. Departments also publish salary information for all their Senior Civil Service (SCS) roles in quarterly organograms on data.gov.uk and for all SCS operating at Board level in their Annual Accounts.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the competition for the Battlegroup Small Uncrewed Air System on strengthening the British industrial base.
The information as to who exactly has bid remains commercially sensitive and is currently not for onward release. There are however a number of UK companies involved, providing various different Small Uncrewed Aeriel System (sUAS) solutions. This is testament to the growth of the Uncrewed System development in the UK.
When he plans to respond to Question 70685 on NATO.
I responded to the hon. Member on 28 November 2025.
Whether he has authorised changes to the amount of training conducted by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in the current financial year.
On current plans, the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force have not reduced planned training for the current financial year. We have defined training to mean Phase 1 (basic training) and Phase 2 (initial profession training) only. The Royal Navy has increased training delivery this year in response to increased recruitment and continues to modernise and streamline training pathways to meet operational needs. The amount of training conducted by the British Army and Royal Air Force remains unchanged.
If he will list all named exercises that have been cancelled by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force since 5 July 2024.
This information is not held centrally and is taking time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Whether his Department has had formal discussions on reducing the amount of training conducted by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in the current financial year.
On current plans, the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force have not reduced planned training for the current financial year. We have defined training to mean Phase 1 (basic training) and Phase 2 (initial profession training) only. The Royal Navy has increased training delivery this year in response to increased recruitment and continues to modernise and streamline training pathways to meet operational needs. The amount of training conducted by the British Army and Royal Air Force remains unchanged.
Whether he has plans to cancel any named exercises by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in the (i) current financial year and (ii) next financial year.
The Department conducts military exercises to maintain operational effectiveness, raise warfighting readiness and ensure the armed forces are prepared to respond to a wide range of scenarios. These exercises often involve collaboration with our allies and partners, enhancing interoperability and collective readiness. Our exercise plans are kept under regular review to ensure they align with our priorities and both our own and our partners' operational requirements.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of protection of sensitive military documents from online hacking.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) takes the security of its information very seriously. Our policies set out a range of technical and procedural controls applied to systems and content throughout their lifecycle and we use a range of assurance measures. We do not comment on details as these could provide a potential adversary with information which could help them to craft a cyber attack against the MOD, which would adversely impact Defence and National Security.
What is the estimated cost to his Department for the implementation of Defence Reform.
The Department is currently working to determine the estimated cost of implementing Defence Reform across Defence. At present, a total cost figure is not yet available.
Whether he has authorised changes to the Army Collective Training Service contract since 5 July 2024.
In accordance with the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011, there have been no changes to the Army Collective Training Service contract that have required Ministerial approval since 5 July 2024.
What discussions he has has with relevant stakeholders regarding the recent hacking of MOD software at RAF and Royal Navy bases.
This was an incident within the supply chain and not an attack on Ministry of Defence (MOD) systems.We take a robust and proactive approach to cyber attacks against MOD and our suppliers. Our initial assessment of the Dodd Group incident indicates that the data involved is largely routine and does not pose a significant security threat. For all investigations, the MOD has a well-tested incident coordination process led by the Defence CISO liaising across our Military Commands (including RAF and Royal Navy) to understand and mitigate any impact.
Whether he has closed bidding on the Army Collective Training Service contract.
The competition for the Army's Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP) remains ongoing and is currently in the final stages. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
Whether he has discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on levels of funding for training conducted by the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in the current financial year.
There have been no discussions around funding for training specifically. Spend on training continues to be a Departmental priority.
Whether a survey or other feedback provision has been conducted on the implementation of Defence Reform.
We have actively engaged personnel throughout the Defence Reform activity to build awareness and understanding across the Department. The July 2025 Internal Communications survey showed that 76% of respondents had some level of awareness of the reform activity. Feedback is captured through established mechanisms, including the annual People Survey and the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS). These provide comprehensive data on how personnel are responding to reform activity and wider organisational change. Results will be reviewed when published in December 2025. Listening to feedback from both military and civilian personnel remains central to ensuring the reform activity delivers its full potential in strengthening defence capability.
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential for delays to orders of new investments in (a) defence equipment, (b) weaponry and (c) infrastructure in the (a) current financial year and (b) next financial year.
As part of routine Departmental planning processes, both for in-year and future years spend, The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continually reviews balance of priorities against available funding. The MOD remains focused on delivering the priorities set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). A full ten-year plan on how the MOD will deliver the vision of the SDR will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published later this year.
If he will disclose the total figure in monetary terms that his Department will spend on day-to-day costs in the (a) current financial year and (b) next financial year.
The MOD's day to day spending is reflected in its Resource Departmental Expenditure Limits (RDEL).The MOD's RDEL planned settlements for 2025-26 and 2026-27 have been set out as part of the Spending Review. These were £38.6 billion for 2025-26 and £39.6 billion for 2026-27.