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Defence and Security 2025-02-25
25 February 2025
Lead MP
The Prime Minister
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
UkraineDefence
Other Contributors: 64
At a Glance
The Prime Minister raised concerns about defence and security 2025-02-25 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Emphasised the importance of NATO, deepening alliances with Europe and the US, maintaining a robust response to Russia's aggression towards Ukraine, increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, recognising the contribution of intelligence and security services, aiming for 3% defence spending in the next Parliament, modernising military capabilities while seeking value for money, cutting development assistance from 0.5% of GNI to 0.3% in 2027.
The Prime Minister
Keir Starmer
Emphasised the importance of NATO, deepening alliances with Europe and the US, maintaining a robust response to Russia's aggression towards Ukraine, increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, recognising the contribution of intelligence and security services, aiming for 3% defence spending in the next Parliament, modernising military capabilities while seeking value for money, cutting development assistance from 0.5% of GNI to 0.3% in 2027.
Rishi Sunak
Con
Welcomed the Prime Minister’s response and support for Ukraine, criticised the west for not doing enough. Emphasised that the first duty of every Government is to protect their people through strong defence spending, welcomed increase in defence budget but questioned its sufficiency without raising taxes or borrowing more.
Rishi Sunak
Con
Welcomed Prime Minister's announcement on repurposing money from overseas development to fund defence. Criticised the decision to lease back the defence base on Diego Garcia and surrender Chagos islands, questioned Prime Minister’s national security posture.
Rishi Sunak
Con
Agreed with Prime Minister's NATO-first approach but disagreed with his change of national security posture. Emphasised the need for a strong economy to fund defence and criticised Labour’s economic plans.
Slough
Welcomed Prime Minister's statement on defence, stressed importance of strengthening transatlantic NATO alliance. Raised concerns about US presence in Europe and the need for leadership from UK to secure lasting peace.
Ed Davey
LD
Kingston and Surbiton
Emphasised Britain’s role in supporting Ukraine during Putin's invasion, criticised Trump’s stance towards Zelensky. Highlighted the need for leadership from UK to respond to changes in international relations.
Vernon Coaker
Lab
Ashfield
Supports the Prime Minister’s stance on Ukraine but urges him to engage in talks with all parties to reach a consensus for spending 3% of GDP on defence. He also asks the PM to seize and repurpose Russian assets immediately.
Meg Hillier
Lab/Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Welcomes the Prime Minister’s statement but asks for a reaffirmation of commitment to parliamentary scrutiny, especially on sensitive areas.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Supports the increase in defence spending as a start, urges PM to remind President Trump about the need for justice and freedom during peace talks.
Derek Twigg
Lab
Widnes and Halewood
Welcomes the commitment to accelerate defence spending but stresses on the importance of a whole-society approach, particularly focusing on improving reservist forces.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
Supports increasing defence spending but criticises the cut in foreign aid, questioning why the Foreign Secretary was wrong to suggest it would be a strategic mistake.
Nick Smith
Lab
Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Asks for more investment in cyber defence given the daily disinformation and cyber-attacks faced by the country.
Andrew Mitchell
Con
Sutton Coldfield
Agrees with the strategic direction on defence but questions the funding choice, highlighting previous votes against balancing budgets on backs of poor people globally.
Alex Baker
Lab
Aldershot
Welcomes news about increased investment in defence and asks for measures to help create jobs in the defence sector in her constituency.
Epsom and Ewell
Expresses satisfaction with announcement of 2.5% increase but seeks clarity on strategic defence review timeline and how additional funds will be spent.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Considers the Prime Minister's discussions with President Trump crucial for ensuring a stable Ukraine. Emphasises that military protection is necessary if there is to be a secure and stable Ukraine.
Calvin Bailey
Lab
Leyton and Wanstead
Welcomes the Prime Minister’s commitment to increase defence spending, noting it contrasts with past reductions in funding. Supports the reforms put forward by the Defence Secretary as essential for deterrence against Russian aggression.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Raises concerns about cutting foreign aid to fund increased military spending, arguing it is a strategic and moral mistake. Emphasises the importance of overseas development in preventing conflict.
Richard Quigley
Lab
Isle of Wight West
Welcomes the Prime Minister’s statement on defence expenditure but stresses that how money is spent is as important as the amount. Pays tribute to armed forces personnel for their commitment in defending the nation.
John Glen
Con
Salisbury
Supports the announcement of increased defence spending, calls for sustained efforts on procurement and industry collaboration. Urges the Defence Secretary's continuance to ensure enduring reforms.
Louise Jones
Lab
North East Derbyshire
Highlights past cuts to armed forces capabilities under Conservative government in 2014. Questions how the extra cash will be spent effectively on new technologies and necessary capabilities.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Welcomes Prime Minister's statement and supports his diplomatic efforts. Asks about assurances for Ukraine regarding Britain’s ability to supply arms and personnel post-agreement.
Alice Macdonald
Lab/Co-op
Norwich North
Welcomes uplift in defence spending but raises concerns over the decision to cut aid budget. Asks Prime Minister to reassure on commitment to return to 0.7% of GDP for overseas aid.
Ellie Chowns
Green
North Herefordshire
Questions the funding of increased defence spending through cutting aid, arguing it is counterproductive and short-sighted. Suggests increasing taxes on wealthy as an alternative.
Rupa Huq
Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Welcomes Prime Minister's statement on defence spending but invites him to commit to veterans, organisations like the Army cadet centre in Acton and Territorial Army reservists.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Welcomes increase in defence spending, arguing it is overdue. Calls for benchmark of success to be whether the armed forces regain warfighting capability rather than arbitrary percentage targets.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Welcomes the Prime Minister’s statement on increased defence spending, emphasises the need to defend international rules-based system against bullying countries like Russia.
Harpenden and Berkhamsted
Asks for assurance that when the Prime Minister speaks with President Trump, he will highlight the importance of working with European colleagues towards lasting peace.
Hitchin
Acknowledges the importance of funding and action in defence spending, questions how the Government plans to build domestic supply chain capacity for key defence assets.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
Expresses concern over lack of Reform party members asking questions on defence issues, raises question about using Russian frozen assets in support of Ukraine.
Matthew Patrick
Lab
Wirral West
Welcomes the Prime Minister’s statement on increased defence spending, asks how British businesses crucial to national defence will be supported.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Supports efforts for Ukrainian sovereignty but criticises balancing books at a cost to the poorest globally due to increased military spending.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Welcomes Prime Minister's announcement on defence investment, expresses concern over comments made by Farage that play into hands of Britain’s enemies.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Raises concerns about spending billions on Mauritius and suggests repurposing such funds towards strengthening armed forces.
Jeevun Sandher
Lab
Loughborough
Asks for assurance that strategic defence review will secure long-term orders, supply chains, inputs like steel to scale rapidly if needed.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Questions Prime Minister’s conversations about securing US backing as a backstop for Europe in support of Ukraine.
Mark Ferguson
Lab
Gateshead Central and Whickham
Welcomes the difficult decision to increase defence spending, argues that history shows Ukraine's survival is indivisible from our own.
Mid Sussex
Welcomed the increase in defence spending announced by the Prime Minister but expressed concern that it might come too late. Asked the Prime Minister to look at Liberal Democrat proposals to raise £3 billion through a digital services tax.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
Welcomed the Prime Minister’s leadership on defence spending and emphasised the need for renewed social contract across all parts of the country, including areas left behind.
Ben Spencer
Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
Acknowledged the importance of the increase in defence spending but questioned whether welfare spending needed to be looked at as well given current circumstances.
John Grady
Lab
Glasgow East
Agreed with the Prime Minister on the need for difficult decisions regarding public spending and acknowledged that Clement Attlee and Ernest Bevin showed that defending against totalitarianism is a core value of the House.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Welcomed the rebalancing of expenditure towards defence but emphasised the importance of building a strong deterrent to judge the success of national security posture.
Gordon McKee
Lab
Glasgow South
Asked about measures taken by the Government to protect Britain’s undersea infrastructure from foreign attack, specifically mentioning Russian vessels cutting cables.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
Emphasised the need to prepare for the fight that we do not want to have and encouraged the Prime Minister to take a personal interest in how the money is spent.
Shaun Davies
Lab
Telford
Welcomed the statement from the Prime Minister and asked for assurance that each pound will be diverted to British industry enabling them to support troops around the world.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Disapproved of the lack of reference to the UN in the Prime Minister’s statement and questioned the impact on poorest people in this country due to a cut in overseas aid budgets.
Mark Sewards
Lab
Leeds South West and Morley
Acknowledged that NATO is the bedrock of our alliance but questioned about conversations with European allies regarding their defence spending increases.
Bradley Thomas
Con
Bromsgrove
Welcomed the commitment to increase defence spending and inquired about actions taken by the Government to discourage BRICS nations from supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Kevin Bonavia
Lab
Stevenage
Praised the Prime Minister for announcing the increase in defence spending, particularly noting its potential wider economic benefits.
Bath
Asked about Government initiatives to encourage councils to form direct links with Ukrainian communities for support and resilience.
John Baron
Con
Basildon and Brentwood
Welcomed the Prime Minister’s statement, noting that it reflects a significant milestone towards increasing defence spending to 3% and beyond. He questioned the US's recent vote against European resolution regarding Russia withdrawing from Ukraine.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
Welcomed the move to increase defence spending but expressed concern over the US siding with Russia and North Korea in voting against a UN resolution on Russian withdrawal from Ukraine.
Jacob Collier
Lab
Burton and Uttoxeter
Commended the Prime Minister’s commitment to 2.5% defence spending, highlighting threats from undersea cables and maritime incursions as reasons to bolster the Royal Navy.
Calum Miller
LD
Bicester and Woodstock
Welcomed the statement but raised concerns over funding cuts to international aid, urging the Prime Minister to meet other parties to build consensus on defence spending increases.
Chris McDonald
Lab
Stockton North
Commended the Prime Minister's commitment and suggested mobilising steel, chemicals, and shipbuilding industries as part of an industrial strategy for national security.
John Cooper
Con
Dumfries and Galloway
Expressed concern about potential loss of state funding to defence companies in Scotland, urging the Prime Minister to take this into account in the defence industrial strategy.
Luke Murphy
Lab
Basingstoke
Welcomed the decision to increase defence spending but expressed regret over cuts to international aid and asked for assurance that increased funding would provide servicemen with necessary equipment and support.
Robin Swann
UUP
South Antrim
Asked for recognition of Northern Ireland's strategic importance in national and international defence, urging the Prime Minister to meet him regarding Aldergrove military base.
David Taylor
Lab
Hemel Hempstead
Welcomed the decision but expressed pain over cuts to international aid, asking for alternative ways of financing development through special drawing rights and debt relief.
Gregory Stafford
Con
Farnham and Bordon
Encouraged a quick increase in defence spending to 3% but questioned the timeline for publishing the Strategic Defence Review.
Laurence Turner
Lab
Birmingham Northfield
Welcomed the commitment to rebuild UK’s industrial capacity and urged for maintaining sovereign freedom in supply chains, highlighting the importance of a balanced approach between international collaboration and independence.
Emphasised the importance of preparation for peace through increased defence spending, rejecting the idea that this decision is against the law.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Welcomed the Prime Minister’s statement and supported an increase in defence spending from 2.5% to 3%, noting a need for further enhancement. Asked about discussions with the US on aligning defence strategies.
Ely and East Cambridgeshire
Welcomed parts of the Prime Minister’s statement but criticised the decision to cut overseas aid, arguing it was short-sighted and damaging for the world's poorest families.
Government Response
Acknowledged support from Opposition on Ukraine and defence spending, clarified new money allocation towards intelligence services. Reiterated no intention to raise taxes or borrow more for defence, outlined difficult decision-making process on overseas development budget repurposing. Defends government's decision on increased military expenditure and acknowledges previous lack of investment. Emphasises importance of securing peace through strong defence capabilities, while also recognising the role of overseas development aid. Defends increased defence spending as necessary for peace and security, outlines commitment to NATO framework, discusses complexities of using Russian frozen assets, emphasises importance of supply chains being in the UK, supports repurposing funds towards strengthening armed forces. The Prime Minister responded to various questions by reaffirming the importance of increasing defence spending, citing Russia’s breach of UN Charter and need for collective action. He also discussed the impact on welfare, public spending decisions, and the necessity of deterring aggression. Defended the difficult decision to reduce overseas aid in order to meet defence spending targets. Emphasised the necessity of this move for national security.
Shadow Response
Mrs Kemi Badenoch
Shadow Response
Not provided in the given transcript.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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