Contributions
1,811 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingIt is certainly true that the last time this country spent 2.5% of GDP on defence was under a Labour Government. The Tories cut defence spending as a percentage of GDP over their…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingThe right hon. Gentleman is certainly right that the forces were hollowed out and underfunded, which we are seeking to address by increasing defence spending. We have provided £3…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingThat is not a matter for the Ministry of Defence and it is not within my portfolio, but if the hon. Gentleman writes to me, I will ensure Northern Ireland Office officials respond…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingI agree with my hon. Friend that we have to spend more on defence. I think everyone in this House agrees with that, and that is why this Labour Government are spending more on…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingWe have said that we will publish the strategic defence review in the spring, and we will also set out a path to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence in the spring. I do not recognise…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingI have a lot of time for the hon. Lady, but we have been very clear and consistent that we will set out a path to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence in the spring. I remind her that…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingIt is certainly true that this Government inherited an armed forces that, as world-class as they are, were struggling with falling morale, poor housing and capability gaps thanks…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingThe strategic defence review will be published in spring this year, and the path to 2.5% will also be announced in spring this year.27 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingThe shadow Defence Secretary was certainly a regular user of the helicopters, so he will be able to advise colleagues whether they were good value. It is true that the Government…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingI think that the whole House will want to pass on its condolences to the hon. Gentleman and the family of Captain Hicks. It is right that one of the Government’s objectives is to…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingI thank the hon. Gentleman for his question, and I support the work of the private sector businesses that do so much to support our armed forces. The needs of our armed forces…27 Jan 2025HANSARD Fiscal Policy: Defence SpendingThat is precisely the reason why the Prime Minister commissioned the strategic defence review within two weeks of coming to office, to assess the changing context that we are…27 Jan 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillI thank all Members who have spoken in this debate, and all who served on the Public Bill Committee. The Bill is a landmark step towards fulfilling this Government’s commitment to…21 Jan 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillThat highlights the danger of a list. In future amendments that the hon. Lady tables, I would expect her to veer away from lists to avoid that problem. Briefly, on the inheritance…21 Jan 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillI beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time. It is a privilege to open the Third Reading debate and to reach this next milestone in establishing the Armed Forces…21 Jan 2025HANSARD UK Air DefenceI would certainly be happy afterwards to take up any discussion about Plymouth Argyle and a post Wayne Rooney world. It is certainly true that the United Kingdom’s commitment to…16 Jan 2025HANSARD UK Air DefenceI thank my fellow Devon MP for that question. He will be able to read the joint statement by the UK, Italy, France, Germany and Poland when it is published on the Ministry of…16 Jan 2025HANSARD UK Air DefenceI thank the right hon. Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison) for calling this debate and for the seriousness with which he has approached it. I share his general analysis…16 Jan 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt is important that the strategic defence review is able to report its recommendations. It is certainly true that we inherited armed forces with capability gaps, falling morale…06 Jan 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt is certainly true that this Government inherited a recruitment and retention crisis from the Conservatives. Morale was falling. That is why we are renewing the nation’s…06 Jan 2025