Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to support veterans families in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
This Government is committed to ensuring that veterans and their families are easily able to access support in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire and across the country, when and where it is needed. Late last year we launched a new Veterans Strategy which recognises veterans as a national asset and resets the nation’s relationship with those who have served.
Alongside this, we launched the £50 million VALOUR programme, which will make it easier for veterans to access the care and support they deserve, and we confirmed £12 million for the continuation of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme.
In addition, dedicated supported is available to veterans through Ops FORTITUDE, COURAGE, RESTORE, ASCEND and NOVA as well as through programmes such as the Career Transition Partnership.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with his South African counterpart on the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State for Defence has not recently directly discussed the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) with any of his counterparts from other CWGC member nations.
The Secretary of State, as the de-facto Chair of the Commission, is usually represented by the Defence Services Secretary at the quarterly CWGC Commissioners meetings. These are attended by the High Commissioners of each of the CWGC’s member nations, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa. Their presence ensures a consistent link between the Commission and the Governments of its member nations. The next meeting is scheduled to held on 3 December 2025 where key aspects of the Commission’s ongoing and future work will be discussed.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with his Indian counterpart on the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State for Defence has not recently directly discussed the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) with any of his counterparts from other CWGC member nations.
The Secretary of State, as the de-facto Chair of the Commission, is usually represented by the Defence Services Secretary at the quarterly CWGC Commissioners meetings. These are attended by the High Commissioners of each of the CWGC’s member nations, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa. Their presence ensures a consistent link between the Commission and the Governments of its member nations. The next meeting is scheduled to held on 3 December 2025 where key aspects of the Commission’s ongoing and future work will be discussed.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with his counterparts in the African Union on the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State for Defence has not recently directly discussed the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) with any of his counterparts from other CWGC member nations.
The Secretary of State, as the de-facto Chair of the Commission, is usually represented by the Defence Services Secretary at the quarterly CWGC Commissioners meetings. These are attended by the High Commissioners of each of the CWGC’s member nations, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa. Their presence ensures a consistent link between the Commission and the Governments of its member nations. The next meeting is scheduled to held on 3 December 2025 where key aspects of the Commission’s ongoing and future work will be discussed.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with his Australian counterpart on the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Secretary of State for Defence has not recently directly discussed the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) with any of his counterparts from other CWGC member nations.
The Secretary of State, as the de-facto Chair of the Commission, is usually represented by the Defence Services Secretary at the quarterly CWGC Commissioners meetings. These are attended by the High Commissioners of each of the CWGC’s member nations, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa. Their presence ensures a consistent link between the Commission and the Governments of its member nations. The next meeting is scheduled to held on 3 December 2025 where key aspects of the Commission’s ongoing and future work will be discussed.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what financial support the Government has provided the Commonwealth War Graves Commission since July 2024.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Government provided £59.24 million to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission during the Financial Year 2024-25.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussion he has had with his Norwegian counterpart on defence co-operation.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
There are regular discussions between UK and Norwegian Defence Ministers and our defence and security relationship is stronger than ever. A Norwegian frigate has participated throughout the UK's 2025 Carrier Strike Group deployment and our Royal Marines have trained in Norway for over 50 years.
Most recently, the Defence Secretary met his Norwegian counterpart on 4 September 2025 in Stavanger to sign the Capability Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) underpinning Norway’s decision to procure a minimum of five Type 26 frigates. As well as marking the beginning of a new strategic partnership with Norway, this deal will provide a £10 billion boost to the UK economy. It also delivers on the Government’s Plan for Change, supporting over 4,000 jobs and safeguarding ship building on the Clyde until 2040.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the (a) purpose and (b) efficacy of the AUKUS programme.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and economic growth in communities across all three nations.
As one of our closest allies, the Defence Secretary and US Secretary of War have regular engagements where they discuss a number of matters, including AUKUS. The UK continues to work closely with the US and Australia at all levels to maximise the benefits and opportunities which AUKUS presents for our three nations.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that the work of the National Army Museum is accessible to communities in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
I will answer the hon. Member's Question on behalf of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as the National Army Museum (NAM) which is located in Chelsea, London is sponsored by the Ministry of Defence. The NAM works tirelessly to ensure the stories of soldiers and their service in the British Army throughout the centuries, here and around the world, are accessible to all, including the communities in Newcastle-under Lyme and Staffordshire.
To ensure the story of the British Army is accessible to as many as possible, the entry to and exhibits within the museum are free. It also has a large variety of free digital resources from dedicated pages for different Regiments on its website including those with Staffordshire connections, social media channels which communicate stories and research to global audiences and extensive online collections of information, objects, archives, and artwork in which work is being conducted for it to be further expanded.
The NAM also provides support to a network of Regimental and Corps museums around the country, including the Staffordshire Regiment Museum in Lichfield.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the leadership of the Royal Air Forces Association on its charitable work.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Royal Air Force (RAF) enjoys a long-standing and collaborative relationship with the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) recognising the critical role the organisation plays in supporting the RAF community, including Serving Personnel, veterans, and their families.
RAFA provides a wide range of welfare and community services, including mental health support, financial assistance, and social engagement opportunities. The RAF works closely with RAFA to ensure these services are accessible and effective, fostering a shared commitment to the well-being of the RAF family. The RAF actively engages with RAFA through a variety of activities and initiatives at all levels and takes advantage of every opportunity that arises to work with the charity.
Furthermore, the RAF regularly engages in formal settings with RAF charities, including RAFA, such as the biannual Deputy Chief of the Air Staff’s Charity Forum, the Charitable Stakeholders meeting, workshops, research symposiums and events. There has been a recent focus on developing a RAF Charities Charter and working closely with the RAF Families Federation, parented by RAFA, to provide a critical confidential channel for personnel and families who are committed to improving the quality of life for the RAF family, at home and overseas.
This close partnership ensures that the RAF and RAFA work in unison to address the needs of the RAF community, both past and present. The RAF remains hugely grateful for RAFA’s unwavering support and looks forward to continuing this vital collaboration in the years to come.