James Cartlidge MP: written questions 2025
2176 published records · newest first.
Written questions
European Union: Military AlliancesTreasuryTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47286More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential financial implications of the proposed Security Pact with the European Union.
Answer: We are ready to negotiate a Security and Defence Partnership agreement with the EU. This should build on the EU’s existing partnership agreements with other third countries, while recognising the unique nature of our security relationship. We are also rea...
Answered 1 May 2025
Original Parliament recordEuropean Union: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed Security Pact with the European Union on existing UK defence programmes.
Answer: The Government has been clear about our commitment to negotiate an ambitious Security and Defence Partnership with the EU to strengthen European security and reinforce NATO. Talks are ongoing, and no agreements have been reached. I hope the hon. Member wi...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordEuropean Union: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47284More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed Security Pact with the European Union on AUKUS.
Answer: The Government has been clear about our commitment to negotiate an ambitious Security and Defence Partnership with the EU to strengthen European security and reinforce NATO. Talks are ongoing, and no agreements have been reached. I hope the hon. Member wi...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordEuropean Union: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed Security Pact with the European Union on existing intelligence sharing structures.
Answer: The Government has been clear about our commitment to negotiate an ambitious Security and Defence Partnership with the EU to strengthen European security and reinforce NATO. Talks are ongoing, and no agreements have been reached. I hope the hon. Member wi...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordEuropean Union: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47282More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed Security Pact with the European Union on NATO.
Answer: The Government has been clear about our commitment to negotiate an ambitious Security and Defence Partnership with the EU to strengthen European security and reinforce NATO. Talks are ongoing, and no agreements have been reached. I hope the hon. Member wi...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArtillery: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47281More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April to Question 43149 on Artillery: Procurement, if he will confirm that (a) no decision has been taken on the procurement of 15 MLRS and 1 RRV and (b) any decision will not be made
Answer: We are currently undertaking a Strategic Defence Review which is looking at the threats we face and the capabilities we need to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the 21st century. No final decision has yet been taken on the procurement of ...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: ReformMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47280More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 15 April to Question 43574 on Defence: Reform, if he will set out the terms of reference for the Quad.
Answer: The "Quad" refers to the Permanent Under Secretary, the Chief of Defence Staff, the National Armaments Director and Chief of Defence Nuclear. Each have clear and distinct accountabilities, and together are responsible for the Department's outcom...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployers' Contributions: VeteransTreasuryTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47279More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the cost to the public purse has been of the National Insurance holiday for the employers of veterans in each financial year since the introduction of that policy.
Answer: HMRC publishes estimates for the National Insurance contributions relief for veterans annually which are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/main-tax-expenditures-and-structural-reliefs
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSustainable Farming IncentiveDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47278More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has taken the cropping year into consideration when making arrangements to launch the updated Sustainable Farming Incentive.
Answer: Defra will be working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding. This future SFI offer will build on what has made SFI effective so far. Further ...
Answered 6 May 2025
Original Parliament recordChiefs of Staff: Military Strategic HeadquartersMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47277More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there is a minimum level of operational experience required to hold the position of Chief of the Defence Staff following the establishment of the Military Strategic Headquarters.
Answer: The Chief of the Defence Staff is chosen through a highly rigorous selection process to ensure the most suitable and qualified candidate for the role. This will continue to be the case. Operational experience is one of the criteria for eligible candidates...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordEuropean Union: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46797More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed Security Pact with the European Union on UK operational independence.
Answer: The Government has been clear about our commitment to negotiate an ambitious Security and Defence Partnership with the EU to strengthen European security and reinforce NATO. Talks are ongoing, and no agreements have been reached. I hope the hon. Member wi...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordEuropean Union: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46796More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed Security Pact with the European Union on the UK procurement system.
Answer: The Government has been clear about our commitment to negotiate an ambitious Security and Defence Partnership with the EU to strengthen European security and reinforce NATO. Talks are ongoing, and no agreements have been reached. I hope the hon. Member wi...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordEuropean Union: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46795More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on the proposed Security Pact with the European Union.
Answer: The Government has been clear about our commitment to negotiate an ambitious Security and Defence Partnership with the EU to strengthen European security and reinforce NATO. Talks are ongoing, and no agreements have been reached. I hope the hon. Member wi...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSustainable Farming Incentive: South SuffolkDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46794More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2025 to Question 39920 on Sustainable Farming Incentive: South Suffolk, if his Department can provide the latest figures available.
Answer: The answer to Question 39920 provides the data as of 21 March 2025.There has been no change in the number of farm businesses with a Sustainable Farming Incentive agreement in South Suffolk constituency since 21 March 2025.
Answered 21 May 2025
Original Parliament recordSustainable Farming Incentive: South SuffolkDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46793More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2025 to Question 39920 on Sustainable Farming Incentive: South Suffolk, how many of the 154 farmers primarily farm (a) arable crops, (b) horticultura
Answer: Defra does not hold data on farming business types for the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordChiefs of Staff: Public AppointmentsMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46792More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the next Chief of the Defence Staff will be announced.
Answer: Future appointments will be announced in due course.
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: EmergenciesMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46791More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel are currently held at readiness for UK resilience tasks.
Answer: As of the 23 April 2025, Defence holds c. 1,600 personnel at readiness for operations designed to support UK resilience. The tasks they are attributed to are wide ranging, from support in the instance of flooding (provided by the UK Standby Battalions) to...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: EmergenciesMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46790More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what units are currently held at readiness for UK resilience tasks.
Answer: As of the 23 April 2025, Defence holds c. 1,600 personnel at readiness for operations designed to support UK resilience. The tasks they are attributed to are wide ranging, from support in the instance of flooding (provided by the UK Standby Battalions) to...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: TechnologyMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46789More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 42281 on Defence Equipment: Technology, what percentage of his Department's equipment procurement budget was spent on novel technology (a) as of 22 April 2025 an
Answer: The Ministry of Defence continues to invest significant funding into novel technologies such as various uncrewed systems and our cutting edge Directed Energy Weapons. Further detail on the novel technologies ringfence will be finalised through the Spendin...
Answered 25 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordWaste Disposal: BirminghamMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46788More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any military personnel have been deployed to Birmingham to support the response to the ongoing disruption to waste collection.
Answer: Following a Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) request from the Ministry of Housing, Community, and Local Government, a small number of military personnel deployed to support Birmingham City Council. This support, which was focused on operationa...
Answered 25 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordWaste Disposal: BirminghamMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46787More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential provision of military support in relation to waste collection in Birmingham.
Answer: Following a Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) request from the Ministry of Housing, Community, and Local Government, a small number of military personnel deployed to support Birmingham City Council. This support, which was focused on operationa...
Answered 25 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordHMS Trent: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46786More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is his target date for the completion of HMS Trent's maintenance period.
Answer: There has been no delay to HMS TRENT's refit. She started a capability refit in October 2024, which completed in December 2024. This was followed by a Capability Insertion Period, which is now complete. HMS Trent is currently undergoing planned force gene...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordHMS Trent: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46785More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there has been any delay to the refitting of HMS Trent.
Answer: There has been no delay to HMS TRENT's refit. She started a capability refit in October 2024, which completed in December 2024. This was followed by a Capability Insertion Period, which is now complete. HMS Trent is currently undergoing planned force gene...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46784More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April to Question 41493 on Defence: Finance, if he will provide a breakdown of the calculations used to reach the £14.2 billion figure referred to.
Answer: £14.2 billion is the difference between the NATO qualifying spend of £66.3 billion in 2024-25 and 2.5% of GDP in financial year 2027-28, which is £80.5 billion based on the OBR's latest growth forecast.
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: RecruitmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46783More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April to Question 43215 on Armed Forces: Recruitment, what his Department's targets are for applications for (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Army and (c) the Royal Air Force in the 2025-26
Answer: The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. We have made a series of announcements to improve recruitment since July 2024. The Army’s target for applications for all streams (Regular soldier, Regula...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →