Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Military Bases: Security

Monday 30 June 2025 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister of Defence is working with other Government agencies to review security at all defence sites following incidents like the one at RAF Brize Norton.
  • Counter-terrorism police are investigating the incident at RAF Brize Norton, and the Ministry is allowing them the necessary space to complete their investigation.
  • RAF sites have large perimeters, and the inherited perimeter fences were designed as perimeter defence rather than to completely prevent all intrusions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Hall Labour (Co-op) Warrington South
Defence
Context

Following criminal vandalism at RAF Brize Norton, Sarah Hall questioned the extent of cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and other Government agencies to address emerging threats.

Question

To what extent is the Ministry of Defence working with other Government agencies to ensure a joined-up response to emerging threats to military equipment and infrastructure?

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

Counter-terrorism police are still investigating the incident at RAF Brize Norton, and it is right that we allow them the space to complete that investigation. The wider review looks at security at not just RAF Brize Norton, but all defence sites. We are looking with colleagues across Government at what investment is needed, and at how we can work with others to secure the safety of sites to ensure that the UK maintains operational security for all its assets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on collaborative efforts and threat responses were not provided.

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Q2 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Policing & Resources Defence
Context

Sir Julian Lewis inquired about the specific security measures, such as sensors on perimeter fences, to alert of intrusions at RAF sites following the vandalism incident.

Question

Almost by definition, RAF sites have to have very long perimeter fences, so it is understandable that they could be overcome at one point or another. Why were they apparently not fitted with sensors, at least, so that any intrusion would have sounded the alarm?

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

I do not want to pre-empt the findings of all the reviews, but the right hon. Gentleman is right that our air bases tend to cover a large area. The perimeter fences we inherited on many of our air bases were not designed to keep everyone out with large things, but to be a perimeter defence. In the ongoing security work, we are looking at how technological solutions and changes in guarding might contribute to enhanced security, given the increased threat that we face.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on current technological solutions were not provided.

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