Contributions
1,811 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWar in Ukraine: Third AnniversaryAll parties in this House have rightfully praised President Zelensky, the democratically elected leader of Ukraine. It is right that we continue to stand with him and his people…27 Feb 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentI am grateful for the enthusiasm of young people in my hon. Friend’s constituency for a career in cyber. Last week, the new cyber direct entry pathway for our armed forces was…10 Feb 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt is vital that we value the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and we have done so by settling the pay dispute and making it very clear that there is a bright future for seafarers in the…10 Feb 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. I was dealing with this issue before I came to the House earlier today. Supporting our national security is the No. 1 priority…10 Feb 2025HANSARDAfghan Resettlement ProgrammeCan I thank the hon. Gentleman not just for that question, but for his ongoing interest in this area? We owe a debt of gratitude to those people who served alongside our forces in…10 Feb 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentThe hon. Lady is right that we need to speed up the recruitment process. We inherited a situation where it takes, on average, more than 250 days from the point of application to…10 Feb 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentI reassure the hon. Gentleman that we on the Government Benches share the same passion that all veterans should get the support they need. We will continue to discuss that aspect…10 Feb 2025HANSARDUndersea InfrastructureI am familiar with the campaigning work of my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth South (Stephen Morgan), who has raised similar concerns. If the right hon. Lady writes to me…10 Feb 2025HANSARDUndersea InfrastructureClyde is an important base for our national security. It is one of our critical military assets, and we work closely on it, not just with the Scottish Government and local…10 Feb 2025HANSARDUndersea InfrastructureThe Government are delivering for defence with strong measures to protect our underwater critical national infrastructure. We have declassified the activities of the Russian spy…10 Feb 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentI am pleased to confirm that the Ministry of Defence signed the dyslexia-friendly workplace pledge at the end of last year, making us the first UK Government Department to do so.…10 Feb 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentThe Government are delivering for Defence by addressing the deep retention and recruitment crisis that we inherited from the Conservatives. Last week I announced more detail on a…10 Feb 2025HANSARDUndersea InfrastructureI am grateful for the hon. Member’s question—it is a good one. We are seeing more risks posed to our critical underwater infrastructure by players who wish harm to our national…10 Feb 2025HANSARDUndersea InfrastructureThe hon. Member is right. We are increasing our defence spending. In the Budget, we increased defence spending by £3 billion, and in the spring, after the publication of the…10 Feb 2025HANSARDUndersea InfrastructureAs a Navy brat and representative of a naval constituency, that is foremost in my mind. It is not just the Royal Navy that defends our critical national infrastructure; in the…10 Feb 2025HANSARDUndersea InfrastructureMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. We live in more difficult and uncertain times, with increasing risks to UK homeland security. That is an evolution from some of the strategic…10 Feb 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentIt is vital that we seek to invest in Defence Medical Services, especially as we live in more difficult and contested times where we may need to use its expertise and that of the…10 Feb 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentI assure the right hon. Gentleman that his passion is also felt on the Government Benches, and the ministerial team want to support all our veterans. The issue that he raises is…10 Feb 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentThank you, Mr Speaker. I am grateful for the right hon. Gentleman’s question none the less. The Ministry of Defence is continuing our conversations with the Northern Ireland…10 Feb 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentThis is a matter that the Ministry of Defence has discussed today with the Northern Ireland Office—it is a Northern Ireland Office lead, and we will be working closely with it on…10 Feb 2025