Written questions by Dhesi.

What is the a) target timeframe and b) current timeframe for the Armed Forces Pension Scheme to implement divorce pension-sharing orders.

The statutory period to implement a standard Pension Sharing Order (PSO) is four months. However, the McCloud Remedy has made pension sharing in divorce cases more complex, as the correct valuation depends on a member’s final Remedy choice for service between 2015 and 2022.While guidance exists for standard PSOs, some older, complex cases require careful handling to ensure legal compliance and avoid errors. As a result, these cases take longer to resolve than standard ones. It is not possible to provide a definitive timeline for complex PSOs, as each case is different.To ensure fairness, all cases are handled in the order they are received, with prioritisation applied only when legally required. Each case is carefully managed and reviewed to prevent errors and ensure decisions withstand external scrutiny. The Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) continues to provide quarterly updates of progress and volumes of Remedy cases completed to date on gov.uk and in the Quarterly Digest. The next quarterly update will be published on gov.uk at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans#remediable-service-statement-delivery-update

Whether members of the Armed Forces who a) are absent without leave and b) have deserted remain eligible to receive pay, pensionable benefits, allowances, or other benefits during the period of their absence.

Armed Forces Personnel who are Absent Without Leave or who have Deserted are not eligible to receive pay, pensionable benefits, allowances, or other financial benefits during the period of their absence.

When the list of Ministry of Defence acronyms and abbreviations was last reviewed, and when the next update is expected to be published.

The Ministry of Defence's (MOD) terminology database, known as 'Reference Data Manager' (RDM) is maintained by a dedicated team which continuously reviews and updates entries based on both direct and indirect engagement across MOD.

What is the turnover rate for each of the last 5 years in a) the whole Royal Navy and b) the Catering Services branch of the Royal Navy.

The Ministry of Defence regularly publishes outflow and voluntary outflow statistics at Service level, with the latest statistics available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2026 However, granular data, including on the turnover rate for the Royal Navy Catering Services Specialisation, is not available in the format requested. As part of wider efforts to support retention and workforce sustainability, the Royal Navy has implemented the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body recommendation for targeted retention payments for the Royal Navy Catering Services, applications have been accepted since July 2025.

What was the size of the armed forces was on (a) 24 February 2022 and (b) 6 April 2026.

As of 1 October 2025, Armed Forces intake was greater than outflow. This is the first time in four years, and this welcome trend continues in the latest data. As of 1 January 2026, compared to 12 months ago, the overall strength of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force had increased by over 1%, and the Army’s had increased by 0.2%. For all three Services, intake is increasing and outflow is reducing. Figures relating to Armed Forces strengths are published in the Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics, the most recent edition of which can be found at the following website: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2026. The closest published editions to the dates requested are 1 April 2022 and 1 January 2026; the size of the Armed Forces on those dates were, respectively, 196,244 and 182,052.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the defence posture of the Falkland Islands in the context of statements by (a) the President of Argentina on 2 April 2026 and (b) the US President in March 2026 on military support to allies.

The UK is steadfast in its support for the Falkland Islanders’ right of self-determination. As the Strategic Defence Review set out, a core role for Defence is the protection of the UK’s Overseas Territories, which includes maintaining a defensive military posture in the Falkland Islands. We review that posture regularly to ensure it is appropriately scaled to ensure the security of the Islands.

How many armed forces personnel, who were serving as of 01 January 2026, had legacy accruals under (a) AFPS75 and (b) AFPS05.

As of 1 January 2026, 22,600 Armed Forces personnel had legacy pension accruals under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 (AFPS75), and 38,115 had accruals under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2005 (AFPS05).

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.

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.

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

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.