Contributions
589 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI fully respect the hon. and gallant Member; he has experience from Northern Ireland during the troubles. I served in Northern Ireland in 2003, after the troubles. We absolutely…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank my hon. Friend for his list. This Government have come into power and put in place a very clear, concise programme to increase recruitment and retention. There is a list:…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank the right hon. Member for his comments. The reality is that 90% of all casualties in Northern Ireland were caused by terrorists, and it is not lost on me that that context…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI have been really clear: I have been working with veterans across the whole UK, with Northern Ireland and with the commissioners to ensure that the protections that we put in…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank my hon. Friend for his comments. The reality is that the last Act was opposed by every part of the Northern Ireland system, groups across the military and civilians in…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionAs the shadow Defence Secretary has raised a question about recruitment and retention, it is important that we look at the record of his own Government. Military morale fell to…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank my hon. Friend for making that point. In this role and in my last role, I have visited Sandhurst several times; it is the best leadership academy in the country, and its…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank the hon. Member for his—as always—well-thought-through contribution. We have made our perspective clear: we must protect our veterans from the process being wielded as a…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionIn my last role, I had considerable dealings with the service justice system. I have been to visit the Defence Serious Crime Command and had a look at the victim support units…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionThis Labour Government are committed to renewing the contract with those who serve, and our commitment is reflected in our actions. That is why we have given our armed forces the…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank the hon. and gallant Member for his comments, and also for his service. Nobody in the senior command has raised the Bill with me in relation to recruitment and retention.05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionThe hon. Member knows better than I the difficulties of Northern Ireland politics. My role in this is to ensure that veterans are protected. I speak to the Northern Ireland…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI have made it very clear that anyone who served in Northern Ireland, and indeed any veteran, will receive the full legal and welfare support of the Ministry of Defence. We saw…05 Jan 2026HANSARDDefenceAs the hon. Member will recognise, a review of Ajax is under way. However, Ajax has not been overspent but the key user requirements were over - specified . We have now taken this…18 Dec 2025HANSARDDefenceAs the hon. Member will recognise, a review of Ajax is under way. However, Ajax has been overspent and the key user requirements have changed and oscillated from left to right for…18 Dec 2025HANSARDNATO: European SecurityI thank my hon. Friend for the opportunity to acknowledge the vital military history and work of Norfolk. Whether defending the UK from zeppelin raids in world war one or serving…15 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe devastation caused by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine is not lost on any of us. Millions of landmines—anti-tank mines—have been laid all across the frontline and will take…15 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI would love to sit down and, in person, talk through this particular issue. It is worth noting that, for the first time in a long period, more people are joining than leaving,…15 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsThat is exactly why, on Thursday, we launched the Military Intelligence Services, to map and track those threats, deter them and, if necessary, defeat them.15 Dec 2025HANSARDNATO: European SecurityThe hon. Member makes an exceptionally valid point. Just last Thursday, we launched the Military Intelligence Services that are primarily about co-ordinating all of our…15 Dec 2025