24 Mar 21. Report: Manpower or Mindset: Defence’s Contribution to the UK’s Pandemic Response. Today, the Defence Committee publishes its report on the UK Armed Forces’ response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Committee found that defence played a critical role in assisting the Government’s response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, contributing capacity, personnel, and, most significantly, a different mindset which was more focussed on objectives rather than process. The Committee calls on the Government to explicitly and tangibly recognise the vital contribution made by uniformed and civilian defence personnel to the UK’s pandemic response
The report finds that there was a lack of knowledge across government as to how defence can assist in emergencies. The Committee states that, although the skills and experience of defence should be well-utilised in times of crises, defence must not be used as a means of backfilling for inadequate preparation and resourcing by the civilian bodies which have a statutory responsibility to meet crises. The Government must strengthen civil crisis response capabilities to ensure defence does not become the ‘responder of first resort’.
Additionally, the report calls on the Government to use defence capabilities and resources to distribute and administer vaccinations at home and abroad.
Chair of the Defence Committee, Tobias Ellwood MP, said, “The last year has been difficult for all of us, particularly for those fighting on the frontline in our battle against coronavirus. Despite the darkness of the past year, we have seen countless acts of heroism and resilience in the face of adversity. Our Armed Forces rose to the challenge of coronavirus, demonstrating outstanding strength and stoicism. The integral efforts of all key workers, including those of the Armed Forces, must be explicitly and materially recognised by the Government. Our Forces offer an unparalleled wealth of experience and knowledge; an invaluable resource that was poorly used and underutilised. However, there was a widespread lack of clarity across Government as to how to access support, as well as a lack of understanding as to what the Ministry of Defence can offer. This confusion only added to the disorganisation that characterised the Government’s immediate response to the outbreak of coronavirus. The Armed Forces are no substitute for preparedness in other Government departments. They cannot be used as the sole contingency plan for times of acute crises. As the dust settles, the Government must undertake a no-holds-barred self-examination, and take steps to extend the treasure trove of expertise within the Forces to civilian authorities, to ensure that all branches of Government are prepared to respond to pandemics. This year we’ve seen the importance of boots on the ground. The Government’s recent decision to reduce troop numbers should concern us all, potentially leaving us ill-prepared for the next major national security crisis.”
22 Mar 21. Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill – Survey Launch. Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill launches survey on Bill. Today, the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill launches a survey, hoping to hear from a range of individuals, including serving personnel of the Armed Forces, veterans, the families of personnel and veterans, and civilians subject to service law, on the forthcoming Bill. The survey will aid the Committee’s scrutiny of the Bill and elements of the results may be used in the Committee’s final report. The survey covers a range of issues related to the Bill and the Committee’s scrutiny of the Bill. The survey asks whether the Bill addresses the practical problems the Armed Forces face and whether legislation has been applied evenly, regardless of location, rank and status as currently serving personnel or veteran. The form includes questions on the prosecution of serious crimes within the military, as well as the complaints process and safeguarding. The survey will be open until 5 PM on Monday 5 April and will take roughly five minutes to complete. Respondents must remain anonymous in their answers.
19 Mar 21. Two former Chief of Defence Staff to be questioned on Integrated Review and Global Britain. On 23 March, at 15.15, the Defence Committee will hear from two former Chief of Defence Staff, Lord Richards of Herstmonceux and Lord Houghton of Richmond, on the Integrated Review and the forthcoming Defence White Paper and Defence and Security Industrial Strategy.
The session will focus on exploring whether the latter of these documents provides UK Defence with the capabilities it needs to fulfil the role laid out for them in “Global Britain in a Competitive Age”, published this week.
Lord Richards of Herstmonceux served as Chief of Defence Staff between 2010 and 2013. Lord Richards’ extensive military career included a number of tours in Northern Ireland and two years as Chief of Staff of the Berlin Infantry Brigade. Other roles included Commander-in-Chief UK Land Forces in 2008 and Chief of the General Staff in 2009. His operational awards include a Mention in Despatches, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, the Distinguished Service Order and Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. He was elevated to the House of Lords in February 2014 as a Crossbench life peer.
Lord Nicholas Houghton of Richmond held the post of Chief of Defence Staff between 2013 and 2016. Prior to this, Lord Houghton of Richmond worked in a variety of roles, including commanding the 39 Infantry Brigade in Belfast during the period which led to the Good Friday Agreement and as Director of Military Operations at the time of 9/11; at the outset of operations in Afghanistan; and during the Foot and Mouth Crisis. More recently General Houghton was the Senior British Military Representative and Deputy Commanding General of the Multi-National Force-Iraq from October 2005 until March 2006. He became Chief of Joint Operations in April 2006 at the time of the commitment of UK Forces to Southern Afghanistan and, subsequently, during the extraction of UK Forces from Southern Iraq. He was appointed both OBE and CBE for his time in Command in Northern Ireland, awarded the US Legion of Merit for his service in Iraq and appointed KCB for his time as CJO. Since leaving his position as Chief of Defence Staff, Lord Houghton of Richmond has served as Constable of the Tower of London.
23 March
15.15:
- Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, Chief of Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence (2010-13)
- Lord Houghton of Richmond, Chief of Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence (2013-16)
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Warrior Armoured Vehicle: Procurement
UIN 172906, tabled on 22 March 2021
Question
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date funding was last allocated from the public purse to the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 25 March 2021
Funding was last allocated to the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme in March 2020. Payments are made to match milestones achieved, the most recent payment being made in December 2020.
Nuclear Weapons
UIN 172845, tabled on 22 March 2021
Question
Dr Julian Lewis
Conservative
New Forest East
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the total of nuclear warheads deployed by (a) Russia, (b) China, (c) the US and (d) France on (i) intercontinental and (ii) intermediate-range missiles in each of the last five years.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 25 March 2021
The Ministry of Defence continues to track the threat from nuclear and advanced novel weapons systems held by potential adversaries. Our estimates of our adversaries’ nuclear warhead stockpiles remains classified. We judge that Russian strategic and intermediate nuclear capabilities continue to grow, both in terms of warheads and delivery systems. Figures declared by Russia under the New START Treaty do not provide an accurate picture of the growth in the nuclear threat that Russia presents. China does not declare its nuclear warhead numbers but is currently undertaking a significant modernisation programme with an expansion of its nuclear arsenal and development of a nuclear triad. Both countries are also investing heavily in novel weapons systems.
HMS Prince of Wales
UIN 173060, tabled on 22 March 2021
Question
Douglas Chapman
Scottish National Party
Dunfermline and West Fife
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether HMS Prince of Wales will be ready for her planned return to operations by May 2021.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 25 March 2021
I can confirm that HMS PRINCE OF WALES will be ready for her planned return to operations by May 2021, when she will undertake activities in UK waters prior to her commencing NATO Command duties in 2022.
Answered by
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
UIN 172907, tabled on 22 March 2021
Question
Mr Kevan Jones
Labour
North Durham
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timetable is for Boxer to reach full operating capability.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on 25 March 2021
The first production vehicles are forecast to enter trials and training in 2023 for an initial operating capability by 2025 which we are working to accelerate. We are now aiming for full operating capability by 2030 bringing this forward from 2032 by accelerating the programme.
Answered by
Military Aircraft: Satellite Communications
UIN 172022, tabled on 19 March 2021
Question
Mr Gregory Campbell
Democratic Unionist Party
East Londonderry
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help ensure RAF operations based overseas are protected from hostile attempts to interrupt satellite communications to and from aircraft taking off and landing.
Answer
James Heappey
Conservative
Wells
Commons
Answered on 24 March 2021
The United Kingdom Government takes a multi-layered approach to detect, understand and deter state threats below the threshold of war through persistent engagement overseas. When aircraft are deployed overseas on operations a wide range of multi-layered Force Protection measures are put in place to ensure their safety.