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Armed Forces

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 20 October 2025UIN 79334

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, by when he plans to enable the annual publication of percentage availability of in-service programmes.

Answered by Luke Pollard

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set out the need for external scrutiny of UK warfighting readiness through annual reporting of key data, as one of a number of possible measures in a wider Defence Readiness Bill. Given its potentially broad scope, a Defence Readiness Bill may be a legislative vehicle for wider Government, not just Defence. We are therefore working closely across Government through the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence programme to shape key requirements, and understand and identify the measures needed. This preliminary work will allow us introduce legislation when parliamentary time allows.

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