Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strengthening National Security

Thursday 23 October 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 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jessica Toale asked about the role of the Cabinet Office in national security.
  • The Government responded with commitment to a significant increase in defence spending.
  • Nick Timothy inquired about reports related to Jonathan Powell's involvement in a China spy trial.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jessica Toale Lab Bournemouth West
Defence
Context

The MP referenced the resilience action plan and the national security strategy published by the Cabinet Office.

Question

Keeping our country and our citizens safe is the first duty of this Government, and the Cabinet Office plays a central role in that endeavour. My right hon. Friend the Security Minister and I regularly bring Ministers together from across Government to take decisions that strengthen our country’s national security. Later today, my hon. Friend the Member for South Dorset (Lloyd Hatton) and I will meet small and medium-sized enterprises in the defence sector and skills training providers to discuss how we in Dorset can benefit from the Government's defence industrial strategy.

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister)

I thank my hon. Friend for her question, and welcome the companies from her and her colleague’s constituencies to Parliament today. As she knows, this Labour Government are committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the cold war. Our strategic defence review and defence industrial strategy will also make defence an engine for economic growth, creating jobs and driving innovation in every nation and region. I particularly thank institutions such as Bournemouth and Poole college and Bournemouth University for their important work, and for their focus on developing defence skills for the future and creating jobs for young people in my hon. Friend’s constituency.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Nick Timothy Con West Suffolk
Context

There are reports that Jonathan Powell wrote a box note to the Prime Minister on the China spy trial. When No. 10 was asked about this, the official spokesman said that it was for the Cabinet Office to answer.

Question

There are reports that Jonathan Powell wrote a box note to the Prime Minister on the China spy trial. When No. 10 was asked about this, the official spokesman said that it was for the Cabinet Office to answer, and as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the right hon. Gentleman is uniquely placed to tell us. Did Powell write a box note to the Prime Minister —yes or no?

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister)

No.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)