Topical Questions

Answer from John Healey

With deep regret, I should inform the House that a training accident occurred in northern Iraq yesterday in which a member of service personnel from the British Army died. The family have been informed, and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released. I know that the thoughts of the House will be with the family and the unit at this desperately sad time. In this era of growing threat, hard power and strong alliances help make Britain safer. At the weekend, I was at the Shangri-La summit in Singapore with United States Secretary of War Hegseth and Deputy Prime Minister Marles of Australia. Together, we announced the first ever AUKUS pillar II signature project; together, we are now producing the very highest technology sensors and weapon systems for our underwater drones. Together, we will get those capabilities into our warfighters' hands before the end of next year.

Answer from John Healey

I can indeed. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend's support for the successful Northumbria bid in the first round of the VALOUR funding, which will help cover her constituency. Given that one in eight of our ex-forces personnel are female veterans, we will ensure that the veterans strategy reflects those concerns, and that any round 2 funding as a result of the new application for bids is recognised.

Answer from John Healey

The hon. Gentleman may not have heard me when I answered before, but I can say to him very clearly that the Prime Minister is determined that we publish the defence investment plan before the NATO summit.

Answer from John Healey

The hon. Gentleman has a brass neck. There is no recognition of the fact that we are increasing defence spending by a record amount since the end of the cold war, no recognition that this year the defence budget will be £11 billion greater than in his last year in government, and no recognition that there are contracts in place, including the AUKUS pillar II contract, that we have signed and that he did not sign when he was the Minister responsible.

Answer from Luke Pollard

This Government are proud to support Typhoons. We have announced a £500 million upgrade for Typhoons, including new radar, and we have helped secure the deal to export 20 Typhoon jets to Türkiye. We are continuing to support the brilliant jobs in Typhoon production at Warton and Samlesbury and across the United Kingdom, and we are expanding into more autonomous craft as well, supporting the Typhoon for many years to come.

Answer from Luke Pollard

As the hon. Member will know, we are increasing sanctions on Russian oil. We are increasing sanctions. I entirely appreciate that the Opposition have decided to depart from the principle of cross-party support to play party political games, but that does not stop it being true. We are increasing sanctions on Russia.

Answer from John Healey

First, we are directing defence investment first to British firms that increase British jobs and increase apprenticeships, skills and opportunities for young people. Secondly, we are opening up direct entry recruitment to the armed forces for those with cyber-skills, and the first cohort has already been recruited. They are deployed much more quickly than via the normal route, and the early reports from every one of their units is overwhelmingly positive, so we are now moving to recruit the second tranche.

Answer from Alistair Carns

Throughout my tenure, I have worked with many late entry officers in combat roles. I will take the issue away and look into it in detail.

Answer from Luke Pollard

Yes, we do agree. We know that climate change drives many threats, so our Department cuts carbon emissions and supports nature recovery because it increases warfighting readiness.

Answer from Louise Jones

I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the fantastic work that cadets do in Basingstoke. We will launch National Cadets Week in October and develop a cadets action plan to expand cadet forces by improving offers to volunteers and young people.

Answer from Luke Pollard

I appreciate the hon. Lady's question. The Government support GCAP and will continue to do so.

Answer from Louise Jones

I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the wonderful work of the Thongsbridge Army Cadets. We are launching National Cadets Week in October and developing a cadets action plan.

Answer from John Healey

We must spend more, faster—and will as promised. On our nuclear deterrent, we are putting £6 billion into submarine building to increase productivity.

Answer from Alistair Carns

Ukraine is doing a valiant job against Russian invasion. We have provided £4.5 billion in military support, committing to £21.8 billion total.

Answer from John Healey

Yes.

Answer from Luke Pollard

We have set out our intention to increase the amount of sustainable aviation fuel that the RAF uses. Far from being a sign of weakness, that is a sign of increasing security and sovereignty over our fuel supply, recognising the changing world that we live in and ensuring that the RAF will continue to fly, whatever the constraints on fuel in the future.

Answer from Louise Jones

The right hon. Gentleman makes a very good point. I am working with the Department for Education, as it is vital that we communicate the amazing things that cadets can do to complement the education delivered in schools.

Answer from Luke Pollard

We are proud to support Typhoon, and I was proud to be in my hon. Friend's constituency to unveil the defence technical excellence college. In her constituency there are some brilliant students undertaking amazing training that will give them the skills to work in BAE Systems producing Typhoons for our allies, and potentially other craft in the future.

Answer from Louise Jones

I appreciate that the hon. Member understands the unique funding arrangements for the sea cadets, and how they are rightly proud of their history and traditions. I take his point and understand that we must do what we can to support the sea cadets in getting the kit, training and volunteers needed to keep delivering their fantastic activities.

Answer from Luke Pollard

In the defence industrial strategy, we set out a £182 million package to invest in skills not only to support people entering defence for the very first time, creating a lifetime of opportunity ahead of them, but to support people retraining their skills. The companies in Stevenage are great examples of how to use that training money well.

Answer from John Healey

One of our Ministers will meet the hon. Gentleman.

Answer from Luke Pollard

The Secretary of State for Scotland and I wrote to the Scottish Government a number of months ago now, but we have still had no reply to our offer of two DTECs in Scotland. I hope that the Scottish National party MPs present will be able to hurry on their Scottish Government to give young people in Scotland the DTECs they deserve.

Answer from Louise Jones

Our work to reinvigorate the strategic reserve is absolutely vital. It is an issue that has not previously been thought about in the necessary detail. This Government are utterly committed to ensuring that the strategic reserve is ready to meet the demands that may be placed on it, including, as the hon. Lady says, workforce implications.

Answer from Louise Jones

I completely echo the sentiment of my hon. Friend over how unacceptably our LGBT service personnel were treated. As he will know, the LGBT financial recognition scheme has made significant progress, but it has not yet been completed. If he writes to me with details of his constituent, I will look into it as a matter of urgency.

Answer from Luke Pollard

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman has not kept up with those two planes, I will write to him to give him the full details or perhaps he will get another PQ in which he can inform himself of the information.

Answer from Luke Pollard

Bovington is an important base for me, and I recognise the concerns that my hon. Friend mentions. I would be happy to meet him to discuss how we can resolve them.

Answer from Louise Jones

I will write to the hon. Lady with the specific information. I know that she has also submitted questions to my office about this issue. There are important provisions, including protection of personal data, governing those documents.

Answer from Louise Jones

I am sure that decisions about activity locations are taken across the UK. I will write to the hon. Gentleman with further detail about those barracks.

Answer from Luke Pollard

We established the Defence Office for Small Business Growth which is supporting dozens of SMEs. We are also increasing direct spend with SMEs and reducing contracting time to enable more bids.

Answer from Louise Jones

I am very sympathetic to families but where documents are closed for personal information reasons, that is something we must respect. I continue meeting with the families and remain sympathetic to their situation.

Answer from John Healey

We are urging both sides to scale down their activity and respect the ceasefire for a permanent peace agreement in the wider Middle East.