Improving Service Life: Personnel and Families Dr Beccy Cooper
(Worthing West) (Lab) 1. What steps he is taking to improve service
life for serving personnel and their families.(901248) The
Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey) Over the last year,
service morale fell to record lows, with over 300 more full-time
personnel leaving the forces than joining each month. We cannot
reverse these deep-set problems overnight, but this Government are
putting people at...Request free trial
Improving Service Life: Personnel and Families
Dr (Worthing West) (Lab)
1. What steps he is taking to improve service life for serving
personnel and their families.(901248)
The Secretary of State for Defence ()
Over the last year, service morale fell to record lows, with over
300 more full-time personnel leaving the forces than joining each
month. We cannot reverse these deep-set problems overnight, but
this Government are putting people at the heart of our defence
plans, and today will see the Second Reading of our legislation
to establish an independent Armed Forces Commissioner to improve
service life.
Dr Cooper
The package announced this weekend of 20 hours of funded
wraparound childcare for families deployed overseas is very
welcome. Can the Minister please assure us that this type of
practical assistance will be a fundamental pillar of the
Government's support for forces families?
I can indeed. Supporting our service families is really
important, especially when they are far from home, and this
scheme will reduce the burden of childcare costs for those
eligible families overseas. This is a Government who are
delivering for defence and putting our forces personnel at the
heart of our defence plans.
Dame (Gosport) (Con)
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is often overlooked, yet it is vital to
the sustainability and success of our Royal Navy. Often its pay
and conditions do not keep track with either the armed forces or
the civil service. What can the Secretary of State say to members
of the RFA to reassure them that they are valued?
Over the last decade or more, we have been expecting more of
those members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. They play a critical
role in our maritime operations and they are highly valued as
part of our services community. We see an important future for
that service as part of building Britain's defences for the
future, and we are putting forces personnel and RFA personnel at
the heart of our plans to ensure that we are more secure at home
and strong abroad.
Mr Speaker
We come to the shadow Secretary of State.
(South Suffolk) (Con)
On the subject of improving service life for service personnel
and their families, thousands of families will be getting the
unwelcome Christmas present this year of a 20% tax on the school
fees that they pay to fund an independent boarding school or,
otherwise, will have to allow their children's education to be
constantly destabilised. Given that this new tax is 100% the
responsibility of the Government, will the Secretary of State
confirm that the continuity of education allowance will be
uplifted to fund 100% of the new tax on those fees?
We will uprate the continuity of education allowance to reflect
the increase in school fees from January. We will do that so that
the allowance continues to maintain the schooling of the many
children of personnel that are deployed. Our mission as a
Government is to lift the morale of our services. That is why we
are investing in our servicemen and women, supporting their
families and starting to fix the problems of the last 14 years
that we have inherited.
RFA Sir Galahad Bombing
(Newport East) (Lab)
2. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on
the potential merits of publishing all board of inquiry documents
on the bombing of RFA Sir Galahad.(901249)
The Minister for Veterans and People ()
Following on from our recent discussion, I would like to
reiterate that the service and sacrifice made by those on board
Sir Galahad will never be forgotten. After any incident that
results in loss of life, people will always ask themselves, “What
if something different had happened?” However, the losses on Sir
Galahad were the result of enemy action, and enemy action alone.
Under the Public Records Act 1958 we protect personal data and
information, but we have recently reviewed further files and I
look forward to meeting my hon. Friend this month to discuss the
issue further.
Falklands veterans from the Welsh Guards, including my
constituent Mike Hermanis, continue to campaign to uncover the
truth behind the attack on the Sir Galahad in June 1982. I know
that the Minister is already working on this, but with time
marching on, will he agree to meet not only me, but colleagues
and, crucially, veterans from the campaign to discuss releasing
the remaining documents from the board of inquiry so that those
veterans and the families of those who died can finally get to
the truth?
I would welcome a discussion with my hon. Friend about engaging
with the veterans community from Sir Galahad, and I look forward
to our meeting later this month.
Sir Iain Duncan (Chingford and Woodford Green)
(Con)
I have many friends who served out there, and the after-effects
of that disaster—death, burnt human beings—still bang on and
resonate with them today. All they want is to know why they were
there at the wrong time. Who gave the orders? The report is
critical. It is not just a case of them being damaged or killed
by enemy action; it is about the incompetence of those who put
them in the wrong place at the wrong time, leaving them open to
that simple, terrible attack.
There is much chaos in conflict, as the right hon. Gentleman
knows, and the Ministry of Defence in no way blames the Welsh
Guards for the events of that tragic day. My officials have been
reviewing further files, and two extracts from the board of
inquiry have been reviewed and are now within the open records at
the National Archives.
(Dover and Deal) (Lab)
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Newport East () for her sustained campaign
for transparency. My constituent Oliver Richardson, the mayor of
Deal, was just 21 when he survived the sinking. I welcome the
Minister's offer of a meeting, and I ask to be included,
please.
Absolutely.
Sir (Harwich and North Essex)
(Con)
I emphasise how mystifying it is that these documents have not
already been released, 40 years after the conflict. It is not
about identifying blame or who was responsible. In my view, it is
about making sure that lessons are transparently learned for
future operations about command chains and accountability during
conflict. What is the reason for withholding these documents?
Will the Minister show compassion for those who still live with
this, whether as bereaved relatives or as people bearing the
scars and injuries of this dreadful event?
First of all, I have compassion for those injured or wounded in
combat, after seeing many throughout my career. I assure the
House that the individual lessons learned from this conflict have
been spread throughout the Department and into the single
services. Five files, comprising 308 witness statements, are
closed and, under the terms of the Public Records Act 1958, these
witness statements will remain closed until 2065. However, we
will look at reviewing some of these statements, and we will
provide a view in due course.
Strategic Defence Review
(Farnham and Bordon)
(Con)
3. What his Department's planned timetable is for the strategic
defence review.(901250)
The Secretary of State for Defence ()
The strategic defence review is the first of its kind in the UK.
It is externally led and draws widely on experts within
Government and the military, as well as those from industry,
academia and our allies. The reviewers will report in the
spring.
With the increasing threats we see around the world, the
Government are entitled to conduct a strategic defence review,
but that should not be an excuse not to commit to increasing
defence spending. Given that the Secretary of State refused to
provide a timetable at last week's urgent question, will he now
say yes or no to whether the Government will get to 2.5% of GDP
on defence spending by the end of this Parliament?
Everyone agrees that defence spending must rise. Under this
Government, it is increasing by nearly £3 billion next year, and
there is a cast-iron commitment that we will set a clear path to
spending 2.5% of GDP on defence. Of course, the last time this
country spent 2.5% of GDP on defence was in 2010 with a Labour
Government.
(Blackley and Middleton
South) (Lab)
Deciding to defer or to review is just as much of a decision as
one to go ahead or not to go ahead, because it means that nothing
is happening. The Typhoon factory at Warton is currently idle—no
Typhoons are being produced—which is bad for exports and bad for
our defence. Can the Secretary of State tell the House when we
will take a decision to procure more Typhoons? There are 25,000
jobs at risk, as well as the country's defence.
I have had the privilege of visiting Warton, and I have seen the
skills, the technology and the workforce's commitment and
dedication to that job. The reviewers of the strategic defence
review will produce their final report and make recommendations
in the spring. In the meantime, my hon. Friend rightly points to
exports. It may interest him to know that, last week, I was in
Turkey and Saudi Arabia to discuss with Defence Ministers the
future role that UK-made Typhoons could play in the defence of
both countries.
(Beverley and Holderness)
(Con)
Further to the question raised by my hon. Friend the Member for
Farnham and Bordon (), I welcome the £2.9
billion of extra defence expenditure from next year. However, not
only do we not have a timetable for meeting 2.5% of GDP, which
the whole House would like to hear about; will the Secretary of
State confirm that there will be no additional funding for the
in-year pressures that this Department, alongside so many others,
is suffering from?
The Chancellor set out in her Budget on 30 October the steps we
are taking, across Government, to deal with the £22 billion
in-year deficit that this Government inherited. On the commitment
to 2.5% of GDP, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has made it
clear that we will set that path in the spring. I remind the
House that the Prime Minister said at the NATO summit in
Washington, back in July, that it was a question of the strategic
defence review first, then the commitment and the path to
2.5%.
(Aldershot) (Lab)
My constituency is home to many small and medium-sized
enterprises that contribute to our UK defence sector. What steps
are the Government taking to ensure that submissions from SMEs to
the strategic defence review are given equal weighting and
consideration compared with submissions from prime contractors,
in order to support innovation, job creation and competition
within the UK defence sector?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The shadow Defence Secretary
will recognise the role that small, medium and growing companies
can play in our defence and security sector better than anyone
else in the House. That is one reason why, within days of getting
this job, I did not just meet the big, leading defence companies;
I had a similar meeting and briefing on the approach this
Government will take with small and medium-sized companies,
including growing companies, in the defence sector. Such
companies will be an important focus for the strategic defence
review, as the reforms and the long-term industrial strategy
required to deliver stronger defences for this country are
considered.
Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention
(Cannock Chase) (Lab)
4. What steps he is taking to improve recruitment and retention
in the armed forces.(901251)
Mr (Basildon and Billericay)
(Con)
20. What steps the Government are taking to improve recruitment
and retention in the armed forces.(901269)
The Minister for the Armed Forces ()
This Government have already begun to modernise and refine our
policies and processes to attract and retain the best possible
talent in our armed forces. We are delivering for defence, with a
35% pay increase for new recruits and one of the largest pay
increases in the last 20 years for existing personnel. We are
scrapping over 100 outdated medical policies and setting an
ambition to make a conditional offer of employment to candidates
within 10 days and a provisional training start date within 30
days.
From cadets to regulars and reservists, it is clear that we must
urgently tackle the recruitment and retention crisis presided
over by the last Government. Will the Minister join me in
welcoming the fact that over 700 applications are now being
reconsidered after the removal of unnecessary red tape blocking
some sufferers of hay fever and acne from joining?
I am delighted to join my hon. Friend in welcoming the
announcement by the Ministry of Defence that more than 700
applications have been reconsidered following the removal of 100
outdated medical policies, such as those blocking some sufferers
of hay fever, eczema and acne. That is a perfect example of how
we are fixing the foundations and delivering for defence.
Mr Holden
I welcome the Government's commitment in this area. Since 1999,
there have been only six years when the regular forces have grown
in size, and all three armed forces are currently below target.
Does the Minister believe there will be any year between now and
2030 when there will be a net increase in numbers? Does he have a
target for the overall increase in those years? Or is it a bit
like 2.5% of GDP, and we will just have to wait and see—“Make me
good, but not yet”?
I welcome the right hon. Gentleman's passion for recruitment. The
recruitment target was missed in every single year of the last
Conservative Government. It will take us time to fix the process,
but we have already made announcements about improving retention
and recruitment. We will make further such announcements in the
months ahead to ensure that we are dealing with the gaps in our
capabilities and improving morale, and that we have forces that
are able to deter and defeat aggressors, if necessary.
Mr Speaker
I welcome the shadow Minister to his place.
Mr (Rayleigh and Wickford)
(Con)
Thank you, Mr Speaker—it is nice to be back. On recruitment, many
who join the armed forces began their military journey as cadets.
The previous Conservative Government's cadet expansion programme
successfully established hundreds of new cadet units in state
schools. However, this Labour Government have recently withdrawn
a critical £1 million-plus grant that supports cadet instructors
in many of the very same state schools. Will the Government as a
whole urgently review that very unwelcome decision?
I welcome my shadow to his place. The Government are committed to
cadets. It is a really valuable pastime for young people, which
provides skills and opportunities that will last them a lifetime.
The Minister for Veterans and People is reviewing the cadet force
to ensure that it can continue to play a really important role
for young people and support the overall mission of defence.
Mr Francois
I welcome the Minister's kind welcome. On retention, how can we
persuade people to remain in our armed forces if they sense that
the new Government do not really have their back? In that
context, will the Ministry of Defence start to defend its own
veterans within Whitehall, and argue that the perverse plan to
repeal the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation)
Act 2023 should be abandoned as soon as possible?
I had such high hopes for the right hon. Gentleman as my shadow.
Let me be very clear: the Government are renewing the contract
between the nation and those who serve—a contract that had been
eroded over 14 years, with black mould in military accommodation,
falling morale and gaps in our capabilities. We will not only
support retention and recruitment, but through the work that the
Defence Secretary does in Cabinet and the work of the Minister
for Veterans and People, we will support our veterans as
well.
Mr Speaker
I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.
(Epsom and Ewell) (LD)
I have heard from a number of young people who have tried to join
the military, only to be met with long waits for their medical
assessment. I understand the need for applicants to be thoroughly
assessed, but we are losing valuable recruits due to the
processing time. Many cannot afford to wait around and ultimately
choose a different path. How is the Minister ensuring that the
medical assessment process runs efficiently?
It is a really important part of the application process that we
ensure that the people we accept into our armed forces are
medically fit. We have already made progress in this area by
removing outdated medical processes, and we are working with
colleagues across health to ensure that access to applicants'
medical records is smooth and efficient, reducing the delay
between someone saying that they want to serve in our armed
forces and that person getting through the door of a training
base. There is lots of work to be done, and we hope to make
further announcements in due course.
UK Role in NATO
(Harrow East) (Con)
5. What plans he has to maintain the UK's role in
NATO.(901252)
The Secretary of State for Defence ()
NATO is the cornerstone of UK and Euro-Atlantic security. Our
commitment to the alliance is unshakable. The strategic defence
review will ensure that we have a NATO-first policy at the heart
of Britain's defence plans for the future.
Following the election of President Trump in the United States,
there will clearly be much more pressure from the new US
Administration on other countries in NATO to step up to the mark
and put in the resources that they should be putting in to
safeguard the defence of Europe. What action will the Secretary
of State take to show leadership and ensure that other European
countries step up and keep Europe safe from external threats such
as Russia, China and beyond?
Our cast-iron commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of
GDP will help to set the pace in NATO. I am pleased that, while
in 2001 only six NATO nations were meeting the pledge level of
2%, this year 23 nations are doing so. The UK commits almost all
our armed forces and our nuclear deterrent to NATO, so we play a
leading role. We will have a NATO-first policy at the heart of
our defence plans, and will always look to be first in NATO as
part of our leadership role.
(Stockton North) (Lab)
Mindful that tomorrow marks the 1,000-day anniversary of the
invasion of Ukraine, and of the increase in Russian hostility
over the weekend, will my right hon. Friend the Secretary of
State take this opportunity to assure the House of this
Government's continued steadfast support for both Ukraine and
NATO?
I will indeed. In the four months that this Government have been
in office we have stepped up support for Ukraine and speeded up
delivery of the military aid promised. This is a Government now
spending more on military aid than ever before on behalf of the
UK. I pay tribute to the Conservative party for the fact that the
UK is and remains united for Ukraine.
Independent Armed Forces Commissioner
Mrs (South Shields) (Lab)
6. What progress he has made on establishing an independent armed
forces commissioner. (901253)
Mrs (Congleton) (Lab)
11. What progress he has made on establishing an independent
armed forces commissioner. (901259)
(Doncaster Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
14. What progress he has made on establishing an independent
armed forces commissioner. (901262)
(Blaydon and Consett) (Lab)
21. What progress he has made on establishing an independent
armed forces commissioner. (901270)
The Minister for the Armed Forces ()
The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill is a landmark piece of
legislation and a major step taken by this Government to renew
the contract between the nation and those who serve. Second
Reading of the Bill will be later today and the commissioner will
be a strong independent champion for our armed forces and their
families, improving parliamentary oversight and getting to grips
with the welfare issues faced by our armed forces.
Mrs Lewell-Buck
I thank the Minister for all he is doing to improve the lives of
our armed forces communities. He will be aware of the deeply
distressing accounts of rape and sexual assault from the Defence
Committee's report on women in the armed forces. Will he please
revisit our recommendations and those of the Lyons review, so
that those serious cases can be heard in civilian, not service
courts?
My hon. Friend is exactly right to raise this very serious issue.
In opposition we made a commitment that murder, manslaughter and
rape cases would be tried in civilian, rather than military
courts. I encourage her to keep asking questions as we get closer
to the armed forces Bill, which will be an opportunity to put
that right.
Mrs Russell
The Listening Out Loud Foundation in my constituency is run by
Jill and Andy Dolman and works with those who have recently left
the forces, often with complex problems such as post-traumatic
stress disorder. They can provide an excellent insight into how
we can better support current and future armed forces personnel.
How does the Minister foresee the Armed Forces Commissioner
working with small charities such as the Listening Out Loud
Foundation, and will he join me in visiting the organisation in
the near future?
I thank my hon. Friend for her interest in this area and for
championing the work of that organisation in her constituency. As
we get to the point of implementing the Armed Forces
Commissioner, I expect that they will have new relationships with
service charities and organisations for serving members of our
forces and the wider armed forces family. I would be very happy
to meet my hon. Friend to discuss that, and I look forward to
visiting her constituency to meet that organisation in person if
I can.
Will the Minister consider that it is right that the Armed Forces
Commissioner be able to challenge Ministers, and increase
parliamentary oversight of the issues that face our forces and
their families?
That was a commitment we made in opposition, but it is also a
commitment to increased scrutiny that we are proud to make from
the Government Dispatch Box. We want to make the case that, to
improve morale and to improve the relationship and the contract
between the nation and those who serve, having an independent and
impartial figure to champion our armed forces and their families
will improve not only the lived experience of those people, but
the operational capability of our forces, encouraging more people
to recognise that someone is genuinely listening to their
concerns and that Ministers are prepared to act on them as well.
There is a lot of work to be done to renew the contract, but the
Armed Forces Commissioner is a key first step.
Last month I visited the Northern Hub for Veterans and Military
Families Research at Northumbria University to hear about its
suicide prevention work. Its research found that many military
families bereaved by suicide felt helpless and unsupported as the
wellbeing of their loved ones declined. Does the Minister agree
that the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill is a vital opportunity to
deliver better support for families going through difficult
times?
Any death by suicide is a tragedy, though it remains fortunately
a rare event in the armed forces community. It is positive to
hear of the work by Northumbria University in this area. This
month we published a refreshed edition of the armed forces
suicide prevention strategy and action plan to enhance the MOD's
commitment to reducing suicide and better supporting those
affected by it. A future independent commissioner will have the
discretion to investigate welfare matters affecting our forces
and will be a direct point of contact for bereaved families of
our serving personnel, and that would naturally be a matter
worthy of their attention.
(Spelthorne) (Con)
Will the Armed Forces Commissioner's powers of investigation
extend to being allowed to visit troops deployed on operations,
to question them, and to seize documents?
The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill includes powers for the Armed
Forces Commissioner to visit serving personnel, and for UK visits
to be unannounced. Due to the logistics of visiting troops
abroad, we would expect that such visits would be co-ordinated
with the Department. I expect the commissioner to visit our
troops serving abroad, and families deployed abroad, and to hear
about the particular challenges that being deployed abroad
presents for those in uniform and those who love them. We have
lots of work to do, and I would be grateful if the hon. Gentleman
would raise that issue at the Bill's Second Reading later today,
when I can respond in more detail.
(Strangford) (DUP)
I thank the Minister for his response to the questions. In
Northern Ireland recruitment is at record levels—there has never
needed to be conscription because there were always volunteers.
Ever mindful of that, and of the need to ensure that the
independent Armed Forces Commissioner has the same responsibility
and power in every place in Northern Ireland, will the Minister
please indicate strongly, if he can, that every council will be
involved, and every person who needs help in Northern Ireland
will get it?
The Armed Forces Commissioner will extend to all parts of the
United Kingdom and cover the service welfare matters of UK armed
forces personnel and their families, including when deployed
abroad. We would expect recommendations to be published directly
to Parliament, not through the Ministry of Defence, to ensure the
impartiality and independence of the role, and to allow Members
of Parliament from all parts of the House to scrutinise
recommendations and issues raised by the commissioner. That will
include every nation within the United Kingdom.
NATO: Missile Defence Co-operation
(Northampton North) (Lab)
7. What steps he is taking with his NATO counterparts to increase
co-operation on missile defence. (901254)
The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry ()
This Government are getting on with delivering for defence to
make Britain secure at home and strong abroad. The UK remains a
leading voice in NATO on missile defence, which we see as a
cross-Government and international effort. We are working to
enhance our missile defence capabilities, and modernising our
approach to air and missile defence, both for our own forces and
with our NATO allies.
At last month's NATO Ministers of Defence meeting the Secretary
of State agreed to step up co-operation with our NATO allies on
missile defence and cutting-edge long-range missiles. Does the
Minister agree that a focus on integrating NATO's missile defence
is key to strengthening European security?
Yes, I do. Defence against air and missile threats has played a
key role in our recent thinking, and with our NATO-first approach
to policy, putting integration with our allies at the heart of
our defence plans makes sense and is a vital part of ensuring our
security going forward.
Sir (Herne Bay and Sandwich)
(Con)
Will the United Kingdom, preferably in tandem with our European
colleagues but if necessary bilaterally with the United States,
align with the United States in permitting Ukraine to use the
missile defence systems that we have supplied as it sees fit in
its own defence?
Absolutely. We intend to align with our allies in making sure
that Ukraine can make use of the capability that has been offered
by those who have committed support to that country in its
fight.
Veterans: Newcastle-under-Lyme
(Newcastle-under-Lyme)
(Lab)
8. What steps he is taking to support veterans in
Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency. (901255)
The Minister for Veterans and People ()
This is a Government of service who will always stand up for
those who serve our country, and I am steadfast in my commitment
to deliver improved services for veterans nationwide, including
in Newcastle-under-Lyme. I am working to ensure a dedicated
structure and support mechanism for veterans that is more
institutionally resilient, through working across Government and
with devolved Administrations.
Our veterans are on the frontline as they defend our country, and
when seeking meaningful support to get on with their lives when
they get home. Will the Minister join me in paying tribute to the
Tri Services and Veterans Support Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme,
led by chairman Geoff Harriman, for all the work it does? Will he
come to visit the centre, meet our veterans, and show them the
support that they deserve?
I would be delighted to accept my hon. Friend's offer to visit
Newcastle-under-Lyme and reopen the tri-service centre. I look
forward to meeting veterans in the constituency and learning more
about the fantastic work they are doing.
(Glastonbury and Somerton)
(LD)
I recently met Got Your Six in Wincanton, which provides crucial
therapeutic support for veterans and serving personnel. One
veteran told me that its support had been invaluable at a point
in his life when he could not see a future. Will the Minister
join me in congratulating Got Your Six, and will the Government
support such groups to expand their crucial work?
I congratulate Got Your Six and all the charitable sector on the
amazing voluntary work that goes on across the country. I, too,
have seen the amazing work that Got Your Six does and would like
to meet its representatives in due course if they come down to
Westminster.
Ukraine
(Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
(Lab)
9. What steps he has taken to increase support for Ukraine.
(901256)
(Watford) (Lab)
10. What steps he has taken to increase support for Ukraine.
(901257)
The Secretary of State for Defence ()
With tomorrow marking 1,000 days since the start of President
Putin's brutal, illegal invasion of Ukraine, our commitment to
stand with the Ukrainian people is absolute. We have stepped up
with more military support, we have sped up deliveries, and we
are now spending more on military aid as a country than ever
before.
Tomorrow will be 1,000 days since Putin invaded Ukraine. My
constituents in Kilmarnock and Loudoun have concerns about the
ongoing welfare of Ukrainian civilians, so can the Secretary of
State please assure my constituents that the Government will
continue to offer support and aid to those in need? Will he
underline our absolute support for Ukraine forces to end Putin's
aggression?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. What she really says is that
the Ukrainians have been fighting with huge courage—military and
civilians alike—and the best way we can help the Ukrainians to
defend their own civilians is to step up our support for Ukraine.
That is why we have increased military support and aid to its
highest level ever. We have signed a new industrial treaty with
Ukraine worth £3.5 billion to increase military hardware. We have
hit the £1 billion milestone for the UK-led international fund
for Ukraine. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
This is a Government delivering for defence and for Ukraine.
I thank the Secretary of State for his previous answers. Will he
outline some of the detail of the support that has been offered
to Ukraine and how that support is evolving as the conflict
continues?
At each stage, we have tried to respond to the requirements that
the Ukrainians say that they have to match the state of their
battle to defend their country. We have announced packages of
artillery, of ammunition and of air defence, which is one of
their most critical needs at present, including recently a new
contract to supply short-range air defence missiles—the
lightweight multi-role missiles. Those will be in Ukrainian hands
at the turn of the year. We expect to step up that production and
delivery during the course of next year.
Sir (New Forest East) (Con)
Does the Secretary of State share my concern at the recent media
interview given by a leading candidate to be Labour's next
ambassador to Washington DC? This supposedly clever negotiator
declared that Ukraine should not expect to get its territory
back, and should not expect to be put on the path to join NATO,
but could perhaps secure some security guarantees from western
countries. Does the Secretary of State agree that whoever is sent
to Washington should be somebody who supports Ukraine in
defending itself and does not reward Russian aggression with
pre-emptive capitulation?
One of the first privileges I had in this new role was to
represent the country at the NATO Washington summit. That was the
point at which the NATO nations collectively agreed to step up
support for Ukraine and to develop the security guarantees that
Ukraine will need in the longer term. The task for us and allies
that support Ukraine is to help Ukrainians and support them in
their fight now. At the point at which they judge the talking
should start, our role then is to give them equally steadfast
support, and we will.
(East Antrim) (DUP)
I am sure the whole House stands solidly with Ukraine on its one
thousandth day countering Russian aggression and doing so for us
all, but its ability to do so is weakened by North Korea sending
armaments and manpower, the Iranians sending drones, and oil
contracts still being signed. Will the Minister assure us that,
in the light of the American decision to allow strikes inside
Russia, we will also give permission for our missiles to be used
to break up concentrations of arms and material inside
Russia?
I will not be drawn on details about long-range missiles today—it
risks operational security, and the only person who benefits from
public debate is President Putin. As the right hon. Member
rightly says, 10,000 North Korean troops are on the frontline in
Russia. At the weekend, Russia launched its biggest aerial attack
into Ukraine since August against infrastructure. I spoke
yesterday to the US Defence Secretary about this escalation. I
will speak to the Ukrainian Defence Minister about it later
today. I want the House to be in no doubt: the Prime Minister has
been clear that we must double down and give Ukraine the support
it needs for as long as it needs. We will continue to work in
close co-ordination with the US in our support for Ukraine.
Mr Speaker
I call the Chair of the Defence Committee.
Mr (Slough) (Lab)
I asked the Secretary of State last month whether there was an
update on the usage of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine. As has
been widely reported, yesterday President Biden lifted
restrictions on the use of long-range US missiles. Given the
continuous bombing of Ukrainian communities by Russia, and given
that thousands of North Korean troops are fighting against our
ally in our continent, will Ukraine now be allowed to use those
Storm Shadow missiles—obviously, within the confines of
international law—or do we expect Ukraine to continue fighting
and defending itself with one hand tied behind its back while
keeping those Storm Shadows in safe storage?
I say again that I will not compromise operational security and
comment on the details of long-range systems today. The Prime
Minister has been clear—as I am being to the House—that we must
double down on the support to Ukraine, give it the support it
needs and do so for as long as it takes. In doing so, we will
continue our close co-operation with the US and allies in
providing that support to Ukraine.
(South Suffolk) (Con)
I join the Chair of the Defence Committee, the hon. Member for
Slough (Mr Dhesi), in strongly welcoming the decision by the
United States to permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles in
Kursk. I know the Secretary of State does not want to go into
operational detail—I understand that—but I assure him of our
support if he follows through in relation to Storm Shadow, as we
believe he should. There will be those who talk about escalation,
but does he agree that the only escalation that matters here is
10,000 North Korean troops on the ground supporting Russia in its
illegal war?
The shadow Secretary of State is right that the one person
responsible for escalation in this conflict is President Putin,
and the one side that has been escalating in recent months is
Russia. In recognising that he has escalated his illegal war
against Ukraine by intensifying the use of glide bombs,
destroying Ukraine's energy infrastructure and deploying
thousands of North Korean troops into combat positions in Kursk,
I am discussing this very serious development with the US Defence
Secretary and will be discussing it with the Ukrainian Defence
Secretary this evening.
(Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale
and Tweeddale) (Con)
Did the Prime Minister raise Ukraine during his meeting with
President Xi given China's undoubted influence over Russia and
North Korea?
I regard the Prime Minister's meeting with President Xi as an
important step forward. He is the first Prime Minister of the UK
to meet the leader of China in nearly six years. After 14 years
of damaging Conservative inconsistency on China, this Government
will bring a long-term approach to managing our relations with
China. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we should,
and challenge where we must.
Cadet Forces
(East Hampshire) (Con)
12. What steps his Department is taking to support the cadet
forces.(901260)
The Minister for Veterans and People ()
I have visited various cadet units, and I am constantly in awe of
their work not only to increase social mobility, but to improve
the health and wellbeing of various young people across the
country. They produce an annual return on investment in the
region of £95 million. We are committed to sustaining cadet
forces across the UK, and we continue to invest in cadet
expansion in schools so that even more young people, particularly
in the state sector, can benefit from being in the cadets.
I agree wholeheartedly with the Minister about the benefits of
the cadets, so why have the Government cut support to cadets,
even as they were launching a national youth strategy? His
colleague said earlier that the Government would have a review.
The question is: can that gap in support be plugged and the
school staff instructor grant be restored so that more
children—hopefully, many more children—in state schools can
benefit from joining the cadets?
I am conducting a review into cadets and reserves. The cadet
expansion programme will still receive £3.6 million in Government
funding through the Ministry of Defence, and I can reassure the
right hon. Member that we are fully committed to supporting the
cadet expansion programme. I will speak to him about our review
in due course, once it is complete.
Nuclear Weapons
(Islington North) (Ind)
13. Whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues
on potential risks arising from the use of nuclear weapons.
(901261)
The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry ()
We recognise the serious risks posed by the use of nuclear
weapons. It was a Labour Prime Minister who signed the
non-proliferation treaty in 1968. The UK remains fully committed
to the multilateral non-proliferation aim of a world without
nuclear weapons. We also have a triple lock commitment on our
nuclear deterrent, which is a vital part of UK defence and
deterrence.
According to the Nuclear Information Service, there have been 110
historical incidents involving UK nuclear weapons. There have
been 25 well-recorded near misses between the United States and
Russia—and, formerly, the Soviet Union. In that context, will the
Minister explain why, on 1 November, when the United National
General Assembly was invited to vote on establishing a panel for
a scientific study on the effects of nuclear weapons, Britain,
Russia and France were the only three countries to vote against
its establishment? Fortunately, the committee was established.
Will the Minister assure the House that Britain will fully
co-operate in examining the devastating effect of nuclear weapons
were they ever to be used?
The UK has always recognised the possible humanitarian
consequences of the use of nuclear weapons. The proposed panel
does not establish a clear mandate to address maintaining
long-held knowledge of the devastating consequences of nuclear
war using scientific research, and the resolution will not
advance progress towards nuclear disarmament. That is why we
voted against it.
(Salford) (Ind)
The Secretary of State's commitment to nuclear testing veterans
is well known, but he may be concerned by a report in the Daily
Mirror today claiming that incorrect testimony and incomplete
documentation were provided by civil servants and given to judges
in the court cases brought by the nuclear veterans over decades.
Will the Secretary of State investigate those claims urgently and
report to the House?
I can assure the hon. Lady that my hon. Friend the Minister for
Veterans and People has met nuclear test veterans to establish a
new relationship to ensure that we have consistent and productive
dialogue. I know that he is committed to exploring the concerns
raised about access to medical records, and I am sure that
progress will be made in that context.
Topical Questions
(Middlesbrough South and East
Cleveland) (Lab)
T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental
responsibilities.(901274)
The Secretary of State for Defence ()
This Government are delivering for defence. Last month, the UK
and Germany signed the landmark Trinity House agreement, marking
a new era of co-operation between our armed forces and our
defence industries. With threats increasing, we must strengthen
European security. Tomorrow marks the bloody milestone of 1,000
days since Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine began. The UK
continues to be united for Ukraine, and the Government continue
to step up support for Ukraine. As part of that, I can confirm
today that 50,000 Ukrainian troops have now been trained through
Operation Interflex —the UK-led multinational training
programme—which I have now extended to run throughout 2025.
I welcome that announcement by the Secretary of State. It should
shame every politician in this House that today veterans who have
served our country are still sleeping rough on our streets. Can
the Secretary of State set out the steps he will take to ensure
that homes will be there for heroes?
Our first step was to ensure that veterans who face homelessness
have a more advantaged place in social housing provision—that was
announced by the Prime Minister in his Labour party conference
speech and will be followed up by the Deputy Prime Minister in
changes to the arrangements for local authority guidance. On the
eve of Remembrance weekend, we also made a pledge of £3.5 million
to help homeless veterans.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Secretary of State.
(South Suffolk) (Con)
In relation to the cost of renting back our own military base on
the Chagos islands, last week the Minister of State, Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office, the hon. Member for Cardiff
South and Penarth (), said that the reason the
Government refused to tell us what the cost will be is that
“it is not normal practice for the UK to reveal the value of
payments for military bases anywhere across the
globe”.[—[Official Report, 13 November 2024; Vol. 756, c.
793.]](/search/column?VolumeNumber=756&ColumnNumber=793&House=1&ExternalId=2E474CEF-2AFF-4F7B-98DC-A756F04543DC)
Is that correct?
That is correct, but it is also true to say that the treaty is in
the legal and national security interests of the UK and US. That
is why the US Defence Secretary welcomed the agreement, which he
said would
“safeguard the strategic security interests of the United
Kingdom…and the United States…into the next century”.
The Secretary of State says it is true that it is not normal
practice for the UK to reveal the value of payments for military
bases, but there have actually been several written answers,
under this Government and previous ones, giving the costs of
overseas bases. For example, in November 2015 the then Minister
for the Armed Forces—Penny Mordaunt, no less—revealed in a
written answer the cost of 10 overseas bases, including Diego
Garcia and the cost of leases. The reason for withholding the
cost does not stack up. What does the Secretary of State have to
hide from Parliament?
Absolutely nothing, nor will we. It is a matter of course to
confirm running costs for bases. What we are talking about here
is an agreement leading to a treaty that will be put before this
House. I have said to the House and to the shadow Secretary of
State that we will set out the costs and the details of that
treaty in due course when the House comes to consider it.
(Doncaster Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
T2. In Doncaster, we are proud to have an armed forces covenant
co-ordinator, the fantastic Teresa Hodgson, and a Doncaster armed
forces covenant board, which is a coalition of groups and
organisations committed to supporting the armed forces community
in Doncaster. Will the Minister visit my constituency to speak to
the board and discuss the action that the Government are taking
to support veterans facing homelessness?(901275)
The Minister for Veterans and People ()
I would love to come and visit my hon. Friend's constituency to
talk through that and reaffirm that the covenant will go into law
in the next two to three years. That work is progressing as I
speak.
Mr Speaker
I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.
(Epsom and Ewell) (LD)
Tomorrow marks 1,000 days since the illegal invasion of Ukraine.
With the incoming White House Administration casting doubts on
continued US support for Ukraine, I echo the calls heard across
the House today urging the Minister to confirm that the
Government plan to authorise the use of Storm Shadow missiles in
Russia.
I urge the hon. Lady to look back in the record at the answer
that I have given two or three times already to this House.
Alan Strickland (Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor) (Lab)
T4. I thank the Secretary of State for Defence for his decisive
action to safeguard the Octric semiconductor factory in Newton
Aycliffe in my constituency, protecting jobs and, crucially, the
sovereign supply of this vital defence component. Will my right
hon. Friend meet with me to discuss how we can expand the jobs,
apprenticeships and opportunities at this fantastic high-tech
facility?(901277)
The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry ()
The MOD will continue to invest in the company's people to ensure
that the facility has a sustainable future. Octric's leadership
team is currently finalising its future resource plan, which will
cover the need for new high-tech roles such as engineers and
scientists to ensure that the facility is best placed to develop
new technology and meet defence needs. I am more than happy to
meet my hon. Friend about that.
(Weald of Kent) (Con)
T3. I was so pleased to go to His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of
Kent's cadet awards recently to hear about the fantastic work of
our local cadet forces. What might the Secretary of State have to
say to the brilliant young people I saw there to justify the
recent decision to cut funding for state school
cadets?(901276)
I will not comment on other parts of the Government's funding
priorities; what I would suggest is that the MOD absolutely
supports the cadet forces. We have over 140,000 cadets and 26,000
adult volunteers, and we will review the cadets process and make
sure it is fit for purpose as we move forward.
(Uxbridge and South Ruislip)
(Lab)
T5. The military housing this Government inherited for families
at RAF Northolt in my constituency simply is not good enough. Can
the Minister set out how the improvements recommended in the
Kerslake review will be implemented, so that the military
families I represent and serve will finally get the decent
housing they deserve?(901278)
I thank my hon. Friend for his really important question. For the
past 14 years, we have kicked the can down the road on housing,
and I will take it upon myself to put in place a medium and
long-term plan that will solve those housing problems as we move
forward. There are over 47,000 MOD properties, and we will make
sure people get the deal they deserve.
David Reed (Exmouth and Exeter East) (Con)
T8. Could I ask for a progress update on the recruitment for a
national armaments director, the creation of a military strategic
headquarters, and the release of the defence industrial strategy,
and crucially, will they all be in place and established in time
to contribute to the recommendations of the strategic defence
review?(901281)
I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his position as
parliamentary private secretary to the shadow Defence team—it is
good to see him asking questions. The short answer is yes.
(East Renfrewshire)
(Lab)
T6. As we meet today, EU Foreign Ministers are reportedly
discussing that Chinese manufacturing is now providing drones to
the Russian war machine, specifically drones made in Xinjiang.
Does that not further the need for Europe to deepen its own
defence industrial base, and specifically, should we be securing
an administrative arrangement with the European Defence Agency to
that end?(901279)
It is certainly true that we need to rebuild relations with
important European allies, and that we need to do more
collaboratively on big programmes. That is at the heart of the
UK-German defence agreement that we have already signed as a new
Government. We have also said that we will set out to strike a
UK-EU security agreement, and aspects of that may be
relevant.
(Keighley and Ilkley)
(Con)
Many veterans who I have spoken to recently are deeply concerned
about the Government's decision to remove the role of Veterans
Minister from Cabinet. Will the Secretary of State explain how he
will ensure veterans get the attention from Government that they
rightly deserve?
Veterans have a fully fledged Cabinet Minister speaking up for
them. I am proud to do so as the Secretary of State for
Defence.
(Peterborough) (Lab)
T7. Groups such as Light Project Peterborough do vital work to
support homeless veterans, but as we know, demand has risen in
recent years. Will the Minister welcome and congratulate groups
such as Light Project and outline what steps he is taking to
ensure support for veterans facing homelessness this
winter?(901280)
Absolutely, and I congratulate Light Project on its work. Op
Fortitude has also referred over 2,000 veterans, and has already
put 800 into housing.
(Honiton and Sidmouth)
(LD)
The Secretary of State said a moment ago that the UK is working
on a potential UK-EU security agreement. Might that include
involvement in the European Peace Facility, which procures
ammunition jointly?
Discussions are at an early stage. At present, I am more
concerned about the action we can take immediately, which is why
I have given my first priority to building relations with key
European allies. When I can, I will consolidate those relations
in formal agreements, which we already have with Germany.
(Bracknell) (Lab)
T9. As the MP for Sandhurst as well as Bracknell, I am delighted
that the first intake of recruits to the Royal Military Academy
Sandhurst since the general election has hit 101% of its target,
despite the wider retention and recruitment crisis. Will the
Minister join me in welcoming all the 2024 recruits to my
constituency?(901282)
The Minister for the Armed Forces ()
I congratulate all those starting their military careers at
Sandhurst and across our defence training estate. A career in the
armed forces is a good career that supports our national defence,
and I encourage more people to look at a good career in the armed
forces—whether joining for the first time or rejoining.
Mr Speaker
I call the Father of the House.
Sir (Gainsborough) (Con)
As the Government have announced this month that they are putting
RAF Scampton back on the market and the luckless Home Office is
now—thank God—out of the picture, the excellent MOD and this
brilliant cast of Ministers are now very much in the picture. May
I have an assurance today that they will work closely with West
Lindsey to further our exciting plans to promote defence
industries on this historic site and keep the runway open?
I will be pleased to meet the Father of the House and look at
those plans. I think it was my sister who made that decision in
the Home Office—[Laughter.]
(North East Derbyshire)
(Lab)
I served in Germany for two years as part of NATO's very high
readiness joint task force, and I welcome the improved
co-operation with that nation. I also saw at first hand the
importance of our relationship with Poland. Can the Secretary of
State tell me what we are doing to improve co-operation with that
nation?
I can indeed. Poland was one of the first countries that I
visited as the new Defence Secretary. I was keen to establish a
good relationship with my Polish counterpart and have done so.
There is a good deal that we will do in future and are already
doing, both military to military and with our defence
industries.
Mr (Orkney and Shetland)
(LD)
On Friday, the UK Defence Journal reported on the activities of
the Russian research and intelligence vessel Yantar in the Irish
sea, in the vicinity of various cables. This is not new; we had
the same thing last year in the North sea and off Shetland. Given
the sheer quantity of cables and pipelines now in the seabed,
what are the Government doing to ensure that that critical
national infrastructure is properly protected?
Let the House be in no doubt that the United Kingdom and our
armed forces will defend our critical national infrastructure
undersea cables. We have a strategy and armed forces protecting
our cables, and we are working with our allies to do so. I
suspect that that will also feature as a recommendation in the
strategic defence review when it is published next year.
(Bristol North East) (Lab)
With our domestic air defences under increased scrutiny, will the
Secretary of State update us on the work being done to strengthen
them and give assurances that our Government understand that our
forces will need the resources available to secure our skies?
This is one of the areas that the strategic defence review is
looking at closely: it has set up 26 review and challenge panels
and is drawing in almost 150 external experts from the whole
range of defence. With rising threats at this point, this is part
of the long, hard look we have to take at the capabilities we
need in order to keep Britain safe in future and to be strong
abroad.
(Angus and Perthshire Glens)
(SNP)
The Secretary of State speaks to a UK commitment to “NATO first”,
and that is great, but we have just seen the election of a US
President who is putting America first and the defence of Europe
in the hands of European states, which makes the prevarication
over 2.5% all the more difficult. Will he accept that a
commitment without a date is watery and that only a date will
provide a commitment? Will it be in this Parliament—yes or
no?
I do not accept that for a moment. It is a commitment and a level
of defence spending that we have not seen for 15 years. As far as
the new President goes, it is early days—he has only just been
elected—and we will ensure that as a Government and as a country
we work closely with him and with the US.
(Huddersfield) (Lab)
As world leaders meet this week at the G20 in Brazil, what steps
is the Defence Secretary taking with his international
counterparts —other Defence Secretaries at the G20, in
particular—about the urgent situation in Gaza, particularly for
civilians and children?
My hon. Friend is right. For nearly nine months—in opposition and
now in government—we have been calling for and working for a
ceasefire in Gaza to get all hostages released and, importantly,
to flood the area with the aid that the Palestinians so
desperately need. That has to be the first step towards a
political solution that can see a Palestinian state and security
both for Israel and for the Palestinians in future.
(Caithness, Sutherland and
Easter Ross) (LD)
In the UK we have some very special skills when it comes to
developing future defence equipment. To lose those skills would
be a desperate business. Does the Secretary of State agree that
co-operating and working with our friends in Europe is one way to
preserve them?
The hon. Gentleman is correct. There are increasing examples of
industry working across our European nations, both in the EU with
our improving relationships on defence and in NATO. That is one
way in which we can ensure that the skills are available to make
the equipment that we need.
(Mansfield) (Lab)
Due to a lack of funding, many reservists in my constituency are
not getting the training days they need and are therefore not
receiving the salary that they had anticipated. That means that
many highly trained and committed reservists have no choice but
to leave and join another career. Will the Minister outline what
the Labour Government will do to support our reservists,
including those who live in my constituency, all of whom are a
vital part of our armed forces?
As an individual who signed up in just the past two weeks to be a
reserve, this matter is close to my heart. We are doing a review
into reservists over the next couple of weeks, which will be
linked to the strategic defence review, to find out how we can
simplify the process and make it easier for people to join and
serve the armed forces in a way that is befitting to them.
(Huntingdon) (Con)
Labour's manifesto made it clear that it was committed to
scrapping visa fees for non-UK veterans who have served this
country for four or more years, as well as their dependants—a
pledge I wholeheartedly support and have campaigned on. The
Veterans Minister previously stated that the MOD has started to
work with the Home Office, so what is the timetable for
delivering that manifesto pledge?
We are working on that. It is in the manifesto, and it will come
out in due course.
(Telford) (Lab)
We were delighted to host the Veterans Minister in Telford
recently. In a survey of the veterans community in Telford,
access to healthcare was the top priority. What work is the
Department doing with health Ministers to improve access for
veterans to healthcare, in particular mental health care?
I thank my hon. Friend for hosting that visit. The two key
programmes are Op Courage, which has had 30,000 referrals
already, and Op Restore, to help veterans with muscular and
skeletal problems. I point any veteran to the gov.uk page that
describes all the support that they can get via the NHS and
others.
(Newton Abbot) (LD)
Small and medium-sized enterprises in my constituency tell me
that research and development funding has dried up since last
December. What hope can the Minister offer to ensure that SMEs
continue their vital innovation to keep the UK safe, and to help
them turn their swords into ploughshares?
The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the importance of SMEs
in improving our industrial base and bringing agility and new
ideas to our defence industrial production. He can be assured
that there will be SME involvement in our industrial strategy to
the extent that it is possible. We intend to make sure that SMEs,
not just the primes, get a better in at the MOD and are able to
get the work.
(Redditch) (Lab)
Will the Minister join me in congratulating the Royal British
Legion for another highly successful poppy appeal, and the
Redditch and Astwood Bank Royal British Legion for another
record-breaking year?
I completely concur. I am sure the whole House will agree that
the Royal British Legion did a fantastic job in this year's
remembrance parade. I had the privilege of marching with the
veterans for the first time since I left the armed forces. It was
a fantastic show of respect to all those who have served.
(Rutland and Stamford)
(Con)
Between 1978 and 1990, in what was an illegal act, 5,700 women
were dismissed and discharged from the armed forces on family
grounds—for falling pregnant while in service. This is not a
question of compensation; they want their berets and cap badges
returned to them. Will the Minister please work with me to right
an injustice done to all those women who just wanted to keep
serving their country, and now want that service recognised?
That is a really important question. We have the utmost respect
for all those who have served. I would be delighted to work with
the hon. Lady to move that forward.
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