Written questions by Lowe.

What formal routes of appeal or review are available to recruits, officer cadets, and serving personnel who are subject to administrative action under JSP 767 following views expressed during training or education.

I can advise the hon. Member that JSP 767 does not exist. Each Service has their own set of core values and standards that should be adhered to at all times. These can be viewed online: Royal Navy: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/our-people/our-valuesArmy: https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/values-and-standards/Royal Air Force: https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/media/ig5dhw0z/20200703-raf_ap1_2019_rev_3_page_spreads.pdf Minor Administrative Action guidance is contained in Joint Service Publication 833 (Minor Administrative Action) which sets out an individual’s rights during the process. This includes the right to review at a higher level than that at which it is initiated. In addition, a Service person who considers themselves to have been wronged in a matter relating to their service has the right to submit a Service complaint, seeking redress of individual grievance. Service Complaints guidance is published within Joint Service Publication 831 (Redress of Individual Grievances (Service Complaints)). This includes a Complainant’s right to appeal if they disagree with the decision of their Service Complaint, and also how they can ask the Armed Forces Commissioner to investigate issues relating to the outcome of their complaint if they are dissatisfied. Furthermore, all Complainants and Respondents are entitled to the services of an Assisting Officer whose role is to support and help them throughout the process. Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

In how many cases since 1 January 2015 where a member of the Armed Forces was removed from training or had their service terminated following comments expressed during training or instructional activity, the action taken resulted in (a) reinstatement, (b) progression to a lesser administrative measure, or (c) permanent termination of service; and whether the Department holds a central record of the grounds on which each such decision was made.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

In cases since 1 January 2015 where service personnel have been removed from training or had their service terminated following the expression of opinions during training or instructional activity, what guidance exists to distinguish between lawful expression of opinion, unacceptable conduct, and discriminatory behaviour, and whether records are kept of the grounds on which such administrative decisions were made.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

What welfare or legal support is available to personnel while investigations or reviews are ongoing following administrative action taken in connection with the expression of views or opinions.

Welfare support is always available to Service personnel, who are free to access unrestricted welfare support whatever the circumstances. Following an administrative action, Service personnel are able to access legal support at their own cost should they wish to do so.

Whether decisions to take administrative action under JSP 767 in relation to views expressed during training are required to be reviewed by a senior officer not directly involved in the original decision, and if so, at what stage such review takes place.

I can advise the hon. Member that JSP 767 does not exist. Each Service has their own set of core values and standards that should be adhered to at all times. These can be viewed online: Royal Navy: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/our-people/our-valuesArmy: https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/values-and-standards/Royal Air Force: https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/media/ig5dhw0z/20200703-raf_ap1_2019_rev_3_page_spreads.pdf Minor Administrative Action guidance is contained in Joint Service Publication 833 (Minor Administrative Action) which sets out an individual’s rights during the process. This includes the right to review at a higher level than that at which it is initiated. In addition, a Service person who considers themselves to have been wronged in a matter relating to their service has the right to submit a Service complaint, seeking redress of individual grievance. Service Complaints guidance is published within Joint Service Publication 831 (Redress of Individual Grievances (Service Complaints)). This includes a Complainant’s right to appeal if they disagree with the decision of their Service Complaint, and also how they can ask the Armed Forces Commissioner to investigate issues relating to the outcome of their complaint if they are dissatisfied. Furthermore, all Complainants and Respondents are entitled to the services of an Assisting Officer whose role is to support and help them throughout the process. Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

What written guidance or briefing material is provided to recruits and officer cadets on acceptable expression of views during training and assessment activities.

All of our Service personnel are expected to uphold the highest standards of behaviour and to adhere to the core values and ethos of the Armed Forces. There is no single piece of written guidance or briefing material to cover these expectations across all the single Services, however they are consistently embedded during Phase 1 training and are made explicitly clear through multiple policy documents.

Whether guidance on the application of JSP 767 relating to the expression of views is issued uniformly across the Armed Forces or separately by each Service.

I can advise the hon. Member that JSP 767 does not exist. Each Service has their own set of core values and standards that should be adhered to at all times. These can be viewed online: Royal Navy: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/our-people/our-valuesArmy: https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/values-and-standards/Royal Air Force: https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/media/ig5dhw0z/20200703-raf_ap1_2019_rev_3_page_spreads.pdf Minor Administrative Action guidance is contained in Joint Service Publication 833 (Minor Administrative Action) which sets out an individual’s rights during the process. This includes the right to review at a higher level than that at which it is initiated. In addition, a Service person who considers themselves to have been wronged in a matter relating to their service has the right to submit a Service complaint, seeking redress of individual grievance. Service Complaints guidance is published within Joint Service Publication 831 (Redress of Individual Grievances (Service Complaints)). This includes a Complainant’s right to appeal if they disagree with the decision of their Service Complaint, and also how they can ask the Armed Forces Commissioner to investigate issues relating to the outcome of their complaint if they are dissatisfied. Furthermore, all Complainants and Respondents are entitled to the services of an Assisting Officer whose role is to support and help them throughout the process. Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

What written guidance exists under JSP 767 to assist commanding officers and training establishments in distinguishing between lawful expression of opinion and unacceptable behaviour during training and education, and on how many occasions since 1 January 2015 disciplinary or administrative action relating to expressed views has been reviewed centrally for policy compliance.

I can advise the hon. Member that JSP 767 does not exist. Each Service has their own set of core values and standards that should be adhered to at all times. These can be viewed online: Royal Navy: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/our-people/our-valuesArmy: https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/values-and-standards/Royal Air Force: https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/media/ig5dhw0z/20200703-raf_ap1_2019_rev_3_page_spreads.pdf Minor Administrative Action guidance is contained in Joint Service Publication 833 (Minor Administrative Action) which sets out an individual’s rights during the process. This includes the right to review at a higher level than that at which it is initiated. In addition, a Service person who considers themselves to have been wronged in a matter relating to their service has the right to submit a Service complaint, seeking redress of individual grievance. Service Complaints guidance is published within Joint Service Publication 831 (Redress of Individual Grievances (Service Complaints)). This includes a Complainant’s right to appeal if they disagree with the decision of their Service Complaint, and also how they can ask the Armed Forces Commissioner to investigate issues relating to the outcome of their complaint if they are dissatisfied. Furthermore, all Complainants and Respondents are entitled to the services of an Assisting Officer whose role is to support and help them throughout the process. Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

How many members of the UK Armed Forces, including recruits and officer cadets, have since 1 January 2015 been subject to administrative action including suspension, removal from training, or termination of service, as a direct result of statements or viewpoints expressed during formal training, education, or assessment activities; and to provide the figures by Service, by calendar year, and by type of administrative action.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

What steps are taken to ensure that personnel subject to administrative action under JSP 767 are informed of their right to seek review or submit a Service Complaint.

I can advise the hon. Member that JSP 767 does not exist. Each Service has their own set of core values and standards that should be adhered to at all times. These can be viewed online: Royal Navy: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/our-people/our-valuesArmy: https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/values-and-standards/Royal Air Force: https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/media/ig5dhw0z/20200703-raf_ap1_2019_rev_3_page_spreads.pdf Minor Administrative Action guidance is contained in Joint Service Publication 833 (Minor Administrative Action) which sets out an individual’s rights during the process. This includes the right to review at a higher level than that at which it is initiated. In addition, a Service person who considers themselves to have been wronged in a matter relating to their service has the right to submit a Service complaint, seeking redress of individual grievance. Service Complaints guidance is published within Joint Service Publication 831 (Redress of Individual Grievances (Service Complaints)). This includes a Complainant’s right to appeal if they disagree with the decision of their Service Complaint, and also how they can ask the Armed Forces Commissioner to investigate issues relating to the outcome of their complaint if they are dissatisfied. Furthermore, all Complainants and Respondents are entitled to the services of an Assisting Officer whose role is to support and help them throughout the process. Defence remains committed to decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.

How many nights were spent in hotels by Departmental staff in financial year 2024-25 by the star rating of the hotel.

All business/duty hotel accommodation booked by Ministry of Defence (MOD) staff must be made using the Global Business Travel (GBT) online booking tool. The GBT tool does not record the star rating of hotels, but MOD policy stipulates that bookings must align with the Department’s Hotel Capitation Rates.

What the total cost to the public purse is of the Afghanistan Response Route to date.

As set out previously, as of July 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) assessed the total cost of the Afghanistan Response Route (ARR) to be approximately £400 million. The Department anticipates a further £450 million in forecasted expenditure related to ARR resettlement activity, bringing the projected overall cost of the ARR scheme to £850 million.

How many civil servants employed by their Department work in roles primarily focused on (a) transgender policy, (b) diversity, (c) equity and (d) inclusion; and at what annual salary cost.

The Ministry of Defence does not routinely collate information on specific words contained within role descriptions; collating this information would come at disproportionate cost. The Department’s accounts are published annually and made public; there are no plans to provide a further breakdown of the data to include, among other things, an estimate of expenditure relating to equality, diversity and inclusion.

What the cost to the public purse was of feasibility studies conducted by their Department for projects that did not proceed in the last five years.

Feasibility studies are an essential tool to avoid committing funds to unsuitable projects and their use is considered as part of routine project management.As this is not centrally held, it is not possible to provide this information without incurring disproportionate cost.

For the total spend on (i) LinkedIn membership fees (ii) other subscriptions by his Department in the last financial year.

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

How many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

On the 30 September 2025, 94 individuals were recorded on Ministry of Defence (MOD) HR systems with an ongoing sick absence of six months or longer for Mental Disorders as defined by the World Health Organisation International Classification of Diseases. The MOD HR systems do not break down this down but include Anxiety, Depression and Stress within the description.

If the Government will make an assessment of the potential merits of diverting spending on foreign aid towards establishing a veterans support network including (a) guaranteed fast-track treatment and mental health support, (b) ring fenced housing priority funds for veterans in every local authority and (c) an employment fund to retrain and reintegrate people leaving the armed forces.

This Government is completely dedicated to recognising our veterans and is keenly aware of the debt that we as a country owe to them for their service and sacrifice. Just this week we launched a new cross government Veterans' Strategy to fundamentally reset how we, as a nation think about these remarkable men and women. At its heart is VALOUR, a new national programme designed to make it easier for veterans across the UK to access the care and support they deserve, with £27 million in VALOUR development funding programme to deliver support hubs across the country for veterans who need them. In England, NHS England provides Op COURAGE, providing a broad range of specialist mental health wellbeing care and support for service leavers, reservists, and veterans. Op RESTORE provides specialist care and support to veterans who have physical health problems as a result of their time in the Armed Forces. Separate provision is available for veterans living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For veterans in need of housing support, existing regulations state they must be given 'additional priority' status when there is an urgent housing need. We also changed the law to exempt all veterans of the Regular Armed Forces from local connection tests when applying for social housing in England. We recently committed an additional £12 million to vital homelessness services through the Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme, and awarded £4.5 million to organisations supporting hundreds of veterans across the UK, to ensure there is a sustainable supply of veteran accommodation in the long term. Moreover, we have extended Op FORTITUDE, the single referral pathway for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness, which has already housed over 1,000 veterans. For employment support, the Ministry of Defence-hosted Career Transition Partnership provides support for those within two years before and after leaving service. Op ASCEND is the employment pathway for veterans, available from two years post-service. As of 13 June 2025, Op ASCEND has already successfully engaged over 420 employers and supported over 4600 veterans and family members.

How much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

A full Departmental response could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The majority of Departmental advertising expenditure is undertaken by the three branches of the Armed Forces to aid recruitment. Generic advertising expenditure outside of this remit is not held centrally. The most recent available information on tri service recruitment advertising can be found here: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament and here Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Whether his Department cited (a) national security and (b) public interest exemptions under the Data Protection Act 2018 in relation to the Afghan data breach disclosed in 2021.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) reported several personal data incidents to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in 2021, under the previous administration, in which individuals seeking Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) support were identified to each other by the sender using the “to” rather than the “bcc” email field. When MOD engaged with the ICO in relation to these incidents, the Department highlighted the national security context and the ICO accepted the urgent and pressurised circumstances under which the incidents occurred, although they decided that a monetary penalty notice was still justified. The MOD cooperated extensively with the ICO in addressing these incidents, recognising the severity of what happened and working to improve compliance going forward.

On what date (a) Ministers in his Department were informed of the data breach affecting Afghan nationals who worked with UK forces and (b) that breach was escalated to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Officials were alerted to the data incident on 14 August 2023, and it was reported the next day to Ministry of Defence (MOD) Head Office and Ministers in the previous Government. Immediate action was taken to ensure that the compromised dataset, which had appeared online, was removed and an internal investigation was conducted. The incident was reported to the Metropolitan Police and the Information Commissioner’s Office on 17 August 2025, within 72 hours of first learning about the data incident. The Information Commissioner’s Office has continued to work with the Department on this matter and on improvements to MOD data handling and protection.