Question follow-through · 36026
Soft Power: Development Aid
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that Britain's soft power (a) is maintained (b) continues to play a part in the defence of the UK and her allies, in the context of the reduction in ODA spending.
About this written question
A written question asks a government minister for information in writing. Parliament publishes the question and any answer.
- Answering body
- Ministry of Defence
- Tabled
- 5 Mar 2025
- Target answer date
- 7 Mar 2025
- Answer
- 13 Mar 2025 · 8 calendar days after tabling
Elapsed calendar days describe the record timeline, not whether Parliament considers an answer on time.
More questions by this MP on Defence and foreign affairs
- Military Aircraft · 14 Jul 2025
- Military Aircraft · 22 Jul 2025
- Gaza: Israel · 29 Aug 2025
- Armed Forces: Pets · 4 Sept 2025
- Armed Forces: Pets · 4 Sept 2025
Shared topic keywords suggest a connection; they do not establish a follow-up.
Votes on this topic
- Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amendment · 23 Jun 2026
- Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness · 23 Jun 2026
- Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11 · 22 Jun 2026
These Commons divisions share a topic label. The question did not necessarily lead to a vote.
Recorded timeline
5 Mar 2025
Question tabled
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that Britain's soft power (a) is maintained (b) continues to play a part in the defence of the UK and her allies, in the context of the reduction in ODA spending.
7 Mar 2025
Target answer date
Date supplied by the official written-questions record.
13 Mar 2025
Answer published
The Strategic Defence Review will set out the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty first century. This takes account of the commitment to increase spending on defence to 2....
Official data retrieved 28 Sept 2026.
Later records
Possible follow-up questions
Strong links require the same MP, department and exact heading. Other same-department questions are shown as unreviewed candidates, not as confirmed follow-ups. No debate link is asserted unless a stable source relationship exists.
Military Aircraft
14 Jul 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total annual cost of aircraft leasing arrangements is; and how many such contracts involve offshore-registered companies.
Military Aircraft
22 Jul 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 67746 on Military Aircraft, whether any aircraft leasing contracts include the provision of ground crew services.
Gaza: Israel
29 Aug 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will review the level of Israeli compliance with international humanitarian law in the context of the war in Gaza; and if he will suspend the provision of training to Israeli Defence Force personnel in the
Armed Forces: Pets
4 Sept 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to review financial assistance available for armed forces personnel for the costs associated with relocating pets to an assigned duty station abroad.
Armed Forces: Pets
4 Sept 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support families posted abroad with pets following the new Consumer Charter that makes it easier for armed forces families to own pets.
Armed Forces: Career Development
10 Oct 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help support service personnel who are unable to attend the non-commissioned officer course due to a medical condition sustained during their military duties.
Armed Forces: Career Development
10 Oct 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support service personnel at the top of their pay scale and unable to be promoted due to medical limitations.
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Cyprus: Military Alliances
10 Oct 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with Cyprus.
Cyprus and France: Military Alliances
10 Oct 2025 · To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve (a) military and (b) other defence cooperation with (i) Cyprus and (ii) France.