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Question
The MP questions the timing and reason for the Prime Minister's resignation, suggesting it is more about party politics than addressing real issues like national security. They criticise Labour for focusing on internal leadership rather than Britain’s security needs.
Minister reply
The minister responds by defending the government's actions at the G7 summit and NATO meetings, highlighting the progress made in terms of military support to Ukraine, economic cooperation with Japan and India, and trade agreements that boost UK GDP. The minister underscores the importance of continuing these efforts despite internal party challenges.
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Question
The Leader of the Opposition criticised the Prime Minister for failing on national security, including appointing a known risk to security as ambassador and reducing sanctions on Russian oil. She accused the Government of paralysis and lack of governance during this period of uncertainty.
Minister reply
The Deputy Prime Minister defended the Prime Minister's leadership and highlighted significant progress made under his tenure, such as trade deals and defence spending. He emphasised that all sanctions on Russian oil remain in place.
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Question
My right hon Friend welcomed the G7 commitment to accelerating humanitarian efforts for Gaza and ending violence on the west bank, will he agree that Israel must stop the E1 Jerusalem and West Bank illegal expansion?
Minister reply
The Deputy Prime Minister agreed with Fleur Anderson's points about peace in the Middle East and encouraged her to look at the statement issued by G7 leaders.
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Question
Did the Government raise the proposal of using frozen Russian assets around the world to support Ukraine, what discussions did the Prime Minister have with allies at the G7 to put real pressure on both Netanyahu and Hezbollah to end the fighting?
Minister reply
The Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that the issue of frozen Russian assets is a long-standing item of discussion. He also highlighted the need for restraint from Israel to maintain peace in Lebanon.
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Question
I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for his update on a range of issues from the G7 summit. Could he set out how the Government’s work to de-escalate things in the middle east will help families in Britain and my constituency, specifically when it comes to protecting shipping routes, reducing energy pressures and keeping prices down?
Minister reply
I pay tribute to the Foreign Secretary, the Prime Minister and our National Security Adviser for their determination to keep the strait of Hormuz open and their work with partners to bring together a coalition to achieve that. We stand ready to help, particularly with de-mining. We all want to reassure industry and get back to freedom of travel down the strait of Hormuz. All of that will affect the cost of living in this country and stabilise our economy and the global economy.
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Question
Does the Deputy Prime Minister share my concern, and that of many of my constituents, about elements of the Iran deal, in particular that the early sanctions relief, access to frozen Iranian assets and $300 billion of economic reconstruction development aid could find its way back to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, further strengthening an organisation that has done so much damage to regional stability and global stability, both directly and through its proxies?
Minister reply
I am very grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his question. We have sanctioned the entirety of the IRGC. Since coming into office, we have imposed 240 sanctions on Iran, and we will bring forward legislation to implement full and further sanctions and sectorial measures, including targeting finance, energy, software and other industries that are advancing Iranian nuclear escalation.
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Question
While I am at it, will the Deputy Prime Minister sit down with the police and find some way of stopping the ridiculous heckling and disruption of Prime Ministers on the steps of Downing Street when they are trying to make statements, which further adds to our considerable international embarrassment right now?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman has stood in my shoes on the steps of Downing Street. There are moments where the country is watching, and people want to be able to hear Prime Ministers of the day speak, so I recognise his point.
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Question
I am glad that the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated support for Ukraine, but for that we need the defence investment plan. Could he explain what conversations the Prime Minister had at the G7 about defence investment, particularly through the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank and the multilateral defence mechanism? Both could be important to Britain. Can the Deputy Prime Minister tell us what is happening?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend will be reassured that defence, and increased defence spending across the G7, was a topic of discussion. We support attempts by the European Union and by our Canadian friends to ensure that the funds and different mechanisms are available to increase that defence spending. As I have said, we will set out how we will do that before the NATO summit.
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Question
The Deputy Prime Minister mentioned the meeting between the Prime Minister and Sanae Takaichi, the Prime Minister of Japan, with reference to £18 billion of investment coming into the country. Some of that will no doubt be for the global combat air programme, for which a funding deal needs to be in place by the end of this month—next week. Last week, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Procurement mentioned that that funding deal has been agreed. Can the Deputy Prime Minister confirm how much that deal is worth and whether it is a multi-year deal, or whether it is a three-month interim deal that runs out at the end of September?
Minister reply
I recall being in Japan as Foreign Secretary and discussing that deal, and I was pleased to see the signing of the £18 billion deal, which incidentally will create 11,000 jobs. I will ask the Defence Secretary to update the hon. Gentleman in the usual way.
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Question
After decades of Conservative Governments who preached isolation on the international stage, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have shown through their work the value of being in the room to get agreements that make positive changes for our national interests. He will therefore understand the concern of many of us that the EU-UK summit planned for 22 July, to make progress on repairing the damage done by Brexit to our economy and agreeing sanitary and phytosanitary and youth mobility deals, has been delayed. Every month of delay in the summit is a month of delay in implementing any deal, so will he assure those of us who recognise the need for a salvage operation to address the damage that Brexit has done to our economy, that this is a pause, not a stop, in that process?
Minister reply
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her leadership on these issues. I assure her that the summit will take place as soon as possible. We are having ongoing discussions with the European Union on SPS, youth mobility, steel and a range of issues on a day-to-day basis.
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Question
A week ago, the Prime Minister said that the UK would support the deal between the United States and Iran by standing up a “defensive, independent, multilateral mission”. In May, the UK was supposed to deploy drones, Typhoon fighter jets and HMS Dragon to such a future mission, whereas today the Deputy Prime Minister spoke of “immediate support for de-mining.” What will the deployment involve, and what might trigger it, please?
Minister reply
Of course, HMS Dragon should be ready for any mission to secure the strait of Hormuz, with the advanced British military mine clearance specialists I referred to, Typhoons ready to conduct air patrols over the strait, and the Royal Navy’s modular Beehive system, which can deliver high-speed autonomous Kraken drone boats to track and identify potential threats and defeat them.
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Question
May I also associate myself with my right hon. Friend’s remarks about the Prime Minister and his service to our country? Despite the agreement with Iran, as he highlighted, the attacks on Lebanon have continued. Can he say more about what will be done to ensure that the truce agreed is sustainable, and what action will be taken to support the more than 1 million people who have been displaced and for the reconstruction of that country?
Minister reply
We strongly welcome the ceasefire but recognise that it is fragile. It must be fully implemented, including withdrawal by the Israel Defence Forces from Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese armed forces from the south, and Hezbollah must end its indiscriminate rocket fire. We have announced an additional £20 million-worth of humanitarian funding, taking UK support up to £30 million, and Baroness Chapman, the Minister of State for International Development and Africa, was in Lebanon last week discussing these issues with our French counterparts and the Lebanese Government.
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Question
I really am quite impressed that the Deputy Prime Minister knows more about defence spending than the former Secretary of State for Defence. He was able to stand in for the Prime Minister at questions and also know what was going on in the G7. And apparently the Prime Minister did such an amazing job that the way forward is to sack him.
May I ask the Deputy Prime Minister this question? If the demands to go into closer trading relationships with Europe by those who are pushing that in his party—including the right hon. Member for Makerfield (Andy Burnham), according to what he has said recently—are to be met, do those five trade deals that the Deputy Prime Minister has boasted about stand up?
Minister reply
We have been very clear about the red lines in our manifesto and about delivering on our promise to reset our relationship and put Britain at the heart of Europe. We absolutely stand by the ability to implement, enact and see our economy grow as a result of those five trade deals, all of which I have been involved in.
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Question
I, too, want to echo the tribute that my right hon. Friend has paid to the Prime Minister. There is much of which he can be proud, particularly on the international stage. I welcome the Deputy Prime Minister’s strong words about what is happening in Gaza and the west bank, but my constituents frequently write to me in despair that Israel seems to be able to act with impunity when it comes to illegal settlements, the blocking of aid and many other examples. What reassurance can he give them that there is some hope that Israel will be held to account, and that the people of Gaza and the west bank will be helped in the face of such oppression?
Minister reply
I am proud that we took historic steps to recognise the Palestinian state. We oppose settlements that undermine a two-state solution. Settlements are illegal under international law. We urge Israel—as I have continued to do—to take greater action to hold violent settlers to account and strongly condemn the massive increase that we are seeing in settler violence against Palestinian civilians. That is why we have announced further sanctions—the fourth package in recent times—against those who are sustaining that violence.
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Question
The Deputy Prime Minister has just said that we are all in the Prime Minister’s debt. Well, that would be the £300 billion of debt that he has racked up. Of all the G7 countries, we now pay the highest borrowing costs. Given that Labour was elected on an express pledge not to raise taxes and not to borrow beyond our means, does the Deputy Prime Minister agree that if the right hon. Member for Makerfield wants to hike taxes even more and max out our national credit card, he should call a general election?
Minister reply
Reform is in no position to ask questions or make demands when its leader is refusing to own up about his £5 million donation and whether he lobbied the Bank of England about cryptocurrencies.
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Question
I also echo the Deputy Prime Minister’s remarks about the Prime Minister and his service to our country. Does my right hon. Friend agree that Israel must allow aid into Gaza, stop settlement expansion in the E1 area of East Jerusalem and tackle settlement violence, and that the G7 must use this moment to ensure that Palestinian people have the resources they need to rebuild their country?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We all want to see peace maintained in the middle east, and we look with horror at the settler violence in the west bank. I condemn the inflammatory language that we hear once again from members of the Israeli Government.
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Question
Asked the Deputy Prime Minister about measures to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and how meaningful future deals with Iran could be.
Minister reply
David Lammy thanked for previous negotiations with Iran, noted the UK's stance on upholding agreements and supporting international efforts as detailed in recent G7 statements.
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Question
Inquired about further action against the Russian shadow fleet and enforcement of sanctions.
Minister reply
David Lammy acknowledged the bravery of Royal Marines and NCA, mentioned ongoing investigations and international collaboration.
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Question
Discussed the economic impact of Brexit on Scotland and questioned if the UK as a whole has suffered.
Minister reply
David Lammy stated that Labour will hold the opposition accountable for the botched Brexit, emphasising efforts to repair relationships with European partners.
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Question
Asked about steel tariffs and steps to prevent economic disaster.
Minister reply
David Lammy detailed measures including quota reductions and tariffs on steel imports, committing to monitor the impact closely.
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Question
Discussed the economic cost of Brexit for Wales and the need for rebuilding relationships with Europe.
Minister reply
David Lammy reaffirmed Labour's manifesto commitment, anticipating a future EU summit but without pre-empting manifesto details.
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Question
Speculated on the Deputy Prime Minister’s longevity in office and questioned Russian sanctions.
Minister reply
David Lammy confirmed intention to continue serving, noted publication of statements regarding energy imports.
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Question
Expressed frustration with UK-EU relationship and requested assurance on resetting ties.
Minister reply
David Lammy highlighted efforts to reconnect with the EU, including Foreign Secretary meetings.
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Question
Critiqued energy policies and sanctions regarding Russian oil products.
Minister reply
David Lammy countered criticisms by highlighting job creation efforts in the North sea, including £1.2 billion support for workforce upskilling.
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Question
Questioned absence of climate change on G7 agenda and urged UK leadership.
Minister reply
David Lammy affirmed commitment to climate action, renewables, and nature protection.
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Question
Challenged the legitimacy of the Deputy Prime Minister's statement on a summit he did not attend.
Minister reply
David Lammy defended his role in providing updates to Parliament, citing historical precedent and constitutional norms.
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Question
Questions the Deputy Prime Minister's stance on Israeli Minister of National Security Ben-Gvir’s genocidal and psychopathic language, given the fragile ceasefire with Lebanon, asking if lasting peace is possible with Ben-Gvir in Netanyahu’s Cabinet and if further sanctions are possible.
Minister reply
Condemns Ben-Gvir’s words as reprehensible and states that he was proud to sanction him for destabilising the Middle East and undermining a two-state solution.
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Question
Asks if £500 million per month from the EU-UK reset deal is too high or low given the delay in the summit, referencing internal Labour party matters.
Minister reply
States that he expects the EU summit to happen as quickly as possible and looks forward to working with Andy Burnham after his victory in Makerfield.
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Question
Inquires about G7’s consideration of global poverty, inequality, climate injustice, and the direction towards greater diplomacy and peace instead of increased military spending.
Minister reply
Commends President Macron for a successful G7 summit that included India, Kenya, and Gulf partners to discuss geopolitical issues relevant to Jeremy Corbyn's career.
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Question
Asks if the Government recognises that in key sectors such as life sciences, agritech, defence tech, and AI, the UK outperforms the EU due to regulatory divergence since Brexit, questioning whether maintaining sovereignty is vital when aligning more closely with the European Union.
Minister reply
Asserts that maintaining what's right for the country includes global leadership in areas such as AI, digital and tech while working in partnership with the EU given its status as the UK’s largest trading partner.