We protect the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.
Ben Wallace
Secretary of State for Defence
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
| Date | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 07 | Oral Questions | Oral Answers to Questions |
| Nov. 10 | Urgent Questions | Armed Forces: Covid-19 Deployment |
| Jan. 12 | Written Statements | Defence Equipment Plan |
| Dec. 16 | Westminster Hall | Defence Manufacturing and Procurement: Shropshire |
| Oct. 15 | Adjournment Debate | Ministry of Defence Tenants: Evictions |
A Bill to Make provision about legal proceedings and consideration of derogation from the European Convention on Human Rights in connection with operations of the armed forces outside the British Islands.
| Dates | Department | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
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Laid 17 Dec 2020 In Force 7 Jan 2021 |
Ministry of Defence |
Maritime Enforcement Powers (Specification of the Royal Navy Police) Regulations 2020 Parliamentary Status - Text of Legislation |
Made negative procedure |
| These Regulations provide that members of the Royal Navy Police are persons of a specified description, and are therefore law enforcement officers, for the purposes of section 84(3)(g) of the Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c.3). This enables Royal Navy Police to exercise the maritime enforcement powers given to law enforcement officers in Chapter 5 of Part 4 of that Act. | |||
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Laid 19 Nov 2020 In Force 1 Jan 2021 |
Ministry of Defence |
Armed Forces Redundancy Scheme Order 2020 Parliamentary Status - Text of Legislation |
Made negative procedure |
| This Order amends the Armed Forces Redundancy Scheme Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/55) and the Armed Forces (Redundancy, Resettlement and Gratuity Earnings (Schemes) (No. 2) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/832), and establishes a new redundancy scheme for members of the Armed Forces: the Armed Forces Redundancy Scheme 2020 (“the AFRS 2020”). | |||
Ministry of Defence Select Committee Home Page
Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries, and the Select Committee will occasionally publish formal reports of their findings.
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 15 | Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy | Guidance and Regulation |
| Jan. 15 | Contractor Flying Approved Organizations Scheme (Basic Remotely Piloted Air Systems) (CFAOS(BR)) | Guidance and Regulation |
| Jan. 15 | British Army trains 500th Somali soldier in infantry skills | News and Communications |
Written Questions are submitted by Members of Parliament and the House of Lords to receive information or updates from a Department.
Departments are required to respond in a timely fashion and provide a response or requested information. Written Questions can compel detailed and specific information to be produced, and are frequently used as the source of news stories about the work of a Department.
| Date | Title | Questioner |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 2021, 10:31 a.m. | Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops) | Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops) |
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Question to the Ministry of Defence: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Goldie on 3 November 2020 (HL9440), what resources are available for training new officers in the British Armed Forces to identify those under their command who are experiencing financial difficulties caused by gambling. Answered by Baroness Goldie - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) Trainee Officers in the UK Armed Forces are provided with briefing to identify the various indicators that personnel under their command may be experiencing financial difficulties, including those caused by gambling. We also provide our Officers with briefings from the Royal British Legion MoneyForce initiative which aim to assist all Service personnel, their partners, families and dependants, to be better equipped to manage their money and financial affairs. When problem-gambling is identified, Officers are equipped with information and advice on where to signpost their personnel to receive help, including through specialist military welfare staffs (SSAFA), Service charities, the NHS Problem Gambling Clinic, Gamcare, the Gordon Moody Association and Gamblers Anonymous.
Officers can also signpost their personnel to the Joining Forces Credit Union which supplies bespoke products to move Service personnel away from Payday Loan Companies. Joint Forces Credit Union has also set up a specific COVID-19 support package. In addition, The Money and Pensions Service have also run a financial awareness campaign with the British Forces Broadcasting Service to highlight everything from savings/loans to pensions.
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