Latest Commons news on the armed forces
18 April 2011 (updated on 18 April 2011)
Support for the UK armed forces has been debated on several occasions in Parliament recently. Find the latest information on the Armed Forces Bill and other Parliamentary material.
Armed Forces Bill
The Armed Forces Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 8 December 2010. An Armed Forces Bill is required every five years. The last Bill received Royal Assent in November 2006 and therefore a new Bill is required in the 2010-2012 Session.
The Bill provides the legal basis for the system of military law which exists in the UK, and an opportunity to make any suggested or necessary amendments. It also presents an opportunity to introduce new measures relating to the Armed Forces outside the traditional sphere of Service discipline.
The Bill had its second reading on 10 January 2011 and was then considered by a Select Committee. The Bill will be considered by the House of Commons in Committee of the whole House, date to be announced.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documents on the Armed Forces Bill. Also find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill
The committee made a special report to the House of its findings and recommendations in relation to the Bill on 10 March 2011.
- Committee News: Report: The Armed Forces Bill: Special Report 2010-11
- Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill
Debates on the armed forces in the House of Commons
Throughout February, March and April there were a number of urgent questions in the House of Commons about redundancies in the armed forces and opposition day debates on the Military Covenant and support for the UK armed forces and veterans.
Before the House rose for Easter recess, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Andrew Robathan told MPs that the Army and the Royal Navy would 'announce details of their tranche 1 redundancy fields, setting out the specialisations, branches and ranks from which we are seeking volunteers for redundancy' on 4 April 2011.
- Commons news: Urgent question on armed forces redundancies (15 February 2011)
- Commons news: Opposition day debate on the Military Covenant (16 February 2011)
- Commons news: Urgent question armed forces redundancies (2 March 2011)
- Commons news: Opposition day debate on support for the UK armed forces (4 March 2011)
- Commons news: Urgent question on armed forces redundancies (4 April 2011)
Defence Committee
The committee is inquiring into the Military Covenant and the welfare support given to members of the Armed Forces including members of the Reserve Forces and veterans, they took evidence form Armed Forces' charities on 30 March.
- Committee News: Committee to hear evidence from Armed Forces' charities on Military Covenant
- Defence Committee
House of Commons library analysis
The House of Commons Library regularly produce briefing papers which inform MPs about key issues. The Library has produced five briefing papers on the armed forces.
- Commons Library briefing paper: Armed forces pension reform, 1995-2005
- Commons Library briefing paper: Armed Forces Pension Scheme, 2011 onwards
- Commons Library briefing paper: Medal campaigns
- Commons Library briefing paper: Privatisation of RAF/Royal Navy Search and Rescue
- Commons Library Research Paper: Armed Forces Bill
Early Day Motions
Early day motions (EDMs) are tabled by MPs to publicise a particular event or cause, and to gather support among MPs for that event or cause. MPs demonstrate their support for an EDM by signing the motion. Browse the latest EDMs on the armed forces.