Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 30 June 2025 · 15 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 13 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Dr Al Pinkerton (Surrey Heath) (LD) inquired about cross-party talks to fund NATO's 5% defence spending target.
  • Mark Ferguson (Gateshead Central and Whickham) (Lab) questioned the risks of the Opposition's reprivatisation plan to military housing.
  • Michelle Welsh (Sherwood Forest) (Lab) asked about ensuring future defence contracts are completed by UK workers in the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Al Pinkerton Lib Dem Surrey Heath
Defence
Context

Following last week's NATO summit in The Hague, where member nations agreed to increase defence spending targets and capability pledges.

Question

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for his response. Now that the Prime Minister has made a cast-iron commitment to meet NATO’s 5% defence spending target, will the Secretary of State make a similarly welcome commitment to cross-party talks to establish a credible and durable path towards meeting that goal ahead of NATO’s 2029 capability review?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)

I welcome the Liberal Democrats’ support for the commitment we have made at NATO; the Leader of the Opposition was unable to offer that support at Prime Minister’s questions last week. If the hon. Gentleman has ideas about how we should fund that commitment in the next Parliament, I would be perfectly happy to hear them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to cross-party talks but welcomed support and offered to hear ideas on funding commitments

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Q2 Mark Ferguson Lab Gateshead Central and Whickham
Defence Housing
Context

Recent progress in forces housing initiatives has been made, but concerns exist about the Opposition's reprivatisation plan which could undermine current deals.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the Opposition’s half-baked reprivatisation plan would be a huge threat to those in the armed forces and their families?

Answer from The Minister for Veterans and People (Al Carns)

That is a really valid point. The trouble is that the plan risks the deal we had with Annington. It would outsource all the housing, and take control away from the Government, the Ministry of Defence and the military families who would be living in that housing. Our housing strategy will come in after the summer, and it will be well thought through and delivered.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly acknowledge threat but highlighted risks associated with reprivatisation plan

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Q3 Michelle Welsh Lab Sherwood Forest
Defence Employment
Context

ITP Aero supports over 700 jobs in Hucknall, essential for defence and national security. Concerns about future contracts being completed overseas.

Question

What are this Government doing to ensure that work done under future contracts is completed in the UK, by UK workers?

Answer from The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry (Maria Eagle)

I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the vital role of ITP Aero on some of our most important defence platforms, not least Typhoon and the A400M. The strategic defence review makes it clear that we will back British-based businesses where possible, and ITP Aero is already helping to show that defence is an engine for growth in her community.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit explicitly but highlighted government commitment to supporting British businesses through strategic defence review.

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Q4 Tristan Osborne Lab Chatham and Aylesford
Defence
Context

Launch of XV Excalibur autonomous submarine vehicle in south England. Inquiry into future investments in autonomous vehicles, unmanned submarines and gliders.

Question

What other investments are being made under the strategic defence review in autonomous vehicles, unmanned submarine technologies, and glider technologies?

Answer from The Minister for the Armed Forces (Luke Pollard)

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that. Excalibur will be an incredible autonomous asset. The strategic defence review sets out that crewed, uncrewed and autonomous systems will be standard across our armed forces, and at the heart of the review is investment in the people who will be manufacturing and standing behind those systems. That is why, when the defence investment plan comes out later this year, there will be more opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, primes and businesses right across the country to invest in our uncrewed and autonomous future in a hybrid military.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details but highlighted broad commitment under strategic defence review.

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Q5 Chris Bloore Lab Redditch
Defence
Context

NATO summit concluded with increased commitments for future defense and deterrence. Question regarding the importance of closer collaboration within NATO.

Question

With the changing nature of the threats we face, does the Secretary of State agree that working even more closely with our NATO allies is crucial to keeping the UK secure at home and stronger abroad?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)

I do indeed. NATO is bigger, stronger and more lethal than ever before. It is our guarantee that we will never fight alone. That is why the leading contribution that Britain makes to NATO deterrence and defence is a big part of keeping us safe for the future.

Answered
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Q6 Chris Coghlan Lib Dem Dorking and Horley
Ukraine Defence
Context

Concern about the potential impact of President Trump's actions on US military intelligence support for Ukraine, affecting UK support as well.

Question

Do the Government know if the US Government are still providing technical military intelligence support, such as electronic or imagery intelligence for Ukraine? If that were cut off by President Trump, would the Americans effectively restrict our British military technical intelligence support to Ukraine?

Answer from Luke Pollard

The hon. Member will understand that we cannot talk about sharing military intelligence on the Floor of the House, but as he and I have an interest in this, I would be happy to have a conversation with him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm or deny whether UK support is contingent upon US support; instead suggested off-the-record discussion.

How: Offered Private Meeting

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Q7 Gareth Snell Labour (Co-op) Stoke-on-Trent Central
Veterans
Context

Concern about the effectiveness of the military covenant in providing adequate support to veterans, especially in urban areas like Stoke-on-Trent.

Question

The North Staffordshire Tri Service and Veterans Support Centre does a wonderful job supporting veterans across Stoke-on-Trent, but all too often, it finds that the military covenant is not working for them. In Stoke-on-Trent in particular, it seems to be failing. What action are this Government taking to ensure that the covenant is worth the paper it is printed on in cities like mine?

Answer from Al Carns

I highlight that the Prime Minister has made an announcement about broadening responsibility for the covenant, and the duty of care that it will deliver, from three Government Departments to 14. It will now be for other Departments to ensure that the duty is adhered to across all local councils.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide concrete actions beyond broadening responsibility; focused on departmental accountability.

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Q8 Ben Goldsborough Lab South Norfolk
Veterans
Context

Concern about the unique challenges faced by veterans living in rural communities, such as South Norfolk.

Question

Some 3,537 of my constituents in South Norfolk are veterans. Being a veteran in a rural community is very different from being one in an urban community. What action are the Government taking to ensure that my veterans have the support they need?

Answer from Al Carns

As I have mentioned several times today, the Valour programme will accommodate that. It will not be a service that is a blueprint for everyone, but we will take the geographical differences into account and ensure that it is fit for purpose so that our veterans are given the deal that they deserve.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide concrete actions; focused on general statements about Valour programme.

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Q9 Graham Leadbitter SNP Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Defence
Context

Concern about a perceived change in the UK's stance on its independent nuclear deterrent following recent announcements.

Question

The strategic defence review, published this month, clearly states: “The foundation of the UK’s approach to deterrence remains a minimum, credible, independent UK nuclear deterrent, assigned to the defence of NATO… The UK’s nuclear weapons are operationally independent.” Somehow, in the last 29 days, the UK Government have decided that they no longer see their Trident nuclear missiles as a minimum credible deterrent. Why was that major change in policy not announced in the SDR?

Answer from Luke Pollard

The Government have made it very clear that our support for our independent nuclear deterrent is solid and is not changing. We are investing in new submarines, we are investing in the base in Faslane, we are investing in new nuclear reactors in Derby, and we are backing the people who keep our country safe with that guarantor of our security, the nuclear deterrent.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address perceived change; focused on current investments and assurances.

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Q10 Ben Obese-Jecty Con Huntingdon
Defence
Context

Concern about the stranded F-35B on a runway in India and its potential security risks.

Question

Since 14 June, an F-35B from the Prince of Wales carrier strike group has been stranded on the runway at the Thiruvananthapuram civilian airport in India. What steps are the Government taking to recover the plane, how much longer will that take, and how will the Government ensure the security of protected technologies on the jet while it is in the hangar and out of view?

Answer from Luke Pollard

We continue to work with our Indian friends who provided first-class support when the F-35B was unable to return to the Prince of Wales when on a flight mission, and I am certain that the security of the jet is in good hands because Royal Air Force crew are with it at all times.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific timeline or recovery details; focused on current cooperation and security measures.

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Q11 Joe Morris Lab Hexham
Ukraine
Context

Concern about the fate of missing Ukrainian children in occupied territories or Russia and their need for support.

Question

Given that as many as 35,000 Ukrainian children are still missing and are probably being held in occupied territory or in Russia, will the Minister assure us that the Government are not only taking action to help injured soldiers in Ukraine back on to the frontline, but doing all that they can to support the reunion of Ukrainian children with their families?

Answer from Luke Pollard

We are proud to be investing in Operation Renovator, our contribution to helping injured Ukrainian soldiers to recover and return to the fight to guarantee the safety of their nation, and we will continue to support that operation and our Ukrainian friends for as long as it takes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Focused on efforts for injured soldiers; did not address children's reunification specifically.

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Q12 John Glen Con Salisbury
Defence
Context

Concern about difficulties in recruiting young men to join the Army, especially in traditional communities.

Question

Infantry regiments cite difficulty in recruiting in their traditional communities and recruitment grounds. Further to the exchange between the Secretary of State and the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire), may I ask what more can be done to encourage, specifically, young British men to join the Army?

Answer from Luke Pollard

Last year 165,000 young people tried to join the British Army. We hired 9,500 of them, but 84% left because the process was too long. We have a superb “attract feature”, but we need to be better at converting, and we are making progress in that regard, although there is more to be done. I am happy to meet the right hon. Gentleman if he has any ideas that might support that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Focused on process improvements rather than new initiatives; suggested meeting for ideas.

How: Offered Private Meeting

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Q13 Peter Prinsley Lab Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Defence
Context

Concern about the development of an integrated air and missile defense system for the UK, especially in light of Germany's preparations.

Question

Sadly, we have all seen the devastation caused by modern missiles. Germany is preparing to receive the Arrow 3 missile defence system, ordered just two years ago, which can intercept intercontinental missiles at 2,500 km. What plans have the Government to equip this country similarly?

Answer from John Healey

One of the recommendations in the strategic defence review was that we develop an integrated air and missile defence system in this country. We must take our homeland security more seriously than we have in the past, and that is exactly what we will do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific plans or timeline; referenced strategic review recommendation.

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Q14 Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne
Defence Veterans
Context

Request for a tribute and condolences after the death of Eastbourne's last surviving war veteran, Eric Deach.

Question

During our last session of Defence questions, I asked the Secretary of State to join me in wishing a happy forthcoming birthday to Eastbourne’s last surviving war veteran, Eric Deach, who was shortly to turn 100. Unfortunately, tomorrow I shall be a pallbearer at his funeral; he did not make it. Will the Secretary of State join me in paying tribute and sending condolences?

Answer from John Healey

[No response provided]

Not addressed: Did not provide any form of acknowledgment or response to the request.

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Q15 Calvin Bailey Lab Leyton and Wanstead
Defence
Context

Mr Bailey highlighted the role of cadets in Armed Forces Day celebrations and recognised local air cadet squadrons. He sought to understand the government's approach towards increasing cadet force sizes.

Question

Cadets are a wonderful source of social mobility in our country, and played a key role in last weekend’s Armed Forces Day celebrations. I want to recognise my brilliant local air cadets: 12F Walthamstow and Leyton squadron, and 241 Wanstead and Woodford squadron. Will the Minister set out the Government’s approach to increasing the size of cadet forces in communities like mine so that everyone can benefit from the opportunities that cadets have to offer?

Answer from Al Carns

I thank my hon. Friend for all his support for cadet forces and the armed forces. It would be remiss of me not to say that cadet forces provide an excellent social mobility platform for young children across the country by giving them hope, priorities and principles, and pushing them to be determined. This Government have committed to raising the cadet force by 30%, and to giving more children across the country better opportunities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide specific plans or timelines for increasing cadet forces in communities like Mr Bailey’s, despite being asked about them.

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