"I am releasing this statement to the House today to provide Parliament with a further update on the armoured cavalry programme, commonly known as Ajax, following issues raised on exercise Titan Storm in November 2025.
Since my last update to this House, where I provided the findings of the ministerial …..." Luke Pollard - View Speech
"Today I am able to provide the House with a further update on the Afghan resettlement programme, as we continue to make good progress towards our intent of concluding the programme in this Parliament. This statement provides an update to the House on: the progress that the Ministry of Defence …..." Luke Pollard - View Speech
"I wish to update the House on changes to arm’s length bodies within the Ministry of Defence, delivered as part of defence reform and the productive and agile state programme. These changes strengthen ministerial oversight, reduce duplication, and ensure that Ministers continue to receive high-quality independent expert advice where it …..." Luke Pollard - View Speech
"The Ministry of Defence had aspired to update the House via a written ministerial statement on the armoured cavalry programme today. Political channels have requested that this written ministerial statement is delayed until next week, as a result of key meetings—both cross-Whitehall and with the defence prime in question—occurring this …..." Luke Pollard - View Speech
"As a Devon neighbour, I know the hon. Gentleman’s passion for our armed forces, and it is good to see him wearing his Royal College of Defence Studies tie—an institution of which I am also proud to be a graduate. He knows that we are working flat out to deliver …..." Luke Pollard - View Speech
"I thank my hon. Friend for his service to our country. It is interesting that he mentioned recruitment, because the shadow Minister, who sat on the Government Benches during the last Parliament, was scathing about his own Government’s record on recruitment, scathing about their performance, and scathing about their lack …..." Luke Pollard - View Speech
"I really like the right hon. Gentleman—he is a very jovial chap—and he raises some good points. The defence investment plan is needed. It is being worked on by our Department. We will deliver it when it is ready, but we are not waiting for the defence investment plan to …..." Luke Pollard - View Speech
"I thank my hon. Friend for her work, and not just on the armed forces housing issues that she raises; she is also a thorough champion for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Many of its ships are in her Truro and Falmouth constituency. She is right to talk about the £9 …..." Luke Pollard - View Speech
"I thank the hon. Gentleman for his advocacy for our independent nuclear deterrent. It was a shame that when the Liberal Democrats were in power, the decision to renew the deterrent was delayed—I know he had strong views on that at the time. As the MP for Devonport, where our …..." Luke Pollard - View Speech
"The hon. Gentleman is a wily Member, trying to ask the same question from a different angle; I appreciate his effort. He will know that we are working flat-out to deliver the defence investment plan, and we will publish it when it is ready. As a fellow south-west MP, let …..." Luke Pollard - View Speech