Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Caroline Dinenage Excerpts
Monday 18th November 2024

(1 day, 20 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Healey Portrait John Healey
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I can indeed. Supporting our service families is really important, especially when they are far from home, and this scheme will reduce the burden of childcare costs for those eligible families overseas. This is a Government who are delivering for defence and putting our forces personnel at the heart of our defence plans.

Caroline Dinenage Portrait Dame Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) (Con)
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The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is often overlooked, yet it is vital to the sustainability and success of our Royal Navy. Often its pay and conditions do not keep track with either the armed forces or the civil service. What can the Secretary of State say to members of the RFA to reassure them that they are valued?

John Healey Portrait John Healey
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Over the last decade or more, we have been expecting more of those members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. They play a critical role in our maritime operations and they are highly valued as part of our services community. We see an important future for that service as part of building Britain’s defences for the future, and we are putting forces personnel and RFA personnel at the heart of our plans to ensure that we are more secure at home and strong abroad.