Commons Chamber

Tuesday 11th November 2025

(began 1 month, 2 weeks ago)

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None Portrait Q2. What his Department's policy is on the use of the Welsh language in prisons. (906246)
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Mr. Roberts. Question number two, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In line
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None Portrait Q3. What steps he is taking to support the Probation Service. (906247)
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In solemn. Speaker.
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None Portrait Q5. What steps he is taking to increase access to legal aid for people in rural areas. (906250)
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**** Possible New Speaker ****

Question number five. Please, Mr. Speaker. Minister. Legal aid can be a lifeline and
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Sarah Sackman Portrait Sarah Sackman MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Finchley and Golders Green, Labour)
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The review of criminal law in that area is something that is incredibly delicate. It's something that we need to look at in line with common law and the case law.

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And it's something that we're keeping under review. Helen Morgan number seven, please, Mr. Speaker.

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Mr. Behind the backlogs in our

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Behind the backlogs in our courts, behind each and every one of those case statistics, there is a human story, and there is no a human story, and there is no doubt that the delays in our criminal courts are taking their toll on victims. And all participants in the criminal participants in the criminal justice system. But we are gripping the situation by investing in greater number of Crown Court greater number of Crown Court sitting days, additional investment in criminal legal aid, and of course, the review that we've course, the review that we've commissioned from Sir Brian Leveson, because what it was going to be required is once in a generation reform of our criminal justice

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reform of our criminal justice system and will be providing our course. Melissa, I think it's grouped,

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Minister. Forgive me. Forgive me, Mr. Speaker. I was

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Forgive me, Mr. Speaker. I was going to answer both questions seven and 22 together, and I think you have my answer on the backlogs
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None Portrait Q8. What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the number of prisoners serving Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences. (906254)
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I can also help with the reopening of Chorley Court. Mid Ulster Jonathan Brash.

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Number eight, Mr. Speaker, Sir.
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None Portrait Q11. What steps he is taking through the criminal justice system to help support victims of environmental crimes. (906257)
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Doctor Roz Savage. 11 Minister.
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None Portrait Q12. What steps his Department is taking to help improve rehabilitation outcomes for people with unspent convictions. (906258)
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**** Possible New Speaker ****

Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government is committed to helping people with convictions find
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None Portrait Q14. What steps his Department is taking to provide adequate funding for the courts system. (906261)
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Vikki Slade. Vikki Slade.

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Speaker. I wasn't aware. Wasn't it? Question 15. That is the.
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None Portrait Q16. Whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on litigation funding agreements. (906262)
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Reopen Chorley to help you, sir.

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Well, first of all, can I thank the right hon. Gentleman's commitment on this issue? We had an
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None Portrait Ministerial statement: Release in error
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**** Possible New Speaker ****

Chancellor. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, Mr. Speaker, with permission, I'll make a statement permission, I'll make a statement on releases an error from prison. Let me begin on Armistice Day by paying tribute to those we honour, members of both houses and parliamentary staff who gave their tomorrow for our today. Whatever divides our politics today, we remember what binds us together. Our belief in service and pursuit of the common good. Mr. speaker, on Wednesday, the 5th of November, I answered Prime Minister's questions.

As someone who served in this House for 25 years, I take my responsibilities to Parliament incredibly seriously. The House will recall that I was asked repeatedly whether any asylum seeking offender had been released in error. At that time, I had been alerted of the release of Brahim Kader Sharif from HMP Wandsworth. Details about the case were still emerging throughout Wednesday. Importantly, my officials had not had confirmation about whether or not he was an asylum seeker. Indeed, it was not until later that afternoon that the Home Office confirmed to the Ministry of Justice that he was not.

Given the nature of the opposition's question, I made a judgement that I would wait until I had all the detail, rather than risk giving an inaccurate or incomplete or misleading picture to the House about a sensitive case. Members opposite may argue that they would have handled the situation differently. All I can do is be open about the factors I was weighing at the time, and that the data in the system we inherited is painfully slow. I thank the speaker for the opportunity to update the House in full today.

Members will recall that following the release of Cabatu on the 24th of October, I put in place stronger release checks. I can confirm that the error leading to Mr. Sharif's release happened in September, before those checks came in. He was charged with burglary at Snaresbrook Crown Court and a warrant was issued to HMP Pentonville for his remand. Contrary to the set down process, it was then forwarded by email to HMP Wandsworth. When Mr. Sharif was transferred.

However, staff did not pick it up and he was released on the 29th of October. Mr. Sharif was taken back into custody on the 7th of November by Haringey Police. I'm grateful to officers from my part of North London again after they also re-arrested Mr. Cabatu. I'm grateful to to the wider Metropolitan Police and the public who assisted them. I can tell the House, Mr. Speaker, that in the year to March 2025, there were around 57,000 routine releases from prison.

In that same time, there were 262 releases in error from prison. New data my department published today shows that from April to the end of October this year, there were 91 releases in error from prison. Further data on the breakdown of offences are official statistics that need to be combed through in detail before being put into the public domain. This was not a publication due today, but we recognise the public interest in being transparent about the overall number.

It's important to note that this may be revised as additional cases are subsequently recorded, but this is the very latest that I have been provided. We understand that there are three mistakenly released prisoners currently lawfully at large, their prison records show. None of these are convicted sex offenders. I have been informed, Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, that Hmps are investigating a further case of a potential release in error on the 3rd of November. Who may still be at large.

It is symptomatic of the data issues we inherited that this that all this information I have been given at this time, while police and hmps investigate of the confirmed cases, case one was in prison for failing to surrender to the police and released an error in December 2020 for case two was in prison for a class B drug offence and released in error in August 2024. In case three was in prison for aggravated burglary and released in error in June 2025.

Two are a British national and one is a foreign national offender. I will not provide any further details on individual cases. In each case, we have to consider the welfare of victims and the judgement of our law enforcement agencies. Of the 262 releases in error from prison in the year to March 2025, 87 were of offenders whose main offence was violence against the person and three whose main offence was a sexual offence. I am clear that we must bear down on these numbers, which are symptomatic of a prison system under horrendous strain.

As the shadow justice secretary admitted last week, the state of the prison Service has been unacceptable for a very long time, including under the conservative government. Prisons today are still struggling with violence. The safety and custody statistics show an 8% rise in the rate of assaults in the year to June 2025. Systems are archaic. Every prisoner's sentence is worked out on paper. Considering the type of offence and the legislation covered by it. Mr. speaker, there are more than 500 pages of sentence management guidance.

Mr. speaker, I pay tribute to prison officers doing an incredibly important job. But as the Prison Officers Association has said, prisons throughout the country are underfunded, they're understaffed, and they're operating under relentless strain. Frontline prison officers were cut by a quarter between 2010 and 2017. That's around 6000 fewer people and means that there are less experienced staff, which places more pressure on the system and, unsurprisingly, mistakes happen in those circumstances. Indeed, from 20 1011 to the end of 2324.

Under the previous government, there were 860 known releases in error from prison. We must recognise the distress caused to victims knowing that the person who harmed them is free, when they should be behind bars. In the worst cases, like William Fernandez back in 2021, prisoners have committed further horrific offences. I give an unequivocal apology to all who have faced worry or worse, as a result of releases in error, especially Haddish. Victims who I'm offered to meet.

I hope the right hon. Gentleman. Mr. speaker, I hope the right hon. Gentleman opposite will join me in that apology to all who have suffered because of releases in error under this and previous governments. Mr. speaker, human error will always exist, and no Justice Secretary could prevent every mistake. But we must reduce the risk and reverse the trend over the course of this Parliament. But we must be honest. The release process requires a radical overhaul, and establishing the facts in individual cases is complex.

Decisions about public statements rightly rest with the police. Issuing details too early could frustrate covert inquiries, or put police officers or the public at risk. These are judgements for experienced operational leaders, and parliamentarians must give them the space to make them. Mr. speaker, this is a complex issue. We must be straight with the public about that, and I'm clear that we have a mountain to climb in response. So first, I'm chairing a new Justice Performance Board. It will give a comprehensive view of prisons and criminal court performance, including releases in error, to drive a step change in how we respond.

The first monthly meeting took place yesterday. Secondly, I'm making sure we understand the issues following the release of Kabata, I asked Damian Hinds to carry out a review. This will conclude by the end of February next year. It will now include the adequacy of data collected and published on releases in error, and we fully expect to uncover additional incidents. I can also announce that we will set up a team of data scientists to review historic releases in error to understand what's going wrong.

Third, I'm improving processes because some of these errors actually originated not in the prison process, but in the court process. I will implement an urgent warrant query unit, supported by court experts, so that prisons can escalate queries and get rapid clarifications to reduce the risk of releases in error that emanate from the court system. We're also issuing instructions to court staff to reinforce mandatory requirements for imprison orders to be confirmed verbally with judges, before finalising a measure which has been shared with the judiciary.

The court and the Prison Service are also scoping a joint exercise to look at live warrants, initially taking place within the London region, it will identify errors and ensure prisoners are subject to the correct warrants. Fourth, I'm accelerating upgrades. I stood up a digital Rapid Response team last week to reduce human error with cutting edge technology. Over the next six months, we will provide up to £10 million to deliver AI and technology solutions to help frontline staff avoid mistakes and support them to calculate sentences accurately.

Finally, I'm simplifying the release policy. One of the aims of the sentencing bill is to standardise how cases are treated, and following Damian Hinds review, we will consider whether amendments are required to operational policy. These are the initial steps to address the issue, but I will update the House where further changes are necessary. I

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commend this statement to the House. Right. Just can I just clear
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Robert Jenrick Portrait Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP (Newark, Conservative)
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secretary. So, Mr. Speaker, we're back here again. Then at least the Justice again. Then at least the Justice Secretary gets some use out of his new suit. But. But where has Wednesday's bombast and bravado gone? Get a grip, man. He thundered last week without even a hint of irony. None of that today was there. And why is that? Well, it's because, like increasing numbers of criminals in our jails, the justice secretary just doesn't know whether he's coming or going.

Even his colleagues in government are now turning on him, some with unbridled contempt. The handling is terrible. Was the verdict of a Cabinet Minister just rank incompetence? Cowardly? Frankly, pretty dodgy. Was the verdict of another. Before long, the Prime Minister will be saying he has full confidence in him. And we all know what that means. Look, two weeks ago he came to the house and he said he had put in place the strongest checks ever to stop releases in error.

48 hours later, another prisoner with a history of sex offences was released in error. Seven days later and a fraudster is let out the very day he was sentenced to 45 months inside. And today he admits that he's lost another prisoner. That same day. They're lammy's lags a whole new category of criminal who can just waltz out of prison despite having the strongest ever checks introduced by this justice secretary. The public are being endangered as the circus rumbles on week after week, with no end in sight.

When will he put a stop to it? He can't just hide behind the inquiry that he's commissioned. He couldn't even get the head of the review, Lynne Owens name right. Last week. Anne Owens, Anne Owens, he bellowed. Well, I looked her up, and the only Anne Owens I could find was a panto performer who recently appeared in Alice in Wonderland. Perhaps she was the one who gave him some tips on his performance at the despatch box last week. The former chief inspector of prisons says that this has been caused, at least in part, by the confusion created by Labour's botched early release scheme.

Does he now concede that there is a link between the doubling of prisoners accidentally released in the last year and the introduction of their SDS 40? Or is it just an extremely unlucky coincidence? Don't take us for fools and Mr Speaker. When will he finally come clean? He won't provide details in parliamentary questions. He won't answer even when he is here for Prime Minister's questions, he won't respond to letters. Well, perhaps that's because they weren't addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister.

He's now been dragged here kicking and screaming to admit that one prisoner has been on the run from this Labour government for 14 months, and 91 have been accidentally released over the last seven months. But the justice secretary is so clueless, he's literally lost track of how many prisoners he's lost. He says today, a prisoner may have been accidentally released last Monday. Well, has he looked? He's either in his cell or he's not. What a complete and utter farce he's presiding over.

As we all suspected, the crisis on his government's watch is even bigger than he dared admit. That's why he wouldn't say anything last week. Prisoners are being accidentally released nearly every other day and putting our constituents, his constituents, at risk. At this rate, he's on track for 156 prisoners to be accidentally released this year, which would be a record were it not for the doubling his government managed to achieve last year under their watch. And in his statement today, he poses more questions than he manages to answer.

How many crimes were committed by those prisoners whilst they were on the run? Why can't he tell us who these 91 prisoners are? Who is the foreign criminal and who is this mystery? Fourth offender. He may have lost. How can he possibly be found if the public don't have his face? They don't have his name like they did for Sharif and Cabatu. The public deserve to know the truth. And this situation could not be any more serious. There's been a nine fold increase in the number of violent offenders accidentally released in the last year.

A nine fold increase. The criminal justice system under his watch has been made to look a total mockery. The public are being put at risk. In his own words, Mr. Speaker. It's time for him to get a grip or go. time for him to get a grip or go.
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David Lammy Portrait Rt Hon David Lammy MP, The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Tottenham, Labour)
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For Mr. Speaker. This is a crisis that we inherited in our prison system. And it's worthy of sober reflection because he knows. He knows, he knows, Mr. Speaker, that when they were in government, there were 17 prisoners released in error every month. He knows that. He knows two because the former conservative justice secretary said on the issue last Friday, we essentially run our prisons regime very hot. We are very close to capacity.

We have seen a big increase in the prison population over the last 20 years, and resources have not necessarily matched that. That is the first problem. And another former justice secretary, Alex Chalk, said part of the issue is we can't hold on to prison officers without that expertise. Errors creep in and he himself also challenged their record in office. So he knows that this is a cross-party issue that of course we have to grip. Now, I said that I put in place those checks and I stand by the checks that I put in.

I also said in my statement, I also said in my statement that the cases that we are uncovering, many of them occurred before those checks were in place. And another case involved an error that was in the court system. And that's why this new query process is very important indeed. And it is the case that we had to introduce SDS 40. And he knows why that's the case, because his government, just in the last few months in office, made three different changes to their early release scheme.

So worried were they about prison capacity, a prison capacity issue that we inherited. He knows 500 extra places in the prison system. Is all that they built in 14 years in office, 14 years. And we've pledged 14,000. 14,000 by 2031. He also knows, like night follows day, if you cut officers by almost 50%, it's what they did in office. You cut those officers and then you recruit new officers as we've attempted to do. These are very junior people working hard, and I thank them for all that they're doing.

But in those circumstances, mistakes will be made. I've asked to look at this really, really important. I've put in place the digital team because he knows also that this is a system based on human beings. Therefore you get error. Only technology. Only technology will fix this issue over time. And I've now put in place this double check between the court

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and the prison system. The chair of the Select Committee, Andy Slaughter. Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker.
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Jess Brown-Fuller Portrait Jess Brown-Fuller MP (Chichester, Liberal Democrat)
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Liberal Democrat spokesperson Jess Brown-Fuller. would be laughable. It seems like people have tougher checks to currently speak to an adviser at HMRC or get a GP appointment than offenders have to be released from a prison. Since the mistaken releases of recent weeks, I have heard horrendous reports from prison officers inside prisons, prisoners identified by low quality black and white photographs printed on paper, a few basic questions on personal information before being cleared for release. Information that could be readily shared between inmates before release.

That is not good enough, especially when we now have biometric technology, which is currently used for visitors to prisons and not inmates. We cannot be relying on an honour based system, reliant on the goodwill of convicts to hand themselves in, and police forces certainly don't have spare capacity to be conducting regular manhunts for people that should still be locked up. After the release of the deputy Prime Minister promised enhanced security checks. Yet since then, some of society's most dangerous individuals have still ended up on our streets.

So will he now spell out what those enhanced checks actually involve, and whether biometric testing is used routinely to confirm a prisoner's identity before release? And can he confirm what training prison officers receive before managing prison releases? Like most of the justice system, our prison system has been mismanaged and underfunded by the previous complacent conservative government. So we do appreciate that that this government inherited this mess. However, the numbers of mistaken prisoner releases have risen sharply under their watch, and they cannot continue to risk public safety, particularly given the fact that it took them a whole seven days to realise a prisoner had been mistakenly released and are seemingly blaming an email being unread for the most recent error.

Can he confirm how long the Ministry of Justice has known about the three prisoners at large? And how long have the police been trying to find them? The Deputy Prime Minister has promised the public an investigation, but they cannot wait months for answers while their safety continues to be put at risk. So what immediate action can he take today to ensure that dangerous criminals stay behind bars? And these mistakes

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stop once and for all? Sir. Mistake. Well, can I say to the hon. Lady
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David Lammy Portrait Rt Hon David Lammy MP, The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Tottenham, Labour)
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Well, can I say to the hon. Lady when she reflects on the releases when she reflects on the releases in error that 57,000 people are released from prison every year, and I'm sure, like me, she would commend the good work of prison officers and those in offender management units across our prisons, doing a very difficult job in what are very difficult circumstances. She refers to the complexity the last government kept expanding its emergency release scheme from 18 days first, then to 35 days, then to 70 days.

And at 2021, a review found 503 pages of guidance that staff had to follow for early release. It's a paper based system, and so I cannot stand here as a Secretary of State and say that in a paper based system that you can eradicate all human error. You can't. The only way to deal with that would be technology to bring those levels down to something that I think the House would think was acceptable. I want to see the figure come down to historic levels over the course of this Parliament.

It will, of course, take further investment, but I hope that the investment in 10 million. 10 million in this new digital team, and indeed the support that we're offering now between courts and prisons, will make a substantial difference. She asked me what I'm doing a new Justice Performance board, of course. Damian Hinds review the urgent query process that I've outlined, the Digital Rapid Response system, and of course, simplifying the release policy, which is effectively what comes out of the Sentencing Bill.
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None Portrait Ministerial statement: Pensions Update
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a question. So I want to make sure that people are aware it isn't. I'm ignoring them. I will not be taking them. And I'm sure the Secretary of them. And I'm sure the Secretary of State, not that I want to put words in his mouth, will explain how we will be coming back at the earliest will be coming back at the earliest possible moment. Because this is a court case, we have issues and we will not gain anything by standing.

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will not gain anything by standing. Secretary of State. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With your permission, I'd like to make a statement on the investigation by the Parliamentary and Health the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman into the way state pension ages were state pension ages were communicated to 1950s born women. The background to this issue is well known to the house. It arises from how decisions to equalise and raise the state pension age were communicated over a number of years, and the impact this may have had on the ability of 1950s born women to plan for their retirement.

It stems from communicating changes in the 1995 Pensions Act that gradually increased the state pension age for women from the age of 60 to 65, to bring it in line with men. The 2011 Pensions Act, introduced under the coalition government, then brought forward the timetable for equalisation and the rise to age 66 for both men and women. It is important to be clear that the Ombudsman was not looking at these policy changes to the state pension age, but between 2018 and 2024, the Ombudsman investigated complaints from 1950s born women into the communication of changes to the state pension age.

In March last year, following a lengthy investigation lasting six years, the Ombudsman published their final report in December of last year. The then Work and Pensions Secretary, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Leicester West, provided the government's response to the House in coming to this decision. My right hon. Friend gave the Ombudsman Ombudsman's report full consideration and looked in detail at the findings, reviewing all the information and advice provided to her at the time by the DWP.

My right hon. Friend did her job thoroughly and professionally in weighing up all the information before her and then coming to a conclusion and informing Parliament. Since then, as part of the legal proceedings challenging the government's decision, evidence has been cited about research findings from a 2007 report. This was a DWP evaluation of the effectiveness of Automatic Pension Forecast Letters. Had this report been provided to my right hon. Friend, she would of course, have considered it alongside all other relevant evidence and material.

Mr. speaker, in light of this, and in the interests of fairness and transparency, I have concluded that the government should now consider this evidence. This means we will retake the decision made last December as it relates to the communications on state pension age. As the House will be aware, the decision announced last December has been the subject of court action in recent months and we have today informed the court of the action we now intend to take in retaking the decision.

We will review the evidence from 2007, alongside evidence previously considered, and I have, of course, asked the Department if there is any further survey material or other evidence which should be brought to my attention as part of this process. I understand that people are impatient for this matter to be finally resolved with the Ombudsman's investigation. Having taken six years before reporting last year. But it is important that we give this full and proper consideration. We will approach this in a transparent and fair manner.

However, retaking this decision should not be taken as an indication that government will necessarily decide that it should award financial redress. The work will begin immediately and I will update the House on the decision as soon as a conclusion is reached. Mr. speaker, I do understand that Honourable and right hon. Members will have a number of questions, but I hope that you and the House will also understand that I cannot say anything today, which pre-empts the conclusion of the process that I have set out.

Mr. speaker, I

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commend this statement to the House. Mr. Mark Tami well, thank.

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Mark Tami well, thank. You very much, Mr. Speaker. And can I thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement? for advance sight of his statement? As he so rightly says, this is an important, albeit technical statement. And we on this side certainly accept the contents and certainly accept the contents and the spirit in which it is given. It is it is about a legal process and we respect all of that. It does we respect all of that. It does relate to a matter of keen interest to many of our constituents.

Those women who have, as Minister said, women who have, as Minister said, been affected by the changes in retirement age and known as WASPI. The campaign group, Women Against State Pension Inequality, has State Pension Inequality, has probably met with all of us here in this chamber one way or another, and they will be looking at the and they will be looking at the point made, I think, by the Secretary of State late in his statement that, and I quote, retaking this decision should not retaking this decision should not be taken as an indication that government will necessarily decide to award financial redress.

Mr. to award financial redress. Mr. speaker, the Waspi women are rightly angry with this government. While in opposition, shadow While in opposition, shadow Ministers and Labour MPs stood alongside these women as the right hon. Gentleman did, campaigning for hon. Gentleman did, campaigning for a better deal for Waspi women. However, when the party opposite won the general election, they quickly apparently U-turned on this quickly apparently U-turned on this position, blaming the fiscal situation they were left with. Indeed, in December last year, the government made a statement confirming their about turn on supporting Waspi women.

If I may,
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Mark Garnier Portrait Mark Garnier MP (Wyre Forest, Conservative)
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote my hon. Friend, the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. When she responded to Pensions. When she responded to that statement, she said, and I quote, let us be clear, the decision to provide no compensation decision to provide no compensation is the government's decision, and they need to own it. I am not going to let them get away with saying to let them get away with saying that there is no compensation because of a fictional black hole in the public finances.

Government compensation should always be based compensation should always be based on what is fair and what is just. And she is absolutely right. Mr. speaker, the government has the choice then to stand behind the choice then to stand behind the women that they said have faced a great injustice, but they chose not to. What we have instead is a to. What we have instead is a Labour Party now fighting them in a judicial review in the High Court, and therefore whether the, the and therefore whether the, the whether it be the multiple U-turns on pension and winter fuel statements or the imminent rumoured freezing on the tax threshold in freezing on the tax threshold in the budget, forcing many pensioners into paying income tax, it is clear that this government is not on the that this government is not on the side of our pensioners.

And this brings me to some questions for the Secretary of State. Firstly, if I may, the Minister for pensions said in a Westminster Hall debate on the 15th of January on this topic. That, 15th of January on this topic. That, and I quote, we will work with the Ombudsman to develop a detailed action plan identifying and addressing lessons from this and addressing lessons from this and other Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's investigations. However, to my knowledge, nothing has been released to this effect. Therefore, could he provide an update on when we can expect the plan and what will be in it? Secondly, in a follow up to written parliamentary questions by the Member for West Dunbartonshire and Newport West and Islwyn, the government said that they have no plans to meet with representatives of of the WASPI campaign.

Indeed, the last time a Minister did meet them was on the 5th of September 2024. So why has this government decided not to directly engage with the group that they once stood shoulder to shoulder with, especially given there is new evidence to consider? Thirdly, during the last 14 years whilst in government, we chose to have pensioners by increasing the personal allowance income tax threshold. However, independent research suggests that 1.6 million pensioners are doomed to be filling in self-assessment tax returns within the next four years, thanks to government's choices that may be made in the budget coming up.

Has the Secretary of State had conversations with the Chancellor about the serious impact this retirement tax would have on a group that have been consistently targeted by this government? And finally, Mr. Speaker, why is this government determined to blame everyone else for the decisions they have made? All this statement has shown is that the government wants to keep kicking the can down the road and not be held accountable for their actions. And I think, Mr. Speaker, we should look at the record. Unemployment at 5% is at the highest level since the pandemic, up from 4.2% in June last year.

Inflation is now sitting at 3.8%, up from 2% in June last year. Economic growth has flatlined, despite having increased by half a percent in the three months before this government took office. Borrowing costs have increased to their highest level since 1998, with 30 year gilt yields reaching 5.2%, compared with 4.7% when the government took office. Debt is now 96.4% of GDP, the highest since the 1960s. Winter fuel payments were cut for millions of pensioners, only for the government to U-turn on it.

After feeling the pressure of our strong campaign. The government is set to break its manifesto, pledge and increase tax person to an historic high. Isn't it truth, Mr. Speaker, that this government has been trying to dodge taking any form of responsibility for their actions? What is their problem with pensioners? Thank you.
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None Portrait Ministerial statement: BBC Leadership
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statement. Secretary of State Lisa Nandy. With permission. Madam Deputy

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With permission. Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement about the BBC. As the House will be aware this weekend, the Director aware this weekend, the Director General and the Chief Executive Officer of news tendered their resignations following concerns resignations following concerns about accuracy and impartiality at the BBC. This has sparked intense debate across the media and our debate across the media and our nation, and today I want to set out for the House what action is being taken to address the allegations taken to address the allegations that have been made, the actions this government is taking to support the BBC to address this, support the BBC to address this, and the future of an institution that has been at the centre of our democratic and cultural life for democratic and cultural life for over a century.

The House will know that. Yesterday the chair of the BBC, Samir Shah, wrote to the culture, Media and Sport Select culture, Media and Sport Select Committee. He accepted there had been editorial failings and committed to a number of steps. In committed to a number of steps. In response, Doctor Shah believes that our national broadcaster, which remains one of the most trusted remains one of the most trusted sources of news in our country, has a responsibility to uphold the a responsibility to uphold the highest standards.

I agree. Over the past week, I've been in regular contact with him and his team to contact with him and his team to ensure that where these standards have not been met, firm, swift and transparent action follows. I welcome the steps that have already been set out, and I will keep the house updated as the BBC leadership grips these issues. The concerns that have been raised are serious in and of themselves, but some in this House have gone even further, suggesting that the BBC is institutionally biased.

It should not be lost on us that the BBC has faced criticism from all sides for its coverage of highly contentious and contested issues, and accused of giving too much airtime to particular parties and for giving them too little. Those in this House attacking the BBC from left and right for not expressing views they agree with should consider just what is at stake. There is a fundamental difference between raising serious concerns over editorial failings and members of this House launching a sustained attack on the institution itself.

Because the BBC is not just a broadcaster, it is a national institution that belongs to us all. Every day it tells the story of who we are, the people, places and communities that make up life across the UK. It protects British values, creativity and integrity to the world. It underpins our creative industries, has a footprint in our nations and regions that is unmatched by any other, and it is by far the most widely used and trusted source of news in the United Kingdom.

At a time when the lines are being dangerously blurred between fact and opinion, news and polemic, the BBC stands apart. It is a light on the hill for people here and across the world. Trusted news and high quality programming is essential to our democratic and cultural life. All of us in this House should value it, uphold it and fiercely defend it. The BBC is facing challenges, some of its own making, but it is doing so in the context of a revolution in the media landscape that has challenged all broadcasters and polarised and fragmented our national debate.

It is time to grip this with a clarity of vision and purpose that secures the BBC's future. Throughout its history, Madam Deputy Speaker, the BBC has always adapted and evolved. This is an institution that began in the era of radio, when it was deemed an existential threat to the newspaper industry. It evolved into the age of mass audiences, ushered in by the invention of television. And it navigated the complexities of reporting during the Second World War. We will imminently begin the charter review, which will set the terms of the BBC for the next decade, and through it, we will collectively write the next chapter of the BBC story.

Together, we will ensure the BBC is sustainably funded, commands the public's trust and continues to drive growth, good jobs, skills and creativity across every region and nation of the UK. In an era in which trust is fraying and truth is contested across our nation. It will ensure the BBC remains fiercely independent and is genuinely accountable to the public it serves. We will publish a green paper and launch a public consultation shortly, and I will set out more detail to the house in the coming weeks.

I would like to thank the outgoing Director General for his service and his commitment to public service broadcasting over many years. And I'd like to thank the CEO of news for leading the BBC's news operation through stormy times. I do not underestimate the challenge of taking on these roles and the personal toll that they can take on the individuals who hold them. As we write the next chapter of an institution that has stood at the centre of British public life for a century, our overarching goal is simple to ensure the BBC can renew its mission for the modern age and continue to inform, educate and entertain not just for the coming decade but well into the next century.

I commend this

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statement to the House. Of VAPC. Shadow Secretary of State. Yes. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker,
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Nigel Huddleston Portrait Nigel Huddleston MP (Droitwich and Evesham, Conservative)
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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I thank the right hon. Lady for advance notice of her statement. advance notice of her statement. The BBC is in a sorry mess and sadly, one of its own making that has resulted in the resignations of the Director general and the CEO of news. These recent leadership changes are a response to the growing number of examples of bias in the BBC, one of which has resulted in a potential $1 billion lawsuit. This is why the Leader of the Opposition has said the BBC needs to change and needs saving from itself.

Otherwise, we may all pay the price in reputational damage and in our pockets as licence fee payers. We all want the BBC to succeed to be the best possible version of itself. That requires institutional change and far more than a few moves at the top. But let me first acknowledge, Madam Deputy Speaker, some of the many good things that the BBC does well in delivering on its principles to inform, educate and entertain. From strictly and traitors to world class natural history programming, sport and local radio, and coverage of major national events including, of course, the recent remembrance services and events.

These are things we can all be proud of that contribute positively to the BBC's brand and reputation at home and abroad. But the BBC also has a charter obligation for impartiality, and too many examples have come to light, exposing bias at the BBC, particularly as it relates to the news and current affairs output examples that have often strayed far away from the BBC's own editorial guidelines. The coverage of trans rights, selective push notifications of news, the Gaza documentary, the output of the Arabic news service, reliance on stats provided by Hamas all speak to bias at the BBC.

And at a time when anti-Semitism is rising around the world, the BBC should surely think twice about distributing questionable data from a terrorist organisation bent on the destruction of Israel. We expect better from our national broadcaster, and I am glad that the BBC chair has admitted an error of judgement relating to the Panorama programme on Donald Trump, which involved editing of his speech to give the impression that he said something that he did not say. The BBC now faces a hefty lawsuit and we do not want to see the taxpayer, the licence fee payer or the rest of the BBC suffer because of the poor judgement of Panorama programme makers, who seem unable to distinguish opinion from impartial journalism, who clearly all thought the same.

And that is precisely the problem. It's remarkable that in every area of their operations, the BBC seeks inclusivity and diversity other than in thought, other than in political thinking. Does the Minister agree that that must change, that the BBC's culture needs to change? And does the Minister agree that the BBC must provide a fulsome apology to the US president and hopefully avoid legal action? And does she agree that the BBC would do well to apologise to the British public? To. Does she also agree? We need a root and branch review of the BBC's adherence to impartiality, particularly as it relates to news and current affairs, and that we need more than apologies and resignations at the top.

But clear actions on complaints processing, on governance, on oversight and on compliance to ensure that the BBC sticks to its charter obligations on impartiality and that it rigidly and consistently abides by its own editorial guidelines. The Minister did mention the next steps in the BBC Charter review, but we would appreciate more details on timelines as soon as possible. And could she confirm, though, what discussions she's currently having with the BBC leadership about the search for the new director general? And given that the BBC Arabic service is funded in part by the British taxpayer through FCDO grants, can she confirm what discussions she is having with her FCDO colleagues about its future funding and governance arrangements, and about the impact the BBC's editorial failings have had with Israel and our partners in the Middle East.

Action must be taken and the serious issues discussed today must be addressed. Madam Deputy Speaker, because the BBC must become once again an institution that all of us, not just some of us, can be proud of.
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Lisa Nandy Portrait Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Wigan, Labour)
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Secretary of State. concern to him as it has unfolded over the past week. And can I say to him from the outset that I do strongly agree with him that the resignations are not the answer to the challenges that the BBC has faced, not just over the last week, but in recent months. I've come to this house too many times to share with the House progress updates on editorial failings. He mentions some in relation to Gaza and to Glastonbury, but there have been others as well.

I'm pleased that the chairman of the BBC, Doctor Sameer Shah, has accepted where the institution has made mistakes. I'm pleased that he's been open with the chair of the select committee about that, and I'm pleased that he is setting out concrete actions that follow. I agree very much with the hon. Gentleman that clear actions are important. They must be swift and they must be robust and they must be transparent. I also strongly agree with him that there is a problem of consistency, and the way that those standards are consistently applied, which leaves individual journalists and individual presenters in a very difficult position.

And that is a point that I've made to the chairman and previously to the director general. In terms of the search for the director general, I have had discussions with the chairman of the board about that. The House should be aware that the government does not appoint the director general as set out in the charter. That is solely a matter for the board. But we stand ready to provide support where it's requested and necessary in order to make sure that we get the highest calibre individual.

I understand from the board that there is a desire to move quickly on that, but that the existing director general will remain in place to ensure a smooth transition, and I will update the house as I receive further information. He also asked particularly about the BBC Arabic service and funding for the World Service. I think it's important to recognise that there have been serious concerns and failings on the part of the BBC Arabic service. In response to that, in his letter to the chair of the Select committee, Doctor Shah set out a number of steps that are being taken.

I understand these include structural changes as well as individual staff changes, but I would gently push back against the assertion that this should affect our support for the World Service. The World Service is a light on the hill for people in places of darkness, and there are many in this in the world at the moment, and this government strongly supports the World Service and will continue to do so.
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Anna Sabine Portrait Anna Sabine MP (Frome and East Somerset, Liberal Democrat)
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Liberal Democrat spokesperson Anna Sabine. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Liberal Democrats have always pushed the BBC to be better, delivering genuinely balanced reporting, rigorous investigation and the best journalism in the world. We believe in a strong, independent, publicly funded BBC that values factuality scrutiny and accountability in our democracy. The BBC clearly isn't perfect, and it's right that we hold it to the highest standards. The Panorama editing error was a serious mistake and we welcome the BBC's apology, the resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, to rebuild trust and return to its core mission to inform, educate and entertain.

However, it is obvious to everyone that this issue is being weaponised by those who want to undermine the BBC and who would profit from its demise without the BBC. We are more vulnerable to the dangerous misinformation and conspiracy theories that populists like the Member for Clacton and Donald Trump trade on, and we cannot let that happen. So as the government navigates Trump's latest tantrum, threatening to sue the BBC for $1 billion. Can I ask the Secretary of State what is she doing to stand up for the BBC? Britain's BBC, which is the most trusted source of information in the world? And speaking of interference by bad actors, serious concerns remain over the conduct of Sir Robin Gibb during his tenure on the BBC board.

We need to have absolute confidence that the BBC can operate free from political influence, factional interest or personal agendas. So if the Secretary of State truly believes that an independent BBC will, she now also sack Robbie Gibb and the political grip on the BBC board, and listen to Liberal Democrat calls to guarantee that the appointment of the next director general is transparent, impartial and worthy of the trust

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that British public places in the BBC. Hey Secretary. The hon. Lady. It's difficult to
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Lisa Nandy Portrait Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Wigan, Labour)
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Secretary. she's announced to the House today. I think in order to maintain confidence in the BBC, it's absolutely essential that the BBC is transparent about the actions that they've taken and the actions they intend to take. And it is it is very welcome that she is ensuring that the fullest explanation is given not just to this House, but to the public as well. In terms of the timing of the charter review, she she will have heard what I said to her committee when I appeared before them recently, that we will start that charter review process before the end of the year.

And I will, of course, return to this House as soon as those timings are finalised. In order to put that before before the House and give members the chance to debate that. She also asked what action we as a government are taking to support the board through what is clearly a tumultuous time. I've been working very closely with the chairman of the BBC in recent days. I've spoken to him daily and the director general as well, and we have been clear as a government that we stand ready to provide all of the support that the board needs in order to appoint the highest calibre person to that post of director general and to consider what changes they might want to make to senior leadership structures and roles as a result of the deliberations that they've had.

Of course, the BBC is independent of government. It's essential that they're able they're given the space to be able to get on with this process. But we have been working very closely with the BBC chairman at his request, in

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order to make sure that the BBC can continue to thrive. Natasha Irons.
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Graeme Downie Portrait Points of Order Graeme Downie MP (Dunfermline and Dollar, Labour)
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Point of order. Graeme Downie.

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A juvenile. And. Shameful AI edited videos. Of proceedings. In this chamber. I have written to Mr. Speaker.

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to Mr. Speaker. About this matter and whether or not it is a breach of the terms and conditions of.

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Parliamentlive.tv which. Explicitly prohibit the altering of video or audio recording in any way, and I. Hope that will trust that is

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being fully. Investigated more broadly. However, Madam Deputy Speaker, I am deeply concerned. That while this. Video was obviously edited, the

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Video was obviously edited, the use of generative AI is fast evolving, and I believe this House must protect both itself and our wider democratic system by drawing wider democratic system by drawing a firm line in the sand. Attempts to edit words, gravitas, and the responsibility of this place when members speak in this chamber is not acceptable, is disrespectful to colleagues, and, moreover, an affront to democracy itself. Can I ask you, Madam Deputy Speaker, what sanctions can currently be imposed sanctions can currently be imposed on members of this House to deter and prevent this type of behaviour? And if they are not currently And if they are not currently adequate, what more can be done to ensure our democracy is protected better in the future? From this use of AI technology?
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Calum Miller Portrait Calum Miller MP (Bicester and Woodstock, Liberal Democrat)
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Ukrainian. After surgery, he told me how devastated and how angry he is about the destruction of his country by Russian invaders. He also told me of his fear for his brother who is fighting on the front lines. Alex wanted to know why Ukraine was struggling to obtain the weapons it needed to resist Russian assaults. He asked me a simple question what more can the UK do to help my brother and my country? The truth is, Madam Deputy Speaker, that in November 2024 there was more the UK could do.

12 months later there was still more the UK can do. This bill sets out what the UK can do in one key area. Alex's story is one of tens of thousands just like it. We've all heard them from amazing Ukrainians who've been hosted by communities across the UK since Russia invaded. These stories speak to the horror inflicted by Vladimir Putin. The UN estimates that over 50,000 Ukrainian citizens have become casualties of Putin's war machine, including over 2300 children wounded and over 700 killed.

Tens of thousands of brave Ukrainian men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice on the front line, while some in this House, like the hon. Member for Clacton, would prefer to be apologists for Putin. I know that I speak for my colleagues when I say that Putin alone is responsible for the atrocities we are witnessing in Ukraine. Nor is Putin content merely to devastate Ukraine today. He is hell bent on erasing its future. His systematic programme for the abduction of at least 20,000 Ukrainian children will go down as one of the vilest acts of this war.

Here I want to pay tribute to those colleagues who have shone a spotlight on this appalling crime. We must all commit ourselves to returning each and every Ukrainian child to their home. Madam Deputy Speaker, Putin's ambitions stretch beyond Ukraine. In the Baltics, Russia poses an existential threat to our Lithuanian, Estonian and Latvian allies, all of whom face daily cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns in the Caucasus. Putin's cronies and the Georgian Dream Party have cracked down violently on democracy activists, while the Kremlin's insidious efforts to distort elections in Moldova and Romania are well documented, Putin also waged a campaign of sabotage and cyber war across the rest of Europe, including here at home.

Confirmation over the weekend that the RAF will now be deployed to defend Belgian airspace against Russian drone threats, speaks to the collective nature of the threat we face. Putin's imperial ambitions are extensive. That is why we must be unwavering in our support to the Ukrainian people. The UK has stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine since the full scale invasion. It was led by all three prime Ministers in the previous government, and has been sustained by the present government across that time, with support from nearly all parties in this House.

And we should be proud of that legacy in providing weapons, equipment and fighter pilot training. We have helped keep Ukraine in the fight. Our leadership in G7 efforts to crack down on Russian oil revenues has been vital in cutting Putin's profits, although Liberal Democrats continue to call on the government to go further to ensure that no actors in the UK economy can facilitate the sale of Russian gas. We are also pushing the government to explain why over £30 million worth of Russian planes were imported to the UK last year.

Madam Deputy Speaker Britain's contribution has been crucial, but we cannot rest on those laurels. Rather, we must double down on our support. Last month, Ukraine's Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal laid out the challenge. He estimated that Ukraine will need to spend $120 billion on defence in 2026, of which Ukraine itself can cover half. That leaves a $60 billion hole, which Ukraine's allies have a duty to help fill. For many months, Liberal Democrats have called on the government to fund Ukraine's defence through seizing frozen Russian assets across the UK.

The most recent estimates suggest that £300 billion worth of Russian assets are frozen across G7 countries, which includes close to £30 billion here in the UK. Seizing the UK based assets could allow us to fill half of the projected deficit in Ukraine's defence spend for next year, while ensuring that Putin and his cronies are the ones who pay. We could help turbocharge Ukraine's deep strike capabilities whilst bolstering the supply of air defence systems. In short, we could provide Ukraine with a vital new lifeline of support.

So we find ourselves today at a critical point. Ukraine's need for finance is urgent. The UK's efforts to move the G7 and EU allies have not yet resulted in success. At the same time, one very specific item allied to this topic highlights the frustrations felt by so many in this House. In May 2022, the conservative government announced that they had, and I quote, agreed, a deed of undertaking with Roman Abramovich. They said again, to quote, he committed the proceeds to a charity in the jurisdiction agreed by the government for the purposes of helping victims of the war in Ukraine.

In common with other members, I have asked Ministers about these funds on the 24th of January, the 17th of March and the 21st of May, the Foreign Secretary and the Foreign Office Minister in his place told me that they were, to quote, redoubling our efforts, doing everything I can and working at pace. Yet still, over three and a half years on, there is no progress towards releasing the £2.3 million, suggesting an alarming lack of either resolve or creativity from successive governments.

Madam Deputy Speaker, I am keenly aware of the arguments raised against seizing Russia's frozen assets. The primary concern is that a direct seizure creates the possibility of litigious action by the Kremlin. The second is that by acting against Russia, we might inadvertently undermine wider confidence in the UK as a safe haven for frozen for for financial assets. In response to the legal risks, the actions of the US in adopting the Rico act and of Canada in adopting the CMA act demonstrate that other allies believe it is possible to legislate effectively to allow for asset seizures and on the financial risks.

I quote the previous Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, who said in March 2024, I think that the economic case is very strong. Here we are in the City of London, one of the great financial centres of the world. I do not think that using that money will disadvantage us in any way. Here I am conscious, too, that these concerns have inspired important efforts in Brussels. These have aimed at securing Europe wide agreement on proposals which would allow for the use of frozen assets, whilst reassuring Belgium in particular, where the majority of frozen assets are held, that the legal risk will be both reduced and shared.

While I welcome these efforts at securing international consensus, those proposals have stalled and with each day that passes without concrete action to unleash the potential of the assets, Putins war machine makes further progress. Madam Deputy Speaker, last month we learned that, shamefully, an elected UK MEP, Nathan Gill, took payment from a Russian agent, ally Voloshin, to repeat pro-Russian propaganda in the European Parliament. Mr. Gill sat in the European Parliament with party colleagues who now sit in this House. It is for the hon.

Member for Clacton to explain his meetings with Mr. Voloshin, and for the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness to explain his public support for Mr. Gill in 2019 and his more recent hospitality from

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Vladimir and Lubov Chernukhin. Amen. But I know that the overwhelming majority of colleagues in this majority of colleagues in this House, just like the constituents we all represent, want us to provide the brave men and women of provide the brave men and women of Ukraine with the funds they need to defend themselves. I am proud to present this bill on a cross-party present this bill on a cross-party basis, and grateful to my co-sponsors and other members who have shown their support.

Mr have shown their support. Mr Speaker. 13 months later, I am still motivated by Alex's question. still motivated by Alex's question. I am no longer to prepare to tell him that it is very hard, or that Belgium is cautious. This has Belgium is cautious. This has become a question of will. The time for delay and timidity is over. I for delay and timidity is over. I believe it is the will of this House to legislate so that the UK can lead our G7 and EU partners in can lead our G7 and EU partners in seizing Russian state assets here in the UK, and in making them available to Ukraine.

Ukraine needs available to Ukraine. Ukraine needs her friends to step forward with urgency and purpose. She needs our financial support today so that she can purchase the military materiel to drive back the Russians and defend her sovereign territory. And defend her sovereign territory. And so, Madam Deputy Speaker, I urge the government to show leadership towards our European and G7 allies towards our European and G7 allies and to work with colleagues from across the House to enact this bill.

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Yeah. Now, before I put the question, I would just like to confirm that I would just like to confirm that the hon. Member did, in fact inform the members for Clacton and Boston and Skegness of his intention to refer to them. It would be a courtesy of the House if he hasn't courtesy of the House if he hasn't for him to have done so in advance. The question is that the hon. Member have leave to bring in the Member have leave to bring in the Bill.

As many as are of that opinion, say I of the contrary. No, opinion, say I of the contrary. No, I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Who will prepare and bring in the bill?

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in the bill? James MacCleary. Monica Harding. Doctor. Al Pinkerton. Mike Martin. Richard Foord. Sir. Iain Duncan Richard Foord. Sir. Iain Duncan Smith. Stephen Gethins. Sir. Julian Lewis Alex Sobel and myself, madam Deputy speaker.

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Calum Miller.

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And.

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Tottenham. Russian frozen assets, seizure and aid to Ukraine. Bill Second Reading. What day?

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Bill Second Reading. What day? Friday the 30th of January.

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Friday the 30th of January. Friday the 30th of January. We now come to the general debate on
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None Portrait General debate: General Debate on the Contribution of the Armed Forces to mark Remembrance
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now come to the general debate on remembrance and the contribution of the Armed Forces Minister to move the motion.
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Al Carns Portrait Al Carns MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans) (Birmingham Selly Oak, Labour)
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Around 10,000 veterans gathered at the Cenotaph in Whitehall to observe the tradition, traditional two minute silence, and take part in the Royal British Legion's Remembrance Sunday March Past. As a veteran myself, I was immensely veteran myself, I was immensely proud to march as part of the Royal proud to march as part of the Royal Marines Association. At memorials in towns, villages and cities right in towns, villages and cities right across the UK. Civilians and members of the armed forces also came together to pay their respects.

came together to pay their respects. Of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in all wars. Now we owe everything to those heroes who laid everything to those heroes who laid down their lives to defend our shores, protect our interests, and safeguard our way of life. The peace and the freedom that we enjoy today is their precious legacy. And today is their precious legacy. And it's a reminder that freedom is not free. And Remembrance Day is the most important opportunity we have as a nation to come together and to honour them.

Remembrance for me, and indeed I think many other and indeed I think many other veterans around the country, is about remembering the friends and the brothers in arms that we have the brothers in arms that we have lost. The specific moment when life was perhaps taken away, the gunfire, was perhaps taken away, the gunfire, the explosion, the screaming, the chaos, the mud and the dust. And it is these heightened senses at a time of a traumatic event that are imprinted upon your memory.

These memories are as vivid as the birth of your first child, a birthday, or any other impactful occasion. But they have very different meaning. Remembrance is about just that. It's the one day of the year where you are safe to remember, where memories surface, and we pay tribute to those that are serving and indeed have served. It is also a very important time for this House, which has always had a special affinity for our armed forces and veterans.

So it's an absolute privilege to lead today's debate. Given my former role throughout the last year, it has been an honour to visit over 60 veterans organisations and meet so many outstanding and absolutely selfless people from the Veterans Community Hub in Lanarkshire to the Helping Homeless Veterans UK hub in Bournemouth and across all the great nations of the United Kingdom. Those individuals who dedicate their time to our Armed Forces community Minister give way. I will.

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Minister. our. Veterans is. So essential.

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So essential. British. Legion in Derby is growing. Will he join. Me in wishing good.

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Luck to. Those who. Set up. A new branch. In Mackworth? And will he.

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In Mackworth? And will he. government's. Veterans strategy. Including the £13.8. Million to address homelessness, shows we are.

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Marching in. Step with those who campaign for veterans. Minister.

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I'd like to thank the hon. Friend for her contribution and definitely good luck to the RBL on expanding that portfolio. It's expanding that portfolio. It's fantastic to see and I hear Derby RBL have raised the most of any RBL have raised the most of any other RBL derby within within the country. Now I'd very much like to stay on. Let me finish this stay on. Let me finish this paragraph and then you can jump in. I would very much like to state on the record my personal thanks to the record my personal thanks to the Royal British Legion and their work on the Poppy appeal this year, and indeed for every year.

I am sure all colleagues across the sure all colleagues across the House would echo this appreciation, and I very much look forward to hearing colleagues contributions hearing colleagues contributions from across this House today in 2025. It's been a really busy year for military military anniversaries, for military military anniversaries, particularly those associated with the final year of the Second World War. Now, in April, we marked 80 years since British troops swept across northern Europe and liberated liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. We remember the horrors and atrocities that those soldiers witnessed first hand, and the incredible work they carried out afterwards.

Burying, burying the dead, containing the spread of disease and caring for the survivors within a matter of weeks. Allied forces would be in Berlin. Hitler would be dead, and the communities across Britain would take to the streets to celebrate victory in Europe. On May the 8th of this year, we took to the streets again to celebrate VE day 80th anniversary and to pay tribute to all those who fought for democracy over tyranny, liberty over oppression, and human dignity over barbarism. Yet for some, VE day did not mean the nightmare of World War Two was over.

British and Commonwealth troops in the Far East, who had suffered some of the most gruelling and hostile environments of the entire conflict, still faced three months of fighting. The story of their war is one of almost superhuman strength and resilience. But then again in August, we were able to remember their extraordinary contribution when we marked the 80th anniversary of victory in Japan Day, the day that finally brought the most catastrophic war in human history to an end. In September, we marked 85 years since the Battle of Britain, when our aviators took on the might of the Luftwaffe in a contest that not only determined control of our skies, but the fate of our entire nation at a time of supreme enemy confidence, Britain proved to the world for the first time that Hitler and his forces could be defeated.

Now, after such an important year for commemorations today, Remembrance Day 2025 is a moment of profound national reflection and indeed, gratitude. As we remember all those who served and indeed all those who have fallen. As we remember, the conflict's gone by 107th anniversary of the 1918 armistice, which we remember, those who fought in the Great War, those who served in the Korean War, which began 75 years ago, those who fought in Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere across the globe.

Also, those Commonwealth troops who made such a huge contribution to both world wars and other conflicts, and those who serve today and continue to uphold the values of courage, duty, professionalism and compassion which have long distinguished British armed forces. And just as our forefathers fought for democracy, freedom and the right to self-determination, so do in the East to our Ukrainian allies. So let us remember the courageous, the heroism that Ukraine and Ukrainians are delivering today, pitched in a battle of national survival.

There are war is no less bloody than that of the world. World War two. And when we think about that conflict, it's worth recognising that the Russians have taken more casualties in that conflict than the Americans took in the entire Second World War. It gives you a feel for the pain and suffering that that conflict has caused, caused by Putin's war of aggression. So, as we remember, we pay homage to all those fighting for the same values and ethics that we hold dear.

And I'd also like to thank the many thousands of people from civilian and military backgrounds who have worked so hard to organise what were fantastic commemorations. Defence Ministers have travelled the length and breadth of the UK on both sides of the benches. Ministerial and opposition, whether it be the Royal Irish Regiments annual remembrance service in Belfast, whether it be the Field of Remembrance in Cardiff, the Scottish National Remembrance Sunday event, the Remembering Afghanistan events at the National Memorial Arboretum or indeed the War Widows Association, annual service at the cenotaph and many, many others.

These are just a tiny fraction of the many events up and down the country, which have been possible by the tireless work of our armed forces and thousands of people in local communities. When the last survey was was undertaken in 2018, it showed that 28,115 members of the Army alone attended Remembrance Day parades at over 620 different events. And if not similar, it was probably more this year. Events are also being held worldwide from Riga, where UK officials joined commemorations at the Jelgava Commonwealth War Graves Site, to Senegal, where colleagues held an act of remembrance at a cemetery in Dakar.

And as we discuss the role that our armed forces play in remembrance today, we must also consider the remarkable work that serving personnel perform all year round. Educating young people about the history of defence, deterrence and warfare, promoting awareness and raising funds through charities, including through the British. The Royal British Legion's Incredible Poppy appeal, and working with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to maintain military graves to the highest possible standard all around the world. Today we thank

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them for their outstanding contribution. I will. And I'm very grateful to the Minister for giving way, and I won't take it personally, in the interest of peace and togetherness, that he chose the East Midlands the Minister being from the West Midlands, but can I thank the Minister for his reference to young people, and will he join me in thanking all those young people I thanking all those young people I was with today at the Cenotaph in Newcastle this morning from local schools who had their homemade poppies and wreaths, who in whose hands, our future and our commitment to democracy and to peace lie.

And it is no more important responsibility on us as adults, as it were, to make sure

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adults, as it were, to make sure that they are part of bringing our country together as. Thank you. I'd like to thank the hon. Friend for what is a really poignant contribution. And thank those in Newcastle-under-Lyme for making sure that awareness about the sacrifice is spread not just across the adult population, but across the youth. Today, I always across the youth. Today, I always say that navies, armies, air forces do not win wars, industries, economies and societies do. And making sure society never forgets

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making sure society never forgets the past is absolutely critical. I'm very. Grateful to the Minister.

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Grateful to the Minister. Can I. Say that there is no more appropriate member of this House to be. Introducing this debate today than the hon. Gentleman. With his

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distinguished record? I think I represent more. Generals than any other.

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Honourable or right hon. Member of this House. He will have seen that nine four. Star officers.

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Star officers. Wrote to the Times today, and they are concerned. They're concerned about.

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They're concerned about. The. Northern Ireland. Troubles Bill and the legal activism. That it is. Likely to encourage.

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Quotes. They say. They risk. Weakening the moral foundations. And operational. Effectiveness

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And operational. Effectiveness depends. And whilst.

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We all honour our brave servicemen and servicewomen. Today. Rhetorically, would he.

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Agree with me that we need to. Follow that through with. Real action. To ensure. That they are not disadvantaged.

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That they are not disadvantaged. Today and into the future? Yeah, yeah. The hon. Member makes an

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The hon. Member makes an interesting point, and I want to be clear and concise. Today of all days is a day of remembrance. I don't think it's about political point scoring. We have a debate on Thursday where we can discuss this Thursday where we can discuss this issue in detail, and I would very much welcome a discussion with those individuals that sent the letter, and as would the Defence Secretary and others, to talk through the issues and provide balance to the argument and ensure that we protect our country, our armed forces, from lawfare and ensure that they are represented

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and their voices are heard. Now, whilst I will give way. I just want to return to this

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I just want to return to this point about the the commemoration. When I got elected back in 1992, I remember that having served before, we weren't allowed to wear uniforms in public because of the IRA threat in public because of the IRA threat at the time. And actually, bit by bit, these commemorations were no longer attended. I can remember my longer attended. I can remember my first commemoration at Chingford. We're very lucky if we had 100 We're very lucky if we had 100 people who turned out for that.

Can I say to them how how that has been reversed? One good example. On Sunday in my constituency at the Sunday in my constituency at the Memorial in Chingford, nearly 2000 people turned up to commemorate those who have fallen and those who went before. Isn't that a very good example of how we, the next generation, understands it, sometimes better than my generation did?

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did? James Asser what our welcome intervention never I was stood with intervention never I was stood with the veterans during the cenotaph march past, and it always astounds march past, and it always astounds me that when you stood there with 10,000 people and as the guns fire, 10,000 people and as the guns fire, there is complete silence in one of the busiest capitals in the world. And it's a sombre but hugely humble experience. And it's an absolute pleasure for me to see and hear all of the amazing stories of almost every constituency standing together, united around this great nation to celebrate those individuals that have served, are serving and of course, their families and are bereaved.

So thank you for that intervention. Now, whilst we often focus on the individuals that have been lost, we must also remember those that were left behind the mothers, the fathers, the brothers, sisters, partners, wives and husbands who, after one of those traumatic events, all need to adapt to a new way of life. We need to remember them and remember them all, and acknowledge that whilst the loved ones perhaps paid the ultimate sacrifice, it's not just the individual that serves, but the whole family that serves.

And they often suffer in silence long after the event. And I will.

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I thank the right hon. Gentleman for giving way, and he's right to acknowledge not just the veterans, but those that have loved them. And but those that have loved them. And today my son had the privilege of reading names at our local cenotaph. reading names at our local cenotaph. Of those that were killed in World War two, and also of my best friend War two, and also of my best friend who was a Royal Marine who died in 2012, in Afghanistan. And it was an incredibly proud moment for me that incredibly proud moment for me that my son got to read his name and remember the sacrifice that those remember the sacrifice that those that have loved and lost made for us to live our lives.

So thank you to the Minister for acknowledging

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to the Minister for acknowledging those that have loved and lost. Yeah. Well, thank you for such a

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Well, thank you for such a moving contribution. And may I say in jest, you have a very good in jest, you have a very good choice of best friends. And I know his memory will live long into the future, and it's a delight to hear future, and it's a delight to hear that your son was taking part in that commemoration. Now, importantly, we must look after importantly, we must look after bereaved children. Madam Deputy Speaker, if you don't mind, I'd be delighted to highlight that delighted to highlight that following our little jaunt up Everest that we did earlier on this year, we've managed to raise year, we've managed to raise £500,000 just under for veterans, charities and the specific needs of bereaved children, which will go to help those loved ones across the whole plethora of different charities.

Now we show our eternal gratitude to for those families which have cared for members of our armed forces after returning from service, those who often bear the physical and mental scars of the conflicts that they've experienced. And I think the reason that this year's World War II commemorations were especially poignant was because they were likely the last major events to feature veterans from the war in any great numbers. Even the youngest of those veterans who graced the ceremonies in London are now well into their 10th decade.

One of them, Mervyn Kirsh, 100 years old, who took part in the D-Day landings and then went on to Belsen a few weeks after it was liberated, laid a wreath at the cenotaph and the whole house can be proud that he will be watching PMQs tomorrow from the gallery. What an honour it would be to welcome him here. The living connection that Mervyn and his comrades provide to the war is a priceless asset, particularly at a time when the bloodiest European conflict since the Second World War continues to rage in Ukraine.

They understand the cost of conflict because they lived through it, but they also understand that the privileges we inherited after the war 80 years of peace, prosperity and freedom can never, ever be taken for granted. We must be prepared to defend them in an increasingly dangerous world. And today, a new generation of servicemen and women is doing precisely that. They are heirs to the veterans who proudly paraded on May 8th, and their guardians to that cherished inheritance. So today we also pay tribute to our servicemen and women working around the world to deter aggression, to safeguard British interests, and to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies.

Showing Putin will not divide us. Now, you will note throughout this speech that there wasn't necessarily one ounce of politics within this debate that could be called political naivety, but I call it a deep found respect for those that have served and continue to serve and welcome a debate. In conversation on Thursday. This week's commemorations remind us once again of the unbreakable bonds linking our heroes from the past with the armed forces personnel of today, and those, indeed who will serve in the future.



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On that point. I will. Will my hon. Friend join me in

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Will my hon. Friend join me in commemorating the work of Joshua Mullinger, an able sea cadet in York who played an integral role at York who played an integral role at York Service of Remembrance and Conservative Councillor and Lord Mayor Martin Rowley, who he himself was a veteran. Would he join me in commemorating those very remarkable

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individuals? Minister. I thank the hon. Friend for his contribution. The cadets play such contribution. The cadets play such an important part in Sea Cadets, right at the very forefront. To see Joshua thriving in that environment Joshua thriving in that environment is absolutely superb. And to hear of Martin Rowley excelling after being in service is hugely being in service is hugely admirable. I'd like to thank him for his service in particular. Now, as we remember, the generations who as we remember, the generations who have sacrificed so much, their testimony lives on, inspiring us to be strong in the face of adversity, be strong in the face of adversity, to be resilient during difficult times, and to stand up for values times, and to stand up for values that we believe in.

That's the way we'll remember our military heroes best, and that's how we'll ensure their priceless legacy of peace and their priceless legacy of peace and freedom will endure.

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freedom will endure. The question is that this House has considered remembrance and the contribution of the armed forces.

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Shadow Minister Mark Francois. Thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker. It's also a privilege to open this debate for her, this. Opposition on the 11th of November, Armistice Day,

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the 11th of November, Armistice Day, a date on which the nation. Pauses and. Gives thanks for the sacrifice of our armed forces so that.

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of our armed forces so that. We can. Still live in a free country. It's a pleasure to follow on from

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the Minister for. The Armed. Forces, and I wish to. Endorse his comments about. The value of our armed forces

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The value of our armed forces and the vital. Role that they play. In the nation's contribution.

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In the nation's contribution. To remembrance. We all thank them for. Their service. The Minister.
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Mark Francois Portrait Rt Hon Mark Francois MP (Rayleigh and Wickford, Conservative)
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Their service. The Minister. Rightfully also paid. Tribute to the operational. Role of our armed forces, who remain as vigilant as.

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remain as vigilant as. Ever around the. Clock, keeping us safe. In the 21st century. Nevertheless, perhaps he'll

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Nevertheless, perhaps he'll forgive me if, in my contribution this evening. I too will also take something of a historical perspective.

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of a historical perspective. On the vital role our armed forces have played in the defence of our. Nation down the years.

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Nation down the years. I was privileged. To attend the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance last Saturday. Last Saturday evening. Saturday. Last Saturday evening. Which remains as moving an occasion as when I first attended as an Mod Minister over a decade ago. I should like to pay tribute this evening to the extremely valuable role the Royal British Legion plays, both in shaping our whole concept of remembrance and also in supporting our veterans, some 2 million or so of whom are still living today, as well as the national commemorations, also including at the cenotaph, the Royal British Legion, often supported by local armed forces personnel, also play a vital role in organising services at community level in all of our constituencies, up and down the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.

While in my experience every community tends to do remembrance slightly differently to account for local circumstances, each ceremony has common elements with which we're all familiar. The emotive playing of the last post, the two minute silence, and usually also the famous epitaph from the

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second Infantry Division Memorial, universally known as the. Keir Mather staff, with those

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Keir Mather staff, with those famous and stirring words when you famous and stirring words when you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow. We gave our for your tomorrow. We gave our today. The Battle of Kojima, brilliantly described in Field Marshal The Viscount Slim's 1956 Marshal The Viscount Slim's 1956 book defeat into victory, arguably one of the best books ever written on the whole concept of generalship, was a classic example of a dogged defence by a British and, crucially, defence by a British and, crucially, also Commonwealth forces in stopping the attempted Japanese stopping the attempted Japanese advance into India.

In mid 1944. Indeed, the dogged, stubborn defence, often against superior defence, often against superior rods, is a recurrent feature, a recurrent feature of British recurrent feature of British military tradition, be it the English archers at Agincourt, the Great Siege of Gibraltar, Wellington's army at Waterloo, the 24th foot at Rorke's Drift, which saw the most Victoria Crosses 11 saw the most Victoria Crosses 11 ever awarded in a single action. The few of the of Fighter Command in the Battle of Britain, to whom the Minister also referred the Royal Navy escorting the Atlantic Convoys or the Glorious Glosters at the Imjin River in Korea, and many more besides, including more recently in the Middle East.

There are, of course, many comparable examples from the First World War, not least the stand of the British Expeditionary Force at Mons or the subsequent First Battle of. For anyone who has stood at the Menin Gate. When the buglers of the Fire Brigade play The Last Post as it swells around that famous arch, it is a truly moving and emotive ceremony to behold. Nevertheless, yes, of course.

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He's mentioned Bill slim, who many know his history will say was many know his history will say was probably the greatest allied general of the war. Brilliant. What he achieved with next to nothing. But there was something very But there was something very special about the 14th Army, which comes out in other accounts in which he agrees with me that apart which he agrees with me that apart from just fighting, the reality was that there were Indian members of that there were Indian members of the 14th and also British members.

They served in the same slit trenches. They ran to aid each trenches. They ran to aid each other, regardless of race or anything else they delivered for each other. That was the most each other. That was the most remarkable bit about the story of the 14th was it didn't matter who you were, where you came from, you

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you were, where you came from, you were as one against the tyranny of the Japanese. I completely agree with my right hon. And gallant friend. The hon. And gallant friend. The history of 14th Army is a proud one. It was a marvellous amalgam under a It was a marvellous amalgam under a brilliant leader of people from countries and races around the countries and races around the entire Commonwealth, who fought with one common aim, which was for freedom. They were sometimes called the Forgotten Army.

They are not the Forgotten Army. They are not forgotten tonight. But I want to recall that after the horrors of the trenches and an understandable aversion to war in the 1920s, with Britain exhausted both financially and emotionally by the horrors of the Great War, the government of the day introduced what came to be known as the ten year rule. This was not just the policy of the War Office or the Admiralty as they then were, but was a pan Whitehall edict, the essence of which was that Britain would not have to fight another major war for at least ten years.

This key planning assumption became the centrepiece of British strategic theory, and with strong endorsement from the Treasury, the ten year rule soon became a rolling one, extended on an annual basis. Given that no war was expected for at least a decade. This allowed for major economies in the financing of the armed forces, and associated running down of all three services. As one example of how seriously the ten year rule was taken and implemented. Even Winston Churchill, in his time as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the 1920s, exerted pressure to cut back on his beloved Royal Navy, the same service he had fought tenaciously to expand as first Lord of the Admiralty barely a decade before.

Indeed, as a mood of pacifism gripped the nation in 1933, the same year in which Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany, the earnest students of the Oxford Union, who were having their own problems at the moment, passed a motion by a majority of over 2 to 1 that this House will under no circumstances fight for its king and country. The subsequent policy of appeasement among the 1930s British establishment, the blob of their day, was as erroneous then as it would be today.

Authoritarian dictators tend to admire strength, particularly their own, and to despise weakness a lesson that any British government, including this one, would do well to remember. History tells us again and again that the appeasement of dictators does not work, just as it failed to work in the 1930s, the ten year rule, which by that stage had lasted well over a decade, was eventually only rescinded in 1935 six as Britain began to rearm in response to Hitler's increasingly bellicose behaviour.

Nevertheless, that rearmament and comparable action by our allies was ultimately insufficient to deter what then became the Second World War. The brutal conflict in which over 50 million people died. Far more even than had perished in the supposed war to end all wars some two decades before. I mention all this Madam Deputy Speaker not just because I studied history, then military history at university, but because if, as members of this House believe, as I have always believed, the ultimate goal of our armed forces is to save lives by deterring war and persuading any potential aggressor that they could not prevail.

Then, even today, we need to ask ourselves, all of us, regardless of party, the question whether or not we are doing enough to secure the peace by maintaining sufficiently strong armed forces to provide such a vital deterrent effect as a historical fact. Twice in the last century, this country paid an immense cost in both blood and treasure to defeat militarism. Today, the threats are somewhat different, with a war on our doorstep in Europe following Russia's barbaric and illegal invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainians are in effect now fighting for our freedom, too, and we must back them to the hilt.

As a result, we also see a major rearmament by China. North Korea continues to develop even longer range ICBMs, now with support from Russia, while Iran continues to exert malign influence across the Middle East. Even after the successful American strike on its emerging nuclear capabilities. So the circumstances may have changed, but the principle remains exactly the same. We in the Western democracies cannot drop our guard against the growing powers of the 21st century autocracies, something those who fought in the Second World War would instinctively understand only too well.

So, whilst bearing in mind the Minister's caution, I was genuinely concerned to read one passage of the government's recent Strategic Defence Review, its seminal defence policy document, where, on page 43, under the heading of transforming UK War Fighting, the document states this. This review charts a new era for defence, restoring the UK's ability to deter, fight and win with allies against states with advanced military forces by 2035. I say to the Minister, in all sincerity, there seems there to be an echo of the ten year rule of the 1920s.

Whilst there was a great deal of good in the SDR, not least the intention to speed up our highly bureaucratic procurement system about which the Minister knows, I've always held firm views. I nevertheless do worry, given increasing threats from Russia and now also from China, whether the Ministry of Defence today displays the genuine sense of urgency that is required to meet the challenges which we now all clearly face. Now, before I'm accused of selective quoting within the same paragraph of the SDR, it does go on to say this vision could be achieved more quickly should circumstances demand it, and should more resources be made available.

Notwithstanding those words, with much of the new money in the SDR unavailable for at least two years and a multi-billion pound programme of in-year efficiency savings now underway, I merely ask, have we really learned the lessons of the past century as well as we might? In conclusion, we in these islands have always ultimately been prepared to make great sacrifices to uphold the freedom of Europe and indeed of the wider world itself. That's why, given our history, we should never forget that the first duty of government remains the defence of the realm.

In response to the philosopher Edmund Burke's famous challenge that all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. Twice in the last century, our own good men and women across the nation stood up to and defeated such evil, whether in a moment with our armed forces in the lead, a sacrifice which we rightfully solemnly remember each and every November, including in this house tonight. I'll gladly give one.

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Thank the shadow Minister. And while we're celebrating and remembering the the we talk of the the greatest generation, we also have the ability tonight and the potential to build our young people potential to build our young people into being the best generation. And perhaps, maybe we should be focusing upon that as well, looking back, but looking forward. I thank back, but looking forward. I thank the Minister said that, and I think what we must try and do is to raise a generation of young people proud a generation of young people proud to be British, proud to stand against oppression, proud to undertake to be inclusive.

Would the hon. Gentleman agree? That's

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the hon. Gentleman agree? That's what we need to build for. As a young person myself, Madam Deputy Speaker having recently Deputy Speaker having recently turned 60, I would like to say in all seriousness that I too, at the remembrance services that that I remembrance services that that I was at this weekend. I'm sure, like many hon. Members and members many hon. Members and members across the House, was really struck by the number of young people, people from the Cubs and the Scouts, people from the Cubs and the Scouts, the brownies and others who attended those services and often attended those services and often participated and laid tributes and wreaths and crosses of their own.

I wreaths and crosses of their own. I took great heart from that, and I believe there is hope. Yet I wish believe there is hope. Yet I wish to conclude, but I would just say there would be no greater betrayal of the sacrifices that we have been debating this evening than if we, as a house, with all the other matters that we have to consider, somehow became so distracted or complacent that we failed to act with sufficient clarity of purpose and determination to deter a future major conflict, perhaps even a global one, from breaking out again in our lifetimes.

Or, to put it perhaps another way, we must now conduct ourselves in our today in such a way as to never risk the security of our tomorrow. With that sincere warning, I paid tribute to our valiant armed forces, both past and present, and everything they do day in and day out to keep us and day in and day out to keep us and

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forget. Yeah yeah yeah yeah.

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Before I call the chair of the Defence Select Committee, there will be a five minute time limit

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will be a five minute time limit imposed after the Liberal Democrat Dhesi. Thank you very much.

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Thank you very much. Madam Deputy Speaker. And as chair, on behalf of the whole House of Commons Defence Committee, I want to express our Committee, I want to express our deepest gratitude to all those who have served our country to keep us have served our country to keep us safe. On this day. We remember and honour those whose bravery and honour those whose bravery and sacrifice secured us the freedoms we value so dearly, and pay tribute we value so dearly, and pay tribute to those who continue to protect our way of life today.

It is our
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Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Portrait Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP (Slough, Labour)
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our way of life today. It is our great privilege, as members of the Defence Committee, that we get to see their work first hand this year. Madam Deputy Speaker, we have visited the British battlegroup stationed in Tapa in Estonia, whose presence deters Russian aggression against our NATO allies in Eastern Europe. We have also met serving personnel at our many visits to military bases across the UK, including RAF Lossiemouth, HMNB Portsmouth and the Army Foundation College, Harrogate, where we met the impressive young people who will be the soldiers of the future.

Meeting these remarkable individuals reminds us that the work of our armed forces never stops. They are always vigilant and always prepared to do what is necessary to keep us safe. And this life saving work goes beyond defence. Earlier this month, HMS Trent was deployed to support disaster relief efforts in Jamaica following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. I'm immensely proud that the extraordinary men and women of our armed forces are out there representing the best of British every single day.

One of our missions as a committee, Madam Deputy Speaker, is to speak up on behalf of these exceptional people and to raise the issues that matter to them. When the committee was appointed last year by the House, one of our first priorities was to complete the previous committee's work on service accommodation. Because of how important this is to serving personnel and their families, the standard of housing in which we expect personnel to live has been unacceptable for some time, and that must be addressed.

We are encouraged to see the government is focussed on the overhaul of defence housing, and we will be scrutinising the new defence Housing strategy as it is rolled out to ensure that it delivers on what has been promised. Another area Madam Deputy Speaker we continue to scrutinise is the treatment of women in the armed forces. More than 16,000 women serve our country in the military, but there are still unfair biases to their participation and sadly, many examples of bullying and harassment.

This must change. We have agreed to hold an annual public hearing with Mod and the single services to drive them to improve and stamp out discrimination for good. Madam Deputy Speaker. We want to make sure that all members of the Armed Forces community are fairly treated. That is why this year we hold an inquiry on the government's plan to update the Armed Forces Covenant. As Honourable and right hon. Members know, the covenant is a solemn commitment from government and society to the Armed Forces community that serving personnel, their families and veterans should not be disadvantaged in civilian life.

Our inquiry asked veterans and serving personnel whether they felt that that promise was being fulfilled. While some of the feedback was positive, we still heard too many examples where the covenant is not understood or worse yet, is ignored. This meant, for example, individuals having to wait years for NHS treatment because they fall to the bottom of the waiting list each time they are deployed to a new area. There are also gaps in the covenant which mean the forces community still face disadvantages in social care, employment and the tax system.

That is why we recommended, Madam Deputy Speaker, that when the government legislates in the Armed Forces Bill, it needs to extend the covenant duty to every single government department. We look forward to that legislation and hope it will be properly embedded, and that the covenant itself will be embedded in our institutions and in wider society, so that those who have served can be in no doubt that it is there to support them. We also look forward to seeing the delivery of the new Veterans' Strategy published yesterday, which we which will be another important part of fulfilling our nation's promise to the Armed Forces community locally.

Madam Deputy Speaker, in my Slough constituency, I am pleased that the covenant has also been adopted by Slough Borough Council, but its implementation must of course, be robust. Slough has a proud and enduring history of supporting our troops. In fact, our iconic Slough Trading estate's very roots came from being established as a military repair depot in the First World War and Langley Airfield. Madam Deputy Speaker was a proud producer of thousands of Hawker Hurricanes in the Second World War.

Slough's history is interwoven, interwoven with defence. Just last week, Madam Deputy Speaker, I had the honour of hosting an event to celebrate in Parliament two local heroes veterans, Major Havaldar Rajinder Singh and the father Muhammad Hussain both served in World War two and sadly passed away earlier this year. Their sacrifice and the sacrifices of brave troops from across the globe for our freedom must never be forgotten. We must do more than just be thankful. We must actively celebrate and honour the service of all, especially in these febrile times, to include those from across the world who ensured that our freedoms could be preserved.

Remembrance. Madam Deputy Speaker should never be exclusive. Today's remembrance services honour the past, but they also remind us of the duty performed by those who defend us today in an increasingly dangerous world. Our Defence committee's visit to Ukraine last month, Madam Deputy Speaker, was a sobering reminder that war in Europe is no longer a thing of the past. We must never forget our debt to those who sacrifice so much for our freedom, and we must never neglect our obligations to those who make sacrifices today.

Our committee, Madam Deputy Speaker, will continue to honour the fallen while also putting the welfare of the servicemen and women of our armed forces at the heart of our work. Throughout this Parliament. We will remember them.
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James MacCleary Portrait James MacCleary MP (Lewes, Liberal Democrat)
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Thank you.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Remembrance is a day when our nation pauses. To honour those who have served,

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those who. Continue to serve, and most especially those who made the ultimate. Sacrifice in defence.

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ultimate. Sacrifice in defence. Of our freedoms. Indeed. I was in Coalgate, in my constituency, just this morning. To lay a wreath alongside lay a wreath alongside representatives of the local Royal British Legion. Councillors and local clubs and societies.

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And on Sunday I also. Had the honour of laying wreaths and Ringmer and Lewes in. My constituency. I think it's a unique honour

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I think it's a unique honour that we as MPs, have. To. Have the opportunity to stand alongside people from across our community, including particularly young people, of which there was a huge turnout at all our remembrance huge turnout at all our remembrance events to lay wreaths, to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for. Us. During the Second World War, our corner of Second World War, our corner of Sussex saw convoy after convoy of troops and provisions passed through our small villages and through our small villages and country lanes.

Indeed, some of those country lanes still bear the scars of tank tracks that damaged scars of tank tracks that damaged kerbs and other infrastructure. In 1942, Operation Jubilee, otherwise 1942, Operation Jubilee, otherwise known as the Dieppe Raid, was launched from Newhaven in my constituency to test plans for the future full scale invasion of the Normandy coast. The cost was very high and the operation saw nearly 4000 Canadian and British troops killed, wounded or taken prisoner. Every year we remember those brave soldiers and ceremonies in Newhaven and Dieppe.

Today, my constituency of Lewes, there are over 3600 households with at least one veteran. Remembrance day is an event that brings us together, a time of unity and pride, as well as solemnity and reflection. Yet Madam Deputy Speaker remembrance without action is merely sentiment. True remembrance demands that we translate our gratitude into tangible support for those who have served. It demands that we look honestly at how we treat our veterans and serving personnel today, not just how we commemorate those of yesterday.

And when we do so with clear eyes, we must acknowledge an uncomfortable truth that we can do better. And that is why I really welcome the publication of the government's new Veterans Strategy this week. Madam Deputy Speaker. Britain's armed forces are the finest in the world. Our servicemen and women possess unparalleled skill, courage and dedication, and this is the legacy we must uphold. The men and women who wear our uniform today stand in an unbroken line stretching back through centuries. As we've heard from the hon.

Member to my right, they carry forward the same spirit that saw their predecessors stand firm against wannabe despots, from Napoleon to Hitler. But excellence requires investment. Defence is not simply another department competing for resources, but the fundamental obligation of the state, the bedrock upon which all of our other freedoms depend. Without security, there can be no prosperity, and without defence there can be no democracy. The world today is more dangerous than at any time since the end of the Cold War.

Modern warfare is no longer confined to tanks, ships and planes. It is also fought with drones in cyberspace and in our data networks. That's why we must be able to move quickly, adapt rapidly, and learn from our Ukrainian allies who are innovating on the battlefield every day. Britain must be ready to absorb and integrate these lessons and ensure our own armed forces are ready. This is not the time for retreat. It is not the time for isolationism. This is a time for Britain to lead in Europe.

Stand firm alongside our allies and ensure our armed forces have everything they need to defend our nation and our values. The current government's commitment to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP is welcome, but it isn't enough, and we need cross-party talks to agree on a rapid path towards 3%. And I would really welcome the Minister's views on how we can work together going forward to achieve just that. We have the most capable military in Europe, so as the US continues to draw down its forces across our continent, as it has recently by withdrawing a division from Romania, let us be under no illusion that it will be the UK that will be looked at to lead on stepping up.

We need sustained long term investment in our armed forces, not reactive gestures driven by an electoral cycle. Investment. As we have seen, the Strategic Defence Review will need to be long term over a sustained period of time. Madam Deputy Speaker on this Remembrance Day, as we honour those who served before, we must also stand beside those serving today. Recruitment and retention are in crisis. More people leave our armed forces than join the Haythornthwaite report identified family impact as most common reason for departure.

One third of military spouses say they would be happier if their partner left the service. We have failed to provide decent housing. We have failed to support military families adequately. Three quarters of all personnel live in service accommodation, yet barely half remain satisfied with its condition. I welcome the government's announcement of £9 billion for military housing, but we need to be clear that this is not generosity. It is catching up on years of neglect. The housing crisis for veterans extends beyond their time in the service.

Thousands of households containing some one who served in our armed forces are assessed as homeless each year, and that figure is rising shamefully. Veterans on our streets in 2025 is profound dereliction of duty to them. Madam Deputy Speaker. I was very pleased to hear the chair of the Select Committee mention women and the treatment of women in our armed forces, which is a major concern, I am sure, to all of us. We are all very familiar with the terrible case of Gunner Jason Beck, who took her own life at Larkhill in Wiltshire, and the bungled handling of that case by the army, which has come to light subsequently.

And they did not listen to her, and nobody listened to her. And the failure to take appropriate action was, the inquest found, a direct contributor to her death. The Atherton report revealed the scale of the crisis. The majority of women who responded reporting experiencing bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual assault during their service, sometimes at the hands of senior officers. The Ministry of Defence has introduced reforms, but these reforms are not having the impact on the ground that was hoped. We must implement every recommendation of the Atherton report.

We must ensure that the new independent Armed Forces commissioner has responsibility for handling serious complaints. We must do more to improve conviction rates for sexual assaults within the armed forces. How can we expect women to put their lives on the line to keep us safe, when their voices are still not being heard within their own ranks? Madam Deputy Speaker mental health also represents another critical area in which we have fallen short. More than half of our veterans report having experienced mental health problems.

Yet when veterans seek help, they face long waiting times, inadequate provision, services that fail to understand their specific needs. We must provide comprehensive mental health support with easy to access professional help. We must offer regular mental health assessments at key transition points. We must fight the stigma surrounding mental health so that asking for help is not seen as a weakness, but as a strength. The global security landscape is more volatile and unpredictable than it has been in a generation.

Russias invasion of Ukraine has shattered the relative peace on our continent that for decades we have enjoyed. An emboldened Kremlin seeks to undermine Western democracies through disinformation, cyber attacks and attempts to implement influence our political processes. We have seen evidence of Russian interference in elections across Europe. Attempts to sow discord through social media manipulation and sustained efforts to weaken NATO from within China expands its military capabilities and asserts increasingly aggressive territorial claims. Instability spreads across Middle East, Africa and beyond. Authoritarian regimes grow bolder, whilst democracies appear hesitant and at times divided.

So our commitment to NATO must remain the cornerstone of our security. Only a few weeks ago, Portsmouth based HMS Duncan was deployed under NATO command to shadow the Russian destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov through the channel. It was a striking image of an alliance in action. British, French and Dutch forces working together to protect our shared waters. The ageing Russian vessel, limping westward, took a look, stood in stark contrast to the cutting edge capability of the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer.

It is proof our strength lies not in isolation, but in standing together with our allies at sea and beyond, far away.

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Very grateful to the gentleman for giving way on that point about European cooperation, a view with European cooperation, a view with which I shared. Would you agree with me that it would be more than helpful, particularly in the face of Russian aggression, as he of Russian aggression, as he mentions American retraction from European defence for the French European defence for the French government to take a further look at how we can be involved as the at how we can be involved as the United Kingdom in a in a shared European defence approach, instead of trying to blackmail His Majesty's Government for a very Majesty's Government for a very large pay off in order to pay into something which is actually designed to protect all European citizens.



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citizens. I do thank the hon. Member for his intervention and yes, I think I his intervention and yes, I think I do. Well, I do. I think it's actually a really important point, because if we're going to be building for the future, then European countries working together European countries working together is going to be critical to that future. You can look at examples of joint projects we've done in the joint projects we've done in the past, like the Sea Viper system, which is used on our ships, which are developed jointly with other European countries.

And it's been European countries. And it's been very successful in that way. I do feel that it would be really missing a trick for the rest of missing a trick for the rest of Europe if we were to be in any way excluded from such a scheme because of the size of the British industrial complex and the industrial complex and the contribution we can make through not just our primes, but also our start ups and our medium sized businesses and the expertise that our military brings.

So I think it would be quite shortsighted of the French government, or indeed any other government, to put obstacles in the way of that kind of collaboration going forward, particularly at a time of such threat from the East. So we understand that to truly honour our armed forces personnel, we must uphold the principles they serve by protecting our country with the same dedication and resolve that they have shown in its defence. There are 1.8 million veterans in England and Wales, plus 150,000 full time serving personnel and their families.

They are our neighbours, our colleagues, our friends and our family members. Britain's armed forces are the finest in the world, but they need to be given the capabilities to meet the threats we face. They need decent housing, comprehensive healthcare, proper mental health support, fair compensation and genuine respect. Defence is not an optional extra, but the foundation of everything we hold dear. On this Remembrance Day, let's do more than remember. Let us resolve to act. Let us commit to providing everything our Armed Forces community deserves.

Let us prove ourselves worthy of the sacrifice made by those who gave everything, so that we can live in freedom and security. Madam Deputy Speaker, they stood for us. Now we must stand for them. That is the essence of remembrance. That is the measure of our patriotism. That is our duty. That is our obligation to those who

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serve. Lest we forget. Jessica Morden, thank you very much for calling me Madam Deputy much for calling me Madam Deputy Speaker. And like all hon. Members, I had the honour this weekend of being part of our remembrance being part of our remembrance service. And as always, Newport Cenotaph was hugely well attended by veterans, by service personnel by veterans, by service personnel and residents from across our city who all came together to pay our respects to those who served our country and to those who continue to serve today to keep us safe.

And to serve today to keep us safe. And we thank them deeply. Thanks also are due to the Royal British Legion, with the support of the local with the support of the local community in Caerleon, as adorned every lamppost and school railing and school railings with beautiful
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Jessica Morden Portrait Jessica Morden MP (Newport East, Labour)
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and school railings with beautiful red poppies. And today in Redwick Village, I'd like to thank the Redwick History Group, who, along with the community members and representatives of the Rifles, have unveiled a grave marker for a Crimean War veteran, Henry Davies, who was lame for 118 years in an unmarked grave in the churchyard there. Now, as well as honouring sacrifices, remembrance also, I think, means listening to those who are still seeking justice and Ministers will be aware, veterans of the Falklands War from the Welsh Guards in Newport and across Wales, continue to campaign for the release of papers relating to the Board of Inquiry into the bombing of the Sir Galahad in 1982.

It's 43 years since the attack in which 56 died and many more were injured, and ever since, survivors and their families have sought transparency about what happened. But they need those documents declassified, some of which are scheduled to remain closed until 2026, which is a long, long time to wait. It was my constituent, Mike Hermanis, formerly of the Welsh Guards, who first brought this to me in a surgery in Saint Julian's around three years ago, and on behalf of him and others like Kevin Edwards, can I urge the department to help speed the process up? The previous Minister made clear from the despatch box that no blame is attached to the Welsh Guards.

They conducted themselves heroically on that day, and I acknowledge also the work of the previous Minister from south west Wiltshire. But I think Ministers will also understand the desire to get to the truth of what happened. For those who have lived with this for so, so many years. And for more context on that, I refer Ministers to Crispin Black's excellent book, 2000 for a shroud. Seven documents have been released so far, but there are dozens and dozens to go, and it's taking a long time.

So I urge the Minister today at the despatch box, to agree to meet with us urgently so that we can finally resolve this. And so veterans and their families can get to the truth and find the peace that they deserve. This weekend, our city will also remember those who served in the Merchant Navy. At a service organised by the Merchant Navy Association, which is ably chaired by the excellent, my excellent constituent, Alan Speight, the vital role of the Merchant Navy in conflict is sometimes a little overshadowed and underappreciated.

Over 54,000 seafarers lost their lives during both world wars while maintaining vital supply lines under constant threat from enemy submarines and aircraft. But their sacrifice is never forgotten. In Newport, Newport's port was recognised as one of the most important in the UK, and during World War Two, merchant ships sailing from Newport joined Atlantic and Arctic convoys. More than 430 seamen from Newport were lost in the war, including those on the SS Llanwern, of which just 11 of the 60 strong crew made it back.

And we also remember Raymond Steed, the second youngest to die, aged just age 14, when the SS Empire Morn was blown up by a U-boat. Not forgotten either. Their sacrifice is not forgotten either by our goalkeeper Paul, whose uncle Jemmy Kehoe died in 1941 when his ship was sunk by a U-boat. And finally, may I also thank all those who provide services for veterans in Newport regularly. I meet with Newport veterans who I thank for their service in many conflicts. Some of these conversations are more robust than others, shall we say, but it's always good to hear from them.

It's always good to have their reflections, always good to hear their views. And I acknowledge there is always more to do. Madam Deputy Speaker, also, as we mark Armistice Day, we should reflect on today's unstable world. All threats are resurfacing. Fears and anxieties are common feelings, and there are new threats from emerging technologies trust, truth, values of honesty and reliability are under attack. Remembrance is about the loss of brave lives, but also a living example of our resistance, our determination to defend our values, to demand truth, and to not to give in to hostile forces.

And in these difficult times, we thank

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all those who have served and all those who served today. Thank you. Sir David Davis.

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Sir David Davis. Thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker. Every nation. Quite rightly celebrates the

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Quite rightly celebrates the heroism. Of its soldiers. But in the United. Kingdom's case, we also.

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Celebrate their skill in avoiding. Innocent deaths. When dealing with the. Enemies of our nation. And.

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And. Our democracy. When nations. Neutralise terrorists, they. Typically use.

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Typically use. A bomb or a missile, and bombs and missiles also kill innocent and missiles also kill innocent bystanders in the house, in the wedding party, in the bus. So Britain, as the Minister knows Britain, as the Minister knows better than anybody else, uses special forces very often in those circumstances. And if I may quote circumstances. And if I may quote the words of Richard Williams, the former commanding officer of 22 SAS, on our operations in Iraq, he said on our operations in Iraq, he said the SAS soldiers took extreme risks facing violent and well-prepared opposition to capture these opposition to capture these terrorists and hand them on to Iraqi justice and detention.

It was the deliberate and careful approach. the deliberate and careful approach. It required precision, intelligence, self-control and skill in the face
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David Davis Portrait Rt Hon David Davis MP (Goole and Pocklington, Conservative)
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self-control and skill in the face of immense danger. The very opposite of the hot blooded, murderous drama depicted by ill informed outsiders. At the start of 2005, approximately 100 vehicle borne suicide bombers were being detonated every month in Baghdad by al Qaeda, and thousands of Shia muslims were being slaughtered by assassination gangs. By the end of 2007, after the combined action of US and SAS forces, the number of suicide bombs had dropped to one a month, saving lives, and the Sunni population of central Iraq was supporting the coalition efforts in eradicating al Qaeda from their midst.

It was a remarkable outcome, justifiably celebrated by military and political leaders, all down to our soldiers. But those special forces and that capacity to protect innocent lives is at risk only today. And as the hon. Member for Westbury South Wiltshire, said earlier, only today we've seen nine retired four star generals warning in the Times the damaging effects of lawfare and, if I may quote extensively some of their words and put them on the parliamentary record, quote, having held the honour of leading the United Kingdom's armed forces, we feel bound to warn that the Government's Northern Ireland Troubles Bill and the legal activism surrounding it risk weakening of moral foundations and the operational effectiveness of the forces on which this nation depends.

Presented as a route to justice and closure, the bill achieves neither. It will not bring terrorists to account. It will not heal division in Northern Ireland, and it undermines the confidence of those who volunteer to serve this country at its request and under its authority. This lawfare is a direct threat to national security. Now, contrary to recent ministerial assurances, I'm still quoting highly trained members of Special forces are already leaving the service. These are the men and women who quietly neutralise threats and protect lives every week.

Their loss is significant. It's a direct consequence of legal uncertainty and the erosion of trust. This is a corrosive form of lawfare, which now extends far beyond Northern Ireland. Today, every deployed member of the British armed forces must consider not only the enemy in front, but also the lawyer behind the fear that lawful actions may later be judged unlawful, will paralyse decision making, distort rules of

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engagement and deter initiative. My right hon. Friend Mr Speaker I will briefly.

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Friend Mr Speaker I will briefly. Mark Francois. Can you confirm for the parliamentary record that of the nine generals who have written this unprecedented letter, written this unprecedented letter, three of them are former chiefs of the General Staff. In other words, the professional head of the

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the professional head of the British Army. Yes. He's right. All of them, I think, have had soldiers serving under them in the front line at risk and had soldiers die under their command. So they're die under their command. So they're all people with very strong knowledge of what we're talking about. And I go on with the quotation, the rules of engagement and deter initiative. And make no mistake, our closest allies are watching uneasily, and our enemies watching uneasily, and our enemies will be rubbing their hands.

So if we do not speak up to protect both we do not speak up to protect both our current service personnel and our veterans, the innocent, as I described earlier, will suffer because we will not be able to do what we've done in the past, and we will find ourselves unable to will find ourselves unable to defend our nation when called upon. Now, the Minister didn't like it Now, the Minister didn't like it when my hon. Friend raised this issue before, and I understand it's an uncomfortable issue for a day like today, but it is important that we're not guilty of hypocrisy in this chamber, that we recognise that the people we are standing up for are facing a new threat, which we have to deal with.

And I have to say to the House, again, in response to the Minister's probable discomfort on this matter, that I've been surprised in the last two weeks to have had on two occasions, actually in the last two weeks, to have a number of the people in the front line on this issue, if you like, quote Martin Luther King to me. And the quote they gave me was, in the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

We owe it

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to them not to be silent on these issues. Yeah. Michelle Scrogham.

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Michelle Scrogham. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It's an honour to speak today on behalf of the people of Barrow and behalf of the people of Barrow and Furness. As we mark this season of remembrance. Each year, when we pause to reflect of the courage, duty and sacrifice of those who served, including those who never returned and those who live with returned and those who live with the cost of service every day in Barrow and Furness remembrance runs deep. Our town has long been bound deep.

Our town has long been bound to the defence of the nation, not only through the proud service of the men and women in uniform, but the men and women in uniform, but through the hands and skills of generations who built and maintained the Royal Navy submarines. Every steel plate and submarines. Every steel plate and rivet crafted in barrel is part of a commitment to peace through
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Michelle Scrogham Portrait Michelle Scrogham MP (Barrow and Furness, Labour)
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strength, to the nuclear deterrent that's kept our country safe for over half a century. Those who work in our shipyard and those who served before them, understand that deterrence is not an abstract. It's

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the quiet assurance that our nation conflict. Here, here, here.

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Their work honours the memory of those who fought to secure that peace. And alongside that proud peace. And alongside that proud industrial tradition stands our Army Reserve Centre in Barrow, where local men and women train and where local men and women train and serve with professionalism and pride. They embody the spirit and service that runs through our service that runs through our community. My late grandfather, Charles Arthur Bedell, served in the Second World War. He was my favourite person in the world, a devoted and fun loving grandparent devoted and fun loving grandparent who would tell a very young me tales of war sanitised for my six tales of war sanitised for my six year old ears.

I had no idea until I was grown that he had passed, and I was grown that he had passed, and he had passed, that those stories were a form of therapy. The horrors were a form of therapy. The horrors he saw haunted him, leaving him screaming in his sleep for the rest screaming in his sleep for the rest of his life. He'd taken lives and watched those around him lose theirs, being blown up with his team and being the only survivor. He was a lucky one.

And yet he never once showed any bitterness towards German soldiers, and often remarked that they didn't want to be there any more than him. They were all serving their country in a world with so much anger and hate. I think of his words, of wisdom I think of his words, of wisdom with hope. Remembrance is not just about looking back. It's about the duty we are to today's veterans, reservists and service personnel. It means ensuring the success of the Armed Forces covenant.

Those who serve our country and deserve not to be disadvantaged for their service. I am proud to sit on the. I was proud to sit on the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill, to create an advocate who to ensure those who have served and never left behind. Today, let us ensure that our commitment to peace and security continues through the work done in my constituency, in constituencies across the country and here in here.

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Ben Obese-Jecty speaker, this is a short story about war.

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a short story about war. It's a story about war. Looks like from the Ground isn't so much my story, but. I was.

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I was. There and I was part of it. It's a story of Operation Herrick 11, and more specifically, it's a story and more specifically, it's a story of three rifles, battlegroup in Sangin, a small Afghan town of just a few square kilometres between a few square kilometres between October and March. Over the winter of 2009. The casualties sustained by three rifles battle group remained the heaviest casualties sustained by British Army battle groups since the Korean War. Sangin is where a third of all British is where a third of all British soldiers who died in Afghanistan lost their lives.

Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmidt George Cross, 30, was killed defusing multiple IEDs on the 31st of October. Sergeant the 31st of October. Sergeant Philip Scott, 30, was killed by an IED during a patrol on the 5th of November. Rifleman Philip Allen, 20, was killed by an IED during a patrol on the 7th of November. Rifleman Samuel Bassett, 20, died Rifleman Samuel Bassett, 20, died in hospital from his injuries from an IED on the 8th of November. an IED on the 8th of November.

Rifleman Andrew Fentiman, 29, was killed by small arms fire during a foot patrol on the morning of the 15th of November. Rifleman James Brown, 18, died of his injuries from a suicide IED on the 15th of December. Lance Corporal David Kirkness, 24, was also killed by the suicide IED. On the 15th of December. Lance Corporal Michael Pritchard, 22, was shot and killed by friendly fire from a British
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Ben Obese-Jecty Portrait Ben Obese-Jecty MP (Huntingdon, Conservative)
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sniper on 20th of December. Lance Corporal Tommy Brown was killed by an IED on the 22nd of December. an IED on the 22nd of December. Lance Corporal Christopher Roney, 23, died of his wounds from a friendly fire. Apache helicopter friendly fire. Apache helicopter attack on the 22nd of December, Sapper David Watson, 23, was caught in IED detonation and died in the operating theatre on New Year's Eve. Corporal Lee Brownson, Conspicuous Corporal Lee Brownson, Conspicuous Gallantry Cross 30, was killed by an IED on the 15th of January.

Rifleman Luke Farmer, 19, was Rifleman Luke Farmer, 19, was killed by the same IED as Corporal Brownson on the 15th of January. Rotherham Peter Aldridge, 19, was Rotherham Peter Aldridge, 19, was caught by an IED. He died en route to Camp Bastion on the 22nd of to Camp Bastion on the 22nd of January. Lance Corporal Daniel Cooper, 21, was killed by an IED on the 24th of January. Corporal John the 24th of January. Corporal John Moore, 22, and Private Sean McDonald, 26, were both killed by an IED on the 7th of February.

Rifleman Mark Marshall, 29, was killed by an IED during a routine killed by an IED during a routine foot patrol on Valentine's Day, the 14th of February. Rifleman Martin King, 19, was shot and killed on King, 19, was shot and killed on the 25th of February. Rifleman Carlo Apolis, 28, was killed by a Carlo Apolis, 28, was killed by a single gunshot wound on the 1st of March. Corporal Richard Green, 23, was killed by a single sniper round on the 2nd of March. Rifleman Jonathan Allen, 19, was killed by a command wire IED on the 5th of March, corporal Stephen Thompson, 31, was killed by an IED during a patrol on the 7th of March.

Lance corporal Tom Keogh, 24, died of a single gunshot wound on the 7th of March. Sergeant Stephen Stevie Campbell, 30, was killed by a IED hidden underwater on the 22nd of March. Rifleman Daniel Holcomb, 19, was killed by a vehicle borne suicide IED week short of the end of his tour on the 27th of March. 30 soldiers died in Sangin in those six months, another 80 plus suffered combat injuries, including amputations. I apologise for those. There are those who I've missed.

There is no definitive list that you can check to read their stories, but I pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, some of whom I knew, many of whom I didn't. We asked young men and women, some of them still teenagers, to close with and kill the enemy through dismounted close combat to win the fight in those last 100 yards. And that ask comes with a cost. So in this period of remembrance, I ask those in this House to remember their names.

And should any of us have to make that fateful decision to commit soldiers to harm's way, to remember above everything else, that that decision will come with more names.

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Torcuil Crichton. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and was a pleasure to. Join you.

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and was a pleasure to. Join you. Today at the Remembrance Service in Westminster. Hall and an. Honour to attend services in Tarbert, Harris, in my.

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Tarbert, Harris, in my. Constituency and at the. Lewes War. Memorial in Stornoway the weekend. The years are passing but the numbers.

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Are not. Diminishing and I'm not surprising, perhaps in the Western Isles, because we have a very high Isles, because we have a very high proportion of veterans who have served and historically, certainly in World War One, the island

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in World War One, the island suffered a disproportionately. High number of men lost in comparison to the the rest of. The Commonwealth.

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Military historians. Will tell you this is because the. Reserve Forces, the Cameron Highlanders, the Seaforth Highlanders, the Gordon Highlanders were thrown into action early in the war and many were lost in 1914.

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the war and many were lost in 1914. In November 1914, before the regular Army had even deployed in. France and Ireland. Losses were compounded.

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Losses were compounded. Of course, by the. Loss of. The the yacht, the Eleonore acquisition ship as a troop carrier, acquisition ship as a troop carrier, which struck the rocks less than a mile out of Stirling Harbour on New Year's Eve 1919, with the loss of
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Torcuil Crichton Portrait Torcuil Crichton MP (Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Labour)
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Year's Eve 1919, with the loss of 200 returning sailors within a mile of their home. It is an event that became the crowning sorrow of war and cast a century of. Mourning

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across the islands. So we. Remember them, and as we remembered all who said when we gathered. Under the Lewes War Memorial on Sunday, an 85 foot

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granite tower built to be seen from all the parishes. Of Lewes. And like memorials across the country, the. Tower and the.

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Tower and the. Memorial garden bears the name. Of all those. Who served and were. Lost in.

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Lost in. Both World wars, except that it does not bear all the names. Malcolm MacDonald, the chair of Malcolm MacDonald, the chair of Stornoway Historical Society and the author of The Darkest Dawn, a book on that island tragedy, book on that island tragedy, revealed this week that his research shows 389 names are not listed on the Lewes War Memorial,

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listed on the Lewes War Memorial, with rightfully should be 170 from. World War One.

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World War One. 219 from World War two. Now, of those not listed, some are remembered elsewhere in Commonwealth war graves or.

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Commonwealth war graves or. In war. Memorials elsewhere. But even then. 37 men from World War, World War.

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War, World War. One. 58 from. World War Two do not appear to from.

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from. All parishes. From all over the islands, and it is the painstaking research of it is the painstaking research of Mr. MacDonald, based on his own intimate knowledge, and even the street where he grew up on that has

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revealed the statistic. On West View Terrace. Where he lives. There is only one name from the

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Second World War. On the war memorial. Yet he. Knows seven men were lost. Number one, Mr. MacRitchie.

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Number one, Mr. MacRitchie. He died in Egypt. He was. In the Royal Navy. Number three was James Mackenzie, killed at Arnhem. Number five was Kenneth.

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Number five was Kenneth. Mackenzie. Killed in an RAF crash. Nine was William McLean. And so on. Down the William McLean. And so on. Down the street and out across the island. And that is an example from one

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And that is an example from one street on one island. And if this list of missing men of lost. Fallen is true for the Isle of

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Fallen is true for the Isle of Lewis, then it must certainly be true for places across the whole country. There are many reasons why country. There are many reasons why men are missing from the Lewes War Memorial and the First World War. Headmasters compiled the names for memorialising and emigration, and lack of definitive information would have contributed. And World War Two families were simply asked to submit names for the roll of honour, which we now know to be honour, which we now know to be incomplete.

389 forgotten war heroes from an island where people heroes from an island where people don't just know their own history, they know their neighbours, history and everyone else's as well. Now, this kind of assiduous research this kind of assiduous research that Mr. MacDonald undertook does not come cheap. He spent years of his own time digging through the records, looking for ships lists, overseas war records and Madam Deputy Speaker. If you're looking for one John MacLeod in An Island of John MacLeod, you can see how this adds up.

And so three things struck me about this. One was that I welcome, of course, this week's announcement of £2 million of funding for the restoration of war memorials across the UK. But I would urge Ministers to go a bit further. We could find funds to help communities complete their rolls of honour by discounting or reimbursing research costs. But not every community has strong historical society and not everyone has a Malcolm MacDonald to hand. So looking for the forgotten fallen across the UK is a much bigger task, but one that we could with the cross-fertilisation of existing lists, archival research and the innovative power of artificial intelligence could become a project that would recover the legacy of service and sacrifice, and correct the draft of history inscribed on these stone memorials across our country.

I hope the names of the Lewes men are inscribed in a new plaque, or in some kind of accessible form, digital or print, so their losses can be recorded and they can be accorded their rightful status amongst their comrades. I hope the same can be true of people across the UK, and we can make a reality, and that the government could step in with an AI project to scour the archives, correct the records, bring back the names of all those who gave their lives for their island home order.

Lest we

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forget Ian Roome. Mr Speaker.

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Mr Speaker. And it is a privilege to be able to say just a few words about the vital contribution our Armed Forces continue.

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continue. To make to the act of remembrance. Every veteran deserves to have their service. Recognised and it does. Communities across this country. Great credit that people country. Great credit that people from all walks of. Life still give generously and gather, as they did on this Remembrance Sunday in North

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on this Remembrance Sunday in North Devon on a rainy day. To recognise. That dedication.

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To recognise. That dedication. To duty. On Saturday I was in South. Molton, where I. Met some. Young Army cadets

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Met some. Young Army cadets loyally collecting for the Royal British Legion's. Poppy appeal outside the.

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outside the. Pannier Market. Yes, indeed. Battalions of the wider armed forces community are visibly forces community are visibly deployed every year to support the good work of the Royal British Legion and many other worthy Armed Legion and many other worthy Armed Forces charities up and down the length of Britain. Thanks to the length of Britain. Thanks to the exceptional dedication of Cadet officer like Major Joe. Martin in officer like Major Joe. Martin in my constituency of North Devon, many of those.

Outstanding young cadets will go on to have bright careers in our armed forces themselves. Yes. Those of us who have served. Or represent forces towns can easily forget that November is one of the few opportunities many people get to. Engage with serving personnel from our armed forces directly, face to face.

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As we know, Britain. Traditionally does not maintain large standing armies, and so large standing armies, and so seeing uniforms on our high streets for remembrance is a rare chance to for remembrance is a rare chance to connect communities with the people who volunteer to defend them. It is who volunteer to defend them. It is important to remind people that we are all in this together. Given some of the current conflicts some of the current conflicts around the world.

This is not a country where people fear seeing
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Ian Roome Portrait Ian Roome MP (North Devon, Liberal Democrat)
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country where people fear seeing soldiers in the street. Instead, the admiration for what our armed forces do on our behalf is profound. Our armed forces must be an extension of the society they serve, the democracy they defend, and the people they protect. So while every poppy sold will help the welfare of a veteran who deserves our gratitude, there is also a battle for hearts and minds that is being fought and won. Madam Deputy Speaker, our armed forces are ambassadors for the values of the uniform.

As my good friends in the Royal Marines at the Barnstable Social Club always toast on Remembrance Sunday, we will champion those values. Remember absent friends and honour their

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sacrifice. Thank you. Alison Taylor.

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Mr. speaker, it is a pleasure to contribute briefly to this debate today. And can I associate myself today. And can I associate myself with the words of the other members, reflecting the respect and gratitude that we have for gratitude that we have for servicemen and women, past and present? And of course, remembering present? And of course, remembering all those who have been lost around the country, communities have been the country, communities have been gathering round a cenotaph or a war memorial.

And in my constituency in memorial. And in my constituency in Renfrew, the war memorial stands as a poignant reminder of their a poignant reminder of their service all year round. I therefore welcome the recent announcement by
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Alison Taylor Portrait Alison Taylor MP (Paisley and Renfrewshire North, Labour)
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the Secretary of State for culture that a £2 million fund has been provided to restore war memorials across the UK, as many have fallen into disrepute, and I will certainly be following up on this for my own constituency. Last week it was a privilege to visit Scotland's Bravest Manufacturing Company in Bishopton. This company is a collaboration between the Royal British Legion and the military charity Erskine. I met veteran employees, many of whom had struggled to transition to civilian life and acquire gainful employment.

Again. I heard first hand about their journey from military to civilian careers, and was struck by how difficult some of them had found this experience and how brave they all were. The military charity Erskine was established in my constituency in 1916 and provides care, employment and housing to many ex-service personnel. Today I wish to honour them and on behalf of all of my constituents, thank Erskine for all that they do. Madam Deputy Speaker, my constituency sits on the River Clyde, a strategic target during World War Two and still home to many strategic defence assets and military personnel.

I want every young man and women who make the choice to serve, to know that their service is respected and we owe them a debt of gratitude and honour. I simply say, in closing, Madam Deputy Speaker, to all of them,

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thank you for your service. Here, Lincoln Jopp. Thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker.

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This morning. A four star generals and. An air Chief marshal took the unprecedented step of writing to

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unprecedented step of writing to the newspapers. Their letter deserves to be. Heard in full and to enter the public record, they write. Having public record, they write. Having held the honour of leading the United Kingdom armed forces, we do not speak out lightly. Yet on
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Lincoln Jopp Portrait Lincoln Jopp MP (Spelthorne, Conservative)
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not speak out lightly. Yet on Armistice Day, we feel bound to warn that the government's Northern Ireland Troubles Bill and the legal activism surrounding it, risked weakening the moral foundations and operational effectiveness of the forces on which this nation depends. Presented as a route to justice and closure, the bill achieved neither. It will not bring terrorists to account. It will not heal division in Northern Ireland, and it undermines the confidence of those who volunteer to serve this country at its request and under its authority.

This lawfare is a direct threat to national security. No member of the armed forces received a letter of comfort after the Good Friday Agreement. What they relied upon was far stronger the belief that if they acted within the law under proper orders and in good faith, the nation would stand by them. This bill tears up that compact. Be clear. Those who served in Northern Ireland do not seek immunity. They simply seek fairness. The recognition that there is a fundamental difference between legitimate authority and illegitimate violence to erase that distinction weakens the moral authority of the state by extending the same protections to those who enforce the law as those who defied it.

The bill becomes morally incoherent. It treats those who upheld the peace and those who bombed and murdered in pursuit of political ends as equivalent actors in a shared tragedy. This is not reconciliation. It is abdication of responsibility. Trust between the state and the individual who serves it is the cornerstone of military effectiveness. If service men and women begin to doubt when they believe that lawful actions taken in the service of the Crown will one day be re-examined in the misplaced life of hindsight, then recruitment, retention and morale will suffer.

Contrary to recent ministerial assurances, highly trained members of the Special Forces are already leaving the service. These are the men and women who quietly neutralise threats and protect lives every week. Their loss is significant. It is a direct consequence of legal uncertainty and the erosion of trust. This is a corrosive form of lawfare, the use of legal processes to fight political and ideological battles, which now extends far beyond Northern Ireland. Today, every deployed member of the British Armed forces must consider not only the enemy in front of them, but the lawyer behind them.

The fear that lawful actions may later be judged unlawful will paralyse decision making, distort rules of engagement and deter initiative. We will lose our fighting edge at exactly the moment it is most needed. And make no mistake, our closest allies are watching uneasily and our enemies will be rubbing their hands. The Prime Minister and Attorney General must recognise that an ever broadening interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights is being used against those who act under lawful authority of the Crown.

The state owes its servants more than political reassurance. It must ensure that those who apply necessary force on behalf of the nation are not left to face the consequences alone. The government must restore legal clarity, reaffirm the law of armed conflict, deviate from the application of the Echr, the Human Rights Act and relevant international conventions, and ensure those who act under lawful authority are protected. A new honest framework is required. The Troubles Bill achieves nothing, and ongoing lawfare risks everything.

The letter is signed by General Sir Peter Wall. General Sir Mark Carleton-smith, General Sir Patrick Sanders, General Sir Richard Barrons, General Sir Chris Deverell, General Sir Richard Shirreff, General Sir Tim Radford, General Sir Nick Parker, and Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, unquote. And for the record, myself,

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Madam Deputy Speaker, these are men whose boots I am not fit to polish. Thank you. Yeah.

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Yeah. From after the next speaker, there will be a four minute time limit. Chris Kane.

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limit. Chris Kane. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. On Sunday, I was in Stirling city centre at War memorial to lay a centre at War memorial to lay a wreath and to reflect. Stirlings Memorial was completed in 1922. 692 names were recorded on the monument in that first year, and behind every name is a story of a life every name is a story of a life lived and a life given to war. Today I want to talk about three of the names, but I want to start with
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Chris Kane Portrait Chris Kane MP (Stirling and Strathallan, Labour)
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John was a sailor, a stoker on a steamship, travelling the world's oceans for months at a time, leaving Margaret to raise their leaving Margaret to raise their family, including sons Thomas and Martin. When war was declared, the Fleming men, like so many in every Fleming men, like so many in every town and village across the land, answered the call to serve. John joined the merchant navy. Martin, joined the merchant navy. Martin, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Thomas the Black watch. Highlanders.

Thomas the Black watch. On each of the days the men in her life left for war, I suspect Margaret would have helped them pack, prepare to pack lunch and pack, prepare to pack lunch and walked them to the railway station. I think she would have walked I think she would have walked slowly. As a parent, I know I would. In autumn 1914, the first of five In autumn 1914, the first of five battles of the war in Flanders took place near the town of Ypres. Ypres stood between the advancing Germans stood between the advancing Germans and the channel ports, a vital line that the allies could not afford to lose.

8000 soldiers were killed in lose. 8000 soldiers were killed in that battle, nearly 30,000 wounded, more than 10,000 missing. Along more than 10,000 missing. Along with the letters she craved, there was one communication Margaret would have dreaded receiving a telegram, and amongst the telegrams telegram, and amongst the telegrams that arrived in family homes across Britain that month, one would have found its way to Bank Street in Stirling, telling Margaret that her son Thomas had fallen on the 27th of October and been buried near where he died.

A second telegram had arrived three years later. Margaret's husband John, was serving on the steamship Batoum, carrying vital supplies across the Atlantic between the USA and Ireland. John was a donkeyman, working the small engine that pumped water from the bowels of the ship. It was a hot, hard, dangerous job. On the 19th of June 1917, the Batoum was less than six miles from home waters. The crew could see the lighthouse at Fastnet Rock, a beacon of safety after a force thousand mile voyage, but they never saw the German U-boat or the torpedo that struck the ship.

41 of the 42 crew survived. The only man lost that day was John. He stayed to tend to his engine, pumping water from the sinking ship to buy his comrades time to escape. And then in 1918, just three months before the guns finally fell silent, a third telegram arrived. In the last months of the war, both sides threw everything they had into one final push. 1 million men were lost. In August alone, 80,000 fell. One of them was Martin Fleming, killed in Flanders on the 10th of August, 1918.

He was 20 years old. Margaret had lost her husband and her oldest son, and her youngest son. For those gathered at the memorial in that first year, it was a deeply personal experience for each of the parents and wives and children. Each name recorded was a son, a father, a husband and a friend, and all would have been personally known to someone in the crowd. The ongoing sacrifice of the families who were left behind by the devastation of war is more quietly marked than the sacrifice of the soldiers who died in the conflict.

But we must remember the lives lost in war and the lives lived on with the pain of loss to war. At the unveiling in Stirling, Margaret would have stood before the memorial and the names of her husband and sons, three men she had loved and lost to war, their names cast in bronze and quietly carrying the weight of her sorrow. Yet also the endurance of her love. As the years pass, we no longer know their faces or hear their voices.

Yet we can still speak their names and wonder who they were, how they lived and what they dreamt of. And in that wondering, in the act of remembrance. We keep them present in the life of our communities today. Margaret Fleming's name is not recorded on Stirlings war memorial, but it will now be recorded in the record of this place. At the unveiling, Stirlings Provost spoke of his mingled feelings of grief and pride. Time dampens grief, yet deepens pride.

And it is with that in mind that I say, with my heart, full of peace, full of hope, and full of love, we will remember them.

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Amen. Dave Doogan. Madam Deputy. Speaker, the three fatalities

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Speaker, the three fatalities from Stirling that the hon. Member for Stirling and Strathallan has just set out so eloquently are just set out so eloquently are three of the 135,000 men and some three of the 135,000 men and some women who died from Scotland during World War One, and there were almost 60,000 Scots casualties in World War Two, more still in campaigns thereafter in Malaya, campaigns thereafter in Malaya, Korea, the Falklands War, the Gulf and in Afghanistan. 25% of all Scots who answered the call during Scots who answered the call during the Great War never returned to Scotland.

We are united in remembrance of their selflessness remembrance of their selflessness and heroism and personal sacrifice endured during that period, as well as the brave men on the front line. We must pay tribute to the Scots,
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Dave Doogan Portrait Dave Doogan MP (Angus and Perthshire Glens, Scottish National Party)
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We must pay tribute to the Scots, many of whom were women at home, who toiled in the mines and in the shipyards, on the land and on in the munitions factories, without whose efforts and sacrifice the war could never have been prosecuted in the way that it was. 1012 men and women from Perthshire gave their lives during World War One, with 248 coming from Blairgowrie alone and many hundreds more coming from the Angus Glens and the boroughs of Angus, as well as the human sacrifice and cost.

We must remember the cultural and economic toll of such a high attrition of breeding age men, men that would father families or not, as the case may be, and men who would have worked productively or not, as the case may be on the eastern tip of my constituency, Madam Deputy Speaker, lies Montrose, the site of the UK's first operational air station, home to number two Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, who were established in 1913, and during World War Two, Montrose was a strategic target for the Luftwaffe, and in October 1940 Montrose was bombed at least 15 times, suffering huge destruction to the port, to the air base and to the Chivers jam factory, which was a huge consternation in that attack.

Three German Junkers dropped at least 24 bombs on the station, killing five, injuring 18 and destroying two hangars and the officer's mess. Angus was born a minimum of 44 times before the war ended. Against this, I was pleased to stand in the heaving rain on Sunday in Blairgowrie with veterans of the Black Watch and the brownies and the guides and the Scouts and the cadets, and a good 150 local people braving the elements to pay tribute and to give thanks to our veterans.

And we should note that at the end of the Second World War, the state invested greatly in veterans. And we should know that that is a concordance and an agreement between our service personnel and the state that we should seek to continue to order. And I know that in Scotland, the Scottish Government has worked with business to proactively assist in the recruitment of veterans because not just to help veterans, because a veteran is an excellent employee. As Scottish Power are demonstrating, actively recruiting 300 veterans by the end of this year and a further 2000 by the end of next year to support investment in our energy infrastructure and its ground forces.

Madam Deputy Speaker are not essential to the fabric of our society. They are the fabric of our society. It can be quite fashionable to pretend that war is something that belongs in the history books. But 80 years is the blink of an eye in human history, and humans have demonstrated that they can be brutal and visceral and lethal. And I want the defence on my side to outpace logistically, industrially, technologically and lethally those that would seek to do us harm. That is our debt to our armed forces.

They will step up and answer the call when we do it. That

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is their duty, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for that. Thank you. Kevin Bonavia.

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Kevin Bonavia. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Day. By speaking in this.

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Debate about our armed forces, those who serve today and those who served before them. Their courage served before them. Their courage and service is woven into the tapestry of every village, town and city in this country. In my own

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city in this country. In my own constituency of Stevenage, that tapestry has been preserved thanks to the vital work. Of local.

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Of local. Historian Paul Johnson, who created the Hearts at War project. Thousands from Stevenage and surrounding villages fought abroad surrounding villages fought abroad in both world wars, and each one with a unique character, a life, a

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with a unique character, a life, a home, a family and a. Story to. Be told. Take Herbert Charles Cooper from the village of Aston. Cooper from the village of Aston. At just 18 years old, Herbert enlisted in 1914 and joined the ninth East Surrey Regiment. He was ninth East Surrey Regiment. He was the son of a local chimney sweep on the Western Front. Herbert was tragically shot by a sniper while tragically shot by a sniper while replacing sandbags on a parapet.

He gave his life valiantly in service to his country and now lives in to his country and now lives in Spoilbank Cemetery in Belgium. Take Spoilbank Cemetery in Belgium. Take Edward John Croft, born in 1886, in Stevenage High Street. Edward joined the Royal Navy as a boy seaman in 1904. His career was extraordinary. He served in the suppression of Armenian massacres, supported and seen an earthquake, rescues and even acted as personal signalling signalman to the Prince and Princess of Wales aboard HMS renown.

During the Great War he fought at Jutland aboard HMS Caroline, where he suffered shell shock. Later, while serving ashore, an air raid caused a relapse that ultimately led to his death in 1919. He is buried in the Royal Naval Cemetery at Southsea. Their stories are powerful, moving and inspiring, but also devastating. But those stories don't end there. And that brings me to the reality of modern service. Our armed forces are not only defending us abroad, they are protecting us at home from cyber threats, terrorism, and even natural disasters.

Their remit is expanding and so must our support. I was honoured to meet service personnel from the Royal Air Force last year, while being part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary scheme. That gave me a real insight to the lives they lead on our behalf and what they need as well, in terms of support, in terms of equipment, accommodation, childcare and so much more. And now I want to turn to those who have served, and I want to draw the House's attention to an important piece of work produced in my constituency.

The Hertfordshire Veteran Report, created by Stu Mendelson, the co-founder of the Muster Point in Stevenage. This report is the first evidence based overview of veteran need in Hertfordshire using data from the 2021 census. The DWP and Jobcentre Armed Forces champions. It moves the conversation from assumption to evidence and the findings are stark. Hertfordshire has fewer veterans than national average but more at risk veterans than expected, and their hardship is concentrated in specific districts. Over 5.8% of veterans are on Universal Credit, well above the national average, and many rely on housing support.

And I know that Stevenage Borough Council are doing all they can for veterans in our town. I want to pay particular tribute to Claire Parris, the Stevenage Borough Council's armed forces champion, for her tireless work in making this happen. And I want to thank Stu, Steve and their team at the muster point for everything they do for veterans and Stevenage and beyond. It's more Stevenage and beyond. It's more than a hub. It's a lifeline, offering practical support. I join them last week at 72 hour non-stop vigil at our war memorial to mark remembrance and raise awareness.

So, remembrance and raise awareness. So, Madam Deputy Speaker, we need to give them our support. And I would give them our support. And I would take this opportunity to ask my honourable and gallant friend, the Minister, to visit the muster, pointed Stevenage, to see first hand how the Armed Forces Covenant is being implemented already, but also see how we can, how we can and also see how we can, how we can and must go further and faster in delivering the full extent of its delivering the full extent of its benefits to those who have served our country.
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Julian Lewis Portrait Rt Hon Sir Julian Lewis MP (New Forest East, Conservative)
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Whitehall is also, especially in their honour on the preceding Saturday, led by fine military Saturday, led by fine military musicians, they march in tribute to those they've lost in the service of our country. And it was, as I of our country. And it was, as I say, a privilege to be invited to attend and a pleasure to see the attend and a pleasure to see the honourable and gallant lady, our Veterans Minister, present in Veterans Minister, present in solidarity. That same evening, the BBC broadcast two hours of the finest television imaginable, the finest television imaginable, the Festival of Remembrance perfectly combined music, pageantry, belated recognition of those who unjustly lost their service careers because lost their service careers because of their sexuality, and unforgettable tributes to the fallen.

I, for one, will never fallen. I, for one, will never forget the testimony of the. Children of captain Mark, corporal Mark Palin, killed in Afghanistan in 2011, and their bearing as they in 2011, and their bearing as they carried the Book of Remembrance to the centre of the Royal Albert Hall. the centre of the Royal Albert Hall. And locally, I was able because, strangely, one ward in my

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constituency, by tradition, holds its ceremony in the afternoon. To. Attend to local ceremonies that

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Attend to local ceremonies that at Saint Michael and All Angels Church in Lyndhurst, in the heart of the New Forest, and that had All of the New Forest, and that had All Saints Church on the waterside, close to where the Solent meets Southampton Water north of the Isle of Wight. Both events and the attendant parades were admirably organised, with Royal British Legion veterans at one end of the age range and uniformed young age range and uniformed young people at the other, bringing style and panache to the occasions.

The and panache to the occasions. The high levels of attendance testify to the importance to our communities of such solemn and sacred occasions. In the few seconds remaining, I just draw attention to the Airborne War attention to the Airborne War Cemetery, which lies about seven kilometres west of Arnhem, near the village of Oosterbeek, one of the last bastions held in the dreadful Battle of Arnhem was the Roman Battle of Arnhem was the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Bonhoeffer's in Oosterbeek. It was left in ruins but beautifully left in ruins but beautifully rebuilt.

Soon after the war. The rebuilt church remains a focal point for Arnhem commemorations, yet now its future is under serious threat of sale and disposal. It's profoundly to be hoped that organisations such as Support our Paras and also government Ministers, will make representations to the Dutch authorities to preserve this

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historic building. David Baines Grahame Morris Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Madam Deputy Speaker. The communities that I represent in St Helens North have a long and proud connection with the armed forces from the Saint Helen's pals forces from the Saint Helen's pals of the First World War to the outstanding community work done across the borough today by groups across the borough today by groups such as Newton le Willows, Sea Cadets and local veterans organisations. Last week, hearing the Garden of Remembrance, I planted a cross dedicated to Corporal Derek Johnson, who lived in Haydock and who sadly passed in Haydock and who sadly passed away in June this year.

He served in the second Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and went on to found the North-West Veterans to found the North-West Veterans Corps of Drums, which supports the veterans community and takes part in fantastic public performances. in fantastic public performances. In September, we welcomed the Minister. My hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Selly Oak to St for Birmingham Selly Oak to St Helens North to meet with local veterans to discuss what more we can do to make sure that all those can do to make sure that all those who served get the support that they need and deserve.

The Veterans' Strategy announced yesterday, is a hugely positive step in the right direction to ensure that no one who served is left behind, but always there is more that we can do. My constituent, more that we can do. My constituent, Andy Reid MBE, is a triple amputee who was injured by an IED in who was injured by an IED in Afghanistan in 2009. In the years since, he has done a huge amount of work for wounded veterans, charities and the wider community. Through his Standing Tall Foundation, he's calling for a new
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David Baines Portrait David Baines MP (St Helens North, Labour)
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Elizabeth Cross, there is no equivalent recognition for those who carry the physical scars of their service throughout their lives. This places us out of step with key allies such as the United States, which has the Purple Heart, and India, which has the Wound medal. I fully support his campaign. I've already raised it with Mod I've already raised it with Mod colleagues, and I'll be writing to the Cabinet Office setting out the case. I've had the honour of attending remembrance events on attending remembrance events on Sunday in Earlestown, Haydock and at Saint Aidan's Church in Billinge.

And this morning I attended a very And this morning I attended a very moving service at the Crank and Kings Mosque War Memorial. When we attend remembrance events, of attend remembrance events, of course we remember all those who served and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. But we also think about what they fought also think about what they fought for and whether we're living up to the ideals that they defended. Sadly, the last witnesses of the Sadly, the last witnesses of the Great War have now left us.

Those who witnessed the Second World War, who experienced its causes and its who experienced its causes and its consequences are increasingly fewer in number. I think of my own grandparents no longer with us, grandparents no longer with us, Gerald and Elsie, Howard and Peter and Joan Baines. I think about them all increasingly often. I didn't ask them about their experiences when I had the chance, and I wish I did. But I do know the kind of people they were and what mattered to them.

They worked hard all their lives. They loved their families. They valued community, good humour and believe people should look out for one another. And I don't think we've changed that much. My grandparents and their generation fought for and earned the right to live in peace, and it seems to me that every generation has to have in one form or another, the voices and the experience of those generations who lived through something similar to what we're facing now might be increasingly distant, but we must remember them, and we do.

And it's also important that we learn from them. I firmly believe that the tolerant, firm minded, community spirited and outward looking Britain my grandparents fought for and loved is still who we are. We can all play our part in defending those values, and we must, particularly those of us in this place. But there should be no doubt that those who are willing to step up and do so in uniform, as members of our armed forces, deserve the greatest praise. To all those in St Helens North who've served and all those

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who continue to do so, you can be assured of not just my thanks, but my support. Thank you. And with an immediate three

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And with an immediate three minute time limit. Martin Vickers. Thank you. Madam Deputy Speaker. For that injunction.

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For that injunction. And in the past, one of our major sources of local pride were the county regiments. In the case

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the county regiments. In the case of my constituency, the Lincolnshire Regiment, which is now merged into the Royal. Anglians.

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Anglians. Can still bring people out into the street whenever the opportunity arises. Armed Forces Day is a arises. Armed Forces Day is a massive event in North East Lincolnshire, attracting estimates Lincolnshire, attracting estimates of over 200,000 people to the town of Cleethorpes over over the of Cleethorpes over over the weekend. I'd like to reflect on the contribution of the Grimsby Chums. Member members will be well aware Member members will be well aware of the pals regiment that were formed during the 19 1415 period.

formed during the 19 1415 period. Unlike the pals regiments, the Grimsby Regiment that was raised took the name of the chums. When took the name of the chums. When Lord Kitchener was appointed on the 6th of August 1914. He said he did 6th of August 1914. He said he did not believe that the war would be short. He was certainly right there. The army at that time was made up of 450,000 118,000 were serving in India and elsewhere in the Empire, but Kitchener was determined to put more men into uniform in Grimsby and the surrounding area.

Local dignitaries stepped forward with offers of help, and the alderman, John Herbert Tate was the mayor, received a telegram from Kitchener and set about recruiting people into the new Grimsby Chums. Alderman Tate appointed a local timber merchant, George Ben Bennett, as acting commander, and he was subsequently. He subsequently was taken. The position was taken by the Right Honourable George Edward Heneage, who was plucked from retirement. His father had been the Grimsby MP. The name chums appears in print on the 11th of September 1914, in the Grimsby Daily Telegraph, and it's somewhat strange that they have continued with that title even throughout the conflict.

Recruitment was conflict. Recruitment was encouraged by local headmasters, particularly at Clee Grammar and Saint James's School. The Earl of Saint James's School. The Earl of Yarborough, whose Brocklesby estate includes much land in the northern Lincolnshire, agreed to request Lincolnshire, agreed to request that the chums set up camp on the estate. They fought in many battles, estate. They fought in many battles, and most notably the battle of the Somme, when, sadly 15 officers and Somme, when, sadly 15 officers and 487 men were declared ill.

Were killed. Grimsby and local people killed. Grimsby and local people are proud of the Grimsby chums. We honour them today, just as we honour them today, just as we honour those who have served in the years since the chums were formed and those serving today. We remember them.
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20:39
David Williams Portrait David Williams MP (Stoke-on-Trent North, Labour)
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Predecessor in. This place, Joan Walley. Have worked tirelessly. To The stories.

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To The stories. Of those who. Served our nation. But. Who have been.

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But. Who have been. Left without the dignity. Of commemoration. One story is that of Alfred Alfred Wolfram. Alf Alfred William Holdcroft, a young man from Hotline and Smallthorne who fought at the battle of the Somme for decades. He lay in an unmarked grave in Burslem Cemetery. As a result of the hard work of all involved. Back in September, I stood alongside our community as a new cross was dedicated at his resting place. It was a moment of quiet reverence.

I now join local campaigners as they urge the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to formally recognise his grave, so that his contribution to our country is properly honoured.

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The project has. Also brought to light the story of Flight Sergeant Harold Kenneth Hall, who served in the Royal Air Hall, who served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and is believed to have been lost in action in 1941. Work continues in action in 1941. Work continues to restore his records so that he receives any honours he is due receives any honours he is due across our area. We have a proud military tradition and our duty is not only to remember those who served, but to stand with those who served, but to stand with those who serve today and who have served.

I therefore welcome this government's continued investment in veterans continued investment in veterans wellbeing, housing and employment support through the New Veterans Initiative. I also support this Initiative. I also support this government's investment in the National Heritage Memorial Fund, and I look forward to supporting and I look forward to supporting the restoration of Tunstall Memorial Gardens, something that I campaigned for as a councillor, so campaigned for as a councillor, so that future generations may stand, reflect and remember. And I will also continue to work with the also continue to work with the Royal Doulton project to reinstate the lost memorial at Kiln Gate in Burslem, and to ensure that we Burslem, and to ensure that we recognise every fallen hero in our area.

Their service deserves our

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area. Their service deserves our ongoing commitment to remembrance and we will remember them. For Peter Fortune.

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For Peter Fortune. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and can I also thank the Minister, for whom I have a huge personal respect. Anyone that wants to take themselves to Wikipedia and have a look through his glittering career will be amazed. I made the mistake of looking earlier and finding out he was younger than me, which is thoroughly, thoroughly depressing. Madam Deputy Speaker, it's a privilege to have the opportunity to speak in today's debate. Remembrance day marks a significant moment of national unity, an opportunity to share our deep seated feelings of gratitude and of sorrow and loss that spans across generations.

And we give our thanks for the bravery and dedication to those who have served in our armed forces. I would especially like to remember those from my own regiment and those who served in the wider Armoured Corps. I remember vividly
20:42
Peter Fortune Portrait Peter Fortune MP (Bromley and Biggin Hill, Conservative)
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visiting the battlefield of Villers-bocage with some of the veterans, and it was deeply moving. veterans, and it was deeply moving. I would also like to make a special mention of my uncle, Simon Clark, who is a very young man served on HMS arrow he marched with at the cenotaph yesterday and we are all very, very proud. It would be remiss of me not to mention the remiss of me not to mention the huge part my constituency played during the Second World War and the Battle of Britain.

RAF Biggin Hill, Battle of Britain. RAF Biggin Hill, Britain's most famous fighter station, played a critical role in defending London and the South east. Despite being officially designated as the most bombed station in Fighter Command, the station still Fighter Command, the station still saw the departure and return of over 1000 sorties during the Battle of Britain. At the close of the of Britain. At the close of the battle, Biggin Hill score of enemy aircraft destroyed was just under 600, and Winston Churchill 600, and Winston Churchill described RAF Biggin Hill as the strongest link.

I want to pay strongest link. I want to pay tribute to all those who served at RAF Biggin Hill and to the community that supported them. Bromley Borough is home to more than 6600 veterans, the highest number of any borough in London, number of any borough in London, and nearly 2000 of those veterans are my constituents in Bromley and Biggin Hill. Locally, we are incredibly lucky to have the Haz Royal British Legion branch, which was established over 90 years ago, which boasts 900 members who collectively raise thousands of pounds to support serving and ex-serving members of the armed forces and their families since its inception.

Inception in 1919, Remembrance Day has brought our communities together to remember the sacrifice made by all those serving in the UK and Commonwealth Armed Forces, their families and others who have given their lives in service to our country. It is right that we honour them today, and I am immensely privileged that I can thank them on behalf of all

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of my constituents in Bromley and Biggin Hill. Alex Mayer. Thank you, Madam

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Alex Mayer. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. This morning I was thrilled to be able to unveil a plaque in Leighton Buzzard, next to the church to honour the people who served at a place called Q central. served at a place called Q central. It's not very well known, but during the Second World War, 5000 during the Second World War, 5000 personnel served just outside Leighton Buzzard and they were predominantly women. And during the predominantly women. And during the course of the Second World War, it became the biggest communications hub, basically in the entire world.

hub, basically in the entire world. But for a very, very long time, nobody has known very much about this story because it was top this story because it was top secret with I've got Real really want to thank local historian Paul Brown, who's been working to Brown, who's been working to uncover what these phenomenal women did, which has culminated today in did, which has culminated today in being able to unveil this plaque. I was also really, really pleased to was also really, really pleased to meet a young child today who was one of the many children who every year lay a wreath at the war memorial in Leighton Buzzard called Bertie and Bertie's Great great Grandma.

Joan Spencer was actually one of the women who served her nation at Q central. It was chosen because it had really good communication links already. The wireless signal was good. I wish today's mobile phone signal was quite as good as that. It was also
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Alex Mayer Portrait Alex Mayer MP (Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, Labour)
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near its famous neighbour of Bletchley Park. But but crucially, Bletchley Park. But but crucially, it was kind of a bit out of the way and therefore hidden from potential and therefore hidden from potential enemy bombers flying overhead. And this work was happening underground in tunnels which were highly, in tunnels which were highly, highly camouflaged as well. I think it's a really inspiring story, it's a really inspiring story, particularly as the first woman MP for Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable and all the other places around.

and all the other places around. But but talking to some of the young girls there today, it really proved to them that their ancestors proved to them that their ancestors had been doing really, really important war work. We're going to do more. We're going to make sure do more. We're going to make sure that there are some plaques and boards next to the plaque to really boards next to the plaque to really tell the story to future generations. We're also looking to get some kind of sculpture that really talks to the people and the experiences that they had there.

experiences that they had there. With the help of South Side Studios in Leighton Buzzard. But what I really want to say today is that I really want to say today is that I am so very proud of the community coming together, because it feels to me that for the first time, we're truly celebrating the stories of those who served in the shadows and bringing that into the light.

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Brian Mathew thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Since being elected, it's been my honour to represent my

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it's been my honour to represent my constituency of Melksham. And. Advises that remembrance events,

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parades. Ceremonies and services. Devizes. And for.

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And for. Me it was not just an opportunity to remember. Those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It was

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made the ultimate sacrifice. It was an opportunity to appreciate the community's patriotic spirit. That so many.

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That so many. Have given so much for everyone, from. The brownies to cadets.

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from. The brownies to cadets. To service men and women. To town councillors and veterans on motorbikes. They came out on Sunday and it was not just good to see, but it was humbling to be a see, but it was humbling to be a part of it. As a member of the Royal British Legion, it's also been a privilege to campaign alongside veterans and.

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alongside veterans and. Fellow members. And to meet service families. A few years ago. With friends and.
20:47
Brian Mathew Portrait Brian Mathew MP (Melksham and Devizes, Liberal Democrat)
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With friends and. Fellow RBL members, I had the chance to take part in the Pedal to chance to take part in the Pedal to Eep, a fundraising cycle ride that takes participants participants along the front line of the First World War as far.

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As Vimy Ridge. As we cycled back to Dunkirk,

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As we cycled back to Dunkirk, with the sea wind in our faces and the situation in Ukraine very much on our minds, the curtain between on our minds, the curtain between the events of 1940 and the present day seemed poignantly thin. Walking day seemed poignantly thin. Walking around these last few weeks, it's been good to see the poppies on been good to see the poppies on people's coats and jackets, to see poppy sellers outside shops and at the railway stations. And indeed the railway stations.

And indeed the short ceremony at in Westminster Hall this morning to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day, mark the 11th hour of the 11th day, was particularly striking at a time when the country has felt divided. when the country has felt divided. It's important to remember those family and community members who

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family and community members who served, and in doing so, unite the you. Thank Calvin Bailey.

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Thank Calvin Bailey. Thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker. Remembrance is truly a moment of

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Remembrance is truly a moment of national unity. From bereaved service families to the veterans. Of the Second World War, our

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Of the Second World War, our country comes together to honour the service and sacrifices of those who have ensured our collective who have ensured our collective safety and security. Like many veterans, I carry deeply personal memories shaped by conflict, conflict and comradeship. We remember those who came before us, but also those who we served alongside, many of whom I served with in both Afghanistan and Iraq, sadly did not come home. Like many members of this House. This weekend I was in my constituency attending the Services of Remembrance, and it was an immense privilege to stand alongside Royal Air Force cadets from 12 F and 241 Squadron, but Army cadets from 30 Music Detachment of Waltham Forest, but also the Scouts and local families and people of all faiths, are councillors and fellow veterans looking not only back but forward with hope.

It was in that spirit of looking forward that made what happened next very special to me. The memorial service in Leightonstone I met for black servicemen spanning four generations of post-war service Alan, Peter, Chris and Orlando. I brought together to meet one another because each represented a chapter in our nation's post-war story of service. Alan Sealey was in the Prince of Wales's Own
20:50
Calvin Bailey Portrait Mr Calvin Bailey MP (Leyton and Wanstead, Labour)
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Regiment of Yorkshire, serving in the 1960s in Aden. Peter Barnett the 1960s in Aden. Peter Barnett was in the seventh Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, who served in Germany and Central who served in Germany and Central America in the 1970s. Chris Ngige America in the 1970s. Chris Ngige was a Royal Marine Commando of 42 Commando fame who served in the Middle East from Germany and Middle East from Germany and Northern Ireland in the 1990s, and then there was Orlando Azim, who's then there was Orlando Azim, who's an RAF cadet, starting on his own journey to fulfil his dream to journey to fulfil his dream to become a pilot like I myself once was.

What united us was remembrance was. What united us was remembrance itself and the pride of service. For Peter, it was getting his red For Peter, it was getting his red beret and his wings. For Chris it was going from Bethnal Green to jumping out of aeroplanes. And for jumping out of aeroplanes. And for Orlando it was being able to lay a wreath on behalf of his Royal Air wreath on behalf of his Royal Air Force Squadron 12 F experiences of duty and service passed from one generation to the next.

And as we generation to the next. And as we stood there, five black men, remembering our ancestors and friends alongside our neighbours, listening to faith. Leaders reading from the Bible, the Torah and the

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Quran, I was reminded that remembrance belongs to everyone. Yeah. Sadly, in 2025, there are those

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Sadly, in 2025, there are those who seek to taint this sacred moment with their prejudice. That moment with their prejudice. That is why it's so vital that we stand loud and proud in honouring us. This honouring the service of the people from every background, every faith and every circumstance, faith and every circumstance, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the freedoms we all share. the freedoms we all share. Remembrance reminds us that unity itself is part of the legacy that itself is part of the legacy that is entrusted to us.

Our shared some of my thoughts with Peter, who wisely suggested we should all head wisely suggested we should all head to the pub afterwards. Because after all, Madam Deputy Speaker, what could be more British than

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that? Carla Lockhart. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Today our nation paused together in quiet reflection, and in doing so we remembered those who stood firm we remembered those who stood firm in the face of fear, who served with courage, and who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we might ultimate sacrifice so that we might live in freedom. As a daughter of Ulster, my thoughts turn to the fields of France, to the Somme, fields of France, to the Somme, where so many young men from my homeland laid down their lives on that terrible July morning in 1916, the 36th Ulster Division went over the top with unmatched courage.

Within two days thousands were killed or wounded. Captain Wilfrid Spender, who witnessed that charge, wrote that he would rather be an Ulster man than anything else in the world, and I want to commend the Somme Association and the Royal British Legion's within my area for
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Carla Lockhart Portrait Carla Lockhart MP (Upper Bann, Democratic Unionist Party)
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continuing to educate and remember. We in Northern Ireland know, perhaps more than most, what our perhaps more than most, what our armed forces mean to the safety of this United Kingdom for decades, through some of the darkest times, they stood as a human shield between good and evil. They put on the uniform and went toe to toe the uniform and went toe to toe with bloodthirsty terrorists in defence of innocent people. Alongside the Royal Ulster Alongside the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Ulster Defence Regiment and other branches of the security services, they defended security services, they defended life and liberty in Northern Ireland.

Too many paid with their Ireland. Too many paid with their lives. More than 1400 members of our armed forces were lost during Operation Banner. Hundreds were Operation Banner. Hundreds were murdered by terrorists simply because they wore the uniform of their country. 302 members of the their country. 302 members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary were killed, along with 29 prison officers. As recently as 2012, we officers. As recently as 2012, we lost prison officer David Black and Constable Stephen Carroll in 2009, Constable Stephen Carroll in 2009, both killed in my constituency.

We remember them with gratitude. That cannot be measured in words. Northern Ireland's record of service to Crown runs deep. Our service to Crown runs deep. Our people have time again. Step forward. When called upon. Today, that legacy continues in men and women like Air Chief Marshal Harvey Smith of Lurgan, now Chief of Air Staff of our armed forces. We also think of those who served in more recent conflicts in the Falklands and Iraq and Afghanistan. And my thoughts today are with the families of Lance Corporal Stephen McKee, first Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment from Banbridge, and Lieutenant Neill Turkington, platoon commander, with the first Battalion from the Gurkha Rifles from Portadown.

Remembrance must never be limited to the past. It must also be about the living and about ensuring no veteran who served this nation is ever left without a home, a job or hope for the future, or subject to vexatious prosecutions. Madam Deputy Speaker, there is no glory in war, but there is immense honour in service. There are acts of heroism that go unseen and sacrifices that go unspoken, yet they are the foundation upon which our freedoms rest. We will

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remember them. Pam Cox. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, and it's an honour to

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Speaker, and it's an honour to pay tribute in this debate today to the men and women of our armed forces, past and present, whose courage and service secured our freedoms. In Colchester we gathered for our traditional Remembrance Sunday service at the War Memorial. Against the backdrop of our castle and the remains of our Roman temple, a reminder that Colchester has been a reminder that Colchester has been a garrison city for nearly two millennia. As ever, it was a deeply moving occasion. Soldiers from 16 moving occasion.

Soldiers from 16 air assault and their families were joined by civic representatives, veterans, cadets, youth veterans, cadets, youth organisations, the city orchestra and residents from across the community. The bond between our
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Pam Cox Portrait Pam Cox MP (Colchester, Labour)
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city and the armed forces is historic and enduring. It's also a global history. Colchester Cemetery is home to over 300 Commonwealth war graves, lovingly tended by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and their local volunteers, and I thank the Commission for giving me a very poignant tour of the site in in September. I also want to take a moment to recognise the Gurkha and Nepalese community in Colchester, their contribution to our armed forces is legendary and their presence in our city enriches us all.

And as we commemorate 80 years since the end of the Second World War, we should remind ourselves of the bravery of over 250,000 Gurkha soldiers who fought for the British Empire during that time. Their regiments continue to serve in the city today. We're proud to call them neighbours and friends, and I know the Minister will be aware of the continued campaign by Gurkha veterans around pension rights, and I'd urge the Ministry of Defence to look again at that issue in good faith.

Madam Deputy Speaker, as we reflect on the historic sacrifices made, it's right that we also look forward. Our Armed Forces Covenant renews our commitment to those who serve today. Just last week, the government announced a £9 billion defence housing strategy, the largest upgrade to armed forces housing in over half a century. And that plan will rebuild or modernise over 40,000 military homes, ensuring service families have the safe, comfortable and dignified accommodation that they deserve. Nearly 1000 local army homes in my area will be brought back into public ownership as a result of that scheme, and I'd love to invite the Minister to come and see that for himself when when his diary allows.

So to close. Remembrance is not just about looking back. As so many have said today, it's about reaffirming our present and future commitment to peace and security and community in extremely challenging times. And it's also about underlining, underlining our unwavering support for our armed

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forces and our veterans today. Thank you Helen Maguire. Thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker. Today we remember the. Courage.

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Courage. Sacrifice and unwavering duty of those who. Have and continue. To serve in our armed forces. As

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To serve in our armed forces. As a veteran myself, it's an honour to represent Epsom and Ewell, a constituency with a rich connection to the military, where over 8000 soldiers trained during the First World War. Our local Royal Engineers, the 135 Geographic Engineers, the 135 Geographic Squadron, have been in our community for over 75 years. Our local veterans have sadly recently

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local veterans have sadly recently lost the last of its World War two veterans, but continues. To support more than. 30 men and women. That hub

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30 men and women. That hub brings veterans together, and I thank all the volunteers for their tireless work. At the weekend I was tireless work. At the weekend I was at the local reserve centre and veterans told me stories of their service. Frank Angus will be 100 service. Frank Angus will be 100 next March. A lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, he was sent to Norfolk to clear mines from the beaches. He recounted the time he beaches. He recounted the time he set alight to a pile of mines, only to find out that when trying to make a hasty getaway, this his jeep.



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Wouldn't start. At the event, army chefs cooked up a wonderful curry despite using a full kitchen. The kitchen in the a full kitchen. The kitchen in the reserve centre has been out of use for years and the boiler broke 14 months ago and it's still awaiting

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repair. There's also no overnight accommodation yet. The squadron. Frequently stay overnight. Considering the recent Strategic Defence Review. Aims to grow the reserves by 20%. I was. Surprised by the lack of basic maintenance. And will the Minister meet with me to discuss this? Reflecting on the armed. Forces today, Gunner James Beck was found dead in her barracks after a warrant officer pinned her down and tried to kiss her. Female personnel have reported being ignored following incidents of sexual abuse.

So can the government provide assurances that steps have been taken to improve the treatment

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of females. In the armed forces? We also remember the sacrifices of the LGBTQ+ veterans who served of the LGBTQ+ veterans who served their country, yet were treated appallingly, and I ask the government to ensure that all LGBT+ veterans receive. Support in veterans receive. Support in applying for the government's financial recognition scheme and the lab rats, or the nuclear test the lab rats, or the nuclear test veterans who have suffered for too long with health issues lasting generations. So will the government generations.

So will the government meet with the nuclear test victim campaigners by Christmas and looking at the present? Last month I was in Ukraine. I saw first hand I was in Ukraine. I saw first hand the Shaheed drones and cluster munitions that Russia is using indiscriminately against Ukrainians. We met amputees at superhuman

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We met amputees at superhuman centre, including 28 year old British sailor. Eddie Scott. Yes, you're right.

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Eddie Scott. Yes, you're right. That's my hon. Friend and gallant friend agreed that service personnel injured on active duty

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personnel injured on active duty deserves support and recognition. Yes, I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend and injured personnel hon. Friend and injured personnel absolutely require support. Eddie was casevac and casualties from the front line. His vehicle was hit by front line. His vehicle was hit by an RPG and he lost his left arm and leg. The UK and Ukraine are working to establish a strategic health alliance, yet this initiative needs 1.2 million and government support would be instrumental. So could the would be instrumental.

So could the Minister update the House on the House on its position? Civilians never asked to be part of war, yet they bear its greatest cost. I urge all nations to uphold international humanitarian law and remain steadfast signatories to the Ottawa steadfast signatories to the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel mines and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Later this month, the international community will meet international community will meet at the Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas conference to strengthen protection for civilians strengthen protection for civilians from explosive weapons.

No UK Minister is currently due to attend. I urge the UK to play a leading I urge the UK to play a leading role in implementing these treaties. Finally, in this House we bear a profound responsibility, including determining whether our armed forces are sent into conflict. So let us today think about why we send our armed forces to war and remember those we have.
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left behind. We will remember them. Leigh Ingham.

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Leigh Ingham. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Remembrance is more than a moment of silence. It's more than standing still, heads bowed to honour those who served and. And who? Those who gave their ultimate who? Those who gave their ultimate sacrifice. It's more than just a day. It's about how we choose to treat those who remain with us. treat those who remain with us. It's about the daily choices we make as a government and as a society, about the kind of country that we want to be.

The Royal British Legion has carried that responsibility for over a century. There have been a lifeline for the armed forces community, past and present, and for their families. present, and for their families. And in Stafford and the villages, they do that with quiet dedication year in, year out. And we see that year in, year out. And we see that commitment in the poppy appeal. Not a small symbolic effort, but it's a a small symbolic effort, but it's a huge community undertaking. So I want to pay particular tribute to those volunteers who lead and those volunteers who lead and sustain this work across Stafford and villages.

The Poppy appeal organisers, the branch officers and the many collectors who give up their time. They're not paid. They do it out of loyalty and gratitude, and that sense of service runs deep in so many families, including my own, from my family members who've served in all conflicts since World War One, and to my incredible nephew who serves today. Although I am somewhat biased, and through the Armed Forces Parliamentary scheme, I've also been privileged to spend time with many more of our serving personnel.

Helpfully, some of those I'm not related to, and what has struck me the most is their absolute commitment to one another, to service and to this nation. And that same commitment runs through the wider armed forces community. Last week, I attended a fundraiser organised by the Minister for the Armed Forces. My hon. Friend, the Member for Birmingham Selly Oak the charity was supporting was Scottys Little Soldiers, which helps the bereaved children of military personnel. Sorry, the bereaved, bereaved children and young people of military personnel and it was founded by an extraordinary woman, Nicky Scott, after the death of her husband, corporal Lee Scott, in 2009.

She spoke at length last week about her and her family's experience and her words, and her absolute strength and compassion have stuck with me ever since because from her very worst moment, she's chosen to serve others, showing that patriotism is not only found on the battlefield, but in the courage to care for those who are left behind. As Nicky Scott shows us. Madam Deputy Speaker, true patriotism is not loud or boastful. It's not about waving a flag once a year. It's about service before self.

It's about caring for one another, honouring our shared values and building a fair country worthy of those who fought and continue to fight for it. When veterans struggle to access healthcare or housing, when their families face hardship, or when loneliness creeps into the lives of those who once served, our response as a nation is a test of that patriotism. True remembrance means not only laying wreaths, but also laying the foundations of a country that keeps faith with its promises

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another. Here. Manuela Perteghella.
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Manuela Perteghella Portrait Manuela Perteghella MP (Stratford-on-Avon, Liberal Democrat)
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Here. Manuela Perteghella. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. This morning I joined residents, children and veterans in Stratford upon Avon for an Armistice Day service. Standing together in silence, we reflected on the lives behind the names and the sacrifices that shaped our community and our shared history, including those of the Royal Observer Corps established during World War One to spot enemy aircraft and warn of air raids. I must give thanks to all the branches of the Royal British Legion in my constituency for their tireless community work to ensure that remembrance is kept alive, and for giving a voice to the ex-service personnel and raising awareness of the challenges they face.

In Stratford-on-Avon. Remembrance runs deep. Our towns and villages are full of memorials that are the story of local men and women, many of them very young, who serve with quiet bravery, and two of them were two remarkable individuals. Charles Rochford Lousada, born in Stratford upon Avon, and Philip miles from Tamworth in Arden, both of whom served in the Royal Air Force Photographic Reconnaissance Unit during the Second World War. This unit purpose was to provide intelligence so that military leaders could plan strategically the actions of the Allied.

The Pru flew unarmed Spitfires and Mosquitos deep into enemy territory, capturing vital intelligence that shaped operations such as D-Day and the Dambusters raid. Their missions were so dangerous that only half made it home, yet for decades their story went largely untold, and I'm proud to support the campaign spearheaded by the Spitfire AA 810 project for a national memorial to honour those who served in the Pru, including Lucy Rigby Miles. And I understand these plans are progressing and that eventually the memorial should stand close to the Churchill War Rooms, where their photographs once guided military strategists and allied leaders.

I hope that the Pru Memorial will serve as a lasting symbol, a reminder that courage takes many forms. As members of this House, we have a duty to protect and uphold the values of freedom, openness and democracy that generations before us fought to defend. We owe it to the men and women who sacrifice so much. That is the true meaning of remembrance, not only to honour those who served, but to carry forward their vision of a fairer, freer and more peaceful world.

We will remember them.

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Yes, doctor. Peter Prinsley. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Sergeant Archie Shepherd of the 12th Field Squadron of the South

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12th Field Squadron of the South British. Eighth Army. Fought at Monte Cassino. The bloody battle for Italy. Nearly 12,000 of his fellow South African soldiers did not survive World War

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soldiers did not survive World War Two. All volunteers. Archie became a farmer in Swaziland. After the. War and his.

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War and his. remembers. Him jumping. Out of an old army truck and lying on the ground with his. Arms and.

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Arms and. Hands over his head. When the first. Aeroplanes flew over the. Small. British African. Colony.
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Peter Prinsley Portrait Peter Prinsley MP (Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, Labour)
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Colony. He had what we would now call PTSD. But this was not widely recognised in soldiers returning

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recognised in soldiers returning from the terrible war. Squadron Leader Derek Prinsley, my. Father.

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Father. A young doctor, served in East Anglia in the Middle East. His war experiences, vividly described in the early chapters of his book New

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the early chapters of his book New Ideas for Old Concerns. Many airmen were killed and many injured. When.

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When. the runways, and he wrote of extracting stricken pilots from the burning planes as if this was burning planes as if this was normal for young medics. Many of my father's medical student friends did not return and did not join the NHS, as he did when it was founded. He did not speak of this, but he had not forgotten them. I'm sure today's times carries the obituary of Monty Feltham DFC, who's died 101. He flew 30 operations as a navigator in a Halifax bomber.

Of the 125,000 airmen who flew with Bomber Command, 55,573 were lost 44%, the highest in any branch of our services. We speak today of remembrance, and I'm grateful to the Member for Harrow East, who spoke of the Ajax parade in the Prime Minister's Questions last week. Thousands of Jewish citizens of this country and of the Commonwealth fought in the great conflicts of the last century, and the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and women march each year on the weekend following national remembrance.

And I, too, will march this week with members of my family to honour the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. Monty Feltham DFC never missed the parade. Now, in the small synagogue in Norwich, there's a war memorial. There are ten names, three sets of brothers in Vienna, the great cosmopolitan capital of the Hungarian Empire. There's another synagogue. A beautiful synagogue survived the war because it's concealed behind a facade of Viennese houses. In the lobby, I saw a memorial to the fallen Jewish soldiers who fought for Austria in the first war.

It was unveiled in 1929. Adjacent is a memorial to the thousands of Jewish citizens of Vienna who perished in the Holocaust. Hardly half a generation later. The juxtaposition is quite chilling. So I'm of a generation whose parents fought in the war. Many didn't speak of it, and my own father only spoke of it in great old age. It is right that we are here today. Speak of it. For this was an heroic generation who fought a war that began with Polish cavalry and ended with nuclear

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bombs. Thank you. Llinos Medi. Today is Remembrance Day. Debate is an important opportunity to is an important opportunity to pause and reflect, to reflect on the sacrifices of generations before us and those who have been impacted by war and conflict. The veterans community in Wales is veterans community in Wales is widespread. We are a nation with a greater proportion of veterans and people who have experienced service. people who have experienced service. 4.5% of Wales civilian population have served in the armed forces, have served in the armed forces, compared to 3.8% in England.

Supporting our veterans is an
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Llinos Medi Portrait Llinos Medi MP (Ynys Môn, Plaid Cymru)
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important issue in Wales, particularly those carrying trauma, both visible and hidden. A pressing issue facing our veterans is access to financial support for those with medical conditions. Veterans with life changing service related injuries should be exempt from repeat disability assessments in future. It is unfair to force people to undergo reassessments for permanent conditions and disabilities to access that financial support. I would urge the UK government to therefore accept veterans from disability reassessments. Age Cambridge research has suggested that almost 1 in 5 veterans in Wales who could be entitled to the armed forces pensions and claiming many veterans, therefore, are missing out on financial support later in life.

I would urge the UK government to address this issue of unclaimed pensions amongst the armed forces community in Wales. Plaid Cymru will continue to support the application of the Armed Forces Covenant to treat veterans and their families fairly in Wales. I would ask this government to look at how the covenant is working in Wales, not only to raise awareness of the covenant and its and its principles, but also to ensure that it is being applied in the interface between reserve and devolved services.

Where we know there are risks of people falling between the gaps of support service. We owe it to the generations who have come before us to build a more peaceful and just world. While we live in a period of increasing uncertainty, it is imperative that we support efforts globally to resolve conflict and build peace. Let us strive for a more peaceful world, and in doing so, honour the lives and legacy of those who have sacrificed so, so much for us today.



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We shall remember them. Amanda Martin. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker,

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, I want to firstly associate myself with the so eloquently put words from the Minister for the Armed Forces and thank all who have Forces and thank all who have served in this House for their service. Madam Deputy Speaker, I am honoured to contribute in today's honoured to contribute in today's debate on behalf of the members and the people of Portsmouth North, as we pause to remember those who gave we pause to remember those who gave and still give their lives in the service of our nation.

As we reflect on the continuing cost of conflict and the lasting contribution of our armed forces to our national life. Madam Deputy Speaker, for me, remembrance is
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Amanda Martin Portrait Amanda Martin MP (Portsmouth North, Labour)
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Speaker, for me, remembrance is deeply personal. On the 23rd of December, 1940, during the Second World War, my great grandad George Hector Coles was killed when German bombers struck his home in 22 Abercromby Street in Portsmouth in one of the horrific Blitz raids on my city. While families across Britain prepared for Christmas, mine received news that changed them forever. He never saw peace returning after that war and never met his grandchildren. But his sacrifice is like so many echoes through generations and shapes my understanding of what remembrance truly means.

Portsmouth role in our nation's defence cannot be overstated. As the home to His Majesty's Naval Base, our city has stood on the front line time after time. During the Second World War, our streets endured 67 bombing raids with nearly a thousand lives lost and thousands left homeless. Yet Madam Deputy Speaker Portsmouth never faltered. The courage of dockyard workers, civil defence volunteers, ordinary families across the city exemplifies the spirits we honour today and at the weekend and today, I was proud to lay wreaths at memorials across our city, where the names of Pompey folk stands alongside those who never returned, including so many that were lost at sea with no grave.

We owe it to all of them, not only to remember, but to uphold the values for what they serve the courage, duty, and a belief in a better future. Madam Deputy Speaker remembrance is not only about the past, it's about those who serve today. With around 4.5 million people in the UK Armed Forces community, and one of them, Madam Deputy Speaker, I'm proud to say is my son, alongside the Royal British Legion and with the amazing Terry and Denise, I am proud to have sold poppies for many years and to wear my poppy.

I pay tribute to the veterans, the veteran groups, cadets, cadet forces, community organisations and charities across my city who support our Armed Forces families all year round. And this year, I've contacted by constituents who would like me to speak specifically about their heroes. Leading writer Kate Elizabeth Arnold Kathy Fox, known as Katie Newman, who served as a corporal during the Civil War in Cyprus. Barry Hind, served 30 years in the army. Christopher John Purcell, who served 20 years in the Royal Navy, including the Falklands and the Gulf.

Graham Street, served 35 years in the Navy. Corporal Fred Head, a recipient of the Eminem and Bar after serving in 1914 and 1999, and Walter Gabriel McKee, a First World and Second World War veteran. We must remember them. Thank you.

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Cameron Thomas. Good evening, Madam Deputy Speaker. This Sunday, past remembrance ceremonies and parades were held in Winchcombe and Bishop's Cleeve, joined by Scout Bishop's Cleeve, joined by Scout groups, cadet forces, armed forces personnel, veterans and members of our various branches of the Royal British Legion makes me particularly proud to see so many children of all ages marching with children of all ages marching with our annual parades, the way that I had once marched as a Cub Scout to a service at Saint George's Church a service at Saint George's Church at RAF Halton for the second time.

As Tewksburys Member of Parliament, I observed a typically moving
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Cameron Thomas Portrait Cameron Thomas MP (Tewkesbury, Liberal Democrat)
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I observed a typically moving service at Tewkesbury Abbey led by the great Reverend Nick Davies, before our small but proud town encircled the cross at the top of George Church Street and paid its respects, as it always does with such poignant I'm certain that the act of remembrance is important for those of us who recognise that most noble of traits selflessness for the benefit of others. In the case of remembrance, we recognise immense courage facing down one's own mortality to defend others against tyranny.

Not everybody feels the same way. Three years ago, after attending Remembrance in Tewkesbury, I joined the family of a close friend for a drink in a restaurant. Beside that cross, three of the younger members of his family felt opposed to the act of remembrance. As I recall, owing to its increasing politicisation and the misconception that it was a celebration of conflict, my friend George Porter had invited me to explain to them what it meant to me. I recall stating that remembrance is not a celebration of war.

The opposite is true. I told them that when I stand before the cross in the centre of Tewkesbury or the Cenotaph in Westminster, I will be thinking of seven year old Shirley Trenchard. She was born to Royal Navy Petty Officer supply Charles William Stadden Trenchard in 1935. When war with Germany was declared in 1939, he sailed aboard HMS illustrious. On the 10th of January 1941, illustrious suffered sustained bombardment by German aircraft near Malta, and though illustrious remained afloat, she suffered many casualties.

My great grandfather succumbed to his wounds two days later. I think of his service and of his sacrifice. I tried to imagine his war and how he might have felt during illustrious bombardment. Mostly, though, I imagine a child learning that her father was not coming home. And I reckon with the cost that war continues to draw from my grandmother 84 years later. I think of my own daughter, and I hope we can spare her that torment. One final remark to anybody who would, who would heed the words of a washed up veteran try not to judge anybody for the presence or absence of a poppy, much less whether the leaf is turned to face 11:00 or whether somebody wears a white poppy.

It's the act of remembering itself which is so important. Lest we forget. Yes.

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Alison Hume. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. On Armistice Day, the country pauses to remember all the country pauses to remember all those who died in the service of our country. For 88 year old Gordon our country. For 88 year old Gordon from Whitby, like so many others who have lost a family member, there's no need to pause because he remembers every single day. Gordon's older brother, Bob, who Gordon's older brother, Bob, who was 18, was killed towards the end of the Second World War.

Just of the Second World War. Just before he died, Bob wrote a letter to Gordon. Gordon has carried that letter in his jacket pocket, close letter in his jacket pocket, close to his heart, ever since. Last week, I was honoured to meet Gordon at
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Alison Hume Portrait Alison Hume MP (Scarborough and Whitby, Labour)
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I was honoured to meet Gordon at the Save a Place at the table exhibition at Pannett Art Gallery in Whitby, where Bob's letter had been incorporated into a beautifully embroidered placemat celebrating Bob's life. The long table was set with individual placemats, all commemorating ordinary local people who served our country. Sitting around the table enjoying tea and cake were those who had shared their stories, and schoolchildren hearing them for the first time. Madam Deputy Speaker, this wonderful community party was the result of a living art project funded by the Arts Council to mark the 80th anniversary of VE and V-J day.

As the generation who served in the Second World War leave us, we must ensure not only that the yearly pause continues, but that every single day we strive to look after our veterans and serving personnel better. I am proud that this Labour government has put our veterans and our armed forces at the heart of our policies. There are nearly 5000 veterans living in Scarborough and Whitby. For each of them, our renewal of the nation's contract with them will be judged through the improved support we offer in healthcare, housing and employment.

My constituency has a strong and proud military history. Sites such as RAF Fylingdales and GCHQ Scarborough play a crucial role in national security. This weekend I saw the future of the armed forces at Remembrance Services in the cadets who proudly bore standards, stood in line and marched alongside serving personnel and veterans. Madam Deputy Speaker, my constituent Gordon's daily act of remembrance is keeping his brother's letter close to his heart for nearly 80 years. In closing, I would like to put on record my deepest gratitude to all those who have served and continue to serve in Scarborough, Whitby and the villages and finished by reflecting on how we might all turn an annual

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pause into a daily action. Gideon Amos. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It's a privilege to be able to It's a privilege to be able to stand and pay tribute to those who fought for this country in today's fought for this country in today's debate, but it's nothing as to how humbling it is to have stood with humbling it is to have stood with veterans. This morning and on Sunday in my Taunton and Wellington constituency, and to consider the constituency, and to consider the massive sacrifices that they made.
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Gideon Amos Portrait Gideon Amos MP (Taunton and Wellington, Liberal Democrat)
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Veterans and those who who died for our country. People like in the time of V-J day, I paid tribute to three photographic reconnaissance unit pilots who lost their lives, two of them from Wellington and one from Taunton. Today, I'd like to place on record the memory of corporal Tom Gaden, who, as was mentioned in the Afghanistan campaign earlier lost from the rifles, tragically lost his life from an IUD in 2008. And as well as the veterans, of course, I'd like to pay tribute to those who continue to serve the community, like Lieutenant Colonel Ray Hall MBE, the president of the Taunton Royal British Legion, and the recently retired Michael Rose, president of the Wellington Royal British Legion.

And to pay my thanks to the town of Wellington for maintaining the tradition of holding their memorial service remembrance service on the Sunday in the afternoon, so that the Member of Parliament can attend both these two massively important events in our calendar on Friday. Madam Deputy Speaker, the parents of two serving officers came to my surgery to talk to me about their housing conditions, and I was proud to be able to report on behalf of really, the whole house that moves that have been made about improving military service, family accommodation.

Recently, I was privileged to be a small part of that as our housing spokesperson in the Renters Rights Bill, securing a Decent Homes standard for service family accommodation. But I warmly welcome the government's £9 billion for military housing, and I hope that the Single Living Accommodation Review will be following fast on the heels of the of the Military Housing Service. Family promises that have been made. I would also like to pay tribute to those veterans who are continuing and continue to live in Taunton, Wellington, who are now, perhaps some of the last veterans of the Second World War in our community.

And I'd like to invite the Minister and I will write to the Minister, because I know the Minister have a lot to remember in the summing up, but I'd like to invite the Minister to wish William Spiller, former leading Aircraftsman, a happy 100th birthday for the 8th of December this year. And when I telephoned him this morning, he asked me why I was bothering a phone. And didn't everybody text these days? And he followed up by sending me a text. With spirit like that, I can understand how he and the rest of

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the RAF defeated the Luftwaffe. Yeah, yeah. Anna Gelderd. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
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Anna Gelderd Portrait Anna Gelderd MP (South East Cornwall, Labour)
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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As we mark this season of remembrance, I'm honoured on behalf of the people of South East Cornwall to pay tribute to the extraordinary men and women of our armed forces, those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who continued to serve our country with courage and pride in South East Cornwall. That tradition of service runs deep. Our ties to HMS Raleigh in Torpoint and His Majesty's Naval Base, Devonport, just across the Tamar, mean that presence is woven into our community life.

From cadet units in Liskeard, Saltash and Torpoint to the 12 Royal British Legion branches across our constituency, these groups ensure that the stories of sacrifice are never forgotten. On Sunday, I was proud to stand alongside residents, veterans and representatives from community groups in Lostwithiel at their remembrance service. A powerful reminder of the values of loyalty, discipline and commitment that underpin service. It was also a pleasure to join Liskeard's Festival of Remembrance concert organised by the Royal British Legion, supported by the Liskeard community and the local council.

It was a real night to remember with lots of audience participation, bringing everyone together to raise much needed funds. But Madam Deputy Speaker remembrance must also mean responsibility, and I know that too many veterans still face delays in mental health support. They struggle to find housing or encounter barriers when moving into civilian employment. So I warmly welcome the new Veterans Strategy and our pledge to renew the nation's contract with our armed forces. This means for people in south east Cornwall, a fair deal on pay and conditions, guaranteed access to decent housing and healthcare, and a clear pathway from service to civilian life.

I know what a difference programmes like Valour and Fortitude will make to individuals and families across south east Cornwall, and South East Cornwall knows that defence is not just about security. It can be an engine for growth, driving innovation and good jobs in communities like mine. Our economic prosperity, our communities and our pride are interwoven with this proud history and bright future for our armed forces. So in south east Cornwall, we wear our poppies with pride and we thank our armed forces today and every day for their

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sacrifice. Lest we forget. They. Jim Allister.

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Jim Allister. Deputy speaker. There's little more important than a nation with poignancy and with much reflection
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Jim Allister Portrait Jim Allister KC MP (North Antrim, Traditional Unionist Voice)
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whom laid down their lives so that we might live as we do. Many members in this House have referred members in this House have referred to family members, and of course, it is a common feature that many of us have family members. In my case, us have family members. In my case, it was a great uncle, Sergeant William Mullen of the ninth William Mullen of the ninth Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, who laid down his life Fusiliers, who laid down his life in that most awful of days, the 1st of July, 1916, in the battle of the of July, 1916, in the battle of the Somme, where thousands of young men, many from the 36th Ulster Division many from the 36th Ulster Division and many also from Irish regiments, were slaughtered at the Somme.

And so we have much to think about and so we have much to think about and be grateful for in my constituency. One of the war heroes we have in One of the war heroes we have in North Antrim is Robert Quigg. A Victoria Cross. This is a citation of Robert Quigg's VC. For most of Robert Quigg's VC. For most conspicuous bravery. He advanced to the assault with his platoon three times. Early next morning, hearing a rumour that his platoon officer was lying wounded, he went out seven times to look for him under heavy shell and machine gun fire, each time bringing back a wounded man.

The last man he dragged in on a waterproof sheet from within a few yards of the enemy's wire. He was seven hours engaged in this most gallant work, and finally so exhausted I had to give up. That was the spirit of unquestioning sacrifice that previous generations brought to this nation. And of course, in Northern Ireland on Remembrance Day, we also remember the many, many victims of wicked terrorism and are thankful for the for the service of so many.

We think of the over 700 young soldiers from this side of the Irish Sea who gave their lives in Northern Ireland. We think of an equal number of local servicemen and policemen who were butchered by the wicked IRA. And of course, the whole poignancy of that is brought into focus by the fact that it was at a remembrance service that one of the most wicked acts of the IRA ever took place. Poppy Day massacre. In 1987, when 11 people were butchered as they stood to remember.

To remember those who brought the

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freedom that we all enjoy. We can never forget. Danny Kruger.

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Danny Kruger. Thank you very much indeed, madam Deputy Speaker, it's been a great pleasure to listen to the
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Danny Kruger Portrait Danny Kruger MP (East Wiltshire, Reform UK)
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very powerful tributes paid by members to their constituents and to their constituents. Nobody can boast as much as about the British Army as the Member for East Wiltshire, which is me, because I represent the super garrison of Tidworth, Bulford, Larkhill. I claimed the largest number of serving men and women in their families of any constituency in the country, and I'm enormously proud to represent them and was to stand with many of them at Tidworth Memorial on Sunday. But Madam Deputy Speaker, morale among our veterans is not high and the Minister made a very powerful statement earlier when he talked about the intensity of memory that is held by service people who remember fatal conflict.

And he talked about the trauma that they retain. I hope he also recognises how many serving and former service personnel have the bear, the terrible and ineradicable memory of another event, which is the knock on the door from the military police. And so many have to endure that memory forever because of decisions made by successive governments. And the fact is that the reason we have had these very unfortunate events, including the Minister, will know of stories of particularly former special forces servicemen who have been arrested in front of their families up at dawn, put in the back of police vans, handcuffed.

And this is because our because governments have allowed the courts to apply a very wide interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights, which goes so far beyond what is traditionally bound. Our military in armed conflict. The Geneva Convention, the Armed Forces Act, British military law itself and the previous government made, I think, a very noble effort to restrain and particularly in the case of Northern Ireland, the prosecution and the prosecution of our troops with the Northern Ireland Legacy Act.

And this essentially recognised that because of the decisions that had followed the Good Friday Agreement, that it was it was impossible to achieve justice for the victims of Republican terrorism. And therefore an attempt was made through that act to achieve some balance. I think more could have been done, but nevertheless it was better than the act which was being brought before the bill that's being brought before the House next week. The merry go round of prosecutions is opening again, and as members have powerfully made the case, madam Deputy Speaker, this is not just about the injustice that is being perpetrated against our our forces.

It is about the defence of our country. This bill will harm the defence of the United Kingdom, because it will directly disincentivise young people from joining up and serving in our armed forces. So I do implore him, as a brave veteran himself, to put his former comrades ahead of the European Convention on Human Rights, and I will I hope he will consider it his duty not to support the bill next week.

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Jim Shannon. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Can I first of all, thank you for Can I first of all, thank you for calling me, but also declare an interest as a former member of the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Artillery for some 14.5 years Royal Artillery for some 14.5 years of part time service. I think I know, like others, what it's like to lose colleagues and loved ones
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Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)
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in the name of safety and security and democracy and freedom. I represent Strangford constituency. We're conscription was never needed. We were always a nation of volunteers, a constituency of volunteers. I know that I'm not the only person who was so upset to hear that, that 100 year old veteran saying last week questioned the sacrifice of his colleagues and his own. What a chord that struck to know that this man is looking around modern day UK and wondering what it was all for.

These men and women are the men and women to whom the flag means something, to whom loyalty to the Crown was worth shedding of blood. Who believed that the lives of those in their community was worthy of giving their life. They are the generation who went to work with. They knew what was needed. They worked hard. They played hard, and they're proud of their history and their heritage. I looked around my community, ravaged by terrorism and now watching those who protected them, being ravaged by vexatious attempts to rewrite history.

And they wonder, was it worth the blood that was shed? And I say the same. Yes, it was worth it. I look at my six grandchildren. I believe it was worth it. All is not lost, and them is the hope of this great United Kingdom, of Great Britain and Northern Ireland that works hard, plays hard, that keeps calm and carries on. And then with the stories of war heroes like me and live on. And then what we teach that they need not be ashamed for their pride in being British, that they need not apologise for being Ulster-Scots.

They need not apologise for being who they are. We talk of the greatest generation whilst we have the potential now to build our young people into being the best generation, and that is why it is worth it. That's why it's worth it in this chamber to make the decision to teach the lessons of the world wars and the Holocaust in every school in this great United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. That's why it's worth in this House to remember them and celebrate them.

And I do that today, along with others who have spoken. I think of these men and women, and I thank God for what they did. And I ask God for his help to raise a generation of young people, tomorrow's generation, my grandchildren and my children, and yours as well, are proud to be British, proud to stand against oppression, proud to undertake to be inclusive. And it's up to us in this House, I believe, to listen to that veteran, Allan Alec Penstone. He served his nation with courage and watched his friends being killed on D-Day.

We need to restore British values. British justice, British pride. The battle is essential to the future of this nation than we have ever fought. And I will fight alongside others to make sure for crown and country, for freedom and democracy, for justice and liberty, for the future of my children and my grandchildren and everyone's grandchildren. We remember the past. Of course we do. But we also look to the future with grateful thanks for those for that sacrifice, that give us freedom, that give us liberty and give us democracy that we can never forget.



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Thank you. Yeah. Shadow Minister David Reid. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

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Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. And it's a real privilege to close this general debate for His this general debate for His Majesty's loyal opposition on the contribution of the armed forces to mark remembrance. And I think we can all agree that it's even more special that this debate falls on Armistice Day. Before I begin, I
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David Reed Portrait David Reed MP (Exmouth and Exeter East, Conservative)
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Armistice Day. Before I begin, I want to place on record my thanks and the thanks of this side of the House to the Royal British Legion and to our armed Forces personnel and their families over this remembrance weekend. They have stood in the cold and the rain, something I think we all endured this weekend. They've organised parades, supported services in every community and ensured that people across the country could remember with dignity and pride. We are grateful for their service, not only this weekend, but every day.

Madam Deputy Speaker 107 years ago today, the guns finally fell silent on the Western Front, the First World War, which was said to be the war to end all wars, came to an end. The cost was unimaginable. Millions of men and women never returned and millions more came home. Forever changed. Families were torn apart, futures rewritten, and a generation carried grief that shaped the century that followed. Remembrance is our solemn promise to that sacrifice, and we will never forget it.

But remembrance is not exclusive. It belongs to all of us. Today we honour those who served in our armed forces from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, from every nation, every faith and every background. We honour the families who bore the burden of fear and separation. I think over the past 18 months, we've marked significant milestones in our national history, including the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and once again heard from the extraordinary men and women who served in the Second World War.

But we all know that that living link to history is fading. And as it fades, our responsibility to carry their stories forward only grows stronger. We do not remember to glorify war. We remember to understand its cost. We remember so that future generations understand why peace matters and why it must be protected with everything we have. Because we all know that the world is becoming more volatile, more unpredictable, and more dangerous. And history teaches us something simple and profound.

When nations forget the true price of conflict, they become far more vulnerable to repeating it. And we've heard many strong and heartfelt contributions from across the House today, starting with the chair of the Defence Select Committee. The Member for Slough talked about how our Armed forces personnel are deployed globally every day of the year, and they truly represent the best of British. The Member for Newport East raised a point around the Falklands campaign, raised an issue that her constituents face from the Welsh Guards around the Sir Galahad, and I hope the Minister and her closing remarks can shed some light on the hon.

Lady's request. The right hon. Member, my friend for Goole and Pocklington, talked about the bravery from one of his former units, the Special Forces, and saving lives in Iraq and other conflicts around the world, and the dangers of lawfare on their morale. Yeah. The hon. Member for Barrow and Furness her constituency has been the foundry and the beating heart for defence. And I want to pay tribute to her constituents that really are at the forefront of keeping us safe. My hon.

Friend the Member for Huntington spoke very powerfully about his time in Afghanistan on Herrick 11, and it's it's heart wrenching to hear the young ages of his fellow soldiers who lost their life on that battleground. The hon. Member for the Western Isles talked about the 80 foot, 85 foot granite tower. Sorry, providing a constant and visible reminder to his constituents about the cost of war. The hon. Member for North Devon raised a very important point that remembrance, this time in November, is one of the only times in the calendar that civil society gets the chance to look at our armed forces, and it's imperative that we strengthen that link wherever we can.

The hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North talked about military personnel transitioning into civilian life. And again, I hope that this Parliament, we can strengthen that as much as possible. My hon. Friend, the Member for Spelthorne, I think we all know he's a man that was decorated in multiple wars. He's an experienced soldier and officer, and I really hope that the government will listen to the words that he says. We've had some other brilliant contributions from the Member for Stirling and Strathallan, for Angus and Perthshire Glens, for Stevenage.

My right hon. Friend the Member for New Forest East. I think we all know that he's an expert on security and defence matters, and he really enriches debates when he comes in and talks about those issues. Other contributions for the member from St Helens North, my hon. Friend for Brigg and Immingham, for Bromley and Biggin Hill, the hon. Member for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard for Melksham and Devizes, the hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead. He's an experienced aviator from the RAF and he raises a salient point that remembrance belongs to all of us.

The hon. Member for Upper Bann highlighted the contribution of her countrymen and countrywomen from Northern Ireland. The significant contribution the hon. Member for Colchester and align myself with her remarks around our formidable Gurkha force. The hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell, for Stratford, for Stratford upon Avon, for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, for Ynys Mon, for Portsmouth North, for Tewkesbury, for Scarborough and Whitby. The hon. Member for Taunton and Wellington. And the hon. Member for South East Cornwall, a fellow South-West MP.

And again I align myself with her comments that defence going forwards can be a real engine for growth and I look forward to working with her on that. This Parliament, we've had some final contributions from the Member for North Antrim and the Member for East Wiltshire. Madam Deputy Speaker, I want to take the last few minutes to raise an important aspect of remembrance that I believe this House must confront more openly. Remembrance must not be limited to the conflicts that are easy to talk about, the ones where history gives us a clean narrative and a clean moral outcome.

When we talk about the Second World War, the story is instinctively understood democracy and freedom prevailing over fascism and tyranny. Although the human cost was unbearable, the outcome was unambiguous. It is a conflict we can speak about with pride and respect. But I think the challenge for our country going forward is how we remember, with the same respect and dignity, the conflicts where the outcome was less clear. Now, I rarely speak publicly about my own service, but now that I'm in this house, I do feel a responsibility to speak up for my generation of soldiers friends who were sent to war by decisions made in this House.

I really believe that the British state needs to talk more openly about the recent conflicts in which we have asked our young men and women to serve, including but not limited to, Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. These are conflicts without victory, parades, without neat endings, and without a universally agreed narrative. And because they are complex, we sometimes avoid speaking about them altogether. And Madam Deputy Speaker, the silence has consequences. There is a growing feeling in parts of the veterans community, and I hear it when I meet fellow former Royal Marines who served in places like Northern Ireland.

And when I speak to those who I served alongside in Afghanistan, a feeling summed up in two painful questions what was it all for? And does my country still have my back? As someone who served in Afghanistan during a period that is now under intense legal scrutiny, I cannot pretend that those questions do not sting. I serve my country. I have pride in the way in which we conducted ourselves. Yet sometimes it feels as though the country I serve now wants to paint me and others like me as something we are not.

We risk creating a culture in which those who serve feel judged rather than honoured. Where stereotypes replace understanding and where assumptions replace gratitude, there is a deep and genuine fear among veterans that the nation no longer stands behind them. And I know that the Minister responding also served, and I hope she will take these comments in the constructive spirit in which they are offered, from one veteran to another. And I will not turn this remembrance debate into debate on current politics.

But the letter written yesterday, which has been highlighted by many or many honourable and right hon. Members yesterday by four nine star generals, by nine four star general sorry warning about lawfare and its impact on our armed forces should be a wake up call for the government. Legislation affecting those who served deserves full and open debate in this House. Most people who joined our armed forces do so out of service and that service to our country. We must remember that.

And let us be clear that the courage shown in recent conflicts is equal to the courage shown in any war in our national history. The sacrifice is the same. The cost to the families is the same. These young men and women went there because this house sent them. They answered the call of Parliament. They put on their uniform, knowing the risks. Some return with life changing injuries, and too many did not return at all. We must not allow the complexities of a conflict to diminish the honour of those who serve.

Their courage is not defined by the outcome of a war, but the character they showed when our country asked them to go.
21:47
Louise Sandher-Jones Portrait Louise Sandher-Jones MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (North East Derbyshire, Labour)
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Winchester Louise Jones. Today we have honoured generations of servicemen and women who have put their lives on the line for their country, and I am grateful to members on all sides who have spoken with such passion and feeling about a subject that I know they value so highly. We say that on Remembrance Sunday, when millions of people come together, ordinary men and women standing in the silent autumn air, bound by common values and shared grief, just as they did in November 1921, when the first poppy appeal was launched.

Back then, 9 million copies were sold. Today, over 40 million poppies are distributed each year, and that unity is our strength, and it's a unity reflected in this House today as well. My honourable and gallant friend, the Minister for the Armed Forces began the debate with a powerful reminder of the 80 year legacy of freedom and prosperity inherited from that greatest of generations who battled the tyranny of Nazism in World War Two. We've heard many heartfelt contributions from members on all sides who stressed how fiercely proud they are of the people who serve in our military and across defence.

I was hugely honoured to represent defence alongside Scotland's First Minister in the Secretary of State for Scotland at the Stone of Remembrance in Edinburgh on Sunday. As I stood there, I felt the same bond of allegiance shared with people across the whole of the UK who had gathered on the 11th hour that day. I thought of my constituency, North East Derbyshire, where every town and village from Clay Cross to Dronfield to Killamarsh has at its heart a war memorial with names carved in stone.

I thought of my constituent, Corporal Liam Riley, who grew up in Killamarsh and lost his life fighting for our country in Afghanistan. I thought of attending a memorial service when I was at school for Second Lieutenant Joe Dyer, who was a previous pupil there who was killed in Iraq alongside Corporal Chris O'Neill, Private Eleanor Drogosz and Kingsman Adam James Smith. And I thought of my own time in uniform. I've attended many different remembrance services over the years, and I can recall my first Remembrance Sunday in the Army on exercise in Wales.

Myself and my fellow young officer cadets pausing from a hectic schedule of platoon attacks to gather in an empty farmyard for a simple drumhead ceremony. Standing there shoulder to shoulder in the Welsh rain, belting out bread of Heaven, I really felt a deeper connection, not just to those men and women stood beside me, but to all those who had gone before and all those who have followed after. I also think of the remembrance event I attended whilst deployed to Afghanistan, gathered around the memorial in the British Embassy in Kabul, this time in the bright sun, to pause and reflect with the sounds of the city all around us.

I would also like to take a quick moment to reflect on the MoD teams who do such vital work to ensure that all of those who have fallen in foreign fields and remain missing are traced and brought back home. Brought back home, which I know that some colleagues have talked about today. This thread of service runs unbroken through a century of profound change. The young men and women who fought at the Somme could scarcely imagine the nature of conflict today with cyber warfare, autonomous weapons operations conducted at the speed of light.

Yet the fundamental commitment remains constant to defend our nation and protect our freedoms. At a time when threats to security are rising, it is incumbent on us all to consider the weight of responsibility on our military and do what we can to share the burden, no matter how big or small. And for example, our reserve and cadet forces perform such a vital role connecting defence with wider society. And I was particularly proud to see so many cadets doing such a fantastic job at the remembrance events that I attended.

They were joined by reservists across the country who are twice the citizen, for giving up their free time to serve the nation in uniform. And indeed, I'm hugely humbled in my job to meet such an extraordinary number of people and organisations who do work all year round to support our armed forces and veterans such as the Royal British Legion and the 40,000 volunteers who sell poppies. The charities which raise critical funds and provide so much support to veterans in the armed Forces community. Those who work with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to maintain military graves to the highest of standards all around the world, and we thank them all for their outstanding contribution.

I'm also proud that yesterday, the day before Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day today, that we announced our new Veterans Strategy, which is a milestone in our plans to reconnect, to reset the nation's contract with remarkable men and women who have served, and to ensure that all their service is properly honoured. We'll help veterans after their military service is over and support them in key areas like health, housing, employment and justice. Now, let me turn to the points raised in the debate.

The Honourable right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green spoke movingly about the marked increase in the number of people attending ceremonies, something which I myself have noticed and recognise. Also thank the hon. Member for Chichester for speaking so movingly of her lost best friend in Afghanistan. The Member for York Outer spoke very well about Cadet Joshua and the role he played and of course the Lord mayor, Councillor Martin Rowley, the honourable right hon. Member for Raleigh and and Wickford, spoke very movingly about the broad spectrum of conflicts and many of the forgotten that we have lost, and how we must make sure that we strengthen our armed forces to face the threats of today and tomorrow.

The right hon. Member for Slough spoke very movingly of the importance of the support we must give to our veterans regarding housing. And indeed, he spoke also of the harassment of some women in the armed forces, something which I take very personally. The hon. Member for Newport East raised an important point about representing the Welsh Guards, who served on Sir Galahad, and I know that we can arrange for her to meet with the Minister responsible, the right hon.

Member and gallant member for Goole and Pocklington, and indeed the hon. Member for Spelthorne, referred to the letter by the nine four star generals. And I would say that my colleague had offered to meet with those generals and they had declined. But I would like to reiterate his offer to meet with those generals again, to offer a balanced point of view. The hon. Member for Barrow and Furness spoke very movingly of her late grandfather and indeed the vital work. Her constituency does particularly want to thank the hon.

Member for Huntingdon for his very moving speech. And I think when he read out the names of those who had fallen in Afghanistan, it really brings home the power that they really don't grow old as we that are left grow old. The hon. Member for. Aaliyah. Spoke very movingly of the stories from his constituency and the importance of remembering all of those who fell, and the hon. Member for North Devon spoke very well of his constituents. Major Joe Martin, do such valuable work to support the cadets.

The hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire South spoke very important, spoke very powerfully about the importance of our war memorials and indeed the charity in his constituency offering employment support. The Erskine Charity. And again, it was great to hear the story of Margaret Fleming, a very powerful story of her family and what she lost from the hon. Member for Stirling and Strathallan. I'd also like to thank the Member for Angus and Perthshire Glens for particularly recognising the service of women and men in the wider war effort, something that we must always remember.

The hon. Member for Stevenage spoke very powerfully about the importance of historians and and the importance of remembering our local history as well as national. The member, hon. Member for New Forest East spoke about the War widow service, that I have never felt more privileged to doing this job than to be able to attend that and stand alongside so many very strong women. And indeed, who could forget Lennon and Ruby at the Festival of Remembrance, walking in memory of their father, the hon.

Member for Immingham spoke very movingly about Grimsby chums and indeed the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent. North also spoke very movingly about the stories of his constituents, particularly that of the unmarked grave. The the hon. Member for Bromley and Biggin Hill. It was fantastic to hear about the heroic efforts of RAF Biggin Hill and the hon. Member and Leighton Buzzard spoke very well about Q central, something that I'm particularly interested in given my particular service history. The honourable from Melksham and Devizes.

It was great to hear of the fundraising peddled to Eep, which is no small distance. I was also particularly proud to hear from the honourable and gallant friend for Leyton and Wanstead, a man of remarkable service, and it was fantastic to hear him talk so movingly about the importance of black servicemen and women. The hon. Lady, the Member for Upper Bann was is a very proud voice, speaking about the very proud history of service in her constituency and a proud history of service also related by the hon.

Member for Colchester. With a mere 2000 years to recognise the hon. Member for Epsom, and Ewell spoke very powerfully about a number of issues and I will, of course meet with her to discuss with them. I'm sure she appreciates I can't go into them now. The honourable, my hon. Friend from Stafford spoke very movingly about her family and the Scottish soldiers, which is a fantastic charity. The hon. Lady, the Member for Stratford upon Avon, spoke very well about the RAF Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, and the courage of that unit is indeed immense.

I'd also like to thank the hon. Member for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, for the very powerful accounts of the history of his family, and indeed for recognising the service of Jewish service personnel. The hon. Lady, the Member for Ynys Mon spoke very well about the importance of Welsh veterans, and was a very powerful advocate for the importance of supporting those veterans. And I take her points. The hon. Lady for Portsmouth North spoke very movingly about her family history, and I know that she's very proud of her serving son and indeed a very proud advocate for Portsmouth and the Royal Navy.

The hon. Member for Tewkesbury spoke very movingly about what remembrance is about. And as a veteran who's also washed up here, I very much appreciated his words. They were very authentic and heartfelt. The hon. Member for Taunton and Wellington again spoke very movingly, and I very much wish

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William Spiller a happy 100th birthday for December. By text.

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By text. The hon. Member for South East Cornwall spoke very well of her constituency's strong links to the constituency's strong links to the Armed Forces, and the hon. Member for North Antrim gave a very powerful account of Robert Quigg, really exemplifying the huge importance of selfless service. The hon. Member for East Wiltshire hon. Member for East Wiltshire spoke of his constituency's huge military presence and the importance of defending veterans, and I would note that cold calling of veterans is something that we are specifically stopping.

And then the hon. Member for Strangford spoke very well of making sure that the next generation is the best generation, something which I can generation, something which I can wholeheartedly agree with. And lastly, I thank the Shadow Minister for his heartfelt speech about the for his heartfelt speech about the lasting impact of World War One. And I think he is right. As a And I think he is right. As a fellow veteran of Afghanistan, I think I personally find it quite difficult to speak about that conflict and its wider significance.

conflict and its wider significance. And I know that it is very important that we do. Finally, just important that we do. Finally, just to finish up today, we have come together to say thank you to those who have served and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. And I want to say thank you to all of the members who are here today. You have upheld this House's proud tradition, proud tradition of honouring the service and sacrifice of our armed forces. On the anniversary of Armistice Day.

We will always remember them here.

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The question is that this House has considered remembrance and the has considered remembrance and the contribution of the armed forces. As many as are of that opinion, say aye of the contrary. No, I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it.
22:00
Kirsty Blackman Portrait Points of Order Kirsty Blackman MP (Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party)
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the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Point of order, Kirsty Blackman. Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. Earlier today, the Secretary of

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Earlier today, the Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions made a statement. During the statement, he said, During the statement, he said, since then, as part of the legal proceedings challenging the government's decision, evidence has been cited about research findings from a 2007 report. This was a DWP evaluation of the effectiveness of Automatic Pension Forecast Letters. Had this report been provided to my right hon. Friend, she would of course, have considered it alongside all other relevant evidence and material.

And then he went on to say, I have, of course, asked the Department if there is any further survey material or other evidence which should be brought to my attention. As part of the process, I press the Secretary of State on whether the information had been cited by the WASPI women, or whether the information had been cited by the Department for Work and Pensions, and was unable to get a clear answer. However, WASPI women have since contacted me and told me that they provided the report to the the court proceedings.

The report that was provided by the WASPI women is called the Department for Work and Pensions Research Report number 434. It is called Attitudes to Pensions. The 2006 survey that was published in 2007, and during the speech that was made by the former Secretary of State in announcing that they would not be compensating WASPI women. In December 2024, the former Secretary of State, who is now the Secretary of State for DSIT, said the so does not properly take into account research from 2006 showing that 90% of women aged 45 to 54 were aware that the state pension age was increasing.

The quote, and the numbers about the 45 to 50%, the 90% of women aged 45 to 54 comes from this research report that was published. This is a document that the former Secretary of State did not have. According to the current Secretary of State, and therefore now new decisions need to be made. It needs to be looked at again. I'm struggling to understand how we can get more information Madam Deputy Speaker on whether this was indeed the report mentioned whether the former Secretary of State did have that report, and if she didn't have the report, how was she able to quote the report when she made her

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statement in December 2024? To this House? I'm grateful to the hon. Lady for having given notice of her for having given notice of her point of order, and I take it that she has notified both the Secretary of State at the DWP and indeed the of State at the DWP and indeed the former Secretary of State of the DWP, of her intention to refer to them in the chamber. This, as she will know, is not a matter for the chair, but she has put her point chair, but she has put her point very much on the record and I'm sure the Treasury bench will have

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sure the Treasury bench will have noted her comments. Petition Mark Garnier. Thank you very much, Madam
22:03
None Portrait Petitions
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Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise to present the petition on behalf of over 600 of my constituents in Stourport on of my constituents in Stourport on Severn in Wyre Forest, whose lives and services are being adversely affected by unwelcome development in the neighbouring Malvern Hills District Council. Because Malvern Hills District Council has no local plan, the Planning Inspectorate is allowing otherwise refused planning applications to go ahead within the wider reach of Stockport. The petitioners, therefore, requested the House of Commons urge the government to encourage Malvern Hills District Council to prioritise the protection of agricultural land in its local Plan to reject multi-dwelling planning applications within one mile of Areley Kings, and to secure a full highway impact assessment for the historic Stockport Bridge crossing to any future developments and the petitioners remain, etc.

Yeah. petitioners remain, etc. Yeah.

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Thank you. Thank you. Petition planning applications

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in Stourport on Severn. Thank you.

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Petition, Mr. Jonathan Brash. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, this evening I am presenting a this evening I am presenting a petition on behalf of the people of Hartlepool to register their total opposition to the current council opposition to the current council tax system, a system that is deeply regressive, that is, attacks on deprivation and that hammers towns like Hartlepool. It is a system that doesn't work. Not for councils, not for government, and certainly not for government, and certainly not for the 1276 people from Hartlepool who signed this petition.

Hartlepool who signed this petition. I am proud to present their signatures and their voices here today. They are demanding change. I today. They are demanding change. I am demanding change and we must deliver change. The petitioners, therefore, request that the House therefore, request that the House of Commons urges the government to look into all appropriate measures to fix the broken council tax to fix the broken council tax system, to establish a fairer system for residents and local authorities, and the petitioners remain, etc.



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Thank you. Petition Council tax

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reform. I'd like to move that this House do now adjourn.

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do now adjourn. The question is this House do now adjourn Dan Carden.

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now adjourn Dan Carden. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It's an honour to follow the debate
22:06
Dan Carden Portrait Dan Carden MP (Liverpool Walton, Labour)
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It's an honour to follow the debate we've just had in this House on remembrance and the contribution of the armed forces, and to have joined the public in marking Remembrance Sunday at Saint George's Hall. In Liverpool this weekend. And I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead this debate on blood transfusions during the Falklands War. The reason I have secured this debate is primarily to tell a story, a rather remarkable story, on behalf of one of my constituents, a veteran of the Falklands War.

It is the story of blood transfusions which saved a life. But, as he later discovered, came at a profound cost. My constituent, who prefers to remain anonymous, was a young man with third Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, and in 1982 his life was on the cusp of a new chapter. He was engaged to be married, but the outbreak of war put his future on hold, and in the early hours of the 12th of June, during the fierce overnight fighting for Mount Longdon, he was severely wounded, and after a ten hour wait, evacuated to the hospital ship SS

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Uganda. I'd be pleased to give way. Madam Deputy Speaker, I commend the hon. Gentleman for Liverpool Walton for bringing this forward. I Walton for bringing this forward. I spoke to him beforehand. Does the hon. Member not agree that the story of these those service British servicemen saved through donations from the hospital ship, donations from the hospital ship, is one of those times where honour and war was demonstrated? And does the hon. Member not agree that we the hon. Member not agree that we must ensure that every man and woman trained to serve under our flag knows the obligation of duty and honour when they wear that noble uniform?

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noble uniform? I'm grateful to my hon. Friend, and absolutely I'm going to come on and develop further the points that and develop further the points that he has made. But to return to the story of my constituent after that story of my constituent after that ten hour delay and his move to the hospital ship SS Uganda, he recalls hospital ship SS Uganda, he recalls waking from surgery to a nurse at his bedside who told him, and I quote from his own testimony that quote from his own testimony that he had been filled up with Argentine blood.

At the time. He Argentine blood. At the time. He thought nothing of it. He was simply grateful to be alive, surrounded as he was, by those who surrounded as he was, by those who were more seriously injured, and knowing that many of his comrades were not so lucky, he accepted it and he got on with his life. He eventually married in 1985, and he and his wife have just celebrated 40 years of marriage. However, the consequences of that life saving transfusion emerged years later 1993 after donating his.

After donating, he was diagnosed with hepatitis B. His wife and children were required to undergo preventative vaccinations, and later he endured a brutal battle with kidney cancer, losing both kidneys and surviving five years on dialysis until life saving transplant in 2017. Throughout this, the question of the origin of his hepatitis B lingered. Reports about the infected blood scandal back here at home resonated deeply with my constituents. Yet he finds himself in a cruel paradox the Ministry of Defence, the institution he served, has so far refused to even acknowledge the fact that he received Argentine blood, saying only that it does not hold any recorded information related to drunk blood transfusions during the Falklands War.

And so, determined to get to the truth, my constituent began to conduct research into the events surrounding his blood transfusion. I must say, the evidence he has gathered is astonishing. Records, telegrams, photographs and testimonies from all of the people involved that evidence pieces together a timeline of events which I wish to share with the House tonight. And first, we must understand the logistical reality aboard the SS Uganda. Prior to my constituents injury on the 28th of April 1982, the ship took aboard 360 units of blood from the Army Blood Supply Depot at Ascension Island.

Records kept by the ship's crew, which my constituent has obtained, show that by the 10th of June, after expiries and transfers to other units, the SS Uganda was left with just 46 units of blood. On the 4th of June 1982, the senior medical officer of the SS Uganda, Surgeon Surgeon Captain Andrew Rintoul, had met with the captain of the Argentine ship, the the Ara Pozzo. Captain rentals own written account confirms that the Argentines generously offered to supply Uganda if urgently needed, in accordance with Geneva rules, that urgent need arrived just days later, when the SS Uganda received 160 new British casualties, mainly from the bombing of the r f a Sir Galahad on the 8th of June.

The numbers speak for themselves. How could 46 units possibly treat so many severely wounded patients? Second, we have testimony from the medical professionals involved from the British side. A senior nursing officer who served aboard the SS Uganda told my constituents that she was aware that some supplies came from the Argentine hospital ships. Another SS Uganda nurse recalls the unique encounter with the Bay of Paraiso, stating that blood was obtained from them for British patients from the Argentine side, the evidence is even more direct.

My constituent has contacted several doctors aboard the Ara Bay Paraiso, the biochemical lieutenant, who stated that the Argentines did provide a considerable number of sachets of blood to the SS Uganda. He said and I quote, I swore the traditional and ancient Hippocratic Oath. For that reason, both you and we treat the wounded regardless of which side they belong to. Another Argentine doctor who physically visited the SS Uganda by the via the Bay Paraiso's Puma E506 helicopter was asked whether English patients received Argentine blood.

His answer was simple and definitive yes sir, they received Argentine blood. We brought it to them. My constituent also managed to contact the sergeant aboard the helicopter, who confirmed and I quote, on June 10th, 1982, we transported 250l of blood from the hospital ship Ara Bay appraisal to a hospital ship, SS Uganda. We met several times to exchange wounded and medicines. A great example of military medical care in combat. In fact, the exchange was commended in Argentine media as part of the 40th anniversary of the war.

My constituent has dozens of photographs showing the Puma E506 helicopter landing on the SS Uganda. British and Argentine doctors and crew members pictured together aboard the SS Uganda and the SS Uganda plaque gifted to the Ara appraisal in thanks. It is important to state clearly that my constituent holds no ill will towards the medical staff, British or Argentine, who saved his life. He is grateful they acted under extreme duress of war, making a humanitarian choice in the best interests of their patients.

Yet this act of salvation also had lifelong consequences for him. And if it happened to him, it's likely that others among the hundreds of casualties treated after that date were similarly exposed. Should there not be an effort to identify and contact the veterans to ensure they, too, are aware the exchange between the Ara Bay appraisal and SS Uganda is no secret. It is a documented historical event. The evidence provided by my constituent is overwhelming, credible and drawn from multiple sources, and all he is asking is for the Ministry of Defence to acknowledge what the evidence so compellingly demonstrates.

The refusal to do so is a heavy burden for him. It prevents him from achieving closure and from potentially seeking the specific recognition and support that he may be available that may be available to him for a service related illness. So I ask the Minister this evening, my ask to the Minister this evening is simple. For the truth to be officially recognised, and I urge the Minister to meet with my constituents and me to review the extensive dossier of evidence he has so painstakingly assembled over the years.

Then may we finally recognise what the historical record already shows that he and others received Argentine blood transfusions on the SS Uganda. This is about recording a veteran the simple dignity of truth. He served his country with great honour. He bore the physical and psychological wounds of that service, and the very least he deserves, is for his country to look at the facts and acknowledge what happened. And I hope the Minister tonight can give him in this House a commitment to do just that.

Thank you.

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Minister Louis Sarah Jones. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
22:16
Louise Sandher-Jones Portrait Louise Sandher-Jones MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (North East Derbyshire, Labour)
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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank my hon. Friend, the Member for Liverpool Walton for securing this important debate and for this important debate and for raising the case of his constituent. And it is indeed rather apt that we're holding this debate on Armistice Day and so soon after Remembrance Sunday, when people the length and breadth of the UK have come together to commemorate the fallen. As a veteran myself, I would like to start my remarks this evening by thanking his constituent for his years of service to our country and in particular, his contribution to the Falklands War and to restoring sovereignty to the people of the Falklands, which came at a huge personal cost to his constituent, his courage and the courage and sacrifice demonstrated by all those who served in the Falklands War shall never be forgotten.

I need to be clear at the outset that I am limited in the extent to which I can go into your constituents particular case, but I do hope that the information I have, and whilst it can never undo the harms caused by infected blood, will provide some measure of reassurance to his constituents that there is a clear route to compensation for members of our armed forces who received infected blood. Because the Infected Blood Inquiry report, which laid bare the details of the national infected blood scandal, explicitly set out that the infected blood compensation scheme includes provision for individuals who received infected blood during armed forces treatment overseas, which does include veterans of the Falklands War.

As I say, no amount of money can undo the damage caused to people's lives. However, this government is determined that the infected blood compensation scheme will be there to bring redress to those who have been impacted, and it's important to note that the compensation scheme does not have hard cut off dates for determining whether a person is eligible based on when their infection was acquired. All evidence will be assessed independently on the balance of probabilities. So therefore, whilst the scheme does acknowledge the introduction of screening for hepatitis B started in December 1972 before the Falklands War, before the start of the Falklands War, it does not preclude claims that demonstrate they fell outside of the screening programme.

In terms of process. The infected blood compensation scheme is delivered by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, which is the body responsible for handling claims and making payments, and the assessments that they make are based on the scheme's regulations, and it operates independently of the Ministry of Defence and other government departments. The authority began making payments to infected people in 2024, and last month it launched the registration service for those who wish to to make a claim. So I would encourage his constituents and any other Falklands veterans who believe they may have been infected through blood transfusion, to register with this service.

I think it's also important that I address the issue of veterans medical records and acknowledge that historical records from the early 1980s are not up to modern standards, and are often incomplete. This should not discourage affected veterans from applying for the infected blood compensation scheme because, again, as I repeat, the infected Blood Compensation Authority will consider all available evidence. Yes, of course.

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As an officer of the APPG on Infected Blood, I would just like Infected Blood, I would just like in support of what the Minister is saying and the advice that she's giving to confirm that the contact giving to confirm that the contact I've had with Ibca, the compensation authority, has been compensation authority, has been very positive and they seem to want to engage very much on a personal to engage very much on a personal basis with people who have suffered in this way.

And he really should in this way. And he really should advise his constituent to take up this offer, to engage with the this offer, to engage with the authority. And I think he will be pleasantly surprised at the positive response he will get.

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positive response he will get. Winchester I thank the hon. Member for his intervention in relation specifically to blood transfusions aboard SS Uganda during the Falklands War. The Mod has made extensive enquiries and concluded that it does not hold information in relation to these. And I wish to reiterate, I'm And I wish to reiterate, I'm speaking here about mod files rather than other forms of evidence, which I know as he has said exists. which I know as he has said exists.

It also is concluded that any detailed information on the source of Claire Hughes is unlikely to of Claire Hughes is unlikely to have been recorded in medical records during this period. Whilst most of our veterans go on to live healthy and successful lives after leaving the armed force, yes.

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I'm grateful to the Minister and to my hon. Friend opposite for his to my hon. Friend opposite for his guidance. I think the frustration my constituent has is the extensive research that he has done, the research that he has done, the people he has spoken to, the evidence that he has been able to amass. And I think what he would amass. And I think what he would really appreciate is if the Minister would commit to some time, some time and energy from her, her

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some time and energy from her, her department to be given to some of the evidence that he has acquired. Thank you. Thank you sir.

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Thank you sir. I will just come on to that in a moment. Sir. Thank you for his intervention. I would just like to intervention. I would just like to reiterate that the Mod Veterans Welfare Service supports veterans and their dependents with and their dependents with increasing needs around disability, housing and subsistence, and the War Pension Scheme is available for War Pension Scheme is available for service related injuries and conditions. When I served, I wanted to know that I would receive the to know that I would receive the best possible medical treatment for service related conditions, and I expect the same for those that serve today.

And I can reassure the House that the UK Defence Medical Services is now a global leader in operational blood management, operational blood management, providing world class assurance and governance of blood products, including in deployed settings. The Centre of Defence Pathology monitors and evaluates the blood management system to ensure the safety of blood products in deployed settings, including recording full details of the transit, storage and use of every unit of blood. This level of tracking and governance was not in place during the Falklands War, but is now standard practice.

I will just conclude by summarising the key points. Veterans of the Falklands War are eligible to claim compensation from the infected blood compensation scheme, and that there are no hard cut off dates that would automatically exclude claims based on when an infection was acquired. Evidence will be independently assessed on the balance of probabilities, and incomplete medical records do not automatically disqualify a claim, and I would encourage his constituents and any other veterans in a similar position to register with the Infected Blood Compensation Authority's registration service.

And I will say at this point, of course, I will meet with him and his constituent, talk about the work that he has undertaken and to hear his story, because the sacrifices and service of Falklands veterans like his constituent will never be forgotten. This government is committed to supporting all our veterans because they have served our country with courage and dedication, and they deserve our

**** Possible New Speaker ****

support in return. The question is that this House

**** Possible New Speaker ****

The question is that this House do now adjourn. As many as are of that opinion, say aye. The ayes
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