I was delighted and honoured to be elected Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan region of Iraq again. I am looking forward to working with fellow Parliamentarians and our Kurdish friends and allies on our mutual strategic and economic interests.
Today in the budget debate I spoke in support of the government's commitment to increase defence spending by an additional £11 billion over the next five years. Defence of the realm and the security of our people is the first responsibility of any government.
Met with Avon and Somerset PCC mark Shelford today. We discussed issues around E-scooters and speeding raised by constituents. Great to hear from Mark that Police numbers in Avon and Somerset are now 200 officers higher than in 2010, good news for our area!
Earlier it was great to visit Anna and the team at Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, we discussed the plans for their new Mission Support Centre and I was very impressed to hear some of their team have provided training to medics in Ukraine. Thank you for your service!
Just recently, I stood in the destroyed town of Irpin in Ukraine surrounded by homes similar to the ones we live in and the same cars that we drive. All that was left behind by the people fleeing for their lives, were discarded shoes, clothes and a few wrecked vehicles.
I was honoured today to welcome a delegation of Ukrainian Members of Parliament. Great to see Dmytro Natalukha & Maria Mezentseva again. We discussed the UK’s ongoing military support, our humanitarian assistance and provision of medical expertise to assist the wounded Ukrainian military.
Today, Jack asked what the Ministry of Defence are doing to support SMEs in the defence sector who are adversely affected by Environmental, Social and Governance criteria.
The Minister for Defence Procurement Alex Chalk, responded that investors should support the defence industry t
Today, Jack asked Foreign Secretary James Cleverly whether he agrees that the welcome increase in defence spending will not only help keep our country safe, but that it will also create more certainty for the 390,000 UK jobs which are supported by defence spending.
Lovely to drop in and see everyone at the Compton Café in Easter Compton. Great coffee and cake. It's on every 2nd Saturday of the month from 10:00 til 12:00. Thank you to all the volunteers.
