Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mark Francois this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 301–320 of 402 · Ministry of Defence
For what reason the annual armed forces equipment and formations statistics was not published on 31 October 2024.
The UK Armed Forces Equipment and Formations 2024 publication has been delayed due to a data quality review and has a provisional release date of February 2025. This is stated in the Statistics release calendar: UK armed forces equipment and formations 2024 - Accredited official statistics announcement - GOV.UK
Pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21267 on Defence: Procurement, what plans he has to review the effectiveness of the NATO test once implemented; and with what metrics.
Implementation work is ongoing and will conclude as soon as possible. The detail on metrics or evaluation remains under active consideration, but the work overall is being conducted under close oversight by the Permanent Secretary and Ministers, including through regular updates to the Defence Board. This will continue throughout, and after implementation, to ensure the process meets our objectives and remains effective.
What his planned timetable is for publishing his Department's annual statistics on armed forces equipment and formations.
The UK Armed Forces Equipment and Formations 2024 publication has been delayed due to a data quality review and has a provisional release date of February 2025. This is stated in the Statistics release calendar: UK armed forces equipment and formations 2024 - Accredited official statistics announcement - GOV.UK
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of alleged reports that Russia has used chemical weapons in Ukraine .
The Ministry of Defence continues to assess and monitor the evolving threat picture in Ukraine, including illegal Russian use of chemicals as a method of warfare. Russia has publicly admitted to the use of Riot Control Agents (RCAs) on the battlefield against Ukraine, and there are multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin. In December last year, a Technical Report confirming the use of Riot Control Agents in Ukraine was published by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. The UK has been at the forefront of international support and assistance to Ukraine and has previously provided respirators and decontamination kits to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as other protective measures to enhance Ukraine’s protective capabilities against chemical weapons. In December 2024, following a direct request for UK Assistance by Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence announced a further assistance package including funding for the procurement of respirators and other equipment to protect Ukraine's forces. This is being procured jointly with international partners through the G7 led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Our commitment to Ukraine is unwavering and we continue to work closely with our international partners, both bilaterally and in multilateral forums, to coordinate counter-CBRN support and assistance to Ukraine.
Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16769 on Veterans, if he will review his Department's data collection processes to enable it to make an estimate of the number of veterans who are (a) eligible for Pension Credit and (b) have an income of less than £12,500 a year.
The Ministry of Defence is already working across Government to improve data collection on veterans. At this time, we do not have data to enable us to make an estimate on the number of veterans who are eligible for pension credit and have an income of less than £12,500 but we will continue to keep this under review.
Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16769 on Veterans, whether his Department is taking steps to gather the data required to estimate the number of veterans who are (a) eligible for Pension Credit and (b) have an income of less than £12,500 a year.
The Ministry of Defence is already working across Government to improve data collection on veterans. At this time, we do not have data to enable us to make an estimate on the number of veterans who are eligible for pension credit and have an income of less than £12,500 but we will continue to keep this under review.
Whether any part of the final assembly of the Fleet Solid Support ships is planned to take place in Spain under the revised Harland and Wolff contract.
The Government has worked closely with Navantia UK (Prime Contractor) on the future of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary - on commercial terms - to ensure its continued delivery. This includes minimising disruption to the current schedule as much as possible, including the impact on in-service dates which is still being assessed.We are unable to comment on the details of the contract due to commercial sensitivities. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, safeguards the delivery of the FSS programme and secures the future of all four Harland & Wolff (H&W) shipyards in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Devon.The overall build strategy for the FSS ships remains unchanged. All three ships will be assembled from blocks manufactured in H&W shipyards in the UK and Navantia's shipyards in Spain. Final assembly and systems integration of the ships is planned to take place in Belfast.
Whether the in-service date for the fleet solid support ships has been impacted by the changes to the Harland and Wolff contract.
The Government has worked closely with Navantia UK (Prime Contractor) on the future of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary - on commercial terms - to ensure its continued delivery. This includes minimising disruption to the current schedule as much as possible, including the impact on in-service dates which is still being assessed.We are unable to comment on the details of the contract due to commercial sensitivities. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, safeguards the delivery of the FSS programme and secures the future of all four Harland & Wolff (H&W) shipyards in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Devon.The overall build strategy for the FSS ships remains unchanged. All three ships will be assembled from blocks manufactured in H&W shipyards in the UK and Navantia's shipyards in Spain. Final assembly and systems integration of the ships is planned to take place in Belfast.
What plans he has to implement a NATO test for major defence projects procurement.
We conducted a NATO test in the first 100 days of this Government.As part of that work we are implementing a NATO test for major procurement decisions by mandating that NATO should be considered in all Ministry of Defence investment business cases. This is in the process of being implemented across the Department.
What the total figure is for the changes to the value of the contract with Harland and Wolff for the Fleet Solid Support ships.
The Government has worked closely with Navantia UK (Prime Contractor) on the future of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme and agreed with them the minimum changes to the contract necessary - on commercial terms - to ensure its continued delivery. This includes minimising disruption to the current schedule as much as possible, including the impact on in-service dates which is still being assessed.We are unable to comment on the details of the contract due to commercial sensitivities. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, safeguards the delivery of the FSS programme and secures the future of all four Harland & Wolff (H&W) shipyards in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Devon.The overall build strategy for the FSS ships remains unchanged. All three ships will be assembled from blocks manufactured in H&W shipyards in the UK and Navantia's shipyards in Spain. Final assembly and systems integration of the ships is planned to take place in Belfast.
Which departmental budgets will provide the funds to complete the purchase of the Annington estate; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that spending on other defence priorities.
Funding for the deal is being provided by His Majesty’s Treasury, not the Ministry of Defence budget. As the purchase has no impact on other Defence priorities, no financial assessment has been made.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Government buys back 36,347 military homes to improve housing for forces families and save taxpayers billions, published on 17 December 2024, what his planned timetable is for the (a) construction and (b) refurbishment of service family homes.
It is too early to provide a timetable for the construction and refurbishment of Service Family Accommodation (SFA). The recent announcement comes as the Government kickstarts work on a new military housing strategy, to be published this year. Key principles of the strategy will include: a generational renewal of Armed Forces accommodation; new opportunities for forces homeownership; and better use of Ministry of Defence land to support the delivery of affordable homes for families across Britain. The first steps in the strategy will include the rapid development of an action plan to deliver on the “once in a generation” opportunities unlocked by today’s deal. This work will involve independent experts, forces families and cross-Government input.
Pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2024 to Question 17774 on Ministry of Defence: Capita, whether (a) penalties under and (b) adjustments to Capita's contract have been applied as a result of the (i) March and (ii) September 2024 performance reviews.
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 17 December 2024, to Questions 19639, 19640, 19641, 19642 and 19643.
What his timeline is for full implementation of the Armed Forces Recruitment Partnership across the Armed Forces; and what the key milestones are.
Due diligence reviews have been conducted to determine the winning bidder of the Armed Forces Recruiting Programme (AFRP) contract. With the contract’s approval process ongoing, it would not be appropriate to publish the outcome of the evaluation. Independent programme evaluations, to assess delivery success against agreed benefits, will continue throughout the life of the Armed Forces Recruiting Service. The approvals process is due to be completed in early 2025. Following this, the contract will be awarded and the successful bidder announced. This is expected in February 2025. The implementation of the AFRP has been phased to reduce the risks to service delivery.
Pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2024 to Question 17774 on Ministry of Defence: Capita, whether the performance reviews of Capita in (a) March and (b) September 2024 made recommendations.
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 17 December 2024, to Questions 19639, 19640, 19641, 19642 and 19643.
When he plans to complete the evaluation phase of the Armed Forces Recruitment Partnership; and whether he plans to publish the findings.
Due diligence reviews have been conducted to determine the winning bidder of the Armed Forces Recruiting Programme (AFRP) contract. With the contract’s approval process ongoing, it would not be appropriate to publish the outcome of the evaluation. Independent programme evaluations, to assess delivery success against agreed benefits, will continue throughout the life of the Armed Forces Recruiting Service. The approvals process is due to be completed in early 2025. Following this, the contract will be awarded and the successful bidder announced. This is expected in February 2025. The implementation of the AFRP has been phased to reduce the risks to service delivery.
Pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2024 to Question 17774 on Ministry of Defence: Capita, whether his Department plans to conduct performance reviews of Capita’s contract in 2025.
The Army continues to monitor Capita’s performance through the various contract management measures as set out in the Recruitment Partnering Programme contract.
Pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2024 to Question 17776 on Armed Forces: Recruitment, how the Army measures Capita’s performance against key performance indicators in the Recruitment Partnering Programme contract; and what the results have been in each of the last five years.
The new Government inherited a crisis in retention and recruitment. We have made it a priority to address this with a series of work streams designed to increase recruitment and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve to improve retention. Recruiting and retention remain one of our highest priorities - the Army/Capita Recruiting Partnering Project is completely focused on delivering a significant increase in recruitment in 2024-25. Working in a collaborative partnership, the Army and Capita have robust contract management measures, including Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and penalty deductions where KPIs are not met, to monitor performance against contractual requirements. However, as I am sure the right hon. Member will understand, detailed contractual arrangements, including performance measures, are not routinely disclosed by the Department in order to protect the commercial interests of all parties.
What specific actions were taken following the performance audit reviews of Capita’s role in military recruitment in (a) May and June 2021 and (b) July and August 2023.
The new Government inherited a crisis in retention and recruitment. We have made it a priority to address this with a series of work streams designed to increase recruitment and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve to improve retention. Recruiting and retention remain one of our highest priorities - the Army/Capita Recruiting Partnering Project is completely focused on delivering a significant increase in recruitment in 2024-25. Working in a collaborative partnership, the Army and Capita have robust contract management measures, including Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and penalty deductions where KPIs are not met, to monitor performance against contractual requirements. However, as I am sure the right hon. Member will understand, detailed contractual arrangements, including performance measures, are not routinely disclosed by the Department in order to protect the commercial interests of all parties.
Pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2024 to Question 17776 on Armed Forces: Recruitment, what financial penalties have been applied to Capita under the Recruitment Partnering Programme contract for failure to meet contractual performance standards in the last five years.
The new Government inherited a crisis in retention and recruitment. We have made it a priority to address this with a series of work streams designed to increase recruitment and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve to improve retention. Recruiting and retention remain one of our highest priorities - the Army/Capita Recruiting Partnering Project is completely focused on delivering a significant increase in recruitment in 2024-25. Working in a collaborative partnership, the Army and Capita have robust contract management measures, including Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and penalty deductions where KPIs are not met, to monitor performance against contractual requirements. However, as I am sure the right hon. Member will understand, detailed contractual arrangements, including performance measures, are not routinely disclosed by the Department in order to protect the commercial interests of all parties.