Armed Forces

Over the past few days, I have been asked why I voted against the Mercer/Jarvis Amendment on visa fees for foreign and commonwealth soldiers.  Some of the criticism I have received is ill-informed and the facts are somewhat different so I wish to set the record straight.  It is also not true that I ‘rebelled’ against it - As a member of the Government, I voted with the Whip, along with the vast majority of my colleagues.

Click here to read my statement in full

James Sunderland planted a wooden cross, with his personal message on behalf of the people of the Bracknell constituency, in the ‘Constituency Garden of Remembrance’ opened by the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

James Sunderland took part in the Industry and Parliament Trust Poppy Ride, in association with the Royal British Legion, which raises funds and awareness for the Poppy Appeal in Parliament.

James Sunderland welcomes the Armed Forces Covenant statutory guidance for local councils in particular, but questions how councils will be held to account if they do not meet their obligations. 

James Sunderland met supporters of SSAFA and Help for Heroes manning the stands in Martins Heron and Sandhurst.

James Sunderland welcomes the commitment to extra defence spending and urges the Government to ensure the extra money is spent responsibly and flexibly both to secure the best equipment for our armed forces and to support Global Britain by investing in the British defence industry and growing UK defence exports.

James Sunderland, who chaired the Armed Forces Bill Select Committee, speaks in the Committee Stage debate and whilst welcoming the draft statutory guidance to support the Armed Forces Covenant, calls on the Government to look again at the complaints process in respect of local councils.

James Sunderland welcomes the update on vaccinations for the armed forces and suggests that, in our fight against the pandemic, we can all learn from the armed forces about the need to be comfortable with a level of risk in the face of adversity.

James Sunderland speaks to GB News about Armed Forces Week and veterans.