Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28^th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

• Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
• Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
• Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
• Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28^th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

• Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
• Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
• Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
• Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28^th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

• Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
• Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
• Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
• Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28^th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

• Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
• Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
• Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
• Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28^th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

• Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
• Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
• Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
• Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28^th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

• Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
• Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
• Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
• Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28^th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

• Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
• Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
• Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
• Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

Funding for the concept phase of Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) has been approved by HM Treasury. I can confirm that the platform will be procured through the new Integrated Procurement Model (IPM), which I recently announced. As such, the next step in the programme will be for me to receive and review the Independent Advice Note (IAN) on MRSS which will inform the concept and design phases of the programme. As I said in my Oral Statement of 28^th February, announcing the IPM, the aim of this note is “to provide a credible second opinion for Ministers to weigh alongside the military’s proposed requirement” (Hansard ref).

The IAN will provide advice on key policy choices, to ensure we set the programme up for success from the off. In particular, this is to core policy issues are transparently considered at the earliest stage, and then locked down as far as possible, so that the remaining procurement stages can proceed at pace, and in a context of underlying policy certainty. Policy areas to be informed by the IAN will include:

• Industrial options, to be supplemented by in-depth engagement with industry;
• Exportability, enabling any related campaigns to commence at the earliest opportunity, and providing transparency over any potential mismatch between domestic and international market requirements;
• Full cost transparency, including the likely cost of associated and dependent enablers; and
• Technological considerations, informed by wargaming and other evidence.

Advice would draw on expertise from across the Defence Enterprise, including, but not restricted to: DSTL; DE&S; DSE/DBT.

The total programme budget will be allocated on completion of the concept phase. It is too early in that process to have committed expenditure or actual spend.

MRSS will enter service in the early 2030s, providing highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations. They will be lean-crewed, with the precise crew requirement being confirmed during the concept phase.

As announced by the Secretary of State, it is intended that the Multi Role Support Ships will be built in the UK.

This information is not held in the format requested.

The UK is working with a range of partners to end hostilities, allow safe, unhindered humanitarian access and ensure the protection of civilians. Foreign Office Ministers are in regular contact with international partners on Sudan. The Deputy Foreign Secretary discussed Sudan with USAID Administrator Samantha Power on 29 January 2024. Lord Benyon spoke to US and French colleagues at the Paris Humanitarian Conference on 15 April 2024. The UK Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa and Red Sea also regularly engages with her American and French counterparts.

Five entities connected to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been sanctioned under the UK Sudan sanctions regime. We do not speculate on future designations as it would reduce their impact. However, our sanctions policy is continually under review.

There are three information security courses which are mandatory for civil servants in Defence (Protecting Personal Data, Information & Knowledge Awareness and Records Management Awareness). These courses replaced the Defence Information Management Passport (DIMP) which had a three-year expiry timeframe and retired fully in early 2023. Staff who are still covered by the DIMP do not need to complete the three new security courses until their DIMP expires.

Data shows that approximately 43% of the Defence Business Services workforce have completed all of the necessary security information courses, or are still covered by the DIMP. A Civilian Mandatory Learning Review is underway to tackle a range of issues, including compliance, to ensure a higher proportion of the workforce complete their mandatory learning in future.

In their most recent assessment, dated 18 April 2024, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) recorded 16,650 reported fatalities in Sudan. However, the reported number of people killed in Sudan is a conservative estimate due to the extremely limited access environment and ongoing internet and telecommunication disruptions. We continue to call on both warring parties to de-escalate immediately and abide by their responsibilities under International Humanitarian Law to protect civilians.

The UK uses its position as penholder on Sudan at the UN Security Council to urge the warring parties to secure a ceasefire, allow unhindered humanitarian access, protect civilians and commit to a meaningful peace process. Most recently, the UK has used its position to condemn the escalating violence in El Fasher. The UN Security Council agreed a UK-led press statement on 27 April, calling for de-escalation, and we also called for the Security Council to convene on the deteriorating situation, which it did on 29 April. We will continue to use every available opportunity at the UN to ensure that a spotlight remains on Sudan and to urge the warring parties to end the needless suffering of the Sudanese people.

I responded to the right hon. Member on 24 May 2024.

Data on the number of Notices to Quit (NTQs) issued to Service personnel and their families in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties in the UK is available from April 2022; the implementation date of the current service contract:

A monthly breakdown of issued NTQs since January 2023 is provided below:

The Civilian Sublet Tenancy Scheme began in 2016 and no NTQs were issued until 2019. An annual breakdown of the number of NTQs that have been issued to Civilian Sublet tenants living in SFA properties in the UK is provided in the table below:

A monthly breakdown of issued NTQs since January 2023 is provided below:

I responded to the right hon. Member on 24 May 2024.

Data on the number of Notices to Quit (NTQs) issued to Service personnel and their families in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties in the UK is available from April 2022; the implementation date of the current service contract:

A monthly breakdown of issued NTQs since January 2023 is provided below:

The Civilian Sublet Tenancy Scheme began in 2016 and no NTQs were issued until 2019. An annual breakdown of the number of NTQs that have been issued to Civilian Sublet tenants living in SFA properties in the UK is provided in the table below:

A monthly breakdown of issued NTQs since January 2023 is provided below:

Yes, Defence supports the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to de-escalate the civil war in Sudan. Defence continually monitors the situation in Sudan and conducts high-level international engagement with regional partners in support of FCDO-led engagement on peace initiatives.