Written questions by Francois.

Whether the data associated with the new digital veterans ID will be stored only within the UK.

All data associated with the new virtual HM Armed Forces Veteran Card will be stored within the UK. The digitisation project is currently in the Discovery Phase. However, when it moves into development, it will operate under Government Security and Ministry of Defence Secure by Design frameworks as part of the whole life management of the service. This will include independent IT health checks and penetration testing throughout the duration of use.

What the cost is of refits to HMS (a) Albion and (b) Bulwark since 2010.

The total cost of refits to HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark since 2010 is £132.7 million. This excludes HMS Bulwark's 2022-2025 refit which was estimated to cost £72.1 million. As HMS Bulwark was retired before her refit was completed, the refit costs are under review.

If his Department will provide a table detailing the most recent data on UK Regular Forces by (a) Service and (b) Medical Deployability Standards.

The following table provides the Medical Deployability Standards for UK Armed Forces personnel, broken down by service as of the 1 October 2024: Medically Fully Deployable (MFD)Medically Limited Deployable (MLD)Medically Not Deployable (MND)Total99,56014,35013,522Royal Navy22,8382,3632,922Army55,0059,4566,879RAF21,7172,5313,721

When he plans to conclude his Department's review into cadets and reserves; and whether he plans to publish that review.

The review of Reserves and Cadets is underway and is closely aligned with the Ministry of Defence’s wider Strategic Defence Review which will report in the first half of 2025. Once Ministers have considered the findings of the Reserves and Cadets review, a decision will be taken about publication.

What the status is of the Morpheus communications programme; and whether there are delays.

MORPHEUS is a project within the Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems (LETacCIS) Programme and is currently delayed. Work to reset the project remains ongoing, and an Independent Project Review, led by the Cabinet Office’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), will take place in early 2025 and inform next steps.

If he will make an assessment of the (a) applicability of the Treaty of Pelindaba to the Chagos Archipelago and (b) potential impact of that Treaty on the UK's Defence arrangements.

The agreement with Mauritius has been negotiated based on international law, and with regards to both parties' obligations under international law. The UK is not a Party to the Pelindaba Treaty, although it is a Party to Protocols I and II to that Treaty. The operation of the UK/US base on Deigo Garcia will continue unchanged.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the early retirement of Puma Helicopters on capability gaps.

The Ministry of Defence takes a rigorous approach in assessing the risk of any capability gaps. The Department is exploring options to fulfil some short-term capability gaps in Cyprus and Brunei before the H-145 platform enters services from 2026. Defence's Strategic Objectives will continue to be fulfilled.

Whether independent security audits will be conducted on the digital veterans ID system.

All data associated with the new virtual HM Armed Forces Veteran Card will be stored within the UK. The digitisation project is currently in the Discovery Phase. However, when it moves into development, it will operate under Government Security and Ministry of Defence Secure by Design frameworks as part of the whole life management of the service. This will include independent IT health checks and penetration testing throughout the duration of use.

What security protocols have been implemented to ensure the protection of personal data in the digital veterans ID system.

All data associated with the new virtual HM Armed Forces Veteran Card will be stored within the UK. The digitisation project is currently in the Discovery Phase. However, when it moves into development, it will operate under Government Security and Ministry of Defence Secure by Design frameworks as part of the whole life management of the service. This will include independent IT health checks and penetration testing throughout the duration of use.

With reference to the keynote recording of the Chief of the General Staff at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference 2024, published on 23 June 2024, whether his Department has taken recent steps to double the lethality of the British Army by 2027 and treble it by 2030.

The Chief of the General Staff is working hard to fulfil the ambition outlined at the RUSI Land Warfare conference. The British Army continues to work to these goals, in tandem with the ongoing Strategic Defence Review.

What the estimated minimum deployable capability date is for the Boxer (a) 120mm self-propelled mortar system and (b) 155mm self-propelled artillery system.

The Mechanised Infantry (BOXER) programme uses the terms Initial Operating Capability (IOC) and Full Operating Capability. The Armoured Mortar Vehicle is a project within this programme and therefore uses those terms. The Mobile Fires Platform project is a part of the Close Support Fires Programme, which uses the term Minimum Deployable Capability instead. Whilst the Mechanised Infantry (BOXER) programme has an IOC, the definition of the IOC for the Armoured Mortar Vehicle project within the programme is yet to be confirmed. The Mobile Fires Platform project does not have a confirmed definition for Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC). Therefore, an estimated IOC or MDC for either variant cannot be projected at this time.

What assessment he has made of the extent of the damage caused by the fire at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness on 30 October 2024.

I refer the right hon. Member to the written statement I laid in the House on 30 October 2024, HCWS176.

What assumed increase in the UK's defence budget his Department is using for the purposes of estimating its 10-year Equipment Plan, calculated (a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of gross domestic product.

On 30 October His Majesty's Treasury published the Autumn Budget which confirmed the Ministry of Defence's Departmental Expenditure Limit for financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26. The longer-term budget will be confirmed through phase two of the Spending Review which is planned for late Spring 2025.

If he will outline the UK's defence budget for (a) this and (b) the next two financial years expressed as a (i) total cash amount and (ii) percentage of gross domestic product, excluding expenditure related to Ukraine.

Total Defence spending, in line with NATO definitions, is expected to be £64.4 billion in 2024-25 and £67.7 billion in 2025-26. This equates to 2.29% of GDP in 2024-25 and 2.30% in 2025-26. Excluding expenditure on support to Ukraine, Defence spending in line with NATO definitions would be £61.4 billion in 2024-25 and £64.7 billion in 2025-26. This equates to 2.18% of GDP in 2024-25 and 2.19% in 2025-26. Future financial years’ figures are subject to the outcome of the second phase of the Spending Review.

When HMS Lancaster is due to retire from the active surface fleet.

On current plans, the last Type 23 frigate will transition out of service in 2035.To avoid compromising operational security, the Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose individual out of service dates or specific in-service dates for warships to avoid revealing elements of the Fleet's long-term schedule.

What he expects the Initial Operating Capability date for the new SSNR class of attack submarines in Royal Navy service to be.

The Royal Navy’s submersible ship nuclear AUKUS submarines will be operational from the late 2030s, replacing the current Astute Class.

How many Watchkeeper Remotely Piloted Vehicles have been lost during (a) trials and (b) initial service with (i) DE&S and (ii) the Army.

The Army have lost three Watchkeeper Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) during trials, and five Watchkeeper UAS in service. DE&S do not operate Watchkeeper UAS.

What is the estimated lifetime cost of the Watchkeeper Remotely Piloted Vehicle; and when that vehicle will achieve Full Operational Capability.

The through life costs of the Watchkeeper Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) until the end of the current in-service contract will be £1.548 billion. The Watchkeeper UAS reached Full Operational Capability in 2018.

What discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the (a) future of the Harland and Wolf shipyard in Belfast and (b) contract for three Fleet Solid Support Ships.

Ministry of Defence Ministers and officials have regular meetings with counterparts in other Government Departments, including with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on a range of matters, including the future of Harland & Wolff's shipyards. The successful delivery of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship 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.

When the repair to the submarine lift at HMNB Clyde is due for completion; and what the estimated cost was of that repair.

The shiplift at HMNB Clyde is undergoing scheduled routine maintenance and upgrade work.Costs for key assets in the naval base are included in the routine maintenance contract with Babcock. It would not be appropriate to provide detailed availability of critical infrastructure assets due to operational sensitivities.