Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Pochin Excerpts
Monday 6th July 2026

(1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Calvin Bailey Portrait Mr Bailey
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I thank my hon. Friend for raising the Veterans Hub in his constituency. I very much look forward to visiting it in due course.

Sarah Pochin Portrait Sarah Pochin (Runcorn and Helsby) (Reform)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Can the Secretary of State explain to this House, the British people and our NATO allies how it is that our welfare bill is increasing by roughly £19 billion this year, we spent £13 billion on foreign aid last year and £15 billion has been committed to net zero schemes, and yet the defence investment plan still has a funding gap of £4.7 billion?

Luke Pollard Portrait Luke Pollard
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

We are increasing defence spending—that is what the Labour party is doing in government. Look at what Reform has been doing: one of its politicians was accepting bribes from Russia. I do not accept what the hon. Lady is saying. We are increasing defence spending.