Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ukraine

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 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Toby Perkins questioned the Defence Secretary about China's support for Russia's economy and military.
  • Rachel Taylor highlighted local support for Ukrainian refugees in her constituency.
  • Taylor criticized Reform-led Warwickshire county council for removing the Ukrainian flag from county hall.

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Ukraine Defence
Context

Mr Perkins is concerned about the growing influence of China in supporting Russia’s war efforts against Ukraine.

Question

The Defence Secretary is absolutely right to spell out the strength of our commitment but there is increasing concern about the extent to which China is propping up both the economic and military capabilities of Mr Putin and his barbaric regime, so can the Secretary of State tell me what his latest assessment is of China’s contribution to Putin’s war machine and what steps we are taking to ensure the international community remains united?

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

My hon. Friend is right to raise this, and as a nation and a Government the UK will not hesitate to act against those supplying and funding Putin’s war economy. We have sanctioned a range of organisations that operate in third countries over economic and military support for Russia, including 50 Chinese companies. We will continue to work across other nations with other nations and to bolster the support for Ukraine and the principles of the UN charter.

Answered
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Q2 Rachel Taylor Lab North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Ukraine Defence
Context

Mrs Taylor mentions that her constituents have welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their homes, while a local council removed the Ukrainian flag from county hall.

Question

In North Warwickshire and Bedworth, many, like Felicitas in Water Orton, have welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their homes and have stood by Ukraine, just as this Labour Government have. Meanwhile, Reform-led Warwickshire county council has removed the Ukrainian flag from county hall despite public protest. Given the ever-growing threats of Russian aggression, what steps is the UK taking to strengthen its anti-submarine warfare capabilities?

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

My hon. Friend is right that politicians of any party are judged on what we do, not just what we say, and the performance of Reform-led councils will certainly come home to roost, I suggest, for their party. But my hon. Friend is right: in this new era of Russian threat, we must ensure that our Royal Navy has the innovation it needs to detect, to track and to deter threats beneath the waves, and so today we have announced a new £40 million contract with a British-based SME to buy new sonobuoys, exactly to be deployed and used beneath the waves to track Putin’s subs.

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