Written questions by Shannon.

What steps he is taking to provide immediate mental support to veterans medically discharged from service.

Structured Mental Health Assessments are conducted by Defence GPs as part of the medical discharge process to screen for mental health concerns and enable follow up in primary care or referral to specialist mental health services if required. Where personnel leaving the Armed Forces have an enduring need for mental healthcare, Defence Medical Services work in partnership with the NHS to ensure continuation of care. Personnel who have been assessed and diagnosed with a mental health need are able to access Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH) for up to six months after discharge to provide continuity of care during the transition period until appropriate handover to other services can be completed as required. All patients who leave the Services through a medical discharge for mental health reasons or are under the care of a DCMH as they transition are offered an assessment with a DCMH Mental Health Social Worker (MHSW) to ascertain their mental healthcare transition needs. The Veterans Welfare Service and Defence Transition Service deliver additional support to service leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the Armed Forces, including facilitating access to NHS services. Wherever they live in UK, veterans can access bespoke services, including Op COURAGE in England. The Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland (VWS NI) provides professional help and advice to veterans to help them access specialist healthcare available to eligible veterans who are experiencing conditions related to their military Service. The through life mental health support now provided to Service personnel will have a positive impact on the veterans of the future; the Ministry of Defence is ensuring that Armed Forces personnel have the psychological resilience training they need to recognise mental ill-health in themselves and those around them and know how to manage it.

What military funding he plans to provide to Ukraine in 2025.

The Government is committed to providing £3 billion of military support to Ukraine each financial year for as long as needed. In addition, over the next two financial years this Government will provide a further £1.5 billion of support from the first part of a £2.26 billion loan through the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration scheme which will enable Ukraine to undertake major procurement projects. The loan will be repaid using the extraordinary profits on immobilised Russian sovereign assets.

If he will hold discussions with Harland and Wolff on steps to help them resume manufacturing ships for the Royal Navy.

Harland & Wolff Plc, a major sub-contractor and a member of Team Resolute, the consortium delivering the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the Royal Navy, announced on 16 September 2024 that they would be winding down its non-core operations, but the four shipyards will continue to operate.Following a review of their financial situation, the Government is clear that the market is best placed to address the challenges the company is facing. We continue to work extensively with all parties to find an outcome for the company that continues to deliver shipbuilding and manufacturing in the UK.The successful delivery of the FSS programme remains a priority. There is extensive engagement with Navantia UK as the Prime Contractor to understand what steps the company is taking to ensure delivery of the FSS contract and management of its supply chain.

If his Department to will make an assessment of the adequacy of support for the physical health of service people.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the health and wellbeing of our Armed Forces personnel. For those personnel requiring medical intervention the Defence Medical Services (DMS) provides occupationally focused primary healthcare to serving Armed Forces personnel, to ensure that they are medically fit, mentally and physically, to undertake their duties. For wounded, injured and sick personnel, the Defence Recovery Capability is a MOD-owned capability designed to deliver programmed, command-led and coordinated support. Each person who comes under the Defence Recovery Capability will get a tailored Individual Recovery Plan which enables them to focus on either their return to duty or transition to civilian life. The Department is reviewing its medical capabilities, including the provision of healthcare delivered by DMS to Armed Forces personnel as part of the Strategic Defence Review. The review will report in the first half of 2025.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of a NATO-first defence strategy on the shipbuilding supply chain.

All decisions on Defence strategy, encompassing our relationship with NATO, are fully assessed to ensure UK defence requirements are met, including the shipbuilding supply chain. The National Shipbuilding Office works with colleagues across Government and industry to promote growth and resilience across the entire UK shipbuilding sector to enable it to meet our NATO commitments and, where possible, seize opportunities presented by working closely with allies.