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AUKUS
16 September 2021
Lead MP
Boris Johnson
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
DefenceEconomyForeign AffairsScience & Technology
Other Contributors: 37
At a Glance
Boris Johnson raised concerns about aukus 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
Yesterday, I announced the creation of AUKUS, a trilateral defence partnership between the UK, Australia, and the US. This partnership will see Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines with assistance from the UK in an 18-month collaboration to determine the best delivery method. Emphasised is that these submarines are powered by nuclear reactors but not armed with nuclear weapons. AUKUS aims to safeguard the peace and security of the Indo-Pacific, a region increasingly central to global geopolitics and British trade interests. The partnership will enhance defence co-operation between the three countries and create hundreds of highly skilled jobs across the UK, reinforcing industrial and scientific expertise. Expectations are that this project could reduce costs for future nuclear submarine programmes for the Royal Navy. Additionally, AUKUS is expected to accelerate development in other advanced defence systems such as cyber capabilities, AI, quantum computing, and undersea technology.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Blaenau Gwent
Question
Does the Prime Minister recognise that there will be concern among many in Wales and Scotland that this is a deal being done for English jobs, not Welsh or Scottish ones? Can he assure us it won’t just be the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet that benefits but also our own domestic capabilities?
Minister reply
The minister assured that the programme will create highly skilled jobs across all regions of the UK, including Scotland and Wales. He emphasised the aim to reinforce national scientific expertise and ensure a balanced distribution of opportunities.
Malcolm Rifkind
Con
Edinburgh Pentlands
Question
How is this agreement likely to impact Britain’s security relationship with France, another important partner in submarine technology?
Minister reply
The minister responded by asserting the importance of maintaining strong relationships with all allies, including France. He highlighted that AUKUS will strengthen existing partnerships and foster new opportunities for industrial cooperation.
John Nicolson
SNP
Dunfermline and West Fife
Question
Does the Prime Minister recognise the importance of ensuring this agreement does not exacerbate economic inequality between nations, with wealthier regions benefiting disproportionately?
Minister reply
The minister acknowledged the need for balanced distribution of job opportunities and assured that efforts are being made to ensure fair contract allocation across various parts of the UK.
Keir Starmer
Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Question
The right hon. and learned Gentleman welcomed AUKUS but asked for details on what the agreement means in practice, including its implications for China and NATO, as well as job opportunities that may arise from this arrangement.
Minister reply
The Prime Minister thanked Keir Starmer for his welcome of the statement and clarified that AUKUS is not adversarial to any other power but reflects the shared values between the US, UK, and Australia. He also emphasised Britain's commitment to NATO, with a defence spending increase to 2.2% of GDP, and noted that there will be an 18-month scoping exercise for jobs created by AUKUS.
Question
Ellwood asked if the initiative is in response to increasing competition faced today and whether our peacetime defence budget is now adequate.
Minister reply
The Prime Minister confirmed that the increase in defence spending, at £24 billion, is unprecedented since the Cold War and enables Britain’s participation in AUKUS.
Question
Blackford welcomed the agreement but questioned what discussions had been held with other NATO allies before this announcement and asked for a guarantee that the agreement will not break nuclear non-proliferation treaties.
Minister reply
The Prime Minister assured that there is no conflict with NATO, no risk of breaking the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, and no distraction from threats closer to home such as Russia.
Question
May asked about the implications for the stance and response UK would take should China attempt to invade Taiwan.
Minister reply
The Prime Minister stated that the United Kingdom remains determined to defend international law, giving strong advice to friends around the world and advising strongly against such actions.
Kevan Jones
Lab
North Durham
Question
Warmly welcomes the agreement on nuclear technology co-operation with Australia, but asks what steps are being taken to develop defence partnerships and technology agreements with other countries such as India, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
Minister reply
Responds by confirming that partnerships around the world, including in the Indo-Pacific region, are under development. Mentions potential collaboration on future combat air system (FCAS) with Japan.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Question
Welcomes the statement for enhancing security in a challenging region, expresses appreciation for submariners, and asks if this is the first step towards further upgrading UK's presence in the Indo-Pacific.
Minister reply
Pays tribute to submariners and confirms that this is just the beginning of collaboration on defence technology, with plans to expand co-operation in areas such as cyber, AI, and undersea defences.
Edward Davey
Lib Dem
Kingston and Surbiton
Question
Welcomes enhanced co-operation with Australian allies but asks for more detail on enhancing co-operation with other Indo-Pacific nations such as India, Japan, and South Korea.
Minister reply
Confirms the carrier strike group's presence in the region and ongoing exercises with 40 countries. Hints at further developments without going into specifics due to security reasons.
Question
Welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement but asks about the extent of jobs and skills reinforcement within the UK as a result of this agreement.
Minister reply
States that the focus is on helping the Royal Australian Navy acquire appropriate nuclear submarines, with extensive use of UK's expertise expected.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Question
Highlights the importance of maintaining diplomatic dialogue with China for solving global challenges like climate change and asks about efforts to increase influence over China and impact on COP26 negotiations.
Minister reply
Confirms productive conversations between UK’s COP President-designate and Chinese counterparts, hoping for more ambitious commitments from China.
Question
Welcomes the partnership news and asks if it can drive forward closer working with allies towards a secure and resilient digital technology supply chain less reliant on countries like China.
Minister reply
Agrees, noting existing structures in place such as Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) and emphasising new intensified levels of co-operation through AUKUS.
Question
Welcomes the deepening of defence relationships with Australia and US, and asks if this agreement supports the rules-based international order, democracy, human rights, and acknowledges foreign aid as an important component.
Minister reply
Agrees that it is founded on shared values and highlights significant UK commitments in official development assistance.
Question
Welcomes the partnership with Australia, highlighting its benefits for job creation and business growth, and asks if this demonstrates opportunities available to global Britain.
Minister reply
Agrees that it showcases opportunities beyond Europe, aiming to be a truly global power.
Question
Asks for reassurance on cyber-troops high on AUKUS agenda due to the importance of recognising modern conflict including industrialised weaponised misinformation.
Minister reply
Confirms that cyber and AI will be progressed within the AUKUS context, alongside Five Eyes intelligence-sharing partnership.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Question
Welcomes deepened collaboration with allies and asks to welcome Mohamed bin Zayed’s visit for further links and tackling issues such as defence, climate change, and regional instability.
Minister reply
Agrees to see MBZ shortly and confirms that our relationship with Gulf States is the single fastest growing market.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North
Question
Welcomes the statement but asks how this trilateral agreement sits within Five Eyes relationships and whether it will strengthen or weaken them.
Minister reply
Confirms that AUKUS is within the Five Eyes arrangement, with Canada and New Zealand not part of this intensified technological partnership due to reasons specific to each country.
Question
Welcomes AUKUS as an opportunity for new jobs and development in north-west England and asks if it dovetails nicely with ambitions towards the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Minister reply
Agrees, highlighting the £9 trillion trade area significance where UK is increasing its diplomatic and commercial presence.
Nick Smith
Lab
Blaenau Gwent
Question
Welcomes the statement but asks about support for Taiwan at a difficult time due to China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Minister reply
Confirms that UK upholds international law and has sent the carrier strike group to make this point.
Gary Sambrook
Con
Midlands
Question
Does the Prime Minister agree that this new partnership is an absolutely golden opportunity for jobs across the country, including at home in the midlands? It not only gives people the opportunity to defend our shared interests and values across the world, but the opportunity of a high-skilled job and the security of a pay packet.
Minister reply
Yes, that is exactly right. The UK leads the world in some of these technologies. There are opportunities for high-wage, high-skilled jobs that will last a generation and more.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
The human rights atrocities against the Uyghur people in China have yet to abate. They continue with such brutality. While co-operation is welcome, how will this new strategy make protecting human rights more possible since escalation of operations can have a chilling impact on diplomacy?
Minister reply
I think it is very important that we continue to engage with our Chinese partners but to engage very firmly on the points that we care about, whether it is human rights in Hong Kong, democracy in Hong Kong or the treatment of the Uyghurs.
Craig Williams
Con
Montgomeryshire
Question
For 60 years, we have been manufacturing nuclear submarines and we are a world leader. This is a great Union story with supply chain even finding its way to the landlocked Montgomeryshire in the middle of Wales. Will this be great for jobs across the United Kingdom?
Minister reply
I can certainly assure my hon. Friend that this will be great for jobs across the United Kingdom, but as I said, there is an 18-month scoping programme to work out exactly how the labour is going to be divvied up.
Ruth Jones
Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Question
Why has Wales been left out of this jobs fest?
Minister reply
All parts of the United Kingdom, including the great Principality of Wales, will—I have no doubt—benefit from this agreement.
Steve Double
Con
St Austell and Newquay
Question
Will this new partnership help us to continue to protect the rules-based international system in the region? Particularly thinking of Hong Kong.
Minister reply
This allows three countries that share very close perspectives on human rights, the rule of law, free trade and international shipping to come together and uphold those values. We do not wish to be adversarial towards any other global power but we wish to underscore that we work together to uphold those values.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Question
Although France and the US were mentioned, will the Prime Minister confirm that they are not looking at an “imperial days of empire” solution of creating a British overseas territory in Scotland?
Minister reply
I think most commonsensical people will welcome the arrival of jobs across the whole of the United Kingdom. The Type 26 frigate programme, which I have seen being built in Govan, is worth £19.5 billion to this country and will generate jobs for decades.
Sally-Ann Hart
Con
Hastings and Rye
Question
Will the Prime Minister promise to consider those sorts of jobs in Hastings and Rye as we move forward under this amazing partnership?
Minister reply
Absolutely. Of course, Hastings and Rye was the last place in which this island suffered a reversal at the hands of the French, but our relations with the French remain very good.
Greenwich and Woolwich
Question
What further reassurance can he provide that the new partnership will not come at the expense of defence co-operation with our European NATO allies?
Minister reply
This is not zero-sum. We have spoken to the House already about the depth of our co-operation with the French, which has a nuclear dimension as well, whether it is in Estonia or in Mali.
East Worthing and Shoreham
Question
Can the Prime Minister confirm that this agreement allows us to expand into even more areas for the protection of our people and those of our allies?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. AUKUS is a big leap forward in terms of trust—agreeing to share nuclear propulsion systems is a giant step—but what this means now is that we will build on that platform to co-operate on cyber, artificial intelligence and all the other types of technology.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
Question
Today in relation to Hong Kong the Government have failed to uphold their duty under the joint declaration at a time when democratic values have effectively been snuffed out. Will the Prime Minister finally take meaningful action on Hong Kong?
Minister reply
We have not only stood up for human rights in Hong Kong but have taken the step of welcoming the British nationals (overseas), 30,000 of whom are coming to this country.
Felicity Buchan
Con
South West Norfolk
Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that it shows that we are successfully delivering the integrated review and deepening our foreign policy, defence and security relationships with our global allies?
Minister reply
Yes. This makes visible and incarnates the Indo-Pacific tilt that we have been talking about. It is an incredibly important development for our relations in the Indo-Pacific.
Tony Lloyd
Lab
Manchester Central
Question
Will the Prime Minister make something clear? He has described the agreement as being essentially about technological transfer, not a major commitment of military assets. Can he guarantee that this is where we are going and no overstretch will be involved?
Minister reply
Yes, although I remind the House that the carrier strike group is out there expressing British influence—hard power and soft power—8,000 miles away.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
Can I press my right hon. Friend on the opportunities to expand co-operation with India, which is a key strategic partner in the region?
Minister reply
Again, there is a great deal of community of interest and values, and we should pursue that.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central
Question
Can the Prime Minister set out how he plans to develop further partnerships with countries that share our values to develop key technologies such as 6G? Whether European countries might be included?
Minister reply
Yes, we will continue to pursue that type of partnership with every other country where we think it can be done without any threat to our critical national infrastructure.
Pontypridd
Question
I am pleased to hear the Prime Minister’s commitment to Welsh workers and that they will be eligible for these opportunities, because workers in Pontypridd have already lost their jobs at BA in Llantrisant and GE in Nantgarw. I urge the Prime Minister to meet the leaders of the devolved nations, because he clearly needs a constitutional lesson. Wales is not a principality; it is a country—a country that has been forgotten by this Westminster Government. Will he commit to meeting them to look at contract opportunities for Welsh workers?
Minister reply
There will be jobs and growth across the whole of the UK as a result of this partnership, but above all as a result of the policies that this Government have been pursuing, which are leading to higher wages and higher skills—a policy that I am afraid the Labour party continually opposes.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Prime Minister for his statement. He will know that Northern Ireland plays an integral part in the procurement and manufacture of defence products; we have the highest technical and scientific manufacturers. We wish to be part of this move, and I know the Prime Minister wishes Northern Ireland to be part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, better together, but we need to be assured. Will he tell us today in the Chamber that Northern Ireland will play its part?
Minister reply
Of course Northern Ireland will play its part, not least in the shipbuilding strategy that will follow after the spending review. I should have made more of that. I am delighted to say that Harland and Wolff has, as I understand it, just taken on another 1,000 apprentices for the first time in a very long time to get ready for exactly that strategy.
Shadow Comment
Keir Starmer
Shadow Comment
The shadow response welcomed increased co-operation with allies but requested more detail on the practical implications of AUKUS. It questioned how this arrangement would impact Britain's relationship with China, ensuring it doesn't decrease influence or security capabilities. Keir Starmer also highlighted the importance of maintaining European and NATO alliances, asking for guarantees that resources won't be redirected from these regions to the Pacific. He emphasised the need to protect broader intelligence-sharing arrangements such as Five Eyes and requested details on job opportunities and fair contract distribution across Britain.
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