Written questions by Francois.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to help tackle challenges faced by veterans in Northern Ireland in accessing support services.

The Government is committed to ensuring that veterans are able to access appropriate support wherever they live in the UK and is working to coordinate and cohere the range of support available, including in Northern Ireland, more effectively. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome David Johnstone to his new role as Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner. David will play a crucial role in supporting veterans across Northern Ireland. I look forward to working with him, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, other Government Departments and across society to ensure veterans and their families in Northern Ireland receive the best possible support. The Armed Forces Covenant continues to be a key Government priority, with a commitment to fully implement the Covenant in law. The Armed Forces Covenant ensures that the Armed Forces community is treated fairly across the UK, although its delivery is shaped by local and regional factors and jurisdictions. We are making good progress in delivering the Covenant in Northern Ireland, where unique circumstances require a different approach to be taken, and the new Duty will apply in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Extensive engagement has taken place on the new Covenant duty with a range of stakeholders, including the Devolved Governments, with whom the UK Government will continue to work proactively on tailored approaches. The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT), a charity and Non-Departmental Public Body of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), supports the Thrive Together programme. In Northern Ireland, this is led by the charity Brooke House and brings together a range of local service providers to establish sustainable and resilient networks that ensure veterans and their families receive prompt, effective and tailored support in Northern Ireland. The initiative builds on the first iteration of the AFCFT’s Veterans’ Places, Pathways and People programme and the ongoing work of the 11 Veterans’ Champions in councils across Northern Ireland. The Prime Minister recently announced an additional £3.5 million funding to continue the UK-wide Reducing Veteran Homelessness (RVH) Programme, which includes Op FORTITUDE, a Government-backed centralised referral pathway designed to support veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In March 2024, Beyond the Battlefield were awarded £100,000 by the RVH programme to provide services for veterans in Northern Ireland who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. A range of cross-Government employment support is also available to veterans and their families after their time in service. This includes the Ministry of Defence (MOD)-hosted Career Transition Partnership, which is the initial point of resettlement provision for veterans leaving military service, with directly provided support usually available for two years before and two years after leaving service. In addition, a government-backed veterans’ sector-based employment scheme supports veterans to access employment opportunities across the UK, including enabling access to qualifications and training, to veterans and their families at any stage in their lives after leaving service. The Office for Veterans Affairs’ (OVA) in the MOD has recently established a presence in Northern Ireland to support strategic coordination of organisations, programmes and initiatives for veterans’ wellbeing. The OVA works closely and routinely with the Northern Ireland Office, the Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland (VWS NI) and the Office of the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner to ensure alignment of effort where possible and as appropriate. The Veterans’ Support Office (VSO) played a role in coordinating and signposting to statutory and charity provision. It closed in June 2024 as the way support for veterans is provided in Northern Ireland continues to evolve. Veteran support services have continued, including those grant-funded posts and projects previously facilitated by the VSO. MOD representatives from the OVA and VWS NI additionally co-chair the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Support Committee, a voluntary coalition of organisations that specialise in delivering support services to veterans and their families in Northern Ireland, and the quarterly NI Veterans’ Champion Committee. There are now Veterans’ Champions in all eleven local authorities. Both committees help further situational awareness, facilitate better coordination of effort, and provide an effective pool of subject matter expertise to drive continuous improvement in service delivery for veterans in Northern Ireland. VWS NI is a trusted statutory provider of specialist and holistic support for service leavers, veterans, their families and the bereaved in Northern Ireland. Following the merger in April 2023 of the UDR and R IRISH Home Service Aftercare Service with Defence Business Services, VWS NI successfully retained the unique medical services it offers eligible veterans in Northern Ireland, whilst expanding the provision of guidance, information and support to all service personnel transitioning into civilian life, veterans, their families and the bereaved across Northern Ireland. This includes physiotherapy and psychological therapies for eligible veterans. VWS NI's Welfare Managers - many of whom previously worked in the Aftercare Service - work exceptionally hard to build a good rapport with clients, and this is demonstrated by the consistently positive feedback the service receives at every level.In addition, the £500,000 Defence Medical Welfare Service pilot, which supports veterans’ health and wellbeing in Northern Ireland, provides timely assistance and guidance to veterans who require healthcare. This is achieved by linking veterans with local services to ensure they are receiving the help available; advising on physical health issues such as musculoskeletal problems, pain management and lifestyle; and providing help with anxiety, depression, PTSD and bereavement. The pilot works closely with VWS NI and is providing valuable insight to improve our understanding of veterans’ health needs locally.

What his planned the timeline is for delivering 12 additional Typhoon jets to Qatar; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of this timeline on ongoing production commitments for other customers.

Following the Amir of Qatar’s State Visit to the UK, we have agreed to deepen cooperation in support of regional security while supporting growth and prosperity in both nations. This includes undertaking opportunities to strengthen our respective defence capabilities through broadening our cooperation on the Typhoon and Hawk partnerships. We will continue to hold discussions with Qatar on these issues as required.

What his long-term strategy is to help tackle (a) recruitment and (b) retention challenges within the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, in the context of the ongoing pay dispute.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are highly valued, specialist personnel. We are committed to listening to their concerns and maintaining a continued dialogue to address issues they have raised during the ongoing pay dispute.As well as working to resolve the current pay dispute, recruitment and retention of staff over the long-term remains a priority. There are a number of initiatives in support of this which include updating working practices - such as part-time, flexible, and family-friendly arrangements - shortening recruitment timescales and modernising pay and allowances. This work forms part of the Defence-wide initiative driven at Ministerial level through the recently established Recruitment and Retention Board.

If he will review the pay structures and conditions of employment for Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel to ensure alignment with inflation and comparable roles within the armed forces.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are highly valued, specialist personnel.We are committed to listening to their concerns and maintaining a continued dialogue to address issues they have raised during the current pay dispute.As these negotiations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the detail of our discussions with the Maritime Trade Unions.

How many operational missions involving the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have been affected by the current pay dispute; and what contingency plans are in place to mitigate disruptions.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary remains essential in supporting operations alongside the Royal Navy and our global allies. They continue to meet their operational commitments, and we are dedicated to resolving this dispute through ongoing dialogue with their trade unions.

What discussions his Department has had with representatives of Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel on their concerns over pay and working conditions; and what his planned timeline is for resolving these issues.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are highly valued, specialist personnel.We are committed to listening to their concerns and maintaining a continued dialogue to address issues they have raised during the current pay dispute.As these negotiations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the detail of our discussions with the Maritime Trade Unions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16457 on Puma Helicopters, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of fulfilling the short-term capability gaps in (a) Cyprus and (b) Brunei prior to the entry of the H-145 platform into service in 2026; and how he plans to manage these costs within his Department's existing budget.

The Department is scoping a variety of options to fulfil the short-term capability gaps before H-145 enters service from 2026. A final decision is yet to be made on the specific capability solution; thus we are not yet able to disclose our proposed capability solution. Any incurred costs will be managed within current budgets to ensure the solutions provide maximum value for money.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the production of 12 additional Typhoon jets for Qatar on the defence supply chain.

Following the Amir of Qatar’s State Visit to the UK, we have agreed to deepen cooperation in support of regional security while supporting growth and prosperity in both nations. This includes undertaking opportunities to strengthen our respective defence capabilities through broadening our cooperation on the Typhoon and Hawk partnerships. Any potential impacts on the defence supply chain will be fully considered, alongside industry, as our discussions with Qatar evolve.

Whether his Department has agreed a provisional timeline with Qatar for the (a) signing and (b) delivery of the 12 additional Typhoon jets.

Following the Amir of Qatar’s State Visit to the UK, we have agreed to deepen cooperation in support of regional security while supporting growth and prosperity in both nations. This includes undertaking opportunities to strengthen our respective defence capabilities through broadening our cooperation on the Typhoon and Hawk partnerships. We will continue to hold discussions with Qatar on these issues, including prospective timelines, when appropriate.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether the agreement covers the employment of third country nationals on the base on Diego Garcia.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, what right of access to BIOT territorial waters will be permitted to third parties.

Our primary goal throughout negotiations was to protect the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional and international security. The operation of the base will continue unchanged with strong protections from malign influence. For the first time in over 50 years the base will be undisputed and legally secure. Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 October to Question 5333 on Defence: Procurement, what other projects which align with UK interests his Department is exploring on a project-by-project basis.

We want a new geopolitical partnership with the EU, that drives closer coordination and that complements our unshakeable commitment to NATO, which will remain the foremost vehicle for European security. We will continue to monitor EU defence initiatives and projects, in particular the extent to which they build capabilities that are required by NATO and allow meaningful participation of non-EU NATO Allies.

Whether his Department is holding discussions with (a) European and (b) EU counterparts on changes to binding PESCO commitments.

We continue to monitor how PESCO rules work in practice, in particular the extent to which they allow meaningful participation of non-EU NATO Allies. We will continue to encourage the EU and EU Member States to ensure that PESCO activity is complementary to NATO and supportive of meaningful third country participation in individual PESCO projects.

What his policy is on engagement with the (a) EU Single Intelligence and Analysis Capacity, (b) projected EU Rapid Deployment Capacity and (c) planned EU Military Planning and Conduct Capability.

We want a new geopolitical partnership with the EU that drives closer coordination and that complements our unshakable commitment to NATO, which will remain the foremost vehicle for European security. We want this new partnership to formalise our exchanges on a full range of Foreign policy and security issues, enhancing how we work together on international crisis response, strengthening joint work on multilateral and global issues, and building our defence relationship including consultations on respective defence initiatives and defence industry matters.

How many (a) mentors and (b) experts support projects backed through the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic European Regional Office; and at what cost.

The UK is committed to supporting the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) programme to find and accelerate dual-use innovation capacity across the Alliance. Mentors and experts are engaged by HQ DIANA and not the Ministry of Defence (MOD). As the MOD was not directly involved in delivering the first cohort of the programme in 2024 we do not hold information on the numbers of mentors and assessors used. The MOD is taking part in the second cohort of the programme which has only just started and mentors and experts are yet to be assigned.

How many staff at what grades are reviewing engagement with the EU through PESCO.

As part of the Cabinet Office-led UK-EU reset, teams in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are working closely with teams across the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to work collaboratively to build our defence relationship with the EU including consultations on respective defence initiatives and defence industry matters, including advancing work towards a Security and Defence Partnership. There are currently no staff solely dedicated to reviewing engagement with the EU through PESCO. However, teams in MOD are working to assess PESCO as part of their broader remits to consider international cooperation and UK interests, including through work to develop a UK-EU Security Partnership.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16455 on Nuclear-free Zones: Treaties, whether talks between the UK and Mauritius covered the obligations of Mauritius under the Treaty of Pelindaba.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16468 on LE TacCIS programme, what the reasons are for the delay in the Morpheus communications project.

The MORPHEUS project is delayed following contract delays in 2021.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7499 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether he Mauritian government may permit foreign direct investment into the Chagos islands.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16468 on LE TacCIS programme, what the cost is of the Morpheus communications programme as of 5 December 2024.

As of 5 December 2024, total expenditure for the MORPHEUS project is c£828 million.