British politician, Labour Party MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, elected June 2017
OpinionPollard takes controls of Plymouth-built missile drone boat: Defence minister Luke Pollard has tested STARK’s Plymouth-built Vanta 12, an uncrewed strike boat ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/pollard-takes-controls-of-plymouth-built-missile-drone-boat/
F-35 agreement assures UK access to US support, Pollard says: A Memorandum of Understanding assures all F-35 participants access to the US-managed support system ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/f-35-agreement-assures-uk-access-to-us-support-pollard-says/
OpinionBabcock enters main construction on Devonport submarine dock: Babcock has awarded KierBAM a contract worth about £600 million to deliver the water-retaining ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/babcock-enters-main-construction-on-devonport-submarine-dock/
OpinionBritain considers keeping Light Gun past out-of-service date: The Army is considering options for the L118 105mm Light Gun, including extending it in service ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-considers-keeping-light-gun-past-out-of-service-date/
OpinionType 31 costs rising in labour and the supply chain: Inflation is pushing up the cost of the Type 31 frigate programme across labour and the wider supply chain ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/type-31-costs-rising-in-labour-and-the-supply-chain/
defence-blog.com Oct 15
UK scraps three planned Boxer variants after budget cut: The British Army has dropped plans for armored mortar, repair and recovery, and anti-tank overwatch ...
defence-blog.com/uk-scraps-three-planned-boxer-variants-after-budget-cut/
Inherited procurement system was broken, says Pollard: The procurement system the government inherited was slow, expensive and not fit for a period of ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/inherited-procurement-system-was-broken-says-pollard/
No estimate given for Achilles delay after dock fire: The Ministry of Defence has declined to estimate how far the completion of the submarine HMS Achilles has ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/no-estimate-given-for-achilles-delay-after-dock-fire/
More than two hundred Ajax vehicles now accepted: The Ministry of Defence had accepted 227 Ajax Capability Drop 3 vehicles as of 15 September ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/more-than-two-hundred-ajax-vehicles-now-accepted/
No new Light Gun barrels planned, Pollard tells MPs: There is no current requirement for the procurement of new 105mm artillery barrels for the Light Gun ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/no-new-light-gun-barrels-planned-pollard-tells-mps/
Pollard gives figure for Albion class write-down: The remaining economic value written down when the Royal Navy's two landing platform docks left service was ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/pollard-gives-figure-for-albion-class-write-down/
OpinionBrimstone 3 cleared for use on Protector drone: Operational clearances are now in place for the use of Brimstone 3 on the Protector RG Mk1 ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/brimstone-3-cleared-for-use-on-protector-drone/
'Devonwall' social media spat as Cornwall MP's leaflets end up in Plymouth: Labour's Luke Pollard offers to send Lib Dem Ben Maguire a map
plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/devonwall-social-media-spat-cornwall-11200670
Ministry will not break down Boxer deliveries by variant: The Ministry of Defence has declined to say how many of each Boxer variant have been delivered to the ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/ministry-will-not-break-down-boxer-deliveries-by-variant/
Nuclear spending committee still due by end of year: A new Commons committee to scrutinise spending and programmes across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise is still ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/nuclear-spending-committee-still-due-by-end-of-year/
'Devonwall' spat as Cornwall MP's leaflets end up in Plymouth: Labour's Luke Pollard offers to send Lib Dem Ben Maguire a map
cornwalllive.com/news/local-news/devonwall-social-media-spat-cornwall-11200670
Farage defends plan for ‘lethal force’ against Channel migrants: Defence Minister Luke Pollard brands Reform UK’s proposals “disgusting and illegal.”
politico.eu/article/nigel-farage-defends-plan-for-lethal-force-against-channel-migrants/
Minister brands Robert Jenrick's 'lethal force' on migrants comment 'disgusting and illegal'
mirror.co.uk/news/politics/jenrick-reform-migrants-lethal-force-37765395
Defence sector needs fifty three thousand more workers: The workforce in the defence sector's priority occupations is estimated to grow by 53 ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/defence-sector-needs-fifty-three-thousand-more-workers/
Defence Readiness Bill to give government reserve powers: Legislation being developed to give ministers powers in reserve for escalation towards war will cover ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/defence-readiness-bill-to-give-government-reserve-powers/
MP 'disgusted' at South West Water after another sewage spill off Plymouth Hoe: Bathers given second pollution warning in just a week
plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/mp-disgusted-south-west-water-11193213
Work starts to move dumped and rotting boats in Plymouth: Demolition team in action at Devonport's North Corner
plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/work-starts-move-dumped-rotting-11188688
South West Water given blunt six-week deadline over Plymouth sewage: A 'no swim' warning was in place for two days because of sewage discharges from the ...
plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/south-west-water-given-blunt-11187465
Government targets later Parliament for readiness bill: The Government is aiming to bring forward proposals for new defence readiness legislation later in this ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/government-targets-later-parliament-for-readiness-bill/
The Spectator Sep 23
Paid articlePaywall The continuity idiocy of Labour’s foreign policy: We have people in government who accept the deranged grammar and vocabulary of the Chinese Communist party in ...
spectator.com/article/the-continuity-idiocy-of-labours-foreign-policy/
Normandy migrant dinghy heading for UK after 24 hours at sea: Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, claimed on social media he was going into the Channel to find ...
kentonline.co.uk/news/national/normandy-migrant-dinghy-heading-for-uk-after-24-hours-at-sea-172002/
Midweek Herald Sep 23
Devon MPs’ donations, gifts and hospitality revealed: Fresh analysis of donations to support Devon’s MPs has revealed the scale of financial backing for the ...
exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/26564333.devon-mps-donations-gifts-hospitality-revealed/
UK supporting Saudi Arabia could help keep fuel prices down, minister claims: Energy prices have already shot up following conflict involving Iran and the ...
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/saudi-arabia-raf-red-sea-luke-pollard-b3054140.html
UK borders are secure, minister says after migrant boat reaches coast undetected: Defence minister Luke Pollard dismissed suggestions the Government had lost ...
standard.co.uk/news/politics/government-andrew-matthews-kent-folkestone-b1297875.html
New naval shipbuilding plan due later this year: The Government will publish a new Shipbuilding and Maritime Technology Action Plan later this year as the Royal ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-naval-shipbuilding-plan-due-later-this-year/
OpinionUK NATO interoperability roadmap will remain secret: The UK’s NATO Interoperability Roadmap has been completed and is already being implemented ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-nato-interoperability-roadmap-will-remain-secret/
Bearskin caps worn by King's Guards should be replaced with fake fur alternative, MPs say
news.sky.com/story/bearskin-caps-worn-by-kings-guards-should-be-replaced-with-fake-fur-alternative-mps-say-13585993
OpinionBritish Army moves to restore long-range anti-tank strike: The British Army is moving to restore a beyond-line-of-sight anti-armour capability more than 30 years ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-army-moves-to-restore-long-range-anti-tank-strike/
No date yet for integrated military rail plan: The Ministry of Defence has said work is continuing on a more integrated approach to domestic and international ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/no-date-yet-for-integrated-military-rail-plan/
OpinionNo figure given on two-year defence procurement target: Defence has not provided a figure showing what proportion of major modular platforms are now reaching ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/no-figure-given-on-two-year-defence-procurement-target/
OpinionPollard says he does not want kit that fails in Ukraine: Equipment that would not survive the war in Ukraine has no place in the British armed forces ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/pollard-says-he-does-not-want-kit-that-fails-in-ukraine/
Navy looks to accelerate Devonport submarine upgrades: The Ministry of Defence is examining whether work at HM Naval Base Devonport can be accelerated ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/navy-looks-to-accelerate-devonport-submarine-upgrades/
OpinionUK moves to secure critical minerals for defence: The MOD is moving to reduce defence reliance on high-risk critical mineral supply chains through allied ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-moves-to-secure-critical-minerals-for-defence/
The Aviationist Sep 03
UK Minister Confirms Development of RAF Boom Refueling Capability: In a response to an MP's written question, Defence minister Luke Pollard said that the ...
theaviationist.com/2026/09/03/raf-boom-refueling-capability/
OpinionMOD targets two-year contract deadline for major platforms
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/mod-targets-two-year-contract-deadline-for-major-platforms/
Devonport overhaul prepares base for Type 26 fleet
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/devonport-overhaul-prepares-base-for-type-26-fleet/
OpinionMinisters keep quiet on laser weapons beyond DragonFire: The Ministry of Defence has declined to say what directed energy weapons it is developing alongside ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/ministers-keep-quiet-on-laser-weapons-beyond-dragonfire/
Minister tells social media firms to remove posts that ‘celebrate’ dangerous driving after A66 crash
theguardian.com/media/2026/aug/24/minister-tells-social-media-firms-to-remove-posts-that-celebrate-dangerous-driving-after-a66-crash
Government tells Tiktok to take down vids 'celebrating' people driving down the wrong side of roads
mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/government-tells-tiktok-take-down-37585091
Plymouth Royal Mail fury: Letters arriving weeks late or not at all: MP announces survey to hear how widespread the problem is
plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-royal-mail-fury-letters-11115643
UK pitches military tech role and navy frigate deal to NZ: British minister says Kiwi companies could be integrated into supply chains, with new jobs on offer
newsroom.co.nz/2026/08/17/uk-pitches-military-tech-role-and-navy-frigate-deal-to-nz/
OpinionKyiv defence business centre to open, minister says: Answering questions on the UK/EU-Ukraine Defence Innovation Corridor roundtable, Luke Pollard pointed to a ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/kyiv-defence-business-centre-to-open-minister-says/
£20m Over 10 Years: The local team ready to change Devonport for generations: 'This £20m investment isn't about top-down decisions'
plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/20m-over-10-years-local-11085718
OpinionUK to rebuild hypersonic target capability after decade: The UK is to rebuild its sovereign hypersonic target capability after a gap of more than a decade ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-to-rebuild-hypersonic-target-capability-after-decade/
OpinionPollard reappointed defence readiness and industry minister: Luke Pollard has been reappointed as Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry following ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/pollard-reappointed-defence-readiness-and-industry-minister/
OpinionUK to field offensive space squadrons in national first: The UK will field offensive space capabilities for the first time, operated by six new specialist space ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-to-field-offensive-space-squadrons-in-national-first/
OpinionSky Sabre doubling on track with deliveries from late 2026: The Army's Sky Sabre air defence force will double under a £350m investment, with Minister Luke ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/sky-sabre-doubling-on-track-with-deliveries-from-late-2026/
OpinionRAF autonomous fighter jet named Storm Fighter: The UK's Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme will be called Storm Fighter, Minister Luke Pollard has told ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/raf-autonomous-fighter-jet-named-storm-fighter/
'Substantial' HMNB Portsmouth upgrades to fix 'deteriorating' infrastructure and boost future Royal Navy fleet
portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/major-upgrades-hmnb-portsmouth-fix-infrastructure-fleet-boost-8803138
OpinionFaslane set to become ‘Scotland’s biggest building site’: Faslane will likely be Scotland's biggest building site over the next decade as £15 ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/faslane-set-to-become-scotlands-biggest-building-site/
OpinionNew British assault ships to enter service in 2030s: The first ship of the planned joint Anglo-Dutch amphibious fleet is intended to enter service in the 2030s ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-british-assault-ships-to-enter-service-in-2030s/
OpinionNew Chinook buy to sustain UK heavy lift beyond 2040: A second Chinook buy will sustain UK heavy lift beyond 2040, the MoD says, though lift capacity faces a ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-chinook-buy-to-sustain-uk-heavy-lift-beyond-2040/
OpinionMore submarine refit work happening at Faslane says minister: Submarine refit work that might previously have been carried out at Devonport is now taking place ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/more-submarine-refit-work-happening-at-faslane-says-minister/
OpinionNavy’s new hybrid warship could be built at Rosyth: Luke Pollard told MPs the Common Combat Vessel could sit in a Type 31-style production facility ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/navys-new-hybrid-warship-could-be-built-at-rosyth/
Steel tariffs are pushing up costs for defence: Luke Pollard confirmed the government's own tariff rise is adding to defence costs, in the one case where the ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/steel-tariffs-are-pushing-up-costs-for-defence/
Plymouth MP Luke Pollard wants the King’s Guards to stop wearing bearskin caps - but a suitable fake-fur alternative has to be found first ... Show more
OpinionUK shifts space spending towards space control: The Defence Investment Plan puts £880m into space this parliament, with a rebalance towards space control that ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-shifts-space-spending-towards-space-control/
OpinionTwo more Type 23 Frigates being retired soon: The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, has confirmed that the Defence Investment Plan ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/two-more-type-23-frigates-being-retired-soon/
Exmouth Journal Jul 02
Exeter university awarded more than £6m for defence skills training: The next generation of defence innovators could soon be trained in Exeter after the ...
exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/26235960.exeter-university-awarded-6m-defence-skills-training/
What Andy Burnham as PM would mean for Plymouth: Plymouth is the "northern working class city on the south coast"
plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/what-andy-burnham-pm-would-11030780
The Spectator Jun 16
Watch: Remaining defence minister admonishes Starmer: Poor Sir Keir Starmer simply cannot catch a break. Last week, what remained of his authority suffered ...
spectator.com/article/watch-remaining-defence-minister-admonishes-starmer/
defence-blog.com Jun 09
Britain restarts trials on its most troubled armored vehicle: Britain's long-troubled Ajax armored reconnaissance vehicle is being put back into trials under ...
defence-blog.com/britain-restarts-trials-on-its-most-troubled-armored-vehicle/
A new Metro system for Plymouth? 🚇
What about our abandoned airport, asks one curious reader.
Norman Wyman reckons the city needs both - and is calling for ... Show more
Iran war hits UK deliveries of US-made munitions: The conflict in Iran has changed the delivery schedules of some US-manufactured munitions destined for the ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/iran-war-hits-uk-deliveries-of-us-made-munitions/
Parliament to host Ukraine defence innovation roundtable: Graeme Downie MP has warned the UK must move away from "slow, traditional cycles" ahead of a ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/parliament-to-host-ukraine-defence-innovation-roundtable/
SPEAR 3 integration on F-35B a priority, says minister: The Ministry of Defence's immediate focus is finalising the integration of the SPEAR 3 missile onto the ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/spear-3-integration-on-f-35b-a-priority-says-minister/
UK must be able to make millions of drones, says Pollard: Defence Minister Luke Pollard told the Commons the priority is building the capacity to produce ...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-must-be-able-to-make-millions-of-drones-says-pollard/
City MP calls for Plymouth Argyle to reconsider women's team decision: Luke Pollard has had his say on the news that nearly all of the Argyle Women's team are ...
plymouthherald.co.uk/sport/football/city-mp-calls-plymouth-argyle-10993311
Defence investment plan to be 'released in weeks' after long delay: The Yorkshire Post recently quizzed Luke Pollard, the Defence Readiness Minister ...
yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/defence-investment-plan-to-be-released-in-weeks-after-long-delay-8650213
🛠️ Defence firms to be punished for not meeting costs and missing deadlines
Fresh powers have been announced by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to incentivise ... Show more
Defence suppliers to earn more for on-time delivery
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/defence-suppliers-to-earn-more-for-on-time-delivery-2/
Telford's 'time is coming now' as new defence contract to create 100 jobs: Government minister says Shropshire town could become a hotbed of manufacturing for ...
shropshirestar.com/business/telfords-time-is-coming-now-as-defence-contract-to-create-100-jobs-8545678
Luke Pollard says he won't resign amid day of chaos for Labour Party: MP says his role as defence minister is too important
plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/luke-pollard-says-wont-resign-10962639
OpinionSceptics pile in over Laira railway station reopening plans: Readers have raised concerns over parking, traffic and past broken promises
plymouthherald.co.uk/news/news-opinion/sceptics-pile-over-laira-railway-10949483
Devon Live May 04
Plan to reopen lost Plymouth railway station : Bid to bring disused platforms into use for new Plymouth Metro link
devonlive.com/news/devon-news/plan-reopen-lost-plymouth-railway-10948039