Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 14 October 2024 · 16 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 9 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris McDonald inquired about steps the Government is taking to ensure veterans have access to safe and secure housing, to which the response highlighted the success of Op FORTITUDE in helping veterans find housing.
  • James Cartlidge questioned the impact of VAT on education costs for children of armed forces personnel, prompting a response that included the mention of the continuity of education allowance to support these families.
  • Helen Maguire raised concerns about the lack of parliamentary consultation for UK military operations in the Middle East, with the Minister responding that it is a convention to report military action authorised by the Prime Minister to Parliament as soon as possible.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris McDonald Lab Stockton North
Housing Veterans
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of secure and safe housing for veterans who have served in the military. The context includes current programmes aimed at supporting veteran housing.

Question

Can my right hon. Friend outline what steps the Government are taking to ensure that every veteran who has bravely served this country has access to safe and secure housing, so that they never face the injustice of homelessness?

Answer from Alistair Carns

As I mentioned before, Op FORTITUDE is up and running. It is doing exceptionally well, with over 2,000 referrals and 700 veterans finding housing, and we will work to continue that programme for the foreseeable future.

Answered
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Q2 James Cartlidge Con South Suffolk
Defence Taxation
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of VAT being charged on education costs for children of armed forces personnel, which could lead to homelessness and other social issues.

Question

Thousands of children of armed forces personnel face unaffordable increases to their school fees because of this Government's ideological decision to charge VAT on education. That could have the perverse effect of forcing experienced personnel to quit the service of their country just when we should be seeking to maximise retention. Will the Minister therefore confirm that children of armed forces families will be exempt from the new VAT rise, and furthermore that that exemption will apply from January when the new tax kicks in?

Answer from John Healey

We recognise the extraordinary strain that is sometimes placed on the family of armed forces personnel, including their children. That is why the continuity of education allowance—an important part of the package that reflects and respects the service—is in place, and it is why we are looking very closely at options to ensure we continue with that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Confirmation of VAT exemption for military families from January 2024.

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Q3 Emma Foody Labour (Co-op) Cramlington and Killingworth
Women & Equalities Veterans
Context

A recent investigation found intolerable levels of misogyny within the submarine service, with cases of bullying and sexual harassment. The MP is seeking a meeting to discuss how to support survivors.

Question

Earlier this month, a Royal Navy investigation found intolerable misogyny in the submarine service, following complaints of bullying and sexual harassment. Forward Assist, a charity based in my constituency that supports survivors, has done research and a number of reports into the prevalence and impact of military sexual trauma. Will the Secretary of State meet me and that charity to discuss its findings, and how we can support serving personnel and veterans?

Answer from Alistair Carns

I would love to visit that charity with my hon. Friend in due course. Any reports of misogyny or wrongdoing in any way are utterly unacceptable. That is why since entering government we have started a programme of raising our standards with a plan to enact cultural change across defence, with the aim of making defence the best place to work across Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Agreement for a future meeting but no concrete timeline or specific commitments.

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Q4 Helen Maguire Lib Dem Epsom and Ewell
Defence Democracy & Elections
Context

There have been instances of British military jets being involved in middle east operations without parliamentary consultation. The MP is seeking clarification on the Government's stance on requiring a vote for such actions.

Question

This year, British military jets have been involved in several operations in the middle east without consulting Parliament. Allowing the Commons to debate military action wherever feasible is essential to ensuring public accountability. Will the Secretary of State set out the Government's stance on the use of a parliamentary vote to approve military action?

Answer from John Healey

It is a convention that if military action is authorised by the Prime Minister, that is reported as soon as possible to this House. It is important to any Prime Minister and any Government that if they commit UK forces to military action, they will want the support of all sides of this House.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No clear commitment or specific stance on parliamentary vote requirement for approving military actions.

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Q5 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Defence Environment
Context

A licence agreement inherited from the previous Government allows for trail hunting on MOD land. The MP seeks a permanent revocation of this agreement, citing concerns over illegal hunting.

Question

Under an agreement inherited from the last Government, a system remains in place allowing for the licensing of trail hunting on land owned by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. It is welcome news that that licence issuing has been paused while the agreement is under ministerial review, but in the light of the widespread recognition that trail hunting is often a smokescreen for illegal hunting, will the Minister meet me and other concerned MPs to discuss the permanent revocation of that agreement, in line with the Government's manifesto ban on trail hunting?

Answer from Luke Pollard

I am grateful to my hon. Friend—she and I have campaigned on many similar issues for quite some time. I would like to make it clear that no licences to trail hunt on Ministry of Defence land have been granted for the 2024-25 hunting season. The Department is considering its position alongside other Government Departments, and we hope to have an update soon, but I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend in the meantime.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Permanent revocation of trail hunting agreement not explicitly confirmed.

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Q6 Joshua Reynolds Lib Dem Maidenhead
Defence Housing
Context

Members of the armed forces in the MP's constituency are living in sub-par MOD housing that is cold, damp and mould-ridden. The question seeks information on measures being taken to improve these conditions.

Question

Many members of the armed forces in my constituency are living in sub-par MOD housing that is cold, damp and mould-ridden. How is the Minister ensuring that all MOD properties are fit to live in?

Answer from Alistair Carns

I have been utterly shocked by the state of parts of the housing estate that we have inherited. Over the last 14 years, the Government of the time failed to decisively close with this issue, instead kicking the can down the road or continually topping up the leaking bucket. We have examples of families living in accommodation with no running water, with mould and with pest infestations; there were 53,000 complaints between 2018 and 2023. Having lived in some of that accommodation, I can tell the House that it is unacceptable. Our armed forces protect the freedoms we enjoy, and this Government will take action—including a medium to long-term review—to get after the housing and create a new armed forces commissioner to improve service life.

Answered
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Q7 Luke Murphy Lab Basingstoke
Policing & Resources Defence
Context

The MP is concerned about the ongoing recruitment crisis in the armed forces, particularly in areas such as cyber skills. The question seeks details on steps taken to address this issue.

Question

I am immensely proud of the armed forces, both those serving and veterans, who live in my constituency, but I do worry for the future given the recruitment crisis that we inherited from the previous Government. What steps are this Government taking to tackle the recruitment crisis, in particular to attract diverse skills such as in cyber?

Answer from Luke Pollard

I am grateful for the question, because we know that there is a recruitment and retention crisis in the UK armed forces. It is precisely for that reason that the Defence Secretary set out at the Labour party conference a series of changes, including scrapping 100 outdated recruitment policies and creating a new direct entry route for cyber. There is a lot more work to be done in this area, and the Department will be making further announcements in due course.

Answered
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Q8 Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

Recent bombings in Gaza and Lebanon involving F-35 fighter jets that use parts supplied by the UK.

Question

The 2,000 lb bombs dropped on innocent civilians led to unimaginable scenes of babies being killed and children burned alive. These bombs are used by F-35s with parts from the UK. When will we stop supplying these parts and adhere to international conventions?

Answer from John Healey

We have made decisions on suspending arms sales to Israel, and we are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. We are working towards a political solution that guarantees peace.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the commitment to stop supplying parts for F-35 fighter jets.

How: Under Review

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Q9 Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West
Defence Brexit
Context

Period of global strife with war in Europe and conflict in the Middle East.

Question

Our first duty is to keep the nation safe, especially during periods of global instability. Will my right hon. Friend reassure the House that our defence relationship with European allies has not been adversely affected by Brexit?

Answer from John Healey

The previous Government must answer for the impact of Brexit. As a new Government, we are rebuilding relations with key European allies on defence and security.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether current government's relationships have been adversely affected by Brexit.

How: Under Review

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Q10 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Veterans
Context

49 war widows excluded from a payment scheme that others unfairly lost their pensions on remarriage.

Question

I commend the new Veterans Minister for contacting the chairman of the War Widows Association. May I request a meeting with him, her and me to try to resolve the situation for the last 49 war widows who have been excluded from the payment scheme?

Answer from Alistair Carns

Given the amount of his experience, I would love to sit down with him and the chair of the War Widows Association to talk this through in more detail.

Answered
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Q11 David Taylor Lab Hemel Hempstead
Ukraine
Context

Groups like Help99 driving military vehicles to Kyiv for Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline.

Question

I was privileged to join a group called Help99 in driving pick-up trucks and other military vehicles to Kyiv for use by Ukrainian soldiers. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how we can make it easier for such groups to deliver vehicles?

Answer from Luke Pollard

I would be very happy to meet him to see what we can do to support their work further, because we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Answered
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Q12 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Immigration Migrants & Borders Defence
Context

RAF Scampton was part of an expansion programme during WWII.

Question

In the run-up to WWII, new RAF airfields were opened. One such airfield is RAF Scampton. Now that we are no longer to have illegal migrants there, this matter is sitting in the Home Office's in-tray: will the MOD work with the Home Office to ensure that we keep the runway open for future use?

Answer from John Healey

We will indeed work with the Home Office on the future of RAF Scampton.

Answered
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Q13 Lillian Jones Lab Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Defence Veterans
Context

A constituent was refused entry into the RAF due to a prior ACL injury.

Question

My constituent Hannah was refused entry into the RAF due to an ACL injury, now fully repaired. Will my hon. Friend review his Department's policy on the rehabilitation of both armed forces personnel and applicants graded as medically unfit?

Answer from Alistair Carns

Medical standards including on ACL injuries were changed in August. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, but I would like to discuss it in more detail in person.

Answered
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Q14 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Foreign Affairs
Context

Incredulity regarding the cost of leasing facilities in the Chagos.

Question

Does the Secretary of State share my incredulity that he has not been told the cost of leasing the facilities in the Chagos?

Answer from John Healey

I said earlier that the Foreign Secretary had said the other day that the detail of the costs and the agreement will be set out properly before this House when it comes to consider and debate the treaty.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm whether he is aware of the leasing costs.

How: Did Not Hear Me

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Q15 Fred Thomas Lab Plymouth Moor View
Defence Transport
Context

Future need for increased infrastructure at Devonport dockyard.

Question

Devonport dockyard in Plymouth repairs and maintains our submarine fleet. In the future, there will be even more submarines and more upkeep needed. What conversations is the Secretary of State having with Secretaries of State responsible for housing and transport to deliver this infrastructure?

Answer from John Healey

I would say the same thing to my hon. Friend, and I would be pleased to meet him to discuss it further.

Answered
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Q16 Alec Shelbrooke Con Wetherby and Easingwold
Foreign Affairs
Context

Latest Hezbollah attack on Israel.

Question

In light of the latest Hezbollah attack, will the Secretary of State assure the House that we will continue to supply defensive equipment to Israel?

Answer from John Healey

We have an unshakeable commitment to the right of Israel to defend itself and we have demonstrated a willingness to stand with Israel, particularly when it has been under attack from Iran.

Answered
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