hazylavender/CongressionalDataset · Datasets at Hugging Face

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https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Gareth Snell	It is welcome news that MOD is committed to the establishment of a defence exports office. Will the Minister set out what this will mean at home for jobs in constituencies such as mine in Stoke-on-Trent Central, where our proud manufacturing companies stand ready to support UK defence and security?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Maria Eagle	It will mean a coherent specialist approach to Government-to-Government agreements on sales of our capabilities being based in the MOD, which has expertise in those capabilities. This is going to mean extra jobs and growth, and that jobs can continue in the UK beyond the delivery of our own domestic orders because there will be export orders to fulfil. That should reap a defence dividend across the nations and regions of the UK as our manufacturing jobs continue to deliver for defence.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Lincoln Jopp	Ametek, a defence manufacturer in my constituency, has reported to me that the process of getting a defence export licence has almost ground to a halt in the past 12 months. Could the Ministry of Defence send someone sufficiently threatening round to the Department for Business and Trade--perhaps the Veterans Minister--to persuade it to get a grip of its processes and speed everything up?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Maria Eagle	I am sure that we can make representations to that Department to ensure that there is no unnecessary delay in applications for export being granted, where that is appropriate.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Jas Athwal	What recent discussions he has had with allies on military support for Ukraine	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	At last week's NATO summit, I met Defence Ministers, including Ukrainian Defence Minister Umerov, about surging support into Ukraine, with the UK also announcing last week that hundreds more advanced short range air-to-air missiles--ASRAAM--would be delivered to Ukraine, starting in the next few weeks. Last Monday, I joined the Prime Minister in hosting President Zelensky in No. 10, where we discussed the ongoing detailed planning for the coalition of the willing, and I am proud to say that, three and a half years into Putin's illegal invasion, this House and this country remain united for Ukraine.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Jas Athwal	Yesterday, alarming reports indicated that Russia had launched its largest air attack on Ukraine since the war began, killing at least six people and injuring many more. Clearly, regardless of his claims, Putin is not ready for peace. Given Russia's continued aggression, what steps are the Government taking alongside NATO allies to increase pressure on Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	My hon. Friend is right. Last night's attack is a reminder of just how fierce the Russian onslaught on Ukraine is, but it is also a reminder that Putin has failed in his strategic ambitions. Three and a half years into this campaign, he has passed the gruesome milestone of 1 million Russian casualties on the battlefield, and he is failing to take the territory that he thought would fall to him. I am proud that the UK has stepped up with leadership on Ukraine--with the coalition of the willing alongside the French and by chairing the Ukraine defence contact group alongside the Germans--and that we will spend more than PS4.5 billion this year on UK military aid to Ukraine, which is the highest ever level.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Lindsay Hoyle	I call the shadow Secretary of State.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	James Cartlidge	I associate myself with the Secretary of State's comments on those terrible attacks. It should be a source of pride that some of the best drone and counter-drone tech that we have supplied to Ukraine has been made by British SMEs. The problem is that Labour's procurement freeze means that almost none of it has been bought in parallel for our own armed forces. In this week of Labour U-turns, will the Secretary of State consider another one: namely, scrapping the Government's crazy PS30 billion Chagos deal and instead spending the money on rapidly supplying drones for the British Army, so that it can train for war as it is being fought today in Ukraine?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	That was a bit of a "bucket" question. On drones, we are increasing tenfold the number of British drones that we will supply to Ukraine this year. We are also stepping up the lessons we are learning from working with Ukraine on the development of its technology--battlefield-hardened and combat-ready--so that we can supply our own forces with increasing numbers of drones as part of the strategic defence review's vision for the way that we transform our forces in the years ahead.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	David Davis	What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the adequacy of legal protections for veterans who served in Operation Banner.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	The veterans who served under Op Banner served to protect civilian lives and secure the peace in Northern Ireland. I share the right hon. Gentleman's deep concern that many may now be caught up in investigations or litigation, and I am determined that we protect them further. I am working closely with the Northern Ireland Secretary, as are our officials, to ensure that we discharge our duty to the veterans as part of the necessary plans to repeal and replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	David Davis	During Operation Banner, every single time a paramilitary was killed by a British soldier, it was subject to judicial investigation. The Director of Public Prosecutions went through the evidence at the time, interviewed people, looked at the planning documents and was able to talk to people contemporaneously while they could still remember it. It was not a rubber stamp; it was rigorous, as was proven by the fact that, where necessary, it led to prosecution. What is happening now is double jeopardy. Worse still, it is double jeopardy under new rules but with no new evidence. Indeed, there is a risk of lost evidence and lost memory, given the passage of time. I have heard what the Secretary of State has said, but will he commit to ensuring that soldiers who were subject to reviews at the time will not be subject to further risk of prosecution under the Government's replacement for the legacy Act?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	Any incoming Government would have to repeal the legacy Act. It is unlawful legislation--it has been rejected by domestic courts, and rejected by communities across Northern Ireland, and it is simply wrong for anyone to suggest otherwise. We owe it to those affected by the troubles, whom the right hon. Gentleman speaks about, including our armed forces communities and veterans, to be honest about the unworkability of that legacy Act and to get this legislation right. That is exactly what the Northern Ireland Secretary and I are working together to ensure we can do, taking full account of all the interested parties, in particular those veterans and armed forces communities that the right hon. Gentleman speaks about.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Lindsay Hoyle	I call the shadow Minister.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Mark Francois	According to the 2021 census, there are more than 2 million veterans living in Great Britain. Clearly, some of them have been busy lately: their parliamentary petition entitled "Protect Northern Ireland Veterans from Prosecutions", with support from the Daily Mail, the Express and others, now has more than 160,000 signatures and will be debated in Parliament on 14 July. Which Minister will respond to that debate, so that we can ask them why the Government's current remedial order is drafted to help the likes of Gerry Adams sue the British taxpayer while throwing our veterans to the wolves?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	We welcome the petition, and we certainly welcome the parliamentary debate--it is quite proper that Parliament debates these issues. The right hon. Gentleman's legacy Act offered false and undeliverable promises to the veterans of Northern Ireland. The last Government were warned that it would be unlawful and incompatible with the Windsor framework. Even the chief commissioner of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery said that the Act has obvious problems, and that elements of it were dead in the water from the beginning. We are now fixing that flawed and failed legislation, and we will do so in a way that honours our duty towards those veterans.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Mark Francois	The Government could have appealed to the Supreme Court on this but deliberately did not. I do not doubt the Secretary of State's personal sincerity. However, at Prime Minister's questions on 15 January, the Prime Minister promised veterans: "We are working on a draft remedial order and replacement legislation, and we will look at every conceivable way to prevent these types of cases from claiming damages--it is important that I say that on the record."--[Official Report, 15 January 2025; Vol. 324.] Why then, despite the PM's solemn promise, is the order still unchanged? Surely he is not expecting to order his own MPs, many of whom represent red wall seats from which those veterans were originally recruited, through the Aye Lobby just to do Gerry Adams a favour? He is not going to do that, is he?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	The Prime Minister was right then and he is right now. I am working with the Northern Ireland Secretary to repeal and replace the legacy Act. We will honour the Prime Minister's undertaking to this House and do right by the duty that this nation holds to those veterans who served for more than 38 years during the troubles in Northern Ireland.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Cooper	What steps he is taking to maintain the capability of the Red Arrows.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Maria Eagle	The strategic defence review recommended that the Hawk T1 and T2 be replaced with a cost-effective advanced jet trainer. The future platform of the Royal Air Force aerobatic team is being considered at the same time, and a Royal Air Force programme team is being established to deliver that capability.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Cooper	The TSR-2 aircraft was a world beater. Unfortunately, the only thing that it could not beat in a dog fight was a Labour Government, who knew the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Will the Minister assure me that we have learned the lessons of TSR-2, and that we will look at the replacement for the Hawk in the light of pressing a British-designed and manufactured aircraft that can sell Britain abroad?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Maria Eagle	The Conservative party set 2030 as the Hawk T1's out-of-service date in its 2015 strategic defence and security review, and it then did precisely nothing to achieve a replacement in the nine years that followed, so I am disinclined to take lessons from the hon. Gentleman's party on how to replace the Hawk. I assure him that the competition will welcome any bids from UK-based suppliers.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Graeme Downie	What steps he is taking to ensure an "always on" approach to the shipbuilding supply line.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Maria Eagle	As outlined in the strategic defence review and in the UK's modern industrial strategy, the Government are committed to supporting an "always on" shipbuilding industry by leveraging our buying power through public procurement and seeking to export our capabilities to friendly nations.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Graeme Downie	As the Minister says, the SDR spoke of the need for an "always on" supply of shipbuilding, with the Royal Navy continuing to move towards a more powerful but cheaper and simpler fleet. The Minister has visited my constituency and seen the construction of the Type 31 frigates by Babcock at Rosyth, with the first ship, HMS Venturer, recently floated off. Other ships of the initial five ordered by the Royal Navy are progressing well. When can we expect to see announcements to guarantee the continued always-on supply of shipbuilding, and will she give an update on the need for more Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy to reflect the flexibility of that platform, as well as the lower cost and faster production achieved by the incredible workforce at Rosyth in my constituency?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Maria Eagle	I recognise the benefit that the construction of Type 31 frigates has brought to Rosyth, and I have personally engaged with international partners to try to secure future orders. In addition to any orders that we ourselves may have, exporting that type of capability to our allies and friends is a sensible way of ensuring that we can keep production going at Rosyth.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Cameron Thomas	If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of holding cross-party talks on increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	At last week's NATO summit all 32 nations signed up to a new defence investment pledge of 5% of GDP by 2035, including, for the first time, spending on national security, national resilience and homeland security. That builds on this Government's PS5 billion boost to defence this year, the funded and costed plan to hit 2.5% of GDP in two years' time, and our ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Cameron Thomas	There is a great deal of experience across these Benches, and most of us recognise the imminence of the need to hit 3%. My expertise is in force protection, and I know, among other things, that Brize Norton cannot draw support from the Military Provost Guard Service under the land top level budget, such as at nearby Dalton barracks and South Cerney. That is more acute still at RAF Lossiemouth. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the command structure of the MPGS and bring our experience to the table to find that 3% of GDP imminently?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	My hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces will be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman --he would be a much better person to meet than me on this matter.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Lindsay Hoyle	I call the Chair of the Defence Committee.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Tan Dhesi	UK defence companies need certainty from the Government in order to invest and plan with confidence. I welcome the Prime Minister's recent efforts at the G7 and NATO summits, and his commitment to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035, including 1.5% on defence and security-related investment. Can the Secretary of State clarify how exactly that 1.5% will be measured? Will it involve new projects and investments, or will it merely be a reclassification of existing projects? Crucially, how can industry, public bodies and other stakeholders contribute so that they can help to achieve that goal?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	My hon. Friend asks characteristically searching questions, so let me send him the NATO criteria that were published alongside the pledge last week, and let him and his Committee, when they interrogate me on Wednesday afternoon, pursue any further questions that they might have.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	James Cleverly	There are Members on the Government Front Bench who know a thing or two about leadership--I can say that with confidence, because the Prime Minister is not in that place. The Government have a commanding majority and do not need the support of Members from any other Benches to hit 3% of GDP, and further, if only the leadership of the Labour party could get its own Members of Parliament through the Division Lobby. Given that the Prime Minister shows no ability to do that with the changes to welfare, how will he ensure that 3% is spent on defence in a timely manner?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	The Conservatives "hollowed out and underfunded" defence for 14 years--those are not my words, but those of the right hon. Gentleman's former Cabinet colleague, Ben Wallace. This year there has been a PS5 billion boost in defence spending, but in his Government's first year, in 2010, there was a PS2 billion cut in defence. Just as we boosted defence spending this year, we will increase it to 2.5% by 2027, which is three years earlier than the right hon. Gentleman argued for. We have shown exactly how we will fund that. We have taken the decision--which he did not take--to switch funding from overseas development aid into defence, and just as we have shown where the money is coming from in this Parliament, in the next Parliament we will do the same.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Alex Baker	I, too, welcome the commitment to get to 5% of GDP on defence spending by 2035. It is imperative that the increase in defence spending means that funding is getting to those on the cutting edge of defence innovation. Cody technology park in Farnborough is already home to world-class defence innovation, with a wide range of small and medium-sized enterprises working there, alongside QinetiQ, and it is where DragonFire has just been developed. What role does the Minister see for existing places such as Cody, in delivering our defence industrial strategy? Will she meet me to discuss whether Cody could be the home for the new defence SME hub?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	I see a huge role. I hope that my hon. Friend took the commitment that the Chancellor and I made, alongside the spring statement, to set a new target for direct defence investment in SMEs, as a sign of that commitment. While I am in the business of committing my ministerial colleagues to meetings, I know that my right hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry would be only too happy to meet her and to draw on her expertise as part of the development of our defence industrial strategy.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Lindsay Hoyle	I call the shadow Minister.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	David Reed	On defence spending, is not the truth that Labour's promise to reach 3% of GDP, let alone 3.5% or 5%, is just smoke and mirrors, because there is no actual plan to pay for it? How can the Government claim that they will properly invest in our defence and keep the country safe when they cannot even deliver the limited savings they have promised on welfare? So I ask the Secretary of State: where is the money coming from?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	I welcome the hon. Gentleman to the Dispatch Box and to the Conservative Front Bench team, alongside his two very distinguished colleagues, the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Francois) and the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge). I gently say to him that, since the election, his colleague the shadow Defence Secretary argued 13 times for 2.5% by 2030. He only changed his tune after February, when the Prime Minister showed how it was going to be funded and said that we would do it three years earlier, in 2027. We have shown how we will raise the extra funding for this record increase in investment in defence since the end of the cold war. We have shown exactly how it is costed and exactly how it will be funded in this Parliament, and in the next Parliament we will do the same.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Lindsay Hoyle	I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Helen Maguire	The Government's commitment to reach 5% on GDP on defence spending is the right decision. As we face the once-in-a-generation threat from Russia, it is vital that we regenerate our armed forces after years of decline under the Conservatives. However, we need more urgency. The International Institute for Strategic Studies warns that if there is a ceasefire in Ukraine, Russia could "pose a significant military challenge to NATO allies...as early as 2027." In order to strengthen our defence, we need to give people better incentives to join the armed forces. Will the Minister consider accelerating recruitment by backing the Liberal Democrat proposal for a PS10,000 signing bonus to attract new recruits?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	We are accelerating recruitment. We are dealing with the deep-seated and long-running failure in recruitment, because the previous Government, over 14 years, set and then failed to meet their own recruitment targets. We are dealing with the recruitment and retention crisis in the armed forces. I am proud to say that last year we gave the armed forces the biggest pay rise for over 20 years; that this year there will be another inflation-busting pay rise; and that we are starting to provide better pay, better kit, better housing and better support for forces families--the sorts of things that will keep those valuable and valued members of the armed forces serving our country and protecting us all.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Greg Smith	What estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos archipelago, including Diego Garcia.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	As the Defence Secretary has said, the cost of the agreement represents less than 0.2% of the annual MOD budget. This has secured unrestricted access to and use of the base on Diego Garcia, control over movement of all persons and good on the base, and control of all communications and electronic systems. It is a good deal.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Greg Smith	I do not know that I agree with the Minister that this is a good deal, although I am curious about the PS30 billion. Does it count towards the new NATO target of 3.5%, or the additional 1.5% on top of that? As we have to inform the Mauritian Government before we do anything particularly useful from that base, should that cost actually be counted in the defence numbers at all?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	Let me squash the hon. Gentleman's last comment, which is wrong: we do not have to inform Mauritius before taking any military action. Under the treaty, we have to provide notification after the event. I have explained this 13 times in written answers to Members on the Conservative Front Bench, but I am afraid that they still do not get it. That underlines why they could not do a deal after 11 rounds of negotiation, whereas this Government did it after two rounds, securing the future of that vital base for UK and US operations.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Akehurst	Is it not the case that our closest allies--the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and even India--have all welcomed this deal, precisely because they recognise the irreplaceable role of Diego Garcia in global security? What does the Minister think is going on with the Opposition, who think they know more about global security than the security services, the White House and the Pentagon?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	This is important, because the future of Diego Garcia is absolutely vital. Having accepted the principle that sovereignty could be secured only by a negotiated settlement--that was the decision taken by the last Government--it is right that we secured a deal, and right that we protect the base for operations for more than 100 years. The deal is good value for the UK taxpayer, because it secures the most valuable piece of military real estate on the planet, and keeps it under UK control for the next century and beyond.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Sarah Hall	What steps he is taking to increase security at military bases in the UK	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	Following the disgraceful criminal vandalism that we saw at RAF Brize Norton, we immediately implemented a series of enhanced security measures at that air base and at other defence sites to ensure the safety of personnel, assets and operations. The strategic defence review highlighted Brize Norton as being in need of investment after the hollowing out of our armed forces over the previous 14 years. We have directed that a wider review be carried out at pace, to assess and ensure protective security at all defence sites. Phase 1 of that review was completed this weekend, and I will make further, wider announcements in due course.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Sarah Hall	To what extent is the Ministry of Defence working with other Government agencies to ensure a joined-up response to emerging threats to military equipment and infrastructure?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	Counter-terrorism police are still investigating the incident at RAF Brize Norton, and it is right that we allow them the space to complete that investigation. The wider review looks at security at not just RAF Brize Norton, but all defence sites. We are looking with colleagues across Government at what investment is needed, and at how we can work with others to secure the safety of sites to ensure that the UK maintains operational security for all its assets.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Julian Lewis	Almost by definition, RAF sites have to have very long perimeter fences, so it is understandable that they could be overcome at one point or another. Why were they apparently not fitted with sensors, at least, so that any intrusion would have sounded the alarm?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	I do not want to pre-empt the findings of all the reviews, but the right hon. Gentleman is right that our air bases tend to cover a large area. The perimeter fences we inherited on many of our air bases were not designed to keep everyone out with large things, but to be a perimeter defence. In the ongoing security work, we are looking at how technological solutions and changes in guarding might contribute to enhanced security, given the increased threat that we face.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Markus Campbell-Savours	What assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations on the use of autonomous weapons systems	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	The strategic defence review sets out that the UK will harness new technology through dynamic networks of crewed, uncrewed and autonomous systems. We will always comply with the relevant regulatory framework and international humanitarian law. I can tell my hon. Friend that IHL compliance is absolutely essential as we look to use more artificial intelligence enabled weapons systems in the future.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Markus Campbell-Savours	The strategic defence review rightly emphasises the importance of autonomous weapons systems in augmenting the UK's defence capabilities, but it also notes: "The UK's competitors are unlikely to adhere to common ethical standards in developing and using" those technologies. What specific measures are the Government taking to help prevent and mitigate the potential harms of autonomous capabilities, both in the UK and abroad?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	My hon. Friend is absolutely right: we maintain responsible AI systems in the face of adversaries perhaps using AI in malign ways. The UK will adhere to our legal obligations and the values of the society that we serve. Through the UN and other processes, we are actively engaging in international dialogue on responsible AI, lethal autonomy and related strategic challenges, but all our activities will be in compliance with international humanitarian law.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Al Pinkerton	If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	Last week, 32 NATO nations came together at the summit in The Hague, united in collective deterrence and in our collective defence of the Euro-Atlantic area. I can report to the House that NATO is now bigger, stronger and more lethal than before. We signed a new defence investment pledge of 5% of GDP by 2035, with new capability commitments from each nation. It was a good day for NATO, a good day for British jobs, and a bad day for Putin. Everyone at the summit agreed that Iran should never have nuclear weapons. We all want the ceasefire between Israel and Iran to hold, and we will work to support it. Finally, we also discussed it creating a new opportunity for a ceasefire in Gaza, which would be a vital step on the path to peace.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Al Pinkerton	I am grateful to the Secretary of State for his response. Now that the Prime Minister has made a cast-iron commitment to meet NATO's 5% defence spending target, will the Secretary of State make a similarly welcome commitment to cross-party talks to establish a credible and durable path towards meeting that goal ahead of NATO's 2029 capability review?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	I welcome the Liberal Democrats' support for the commitment we have made at NATO; the Leader of the Opposition was unable to offer that support at Prime Minister's questions last week. If the hon. Gentleman has ideas about how we should fund that commitment in the next Parliament, I would be perfectly happy to hear them.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Mark Ferguson	Nothing matters more than home, so I welcome the huge progress that has been made on forces housing over the past 12 months, especially for forces families. Does the Minister agree that the Opposition's half-baked reprivatisation plan would be a huge threat to those in the armed forces and their families?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Alistair Carns	That is a really valid point. The trouble is that the plan risks the deal we had with Annington. It would outsource all the housing, and take control away from the Government, the Ministry of Defence and the military families who would be living in that housing. Our housing strategy will come in after the summer, and it will be well thought through and delivered.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Lindsay Hoyle	I call the shadow Secretary of State.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	James Cartlidge	Does the Secretary of State support the action taken by the United States to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	As I said in my response to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Dr Pinkerton), we are absolutely determined that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon. We have been working with allies, on a diplomatic path. Now that a ceasefire is in place, the mind of all NATO leaders, including President Trump, was on putting our weight behind that diplomatic path. That is the way towards ensuring a sustainable and verifiable end to any nuclear programme.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	James Cartlidge	It is extraordinary that a British Secretary of State for Defence is unable to give his explicit support to the military action of our closest ally, the United States. Is the real reason why Labour cannot back US military action against Iran not the same as the reason why it will not U-turn on Chagos or on Northern Ireland veterans--that when it comes to choosing between legal theory and the national interest, this Prime Minister is a lawyer, not a leader?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	Absolute rubbish! The UK and the US are the very closest of defence, intelligence and national security partners. The US was strongly behind the deal we have done on Diego Garcia, because it knows that that deal secures the operational sovereignty there of the UK and the US for the next 100 years and beyond.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Michelle Welsh	ITP Aero supports over 700 jobs in Hucknall in my constituency. I recently went to visit the site with representatives from Unite to meet those highly skilled workers, who are essential not only in supporting our defence sector, but for protecting our national security. What are this Government doing to ensure that work done under future contracts is completed in the UK, by UK workers?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Maria Eagle	I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the vital role of ITP Aero on some of our most important defence platforms, not least Typhoon and the A400M. The strategic defence review makes it clear that we will back British-based businesses where possible, and ITP Aero is already helping to show that defence is an engine for growth in her community.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Shockat Adam	In response to my written parliamentary question, the Minister for the Armed Forces said that the Ministry of Defence assesses support to foreign forces on "a case-by-case basis. UK training courses promote British values, including human rights...and...international humanitarian law." How does that response square with our continued support of Israel's war crimes in Gaza? Will dual nationals serving in the Israel Defence Forces be held accountable?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	All actions of the UK Government are in compliance with international humanitarian law. We want to see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. We have fewer than five personnel from Israel on non-combat academic courses currently, but we keep all our training under review.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Tristan Osborne	Ministers will be aware of the recent launch of XV Excalibur in the south of England. It is an autonomous submarine vehicle that is the future of naval capability. What other investments are being made, under the strategic defence review, in autonomous vehicles, unmanned submarine technologies, and glider technologies?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	I thank my hon. Friend for raising that. Excalibur will be an incredible autonomous asset. The strategic defence review sets out that crewed, uncrewed and autonomous systems will be standard across our armed forces, and at the heart of the review is investment in the people who will be manufacturing and standing behind those systems. That is why, when the defence investment plan comes out later this year, there will be more opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, primes and businesses right across the country to invest in our uncrewed and autonomous future in a hybrid military.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Rebecca Smith	Last week, I asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury what happened to the PS4 billion earmarked for autonomous systems, including in Plymouth. That line was in the Chancellor's spending review speech, but not delivered on the day. The Chief Secretary did not know. Can the Secretary of State confirm that this funding exists, and will he accept an invitation to Turnchapel Wharf, where exciting marine autonomy is being developed?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	I can confirm that the PS4 billion is funded. I can confirm that the investment in autonomous and drone technology in this Parliament is double what was planned before the election. I can confirm that we will spend and invest that money it in this Parliament. I always like coming to Plymouth; my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces drags me down there frequently.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Christopher Bloore	Last week's historic NATO summit concluded with members laying the foundation for a stronger united NATO. With the changing nature of the threats we face, does the Secretary of State agree that working even more closely with our NATO allies is crucial to keeping the UK secure at home and stronger abroad?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	I do indeed. NATO is bigger, stronger and more lethal than ever before. It is our guarantee that we will never fight alone. That is why the leading contribution that Britain makes to NATO deterrence and defence is a big part of keeping us safe for the future.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Chris Coghlan	Do the Government know if the US Government are still providing technical military intelligence support, such as electronic or imagery intelligence for Ukraine? If that were cut off by President Trump, would the Americans effectively restrict our British military technical intelligence support to Ukraine?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	The hon. Member will understand that we cannot talk about sharing military intelligence on the Floor of the House, but as he and I have an interest in this, I would be happy to have a conversation with him.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Gareth Snell	North Staffordshire Tri Service and Veterans Support Centre does a wonderful job supporting veterans across Stoke-on-Trent, but all too often, it finds that the military covenant is not working for them. In Stoke-on-Trent in particular, it seems to be failing. What action are this Government taking to ensure that the covenant is worth the paper it is printed on in cities like mine?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Alistair Carns	I highlight that the Prime Minister has made an announcement about broadening responsibility for the covenant, and the duty of care that it will deliver, from three Government Departments to 14. It will now be for other Departments to ensure that the duty is adhered to across all local councils.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Ben Goldsborough	Some 3,537 of my constituents in South Norfolk are veterans. Being a veteran in a rural community is very different from being one in an urban community. What action are the Government taking to ensure that my veterans have the support they need?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Alistair Carns	As I have mentioned several times today, the Valour programme will accommodate that. It will not be a service that is a blueprint for everyone, but we will take the geographical differences into account and ensure that it is fit for purpose so that our veterans are given the deal that they deserve.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Graham Leadbitter	The strategic defence review, published this month, clearly states: "The foundation of the UK's approach to deterrence remains a minimum, credible, independent UK nuclear deterrent, assigned to the defence of NATO... The UK's nuclear weapons are operationally independent." Somehow, in the last 29 days, the UK Government have decided that they no longer see their Trident nuclear missiles as a minimum credible deterrent. Why was that major change in policy not announced in the SDR?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	The Government have made it very clear that our support for our independent nuclear deterrent is solid and is not changing. We are investing in new submarines, we are investing in the base in Faslane, we are investing in new nuclear reactors in Derby, and we are backing the people who keep our country safe with that guarantor of our security, the nuclear deterrent.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Ben Obese-Jecty	Since 14 June, an F-35B from the Prince of Wales carrier strike group has been stranded on the runway at the Thiruvananthapuram civilian airport in India. What steps are the Government taking to recover the plane, how much longer will that take, and how will the Government ensure the security of protected technologies on the jet while it is in the hangar and out of view?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	We continue to work with our Indian friends who provided first-class support when the F-35B was unable to return to the Prince of Wales when on a flight mission, and I am certain that the security of the jet is in good hands because Royal Air Force crew are with it at all times.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Joe Morris	Given that as many as 35,000 Ukrainian children are still missing and are probably being held in occupied territory or in Russia, will the Minister assure us that the Government are not only taking action to help injured soldiers in Ukraine back on to the frontline, but doing all that they can to support the reunion of Ukrainian children with their families?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	We are proud to be investing in Operation Renovator, our contribution to helping injured Ukrainian soldiers to recover and return to the fight to guarantee the safety of their nation, and we will continue to support that operation and our Ukrainian friends for as long as it takes.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Glen	Infantry regiments cite difficulty in recruiting in their traditional communities and recruitment grounds. Further to the exchange between the Secretary of State and the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire), may I ask what more can be done to encourage, specifically, young British men to join the Army?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Luke Pollard	Last year 165,000 young people tried to join the British Army. We hired 9,500 of them, but 84% left because the process was too long. We have a superb "attract feature", but we need to be better at converting, and we are making progress in that regard, although there is more to be done. I am happy to meet the right hon. Gentleman if he has any ideas that might support that.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Peter Prinsley	Sadly, we have all seen the devastation caused by modern missiles. Germany is preparing to receive the Arrow 3 missile defence system, ordered just two years ago, which can intercept intercontinental missiles at 2,500 km. What plans have the Government to equip this country similarly?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	One of the recommendations in the strategic defence review was that we develop an integrated air and missile defence system in this country. We must take our homeland security more seriously than we have in the past, and that is exactly what we will do.	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	Josh Babarinde	During our last session of Defence questions, I asked the Secretary of State to join me in wishing a happy forthcoming birthday to Eastbourne's last surviving war veteran, Eric Deach, who was shortly to turn 100. Unfortunately, tomorrow I shall be a pallbearer at his funeral; he did not make it. Will the Secretary of State, ahead of that funeral, join me in paying one final tribute to Eric for his service and everything he did to fight for our country?	GBR
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml	2025-06-30	John Healey	It needs no words; the hon. Gentleman has heard the response of the House. We pay tribute to Mr Deach, and offer our deepest sympathies to his family, his friends and his comrades, and our thoughts will be with the hon. Gentleman tomorrow as he bears that coffin into the crematorium or the church for Mr Deach's final journey.	GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Gareth Snell

It is welcome news that MOD is committed to the establishment of a defence exports office. Will the Minister set out what this will mean at home for jobs in constituencies such as mine in Stoke-on-Trent Central, where our proud manufacturing companies stand ready to support UK defence and security?

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Maria Eagle

It will mean a coherent specialist approach to Government-to-Government agreements on sales of our capabilities being based in the MOD, which has expertise in those capabilities. This is going to mean extra jobs and growth, and that jobs can continue in the UK beyond the delivery of our own domestic orders because there will be export orders to fulfil. That should reap a defence dividend across the nations and regions of the UK as our manufacturing jobs continue to deliver for defence.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Lincoln Jopp

Ametek, a defence manufacturer in my constituency, has reported to me that the process of getting a defence export licence has almost ground to a halt in the past 12 months. Could the Ministry of Defence send someone sufficiently threatening round to the Department for Business and Trade--perhaps the Veterans Minister--to persuade it to get a grip of its processes and speed everything up?

GBR

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2025-06-30

Maria Eagle

I am sure that we can make representations to that Department to ensure that there is no unnecessary delay in applications for export being granted, where that is appropriate.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Jas Athwal

What recent discussions he has had with allies on military support for Ukraine

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

John Healey

At last week's NATO summit, I met Defence Ministers, including Ukrainian Defence Minister Umerov, about surging support into Ukraine, with the UK also announcing last week that hundreds more advanced short range air-to-air missiles--ASRAAM--would be delivered to Ukraine, starting in the next few weeks. Last Monday, I joined the Prime Minister in hosting President Zelensky in No. 10, where we discussed the ongoing detailed planning for the coalition of the willing, and I am proud to say that, three and a half years into Putin's illegal invasion, this House and this country remain united for Ukraine.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Jas Athwal

Yesterday, alarming reports indicated that Russia had launched its largest air attack on Ukraine since the war began, killing at least six people and injuring many more. Clearly, regardless of his claims, Putin is not ready for peace. Given Russia's continued aggression, what steps are the Government taking alongside NATO allies to increase pressure on Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire?

GBR

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2025-06-30

John Healey

My hon. Friend is right. Last night's attack is a reminder of just how fierce the Russian onslaught on Ukraine is, but it is also a reminder that Putin has failed in his strategic ambitions. Three and a half years into this campaign, he has passed the gruesome milestone of 1 million Russian casualties on the battlefield, and he is failing to take the territory that he thought would fall to him. I am proud that the UK has stepped up with leadership on Ukraine--with the coalition of the willing alongside the French and by chairing the Ukraine defence contact group alongside the Germans--and that we will spend more than PS4.5 billion this year on UK military aid to Ukraine, which is the highest ever level.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Lindsay Hoyle

I call the shadow Secretary of State.

GBR

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2025-06-30

James Cartlidge

I associate myself with the Secretary of State's comments on those terrible attacks. It should be a source of pride that some of the best drone and counter-drone tech that we have supplied to Ukraine has been made by British SMEs. The problem is that Labour's procurement freeze means that almost none of it has been bought in parallel for our own armed forces. In this week of Labour U-turns, will the Secretary of State consider another one: namely, scrapping the Government's crazy PS30 billion Chagos deal and instead spending the money on rapidly supplying drones for the British Army, so that it can train for war as it is being fought today in Ukraine?

GBR

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2025-06-30

John Healey

That was a bit of a "bucket" question. On drones, we are increasing tenfold the number of British drones that we will supply to Ukraine this year. We are also stepping up the lessons we are learning from working with Ukraine on the development of its technology--battlefield-hardened and combat-ready--so that we can supply our own forces with increasing numbers of drones as part of the strategic defence review's vision for the way that we transform our forces in the years ahead.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

David Davis

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the adequacy of legal protections for veterans who served in Operation Banner.

GBR

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2025-06-30

John Healey

The veterans who served under Op Banner served to protect civilian lives and secure the peace in Northern Ireland. I share the right hon. Gentleman's deep concern that many may now be caught up in investigations or litigation, and I am determined that we protect them further. I am working closely with the Northern Ireland Secretary, as are our officials, to ensure that we discharge our duty to the veterans as part of the necessary plans to repeal and replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

David Davis

During Operation Banner, every single time a paramilitary was killed by a British soldier, it was subject to judicial investigation. The Director of Public Prosecutions went through the evidence at the time, interviewed people, looked at the planning documents and was able to talk to people contemporaneously while they could still remember it. It was not a rubber stamp; it was rigorous, as was proven by the fact that, where necessary, it led to prosecution. What is happening now is double jeopardy. Worse still, it is double jeopardy under new rules but with no new evidence. Indeed, there is a risk of lost evidence and lost memory, given the passage of time. I have heard what the Secretary of State has said, but will he commit to ensuring that soldiers who were subject to reviews at the time will not be subject to further risk of prosecution under the Government's replacement for the legacy Act?

GBR

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2025-06-30

John Healey

Any incoming Government would have to repeal the legacy Act. It is unlawful legislation--it has been rejected by domestic courts, and rejected by communities across Northern Ireland, and it is simply wrong for anyone to suggest otherwise. We owe it to those affected by the troubles, whom the right hon. Gentleman speaks about, including our armed forces communities and veterans, to be honest about the unworkability of that legacy Act and to get this legislation right. That is exactly what the Northern Ireland Secretary and I are working together to ensure we can do, taking full account of all the interested parties, in particular those veterans and armed forces communities that the right hon. Gentleman speaks about.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Lindsay Hoyle

I call the shadow Minister.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Mark Francois

According to the 2021 census, there are more than 2 million veterans living in Great Britain. Clearly, some of them have been busy lately: their parliamentary petition entitled "Protect Northern Ireland Veterans from Prosecutions", with support from the Daily Mail, the Express and others, now has more than 160,000 signatures and will be debated in Parliament on 14 July. Which Minister will respond to that debate, so that we can ask them why the Government's current remedial order is drafted to help the likes of Gerry Adams sue the British taxpayer while throwing our veterans to the wolves?

GBR

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2025-06-30

John Healey

We welcome the petition, and we certainly welcome the parliamentary debate--it is quite proper that Parliament debates these issues. The right hon. Gentleman's legacy Act offered false and undeliverable promises to the veterans of Northern Ireland. The last Government were warned that it would be unlawful and incompatible with the Windsor framework. Even the chief commissioner of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery said that the Act has obvious problems, and that elements of it were dead in the water from the beginning. We are now fixing that flawed and failed legislation, and we will do so in a way that honours our duty towards those veterans.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Mark Francois

The Government could have appealed to the Supreme Court on this but deliberately did not. I do not doubt the Secretary of State's personal sincerity. However, at Prime Minister's questions on 15 January, the Prime Minister promised veterans: "We are working on a draft remedial order and replacement legislation, and we will look at every conceivable way to prevent these types of cases from claiming damages--it is important that I say that on the record."--[Official Report, 15 January 2025; Vol. 324.] Why then, despite the PM's solemn promise, is the order still unchanged? Surely he is not expecting to order his own MPs, many of whom represent red wall seats from which those veterans were originally recruited, through the Aye Lobby just to do Gerry Adams a favour? He is not going to do that, is he?

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

John Healey

The Prime Minister was right then and he is right now. I am working with the Northern Ireland Secretary to repeal and replace the legacy Act. We will honour the Prime Minister's undertaking to this House and do right by the duty that this nation holds to those veterans who served for more than 38 years during the troubles in Northern Ireland.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

John Cooper

What steps he is taking to maintain the capability of the Red Arrows.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Maria Eagle

The strategic defence review recommended that the Hawk T1 and T2 be replaced with a cost-effective advanced jet trainer. The future platform of the Royal Air Force aerobatic team is being considered at the same time, and a Royal Air Force programme team is being established to deliver that capability.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

John Cooper

The TSR-2 aircraft was a world beater. Unfortunately, the only thing that it could not beat in a dog fight was a Labour Government, who knew the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Will the Minister assure me that we have learned the lessons of TSR-2, and that we will look at the replacement for the Hawk in the light of pressing a British-designed and manufactured aircraft that can sell Britain abroad?

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2025-06-30

Maria Eagle

The Conservative party set 2030 as the Hawk T1's out-of-service date in its 2015 strategic defence and security review, and it then did precisely nothing to achieve a replacement in the nine years that followed, so I am disinclined to take lessons from the hon. Gentleman's party on how to replace the Hawk. I assure him that the competition will welcome any bids from UK-based suppliers.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Graeme Downie

What steps he is taking to ensure an "always on" approach to the shipbuilding supply line.

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2025-06-30

Maria Eagle

As outlined in the strategic defence review and in the UK's modern industrial strategy, the Government are committed to supporting an "always on" shipbuilding industry by leveraging our buying power through public procurement and seeking to export our capabilities to friendly nations.

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2025-06-30

Graeme Downie

As the Minister says, the SDR spoke of the need for an "always on" supply of shipbuilding, with the Royal Navy continuing to move towards a more powerful but cheaper and simpler fleet. The Minister has visited my constituency and seen the construction of the Type 31 frigates by Babcock at Rosyth, with the first ship, HMS Venturer, recently floated off. Other ships of the initial five ordered by the Royal Navy are progressing well. When can we expect to see announcements to guarantee the continued always-on supply of shipbuilding, and will she give an update on the need for more Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy to reflect the flexibility of that platform, as well as the lower cost and faster production achieved by the incredible workforce at Rosyth in my constituency?

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2025-06-30

Maria Eagle

I recognise the benefit that the construction of Type 31 frigates has brought to Rosyth, and I have personally engaged with international partners to try to secure future orders. In addition to any orders that we ourselves may have, exporting that type of capability to our allies and friends is a sensible way of ensuring that we can keep production going at Rosyth.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Cameron Thomas

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of holding cross-party talks on increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030.

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2025-06-30

John Healey

At last week's NATO summit all 32 nations signed up to a new defence investment pledge of 5% of GDP by 2035, including, for the first time, spending on national security, national resilience and homeland security. That builds on this Government's PS5 billion boost to defence this year, the funded and costed plan to hit 2.5% of GDP in two years' time, and our ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament.

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2025-06-30

Cameron Thomas

There is a great deal of experience across these Benches, and most of us recognise the imminence of the need to hit 3%. My expertise is in force protection, and I know, among other things, that Brize Norton cannot draw support from the Military Provost Guard Service under the land top level budget, such as at nearby Dalton barracks and South Cerney. That is more acute still at RAF Lossiemouth. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the command structure of the MPGS and bring our experience to the table to find that 3% of GDP imminently?

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2025-06-30

John Healey

My hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces will be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman --he would be a much better person to meet than me on this matter.

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2025-06-30

Lindsay Hoyle

I call the Chair of the Defence Committee.

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2025-06-30

Tan Dhesi

UK defence companies need certainty from the Government in order to invest and plan with confidence. I welcome the Prime Minister's recent efforts at the G7 and NATO summits, and his commitment to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035, including 1.5% on defence and security-related investment. Can the Secretary of State clarify how exactly that 1.5% will be measured? Will it involve new projects and investments, or will it merely be a reclassification of existing projects? Crucially, how can industry, public bodies and other stakeholders contribute so that they can help to achieve that goal?

GBR

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2025-06-30

John Healey

My hon. Friend asks characteristically searching questions, so let me send him the NATO criteria that were published alongside the pledge last week, and let him and his Committee, when they interrogate me on Wednesday afternoon, pursue any further questions that they might have.

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2025-06-30

James Cleverly

There are Members on the Government Front Bench who know a thing or two about leadership--I can say that with confidence, because the Prime Minister is not in that place. The Government have a commanding majority and do not need the support of Members from any other Benches to hit 3% of GDP, and further, if only the leadership of the Labour party could get its own Members of Parliament through the Division Lobby. Given that the Prime Minister shows no ability to do that with the changes to welfare, how will he ensure that 3% is spent on defence in a timely manner?

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2025-06-30

John Healey

The Conservatives "hollowed out and underfunded" defence for 14 years--those are not my words, but those of the right hon. Gentleman's former Cabinet colleague, Ben Wallace. This year there has been a PS5 billion boost in defence spending, but in his Government's first year, in 2010, there was a PS2 billion cut in defence. Just as we boosted defence spending this year, we will increase it to 2.5% by 2027, which is three years earlier than the right hon. Gentleman argued for. We have shown exactly how we will fund that. We have taken the decision--which he did not take--to switch funding from overseas development aid into defence, and just as we have shown where the money is coming from in this Parliament, in the next Parliament we will do the same.

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2025-06-30

Alex Baker

I, too, welcome the commitment to get to 5% of GDP on defence spending by 2035. It is imperative that the increase in defence spending means that funding is getting to those on the cutting edge of defence innovation. Cody technology park in Farnborough is already home to world-class defence innovation, with a wide range of small and medium-sized enterprises working there, alongside QinetiQ, and it is where DragonFire has just been developed. What role does the Minister see for existing places such as Cody, in delivering our defence industrial strategy? Will she meet me to discuss whether Cody could be the home for the new defence SME hub?

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2025-06-30

John Healey

I see a huge role. I hope that my hon. Friend took the commitment that the Chancellor and I made, alongside the spring statement, to set a new target for direct defence investment in SMEs, as a sign of that commitment. While I am in the business of committing my ministerial colleagues to meetings, I know that my right hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry would be only too happy to meet her and to draw on her expertise as part of the development of our defence industrial strategy.

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2025-06-30

Lindsay Hoyle

I call the shadow Minister.

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2025-06-30

David Reed

On defence spending, is not the truth that Labour's promise to reach 3% of GDP, let alone 3.5% or 5%, is just smoke and mirrors, because there is no actual plan to pay for it? How can the Government claim that they will properly invest in our defence and keep the country safe when they cannot even deliver the limited savings they have promised on welfare? So I ask the Secretary of State: where is the money coming from?

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2025-06-30

John Healey

I welcome the hon. Gentleman to the Dispatch Box and to the Conservative Front Bench team, alongside his two very distinguished colleagues, the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Francois) and the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge). I gently say to him that, since the election, his colleague the shadow Defence Secretary argued 13 times for 2.5% by 2030. He only changed his tune after February, when the Prime Minister showed how it was going to be funded and said that we would do it three years earlier, in 2027. We have shown how we will raise the extra funding for this record increase in investment in defence since the end of the cold war. We have shown exactly how it is costed and exactly how it will be funded in this Parliament, and in the next Parliament we will do the same.

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2025-06-30

Lindsay Hoyle

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

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2025-06-30

Helen Maguire

The Government's commitment to reach 5% on GDP on defence spending is the right decision. As we face the once-in-a-generation threat from Russia, it is vital that we regenerate our armed forces after years of decline under the Conservatives. However, we need more urgency. The International Institute for Strategic Studies warns that if there is a ceasefire in Ukraine, Russia could "pose a significant military challenge to NATO allies...as early as 2027." In order to strengthen our defence, we need to give people better incentives to join the armed forces. Will the Minister consider accelerating recruitment by backing the Liberal Democrat proposal for a PS10,000 signing bonus to attract new recruits?

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2025-06-30

John Healey

We are accelerating recruitment. We are dealing with the deep-seated and long-running failure in recruitment, because the previous Government, over 14 years, set and then failed to meet their own recruitment targets. We are dealing with the recruitment and retention crisis in the armed forces. I am proud to say that last year we gave the armed forces the biggest pay rise for over 20 years; that this year there will be another inflation-busting pay rise; and that we are starting to provide better pay, better kit, better housing and better support for forces families--the sorts of things that will keep those valuable and valued members of the armed forces serving our country and protecting us all.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Greg Smith

What estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos archipelago, including Diego Garcia.

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2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

As the Defence Secretary has said, the cost of the agreement represents less than 0.2% of the annual MOD budget. This has secured unrestricted access to and use of the base on Diego Garcia, control over movement of all persons and good on the base, and control of all communications and electronic systems. It is a good deal.

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2025-06-30

Greg Smith

I do not know that I agree with the Minister that this is a good deal, although I am curious about the PS30 billion. Does it count towards the new NATO target of 3.5%, or the additional 1.5% on top of that? As we have to inform the Mauritian Government before we do anything particularly useful from that base, should that cost actually be counted in the defence numbers at all?

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2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

Let me squash the hon. Gentleman's last comment, which is wrong: we do not have to inform Mauritius before taking any military action. Under the treaty, we have to provide notification after the event. I have explained this 13 times in written answers to Members on the Conservative Front Bench, but I am afraid that they still do not get it. That underlines why they could not do a deal after 11 rounds of negotiation, whereas this Government did it after two rounds, securing the future of that vital base for UK and US operations.

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2025-06-30

Luke Akehurst

Is it not the case that our closest allies--the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and even India--have all welcomed this deal, precisely because they recognise the irreplaceable role of Diego Garcia in global security? What does the Minister think is going on with the Opposition, who think they know more about global security than the security services, the White House and the Pentagon?

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2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

This is important, because the future of Diego Garcia is absolutely vital. Having accepted the principle that sovereignty could be secured only by a negotiated settlement--that was the decision taken by the last Government--it is right that we secured a deal, and right that we protect the base for operations for more than 100 years. The deal is good value for the UK taxpayer, because it secures the most valuable piece of military real estate on the planet, and keeps it under UK control for the next century and beyond.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Sarah Hall

What steps he is taking to increase security at military bases in the UK

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2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

Following the disgraceful criminal vandalism that we saw at RAF Brize Norton, we immediately implemented a series of enhanced security measures at that air base and at other defence sites to ensure the safety of personnel, assets and operations. The strategic defence review highlighted Brize Norton as being in need of investment after the hollowing out of our armed forces over the previous 14 years. We have directed that a wider review be carried out at pace, to assess and ensure protective security at all defence sites. Phase 1 of that review was completed this weekend, and I will make further, wider announcements in due course.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Sarah Hall

To what extent is the Ministry of Defence working with other Government agencies to ensure a joined-up response to emerging threats to military equipment and infrastructure?

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2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

Counter-terrorism police are still investigating the incident at RAF Brize Norton, and it is right that we allow them the space to complete that investigation. The wider review looks at security at not just RAF Brize Norton, but all defence sites. We are looking with colleagues across Government at what investment is needed, and at how we can work with others to secure the safety of sites to ensure that the UK maintains operational security for all its assets.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Julian Lewis

Almost by definition, RAF sites have to have very long perimeter fences, so it is understandable that they could be overcome at one point or another. Why were they apparently not fitted with sensors, at least, so that any intrusion would have sounded the alarm?

GBR

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2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

I do not want to pre-empt the findings of all the reviews, but the right hon. Gentleman is right that our air bases tend to cover a large area. The perimeter fences we inherited on many of our air bases were not designed to keep everyone out with large things, but to be a perimeter defence. In the ongoing security work, we are looking at how technological solutions and changes in guarding might contribute to enhanced security, given the increased threat that we face.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Markus Campbell-Savours

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations on the use of autonomous weapons systems

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2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

The strategic defence review sets out that the UK will harness new technology through dynamic networks of crewed, uncrewed and autonomous systems. We will always comply with the relevant regulatory framework and international humanitarian law. I can tell my hon. Friend that IHL compliance is absolutely essential as we look to use more artificial intelligence enabled weapons systems in the future.

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2025-06-30

Markus Campbell-Savours

The strategic defence review rightly emphasises the importance of autonomous weapons systems in augmenting the UK's defence capabilities, but it also notes: "The UK's competitors are unlikely to adhere to common ethical standards in developing and using" those technologies. What specific measures are the Government taking to help prevent and mitigate the potential harms of autonomous capabilities, both in the UK and abroad?

GBR

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2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: we maintain responsible AI systems in the face of adversaries perhaps using AI in malign ways. The UK will adhere to our legal obligations and the values of the society that we serve. Through the UN and other processes, we are actively engaging in international dialogue on responsible AI, lethal autonomy and related strategic challenges, but all our activities will be in compliance with international humanitarian law.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Al Pinkerton

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

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2025-06-30

John Healey

Last week, 32 NATO nations came together at the summit in The Hague, united in collective deterrence and in our collective defence of the Euro-Atlantic area. I can report to the House that NATO is now bigger, stronger and more lethal than before. We signed a new defence investment pledge of 5% of GDP by 2035, with new capability commitments from each nation. It was a good day for NATO, a good day for British jobs, and a bad day for Putin. Everyone at the summit agreed that Iran should never have nuclear weapons. We all want the ceasefire between Israel and Iran to hold, and we will work to support it. Finally, we also discussed it creating a new opportunity for a ceasefire in Gaza, which would be a vital step on the path to peace.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Al Pinkerton

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for his response. Now that the Prime Minister has made a cast-iron commitment to meet NATO's 5% defence spending target, will the Secretary of State make a similarly welcome commitment to cross-party talks to establish a credible and durable path towards meeting that goal ahead of NATO's 2029 capability review?

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2025-06-30

John Healey

I welcome the Liberal Democrats' support for the commitment we have made at NATO; the Leader of the Opposition was unable to offer that support at Prime Minister's questions last week. If the hon. Gentleman has ideas about how we should fund that commitment in the next Parliament, I would be perfectly happy to hear them.

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2025-06-30

Mark Ferguson

Nothing matters more than home, so I welcome the huge progress that has been made on forces housing over the past 12 months, especially for forces families. Does the Minister agree that the Opposition's half-baked reprivatisation plan would be a huge threat to those in the armed forces and their families?

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2025-06-30

Alistair Carns

That is a really valid point. The trouble is that the plan risks the deal we had with Annington. It would outsource all the housing, and take control away from the Government, the Ministry of Defence and the military families who would be living in that housing. Our housing strategy will come in after the summer, and it will be well thought through and delivered.

GBR

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2025-06-30

Lindsay Hoyle

I call the shadow Secretary of State.

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2025-06-30

James Cartlidge

Does the Secretary of State support the action taken by the United States to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities?

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2025-06-30

John Healey

As I said in my response to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Dr Pinkerton), we are absolutely determined that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon. We have been working with allies, on a diplomatic path. Now that a ceasefire is in place, the mind of all NATO leaders, including President Trump, was on putting our weight behind that diplomatic path. That is the way towards ensuring a sustainable and verifiable end to any nuclear programme.

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2025-06-30

James Cartlidge

It is extraordinary that a British Secretary of State for Defence is unable to give his explicit support to the military action of our closest ally, the United States. Is the real reason why Labour cannot back US military action against Iran not the same as the reason why it will not U-turn on Chagos or on Northern Ireland veterans--that when it comes to choosing between legal theory and the national interest, this Prime Minister is a lawyer, not a leader?

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2025-06-30

John Healey

Absolute rubbish! The UK and the US are the very closest of defence, intelligence and national security partners. The US was strongly behind the deal we have done on Diego Garcia, because it knows that that deal secures the operational sovereignty there of the UK and the US for the next 100 years and beyond.

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2025-06-30

Michelle Welsh

ITP Aero supports over 700 jobs in Hucknall in my constituency. I recently went to visit the site with representatives from Unite to meet those highly skilled workers, who are essential not only in supporting our defence sector, but for protecting our national security. What are this Government doing to ensure that work done under future contracts is completed in the UK, by UK workers?

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2025-06-30

Maria Eagle

I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the vital role of ITP Aero on some of our most important defence platforms, not least Typhoon and the A400M. The strategic defence review makes it clear that we will back British-based businesses where possible, and ITP Aero is already helping to show that defence is an engine for growth in her community.

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2025-06-30

Shockat Adam

In response to my written parliamentary question, the Minister for the Armed Forces said that the Ministry of Defence assesses support to foreign forces on "a case-by-case basis. UK training courses promote British values, including human rights...and...international humanitarian law." How does that response square with our continued support of Israel's war crimes in Gaza? Will dual nationals serving in the Israel Defence Forces be held accountable?

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2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

All actions of the UK Government are in compliance with international humanitarian law. We want to see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. We have fewer than five personnel from Israel on non-combat academic courses currently, but we keep all our training under review.

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2025-06-30

Tristan Osborne

Ministers will be aware of the recent launch of XV Excalibur in the south of England. It is an autonomous submarine vehicle that is the future of naval capability. What other investments are being made, under the strategic defence review, in autonomous vehicles, unmanned submarine technologies, and glider technologies?

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2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that. Excalibur will be an incredible autonomous asset. The strategic defence review sets out that crewed, uncrewed and autonomous systems will be standard across our armed forces, and at the heart of the review is investment in the people who will be manufacturing and standing behind those systems. That is why, when the defence investment plan comes out later this year, there will be more opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, primes and businesses right across the country to invest in our uncrewed and autonomous future in a hybrid military.

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2025-06-30

Rebecca Smith

Last week, I asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury what happened to the PS4 billion earmarked for autonomous systems, including in Plymouth. That line was in the Chancellor's spending review speech, but not delivered on the day. The Chief Secretary did not know. Can the Secretary of State confirm that this funding exists, and will he accept an invitation to Turnchapel Wharf, where exciting marine autonomy is being developed?

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2025-06-30

John Healey

I can confirm that the PS4 billion is funded. I can confirm that the investment in autonomous and drone technology in this Parliament is double what was planned before the election. I can confirm that we will spend and invest that money it in this Parliament. I always like coming to Plymouth; my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces drags me down there frequently.

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2025-06-30

Christopher Bloore

Last week's historic NATO summit concluded with members laying the foundation for a stronger united NATO. With the changing nature of the threats we face, does the Secretary of State agree that working even more closely with our NATO allies is crucial to keeping the UK secure at home and stronger abroad?

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2025-06-30

John Healey

I do indeed. NATO is bigger, stronger and more lethal than ever before. It is our guarantee that we will never fight alone. That is why the leading contribution that Britain makes to NATO deterrence and defence is a big part of keeping us safe for the future.

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2025-06-30

Chris Coghlan

Do the Government know if the US Government are still providing technical military intelligence support, such as electronic or imagery intelligence for Ukraine? If that were cut off by President Trump, would the Americans effectively restrict our British military technical intelligence support to Ukraine?

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2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

The hon. Member will understand that we cannot talk about sharing military intelligence on the Floor of the House, but as he and I have an interest in this, I would be happy to have a conversation with him.

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2025-06-30

Gareth Snell

North Staffordshire Tri Service and Veterans Support Centre does a wonderful job supporting veterans across Stoke-on-Trent, but all too often, it finds that the military covenant is not working for them. In Stoke-on-Trent in particular, it seems to be failing. What action are this Government taking to ensure that the covenant is worth the paper it is printed on in cities like mine?

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Alistair Carns

I highlight that the Prime Minister has made an announcement about broadening responsibility for the covenant, and the duty of care that it will deliver, from three Government Departments to 14. It will now be for other Departments to ensure that the duty is adhered to across all local councils.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Ben Goldsborough

Some 3,537 of my constituents in South Norfolk are veterans. Being a veteran in a rural community is very different from being one in an urban community. What action are the Government taking to ensure that my veterans have the support they need?

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Alistair Carns

As I have mentioned several times today, the Valour programme will accommodate that. It will not be a service that is a blueprint for everyone, but we will take the geographical differences into account and ensure that it is fit for purpose so that our veterans are given the deal that they deserve.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Graham Leadbitter

The strategic defence review, published this month, clearly states: "The foundation of the UK's approach to deterrence remains a minimum, credible, independent UK nuclear deterrent, assigned to the defence of NATO... The UK's nuclear weapons are operationally independent." Somehow, in the last 29 days, the UK Government have decided that they no longer see their Trident nuclear missiles as a minimum credible deterrent. Why was that major change in policy not announced in the SDR?

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

The Government have made it very clear that our support for our independent nuclear deterrent is solid and is not changing. We are investing in new submarines, we are investing in the base in Faslane, we are investing in new nuclear reactors in Derby, and we are backing the people who keep our country safe with that guarantor of our security, the nuclear deterrent.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Ben Obese-Jecty

Since 14 June, an F-35B from the Prince of Wales carrier strike group has been stranded on the runway at the Thiruvananthapuram civilian airport in India. What steps are the Government taking to recover the plane, how much longer will that take, and how will the Government ensure the security of protected technologies on the jet while it is in the hangar and out of view?

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

We continue to work with our Indian friends who provided first-class support when the F-35B was unable to return to the Prince of Wales when on a flight mission, and I am certain that the security of the jet is in good hands because Royal Air Force crew are with it at all times.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Joe Morris

Given that as many as 35,000 Ukrainian children are still missing and are probably being held in occupied territory or in Russia, will the Minister assure us that the Government are not only taking action to help injured soldiers in Ukraine back on to the frontline, but doing all that they can to support the reunion of Ukrainian children with their families?

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

We are proud to be investing in Operation Renovator, our contribution to helping injured Ukrainian soldiers to recover and return to the fight to guarantee the safety of their nation, and we will continue to support that operation and our Ukrainian friends for as long as it takes.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

John Glen

Infantry regiments cite difficulty in recruiting in their traditional communities and recruitment grounds. Further to the exchange between the Secretary of State and the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire), may I ask what more can be done to encourage, specifically, young British men to join the Army?

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Luke Pollard

Last year 165,000 young people tried to join the British Army. We hired 9,500 of them, but 84% left because the process was too long. We have a superb "attract feature", but we need to be better at converting, and we are making progress in that regard, although there is more to be done. I am happy to meet the right hon. Gentleman if he has any ideas that might support that.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Peter Prinsley

Sadly, we have all seen the devastation caused by modern missiles. Germany is preparing to receive the Arrow 3 missile defence system, ordered just two years ago, which can intercept intercontinental missiles at 2,500 km. What plans have the Government to equip this country similarly?

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

John Healey

One of the recommendations in the strategic defence review was that we develop an integrated air and missile defence system in this country. We must take our homeland security more seriously than we have in the past, and that is exactly what we will do.

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

Josh Babarinde

During our last session of Defence questions, I asked the Secretary of State to join me in wishing a happy forthcoming birthday to Eastbourne's last surviving war veteran, Eric Deach, who was shortly to turn 100. Unfortunately, tomorrow I shall be a pallbearer at his funeral; he did not make it. Will the Secretary of State, ahead of that funeral, join me in paying one final tribute to Eric for his service and everything he did to fight for our country?

GBR

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pwdata/scrapedxml/debates/debates2025-06-30b.xml

2025-06-30

John Healey

It needs no words; the hon. Gentleman has heard the response of the House. We pay tribute to Mr Deach, and offer our deepest sympathies to his family, his friends and his comrades, and our thoughts will be with the hon. Gentleman tomorrow as he bears that coffin into the crematorium or the church for Mr Deach's final journey.

GBR