Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Gwynne Excerpts
Monday 1st February 2021

(3 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Heappey Portrait James Heappey
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I will, of course, have a look at what that might mean, if, in return, the hon. Gentleman will consider taxing the armed forces less than the Scottish Government currently do.

Andrew Gwynne Portrait Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab)
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What recent discussions he has had with representatives of military charities on strengthening the armed forces covenant; and if he will make a statement.

Clive Betts Portrait Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab)
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What recent discussions he has had with representatives of military charities on strengthening the armed forces covenant; and if he will make a statement.

Johnny Mercer Portrait The Minister for Defence People and Veterans (Johnny Mercer)
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This Government are committed to strengthening the armed forces covenant with measures to further incorporate it into law introduced last week in the Armed Forces Bill. Service charities play an integral role for the armed forces community. We have regular dialogue, and they also provide observations on our progress each year in an unadulterated version of the covenant annual report.

Andrew Gwynne Portrait Andrew Gwynne [V]
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I, too, send my best wishes to Captain Sir Tom Moore for a speedy recovery.

I have long been a supporter of the military covenant, and the local authorities in my constituency are among the first to adopt it, but the Minister will know that the director general of the Royal British Legion told the Committee considering the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill that the six-year longstop will breach the military covenant. Why does he think they say that?

Johnny Mercer Portrait Johnny Mercer
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I was Minister on that Bill Committee, and the person to whom the hon. Gentleman refers actually supports the legislation. It does not breach the armed forces covenant. We are clear that that legislation gives our soldiers more rights and protects them in a better manner for the intricacies of modern warfare. Those who continue to peddle untruths about that Bill are doing quite a serious disservice to those who need to be protected from vexatious claims when they serve this nation on operations.