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Category: Defence

  • Jeremy Quin – 2020 Statement on Defence Estate

    Jeremy Quin – 2020 Statement on Defence Estate

    The statement made by Jeremy Quin, the Minister for Defence Procurement, in the House of Commons on 17 November 2020.

    The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to deliver on its 25-year strategy to modernise its estate.

    As part of this work we wish to confirm programme changes to individual sites: The disposal of DSG Colchester can be brought forward one year to 2021; the disposal of Middlewick Ranges also in Colchester will however be delayed by one year to 2022; the disposal of Fort Blockhouse 1 in Gosport will be delayed by at least three years to not before 2023; and the disposal of the remainder of the Southwick Park site in Fareham will be delayed to 2031. These delays are to meet military requirements.

    We are also exchanging two parcels of land as part of the Forthside Stirling disposal to create a more sensible proposition for future development and will be enclaving Napier Lines at Woolwich Barracks as the long-term home for the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. The disposal of the remainder of both sites will continued as planned.

    There is the potential for adjustment to other site disposal dates as we continue to evaluate the movement of personnel and refine the portfolio timeline to meet military capability requirements. Any changes will be reflected in updates to the defence disposal database on the www.gov.uk website. This maintains a complete list of all MOD disposals including those that are part of defence estate optimisation. It is routinely updated throughout the year to provide the most accurate and current information as the Department continues to rationalise and enhance its estate.

    The MOD remains committed to making the right decisions to support defence capabilities and offer best value for money for the taxpayer, balanced with our commitment to working with communities over the future use of sites released for disposal as part of the portfolio.

  • Ben Wallace – 2020 Statement on Service Justice System

    Ben Wallace – 2020 Statement on Service Justice System

    The statement made by Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, in the House of Commons on 12 November 2020.

    I am today informing the House that, after further and full consideration of an earlier decision announced in February 2020 in response to the service justice system (SJS) review, I have taken a decision to maintain jurisdictional concurrency when dealing with cases of murder, manslaughter and rape when committed by service personnel in the UK.

    Currently, decisions on which jurisdiction should deal with criminal offences in the UK by service personnel are made by the SJS and civilian justice system (CJS) policing and prosecutorial authorities on a case-by-case ​basis. My intent is to seek views on what improvements can be made to the protocols which guide those decisions and which have developed since Parliament last expressed its view on this subject.

    In considering the recommendations made by the service justice system review, I have come to the conclusion that, having agreed to take forward 79 other recommendations, including assurance around the quality of investigations, the SJS is capable of dealing with these offences when they occur in the UK, as well as overseas. The service justice system review strongly supported the continued existence of the SJS and sets out a sound roadmap for its future.

    I am not, therefore, content to accept the first recommendation in the review which would undermine the principle of concurrency between the SJS and CJS which is set out in the current legislation. While there will not be a presumption that either system takes primacy over the other, I plan to retain the current role of the Director of Public Prosecutions (in relation to cases in England and Wales) of having the final say of where a case is tried in the unlikely event of disagreement about where the case should be handled.

    In light of this decision, my Department will lead an exercise with SJS and CJS policing and prosecutorial authorities to revise all current guidance around jurisdiction for criminal offending by service personnel in the UK. That exercise will include public engagement on factors to be considered relevant in guiding the case-by-case allocation decisions. Parliament will have an opportunity to consider these matters when parliamentary time allows, and I intend to bring forward proposals to place the arrangements for allocating cases between the SJS and CJS on a statutory basis.

    My Department will be engaging with the devolved Administrations in Scotland and Northern Ireland to consider the corresponding arrangements that should exist there.

  • Keir Starmer – 2020 Comments on the Armed Forces

    Keir Starmer – 2020 Comments on the Armed Forces

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 12 November 2020.

    It was an honour to spend the morning with the Standing Joint Command, the team that year-on-year provides the resilience and backup that we need, from floods to bomb disposal.

    This year, they have provided vital support on Covid-19: delivering protective equipment, running mobile testing and setting up Nightingale hospitals at speed. It has been absolutely phenomenal.

    There is a great pride across the country in what our Armed Forces are doing day in day out, and in response to this pandemic. They have been so committed to our country. I was grateful for the opportunity to say thank you to our Armed Forces for everything they do.

  • John Healey – 2020 Comments on Report in Carrier Strike

    John Healey – 2020 Comments on Report in Carrier Strike

    The comments made by John Healey, the Shadow Defence Secretary, on 13 November 2020.

    The PAC points to gaps in Britain’s defences caused directly by the Ministry of Defence’s failure to plan, fund and commission the systems and equipment that these new carriers need to be fully deployed.

    The Carrier strike capability is central to our national defence but it is being undermined by the Government’s incompetence.

    The Defence Secretary must get a grip of these problems.

  • Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on Remembrance Sunday

    Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on Remembrance Sunday

    The comments made by Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 8 November 2020.

    Many of the men and women on parade today have already taken part in efforts to fight coronavirus and many more will do so in the weeks to come. I applaud their selflessness.

    Whilst remembrance looks different this year, we have made extra efforts to demonstrate our undiminished respect for those who have gone before, and our firm commitment to the continued safety of the British people.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2020 Comments on Remembrance Sunday

    Oliver Dowden – 2020 Comments on Remembrance Sunday

    The comments made by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 8 November 2020.

    Remembrance Sunday is an important date in our national calendar when we come together as a nation to remember and give thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our freedoms.

    While this year’s service is a little different to normal, I want to encourage everyone to get involved from their own homes – watch on your TV, research your family history – but most importantly, keep safe.

  • Boris Johnson – 2020 Comments on Remembrance Sunday

    Boris Johnson – 2020 Comments on Remembrance Sunday

    The comments made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 8 November 2020.

    We come together every November to commemorate the servicemen and women from Britain and the Commonwealth who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

    In this time of adversity, no virus can stop us from honouring their memory, particularly when we have just celebrated the 75th anniversary of victory in the Second World War.

    And in times of trial, our tributes matter even more. So let’s come together once again and remember those to whom we owe so much.

  • Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on Afghan Interpreters

    Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on Afghan Interpreters

    The comments made by Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 22 October 2020.

    Interpreters played a vital role in supporting our Armed Forces in Afghanistan and we owe it to them to make sure their sacrifice is properly rewarded.

    For the first time, today’s legislation puts in place similar requirements for those who resigned and were made redundant, recognising the unique pressures and circumstances faced by locally employed Afghans.

    This fair and simple system will offer dozens more courageous individuals who served alongside British troops the chance to build a new life in the UK.

  • John Healey – 2020 Comments on Service Police Investigations

    John Healey – 2020 Comments on Service Police Investigations

    The comments made by John Healey, the Shadow Defence Secretary, on 13 October 2020.

    It is hard to take the Defence Secretary seriously. Over the last five years, the Government has done four reviews with almost 100 recommendations on Armed Forces investigations and prosecutions.

    Faced with growing criticism of their Overseas Operations Bill, the Government has launched another review rather than rethinking the legislation.

    Ministers should instead work with Labour, and organisations including the British Legion and Liberty, to improve the Bill so it better protects British troops and our reputation for adhering to international law.

  • Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on Duqm Port Investment

    Ben Wallace – 2020 Comments on Duqm Port Investment

    The comments made by Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 12 September 2020.

    The long standing friendships between the UK and the Gulf states are more important than ever. With shared defence and security interests, it is vital we work together for both regional and global stability. Our trade links are just as strong, too – from cotton to aerospace.

    Whether tackling Daesh, or making our streets in the UK safer thanks to our intelligence networks, these are hugely valuable relationships that I am pleased to be able to renew this week.