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1,320 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSize of Armed ForcesIn January, the Defence Secretary admitted that his Government have “hollowed out and underfunded” our armed forces and, in the past week, a string of senior military figures have…26 Jun 2023HANSARDSize of Armed ForcesI have the Secretary of State’s exact words here. After inviting me to get Labour’s shortcomings off my chest, he said: “I am happy to say that we have hollowed out and…26 Jun 2023HANSARDGlobal Military OperationsI take nothing for granted—I have been around too long for that—and we will fight hard every day to make sure that we do get a Labour Government. The hon. Gentleman will also…14 Jun 2023HANSARDGlobal Military OperationsThe Minister has indeed made a powerful case for another defence policy debate in short order, as the Chair of the Select Committee, the right hon. Member for Bournemouth East (Mr…14 Jun 2023HANSARDGlobal Military OperationsThe point about the measure—counts in terms of GDP—is that it demonstrates the priority that the Government of the day give to a particular area of necessary spend. It was 2.5% of…14 Jun 2023HANSARDGlobal Military OperationsMy hon. Friend is right to pick up that point, and he is not the first on either side of the House to raise those questions. They have still not been satisfactorily answered by…14 Jun 2023HANSARDGlobal Military OperationsThat is welcome indeed and noted on our side, not least because the new defence Command Paper will be a really important publication. No country comes out of a war in the same way…14 Jun 2023HANSARDMaritime Security: ScotlandThe Defence Secretary is right, of course, that for strong maritime security, we need our Navy ships at sea, not in dock for repairs. For the last two years, he has been telling…15 May 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsLabour has argued for over two years for a halt to these cuts. Despite the Secretary of State’s bluster, the truth is that he has failed to get the new money for defence, apart…15 May 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe welcome President Zelensky’s visit and the extra military aid announced today. The invasion of Ukraine has reinforced the importance of strong deterrence and Army numbers.…15 May 2023HANSARD UkraineWe are united in our determination to help in the defence of Ukraine and of our shared values. I welcome the Defence Secretary’s statement—his first on Ukraine since January, and…11 May 2023HANSARD UkraineAll eyes are on Sudan. We want British nationals to get out during the ceasefire while they can. We pay tribute to the UK armed forces and to Foreign Office and Border Force staff…27 Apr 2023HANSARD Ukraine(Urgent Question): To ask the Defence Secretary to make a statement on the war in Ukraine.27 Apr 2023HANSARDTop Secret Document LeaksThe US is our closest security ally, so this is of serious concern. The intelligence we share bilaterally and through alliances such as NATO and Five Eyes is fundamental to our UK…18 Apr 2023HANSARD Afghan Resettlement UpdateI thank the Minister for advance sight of the statement. He himself means well, but this statement should be from the Defence Secretary, explaining why, 18 months after Afghan…28 Mar 2023HANSARDAUKUS Defence PartnershipI thank the Minister for the advance copy of his statement. This AUKUS defence partnership has our fullest Labour support. The multi-decade agreement deepens security and…14 Mar 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe House will be thankful and grateful to the Defence Secretary for updating it on the latest Op Shader activity. If there are any questions that cannot be raised this afternoon,…13 Mar 2023HANSARDUK Military CapabilityIn November, the Defence Secretary told the Defence Committee that “yes, the inflationary pressure on my budget for the next two years is about £8 billion”. From the media…13 Mar 2023HANSARDUK Military CapabilityIn 2010 when Labour left government, we were spending 2.5% of GDP on defence—a level that has been nowhere near matched in any of the 13 years since. The Secretary of State is now…13 Mar 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsLast week, the Defence Secretary said that the armed forces had faced a “consistent hollowing out…under Labour and the early Conservative governments”. However, when Labour left…30 Jan 2023