Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Defence Spending: Wales

Wednesday 11 June 2025 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions focused on Defence Spending in Wales.
  • The Government announced a 100 million boost for military homes in Wales.
  • Labour welcomed the Strategic Defence Review for its impact on Wales and the UK's defence industry.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Melanie Ward Lab Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Defence Wales
Context

The question follows the announcement of a £2.2 billion increase to the defence budget for 2025-26 in the spring statement, aiming to assess its economic and social impacts.

Question

I was glad that the Government’s strategic defence review was launched in Scotland last week, where increased defence spending will create new jobs and fuel economic growth, despite the SNP’s refusal to back it. I was similarly pleased that the SDR included hundreds of millions of pounds of investment in forces housing in both Wales and Scotland. Will the Minister update the House on the positive impact that the review will have in Wales, and across the Union?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Dame Nia Griffith)

I warmly welcome the £100 million boost for military homes in Wales—part of the £7 billion spend to tackle the state of armed forces accommodation in this Parliament. That will support urgent repairs, such as fixing boilers and roofs and tackling damp and mould, and facilitate the long-term renewal of military housing for hundreds of service families across Wales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer focused on the impact on military homes rather than broader economic or social impacts in Wales.

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Q2 Naushabah Khan Lab Gillingham and Rainham
Defence Wales
Context

The strategic defence review was launched with a focus on increased defence spending, aiming to create new jobs and improve the economy.

Question

The strategic defence review will make Wales and the rest of the UK safer at home and stronger abroad, just as it will my constituency of Gillingham and Rainham. Does the Minister agree that the SDR is further proof that only Labour can be trusted to protect our Union, while Opposition Members wring their hands, wish they did more when they were in power, or look for ways to make apologies for foreign aggression?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Dame Nia Griffith)

I agree with my hon. Friend. The Conservatives failed to deliver a plan for our defence industry, and left our homes for heroes in poor condition; and while Plaid Cymru plots to leave NATO, and Reform cosies up to Putin, Labour invests in our military, our security and our veterans.

Not addressed: The minister did not address the strategic defence review's impact on Wales directly but instead attacked the opposition parties.

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Q3 Joe Robertson Con Isle of Wight East
Defence Wales
Context

The decision to hand over the Chagos islands and billions of pounds to Mauritius has raised questions about its impact on Wales.

Question

The Minister sounds unexpectedly optimistic, given that so many question marks remain over promises and aspirations for defence spending. Can she confirm the impact of handing over the Chagos islands and billions of pounds to Mauritius?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Dame Nia Griffith)

I want to focus on the benefit for Wales from the defence budget; that is what these questions are about. This spending will bring the industry more jobs, and upgrade our military homes in Wales.

Not addressed: The minister avoided answering the question by shifting back to the benefits of increased defence spending for Wales without addressing the Chagos islands issue directly.

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Q4 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Defence Northern Ireland Wales
Context

The increased spending in Wales has implications for other regions, including Northern Ireland.

Question

I welcome the Government’s increased spending in Wales. First, it is good for jobs and opportunity, and secondly, those in uniform, whether in the Army, the Royal Air Force or the Royal Navy, come from all over the United Kingdom—from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Does the Minister acknowledge that the new spend on defence could be shared proportionately between those countries, be it on those who serve in uniform, or on companies that are involved in the defence sector?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Dame Nia Griffith)

As I am sure the hon. Gentleman knows, Northern Ireland benefits considerably from companies such as Thales bidding into that defence fund. For many years, there have been many excellent service personnel from Northern Ireland. I am sure that he will look after them when they become veterans.

Not addressed: The minister did not directly acknowledge the need for proportional distribution but rather highlighted existing benefits to Northern Ireland's defence sector.

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Q5 Mims Davies Con East Grinstead and Uckfield
Defence Wales
Context

The increased defence spending has raised concerns among Conservatives regarding the future of national unity and security.

Question

Given how precarious global affairs are, Conservatives believe that defence, and defence jobs, should be a No. 1 priority for the Labour-controlled Wales Office. Major defence companies, such as General Dynamics in Merthyr and Caerphilly, and Tekever in Ceredigion, among others, await answers. Plaid wants to break up the cherished Union, withdraw Wales’s full membership from NATO and surrender our nuclear defence system. Is the Minister seriously concerned about that, and if so, will she rule out her Labour Senedd colleagues ever forming a coalition with the nationalists in an expanded Cardiff Bay?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Dame Nia Griffith)

I am sure I do not need to remind the hon. Lady that defence is a reserved matter. Those decisions will be taken in this UK Parliament, and it is up to the Welsh Senedd how it forms a Government following the elections next year.

Not addressed: The minister avoided addressing concerns about nationalist coalitions directly by stating that defence matters are reserved for the UK Parliament.

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