80% of US and UK historic war borrowing has been repaid not through debt repayments, but economic growth. Draghi has urged the EU to borrow for defence research & development to increase economic growth and repay debt, whilst boosting defence. The prime minister’s statement yesterday morning, ruling out extra borrowing for defence, risks our national defence and our economy. I challenged the government on this.

Almost 4,000 non-commissioned officers left the British Army last year because late entry officers are almost always employed in administrative roles instead of combat roles despite being highly experienced combat veterans. We are losing hundreds of our most experienced soldiers without good reason. I asked the government what they are doing to prevent this. 

I spoke to the Guardian back in April about how the government must take action over officials in Kyrgyzstan who are allegedly helping Russia evade sanctions.

Take action over officials in Kyrgyzstan ‘helping Russia evade sanctions’, MPs and peers say | Kyrgyzstan | The Guardian

The UK has now sanctioned Kyrgyz officials who were allegedly helping Russia evade sanctions after I wrote a letter alongside other MPs, urging action. The cryptocurrency A7A5 was used as a loophole to fund Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine.

Investing in defence bonds is a powerful way to raise economic growth if done correctly. The Chancellor already agrees with me on the value of increasing investment in defence research and development (R&D). I asked the government if the press is correct in reporting that she is considering issuing these bonds.

On Friday the United States agreed to extend the partial lift on sanctions on Russian oil exports. I asked the government if they agree that this decision helps Russia fund their illegal and murderous war in Ukraine, working directly against national security interests. They agreed that the current situation in the Middle East should not be used to finance Putin.

Sadly and predictably, Iran appears to have achieved escalation dominance by closing the Strait of Hormuz. I asked what plans the government have for a post-conflict region where Iran retains the upper hand because it can dictate global energy prices and continue to threaten gulf nations.