Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mike Wood this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 56 · Ministry of Defence
Pursuant to the answer of 2 January 2025, to Question 98109, on Ministry of Defence: public appointments, whether any of those appointments made a declaration of political activity.
All Direct Ministerial Appointees are required to complete a declaration, and any positive answers to the political question are considered, risk assessed and necessary mitigations put in place if required.
Pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2025, to Question 98492, on F-35 Aircraft: Nuclear Weapons, whether a decision to (a) launch a US sovereign nuclear weapon from the UK's F-35A planes whilst on a particular NATO mission, or to (b) participate more generally in a NATO nuclear mission, would require the authorisation of the Prime Minister.
As with the answer given to the hon. Member on 15 December 2025 to Question 98492, I refer him to the answers I gave on 8 September and 11 November 2025 to Questions 70471 and 87345 respectively. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-08-29/70471 https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-03/87345
Whether launching a US sovereign nuclear weapon from the UK's F-35A planes would require the authorisation of the Prime Minister.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 8 September and 11 November 2025 to Questions 70471 and 87345 respectively. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-08-29/70471 https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-03/87345
How many applications for the restoration of honours or medals have been received since February 2021; and how many have been granted in each year since then.
Since 2021, the Ministry of Defence has received 24 applications for the restoration of medals from, or on behalf of, LGBT Veterans who had forfeited medals. Nine of these cases were found to be eligible for restoration, usually qualifying under the Government’s disregard process for convictions for decriminalised sexual offences (consensual gay sex). The annual breakdown of applications received, and of those approved, is: 2021: 11 requests with two successful.2022: Three requests with none successful.2023: Three requests with one successful.2024: Four requests with three successful.2025 (to date): Three requests, all of which have been successful.
How many applications for the restoration of honours or medals have been received since February 2021; and how many have been granted in each year since.
Since 2021, the Ministry of Defence has received 24 applications for the restoration of medals from, or on behalf of, LGBT Veterans who had forfeited medals. Nine of these cases were found to be eligible for restoration, usually qualifying under the Government’s disregard process for convictions for decriminalised sexual offences (consensual gay sex). The annual breakdown of applications received, and of those approved, is: 2021: 11 requests with two successful.2022: Three requests with none successful.2023: Three requests with one successful.2024: Four requests with three successful.2025 (to date): Three requests, all of which have been successful.
Pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 75028 on France: Military Alliances, what his Department's policy on the procurement of (a) low-yield and (b) air-launched nuclear weapons to use on the battlefield.
As set out in the Strategic Defence Review. The UK will continue to rely on continuous at-sea deterrence delivered by our four Vanguard Class submarines, equipped with Trident II D5 missiles, armed with UK sovereign nuclear warheads. The UK’s replacement warhead programme will deliver the A21/Mk7 warhead to replace the in service Mk4A. The SDR also sets out our ambition to join NATO’s nuclear mission using US sovereign weaponry.
With reference to the Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Act response with reference FOI2025/12575, published on 5 September 2025. whether Ministerial flights on the (a) Envoy IV, (b) Voyager are carbon-offset.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) report emissions for all domestic and overseas Ministerial flights under the UK, EU and CH Emissions Trading Scheme for the Envoy and Voyager aircraft that are above the 1000T CO2 threshold, to purchase and surrender carbon credits for those flights. The RAF are exempt under the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme (CORSIA) for additional carbon offsetting as they are below the annual 10,000T CO2 emissions threshold.All Ministerial flights comply with the Department for Transport (DfT) Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate which requires fuel suppliers to provide ready blended fuel at 2% SAF to 98% Jet A-1 fuel. The RAF is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through the Air Mobility Fuel Efficiencies and Emissions Reduction Programme, the Defence Aviation Net Zero Strategy and compliance with the UK DfT SAF Mandate.
Whether he has plans for a social value model for defence.
The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) makes a commitment to establish a Social Value Model that works for defence. This involves introducing a new approach to applying social value, aimed at encouraging industry to align with DIS objectives of fostering growth and a thriving industrial sector, while maximising the delivery of social value across the UK. While it is estimated this work will be completed shortly, and implemented in 2026-27, it will build on the existing Social Value opportunities that support DIS objectives.
Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2025 to Question 77638 on Defence and National Security: Finance, whether the expenditure under the Chagos Islands Treaty will be deemed by the Government to be within the 5% target based on the NATO methodology.
The NATO qualifying status of these costs will be considered in the usual way. The NATO definition of defence expenditure, and defence and security related expenditure can be found on the NATO website: NATO - Topic: Defence expenditures and NATO’s 5% commitment
Pursuant to the answer of 16 September 2025, to Question 75999, on Submarines: Nuclear Weapons, whether the UK’s new F-35A air-launched nuclear capability will use sovereign warheads.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 September 2025 to Question 70471. As confirmed when the Ministry of Defence announced our intention to participate in NATO’s nuclear mission, the nuclear weapons allocated to the NATO dual capable aircraft (DCA) nuclear mission are United States (US) nuclear weapons and the US retains control and custody over them, as the UK does with its own nuclear weapons. The NATO DCA nuclear mission would operate under the orders of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, when authorised by NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group, through which Allies exercise political control over the mission. The UK would always retain the right to participate, or not participate, according to a political decision by the UK Prime Minister.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-08-29/70471
Pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 71248 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, which aircraft were used for the Prime Minister’s seven domestic tasks.
The aircraft used for the Prime Minister's seven domestic tasks was the RAF Envoy.
Pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2025 to Question 28585 on Admiralty House, whether the Secretary of State for Defence occupied the residence as a (a) primary or (b) secondary residence from September to November 2024; and whether he occupied the same flat as subsequently occupied by the then Deputy Prime Minister.
As has been the case under successive administrations, the allocation of official Ministerial residences, including Admiralty House, is determined by the Prime Minister on the grounds of security or to enable Ministers to better perform their official duties. During the period from September to November 2024, the Secretary of State for Defence occupied Admiralty House on a time-limited basis. The property was used on a second residence basis.
With reference to page 16 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, whether the (a) Defence Research and Evaluation organisation and (b) UK Defence Innovation will be public sector arm’s length bodies.
A decision on the delivery model for a Defence Research and Evaluation (DRE) organisation has not yet been made and will be aligned with the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group organisational design as part of Defence Reform. Details of which will be announced in due course. The Strategic Defence Review stated that in forming the DRE the Department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally. Dstl has been part of the NAD Group since April, and Dstl’s CEO reports to the National Armaments Director. Dstl is an Arms Length Body (ALB), but its status is being reviewed as part of a review of ALBs and the work to form the NAD Group. The UK Defence Innovation organisation will not be an ALB. It will report to the National Armaments Director as part of the wider NAD Group.
With reference to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question HL7882 on Defence: Equality, for what reason the groups representing women were labelled gender networks.
The Ministry of Defence classified network groups representing women under the broader designation of gender networks reflecting an inclusive and integrated approach to equality, diversity and inclusion. This approach aligns with the Defence People Strategy’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all personnel.
What guidance his Department issues to serving personnel who are oversees on utilising Virtual Private Networks on personal phones.
The Ministry of Defence provides all Serving personnel, military and civilian, with guidance on the utilisation of Virtual Private Networks on personal phones overseas. I am unable to share specific details of the guidance in order to protect operational security.
With reference to page 6 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published in June 2025, what his Department’s definition is of a sovereign warhead.
The requirements, design, manufacture and maintenance of our nuclear warheads are independent to the UK. We utilise certain U.S. non-nuclear components, including the aeroshell, to remain compatible with the Trident missile. This is consistent with our obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
How many times the Defence Growth Board has met since March 2025.
The Defence Growth Board met on 30 July 2025. Since then, His Majesty's Government (HMG) has acted on the 8 July recommendations of the UK Defence and Economic Growth Task Force to unleash the defence sector's potential. HMG published the Defence Industrial Strategy on 8 September to set out how Defence will act as an engine for economic growth, backing British jobs. Growth continues to be this Government’s priority, and defence is an engine for growth in every nation and region of the UK.
Pursuant to the answer of 18 July 2025 to Question 66652 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, whether the RAF Command Support Air Transport fleets include (a) Airbus A321 G-GBNI, (b) Airbus A330 ZZ336, (c) Dassault Falcon 900LX Envoy IV G-ZAHS and G-ZABH.
No, the RAF Command Support Air Transport (CSAT) fleet comprises of two Envoy IV Dassault Falcon 900LX aircraft, G-ZAHS and G-ZABH. The Voyager aircraft, ZZ336, is operated alongside the main fleet of RAF Voyagers, on behalf of the RAF by AirTanker. It has a secondary role and can be tasked under Op VESPINA for the use of Head of State or Head of Government on State business only. The Airbus A321 (G-GBNI) is not a military aircraft. It is tasked by the Cabinet Travel Office under Government contract. CSAT is a military function, delivered to aid operational effectiveness including senior military leader partner engagements, crisis early entry, and the movement of operational information. It is separate to wider Government and Royal VIP passenger movement, delivered through the Ministerial Air Transport Contract and Royal Transport Office respectively. Military tasking of CSAT remains the priority throughout. This Government is committed to securing value for money for taxpayers. We cancelled the VIP helicopter contract which wasted millions under the previous Government. The money saved from cancelling this contract will be returned to Defence’s core budget- an estimated £40 million.
Pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 67413 on France: Military Alliances, with reference to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question HL6719 on Nuclear Weapons, how his Department defines tactical nuclear weapons.
The UK does not categorise nuclear weapon capabilities as either strategic or sub-strategic/tactical. The UK and NATO have said that any employment of nuclear weapons against NATO would fundamentally alter the nature of a conflict. The UK’s nuclear weapons are a tool aiming to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, and that of our NATO Allies, rather than a warfighting capability intended to achieve a tactical or battlefield military advantage in a conflict.
With reference to p.6 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, if he will publish a breakdown of the associated costs for the sovereign warhead programme over this Parliament; and whether he expects that programme to be completed during this Parliament.
The £15 billion to be invested in this Parliament covers a range of programmes across the nuclear warhead portfolio to support the sovereign warhead. That investment includes sustaining our current Mk4A warhead; developing Astraea, our sovereign replacement warhead programme; and modernising the associated infrastructure, which will be completed beyond the current Parliament. Updates to Parliament will be provided in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise annual report.