Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Armed Forces Commissioner: Appointment

Monday 6 January 2025 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government is establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner to champion the voices of service personnel and their families.
  • Germany's parliamentary armed forces commissioner, Dr Eva Hgl, is cited as an inspiration for the UK role.
  • Consultation is ongoing regarding potential inheritance tax changes affecting unmarried service personnel in long-term relationships.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Will Stone Lab Swindon North
Standards & Ethics Veterans
Context

Will Stone, an ex-rifleman, is concerned about the negative impact of inadequate care and equipment on service personnel's health. He questions how appointing a commissioner will improve their standard of living.

Question

I thank the Minister for his response. As an ex-rifleman, I have seen at first hand the negative impact of shoddy care and equipment on service personnel’s mental and physical health. What will installing an armed forces commissioner do to make their standard of living better?

Answer from The Minister for the Armed Forces (Luke Pollard)

I thank my hon. Friend for his service. It is absolutely vital that the voices of armed forces personnel and their families are listened to more. That is why we are establishing in the commissioner an independent champion for armed forces and their families. The commissioner will have an independent role, be able to scrutinise the actions of the armed forces and report to Parliament rather than to Ministers, and will not be beholden to the whims of either any Government of the day or the chain of command. That independence will allow the commissioner to scrutinise general service welfare matters, shining a spotlight on the issues that really matter to those who serve in uniform and their families.

Answered
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Q2 Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness
Defence Veterans
Context

Graham Stuart points out that while Germany has inspired the role of an armed forces commissioner, there is a difference between the UK's proposed model and Germany's. He seeks clarity on how the independence of this new appointment can be trusted.

Question

The Government have said that part of their inspiration for the Armed Forces Commissioner was such a role in Germany, yet Germany has a parliamentary armed forces commissioner. Why is there that difference and why, in line with what the Minister said in an earlier answer, can we trust the independence of this new appointment?

Answer from The Minister for the Armed Forces (Luke Pollard)

The right hon. Gentleman is right that the German armed forces commissioner is part of the inspiration for the role. Dr Eva Högl is a superb example of how we can scrutinise and champion the armed forces and provide solutions and a voice to those who serve. She sits effectively as a Member of Parliament in the German Parliament, which we did not feel was appropriate for the UK Armed Forces Commissioner, but the independence and the way she has pioneered much of that work in recent years is a real inspiration to us. We hope that such a workable example from a key NATO ally—people can raise issues with her and shine a spotlight on those issues to improve service welfare matters and as a result improve morale and the operational effectiveness of the armed forces—will give strength to the independence of the role.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific details on how the UK's model ensures independence but compared it favourably with Germany’s example.

How: We Hope That Such A Workable Example From A Key Nato Ally—People Can Raise Issues With Her And Shine A Spotlight On Those Issues To Improve Service Welfare Matters

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Q3 Mark Francois Con Rayleigh and Wickford
Taxation Veterans
Context

Mr Mark Francois raised concerns about proposed inheritance tax changes that could negatively impact unmarried but long-term cohabiting military personnel. He asks if the Minister has discussed this with the Treasury.

Question

During debates on the Bill in Committee I raised the worrying issue that under the Treasury’s proposed inheritance tax changes, service personnel who are unmarried but in a long-term relationship could have their partner’s service benefit taxed should they die while in service. The Forces Pension Society has rightly highlighted that that would be totally contrary to the spirit of the armed forces covenant. Has the Minister yet raised this with the Treasury, as we strongly suggested last month he should, and if so what progress has been made?

Answer from The Minister for the Armed Forces (Luke Pollard)

As the right hon. Gentleman will recall from the Bill Committee, which in parliamentary sitting days was only a few days ago, we are raising issues around a number of things, including the one he raises. It is subject to a consultation, as he knows, so a decision has not been made. It is a responsibility for the Treasury, rather than the Ministry of Defence, but I undertook to write to him, and I will do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister stated that it is subject to consultation and is under consideration by the Treasury without providing specifics on any decision or action taken.

How: It Is Subject To A Consultation

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