Defence Readiness Legislation
2026-06-01
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Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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The hon. Member is concerned about the lack of a defence readiness Bill despite the strategic defence review recommendation.
Whether he plans to introduce a defence readiness Bill given the strategic defence review recommendation, and whether such measures are included in the Armed Forces Bill coming before the House tomorrow.
Yes, we have accepted the strategic defence review recommendation that we introduce a defence readiness Bill. As the hon. Gentleman will know, readiness measures are already included in the Armed Forces Bill, which will be before the House again tomorrow. Engagement across Government and with industry is under way on the defence readiness Bill.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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The hon. Member is concerned about the lack of a specific timeline for introducing the defence readiness Bill despite the urgent need in an unstable world.
The Government's constant refrain is that they are “working at pace”, but the reality is that our adversaries are doing exactly that. In an increasingly unstable world, the lack of a defence readiness Bill is a significant disadvantage. Will the Minister set out when the Bill will be published, and the specific date on which it will come before the House?
It is so disappointing that all the hon. Gentleman wants is a timetable; he does not say what measures he wants to see in the defence readiness Bill. He does not care what is in it. We care about the content of the defence readiness Bill: we will get it right, and we will bring it before this House.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for publishing and bringing the bill before the House
It Is So Disappointing That All The Hon. Gentleman Wants Is A Timetable; He Does Not Say What Measures He Wants To See In The Defence Readiness Bill.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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The hon. Member acknowledges the Government's commitment to a defence readiness Bill and record funding for national defence, including 1,200 procurement deals.
I welcome the Government's commitment to a defence readiness Bill, as well as the record funding for the defence of this country, and the 1,200 defence procurement deals that have already been signed. As I have not yet mentioned Harlow in the House this week, will the Minister assure me that he will work with defence manufacturers such as Raytheon in Harlow to ensure that we are prepared for the terrible things going on in the world? Will he have conversations with them, as part of his preparations for the defence readiness Bill?
My hon. Friend is a real champion for Harlow. As we are increasing defence spending, we are directing more of the increased defence budget at British companies, including British small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as larger companies. I would be happy to meet him to discuss how we can support the SMEs in his constituency, so that they receive a greater share of this Government's increased defence budget.
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