Contributions
1,320 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy 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,…18 Nov 2024HANSARDUkraineMy 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsI 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThis 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsDiscussions 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDUkraineI 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDUkraineThe 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsAbsolutely 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsVeterans have a fully fledged Cabinet Minister speaking up for them. I am proud to do so as the Secretary of State for Defence.18 Nov 2024HANSARDUkraineI 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.…18 Nov 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThis 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsOur 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsI 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDUkraineAt 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDUkraineI 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDUkraineOne 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsI 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.18 Nov 2024HANSARDImproving Service Life: Personnel and FamiliesOver 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…18 Nov 2024HANSARDImproving Service Life: Personnel and FamiliesI 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…18 Nov 2024