Defence Committee
@CommonsDefence

We are a cross-party group of @HouseofCommons MPs scrutinising the policies of the @DefenceHQ and its associated bodies. See what we're working onšŸ‘‡

 House of Commons
parliament.uk/defcom
Joined December 2012
Today we endorsed the interim appointment of Polly Miller-Perkins as the Armed Forces Commissioner. We asked her at our pre-appointment session this week, what the advantages or disadvantages are in having had a career in the Armed Forces before taking up this appointment.šŸ‘‡
2
6
11
2,645
This week we questioned Polly Millerā€‘Perkins, the Governmentā€™s nominee for Armed Forces Commissioner. We were impressed by her evidence, endorse her appointment, and look forward to working with her. We also comment on the recruitment process ā¬‡ļø committees.parliament.uk/comā€¦
The Committee has endorsed the interim appointment of Polly Miller-Perkins as Armed Forces Commissioner. Defence Committee. Photo shows a illustration of a document, referring to a report.

ALT The Committee has endorsed the interim appointment of Polly Miller-Perkins as Armed Forces Commissioner. Defence Committee. Photo shows a illustration of a document, referring to a report.
3
2
615
We heard from Arnab Dutt, Policy Champion for Procurement and Social Value at @fsb_policy about the barriers and problems caused for small and medium-sized enterprises by the delay in the MOD's Defence Investment Plan (DIP).
5
9
1,569
Does the UK need to invest more in air defence systems? Chair @TanDhesi asked the Prime Minister that question yesterday.
9
11
51
8,720
Earlier this week Committee Member Derek Twigg MP, asked Rupert Pearce the National Armaments Director at @DefenceHQ, "how do you think the Major Projects Portfolio is going at the moment?", hear his response šŸ‘‡
1
7
8
1,816
Yesterday Committee Member @Jesse_Norman MP asked Rupert Pearce, the National Armaments Director at @DefenceHQ, about possible weaknesses in the Strategic Defence Review.
3
9
15
10,402
Tomorrow at 10.30am we're questioning the new Permanent Secretary at @DefenceHQ, Jeremy Pocklington, to examine the MOD's finance and administration and their Annual Report and Accounts for 2024-25, against a backdrop of global conflict. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/eveā€¦
Evidence session. MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25. Defence Committee. Photo is a close up of the Ministry of Defence sign outside of their headquarters on a grey brick wall.

ALT Evidence session. MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25. Defence Committee. Photo is a close up of the Ministry of Defence sign outside of their headquarters on a grey brick wall.

8
7
11
1,728
Chair @TanDhesi opened a major backbench debate in @HouseofCommons on defence spending with a call for action and a stark warning that the UK is not keeping up with the pace of the threat.
8
28
80
10,030
Today, @kennedycdog told us that she would categorise the increased threats posed in the High North as Russia, climate change, President Trump's desires relating to Greenland and China.
1
3
12
1,133
Tomorrow at 10.30am as part of our Defence in the High North inquiry, we're examining evolving threats in the region, the role of UK Armed Forces there, and whether they have the right military capabilities. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/eveā€¦
Evidence session. Defence in the High North. Defence Committee. Photo shows a UK submarine half submerged in the sea in the Arctic, with mountains covered in snow in the background.

ALT Evidence session. Defence in the High North. Defence Committee. Photo shows a UK submarine half submerged in the sea in the Arctic, with mountains covered in snow in the background.

3
7
11
1,330
On the 4th anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Chair @TanDhesi has issued a statement on behalf of the Committee reaffirming our unwavering support for the Ukrainian people. #StandWithUkraine
ā€œFour years on from Russiaā€™s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Defence Committee reaffirms the UKā€™s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people. Ukraineā€™s fight remains vital to our shared security, stability and values. We pay tribute to their resilience and stand with them in pursuit of a just and lasting peace that protects Ukraineā€™s sovereignty and future.ā€ Tan Dhesi MP, Chair Defence Committee

ALT ā€œFour years on from Russiaā€™s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Defence Committee reaffirms the UKā€™s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people. Ukraineā€™s fight remains vital to our shared security, stability and values. We pay tribute to their resilience and stand with them in pursuit of a just and lasting peace that protects Ukraineā€™s sovereignty and future.ā€ Tan Dhesi MP, Chair Defence Committee

2
7
22
1,291
Melting polar ice caps are increasing access to the Arctic and High North region, with significant defence and security implications for the UK. We are asking: Are the UK Armed Forces prepared to operate in the High North, if needed? Learn moreĀ ā¬‡ļø committees.parliament.uk/worā€¦
3
13
29
3,135
We heard from Professor Peter Roberts at the @UniofExeter and Commodore John Aitken OBE at @thalesgroup, on the subject of Russia's use of submarines to attack non-military targets to impact critical infrastructure and national resilience.
2
5
20
1,866
On the possibility of AI being developed to detect potential threats in UK oceans, witnesses Professor Peter Roberts at the @UniofExeter, Commodore John Aitken OBE at @thalesgroup and Brett Phaneuf at M Subs gave us their insight. Here's what they saidšŸ‘‡
2
16
33
3,667
What is the underwater threat to the UK and UK interests? Tomorrow at 10.30am we're exploring the increasing maritime threat to the UK from foreign actors and whether we have the capabilities we need to respond. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/eveā€¦
Evidence session. Undersea Activity. Defence Committee. Photo is an underwater shot under the sea and looking up to the light from above.

ALT Evidence session. Undersea Activity. Defence Committee. Photo is an underwater shot under the sea and looking up to the light from above.

4
20
46
5,510
In our future of warfare session, Dr Keith Dear, CEO and Founder of @Cassi_on_X, said the UK's target date of 2030 for increasing defence spending could create a short-term risk by "providing an incentive for others to act now."
5
17
43
8,026
Tomorrow at 10.30am we're exploring the future of warfare. We'll be looking at future trends and unpredictable variables, and their implications for alliances, defence planning, and the defence industry. We'll be drawing on lessons from recent conflicts like Ukraine.
Evidence session. Future of Warfare. Defence Committee. Photo shows a close up of the Ministry of Defence sign on the wall outside the headquarters for the Government Department of Defence.

ALT Evidence session. Future of Warfare. Defence Committee. Photo shows a close up of the Ministry of Defence sign on the wall outside the headquarters for the Government Department of Defence.

2
6
20
1,335
As global focus on the Arctic and High North region increases, we are holding an inquiry into the defence and security implications for the UK. Find out more ā¬‡ļø committees.parliament.uk/worā€¦
We're investigating Defence in the High North Defence Committee

ALT We're investigating Defence in the High North Defence Committee

6
44
97
27,163
We questioned the Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon @JohnHealey_MP on whether the Government are able to deliver on the recommendations it accepted in the Strategic Defence Review and if they will be included in the Defence Investment Plan.
2
7
21
3,000
Our session with @JohnHealey_MP, Secretary of State for Defence at @DefenceHQ has started. Watch live on YouTube: piped.video/watch?v=oq8uvbv-ā€¦
4
8
2,533
Tomorrow at 2pm we're questioning @JohnHealey_MP, Secretary of State for Defence at @DefenceHQ on events in recent weeks, the UK's investment in critical capabilities and his priorities for the UK Armed Forces. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/eveā€¦
Defence Committee. We're questioning John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence. Watch live on Youtube. Photo shows John Healey MP, wearing a navy blue suit, light blue shirt and red tie. In the background are the seats of a Parliament committee room with chairs lined up with a portcullis on them.

ALT Defence Committee. We're questioning John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence. Watch live on Youtube. Photo shows John Healey MP, wearing a navy blue suit, light blue shirt and red tie. In the background are the seats of a Parliament committee room with chairs lined up with a portcullis on them.

2
7
12
2,964
Our Chair @TanDhesi has issued a statement on behalf of the Committee in response to President Trumpā€™s comments on the contribution of the UK and other NATO allies in Afghanistan.
ā€œBritish troops fought valiantly in Afghanistan alongside the US and other NATO allies. To suggest otherwise is an utter insult to the memories of those who lost their lives, and to those who returned from battle with permanent injuries. President Trumpā€™s belittlement of the contribution of the UK and other NATO allies, who went to Afghanistan in support of the US, when they needed us, is shameful.ā€ Tan Dhesi MP, Chair Defence Committee

ALT ā€œBritish troops fought valiantly in Afghanistan alongside the US and other NATO allies. To suggest otherwise is an utter insult to the memories of those who lost their lives, and to those who returned from battle with permanent injuries. President Trumpā€™s belittlement of the contribution of the UK and other NATO allies, who went to Afghanistan in support of the US, when they needed us, is shameful.ā€ Tan Dhesi MP, Chair Defence Committee

90
386
1,302
26,965
Yesterday, former Defence Secretary @grantshapps stressed the importance of his personal judgment in deciding whether to seek to maintain the super-injunction suppressing public knowledge of the Afghan data breach.
1
6
1,250
Former Minister for the Armed Forces @JSHeappey yesterday told us about the impact of the Afghan data breach across the UK Government.
3
7
1,152
We heard from @BenWallace70, former Secretary of State for Defence, on the organisational context around the Afghan data breach and the importance of everyone following data security processes to help protect people's lives.
1
4
6
1,295
Our session questioning former Secretaries of State for Defence @BenWallace70, @grantshapps and former Minister @JSHeappey on the circumstances leading to the Afghan data breach has started. Watch live on YouTube: piped.video/watch?v=tO7g-NH1ā€¦

Ben Wallace and Grant Shapps questioned on Afghan Data Breach -...

The Defence Committee questions two former Defence Sectretaries and...

youtube.com
7
6
2,320
Tomorrow at 10.15am we're questioning former Secretaries of State for Defence @BenWallace70 and @grantshapps and former Minister @JSHeappey on the circumstances leading to the Afghan data breach and the ministerial decision-making at the time. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/eveā€¦
Evidence session. Afghan Data Breach and Resettlement Schemes. Defence Committee. Photo shows a close up of the Ministry of Defence sign outside their headquarters on a grey stone wall.

ALT Evidence session. Afghan Data Breach and Resettlement Schemes. Defence Committee. Photo shows a close up of the Ministry of Defence sign outside their headquarters on a grey stone wall.
8
14
1,913
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of Defence Staff, spoke about the challenges that exist when communicating with the public about the scale of the threat.
8
5
22
5,119
Yesterday Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of Defence Staff told us that he was confident in the preparations made for UK Armed Forces being deployed to Ukraine as part of a multinational force in the event of Ukraine and Russia signing a peace deal.
8
5
14
5,326
Today at 2pm we're hearing from the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, on issues faced by the UK Armed Forces. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/eveā€¦
Evidence session. The work of the Chief of Defence Staff. Defence Committee. Photo is of the sign on the outside the the Ministry of Defence headquarters.

ALT Evidence session. The work of the Chief of Defence Staff. Defence Committee. Photo is of the sign on the outside the the Ministry of Defence headquarters.

3
5
13
15,756
Our Chair @TanDhesi has responded to the announcement from the Coalition of the Willing that UK troops will be part of a multinational force deployed in Ukrainian territory in the event of Ukraine and Russia signing a peace deal. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/comā€¦
Defence Committee. ā€œThis announcement from the Coalition of the Willing cements the UKā€™s position as a firm supporter and defender of Ukraineā€™s sovereign right to a secure future that must be free from Russian interference and aggression. Before any British troops are deployed however, details of the commitments made within this deal must be subjected to robust scrutiny by Parliament." Tan Dhesi, Chair. Photo shows Tan Dhesi MP and Chair of the Defence Committee. He has a dark beard and is wearing a orange turban, an orange tie and a navy blue suit jacket and is smiling.

ALT Defence Committee. ā€œThis announcement from the Coalition of the Willing cements the UKā€™s position as a firm supporter and defender of Ukraineā€™s sovereign right to a secure future that must be free from Russian interference and aggression. Before any British troops are deployed however, details of the commitments made within this deal must be subjected to robust scrutiny by Parliament." Tan Dhesi, Chair. Photo shows Tan Dhesi MP and Chair of the Defence Committee. He has a dark beard and is wearing a orange turban, an orange tie and a navy blue suit jacket and is smiling.

1
4
15
1,663
The National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce told us yesterday that the Defence Investment Plan will be ready in a matter of "days now, not weeks or months". Publication was previously promised in Autumn.
7
12
38
3,896
Is culture change the most important aspect of defence reform? The National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce told us that while there are "very good things about the culture inside" @DefenceHQ, there will be necessary cultural development as part of defence reform.
3
4
19
3,169
Our introductory session with the National Armaments Director, Rupert Pearce has started. Watch live: parliamentlive.tv/event/indeā€¦
House of Commons Committees. Photo is a close up of a broadcasting sign in a select committee room.

ALT House of Commons Committees. Photo is a close up of a broadcasting sign in a select committee room.
4
11
5,820
Today, our Chair @TanDhesi challenged the Prime Minister on plans for defence spending and the impact on economic growth.
2
6
18
2,247
Tomorrow at 10.30am we're questioning the newly appointed National Armaments Director, Rupert Pearce at @DefenceHQ. This new role takes lead responsibility for the UK's national arsenal and defence infrastructure. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/eveā€¦
Defence Committee. Evidence session. Introductory session with the National Armaments Director. Photo in the background shows a House of Commons committee room, with green seats with a portcullis symbol on the back of the chairs.

ALT Defence Committee. Evidence session. Introductory session with the National Armaments Director. Photo in the background shows a House of Commons committee room, with green seats with a portcullis symbol on the back of the chairs.

1
5
19
2,859
Yesterday, journalist David Williams told us that since the super-injunction was lifted, the UK has not helped any of the ~2,000 affected Afghans still in the country to leave, despite the increased risk to their lives.
1
2
7
732
During today's evidence session, @MHottak and @de_Jong_Sara told us that many Afghans eligible for relocation to the UK are currently stranded in Afghanistan after being forcibly removed from Pakistan during their emigration process.
3
8
778
Our session hearing evidence from campaigners and experts on the impact of the Afghan data breach and the administration of resettlement schemes has started. Watch live: parliamentlive.tv/event/indeā€¦
House of Commons Committees. Photo in the background shows a broadcasting sign on the wall of a select committee room.

ALT House of Commons Committees. Photo in the background shows a broadcasting sign on the wall of a select committee room.
5
587
Tomorrow at 10.30am, we're hearing from journalist and campaigner David Williams, former Afghan Interpreter @Mhottak, and Professor Sara de Jong from @UniOfYork on the Afghan data breach, the impact on Afghans and the wider repercussions. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/eveā€¦
Evidence session, Afghan Data Breach and Resettlement Schemes, Defence Committee. Photo in the background shows the Ministry of Defence sign on the outside of the entrance to the Ministry of Defence headquarters.

ALT Evidence session, Afghan Data Breach and Resettlement Schemes, Defence Committee. Photo in the background shows the Ministry of Defence sign on the outside of the entrance to the Ministry of Defence headquarters.
3
2
572
Earlier this week we questioned @LukePollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry at @DefenceHQ, on the information he had received on problems with Ajax armoured vehicles, despite being advised earlier last month that it was safe to operate.
4
7
995
Our last evidence session of our AUKUS inquiry with @LukePollard, Minister for Defence Readiness at @DefenceHQ has started. Watch live: parliamentlive.tv/event/indeā€¦
House of Commons Committees. Photo in the background is of a broadcasting sign on the wall of a select committee room.

ALT House of Commons Committees. Photo in the background is of a broadcasting sign on the wall of a select committee room.
3
6
1,053
Tomorrow at 3pm we're questioning @LukePollard, Minister for Defence Readiness at @DefenceHQ, to examine how geopolitical changes have impacted AUKUS and the effectiveness of oversight and governance of the programme. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/eveā€¦
Evidence session. AUKUS (trilateral security partnership between Australia, UK and the US). Photo shows a close up of one of the clock faces of Big Ben, the clock tower at the Houses of Parliament.

ALT Evidence session. AUKUS (trilateral security partnership between Australia, UK and the US). Photo shows a close up of one of the clock faces of Big Ben, the clock tower at the Houses of Parliament.

2
3
7
1,029
Our session on the role Barrow-in-Furness will play in delivering AUKUS has started. Watch live: parliamentlive.tv/event/indeā€¦
House of Commons Committees. Photo is of a broadcasting sign on the wall of a select committee room.

ALT House of Commons Committees. Photo is of a broadcasting sign on the wall of a select committee room.
2
8
962
Tomorrow at 10.15am, we're hearing from Team Barrow on the role Barrow-in-Furness will play in delivering AUKUS. We'll be exploring the initiative's aims and objectives and how it will support the AUKUS partnership. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/eveā€¦
Evidence session. AUKUS [a trilateral security agreement between Australia, the UK and US] Defence Committee. Photo is a close up of one of the clock faces of Big Ben, the clock tower at the Houses of Parliament.

ALT Evidence session. AUKUS [a trilateral security agreement between Australia, the UK and US] Defence Committee. Photo is a close up of one of the clock faces of Big Ben, the clock tower at the Houses of Parliament.
4
5
1,218
Our session with the Prime Minister's Special Representative on AUKUS, Sir Stephen Lovegrove has started. Watch live: parliamentlive.tv/event/indeā€¦
House of Commons Committees. Photo shows a broadcasting sign on the wall of a select committee room.

ALT House of Commons Committees. Photo shows a broadcasting sign on the wall of a select committee room.

2
7
9
1,196
We have serious concerns about the UKā€™s ability to defend its homeland and Overseas Territories. Our new report warns that we may be failing to meet NATO obligations and calls for urgent action to strengthen defence capabilities. Read our report ā¬‡ļø publications.parliament.uk/pā€¦
7
11
22
6,874
Tomorrow at 10am, we're hearing from the Prime Minister's Special Representative on AUKUS, Sir Stephen Lovegrove. We're exploring how AUKUS is being delivered and how his role helps make AUKUS a priority in Whitehall. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/eveā€¦
Evidence session. AUKUS [a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States]. Defence Committee. Photo shows a close up of one of the clock faces of the clocktower of Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament.

ALT Evidence session. AUKUS [a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States]. Defence Committee. Photo shows a close up of one of the clock faces of the clocktower of Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament.
7
9
2,456
Today author Dr Andrew Curtis and @MTSavill of @RUSI_org told us that there has been poor communication on defence reform and as a result people are confused as to what is happening.
7
18
3,459
Our session scrutinising the @DefenceHQ defence reform programme has started. Watch live: parliamentlive.tv/event/indeā€¦
House of Commons Committee. Photo shows a broadcasting sign on the wall of a select committee room.

ALT House of Commons Committee. Photo shows a broadcasting sign on the wall of a select committee room.
3
9
924
Load more