The delivery confidence assessment for the Submarine Waterfront Infrastructure Future (SWIF) programme reflects the likelihood of successful delivery at a specific point in time and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) Gate Review process is an integral part of the Assurance Framework that the Ministry of Defence has in place to support project delivery.

Despite positive progress, there are still challenges to the delivery of the SWIF programme. The delivery team is working closely with NISTA and the contractor to recover the programme. The current focus is on the completion of design work, where we have increased the pace of design decisions and streamlined approvals, to enable the start of construction. We have used the principles set out in the Nuclear Regulatory Review as part of these reviews, to identify new opportunities to accelerate work.

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Gate Review process is an integral part of the Assurance Framework that the Ministry of Defence has in place to support project delivery. The 2025-26 Government Major Project Portfolio amber assessment reflects the likelihood of successful delivery at a specific point in time and should be expected for a programme at this stage of maturity. We are making good progress in addressing the report’s findings.

The programme is currently midway through the Detailed Design and Long Lead (D2L2) phase which is due to complete in 2028. This will mature the design and manufacturing arrangements, develop detailed schedules and see the purchase of key long lead items for the early boats in Class.

On current plans, we will cut steel on the first SSN-AUKUS submarine next year, with the aim to deliver the first UK submarine into service from the late 2030s.

Delivery confidence assessments for Government Major Project Portfolio Defence projects published by National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority confirm that the Core Production Capability continues to make progress in delivering the infrastructure, workforce and manufacturing capabilities required to support our submarine programmes.

The major facility upgrades required to support Dreadnought reactor core production have been delivered, with activity now focused on completing final commissioning, manufacturing and delivering the reactor cores required.

The Ministry of Defence continues to work with Rolls-Royce Submarines to ensure delivery of reactor components in time to support Dreadnought entering service in the early 2030s as planned.

Work is also underway to modernise and expand the manufacturing capability and capacity required to produce reactor cores and nuclear steam raising plant for future SSN-AUKUS submarines, supporting both the UK and Australian submarine production programmes.

Delivery confidence assessments and programme performance summaries for all of the Government Major Projects are published in the NISTA Annual Report. Updates on performance and the latest delivery confidence assessments will next be provided from information captured on 31 March 2027.

Atlantic Bastion and the Hybrid Navy transformation demonstrate Defence’s commitment, as set out in the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Investment Plan, to strengthen the protection of critical undersea infrastructure and deter hostile activity.

The Defence Investment Plan commits an additional £330 million for critical underwater infrastructure protection capabilities, including enhancements to RFA Proteus.

Atlantic Bastion and the Hybrid Navy transformation demonstrate Defence’s commitment, as set out in the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Investment Plan, to strengthen the protection of critical undersea infrastructure and deter hostile activity.

The Defence Investment Plan commits an additional £330 million for critical underwater infrastructure protection capabilities, including enhancements to RFA Proteus.

Since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, the Ministry of Defence has continued to strengthen the UK’s longstanding defence partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCG). The UK and GCC Armed Forces have been working together through joint training and exercises, maritime security activity, and air and missile defence cooperation, supported by regular senior engagement the UK’s enduring military presence in the region.

These activities aim to improve interoperability of the UK and GCC Armed Forces and reinforce collective resilience against shared regional threats, as well as demonstrating the UK’s enduring commitment to Gulf security and stability.

Delivery confidence assessments and programme performance summaries for all of the Government Major Projects are published in the NISTA Annual Report. Updates on performance and the latest delivery confidence assessments will next be provided from information captured on 31 March 2027.

Delivery confidence assessments and programme performance summaries for all of the Government Major Projects are published in the NISTA Annual Report. Updates on performance and the latest delivery confidence assessments will next be provided from information captured on 31 March 2027.

Delivery confidence assessments and programme performance summaries for all of the Government Major Projects are published in the NISTA Annual Report. Updates on performance and the latest delivery confidence assessments will next be provided from information captured on 31 March 2027.

Since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, the Ministry of Defence has continued to strengthen the capabilities of allies and partners across the Middle East through operational support, training, exercises, professional military education and defence-industrial collaboration. This has included supporting partners to respond to evolving air, missile and uncrewed-system threats.

We are also developing longer-term capability partnerships, aligned with partners’ requirements, drawing on military and industrial expertise. We will continue to work with regional partners to build resilient and interoperable capabilities that contribute to collective security and long-term regional stability.

Delivery confidence assessments and programme performance summaries for all of the Government Major Projects are published in the NISTA Annual Report. Updates on performance and the latest delivery confidence assessments will next be provided from information captured on 31 March 2027.

The independent Single Living Accommodation (SLA) review has been examining the provision and management of SLA across the UK estate. The review is expected to report this Autumn.

As of 23 October 2026, the average time between damp and mould being reported in Single Living Accommodation and works being completed was 20.94 days.

As of 23 October 2026, of the 47,173 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties maintained by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), circa 2% were assessed as falling below the Decent Homes Standard (DHS), while circa 98% met or exceeded the DHS Standard.

Under the plans set out in the Defence Housing Strategy, nine in 10 Defence homes will be modernised or upgraded, including over 10,000 homes that will be substantially refurbished or replaced through major renovation or new build programmes. This will be supported by £9.2 billion of investment over the next decade and delivered through the Defence Housing Service.

SFA that is graded DH- is not allocated to families when they apply for SFA, but homes may be downgraded to this standard during occupancy.

Single Living Accommodation (SLA) is not assessed against the DHS. Defence has introduced its own Defence Minimum Standard (DMS) that applies the intent of the Decent Homes Standard but considers the unique nature of SLA.

The SLA estate was last assessed against the DMS in 2023, and 72% of SLA met or exceeded DMS.

The Government is committed to improving the living conditions of Service Personnel. The Defence Investment Plan includes £1.4 billion over this Parliament for SLA, supporting the modernisation of accommodation and improvements to living standards across the Defence estate.

A review into Single Unaccompanied Living Accommodation has been undertaken and is pending finalisation.

As of 23 October 2026, there have been 31,540 urgent reactive work call-outs to Single Living Accommodation since 1 January 2026.

As at 23 October 2026, 82,157 Service personnel were recorded as occupying permanent Single Living Accommodation (SLA).

The equivalent point-in-time figures as at 23 October for each of the previous ten calendar years, together with the number of Service personnel recorded as occupying SLA at any point during the respective calendar year, are shown below.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

The Armed Forces Covenant applies across the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, while responsibility for many relevant services is devolved. Provision may be delivered differently across the UK, but the Government’s objective is that the Armed Forces community, which includes veterans, should not face disadvantage because of their service.

To strengthen these protections, the Government is extending the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty through the Armed Forces Bill 2026, requiring the Northern Ireland Executive (NIE) and relevant public bodies to have due regard to Covenant principles across areas including housing, health, education, training and social security. The MOD will continue to work closely with the NIE on implementation.

This Government is committed to ensuring veterans can access the support they need wherever they live in the UK. In Northern Ireland, the MOD’s Office for Veterans’ Affairs has established a local presence to strategically coordinate support for veterans’ wellbeing. This will soon be strengthened by the new VALOUR programme’s Field Officers who will work with local organisations to improve access to services and deliver support that meets local needs.

Local veterans and their families can access support through the Veterans' Welfare Service Northern Ireland, including physiotherapy and psychological therapies. Those facing homelessness can also access the UK-wide Op FORTITUDE housing pathway. In addition, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust funds health and wellbeing programmes, including Thrive Together and the Defence Medical Welfare Service pilot.

Northern Ireland’s first Veterans Commissioner was appointed in 2020 to champion veterans' interests. Appointed in January 2025 as the second Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner, David Johnstone promotes awareness of issues affecting local veterans, including health, housing, employment and legacy matters.

The Government is committed to improving the living conditions of Service personnel. The Defence Investment Plan includes £1.4 billion over this Parliament for Single Living Accommodation, supporting the modernisation of accommodation and improvements to living standards across the Defence estate.

Accommodation improvements are being delivered through a number of programmes, including Defence Estate Optimisation, Future Defence Infrastructure Services, and the SLA Framework Alliance, which are now moving into major delivery phases.

Defence launched an independent Single Living Accommodation and Overseas Estate Review in January 2026 to identify further opportunities to improve the lived experience of Service personnel and ensure accommodation better supports capability and retention scheduled to report Autumn 2026.

Alongside accommodation investment, the Department is continuing to implement the Defence Catering Strategy to improve food quality, dining facilities and the overall experience of personnel living and working on the Defence estate.