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Written question asked by Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Louise Sandher-Jones (Labour) on Monday, 14 September 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.


Defence

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what progress has he made in ensuring plans made under the Home Defence Programme meet Defence’s needs in the event of escalation to war, including mobilisation of Reserves and industry, and ensuring Defence has ready access to private-sector infrastructure for operations, underpinned by legislation as necessary, as outlined in Recommendation 28.

Answer

The Ministry of Defence is both updating its own Homeland Defence and transition to war plans through 2026 and playing a significant role in the wider cross-Government Home Defence Programme, in order to ensure all plans are aligned in meeting needs in the event of escalation to war.

As part of this, Defence is taking steps to strengthen our future readiness. Through the Armed Forces Bill 2026, Defence is seeking to increase its powers and flexibility to call out and/or recall former personnel at pace and scale in a potential crisis such as a transition to war. Similarly, Defence Readiness legislation is being developed in line with the Strategic Defence Review recommendations.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
22928
Session
2026-27
Related items
Deposited Paper DEP2025-0341
Monday, 2 June 2025
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Defence
Monday, 19 October 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Defence
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk