🗣️ Speeches and Debates
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We already know that the Defence Secretary is going to make an announcement in Swindon on Friday morning. Given that the Japanese Prime Minister is going to turn up on Saturday, I suggest that some of that announcement will probably relate to global combat air programme funding, given that the Defence Secretary is under significant pressure to guarantee that the funding in the international...
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Last week, the Government voted against my amendment to the Armed Forces Bill, new clause 5, which would have waived visa fees for the spouses and children of armed forces personnel and veterans. That was, of course, a Labour manifesto pledge—as it was a Conservative manifesto pledge— to ensure that the families of those who have fought to defend this country are allowed to reside here...
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I recognise that the Minister wants to deliver this manifesto commitment as much as I do. However, after two years we have made little progress, mostly due to the machinery of government within the Home Office. This new clause was tabled some time ago, and the Government have had ample opportunity to refine the detail of it in order to make it acceptable to be voted on this evening and passed...
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I do not disagree. I recognise the point that the hon. and gallant Gentleman is making and his passion for delivering what he describes. I am a member of said all-party parliamentary group, and I am happy to push in order to try and get this across the line. I also recognise the politics of this. Although I am not sure his party will welcome him apparently somewhat throwing the Home Office...
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I agree that it is a broader topic than simply covering Commonwealth veterans and their family members from those same Commonwealth countries. There are a number of personnel living here are UK personnel but have spouses and children who may be from overseas, and the same rules apply to them. I do not disagree with the hon. Member; I think we are very much on the same page on a number of...
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I wish to speak to new clause 5, which I tabled. I start by thanking all Opposition Members—both in my party and across four other parties—who have supported this amendment. Let the record show that not one person on the Labour Benches supported it. We often speak in this House about veterans, our shared respect for those who have served and how best to support veterans in their...
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The other day I had the opportunity to meet the Ministry of Defence Police and their chief constable at RAF Wyton in my constituency. I was impressed by the counter-drone capability that they are now equipped with; it is vastly in excess of what Home Office policing teams now have, and it is a simple solution to provide the counter-drone capability that we should have at all our bases. I urge...
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I welcome the introduction of the strategic reserve in the Bill, but I would like clarity on how it will be paid for. Will it be via separate funding or will it come from the money already allocated to pay for the active reserve in the MOD budget?
More of Ben Obese-Jecty's speeches and debates
✍️ Written Questions and Answers
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To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 29 May 2026 to Question 3026 on Men, if he will list the key sector partners he plans to invite to the National Summit on Men and Boys.
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To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential benefit to the UK of joining the proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank.
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To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussion has she has had with NATO-Partner countries on membership of the proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2026 to Question 3663 on Liquefied Natural Gas: Russia, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the general trade licences for refined oil and liquid natural gas on the level of (a) (i) targeted and (ii) temporary flexibility to safeguard UK energy supply and (b) global market stability.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2026 to Question 3663 on Liquefied Natural Gas: Russia, by what date he plans to (a) amend, (b) suspend and (c) revoke the licences.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 1 June 2026 to question 3663 on Liquefied Natural Gas: Russia, what specific Russian LNG has been permitted for maritime transportation on the spot market.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the National Security Strategy 2025: Security for the British People in a Dangerous World, CP1338, published on 24 June 2025, what progress she has made in enhancing collaboration with Canada on AI.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will set out which month in 2026 he will publish the Energy Resilience Strategy.
More of Ben Obese-Jecty's written questions
