Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Labour (Co-op)MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
“I am today announcing that the Ministry of Defence has completed the purchase of Finnart Oil Terminal, representing a multi-million-pound investment in the West of Scotland.…”
“I am today announcing the largest investment in the United Kingdom’s naval bases since the end of the Cold War.…”
“I am releasing this statement to the House today to provide Parliament with a further update on the Armoured Cavalry Programme, commonly known as Ajax, following issues raised on Exercise Titan Storm in November 2025.…”
“The defence investment plan sets out plans for a more lethal and larger Royal Navy, based on the hybrid model. Despite a lack of investment in docks and late ordering of ships under the previous Government, I can confirm that the Royal Navy…”
“I thank our armed forces for their work to keep this nation safe every single day—the regulars, the reserves, the cadets, the civil servants who back our forces, and the men and women of our defence industry who keep our fighting forces on …”
“On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I wish to make a point of order in relation to my answer to the urgent question on 15 June in this House. In my answer, I said that the Defence Secretary was “currently with His Majesty the King”, …”
“Further to that point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I am grateful to my Devon neighbour, the honourable Member for Exmouth and Exeter East (David Reed), for allowing me to say again that the Government back all 62 recommendations of the s…”
“Before I turn to the matter before us, the whole House will want to join me in recognising the remarkable work of our armed forces this weekend. In the channel, UK forces bordered a sanctioned vessel from Russia’s shadow fleet to disrupt th…”
“As the Prime Minister set out today at Prime Minister’s questions, and as the Defence Secretary outlined just last week, we will publish the defence investment plan ahead of the NATO summit in just a few weeks’ time. The Prime Minister, the…”
“Lead, like other critical minerals and the broader range of chemicals that go into producing energetics and ammunition, has seen constrained supply over the past five years. That is why we are taking a strategic approach to our munitions ma…”
“indicated dissent.…”
“The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) published in September made it clear that we are in a new era of threat which demands a new era for UK defence. As we move to war fighting readiness, it is essential we ensure our Defence programmes are…”
“Today I am able to provide the House with a further update on the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) as we continue to make good progress towards our intent of concluding the programme in this Parliament. This statement provides an update …”
“I am releasing this statement to the House today to provide Parliament with a further update on the Armoured Cavalry Programme, commonly known as Ajax, following issues raised on Exercise Titan Storm in November 2025.…”
“The Ministry of Defence had aspired to update the House via WMS on the Armoured Calvery programme today. Political channels have requested that this WMS is delayed until next week, as a result of key meetings (both cross Whitehall and with …”
“I wish to update the House on changes to Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) within the Ministry of Defence, delivered as part of Defence Reform and the Productive and Agile State Programme. These changes strengthen ministerial oversight, reduce dup…”
“We are in a new era of threat and demands on defence are rising. The strategic defence review sets out a vision to make Britain safer, secure at home and strong abroad. The Government have accepted all 62 of the review’s recommendations, an…”
“I am pleased today to be able to update the House on the review of Afghan relocations and assistance policy scheme applications from former members of Afghan specialist units, including former members of Commando Force 333 and Afghan Task F…”
“I thank the honourable Member for Tewkesbury (Cameron Thomas) for the way he introduced this debate. In particular, I think the whole House is grateful for the detailed description he gave of the very gallant service of Ghanendra Limbu and …”
“The Strategic Defence Review makes clear we are entering a new era of threat. This demands a new era for UK defence – one focused on warfighting readiness and the ability to scale and sustain capability at pace. A resilient, productive defe…”
“Last Thursday, I was proud to launch the Scotland defence growth deal, which will increase the number of defence jobs in Scotland, invest in skills and make it easier for businesses—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—to do busi…”
“Before thanking my honourable Friend the Member for Slough (Mr Dhesi), let me place on record my thanks to the brave men and women of the UK armed forces, who are at this very moment defending not only UK interests in the middle east and th…”
“I am updating the House regarding the New Medium Helicopter procurement. In an incredibly volatile and unpredictable world, characterised by emerging threats and shifting geopolitical dynamics, the importance of a robust and agile sovereign…”
“Palantir is a strategic supplier to the Ministry of Defence, providing secure data integration, analytics and AI platforms that help to support operational planning and decision making. In 2022, the Conservative Government signed a three-ye…”
“Pembrokeshire is at the heart of Britain’s defence future, and I am excited about the opportunity for local people. To help deliver that, I am proud that this Labour Government are working with the Labour Government in Wales on progressing …”
“What a terrible example of collective amnesia. In the entire debate, not a single Tory MP could say why they started the negotiations.…”
“I am releasing this statement to the House today to provide an update to Parliament on the British Army’s Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax).…”
“I thank the honourable Member for Yeovil (Adam Dance) for this urgent question and thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to provide an update on the current status of the Ministry of Defence’s new medium helicopter procurement. Earlier thi…”
“I am updating Parliament before Christmas recess on the British Army’s Armoured Cavalry Programme, known as Ajax. The safety of our Service Personnel remains a top priority for me and the Ministry of Defence.…”
“With permission, I will update the House on Ukraine. As we prepare for Christmas, the people of Ukraine are fighting. It is their 1,394th day of resistance since Putin’s full-scale invasion, and their fourth Christmas of the war. I would li…”
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