Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Security Action for Europe Fund

Monday 2 February 2026 · 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

  • The Minister discussed UK access to the Security Action for Europe fund with EU counterparts but no agreement was reached that met UK national interests.
  • The Minister expressed a desire for closer defence partnerships with Europe and commitment to working with EU member states, particularly NATO members.
  • James MacCleary urged the Secretary of State to reopen negotiations on SAFE and to have the Prime Minister discuss the matter directly with President Macron.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Max Wilkinson Lib Dem Cheltenham
Defence Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK's failure to reach an agreement on accessing the EU's SAFE defence fund due to Brexit. The questioner references the impact of Brexit on national and economic interests.

Question

What discussions has the Minister had with his EU counterparts on UK access to the Security Action for Europe fund? Does this not go back to the key problem that faces us as a nation, which is the failed Brexit bestowed upon us by the previous Government and their friends in the Reform party? Ministers have my sympathy as they try to unpick this mess, but they are going too slowly. Brexit is clearly the biggest barrier to us participating in this scheme. Is it not now obvious that our best economic interests and our national security are best served by a more rapid reintegration with the European Union?

Answer from The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard)

We entered negotiations on SAFE participation in good faith; however, no agreement was possible that met our national interests. We will continue to explore co-operation with the EU and its member states that strengthens European security and underpins our NATO-first policy. The biggest security threat facing the United Kingdom is Russia. We are responding to that by deepening our alliances right across the NATO alliance, especially with our European friends, and we will continue to do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifically avoided addressing whether Brexit was a barrier to SAFE participation or if there would be faster reintegration with the EU.

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Q2 James MacCleary Lib Dem Lewes
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

Reported collapse of November's talks on UK access to the EU’s €150 billion SAFE defence fund, with France reportedly driving the impasse. The questioner seeks reopening of negotiations and direct engagement between Prime Minister and President Macron.

Question

Will the Secretary of State reopen negotiations? Will he urge the Prime Minister to raise this matter directly with President Macron—perhaps in their reported WhatsApp group—and publish the Government’s cost-benefit analysis for joining SAFE, including the entry price that they judge to be acceptable?

Answer from The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard)

I, too, want a closer defence partnership with Europe. That is why we set that out in the Prime Minister’s announcement on the EU reset. We will continue working closely with not just the European Union, but European Union member states, the majority of which are NATO members. That will support their security. We are an important player on the international defence scene, and it is important that UK businesses are able to access markets, not just for the purposes of economic growth, but because that keeps European Union member states safe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to reopening negotiations or publishing a cost-benefit analysis.

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