Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces: Cost of Living

Monday 26 June 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department has introduced measures to support armed forces personnel, including capping accommodation charges and freezing food charges.
  • The Minister supports the continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, stating it has kept the country safe for years.
  • The Minister expresses disappointment in her party for not backing the armed forces in supporting the nuclear deterrent.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marion Fellows SNP
Policing & Resources Defence
Context

The question arises from concerns about the financial burden on military personnel and its effect on morale and recruitment.

Question

What recent assessment has his Department made of the potential impact of increases in the cost of living on the armed forces' (a) morale and (b) recruitment?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

We have introduced measures to support personnel and mitigate cost of living impacts, including capping accommodation charges, freezing food charges, increasing travel allowances, rebating council tax contributions, and introducing childcare services. Over the past five years, armed forces pay has increased by 11%, with a significant percentage uplift in 2022.

Answered
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Q2 Marion Fellows SNP
Defence Economy
Context

The question stems from a House of Commons Library report indicating that the Government plans to spend £3 billion on nuclear weapons this year, while there are reports of service people and their families using food banks.

Question

According to the House of Commons Library, this Westminster Government plan to spend £3 billion on renewing nuclear weapons for 2023-24. When we see reports of service people and their families using food banks, does the Minister think that is a wise use of public funds?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I fully support the continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, which has kept us safe for years. As long as there are Conservative Governments, this will continue. The Minister expresses disappointment that her party does not back the armed forces in supporting the deterrent.

Not addressed: wise use of public funds on nuclear weapons

How: Disagreement With Opposition, Support For Government Policy

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