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<p><del class="ministerial">On current plans, the three 17 Squadron UK F35-B Lightning
aircraft, based at Edwards Air Force Base in California, will remain in the USA to
conduct Test and Evaluation (T&E) during the F35 Follow-on Modernisation (FoM)
phase.</del></p><p> </p><p><del class="ministerial">They continue to deliver the rapid
design, integration and flight test of critical operational and safety technology
modernisation.</del></p><p> </p><p><del class="ministerial">As such, the 17 Squadron
mission will continue to provide a critical contribution to the rapid development
of Lightning capabilities, delivering significant operational benefits.</del><ins
class="ministerial">The Government has been proactive in providing support to the
charity sector in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Defence (MOD)
and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) in the Cabinet Office have played a leading
role in this effort by providing £6 million in funding for the Armed Forces community,
through the COVID Impact Fund. The MOD and OVA work in partnership with Service charities
to deliver support where needed and for the most vulnerable and have been working
closely with them throughout the pandemic to ensure the important help and support
they provide remains available to veterans.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">
</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Government has pledged £750 million to ensure
voluntary community and social enterprise organisations can continue their vital work
supporting the country during the coronavirus outbreak including £200 million for
the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, along with an additional £150 million from
dormant bank and building society accounts. This fund also includes £60 million for
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to support thousands of charities on the frontline
helping people affected by COVID-19. Other pre-existing funding streams are available
to Armed Forces charities, including through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund, to which
the Government provides £10 million annually. The Trust runs frequent and regularly
updated funding streams for the Armed Forces Community for projects across the UK.</ins></p><p><ins
class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Charities also have access
to other support packages made available by HM Treasury, including the Business Loan
Interruption scheme and the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme. An overview of Government
financial support for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations is
available here: <a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Ffinancial-support-for-voluntary-community-and-social-enterprise-vcse-organisations-to-respond-to-coronavirus-covid-19&data=04%7C01%7CMatthew.Aves243%40mod.gov.uk%7Cfbf1e95ecc93403460fa08d88ca6dc6d%7Cbe7760ed5953484bae95d0a16dfa09e5%7C0%7C0%7C637413995578811932%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=YbUNMYFBTO5keqIdTaDke6ZqiJ%2B7fIA%2FzlWVVaDEq0A%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/financial-support-for-voluntary-community-and-social-enterprise-vcse-organisations-to-respond-to-coronavirus-covid-19</a>.
</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Government continues to monitor the financial
health of charities and regularly meets with charities and their representative bodies
to ensure that their views are heard and understood.</ins></p>
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