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1563440

registered interest
date	20/12/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Veterans: Cost of Living
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason veterans in receipt of war pensions assessed at less than 40% do not receive cost-of-living support.
tabling member constituency	Ross, Skye and Lochaber
tabling member printed	Ian Blackford
uin	114663
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/01/2023 answer text <p>The Government has paid a £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment to those in receipt of Armed Forces Independence Payment, War Pension Mobility Supplement, or War Pension Constant Attendance Allowance, with a further £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment in 2023-24. These payments were selected because they are the allowances under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pension Scheme that are similar to the relevant benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions, such as Personal Independence Payment. Receiving a war pension does not prevent individuals from receiving payment of the broader social security benefits that are in scope for the disability payment.</p><p> </p><p>The basic War Pension is worked out based on an individual’s degree of disability as a percentage to enable Defence to take a holistic view of impact of their conditions on their overall health and functionality, with payments made to reflect that. There are specific set levels of assessments for certain prescribed injuries, which range from 20 to 100 per cent. These are mainly for the loss of body parts or total sensory loss and help act as a benchmark for assessing conditions which are not listed. Ongoing pensions can be for a single or a number of conditions but the overall assessed disablement level, called a combined assessment, is certified and cannot exceed 100 per cent. For those injuries that are minor in nature, with a percentage disablement of less than 20 per cent, a lump sum gratuity may be payable</p><p> </p><p>The War Pensions Scheme and civilian disability payments provide financial support for two different things, which is why they do not align. The War Pensions Scheme provides compensation for any injury, illness or death which was caused by service before 6 April 2005. Civilian disability benefits provide financial support for those too ill, or whose conditions prevent work to support themselves entirely independently. <br></p><p>The Ministry of Defence is confident that extant War Pensions assessments are appropriate and there are no plans to reassess existing entitlements outside the scope of routine reviews. It is possible for pensions to be increased as a result of a request for a review from the individual or an appeal against the percentage level awarded. Defence considers the level of payment available to those with degenerative conditions under the War Pensions Scheme to be appropriate.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 114664 114665 114666 question first answered 10/01/2023 13:45:18 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4390 label Biography information for Ian Blackford

1563441

registered interest
date	20/12/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	War Pensions: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason applicants for War Pensions are graded in terms of percentages of disability.
tabling member constituency	Ross, Skye and Lochaber
tabling member printed	Ian Blackford
uin	114664
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/01/2023 answer text <p>The Government has paid a £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment to those in receipt of Armed Forces Independence Payment, War Pension Mobility Supplement, or War Pension Constant Attendance Allowance, with a further £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment in 2023-24. These payments were selected because they are the allowances under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pension Scheme that are similar to the relevant benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions, such as Personal Independence Payment. Receiving a war pension does not prevent individuals from receiving payment of the broader social security benefits that are in scope for the disability payment.</p><p> </p><p>The basic War Pension is worked out based on an individual’s degree of disability as a percentage to enable Defence to take a holistic view of impact of their conditions on their overall health and functionality, with payments made to reflect that. There are specific set levels of assessments for certain prescribed injuries, which range from 20 to 100 per cent. These are mainly for the loss of body parts or total sensory loss and help act as a benchmark for assessing conditions which are not listed. Ongoing pensions can be for a single or a number of conditions but the overall assessed disablement level, called a combined assessment, is certified and cannot exceed 100 per cent. For those injuries that are minor in nature, with a percentage disablement of less than 20 per cent, a lump sum gratuity may be payable</p><p> </p><p>The War Pensions Scheme and civilian disability payments provide financial support for two different things, which is why they do not align. The War Pensions Scheme provides compensation for any injury, illness or death which was caused by service before 6 April 2005. Civilian disability benefits provide financial support for those too ill, or whose conditions prevent work to support themselves entirely independently. <br></p><p>The Ministry of Defence is confident that extant War Pensions assessments are appropriate and there are no plans to reassess existing entitlements outside the scope of routine reviews. It is possible for pensions to be increased as a result of a request for a review from the individual or an appeal against the percentage level awarded. Defence considers the level of payment available to those with degenerative conditions under the War Pensions Scheme to be appropriate.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 114663 114665 114666 question first answered 10/01/2023 13:45:18 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4390 label Biography information for Ian Blackford

1562980

registered interest
date	19/12/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Prime Minister: Staff
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 15 December 2022 to Question 108257 on Prime Minister: Staff, if he will publish (a) a list of post-holders and (b) the dates of service of those post-holders for Military Assistants to the Prime Minister since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
uin	113309
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/01/2023 answer text <p>For data protection and security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not publish the names of Military Assistants to the Prime Minister.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 09/01/2023 11:56:17 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1552670

registered interest
date	16/12/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 December to Question 104385 on Armed Forces: Housing, why his Department's decision on the Future Accommodation Model is now expected in 2023.
tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
uin	112172
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2022 answer text <p>The Future Accommodation Model (FAM) Pilot continues to operate at three pilot sites until 31 March 2023. We continue to learn lessons which will form part of the FAM Business Case being considered for approval in 2023, with the introduction of the new accommodation offer aligning with the commitment made in the Defence Accommodation Strategy (DAS).</p><p> </p><p>A comprehensive change and communications plan will support the end of the pilot and the introduction of the new accommodation offer which is expected to launch from Autumn 2023.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 21/12/2022 11:20:48 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1551962

registered interest
date	15/12/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Air Force: Recruitment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department (a) has received evidence of and (b) is investigating allegations that RAF recruitment (i) policy and (ii) practice as at 1 August 2022 contravened the Equality Act 2010.
tabling member constituency	Bournemouth East
tabling member printed	Mr Tobias Ellwood
uin	111551
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2022 answer text <p>The Royal Air Force has instigated a Non-Statutory Inquiry (NSI) which is looking at its historical recruiting culture. The NSI is due to conclude early next year, therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further while this is ongoing.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 111553 question first answered 21/12/2022 14:02:35 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood

1551963

registered interest
date	15/12/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Air Force: Equality
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the RAF diversity statistics.
tabling member constituency	Bournemouth East
tabling member printed	Mr Tobias Ellwood
uin	111552
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2022 answer text <p>Diversity statistics for the RAF are published biannually. The latest published statistics are available at the following link:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1087045/Biannual_Diversity_Statistics_Publication_April22.pdf" target="_blank">Biannual_Diversity_Statistics_Publication_April22.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)</a></p><p> </p><p>the next edition of the diversity statistics is expected to be published by 31 January 2023.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 20/12/2022 10:30:44 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood

1551964

registered interest
date	15/12/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Air Force: Ethnic Groups and Women
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Armed Forces Careers Offices prioritised (a) BAME and (b) female candidates for RAF computer based aptitude tests between 26 October and 23 November 2020.
tabling member constituency	Bournemouth East
tabling member printed	Mr Tobias Ellwood
uin	111553
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2022 answer text <p>The Royal Air Force has instigated a Non-Statutory Inquiry (NSI) which is looking at its historical recruiting culture. The NSI is due to conclude early next year, therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further while this is ongoing.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 111551 question first answered 21/12/2022 14:02:35 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood

1551565

registered interest
date	14/12/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Forces Help to Buy Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to extend the Forces Help to Buy scheme beyond 31 December 2022.
tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
tabling member printed	John Healey
uin	110572
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2022 answer text <p>The Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) scheme was set up in 2014 to provide Service personnel with the opportunity to purchase a property for immediate occupation, creating a stable environment regardless of assignment and reducing the challenge presented by an inherently mobile career. The Ministry of Defence recognises that FHTB continues to be a popular scheme, helping more than 27,500 Service personnel to buy or extend a home.</p><p> </p><p>An announcement was made on Monday 19 December confirming that the FHTB scheme has been made permanent. The announcement can be found at the below link.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fnews%2Fforces-help-to-buy-scheme-made-permanent-to-help-service-personnel-purchase-housing&amp;data=05%7C01%7CMinDPV-PrivateOffice%40mod.gov.uk%7Cc05c5a2eacf444efe1c208dae1bc32e5%7Cbe7760ed5953484bae95d0a16dfa09e5%7C0%7C0%7C638070495665545700%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ZWB5wKaA7sBSbiVi8rptFr2V6jVDsohOapFhOAqMzNk%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Forces Help to Buy scheme made permanent to help Service Personnel purchase housing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 19/12/2022 17:31:58 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

1551636

registered interest
date	14/12/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Radicalism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what guidance his Department provides to Armed Forces personnel regarding the membership of organisations, including extreme-right organisations.
tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
tabling member printed	John Healey
uin	110574
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2022 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the risk of Extreme Right Wing Terrorism within the Armed Forces and the attraction that it offers to those who hold such views (and in particular the access to training and weapons). Extremist ideology is completely at odds with the values of the Armed Forces and is a matter the MOD takes extremely seriously. The MOD supports the HMG PREVENT strategy and is committed to addressing any incidence of extremist ideology within the Department. Defence continues to work with partners across government to strengthen our internal policies and procedures for raising awareness and responding at pace when a concern is identified.</p><p> </p><p>Prevention of extremism within the Armed Forces includes initial vetting on enlistment, ongoing training, raising awareness, and implementing procedures to report and rehabilitate those who are at risk of being drawn into extremism. All Defence staff, including members of the Armed Forces, are prohibited from membership of proscribed organisations. Staff are permitted to join non-proscribed groups if it is compatible with service values and standards, in line with an individual’s rights to exercise their freedom of opinion and expression. This ensures that the Armed Forces are able to continue to recruit and retain personnel drawn from across society, whilst maintaining our service values and standards. Therefore, while Armed Forces personnel are permitted to join political parties and attend political meetings in a personal capacity (provided they do not wear uniform and their Service duties are not impeded); involvement in political marches or demonstrations are prohibited under the Queen’s Regulations.</p><p> </p><p>The majority of Defence personnel, including members of the Armed Forces, are subject to a level of national security vetting in accordance with HMG policy, with those in particularly sensitive roles undergoing further, enhanced vetting. As part of the initial vetting process applicants are required to self-declare associations and memberships of any groups involved in espionage, terrorism, sabotage, or activities intended to overthrow or undermine parliamentary democracy by political, industrial, or violent means. In addition to this, in all recruitment applications, information provided by applicants is checked against security service records. On joining the Armed Forces, personnel receive training and instruction on the expectations of Service life, including the values and standards they are expected to uphold. This world class training, combined with the preventative measures above, help ensure that membership of extremist organisations is either minimised or identified and managed at the earliest opportunity</p><p><br> It must be noted that, while the MOD may refer any civilian staff it may have concerns about to PREVENT, this does not reflect any non-MOD referrals to the scheme of any MOD civilians by third parties. PREVENT is a cross-government scheme, and anyone can refer a person to PREVENT. The MOD does not hold records of any non-MOD referrals to PREVENT for civilian staff. As such, the MOD is unable to provide an accurate figure for civilian PREVENT Referrals. No Defence civil servants have been identified as being a member of Generation Identity since 2019. No member of the Armed Forces or Defence civil servants have been identified or convicted as being a member of a Proscribed Organisation under the Terrorism Act since 2019.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 110575 110576 110577 110578 question first answered 21/12/2022 14:08:21 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

1551637

registered interest
date	14/12/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Radicalism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to prevent individuals involved with extreme right organisations from joining the UK Armed Forces.
tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
tabling member printed	John Healey
uin	110575
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2022 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the risk of Extreme Right Wing Terrorism within the Armed Forces and the attraction that it offers to those who hold such views (and in particular the access to training and weapons). Extremist ideology is completely at odds with the values of the Armed Forces and is a matter the MOD takes extremely seriously. The MOD supports the HMG PREVENT strategy and is committed to addressing any incidence of extremist ideology within the Department. Defence continues to work with partners across government to strengthen our internal policies and procedures for raising awareness and responding at pace when a concern is identified.</p><p> </p><p>Prevention of extremism within the Armed Forces includes initial vetting on enlistment, ongoing training, raising awareness, and implementing procedures to report and rehabilitate those who are at risk of being drawn into extremism. All Defence staff, including members of the Armed Forces, are prohibited from membership of proscribed organisations. Staff are permitted to join non-proscribed groups if it is compatible with service values and standards, in line with an individual’s rights to exercise their freedom of opinion and expression. This ensures that the Armed Forces are able to continue to recruit and retain personnel drawn from across society, whilst maintaining our service values and standards. Therefore, while Armed Forces personnel are permitted to join political parties and attend political meetings in a personal capacity (provided they do not wear uniform and their Service duties are not impeded); involvement in political marches or demonstrations are prohibited under the Queen’s Regulations.</p><p> </p><p>The majority of Defence personnel, including members of the Armed Forces, are subject to a level of national security vetting in accordance with HMG policy, with those in particularly sensitive roles undergoing further, enhanced vetting. As part of the initial vetting process applicants are required to self-declare associations and memberships of any groups involved in espionage, terrorism, sabotage, or activities intended to overthrow or undermine parliamentary democracy by political, industrial, or violent means. In addition to this, in all recruitment applications, information provided by applicants is checked against security service records. On joining the Armed Forces, personnel receive training and instruction on the expectations of Service life, including the values and standards they are expected to uphold. This world class training, combined with the preventative measures above, help ensure that membership of extremist organisations is either minimised or identified and managed at the earliest opportunity</p><p><br> It must be noted that, while the MOD may refer any civilian staff it may have concerns about to PREVENT, this does not reflect any non-MOD referrals to the scheme of any MOD civilians by third parties. PREVENT is a cross-government scheme, and anyone can refer a person to PREVENT. The MOD does not hold records of any non-MOD referrals to PREVENT for civilian staff. As such, the MOD is unable to provide an accurate figure for civilian PREVENT Referrals. No Defence civil servants have been identified as being a member of Generation Identity since 2019. No member of the Armed Forces or Defence civil servants have been identified or convicted as being a member of a Proscribed Organisation under the Terrorism Act since 2019.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 110574 110576 110577 110578 question first answered 21/12/2022 14:08:21 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey