Equiniti Paymaster and Sopra Steria Ltd (UK) are private companies independent of Government. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has contracted Sopra Steria Ltd since May 2020 to provide pension administration services. Equiniti Paymaster delivers payment services as a subcontractor to Sopra Steria and has no direct contract with the MOD.

The immediate priority for the MOD, Sopra Steria and Equiniti Paymaster is to identify affected cases, correct pension entitlements, and ensure members receive accurate information about their individual circumstances. Support is provided throughout, including tailored repayment plans and personalised financial and welfare assistance from Veterans Services. Where applicable, pension members may request an overpayment write-off from the MOD in accordance with HM Treasury's Managing Public Money guidelines, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money.

Affected members have been notified in phases, with timing dependent on the nature and complexity of each case as reviews and assessments were completed. Most cases have been addressed, though some complex cases remain under review to confirm entitlement accuracy.

The delay in notifying affected pension members after initial identification of the issue was cause by the need to assess the full extent of the error, accurately identify all the affected individuals, and validate cases before corrective action could commence. His Majesty's Government recognises that errors in pension payments may cause uncertainty for individuals and regrets any concern resulting from delayed notifications. Measures have been strengthened to improve oversight and prevent recurrence.

The MOD's contractual arrangements with Sopra Steria include provisions relating to liabilities, insurance and risk management, with contractor performance managed through established commercial and governance processes. Investigations into the causes of errors are ongoing to establish root causes and whether any contractual obligations have been breached. These findings will guide any contractual remedies.

Equiniti Paymaster and Sopra Steria Ltd (UK) are private companies independent of Government. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has contracted Sopra Steria Ltd since May 2020 to provide pension administration services. Equiniti Paymaster delivers payment services as a subcontractor to Sopra Steria and has no direct contract with the MOD.

The immediate priority for the MOD, Sopra Steria and Equiniti Paymaster is to identify affected cases, correct pension entitlements, and ensure members receive accurate information about their individual circumstances. Support is provided throughout, including tailored repayment plans and personalised financial and welfare assistance from Veterans Services. Where applicable, pension members may request an overpayment write-off from the MOD in accordance with HM Treasury's Managing Public Money guidelines, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money.

Affected members have been notified in phases, with timing dependent on the nature and complexity of each case as reviews and assessments were completed. Most cases have been addressed, though some complex cases remain under review to confirm entitlement accuracy.

The delay in notifying affected pension members after initial identification of the issue was cause by the need to assess the full extent of the error, accurately identify all the affected individuals, and validate cases before corrective action could commence. His Majesty's Government recognises that errors in pension payments may cause uncertainty for individuals and regrets any concern resulting from delayed notifications. Measures have been strengthened to improve oversight and prevent recurrence.

The MOD's contractual arrangements with Sopra Steria include provisions relating to liabilities, insurance and risk management, with contractor performance managed through established commercial and governance processes. Investigations into the causes of errors are ongoing to establish root causes and whether any contractual obligations have been breached. These findings will guide any contractual remedies.

Equiniti Paymaster and Sopra Steria Ltd (UK) are private companies independent of Government. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has contracted Sopra Steria Ltd since May 2020 to provide pension administration services. Equiniti Paymaster delivers payment services as a subcontractor to Sopra Steria and has no direct contract with the MOD.

The immediate priority for the MOD, Sopra Steria and Equiniti Paymaster is to identify affected cases, correct pension entitlements, and ensure members receive accurate information about their individual circumstances. Support is provided throughout, including tailored repayment plans and personalised financial and welfare assistance from Veterans Services. Where applicable, pension members may request an overpayment write-off from the MOD in accordance with HM Treasury's Managing Public Money guidelines, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money.

Affected members have been notified in phases, with timing dependent on the nature and complexity of each case as reviews and assessments were completed. Most cases have been addressed, though some complex cases remain under review to confirm entitlement accuracy.

The delay in notifying affected pension members after initial identification of the issue was cause by the need to assess the full extent of the error, accurately identify all the affected individuals, and validate cases before corrective action could commence. His Majesty's Government recognises that errors in pension payments may cause uncertainty for individuals and regrets any concern resulting from delayed notifications. Measures have been strengthened to improve oversight and prevent recurrence.

The MOD's contractual arrangements with Sopra Steria include provisions relating to liabilities, insurance and risk management, with contractor performance managed through established commercial and governance processes. Investigations into the causes of errors are ongoing to establish root causes and whether any contractual obligations have been breached. These findings will guide any contractual remedies.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) confirms previous commitments to provide £9.2 billion over the next decade to deliver the Defence Housing Strategy and a generational renewal of military family housing.

The DIP also detailed £2.7 billion spending on Service Family Accommodation in Financial Years (FY) 2026-27 to 2029-30

Funding for FY 2026-27 has been confirmed as £502 million. The funding profiles beyond FY 2026-27 will be agreed as part of the Departments financial planning process and will be further iterated through the annual Strategic Planning Cycle.

The Houthis pose a significant threat to regional security and to the safe passage of international trade through the Red Sea. We condemn the Houthi attacks, and extend our sympathies to those affected by Houthi attacks, including civilians in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and continue to work closely with our Saudi partners.

The Government is monitoring developments closely and remains in regular contact with Saudi Arabia.

The single Services have reported no air quality or air pollution incidents between May and August 2026 that required specific warnings or restrictions to be issued to military personnel undertaking endurance or other training exercises in the UK.

Defence recognises domestic abuse and sexual violence as serious harms that affect members of the Armed Forces community. Therefore, Defence is focused on delivering a coordinated response that supports those affected, prevents abuse from occurring, and holds perpetrators to account. MOD holds Coordinated Community Response (CCR) membership, which is regarded as best practice, with domestic abuse leads in the single Services undertaking CCR training. Defence values the contribution of chaplains, whose pastoral support and engagement with Service personnel and families complements the work of welfare and safeguarding services across the Armed Forces. Through its whole-force domestic abuse policy, Domestic Abuse Action Plan, and Violence Against Women and Girls taskforces, Defence is raising awareness, improving understanding, strengthening professional practice and support for those affected. It is through these frameworks we are informing the work of welfare-facing services, including chaplaincy and welfare teams, which form part of the wider support network available to Service personnel and families.

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Veterans and People (Calvin Bailey) in the House of Commons on 7 September 2026 to Question 20863, copied below, which set out the Government’s position on this matter. As that answer explained, this was not a centrally coordinated Army review and there were no centrally held terms of reference, single Army-wide timetable, or centrally produced final outcome or report. Therefore, there are no plans to publish the letter from the then Deputy Chief of the General Staff to Corps and Regimental Colonels.

"The then Deputy Chief of the General Staff directed Corps and Regimental Associations to conduct their own reviews of their affiliations with private members’ clubs, including whether any associated clubs have rules, policies or practices that may not align with Army values of equality and respect.

This was not a centrally coordinated Army review. Rather, Corps and Regimental Associations were asked to consider their own arrangements, reflecting the fact that such affiliations are informal, privately funded and managed at Association level. Where concerns were identified, Associations were requested to consider engaging with the relevant club to advocate for change, or to disassociate where appropriate.

As the reviews were for individual Corps and Regimental Associations to undertake, there are no centrally held terms of reference, no single Army-wide timetable for completion, and no centrally produced final outcome or report to publish. Ministers were not asked to approve a central review, and there is no plan to make a statement to Parliament on this matter."

Following this case, the Home Office and other departments including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence, and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office have met regularly to consider the wider issues raised by cases involving members of visiting forces and UK victims. This includes the application and operation of jurisdictional arrangements under the Visiting Forces Act 1952 (VFA) and how these are implemented across the criminal justice system.

As discussions are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to share any further details at this stage. However, the Chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has already written to all Chief Constables in England and Wales to remind forces of their responsibilities under the VFA. The NPCC is also considering whether further formal guidance for police forces is required.

Whilst this concept may have merits, the Armed Forces already provide significant opportunities for individuals to join and develop personally and professionally without the need to pay off student loans on entry. Many entry routes do not require degree-level qualifications, and existing schemes and pathways support personnel in gaining valuable qualifications and skills before and throughout their careers, benefiting both the individual and operational capability. Introducing a policy to repay student loans on entry would require extensive analysis to assess the financial implications, including the number of personnel with student loans, the overall cost of implementation, the administrative resources required, and any impact on existing support schemes that reflect the Armed Forces' long-standing commitment to investing in their people.

The Armed Forces already operate a range of bursary schemes for individuals undertaking degree-level study who commit to joining after completing their studies. These schemes differ across the single Services to reflect Service requirements, with support ranging from the payment of tuition fees to contributions towards living costs. The majority are focused on the Officer cadre, with the Army Musicians and Royal Navy Submarine Undergraduate Apprenticeship schemes being notable exceptions.

The Armed Forces also provide a comprehensive range of educational and professional development opportunities to invest in upskilling our people, through schemes such as Enhanced Learning Credits, the Publicly Funded Further and Higher Education Scheme, Apprenticeships and funded postgraduate study opportunities. In addition, personnel can gain qualifications and accreditation for the skills they acquire throughout their careers, demonstrating Defence's commitment to investing in its people and supporting their professional development at every stage of service.

Furthermore, Defence has introduced novel entry pathways to widen opportunities to join the Armed Forces, including Zig Zag Careers, the Defence Direct-Entry Cyber pathway and the Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme. These initiatives provide alternative routes into Service, helping Defence attract the skills it requires while offering young people opportunities to develop their potential, gain valuable skills and contribute to the nation's security.

The Department continues to assess progress towards Full Service Implementation (FSI) of the Armed Forces Recruiting Service in October 2027 through established governance, planning and assurance arrangements. These include Implementation Boards and the Armed Forces Recruiting Board, the latter of which is chaired by the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. These boards allow for senior oversight of delivery progress, residual risk identification and the evidence required to support each Service Commencement Date.

The Department remains confident that FSI in October 2027 is achievable.

Through Military Aid to the Civil Authorities, Defence can bolster civilian responders and help protect communities. Deploying military personnel can give Fire and Rescue Services additional capacity to carry out general duties, logistics and transport tasks when the Fire Service are under significant pressure.

In August 2026, Defence deployed 200 Service personnel to support South West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. This included transporting water and clearing vegetation, allowing firefighters to focus their efforts on containing and extinguishing the fire.

The Ministry of Defence is considering how it can best take advantage of the greater flexibility under the Procurement Act 2023 for Defence and Security (except for non-sensitive goods) requirements to restrict competition and favour trusted supply chains, including, British-based suppliers.

Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 025 is intended to strengthen UK national security through public procurement by encouraging contracting authorities to consider supply chain resilience, sovereign capability and strategic dependency when procuring in critical sectors:

1. Steel
2. Shipbuilding
3. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
4. Energy Infrastructure

A Preliminary Market Engagement Notice was released in Dec 25 drawing suppliers’ attention to a pilot procurement for several lines of miliary clothing with the intention of establishing whether it is feasible to procure such items on a more “resilient” basis without compromising quality, price and delivery. This pilot is to gain insight from the market to help determine the future strategy, including challenges to overcome.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is actively integrating the findings of the Joint Intelligence Committee’s assessment on global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse into its strategic planning and intelligence work.

While MOD has not separately commissioned a dedicated military implications assessment focused solely on the six critical ecosystem regions, it is working closely with cross-government partners and internal analysis teams to understand and anticipate the security risks arising from ecosystem degradation globally. These considerations are embedded within the broader Strategic Defence Review and ongoing resilience planning, such as the UK’s National Adaptation Programme, to ensure military preparedness for emerging environmental challenges.

Defence already provides a range of opportunities for young people to experience military service. In response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025, Defence introduced the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme (“Gap Year”) to provide a new route into Service, through a shorter commitment that may appeal to more of society. This is an attractive voluntary employment scheme aimed at young people aged 18 to 25, including those who may never previously have considered a career in the Armed Forces, as well as those who are interested but unsure about committing to a longer period of service. Participants undertake a shorter period of paid military training and service, that promotes teamwork and problem solving, while gaining experience and insight into Service life. On completion, they may choose to continue into Regular or Reserve service through a streamlined transition route, or they may leave to pursue a civilian career with skills that set them up for life.

Alongside this, the Armed Forces undertake extensive engagement with schools, colleges, universities and community organisations across the United Kingdom. This includes careers engagement, leadership and skills development activities, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) outreach programmes. Through this combination of military experience, engagement, education, skills development and voluntary service opportunities, Defence is already helping more young people understand the role of the Armed Forces, experience Service life, develop valuable skills, and explore opportunities to contribute to national security and public service.

This Government has no current plans for compulsory military service. Since 1963, it has been the policy of successive Governments that the best way of providing for the defence of our country is by maintaining professional Armed Forces which are manned by volunteers.

The UK Government is steadfast in its support for the Falkland Islanders’ right of self-determination.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to maintaining a defensive military presence in the South Atlantic to ensure the protection of the Falkland Islands. Our defences in the South Atlantic are robust, consisting of air, land, and maritime forces with a strong permanent presence on the Falkland Islands. I am confident that our military presence is at the appropriate level for the defence of the Islands, and we keep this under constant review.

The Government is focused upon improving Armed Forces recruitment, modernising and refining our policies and processes to attract the best possible talent across all roles and missions within the Armed Forces. Defence is already delivering a range of new and more flexible routes into service designed to widen participation, attract specialist talent and improve access to military careers.

The 2026-27 Single Service recruitment targets for Regular and Reserve (Officer and Other ranks) are detailed below:

The Naval Service (inclusive of the Royal Marines and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary) total Recruitment Targets for all streams for Recruiting Year 2026-27, ending 31 March 2027 is 4,630 (rounded).

The total Army Recruitment Targets for Recruiting Year 2026-27, for all streams is 14,410 (rounded).

The total Royal Air Force Recruitment Targets for all streams for Recruiting Year 2026-27 is 4,730 (rounded).

The British Armed Forces defines fighting power through three core, mutually supporting components detailed in doctrine (JDP 0-01): the conceptual, the moral, and the physical. Pastoral care, practical and financial support form part of the moral component and is therefore, central to our operational planning.