Written questions by Dhesi.

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.

Whether he plans to improve the defence capability to shoot down ballistic missiles targeted at the UK.

Ballistic Missiles are one of several threat categories that are managed through our Integrated Air and Missile Defence enterprise. Integrated Air and Missile Defence investments will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on homeland Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force and will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

What steps he is taking to improve the armed forces’ ability to conduct ground launched conventional deep precision strikes.

Activities under the Trinity House partnership between the UK and Germany are progressing technical work to mature and inform choices for very long-range Deep Precision Strike capabilities that would expand the UK's options for retaliation to attack, or threat of attack, on the UK or its Allies.

If he will (a) have discussions with cabinet colleagues on the merits of reducing student loan debt as part of a recruitment package for attracting and retaining recent graduates into the armed forces and (b) estimate the cost to the public purse of such a policy.

The Armed Forces already provide several opportunities to support tertiary education both before service and while serving. These include bursaries, sponsored degree study, in-service degrees and Learning Credits to offset the cost of undergraduate and postgraduate study. These schemes ensure that personnel are supported in gaining valuable qualifications and skills benefiting not only the individual, but also enhancing operational capability.

If he will (a) review and (b) update the UK’s Defence Contribution in the High North strategy, published in March 2022, to ensure it (i) reflects the Government’s policies and (ii) adequately addresses (A) current and (B) emerging security challenges in the arctic region.

The 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR) sets out the Government's approach to deterring threats and strengthening security in the Euro-Atlantic area, including the Arctic and High North. The region features strongly in the SDR's strategic thinking, particularly in relation to the Royal Navy's Atlantic Bastion concept (which includes securing the North Atlantic and adjacent waters), the importance of NATO's Northern Flank, our co-operation through the Joint Expeditionary Force and bilaterally with nations such as Norway, and the anticipated geostrategic shifts due to climate change, including increased accessibility and competition in the High North.The Government continues to monitor developments in the Arctic region closely, including Russia's military posture and capabilities in the region. This is achieved through a combination of intelligence assessments, engagement with allies, and participation in multinational fora such as the JEF and NATO.NATO is strengthening its deterrence and defence as a result of the increasing threat from Russia and will continue to adapt as necessary.

If he will take steps to strengthen the UK’s preparedness, in coordination with NATO allies, for threats to the security of British Overseas Territories.

The Ministry of Defence remains firmly committed to ensuring the security and resilience of the United Kingdom and its Overseas Territories. In line with our obligations and strategic priorities, we continue to take steps to strengthen preparedness against emerging threats, working closely with NATO allies and other international partners.

If he will take steps to strengthen the UK’s preparedness, in coordination with NATO allies, for threats to the security of NATO members in the Baltic region.

In coordination with NATO allies, we have committed to strengthening preparedness and deterrence to counter threats to the Baltic region, ensuring that our forces remain capable, credible, and ready to respond to any threat to Alliance security. This is demonstrated through the UK’s lead as framework nation for NATO’s multinational battlegroup in Estonia and contribution of surveillance aircraft to NATO’s BALTIC SENTRY, which protects critical national infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Additionally, and in line with our NATO Article 3 commitments, the UK is the framework nation for the Joint Expeditionary Force, which has demonstrated the UK’s leadership, preparedness and responsiveness to security threats in the High North and Baltic.

If he will take steps to strengthen the UK’s preparedness, in coordination with NATO allies, in response to threats to the security of Greenland.

Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, which is a member of NATO. NATO has made clear that the North Atlantic, High North and Arctic is a priority area for deterrence and defence and Allies are stepping up to enhance security in the region. As a NATO ally the United States is an essential partner in this endeavour. As the Strategic Defence Review makes clear, the UK is increasing its presence, activities and investments to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries, including through Atlantic Bastion and leadership of the Joint Expeditionary Force.

What steps he is taking to ensure that military veterans can report sexual abuse to their local police force in the first instance, regardless of where the alleged abuse occurred in the UK.

A military veteran may report an alleged sexual offence to either their local police force in the UK or the Defence Serious Crime Command. Where it is an offence that may be dealt with in either the civilian criminal or Service Justice Systems, decisions are made on a case-by-case basis as to whether a civilian police force or the Defence Serious Crime Command should investigate the matter, taking into account the views of the victim.

Whether he has had recent discussions with Babcock on increasing the number of welding apprenticeships on UK based defence contracts.

This Government recognises the vital role Defence, and its skilled workforce, play not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the United Kingdom. We must work with the UK defence sector to boost skills, build rewarding careers and bring prosperity to all nations and regions. As part of the Department's assessment of supply chain risks, the Ministry of Defence regularly monitors the availability of suitably qualified and experienced personnel needed in the delivery of our Defence programmes. The Department also has regular engagement with its suppliers to ensure the availability of the critical skills required, and the demand for craft skills, including welders, is recognised across the defence sector. This has been reflected by the launch of a new apprenticeship welding school in Bristol by Babcock earlier this year, providing a skills boost to the region and UK defence.

What steps he is taking to increase the provision of real time information on a) civilian and b) emergency services air traffic to military jets during low altitude training exercises.

The primary measure in open airspace remains airmanship and the 'see and avoid' principle. There are a range of measures already in place to provide additional real time information on civilian air traffic during low level training. This includes communication with Air Traffic Control and the Low Flying Booking Service, datalinks, information from aircraft transponders and increasingly sophisticated on-board sensors and surveillance equipment.

If he will list the media organisations given advance sight of the Strategic Defence Review prior to its publication.

As the hon. Member will be aware, the Secretary of State for Defence has been determined to reset the relationship between Parliament and the Ministry of Defence, increasing transparency and openness. The Department sought to reflect this determination for the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, and to build on the approach made for previous defence reviews. On the day of the launch, we offered embargoed copies of the Strategic Defence Review to key stakeholders, including the House of Commons Defence Committee, media organisations and others. This was done in good faith, reflecting the contribution by stakeholders to the first-of-its-kind review. We therefore invited the Defence Correspondents Association and several additional outlets to cover UK national media.

What criteria were used to determine which (a) private companies and their representatives and (b) media organisations and journalists received advance sight of the Strategic Defence Review.

We invited the Defence Correspondents Association and several additional outlets to cover UK national media. We also invited companies and associations who are part of the joint Ministry of Defence-Cabinet Office Strategic Partnering Programme, alongside a larger set of key industry stakeholders.

If he will list the private sector organisations given advance sight of the Strategic Defence Review prior to its publication.

As the hon. Member will be aware, the Secretary of State for Defence has been determined to reset the relationship between Parliament and the Ministry of Defence, increasing transparency and openness. The Department sought to reflect this determination for the publication of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), and to build on the approach made for previous defence reviews. On the day of the launch, we offered embargoed copies of the SDR to key stakeholders, including the House of Commons Defence Committee, certain industry representatives and others. This was done in good faith, reflecting the contribution by stakeholders to the first-of-its-kind review. The list of industry representatives that read the SDR in this manner is below:Group 1MBDA ThalesLeidos Rolls-RoyceAirbus Defence & Space BAE SystemsLeonardo BabcockLockheed Martin ADSBoeing Defence UK techUKQinetiQ MakeUK Group 2Adarga Ltd Lockheed MartinADS Make UKAirbus MDBAAnduril MicrosoftAsia Group MitreAtlas-Elektronik Newton EuropeBabcock NortalBAE Systems Northrup GrummanBoeing PalantirCallen-Lenz QinetiQCapewell RaytheonCGI RheinmetallChemring Rolls RoyceDecision Analysis Services SAABDXC SercoElbit Systems Society of Maritime InstitutesFujitsu Spirit AerosystemsGeneral Dynamics TechUKGinkgo Bioworks Tetra TechHanwha ThalesHelsing AI The MTCHVM Catapult UK DSCL3 Harris Ultra MaritimeLeidos Leonardo

Whether any military officers have been sent to Israel for the purposes of monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza.

No. A small number of UK planning officers have embedded in the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre (CMCC), including a 2* deputy commander, to ensure that the UK remains integrated into the US-led planning efforts for Gaza post-conflict stability. This team is not monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza. The UK continues to work with international partners to support the Gaza ceasefire to see where the UK can best contribute to the peace process.