Written questions by Dhesi.

How many Remediable Service Statement's are outstanding as of 19 March 2026, and what estimate he has made as to when all remaining statements will be issued.

As at 16 March 2026, the number of members awaiting their initial Remediable Service Statements (RSS) was 37,515.100,592 members have successfully been issued with their RSS. Any pension adjustments arising from members' elections will be backdated with interest to ensure members receive their full entitlement.The Ministry of Defence is working with the scheme administrator to finalise the timeline for issuing all RSSs. Once a timeline has been finalised, this will be communicated with members.Regular progress updates are available to members at the following link on the Armed Forces Pensions gov.uk website:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans#remediable-service-statement-delivery-update

Whether he plans to adopt a similar policy as the United States' Navy’s No Sailor Lives Afloat Initiative.

The Royal Navy already employs a range of measures to support work‑life balance and to minimise the need for personnel to live on board when ships are in harbour, including the use of shore‑side accommodation, flexible duty arrangements, and planned maintenance periods designed to maximise time ashore. These arrangements are kept under continuous review to ensure they meet operational requirements and the wellbeing needs of Service personnel.

Whether any a) instruction and b) guidance is given to Instructors at Army Training Centres not to fail recruits undergoing Phase 1 training.

The British Army upholds consistently high professional standards for all recruits undertaking Basic Training. Throughout this period, recruits are trained and mentored to ensure they meet and maintain these standards, not only during Basic Training, but throughout the entirety of their military careers. Instructors seek first to “train in” rather than “select out” individuals. Recruits will not progress beyond Basic Training until they have met the prescribed Basic Training output standard.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact on a) turnover rates within Royal Navy catering services, b) the quality of food provided in messes, and c) sales receipts in mess facilities of returning responsibility for cooking and catering at shore‑based establishments to the Catering Services branch; and whether he has estimated the cost of phasing in such changes over time.

The Royal Navy continuously reviews the catering provision provided to Service personnel to ensure this meets the standards expected. Recent initiatives have been introduced to further enhance nutrition, consistency, and customer satisfaction. There are currently no plans for the catering provision provide to shore-based establishments to be delivered by the Catering Services branch.

How many service leavers who left in 2014 subsequently rejoined in a) 2014, b) 2015, c) 2016, d) 2017, e) 2018, f) 2019, g) 2020, h) 2021 and i) 2022.

It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the hon. Member's Question. I will write to him when the information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.

What the average staffing complement is for a ministerial private office within their Department; what grades those staff are appointed at; what the typical remuneration and contracted working hours are for those posts; and what the staff turnover rate is.

The size and set-up of each ministerial private office can vary significantly, as they are often determined by the specific requirements and nature of the workload involved at any given time. This flexibility ensures that each office is best equipped to meet its unique responsibilities and demands.

How many vehicles are part of the Land Rover WOLF fleet.

I can confirm that as of 19 March 2026, there are 5,826 platforms in-service in the Land Rover WOLF fleet. This figure includes those in the active fleet and those in or awaiting to commence the disposal process.

Whether his Department seeks feedback from military personnel on the catering service provided by Sodexo.

The Ministry of Defence actively seeks and acts upon the feedback from Military Personnel regarding catering services provided by Sodexo. Military Personnel are able to submit feedback by scanning site QR codes displayed on tables, using digital feedback applications, or through established local engagement channels. Additionally, each catering facility maintains a comments and suggestions book, which is regularly reviewed.

What steps he is taking to increase the naval mine hunting capability of the Royal Navy.

The Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme continues to deliver an advanced suite of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) and SWEEP (the first Sovereign minesweeping capability since 2006) into service within the Royal Navy, enabling frontline mine warfare specialists to enhance operational effectiveness. These cutting-edge autonomous mine-hunting systems are deployed by the Mine and Threat Exploitation Group for evaluation, training, and operational deployment. The comprehensive scope of the MHC programme encompasses multiple USVs, UUVs, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for identification and neutralisation, and a state-of-the-art, sovereign mine-sweeping capability. Additionally, the programme has delivered HMS STIRLING CASTLE, a dedicated support vessel designed to enhance the deployment and sustainment of autonomous systems.

With reference to paragraph 88 of the policy paper entitled UK Government Resilience Action Plan, published on 14 July 2025, how many meetings have been attended by civil servants within their Department in relation to the Home Defence Programme; which directorate in the Department owns the Departmental contribution to the Home Defence Programme; and what the job title is of the civil servant leading and cohering the Departmental contribution to the Home Defence Programme.

The Resilience Action Plan sets out the Government’s strategic approach to how we will strengthen our domestic resilience and invest to protect the nation. Ministry of Defence officials regularly attend meetings to discuss the implementation of the Resilience Action Plan as well as matters of national security and defence. The Ministry of Defence is actively contributing to this work, particularly playing a key role within the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme. This is clear from the recent comments by the Chief of the Defence Staff at the Munich Security Conference. Under Defence Reform, the Ministry of Defence have set up dedicated civil servant and military teams to cohere the planning and to input to the Home Defence programme. The work is led from within the Defence Security Policy and Military Strategy Operations and Commitments areas, under DG Security Policy and Deputy Chief of Defence Staff Military Strategy and Operations, working across the Department of State, Military Strategic Headquarters, Defence Nuclear Enterprise and National Armaments Directorate Group. There is a dedicated SCS2 senior civil servant, Director Homeland Defence and Strategic Threats, who with Assistant Chief Defence Staff Military Strategy is cohering the programme across the SCS2/2 star civil servant and military leads delivering different aspect of the programme.

What the turnover rate was in the Royal Navy in 2025 and how this compares to the 10 year average.

The member may wish to visit gov.uk for the full personnel statistics for the Armed Forces: Quarterly Service personnel statistics: 1 October 2025 - GOV.UK

What proportion of British Army recruits have failed Phase 1 training in each of the last 10 years.

The proportion of British Army Other Ranks who left Phase 1 Training is below. Reasons for leaving training during Phase 1 are numerous, but include issues such as medical conditions, discipline, false information given on joining (e.g. criminal conviction or under 18 without parent consent) and general unsuitability for Army service. Recruiting Year (Year of Intake)Proportion of Recruiting Year that left Phase 1 Training2017/201819% 2018/201919% 2019/202019% 2020/202126% 2021/202229% 2022/202325% 2023/202422% 2024/202519%pSource: Analysis (Army) 1. The figures are for the Trade Trained Regular Army only and therefore exclude Gurkhas, Full Time Reserve Service, Mobilised Reserves, Army Reserve and all other Reserves, but includes those personnel that have transferred from GURTAM to UKTAP.2. Prior to September 2016, Analysis (Army) are unable to distinguish between Phase 1 and Phase 2 training.3.. Figures include those that leave the Army before becoming Phase 1 trained for any reason.4. The proportion is calculated by dividing all those that have left Phase 1 Training in the 24 months since joining by total numbers recruited into Phase 1. Outflow used in the calculation of proportions is up to 1st July 2025.5. There may still be a few personnel who entered during Financial Years 24/25 that can outflow as Phase 1 trained. These figures are provisional ‘p’ as these figures are subject to change.6. Infantry recruits undergo a longer 28-week Combat Infantry Course (CIC) at the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) in Catterick, which combines basic training with infantry-specific skills.7. Figures include Junior Entrants who have a longer Phase 1 training time.

What is the median age of the Army’s Land Rovers.

The median age of the Army’s Land Rover WOLF fleet is approximately 28 years. Data is drawn from the Army’s Joint Asset Management and Engineering Solutions (JAMES), which is a live system providing real-time data. Therefore, the data provided represents a snapshot in time and may change as records are updated.

With reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.

Officials from The Ministry of Defence (MOD) regularly attend meetings to discuss matters of national security, defence and resilience as well as the associated public communications required to deliver these lines of efforts. The conversation on National Defence was a recommendation in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which the Government accepted. The Ministry of Defence is the lead department for delivering the SDR, with support from the Cabinet Office, and particularly from the National Security Secretariat. As set out in the SDR, the national conversation will be a multi-year, cross-departmental effort designed to deliver on the whole-of-society approach to national security and defence allowing Government, the private sector and public to play their part in strengthening the UK’s resilience to any potential future shocks. This work addresses the risks and threats the UK faces, including those below and above the threshold of an armed attack. The MOD is actively supporting this work, particularly playing a key role within the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme. This is clear from the recent comments by the Chief of the Defence Staff at the Munich Security Conference. This work is supported at official level, through the Directorate for Defence Security Policy.

With reference to paragraph 88 of the UK Government Resilience Action Plan, how many meetings Ministers in their Department have attended related to the Home Defence Programme.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular discussions with officials, external experts and Ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including national security, defence and resilience. The Home Defence Programme was established in August 2024 to build the UK's resilience to any potential escalation to conflict. It is an evolving and enduring programme of work which provides defence, security and resilience planning, focused on aligning military and civil effort in the event of a period of crisis and international hostilities affecting the UK, informed by and reflecting the recommendations from government strategies, including the Strategic Defence Review, National Security Strategy and Resilience Action Plan. The Ministry of Defence is actively supporting this work and continues to work closely with the Cabinet Office and wider Government Departments on the Home Defence Programme and associated priorities.

With reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, how many (a) public engagements and (b) private meetings Ministers in their Department have undertaken related to the national conversation on defence and security.

The Secretary of State for Defence has regular discussions with officials, external experts and Ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including national security, defence and resilience, and associated public communications. As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation will be a multi-year engagement designed to embed a whole-of-society approach, where Government, businesses, and the public all play a part in strengthening our resilience. This addresses the risks we face, including threats below and above the threshold of an armed attack. The Ministry of Defence is actively supporting this work as reflected in recent speeches by the Prime Minister and the Chief of the Defence Staff at the Munich Security Conference. The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Cabinet Office and wider Government Departments, contributing towards cross-Government efforts to increase public awareness and resilience to the most serious risks we face, including conflict scenarios.

Whether the post of Chief of Defence People remains part of his plans for Defence Reform.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Veterans and People on 26 November 2025 to Question 92316 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk. The full answer can be found below: Significant reforms are being implemented within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), fundamentally transforming its operations. This is the biggest transformation of the MOD in over 50 years. Defence is now led by a strengthened Department of State, a fully-fledged Military Strategic Headquarters, a new National Armaments Director Group, and the Defence Nuclear Enterprise. Under Defence Reform, the post of Chief of Defence People has been disestablished. The Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff and Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Force Development) will play a key role in supporting our Military people, working with the Director General, People, to improve accountability, efficiency, and clarity in our people policy and strategy.

In what month the first relocations to the UK took place (a) among the 217 principal applicants found newly eligible as a result of the data incident under Category 1 of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and (b) under the Afghanistan Response Route.

Following the February 2022 data incident, the first relocation to the UK of an individual from within the 217 principal applicants found eligible under Category 1 of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) occurred in January 2024. Under the Afghan Response Route, the first eligible person was relocated to the UK in July 2024. There are various factors which make individuals and their families travel ready. This can mean there is time between eligibility being granted, and people being relocated. Although there was one individual that arrived in November 2023, they arrived as an Additional Family Member (AFM) but were subsequently found eligible under Category 1 under ARAP, as part of the 217 cohort. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) reviewed the eligibility of individuals affected by the Data Incident under ARAP. On 12 October 2023, the then Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps, directed officials to retake decisions for a small cohort of individuals under Category 1 who worked directly for HMG but who were previously found ineligible for ARAP. Category 1 assesses threat and is for those directly employed by HMG. The MOD acted quickly to review these cases, which ultimately resulted in 217 principal applicants being found newly eligible under Category 1 of ARAP. The data incident changed the view of threat at that time.

When security and defence arrangements were last assessed for each of the overseas territories.

The UK maintains credible contingency plans for the Overseas Territories, and has strategically located bases in Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, Ascension Island, the Sovereign Base Areas on the island of Cyprus, and the joint UK/US base on Diego Garcia. These plans are kept under review to ensure they are commensurate to the threat.

How many a) US military personnel and b) their dependents and spouses are stationed in the UK.

There are approximately 12,300 United States Military and Civilian Defence personnel in the UK at various defence sites and 11,300 dependants and spouses.