James Cartlidge MP: written questions

4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026

How these years work

Our reporting years run from 4 July to 3 July, starting with the 2024 general election. They are not official parliamentary sessions. Office costs keep IPSA’s April–March financial years. Records may cover only part of a year; a missing record does not mean no work was done.

Read what this MP said, asked and contributed in Parliament.

1841 published records · newest first.

Written questions

BOWMAN combat radio systemMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110834More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the out of service date for Bowman.
Answer: On current plans, Bowman's Out of Service Date will be no later than 2035, and no earlier than 2031.
Answered 12 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Unmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110833More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, what conditions need to be met to declare Initial Operating Capability.
Answer: I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The milestone is clearly defined and the Ministry of Defence is working to ensure the nece...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Frigates: Antisubmarine WarfareMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110832More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has held discussions regarding the number of Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates that will be manufactured as part of the £10 billion deal with Norway.
Answer: Indeed, the Secretary of State has been in Norway in the past few days. The Secretary of State engages routinely with his Norwegian counterpart as part of the evolving UK-Norway strategic defence partnership.
Answered 16 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Artillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110831More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January to Question 105260 on Artillery: Procurement, when the full production contract will be placed.
Answer: On current plans, the Department intends to place the full production contract for the Mobile Fires Platform in the coming months. Negotiations with the supplier are ongoing, and the Department is making every effort to bring these to a positive conclusio...
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Defence: Artificial IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110830More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January to Question 99911, if he will name the two AI contracts that have been awarded by his Department since 5 July 2024.
Answer: I am withholding this information for the purpose of safeguarding national security.
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Typhoon Aircraft: RadarMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110829More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 26 January to Question 107089 on Typhoon Aircraft: Radar, whether the £205 million investment to deliver the European Common Radar System (ECRS) MK2 includes funding for the Phase 4 Enha
Answer: The recently announced £205 million, 5-year contract with QinetiQ provides a range of expert technical advice and services to help keep Typhoon safe, airworthy, and upgraded to the latest capability standard. The contract will include technical advice and...
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Unmanned Air Systems: Higher EducationMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110828More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 107727 on Unmanned Air Systems: Higher Education, how many of the (a) civilians and (b) soldiers enrolled on the undergraduate drone degree does he expect to parti
Answer: Centralised training in small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) is delivered by the Land Warfare Centre, with distributed training subsequently provided by individual units within the Field Army. As of February 2026, 282 personnel are currently participati...
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Unmanned Air Systems: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110827More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel will participate in the British Army's small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems training pathways in each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.
Answer: Centralised training in small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) is delivered by the Land Warfare Centre, with distributed training subsequently provided by individual units within the Field Army. As of February 2026, 282 personnel are currently participati...
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Unmanned Air Systems: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110826More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel are currently participating in the British Army's small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems training pathways.
Answer: Centralised training in small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) is delivered by the Land Warfare Centre, with distributed training subsequently provided by individual units within the Field Army. As of February 2026, 282 personnel are currently participati...
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Skynet: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110825More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 108701 on Skynet: Procurement, when the Skynet 6A will complete the testing and validation phase.
Answer: The Skynet 6 Programme continues to progress in support of Defence’s satellite communications requirements.The testing and validation of Skynet 6A is expected to complete final acceptance activity by mid-2027, leading to issue of the Certificate of Accept...
Answered 12 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Unmanned Air Systems: TestingMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110824More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) UK and (b) international long-range kinetic drone testing sites will be operational in each remaining financial year of the current Parliament.
Answer: Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. G...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Watchkeeper WK450: DecommissioningMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110450More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the out of service date for Watchkeeper.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 October 2025 to Question 77261 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Obese-Jecty) which remains extant: As announced by the Secretary of State in 2024, the Army’s Watchkeeper Mk 1 Uncrewed Aerial System i...
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Unmanned Air Systems: TestingMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110449More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a list of all (a) UK and (b) overseas sites currently used for long-range kinetic drone testing broken down by the maximum range of each location.
Answer: Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. G...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Unmanned Air Systems: TestingMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110448More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there is a maximum range at which long-range kinetic drones can be tested.
Answer: Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. G...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Unmanned Air Systems: TestingMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110447More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a list of all (a) UK and (b) overseas sites currently used for long-range kinetic drone testing.
Answer: Defence uses various sites within the United Kingdom and overseas to test and evaluate operational capabilities. Capabilities are aligned to range standing orders, Training Danger Area limitations and the operational range of the system being evaluated. G...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Unmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110446More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, if he will provide the reason that the Protector RG MK1 did not declare Initial Operating Capability.
Answer: I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The milestone is clearly defined and the Ministry of Defence is working to ensure the nece...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Unmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110445More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many Protector RG MK1s need to be in use in order to declare Initial Operating Capability.
Answer: I am withholding the definition and specific criteria for achieving Initial Operational Capability as it would harm the security and capability of the Armed Forces. The milestone is clearly defined and the Ministry of Defence is working to ensure the nece...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Unmanned Air Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110444More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January to Question 107733 on Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement, how many Protector RG MK1s are currently in use.
Answer: Sixteen Protector RG Mk1 air vehicles have been purchased by the UK, eight of which have been delivered into service, with others remaining in test and evaluation with the manufacturer.
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Defence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110443More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, whether the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament includes funding for Ukraine.
Answer: The £270 billion is the total of the Ministry of Defence's budget from financial year 2025/26 to 2028/29. This was published following the Spending Review last year.£3 billion in support of Ukraine for each financial is included as part of that settlement...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Defence: ExpenditureMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110442More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, if he will breakdown £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament in each remaining financial year of this Parliament
Answer: The £270 billion is the total of the Ministry of Defence's budget from financial year 2025/26 to 2028/29. This was published following the Spending Review last year.
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Uncrewed Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110441More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament will be spent on the procurement of uncrewed systems for
Answer: Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including the procurement of uncrewed systems, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Defence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110440More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much will be spent on Defence in the next Parliament.
Answer: The Government has set a clear ambition to spend 3% in the next Parliament as fiscal and economic conditions allow. The Ministry of Defence's settlement over the next Parliament has not been decided and will be considered as part of future Spending Review...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Defence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110439More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, if he will publish a breakdown of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament as a percentage of GDP for each re
Answer: The annual breakdown of the £270 billion is below: Year2025-262026-272027-282028-29MOD Settlement (TDEL)62.265.57173.5% of GDP2.01%2.03%2.13%2.13% The Government will be spending 2.6% of GDP on defence in 2027.
Answered 19 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Defence: ExpenditureMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110438More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament will be spent in each remaining financial year of this P
Answer: The Ministry of Defence's budget until financial year 2028/29 was published in the Spending Review last year and a year-by-year breakdown can be found there.
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
Defence: ExpenditureMinistry of DefenceTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110437More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 108700 on Strategic Defence Review, how much of the £270 billion to be spent on Defence in this Parliament is defined as (a) the MOD budget and (b) NATO declared d
Answer: The £270 billion is the total of the Ministry of Defence's budget from financial year 2025/26 to 2028/29. This was published following the Spending Review last year.
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record

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Written questions by answering department

4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality.

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4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality. Published records do not measure effort or effectiveness. Methodology.

Department or topic	Published records
Cabinet Office	15
Department for Business and Trade	5
Department for Culture, Media and Sport	9
Department for Education	10
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero	11
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	29
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology	19
Department for Transport	10
Department for Work and Pensions	3
Department of Health and Social Care	42
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office	3
Home Office	4
Ministry of Defence	1605
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government	21
Ministry of Justice	3
Northern Ireland Office	14
Treasury	38

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