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Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention 2026-01-05
05 January 2026
Lead MP
James Cartlidge
Debate Type
Urgent Question
Tags
DefenceEmploymentNorthern Ireland
Other Contributors: 26
At a Glance
James Cartlidge raised concerns about northern ireland troubles bill armed forces recruitment and retention 2026-01-05 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm the impact of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on armed forces recruitment and retention? The MP is concerned that the new bill will negatively affect morale, recruitment, and retention within the military, particularly among special forces. He cites specific examples like the Loughgall incident to illustrate potential impacts.
James Cartlidge
Con
South Suffolk
Question
The MP is concerned about morale issues due to the Bill's impact on Loughgall and other similar cases. He cites a letter from senior former SAS officers expressing fears of legal challenges, which could affect recruitment and retention negatively.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges concerns but insists there is no evidence linking the Bill with impacts on recruitment or retention. He emphasises the Government's commitment to protecting veterans through legal protections and consultations.
Slough
Question
The MP inquires about ensuring that nobody who perpetrated terrorist atrocities during the troubles will be given immunity and asks how the Government plans to protect veterans from repeated investigations.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms protections for veterans, including legal duties to consider welfare and provisions for remote evidence-giving. These measures are designed by veterans through discussions with the MOD.
Lewes
Question
The MP is concerned about fairness for those who acted within the law as it stood at the time, suggesting that the Bill could impact recruitment and retention negatively. He calls for clearer legal protections.
Minister reply
The Minister outlines six key protections for veterans in the Bill, five of which will be directly written into legislation. These measures aim to prevent the legal process from becoming a punishment and ensure that no veteran has to travel to Northern Ireland to give evidence.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
Question
The Member questions the Minister's stance on recruitment issues despite feedback from squadron leaders, warrant officers, and other military personnel who oppose the Northern Ireland legacy Bill. He asks for clarity on why the government believes its position is correct.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges that he respects the views of those with experience in Northern Ireland but emphasises that statistics show no recruitment or retention issues caused by the Bill. He states that veterans' welfare will be protected and welcomes discussions to ensure all are comfortable with the legislation.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Question
The Member congratulates the Minister on the 156 new recruits who started at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in his constituency, praising the academy's 'Serve to lead' motto and its role as a leadership institution.
Minister reply
The Minister thanks the MP for his support and expresses confidence that the new recruits will progress well and enjoy fulfilling careers.
David Davis
Con
Goole and Pocklington
Question
The Member questions the potential impact of the Bill on military personnel's morale, noting that it may lead to coroner’s court inquiries into decisions made in Northern Ireland decades ago.
Minister reply
Acknowledging 90% of casualties were caused by terrorists, the Minister argues for ensuring individuals conducting inquests have the best operational context and advises against retrospective analysis which can be punitive.
Jonathan Davies
Lab
Mid Derbyshire
Question
The Member asks about further steps to ensure that armed forces remain an attractive career, welcoming the current efforts on recruitment and retention, including investments in homes and pay rises.
Minister reply
The Minister encourages those interested to join any officer academy or recruitment centre for a rewarding experience. He also commits to ensuring no vexatious prosecutions against veterans.
Andrew Mitchell
Con
Sutton Coldfield
Question
The Member expresses concern that reopening old wounds may impact morale, retention and recruitment despite numerous investigations already conducted.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms a legal duty to consider veterans’ welfare, ensuring no one is dragged back through the system if they suffer from physical or mental issues due to service.
Derby North
Question
The Member commends funding for service personnel travel during Christmas and emphasises its importance in supporting armed forces morale.
Minister reply
Acknowledging the sentiment, the Minister praises previous service members like her husband. He asserts that current government focus is on people rather than just equipment.
Stuart Anderson
Con
South Shropshire
Question
The Member inquires about any concerns from senior command regarding the Bill's impact on operational capability or future recruitment and retention.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms that no one in the senior command has raised issues related to recruitment and retention due to the Bill.
Emily Darlington
Lab
Milton Keynes Central
Question
The Member highlights challenges such as a shortage of trainers and facilities affecting military training programmes, and asks what measures are being taken.
Minister reply
While the response is cut off, it likely addresses concerns about training capacity and facility improvements to support increased recruitment.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
Why can the French Government protect their servicemen and women while this Government appears to be doing the reverse?
Minister reply
We hold our British forces, whether it be the Army, the Navy or the Air Force, to the highest legal standard. We always will, and it is what separates us from terrorists or dictatorships. I would be interested to read the French document so that we could have a discussion offline and see whether there is any applicability to how we run things.
Paul Kohler
LD
Wimbledon
Question
Can the Minister tell what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Office to address veteran concerns? What would he say to veterans dissatisfied with the safeguards in the Bill?
Minister reply
For almost a year and a half now, I have been in constant discussion with various veterans groups. We are reinforcing these protections into legislation, and my office is in daily contact with the Northern Ireland Office to ensure that we shore up those protections collaboratively and come out with the best possible way to get to truth, reconciliation and justice across all three different groups within Northern Ireland.
John Cooper
Con
Dumfries and Galloway
Question
Have members of the SAS who signed a letter saying that this Bill is not fit for purpose changed their position?
Minister reply
I have spoken to several of the generals who have raised these concerns. I have spoken to the associations connected to a variety of organisations across the group, and I have spoken to active members of those organisations to ensure that statistics are communicated effectively and people are representing what is and what is not happening.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Question
If operatives perceive that the Government do not have their back, will this not adversely affect morale or recruitment?
Minister reply
It is clear that the Government have our armed forces’ back. We have individuals with the most military experience sat within the Department in the political space. They understand the line that they walk—they have walked it several times across various different operational theatres—and understand it wholeheartedly.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
Question
What assessment has the Minister made of the forthcoming Haddon-Cave inquiry and its impact on retention?
Minister reply
The Haddon-Cave inquiry is an independent inquiry established by the last Government, and we must allow that to continue. We are focused today on ensuring that the correct protections are in place and written into law to ensure that no veteran who served so valiantly in Northern Ireland has any concerns about the Northern Ireland legacy Bill as it progresses.
Dorking and Horley
Question
How are veterans meant to feel there is anything other than persecution when incidents such as Loughgall—an exemplary SAS counter-terrorism operation—are granted a public inquiry, but the 1987 IRA bombing of Enniskillen is not?
Minister reply
The last Government’s legacy Act made promises that could not be kept. We have been clear that inquests that were started by the last Government—such as Loughgall in 2014—must continue and come to their rightful conclusion.
Solihull West and Shirley
Question
Does he not recognise that the inequality of arms under the legal system for our veterans is likely to have a significant impact upon retention?
Minister reply
This Government have an exceptional record on supporting our veterans. We put more money into veterans than any other Government in the past 10 years, including £50 million into Valour and enhanced Op Restore programme.
Sarah Pochin
Reform
Runcorn and Helsby
Question
With the risk of future prosecutions for simply following orders, would the Minister join the British Army today if he was a young man again making a career choice?
Minister reply
No, I would join the Royal Marines.
Charlie Dewhirst
Con
Bridlington and The Wolds
Question
Will the Minister use this opportunity to assure the House that the Government will table amendments ensuring that terrorists will not sit on the legacy commission alongside the families of victims?
Minister reply
I have worked very closely with those in the Northern Ireland Office on this issue. The legacy commission has the most powers to review evidence and get to truth, reconciliation and justice better than any other organisation.
Honiton and Sidmouth
Question
Can the Minister reassure civilians that justice from a jury of a service person’s peers is worthy of their confidence?
Minister reply
I have considerable dealings with the service justice system. There has been a huge amount of revamping and rebuilding since 2021, making it fully fit for purpose.
Blake Stephenson
Con
Mid Bedfordshire
Question
In light of the Minister's respect for officers' views, why does he think they are wrong?
Minister reply
I am willing to discuss any statistics or evidence in detail that would demonstrate that some of the comments made do not necessarily align with facts. I am happy to engage in such discussions.
Robin Swann
UUP
South Antrim
Question
Given the potential impact of Northern Ireland's troubles Bill on veterans' protections, will the Minister pause and reflect if no Northern Irish party supports the current draft?
Minister reply
I work closely with the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner to ensure that veterans receive appropriate protections, regardless of where they served. The Ministry aims to define and implement these protections effectively.
Katie Lam
Con
Weald of Kent
Question
How will the Minister address the inhumane conditions faced by Northern Ireland veterans subjected to lawfare? Will he consider measures beyond the European Court of Human Rights and the Human Rights Act?
Minister reply
Anyone who served in Northern Ireland, including veterans, receives full legal and welfare support from the Ministry of Defence. This commitment was demonstrated in the Soldier F case.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Considering recruitment is down and the First Minister's stance on recent recruitment issues, does the Minister acknowledge that this may undermine future defence capabilities? Will he take a stand to support our troops?
Minister reply
The perspective of protecting veterans from being used as punishment through legal processes is clear. We must also prevent terrorists who caused 90% of casualties in Northern Ireland from rewriting history.
Government Response
This Labour Government are committed to renewing the contract with those who serve, and our commitment is reflected in our actions. We have given armed forces the largest pay rise in 20 years, invested £9 billion to fix force homes, scrapped outdated medical policies, created new recruitment pathways like a gap year scheme, and funded travel for up to 35,000 service personnel over Christmas. Recruitment inflow is up 13% this year compared with September 2024, while retention has seen an 8% reduction in outflow. The Bill aims to deal effectively with the legacy of the troubles without unfaltering support from previous legislation; it addresses veterans' welfare and legal protections, emphasising no evidence that the bill affects recruitment or retention negatively. We are committed to protecting those who served during the Troubles.
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