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G7 Summit
22 May 2023
Lead MP
Rishi Sunak
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
UkraineDefenceEconomyTransportScience & TechnologyBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 38
At a Glance
Rishi Sunak raised concerns about g7 summit 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:
Government Statement
The minister reported on his return from the G7 summit in Japan, addressing concerns about Britain's retreat from the world stage. He emphasised UK’s resolve against Russia by highlighting support for Ukraine, including £2.3 billion in military aid last year and a commitment to provide similar or greater support this year. The statement also covered measures against China, such as strengthening defence ties across the Indo-Pacific and diversifying supply chains. Economic security was discussed through ambitious trade policies like the comprehensive agreement with trans-Pacific partners, critical minerals partnerships, and a semiconductor partnership with Japan. Additionally, Sunak announced nearly £18 billion in new investment from Japanese businesses to the UK. He concluded by affirming Britain's ability to wield hard power for its values.
Mike Wood
Con
Dudley South
Question
How does the Prime Minister’s statement relate to the recent attacks on UK diplomats in Moscow? What is his reaction and what action is he taking?
Minister reply
The prime minister condemned the recent attacks on UK diplomats in Russia, emphasising that such actions do not deter Britain from supporting Ukraine. He stated that sanctions against Russia would continue, reflecting the resolve to stand firm.
Robert Buckland
Con
South Swindon
Question
What impact has the G7 summit had on trade and investment for British businesses? Can you provide more details on recent investments?
Minister reply
The G7 summit facilitated significant progress in trade deals, including a comprehensive trans-Pacific partnership and critical minerals partnerships. The Windsor framework secured free flow of trade within the UK internal market. Recently, Japanese companies announced nearly £18 billion in new investment into the UK, showcasing confidence in Britain's economy.
Paul Masterton
Con
Galloway and West Dumfries
Question
How will the Government ensure economic security against China’s aggressive trade practices? Are there specific measures to protect our industries?
Minister reply
The government is diversifying supply chains in critical areas like semiconductors, working with allies to prevent economic coercion by China. Specific measures include partnerships and agreements that strengthen resilience and secure economic independence.
Keir Starmer
Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Question
I thank the Prime Minister for advance sight of his statement, and I join him in his comments in remembering the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing and in marking the awful murder of Lee Rigby... We will stand with them because their decisive victory is the route to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. Therefore, Labour welcomes the strong show of support for President Zelensky... As the war in Europe continues to rage, Hiroshima was a fitting stage for the G7 summit...
Minister reply
I thank the right hon. and learned Gentleman for his comments at the beginning with regard to Ukraine. Just with regard to the Wagner Group, we have already sanctioned the Wagner Group in its entirety... With regard to co-operation with our allies, again, that is something that is already happening and we are leading the way... The proof is in the simple fact that on Friday we announced £18 billion of new investment in the UK economy from a range of leading Japanese businesses. They have enormous faith and confidence in the United Kingdom—why doesn’t he?
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Question
I applaud the Prime Minister’s recognition that the Chinese Communist party is the greatest threat we face and that we must de-risk to keep our people safe. We will engage when in the global interest, but we cannot allow the Chinese Communist party to cast defence as escalation... Can I also urge the creation of an economic Ramstein on Ukraine that mirrors that of the military, because we have failed to suffocate the financial war machine that is allowing Putin to continue with this war?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for her questions and for her the work on these issues in particular... With regard to China, her points are all well made. I look forward to discussing with her how we can strengthen the new anti-coercion platform that we have established—I know she has talked about that in the past—where we, working with other countries, can make an enormous difference to more vulnerable nations’ ability to stand up to economic coercion, whether from China or other hostile states.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
Question
I begin by echoing the sentiments of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in relation to the Manchester bombing and the appalling death of Lee Rigby so many years ago. The symbolic importance of the G7 summit taking place in Hiroshima goes without question, as does the importance of the presence of President Zelensky in Japan... Did the Prime Minister take any lessons from those allies in Japan about how to secure proper economic growth?
Minister reply
On China, our approach is laid out in detail in the integrated review refresh. I reiterated it yesterday and will not go over it again, but China represents a systemic challenge. It is the greatest challenge we face... That is very welcome because, while many people may have ideas for what peace in Ukraine looks like, a ceasefire is not a just and durable peace and we will keep ensuring that the peace Ukraine has is one that it deserves and is truly just and lasting.
Question
Could I welcome this statement and the work of the Prime Minister at the G7? We are rightly rekindling those international statecraft skills, as we see in Ukraine... But of course, as we rightly step forward, that will place an ever greater burden on our armed forces. I think he knows where I am going with this: could I ask him when we are likely to see an increase in the defence budget to 2.5% of GDP?
Minister reply
I know my right hon. Friend has long championed this, and rightly so, which is why I was pleased, as Chancellor, to increase our defence budget by £24 billion—the largest sustained increase since the end of the cold war... We are on track to get to 2.25% in the next couple of years, at which point we will take stock and see where we are economically and fiscally but, as I have said, the threats our country faces are increasing and it is right that we invest appropriately to protect ourselves.
Edward Davey
Lib Dem
Kingston and Surbiton
Question
Can I join the Prime Minister in paying tribute to the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing and the family of Fusilier Lee Rigby?... Does the Prime Minister agree that these people should end their investment, so they stop supporting the Russian economy and thereby Putin’s war efforts?
Minister reply
We were one of the first countries to put in place an incredibly comprehensive sanctions regime against Russia. We have sanctioned, at this point, over 1,500 people—tens of billions of dollars of assets... All that is contributing to a significant squeezing of the Russian economy, as we are seeing, and its ability to replenish its war machine, and we will keep looking for other opportunities to tighten the vice, as we did this weekend.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
If, against all original expectations, Ukraine succeeds in expelling Russia from her territory, will the time then have come for us seriously to consider admitting Ukraine to NATO, so that no future psychopathic Russian leader will ever be tempted to invade her again?
Minister reply
As the NATO Secretary-General has already said, Ukraine will become a member of NATO. The most immediate task that faces us is, as my right hon. Friend knows, to provide the support that Ukraine needs to be successful on the battlefield... In doing so we will send a strong signal to Russia that we are not going anywhere, increase the long term deterrent effect, and strengthen the incentive for it to withdraw its troops now, and not attempt to wait anybody out.
Ruth Jones
Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Question
Many people in Newport West have been eagerly waiting for the Government’s semiconductor strategy... That is unacceptable in my view. How can we expect effective research and development to be carried out within the semiconductor industry, as trumpeted by the strategy, without well-funded domestic manufacturing capacity?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady may have missed the £1 billion of investment in the UK semiconductor industry contained in the strategy, and the fact that it was welcomed by leading companies from the sector... That is why the strategy was warmly welcomed, and is the right strategy to strengthen our security.
Question
Among many other achievements this weekend, may I thank the Prime Minister for ensuring that education did not drop off the global agenda, and that the communiqué reaffirms the G7’s commitment to global education?... May I urge my right hon. Friend to continue to encourage our friends, particularly France and Japan, to contribute to Education Cannot Wait?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for all her work in this area previously. She will be proud, as I am, that the Foreign Secretary launched the women and girls strategy in March... That is something we will continue to champion in all international fora.
Liam Byrne
Lab
Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Question
I declare an interest as chair of the international Parliamentary Network on the World Bank & International Monetary Fund... Would that be an awful lot easier if the UK stepped up and met the African Development Bank’s calls for hybrid capital, matched Japan’s commitment to share 40% of the new special drawing rights, and used the €3.5 billion that we get back from the European Investment Bank to help build a bigger World Bank?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman failed to mention that we are currently the third largest spender in the G7 on development aid as a percentage of GDP... Every country contributes in different ways, but we should be very proud of our record.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Question
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on putting Ukraine front and centre at the G7 summit. Will he make it clear that that is not just because we believe it is morally right to support Ukraine in her own self-defence, but is because the successful outcome of the war in Ukraine is intrinsically tied up with our own strategic and national interest, and that of the whole western world, upon which our own security and prosperity depend?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend put it well; I agree with every word he said. I would go slightly further. Ultimately, what are we fighting for? We are fighting for the values that we believe in of democracy, freedom and the rule of law. The only thing that I disagree with him on is that while he said the western world, actually what has been striking and welcome in the conflict has been the support of countries such as Japan.
Question
The semiconductor partnership with Japan is very welcome indeed, but although the Prime Minister mentioned domestic investments to the hon. Member for Newport West (Ruth Jones) a moment ago, I understand that that £1 billion is focused entirely on research. Is he similarly committed to manufacturing—at Newport, for example —or is he happy to leave that to Taiwan, the United States and, of course, the European Union?
Minister reply
What we are focused on is growing our semiconductor industry and making sure that we are resilient against future shocks. There are lots of different ways to do that. Indeed, we just signed a new semiconductor deal with Japan, as the hon. Member acknowledged, and we will continue to find opportunities to do that with others, but the idea that we can insource a global manufacturing supply chain in the UK is simply not right.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
The Prime Minister rightly mentioned illegal migration—it would be good to hear what the G7 is proposing to deal with it, particularly in terms of co-operation by our French allies—but the truth is that legal migration dwarfs anything from illegal migration. In the last 20 years, the population of the UK has increased by 8 million, of which 7 million is legal migrants. What will he do to back up the Home Office in making serious efforts to stop legal migration, which is changing the country forever, which is totally unsustainable and which we have promised to deal with again and again?
Minister reply
As my right hon. Friend can probably imagine, that was not a topic of conversation around the table in Hiroshima, but I and the Government are committed to bringing down the levels of legal migration. With regard to illegal migration, co-operation with allies is yielding tangible benefits for the UK.
Question
As the Prime Minister mentioned, President Zelensky attended the G7 summit. One thing that I understand is important to him is that Ukrainian culture has an audience across the world, yet there are concerns that musicians from the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine will not be able to tour the UK later this year because of the heavy financial and administrative burden of obtaining UK visas. The Prime Minister will understand that funding visa fees and travelling to obtain visas is so much more difficult for musicians in war-torn Ukraine. Last year, the Home Office agreed to waive visa fees and expedite the visa process to allow Ukrainian musicians to perform here. Does he agree that Ukrainian musicians still deserve that support? Will he ask the Home Secretary to ensure that we offer that support as we stand with Ukraine?
Minister reply
With regard to Ukrainian culture in particular, it was a great pleasure for us to host Eurovision on Ukraine’s behalf, which was a fantastic success and was warmly welcomed by the Ukrainian Government and President Zelensky. I am happy to look into the matter that the hon. Member raises, but as she will understand, our overwhelming priority right now is to support Ukraine to ensure that its counter-offensive is successful.
Question
Clearly, the move towards onshoring or nearshoring key strategic products is sensible—we saw why that is so necessary during the pandemic and with other issues—yet there seems to be a tendency across the developed world for the natural, logical, strategic need to nearshore key products to turn into protectionism. What discussions took place about that at the G7, and what can my right hon. Friend do to ensure that we do not revert to a protectionist world and abandon the benefits of free trade?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend makes an excellent point, and he can rest assured that I raised exactly that point with my colleagues in Hiroshima. He will be pleased, as I was, that there is language in the G7 communiqué that commits all G7 countries not to act at each other’s expense, and not to do so in a way that amounts to zero-sum competition.
Question
May I welcome what the Prime Minister said about China, particularly his intention to diversify our supply chains in areas such as critical minerals? The Prime Minister knows that China probably mines around 70% of all rare earth minerals and produces around 90% of all processed rare earth minerals globally. What investments is he planning to support to ensure capacity anywhere in the world to stop companies in the UK and elsewhere being required to buy from China?
Minister reply
We are strengthening investment here at home and increasingly playing our part in the critical minerals recycling chain. Recycling in particular, which is a key part of how we can ensure long-term sustainability, is an area where there is an enormous growth opportunity in the UK, and we are investing directly in that.
Question
I should declare that I have the honour to be the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Japan. Next week marks the 30th anniversary of the opening, by the then Prince Charles, of Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Derbyshire. It has been a tremendous asset for both our countries. Does the Prime Minister agree that in a turbulent world—one in which, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) says, protectionism is on the rise—our two countries, Japan and the UK, are more like-minded than ever, and even more than at that time? Will the Prime Minister commit to work closely with Japan to manufacture the next generation of cars, as well as new technologies, from offshore wind to satellites and AI?
Minister reply
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his appointment; I know he will do a superb job, and I agree with him. As the recent Hiroshima accords say, the relationship between the UK and Japan is the strongest that it has ever been across all areas. Whether on scientific collaboration, trade and economic growth, or indeed security, the partnership is strong.
Question
The Prime Minister did finally mention climate change in his response to the Leader of the Opposition, but this G7 summit was a disaster for the climate, flying in the face of expert warnings that if we are serious about staying below 1.5 degrees, there can be no new exploration of oil and gas. While the communiqué acknowledged the new fund for loss and damage, it failed to deliver any new funding for it. Oxfam has estimated that the G7 countries owe the global south a staggering $8.7 trillion for the harm already caused by their excessive carbon emissions. Will the Prime Minister now lead the way on that fund, and commit to new and additional funding specifically for loss and damage in advance of the COP28 summit?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady obviously missed the fact that this was the first G7 commitment to stop building new coal plants. It was the first G7 collective renewable energy target, and it confirmed that the developed countries would meet their commitment to provide $100 billion in climate finance per annum—something that has been warmly welcomed.
Lichfield
Question
As the Prime Minister knows, it is Putin’s wish and Ukraine’s fear that the conflict goes long and battle fatigue sets in. My right hon. Friend has been clear—as has the Leader of the Opposition—that we will give that long-term support, but what was his assessment of his colleagues whom he met at the G7, particularly from countries such as India, which have not always shown full commitment to the struggle in Ukraine?
Minister reply
As I pointed out earlier, the session with partner countries that were invited, including India, Brazil, Australia and others, was very good in confirming support for a just and durable peace in Ukraine. On my hon. Friend’s first point, he makes an excellent observation. That is why we have been working hard with other countries to put in place bilateral and multilateral long-term security arrangements.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Aberavon
Question
The Government’s No. 1 priority should be to strengthen the resilience of our economy so that we can stand more firmly on our own two feet in this dangerous and turbulent world. It was disappointing, therefore, that in the Prime Minister’s statement he failed to make any reference to the central role that steel plays—a key industry that builds our economic and national security and resilience. Given China, the US and the EU Governments are investing hundreds of billions of pounds in their steel industries, can he set out what steps his Government are taking to ensure that we build this vital building block of our manufacturing base?
Minister reply
The Government are committed to supporting the UK steel industry. The hon. Gentleman knows full well that I cannot comment on discussions of a commercially sensitive nature with particular companies, but he will know our track record.
Richard Drax
Con
South Dorset
Question
I commend my right hon. Friend on his stance on Ukraine and on a successful G7. He rightly mentioned the problem of mass immigration, particularly illegal immigration. Without doubt, one of the aggravating factors is the EU’s open border policy. Was there any discussion to re-look at that?
Minister reply
There was no discussion at the G7, as he might expect, but illegal migration was discussed when I was at the Council of Europe last week. As my hon. Friend can see, we have started conversations with the EU about closer co-operation with the EU’s border agency Frontex.
Drew Hendry
Lab
Inverness N & Ross
Question
The Wagner Group has already admitted to murdering 40 children and hundreds of adults sheltering in a basement in Bakhmut. Mere sanctions are not a strong enough message. What does that terrorist organisation have to do before the Prime Minister will take action to proscribe it?
Minister reply
We are ensuring that those who commit war crimes in Ukraine will be held accountable and brought to justice. That is why we took a leading role in supporting evidence gathering and providing both financial and technical legal support—we have recently provided more than £1 million for those efforts.
James Morris
Con
Heywood & Middleton
Question
The global environment faces more challenges than it has for many years, not least an existential threat to the rules-based international order and threats to the essence of our democratic values. Does the Prime Minster agree that the UK is uniquely placed to build the networks and relationships that are needed to stop those threats from becoming a reality?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We are uniquely placed: our international engagement and diplomacy in the last few months has shown that we have strong relationships, not just in the United States but across Europe and increasingly in the Indo-Pacific as well.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Question
The Prime Minister mentioned the United Nations in the context of his remarks about Ukraine, and he will be aware that the United Nations has quite rightly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Will he comment on the calls made by Secretary-General Guterres to attempt to negotiate a ceasefire, supported by President Ramaphosa and the Pope? What comment will he make about the statement made this morning by President Lula of Brazil?
Minister reply
I could not disagree with the right hon. Gentleman more. A ceasefire is not a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Russia has conducted an illegal and unprovoked invasion of another country. It has committed heinous war crimes.
Crispin Blunt
Con
Reigate
Question
May I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the substantive and central role he played at the G7 summit and the important progress made in advancing the G7 agenda, which is of growing importance to our security and our economy? What is his assessment of how far India is now moving to share this agenda, not least in its relations with Russia?
Minister reply
As I said, the session with partner countries, including India and others, was positive in its conversation on Ukraine and on the principles of what a just and lasting peace would look like.
Marie Rimmer
Lab
St Helens South & Whiston
Question
Did the Prime Minister have any success in convincing countries, such as India and Brazil, to take a stronger stance against Russia’s invasion and partial occupation of Ukraine?
Minister reply
One benefit of President Zelensky attending the G7 summit was the ability for him to talk directly to those leaders, and he did so, particularly in that session but also in other conversations. It was a very powerful message that he could deliver in person.
Richard Graham
Con
Gloucester
Question
The UK’s key role in G7 Tokyo decisions highlights the fact that this Government are doing more on the world stage, not retreating from it, especially in the Indo-Pacific region and south-east Asia. Does he agree that this is a good time, in the last year of the term of office of President Jokowi of Indonesia—the largest member state in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the current ASEAN chair—for both our countries to scope out the will and capacity for a wide-ranging bilateral free trade agreement?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for all the work he does to promote our trade in the region and strengthen our relationship with countries such as Indonesia. I discussed his missives in person with President Jokowi and we had a good conversation about how we can strengthen our trading relationship.
Patrick Grady
SNP
Glasgow North
Question
If it is the Prime Minister’s firm resolve that it should never again be necessary to use nuclear weapons, why is he spending billions of pounds on renewing Trident?
Minister reply
Look, of course on this issue we will disagree with the Scottish nationalist party, but we remain committed to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
Matt Warman
Con
Boston and Skegness
Question
Qualcomm, Graphcore and Arm are among the major semiconductor manufacturers that welcomed the UK’s semiconductor strategy. The Prime Minister is right to focus on where we are best and where we can play an outsize role in this industry. At its heart, however, this is also about lessening our semiconductor dependence on Taiwan. Will the Prime Minister assure me and the House that that will not come with greater risk of seeing a decrease in relations between China and Taiwan?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his comments about the semiconductor strategy, which of course is an area on which he speaks with authority. Our long-standing policy on Taiwan has not changed.
Andrew Western
Lab
Stretford and Urmston
Question
Asked the Prime Minister if he has met with his independent adviser regarding reports that his Home Secretary may have breached the ministerial code, and whether there will be an investigation. He also inquired if the Home Secretary would be dismissed if found guilty of breaching the ministerial code.
Minister reply
Confirmed that the issue was not discussed at the G7 summit but stated that he has met with both his independent adviser and the Home Secretary, received information on the issues raised, and will provide an update on appropriate course of action.
Question
Welcomed the £18 billion investment from Japan for the UK and asked if Rishi Sunak would work to ensure that some of this investment comes to Stoke-on-Trent, thus boosting skilled employment.
Minister reply
Emphasised the broad range of industries attracting new investments, stating confidence in economic benefits extending to all parts of the UK. He highlighted auto manufacturing, clean energy and future sectors such as quantum and semiconductors.
Question
Asked if Prime Minister had made points similar to those raised by President Zelensky during his bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi regarding Russian oil exports to India.
Minister reply
Confirmed that G7 allies are engaging in diplomatic efforts to highlight potential sanction circumvention risks and investing £50 million into an economic deterrence initiative.
Question
Complimented the Prime Minister on his discussions at G7 regarding national security threats from China, and asked if Rishi Sunak would consider blocking companies such as BGI involved in genomic data harvesting.
Minister reply
Replied that they have powers under National Security and Investment Act 2021 to block hostile investment into sensitive sectors and gave an example of blocking Chinese investment in Newport Wafer Fab.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Question
Asked the Prime Minister if he was prepared to limit British long-range missiles used by Ukraine, similar to assurances given by Presidents Biden and Macron.
Minister reply
Defence Secretary has clarified on use of Storm Shadow. He emphasised that Ukraine is engaged in self-defence against illegal Russian invasion.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Thanked the Prime Minister for his support towards Ukraine and asked if religious freedom issues were raised with counterparts during summit discussions.
Minister reply
Foreign Secretary regularly engages on this topic with allies when relevant, reiterating commitment to stand up for freedom of expression and religious belief worldwide.
Shadow Comment
Keir Starmer
Shadow Comment
The shadow welcomed strong support for Ukraine but urged stricter enforcement of sanctions against Russia and called for a full audit of UK-China relations. He criticised the government’s economic strategy as inadequate, citing concerns about Britain's competitiveness in semiconductors and electric vehicles. Starmer emphasised the need for a race to seize future opportunities, urging the government to secure access for British manufacturers to US tax incentives for green technologies.
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