Contributions
275 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArmed Forces: Paternity LeaveI thank the hon. Member for highlighting the quite good provision in the armed forces. I think particularly of the maternity pay, which is not always the first thing on people’s…01 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsOur work to reinvigorate the strategic reserve is absolutely vital. It is an issue that has not previously been thought about in the necessary detail. This Government are utterly…01 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces: Paternity LeaveI thank my hon. Friend for raising a very important point. Other mechanisms for giving leave are available, but I would welcome a meeting with her to discuss the issue further.01 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces DayI thank the hon. Member for raising that important issue, and I am very sorry to hear about Pauline. As I am sure he knows, the interplay between benefits that are available to…01 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces DayThis year we have provided £480,000 to part-fund 130 Armed Forces Day community events, up from 85 last year. The national event, on 27 June, will be in Aldershot and Farnborough,…01 Jun 2026HANSARDCadet ForcesOn 21 May I visited the London Oratory School to meet cadets and to announce the first ever National Cadets Week, which will take place in October and will celebrate the cadet…01 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces DayThe right hon. Gentleman is well aware of how strongly I believe it is important that those who have been victims have a right to have investigations, including into the murders…01 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces: Paternity LeaveBefore I respond to the question, I want to recognise my hon. Friend’s incredible work on widening access to bereavement leave for new parents. Having spoken to a constituent of…01 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am sure that decisions about which activity is conducted where are taken across the UK, but I will write to the hon. Gentleman with further detail about those barracks.01 Jun 2026HANSARDCadet ForcesI am sure the right hon. Gentleman will be well aware that we have committed an additional £70 million to funding the expansion of the cadets, which the Government he was a member…01 Jun 2026HANSARDCadet ForcesMy hon. Friend is right to emphasise how fundamental the cadet forces can be, especially for those who are at risk of not proceeding to further education, employment or training.…01 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the fantastic work that cadet groups are doing in Basingstoke. They exemplify the confidence, independence and community spirit fostered by…01 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the wonderful work done by the Thongsbridge Army cadets. As he rightly says, they exemplify the wonderful things that young people can gain…01 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe right hon. Gentleman makes a very good point. I am working with the Department for Education, as it is vital that we communicate the amazing things that cadets can do to…01 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces DayThe new Valour programme will make it easier for veterans to access the care and support they deserve. Crucially, it will also improve how their voices are heard. We opened the…01 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces DayThis Government are proud to support veterans in Rochdale. I am so pleased that we have been able to provide funding for what sounds like a fantastic Armed Forces Day event. I…01 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. and learned Gentleman is right that tomorrow is a very sad anniversary. I am sure that he will be aware that members of my own corps sadly lost their lives in that crash.…01 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI will write to the hon. Lady with the specific information. I know that she has also submitted questions to my office about this issue. I would gently say that there are very…01 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI appreciate that the hon. Member understands the unique funding arrangements for the sea cadets, and how they are rightly proud of their history and traditions. I take his point…01 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI completely echo the sentiment of my hon. Friend over how unacceptably our LGBT service personnel were treated. As he will know, the LGBT financial recognition scheme has made…01 Jun 2026