The Armed Forces are a key part of the identity of Western Oxfordshire. With RAF Brize Norton, the largest military air base in Europe and home to a third of the Royal Air Force, as well as Shrivenham Station, those who live and work at these bases contribute strongly to our community and the character of our area.
In every role I’ve held, from Aviation & Maritime Minister to Chair of the Defence Select Committee - and in particular as the MP for Witney, I have always made the case for much more investment in defence. I have a strong record as one of Parliament’s most informed voices in defence, in particular on matters relating to our air defence capabilities and military housing. I have visited nearly every flying base in the RAF, and our forces from the Falklands to Operation Shader as well as Romania, Norway and Oman.
Defence Spending
I strongly believe there is nothing more important and vital than investing in our Armed Forces.
Since first being elected, I have always advocated and campaigned for significant increases to our defence budget. During my recent time as Defence Select Committee Chair I led the calls for a significant increase in spending to match the threats we face. Prior to this years Spring Budget, I had a frank conversation with the Chancellor regarding the need to increase investment in our Armed Forces.
I am very pleased that the Government has now listened to these calls and announced the decision to increase defence spending to a record £50 billion a year – including an uplift of £24 billion, the largest single investment in defence since the end of the Cold War totalling an extra £75 billion in spending over the next six years.
This announcement marks the UK leading the way within Europe, setting a new standard amongst other major NATO countries. It is this Government’s hope that 2.5% of GDP spending on defence should become the new benchmark for its NATO partners. This would increase our allied defence spending by over £140 billion. Providing security for the UK that far outstrips anything we could achieve alone.
Whilst I acknowledge there’s much more work to do – and I’ll continue to fight for the improvements to procurements, conditions and systems that we need – this is a huge step forward for our Armed Forces in capability, resilience, for our people, and for the industrial capacity that underpins them.
Military Homes
I have been working hard to lead the campaign not just for better maintenance but for a higher standard of service family accommodation, to ensure our brave service personnel and their families are properly looked after. As Defence Chair, I launched a review into service accommodation.
Specifically for military families living in Carterton, I know all too well from visiting the homes of military families that in many cases service accommodation has fallen below acceptable standards.
Since 2018, I have been campaigning to see the large brownfield site known as REEMA North properly made use of, with high-quality homes for local service families. The REEMA site is an area where military housing once existed and has now been demolished - but not yet replaced.
I was recently pleased to hear that progress to build 271 high-quality military homes is imminent and that a pre-planning application has now been submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council.
On top of this, in the most recent defence spending announcements, I was very pleased that the Government has recognised the work that needs to take place to improve service family accommodation across the UK and has now committed to deepen their investment on this with over £4 billion earmarked for upgrading accommodation as well as to build new living quarters for our personnel over the next 10 years.
I will always speak up on behalf of our service families and fight for them to get the homes that they deserve. Please do get in touch if you have any specific concerns regarding military housing and I would be happy to raise these on your behalf.
Supporting our Veterans
It is essential that those who have served our country continue to receive the support they need.
In 2019, I welcomed the creation of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs which sits at the heart of Government in the Cabinet Office, and has a Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Johnny Mercer MP who attends Cabinet meetings.
The office works hard to get to grips with the issues facing veterans and drive forward policy on veterans’ welfare across the UK Government, spanning mental and physical health, education and employment. The launch of the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan in January 2022 set out specific provisions to help make Britain the best place in the world to be a veteran by 2028, underpinned by over £70 million to help support veterans and their families between 2022-2024.
Veterans can now also apply for the new HM Armed Forces Veteran ID Card.
The cards are not only a recognition of service, but are a quick and easy way to prove veteran status and access the many services available to former members of the UK armed forces. It’s free to apply.
To find out more and apply visit: https://www.gov.uk/veteran-card
This is an issue of real importance to me. If you have any views or thoughts that you think might be valuable on this, please do get in touch - robert@robertcourts.co.uk - to share these & I would be happy to answer of your questions.
