Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 3 November 2025 · 13 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Lorraine Beavers asked about the support for service leavers experiencing homelessness and addiction; the Minister responded with details of the Valour initiative to better coordinate support for veterans.
  • Lee Anderson inquired if the Government considers China a national security threat; the Minister replied that China is an economic threat and an opportunity, but no single word can encapsulate the relationship.
  • Vikki Slade raised concerns about long delays in payments under the armed forces compensation scheme; the Minister invited her to write with details to investigate the reasons for the delays.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lorraine Beavers Lab Blackpool North and Fleetwood
Housing Veterans
Context

Service leavers in the constituency are experiencing homelessness and addiction before receiving necessary support.

Question

Across our country, service leavers like Brady, a 29-year-old from my constituency, are experiencing homelessness and addiction before receiving the support they need. I welcome the Government’s work on the renewed armed forces covenant, but does the Minister agree that structured and timely health and welfare checks following discharge would strengthen that promise to veterans like Brady?

Answer from Louise Sandher-Jones

We have significant processes in place before exit to ensure a smooth transition, particularly to manage personnel who are wounded, injured or sick, and the Valour initiative should help us take steps to better co-ordinate support for veterans. I can assure my hon. Friend that improving how service personnel leave the services is a key priority for me.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Foreign Affairs

Question

I have a really simple question: do this Government consider China a national security threat?

Answer from John Healey

No one word can sum up a country as significant and as complex as China, but our experience tells us that China is certainly an economic threat, as well as an opportunity in many areas.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Vikki Slade Lib Dem Mid Dorset and North Poole
Veterans
Context

Veteran constituents have experienced long delays in receiving payments under the armed forces compensation scheme.

Question

Several of my veteran constituents have contacted me about very long delays in payments under the armed forces compensation scheme. Mr Butler, who lives near Wareham, has two separate claims—one for hearing loss and another for an arm injury—and has been waiting two years for an outcome. As we look forward to Remembrance Sunday and reflect on the sacrifices made, what steps is the Department taking to ensure that we pay our debts to those who have served us more recently?

Answer from Louise Sandher-Jones

I thank the hon. Member for raising the case of her constituent. If she writes to me with the details, I will look into exactly why it has taken that long.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Defence
Context

There have been reports of rat infestations at RAF Shawbury in the constituency.

Question

I have been campaigning on service family accommodation since shortly after my election, so I welcome the Government’s commitment to improving it over the past few weeks. However, single living accommodation continues to be a considerable concern. There have recently been reports of rat infestations at RAF Shawbury in my constituency. What will the Government do to improve single living accommodation, which is equally as important as service family accommodation?

Answer from Louise Sandher-Jones

We will shortly start our single living accommodation review to address exactly those points—the sometimes shocking state of such accommodation and what we can do to support the people who live in it.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Ben Spencer Con Runnymede and Weybridge
Foreign Affairs

Question

According to media reports, the Secretary of State recently revealed in a speech that the UK had deployed troops to Israel to monitor the ceasefire in Gaza. Could he take this opportunity to update the House on the number and activities of any troops deployed there?

Answer from John Healey

The hon. Gentleman is not correct in saying that the troops are there to monitor the ceasefire. A small handful of British forces personnel have been deployed to the Civil-Military Co-ordination Centre at the request of the US, and it is the US that is leading that work.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Joani Reid Lab East Kilbride and Strathaven
Defence Employment Scotland
Context

Babcock is recruiting overseas welders due to a skills shortage.

Question

Recent reports show that Babcock is having to recruit hundreds of overseas welders because of a skills shortage in Scotland. This is the direct result of decades of under-investment in further education and skills in Scotland. Can the Minister outline what the UK Government can do to ensure that my constituents can access the apprenticeships and skills that defence jobs depend on?

Answer from Luke Pollard

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. If only we had a Scottish Government who were investing in defence skills rather than one who dither on defence. The Scottish Government did not invest in the welding centre in Glasgow; it required a Labour Government in the UK to step in and invest. We are delivering for defence. The Scottish Government are dithering on defence, and they are letting jobs slip out of their hands as a result.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q7 Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne
Community Security Foreign Affairs
Context

In response to the Secretary of State's comment regarding the SNP as a threat, Lincoln Jopp asks about China's standing in national security.

Question

Now that the Secretary of State has warmed up a bit by calling the SNP a threat to our national security, will he have another go and say whether China is a threat to our national security?

Answer from John Healey

I have nothing to add to what I said in response to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Lee Anderson), who asked the same question. What a waste of a question.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific statement on China's threat level was avoided by referring to a previous answer.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q8 Amanda Martin Lab Portsmouth North
Veterans
Context

The hon. Member for Portsmouth North welcomes the Government's Op Valour pilot but expresses disappointment that Portsmouth is not part of it, asking for reassurance and support.

Question

I very much welcome the Government’s Op Valour pilot programme and the Minister’s commitment to improving support for our veterans. However, I am disappointed that Portsmouth—home to the Royal Navy and one of the largest veteran communities—is not part of the programme. Can the Minister reassure me that councils like Portsmouth city council will be encouraged and supported to join Op Valour and look after the veterans who live in our city?

Answer from Louise Sandher-Jones

I share my hon. Friend’s disappointment. Valour is a £50 million programme that will bring together a network of regional hubs to ensure that there is a physical location where veterans can go to seek help. I urge every region of the UK to get involved.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q9 Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire
Defence
Context

The hon. Member highlights an issue raised by EKA Ltd and service personnel regarding the absence of robust spare parts provision for MOD service recovery vehicles, requesting a review and meeting to discuss.

Question

EKA Ltd in my constituency is a supplier to Ministry of Defence service recovery vehicles that have to be deployed with our tanks, but an issue that it and other service personnel have highlighted is the absence of the provision of robust spare parts in the event of a breakdown or damage. The Government are spending millions on these assets but leaving them completely unprotected. Is the MOD reviewing the provision of spares as part of its procurement, and would the Minister meet me and EKA Ltd to discuss the matter further?

Answer from Luke Pollard

I am happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss this further. The last Government, I am afraid, left not only our weapons stockpiles almost empty, but far too many of our parts stockpiles as well. We are looking at investing in that as part of our defence investment plan, but I am happy to meet her to discuss the matter further.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q10 Brian Leishman Lab Alloa and Grangemouth
Defence Economy Employment
Context

The hon. Member questions the idea of an industrial strategy based on militarism, citing Tony Benn and Mick McGahey's perspectives.

Question

Two giants of the Labour and anti-nuclear arms movement would have been 100 this year: Tony Benn and Mick McGahey. I never had the pleasure of meeting either, but I think they would have recognised that an industrial strategy based on militarism is flawed. The defence sector is less than 1% of the UK workforce, so militarism is not a UK-wide industry and it serves war, not peace. What happened to choosing welfare over warfare, and to choosing jobs in sectors that will promote real economic growth and actual social benefit?

Answer from John Healey

I have to say that my hon. Friend is wrong on this. Over 400,000 jobs are supported—directly and indirectly—by defence, and almost 70% of the defence investment we make in this country is outside London and the south-east, right across the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific statement on militarism's role as an industry was avoided by mentioning job figures.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q11 Helen Maguire Lib Dem Epsom and Ewell
Veterans
Context

The hon. Member highlights the inconsistency in medical discharge processes across units, asking about steps being taken to improve this.

Question

People’s experiences of medical discharge from the armed forces vary significantly, and too often it fails those who need the support most. What steps is the Minister taking to improve the discharge process, including improving consistency across units?

Answer from Louise Sandher-Jones

I thank the hon. Member for raising an important point. Making sure that service personnel who leave under the medical discharge are fully set up for success in their post-service life is fundamental and a huge priority for me.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q12 Dave Robertson Lab Lichfield
Women & Equalities Veterans
Context

The hon. Member mentions the F-35 Lightning II aircraft helmets from his constituency, asking for reassurance on the cost of introducing new tactical nuclear freefall bombs.

Question

Last week I had the honour and privilege of attending the dedication of the new LGBT+ armed forces community memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas in my constituency, alongside His Majesty the King, proud veterans and members of our armed forces. Will the Minister join me in commending the unveiling of this important memorial, and does she agree that it will serve as a lasting reminder of the injustice and discrimination suffered by LGBT+ service personnel and as a powerful symbol of our commitment to equality and respect for all those who serve?

Answer from Louise Sandher-Jones

It was clear to see how much that event meant to the LGBT+ veterans, many of whom had suffered terribly under the ban. Many said to me that they never thought this day would come. I hope that the event itself and the memorial will serve as a lasting reminder of our responsibilities going forward.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q13 John Cooper Con Dumfries and Galloway
Defence
Context

The hon. Member inquires about the cost implications of introducing new tactical nuclear freefall bombs with F-35A, requesting reassurance.

Question

The F-35 Lightning II aircraft is a cutting-edge system, the helmets for which come from my constituency, but the Public Accounts Committee has the MOD in missile lock over the cost of introducing the new nuclear freefall bombs with the F-35A. Can the Minister give the House some reassurance that the decision to bring in tactical nuclear weapons is not going to cost us a bomb?

Answer from Luke Pollard

Yes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific statement on costs was avoided by a brief response.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email