United Kingdom Military Installations

Ian Roome Excerpts

Thursday 12th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Luke Pollard]

My hon. Friend’s work on what he describes as the “Putin tax” is a really important contribution, because there is a deliberate attempt by adversaries to load costs and difficulties on to the United Kingdom and our allies by posing such dilemmas. The House will be familiar with some of those asymmetrical, grey zone activities, and we have disclosed that there has been Russian and adversary activity. Such activity results in a cost to the UK taxpayer and to the defence budget, and his work is helping to tell the public about the amazing work our security services and armed forces do in countering that risk, but also about the tactics of the Russian Government.

[Ian Roome (North Devon) (LD)]

A US official was quoted by NBC News saying that American armed forces personnel at RAF Mildenhall are under “enhanced force protection measures”, including much stricter ID and vehicle checks. Given that some aircraft have been moved via Prestwick airport in Scotland, can the Minister confirm that enhanced security is in place there, too?

[Luke Pollard]

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his promotion in the Liberal Democrat reshuffle to shadow Minister for veterans—an important topic that I know he cares about deeply. As he will appreciate, I cannot comment on individual security arrangements for bases at specific locations, but I can confirm to the House that we keep all our base security arrangements under review and continue to invest in them.