Written questions by Cartlidge.

With reference to clause 31 of the Strategic Defence Review - Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad published on 2 June 2025, if he will list the membership of the Cabinet sub-Committee on Space.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 July 2025 to Question 68516 to the right hon. Member for Solihull West and Shirley (Dr Neil Shastri -Hurst), where I stated ‘I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s interest in space. The Ministry of Defence along with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and other departments, is coordinating space activities across government. Ministers from across government met on the 22 April to discuss space and, since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, Ministers met on 7 July to follow up on our approach to space. We remain committed to establishing and evolving the right space governance structure to ensure that activities are effectively coordinated across all relevant Departments.’

With reference to page 55 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, when he expects the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation to be fully established.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 June 2025, to Questions 59137, 59138, 59140 and 59143, and to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) to Question 59406. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-06-11/59137 This evolution of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory is in the initial stages of planning and therefore requires substantial design work. The outcome of this, and subsequent details within, will be announced in due course.

What steps he is taking to promote the UK sugar beet industry in international trade negotiations.

This Government recognises the importance of the UK sugar beet industry. In all our trade negotiations we seek to open up new markets for British agricultural, food and drink exports, including UK-produced sugars.The UK is also an active member of the International Sugar Organization, a body that facilitates global dialogue on sugar trade, production and sustainability.

With reference to recommendation 21 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, whether the new Defence Diplomacy Strategy will be developed in conjunction with other departments.

With the backdrop of the challenging global environment outlined in the Strategic Defence Review and the National Security Strategy, the Ministry of Defence is developing a new Defence Diplomacy Strategy, in coordination and consultation with other Government Departments. The Defence Diplomacy Strategy will prioritise the use of the Defence instrument in support of UK defence and wider foreign policy objectives. It will ensure that we are taking a coordinated, strategic and deliberate approach to protect and promote UK interests and enhance UK influence.This work is being led by the Minister of State for the House of Lords who is responsible for international relations and defence diplomacy.

With reference to recommendation 21 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, who will lead on the new Defence Diplomacy Strategy.

With the backdrop of the challenging global environment outlined in the Strategic Defence Review and the National Security Strategy, the Ministry of Defence is developing a new Defence Diplomacy Strategy, in coordination and consultation with other Government Departments. The Defence Diplomacy Strategy will prioritise the use of the Defence instrument in support of UK defence and wider foreign policy objectives. It will ensure that we are taking a coordinated, strategic and deliberate approach to protect and promote UK interests and enhance UK influence.This work is being led by the Minister of State for the House of Lords who is responsible for international relations and defence diplomacy.

With reference to clause 31 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, when he expects the Cabinet sub-Committee on Space to be established.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 July 2025 to Question 68516 to the right hon. Member for Solihull West and Shirley (Dr Neil Shastri -Hurst), where I stated ‘I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s interest in space. The Ministry of Defence along with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and other departments, is coordinating space activities across government. Ministers from across government met on the 22 April to discuss space and, since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, Ministers met on 7 July to follow up on our approach to space. We remain committed to establishing and evolving the right space governance structure to ensure that activities are effectively coordinated across all relevant Departments.’

With reference paragraph 31 on page 21 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, which Department will lead the Cabinet sub-Committee on space.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 July 2025 to Question 68516 to the right hon. Member for Solihull West and Shirley (Dr Neil Shastri -Hurst), where I stated ‘I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s interest in space. The Ministry of Defence along with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and other departments, is coordinating space activities across government. Ministers from across government met on the 22 April to discuss space and, since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, Ministers met on 7 July to follow up on our approach to space. We remain committed to establishing and evolving the right space governance structure to ensure that activities are effectively coordinated across all relevant Departments.’

With reference to page 122 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, when he plans to establish the Spectrum Coordination Office as part of CyberEM Command.

A Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Organisation has been designed as part of the 2* Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force Headquarters. Scope, scale, basing options and timetable are dependent on the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to page 122 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published in June 2025, what the total cost to his Department was of establishing the Spectrum Coordination Office.

The Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEMF) remains in internal planning and design stages, with options presented to Defence but not yet endorsed by Military Strategic Headquarters. Resource and capability decisions are subject to the Defence annual planning cycle and the Defence Investment Plan, which will ultimately shape the design of the DCEMF and the speed, scale, and nature of implementation. I hope that the Hon. Gentleman will understand that until these processes are complete, details such as basing, costs, and workforce mix remain undecided and would be speculative.

With reference to page 123 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published in June 2025, how many staff will be employed as part of the policy teams within Cyber EM Command.

The Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEMF) remains in internal planning and design stages, with options presented to Defence but not yet endorsed by Military Strategic Headquarters. Resource and capability decisions are subject to the Defence annual planning cycle and the Defence Investment Plan, which will ultimately shape the design of the DCEMF and the speed, scale, and nature of implementation. I hope that the Hon. Gentleman will understand that until these processes are complete, details such as basing, costs, and workforce mix remain undecided and would be speculative.

With reference to page 122 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on June 2025, who will lead the Spectrum Coordination Office.

The Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force (DCEMF) remains in internal planning and design stages, with options presented to Defence but not yet endorsed by Military Strategic Headquarters. Resource and capability decisions are subject to the Defence annual planning cycle and the Defence Investment Plan, which will ultimately shape the design of the DCEMF and the speed, scale, and nature of implementation. I hope that the Hon. Gentleman will understand that until these processes are complete, details such as basing, costs, and workforce mix remain undecided and would be speculative.

With reference to page 89 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, whether he has met with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to discuss the impact of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill on defence.

The Secretary of State for Defence has met with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and discussed a range of issues. Officials from the Ministry of Defence have worked closely with DSIT and other Government colleagues throughout the development of this important Bill.

With reference to recommendation 29 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what proportion of the new Digital Warfighter group will be staffed by (a) military and (b) civilian personnel.

The work to define the construct of the Digital Warfighting Group is currently in its early stages. This will be a deployable organisation, however the exact proportion of military and civilian personnel is yet to be finalised.

With reference to paragraph 23 on page 19 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what the expected total cost to the public purse is of his Department's plans to develop the understanding of the Armed Forces among young people in schools.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the importance of the Department for Education (DfE) in increasing understanding and appreciation of our Armed Forces in young people. Ministers and officials from the MOD have met with colleagues in the DfE and discussed how a formal curriculum could be part of their ongoing curriculum review. Both departments have also discussed the vital work of Cadet Forces in schools, membership of which is proven to help develop self-confidence, teamwork, leadership and resilience in young people. Our ongoing discussions with the DfE are crucial to implementing the Cadet ‘30 in 30’ scheme under which this Government is investing £70 million to add 40,000 new Cadets across the UK by 2030.The Strategic Defence Review is clear on the need for a whole of society approach to defence and the ongoing relationship between the MOD and the DfE is a key component of that plan. The Armed Forces enjoy good relationships with schools, primarily in terms of engagement to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) curriculum areas but this also extends to careers engagement. The Armed Forces only visit when they have been invited by a school to support activities and such visits cover a range of activities such as career events, citizenship talks, science and maths challenges and exercises.Regarding the recruitment of young people, it is important to note that the Armed Forces do not target recruitment activity at under-16s, and no visits to schools by the Armed Forces are directly linked to recruitment, other than specific Careers/Jobs Fairs which generally involve a range of employers. While presentations may be given highlighting the careers available in the Armed Forces, no pupil is ever signed up or able to make a commitment to become a recruit in the Armed Forces during the course of a visit.

With reference to page 48 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, how many new staff will be employed as part of the Digital Warfighter group.

The Digital Warfighter Group remains at internal planning and design stages, with options presented to Defence but not yet endorsed by Military Strategic Headquarters. Initially, it is anticipated to be a re-brigading of elements from the Armed Forces, who already operate in this space, into a coherent construct. Design and implementation planning is underway to define the exact military groupings that will be cohered to form the core of this Group. However, we expect this to be a whole force construct, with regular military, reservists and civilian staff, in partnership with Industry and Academia. This work is still in its early stages, which includes consideration as to whether any new staff are required.

With reference to recommendation 32 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, how frequently senior ministers from the National Security Council (Nuclear) committee will meet to discuss the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

The National Endeavour to maintain and renew the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent is a whole of Government effort. The Ministry of Defence works closely with other Government departments, including the Cabinet Office, His Majesty’s Treasury, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, to ensure its effective delivery. The National Security Council (Nuclear) remains committed to regularly reviewing progress on the National Endeavour. It receives comprehensive updates on delivery at least twice each year, with involvement from all relevant Departments.

With reference to recommendation 6 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress his Department has made on developing a dedicated strategy for the financial services sector by March 2026.

The Defence Finance and Investment Strategy and the Defence Investors' Advisory Group that will be supporting the strategy will formally meet in early autumn in preparation for the publication in early 2026.

With reference to page 55 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, who will lead the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 June 2025, to Questions 59137, 59138, 59140 and 59143, and to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) to Question 59406. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-06-11/59137 This evolution of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory is in the initial stages of planning and therefore requires substantial design work. The outcome of this, and subsequent details within, will be announced in due course.

With reference to page 55 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, updated on 8 July 2025, what proportion of the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation will be staffed by (a) military and (b) civilian personnel.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 June 2025, to Questions 59137, 59138, 59140 and 59143, and to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) to Question 59406. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-06-11/59137 This evolution of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory is in the initial stages of planning and therefore requires substantial design work. The outcome of this, and subsequent details within, will be announced in due course.

With reference to page 57 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, when he expects the first review into the anchor partnerships between universities and the Defence Research and Evaluation organisation to take place.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 June 2025, to Questions 59137, 59138, 59140 and 59143, and to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) to Question 59406. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-06-11/59137 This evolution of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory is in the initial stages of planning and therefore requires substantial design work. The outcome of this, and subsequent details within, will be announced in due course.