Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Coastal Waters: Protection

Monday 1 June 2026 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Russian surface and sub-surface activity in UK coastal waters has increased by 30%.
  • The British Royal Navy uses a combination of vessels, aircraft, and autonomous systems for surveillance.
  • The Government supports the regulation for growth Bill to modernise regulations for maritime autonomy testing.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Prinsley Lab Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Defence Environment
Context

UK coastal waters face threats from hostile foreign activity, particularly off the coast of Suffolk where critical infrastructure is located. There are reports of munitions that could cause significant damage to coastal communities and nuclear facilities.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to protect UK coastal waters. Off the tranquil coast of Suffolk lie critical pieces of infrastructure, communications cables and electrical installations. There are alarming reports of munitions that are capable of creating giant tidal waves, threatening our coastal communities and indeed our nuclear facilities. Will the Minister outline what steps the Government are taking to protect our coastal waters from hostile foreign activity and truly safeguard our national security?

Answer from Alistair Carns

Russian surface and sub-surface activity has increased by 30%. The British Royal Navy maintains constant surveillance with a combination of surface and sub-surface vessels, maritime patrol aircraft and autonomous systems. We are committed to advancing work against hostile states.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific steps or measures being taken to protect coastal waters from the threat of munitions capable of creating tidal waves.

How: While Our Coasts May Be Tranquil

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Q2 Peter Prinsley Lab Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Defence Environment
Context

UK coastal waters face threats from hostile foreign activity, particularly off the coast of Suffolk where critical infrastructure is located. There are reports of munitions that could cause significant damage to coastal communities and nuclear facilities.

Question

Off the tranquil coast of Suffolk lie critical pieces of infrastructure, communications cables and electrical installations. There are alarming reports of munitions that are capable of creating giant tidal waves, threatening our coastal communities and indeed our nuclear facilities. Will the Minister outline what steps the Government are taking to protect our coastal waters from hostile foreign activity and truly safeguard our national security?

Answer from Alistair Carns

Russian surface and sub-surface activity has increased by 30%. The British Royal Navy maintains constant surveillance with a combination of surface and sub-surface vessels, maritime patrol aircraft and autonomous systems. We are committed to advancing work against hostile states.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific steps or measures being taken to protect coastal waters from the threat of munitions capable of creating tidal waves.

How: While Our Coasts May Be Tranquil

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Q3 Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon
Defence Business & Trade Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The regulating for growth Bill aims to modernise regulations for maritime autonomy testing and the creation of regulatory sandbox powers. The hon. Member is concerned that delays in parliamentary progress could put UK defence firms at a competitive disadvantage.

Question

I know that, like me, those on the Government Front Bench welcome the regulating for growth Bill, which will enable the modernisation of regulations for maritime autonomy testing and the creation of regulatory sandbox powers. That is vital for the unmanned vessels that we need to protect our coastal waters, but defence firms such as those in my constituency cannot afford unnecessary delay due to the parliamentary timetable, or we will risk losing ground to international competitors. What conversations is the Department having with colleagues across Government to speed up the progress of the Bill through Parliament?

Answer from Alistair Carns

We need to do much more to deregulate the use of all types of autonomous systems. Maritime capability is essential, and I encourage the hon. Member to write to the Leader of the House to bring the legislation forward as quickly as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific details on conversations or actions being taken to expedite the Bill's passage through Parliament.

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