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Another MoD "Whitehall farce" as outsourcing contracts halted

MoD

SNP MPs have written to Tory Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood following a previous complaint about outsourcing contracts for the Defence Fire And Resource Project.

Capita Defence contract huge risk to taxpayers

MoD

The SNP Defence Team, led by Stewart McDonald MP, sent an official objection to the MoD on their plans to award Capita the contract to run the Defence Fire & Rescue Service, which could cost the taxpayer millions should Capita collapse.

MoD must clamp down on flow of Russian money

Stewart McDonald MP, and SNP Spokesperson for Defence, called on the Secretary of State for Defence to ensure that more is done to clamp down on Kremlin cronies stashing money in London, and across the whole UK.

Government must target sanctions in Syria and strengthen chemical weapons convention

Stewart McDonald MP asked the Secretary of State for International Development if new sanctions in Syria would target the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre, and how the Government plans to strengthen the chemical weapons convention and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

SNP seek assurances over security briefings on Syria

airstrike

The SNP’s Defence spokesperson has written to the Prime Minister to raise concerns Labour opposition members were briefed by the National Security Advisor on the government's airstrikes in Syria, on the basis they were sympathetic to the government’s position.

Parliament must have a say on Syria

Syria map

SNP Defence spokesperson, Stewart McDonald, has called on the UK government to work with international partners to clamp down on the suspected use of chemical weapons in Syria, and hold those responsible to account, as he insisted Parliament must have a say over any change to the role of UK forces in Syria.

Defence Secretary refuses to rule out cuts to Scottish defence projects

Stewart McDonald MP, and SNP Spokesperson for Defence, asked the Defence Secretary if he could guarantee that no defence projects in Scotland would be scaled back, delayed or cancelled.

MP calls out "dreadful" state of defence financing

During a debate on defence spending estimates, Stewart McDonald MP, and SNP Spokesperson for Defence, criticised the condition of defence financing, and called for a full and proper Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).

Armed Forces deserve better working conditions, says MP

Stewart McDonald MP, SNP Spokesperson for Defence, has called on the UK Government to improve conditions for armed forces - including pay, housing and a representative to advocate on their behalf.

Questions raised over "farcical" Defence statement

Stewart McDonald MP, SNP Spokesperson for Defence, asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the new Modernising Defence Programme would be fiscally netural and include a pay rise for those serving in the armed forces.

UK Government wielding the axe to armed forces capability

Stewart McDonald MP, and SNP Spokesperson for Defence, said the adumbrate the drop in the size of the armed forces is as a result of the UK Government taking the an axe to capability left, right and centre.

No answers from UK Government on outcome of national security capability review

Stewart McDonald MP, and SNP Spokesperson for Defence, asked the Defence Secretary if the NSC Review was being split up into defence and security. The Defence Secretary refused to comment.

Military families deserve better than "dreadful" services provided by companies such as Carillion

With over half of military families said to be dissatisfied with accommodation services, Stewart McDonald MP, and SNP Spokesperson for Defence, called on the UK Government to end dreadful service that companies like Carillion are giving military families.

UK Government must be held to account on "woeful" Defence record

Stewart McDonald MP, SNP Spokesperson for Defence, called for a full SDSR that takes the impacts of Brexit into account, and criticised the Defence Minister for lacking accountability after he failed turn up to a debate on defence.

MP slams weaponisation of food in Yemen

Stewart McDonald MP said the weaponisation of food in Yemen is leading to some of the most horrifying tales of hunger and deprivation, and said the Prime Minister must secure something in respect of the blockade of Yemen.

Scotland ideal location for new NATO North Atlantic Command, says MP

Stewart McDonald MP asked the new Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson MP, if he agreed that Scotland was ideal to host the new NATO North Atlantic Command. The Defence Secretary said he would do all he could to ensure it was based in the UK.

MP calls on UK Government to end arms sales to Saudi

Stewart McDonald MP, and SNP Spokesperson for Defence, said the UK Government must suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia, and asked why there was such a large disparity between arms sales to Saudi and humanitarian aid offered to Yemen.

UK Government's record on armed forces pay embarrassing

Stewart McDonald MP, and SNP Spokesperson for Defence, said he would be embarrassed to defend Government's record on armed forces pay, and said conventional defence was being compromised by the UK Government's obsession with Trident.

@StewartMcDonald on Twitter

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