Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

National Resilience

Thursday 25 June 2026 · 4 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

  • The national risk register includes the effects of climate change.
  • The Government empathize with concerns about asbestos in public infrastructure.
  • Dual-use infrastructure is important for adapting to volatile and changing threats.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Education Housing Climate
Context

The question follows an initial query about national resilience and comes after concerns raised about the inadequacy of current infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.

Question

I am sure that I am not the only one who feels that they are not designed to withstand the current heat—and neither are many of our public buildings and infrastructure. May I urge the Minister to make sure, while also talking to colleagues in other Departments, that we factor in climate resilience when we plan future infrastructure and funding for housing, schools and hospitals?

Answer from Angela Eagle

The national risk register includes the effects of climate change. Although the Government are working internationally on mitigation, it is also important that adaptation takes centre stage when the kinds of investment decisions my hon. Friend mentions are made. I assure her that the Government are across that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address specifically how the government will factor in climate resilience in future infrastructure and funding plans.

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Q2 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Environment
Context

The MP references the death toll from asbestos-related diseases and raises concerns about the alignment of UK standards with higher EU standards, emphasizing the critical need for improving asbestos resilience in public infrastructure.

Question

Asbestos is widespread in public infrastructure. Asbestos-related diseases are the No. 1 cause of occupational death, with 5,000 a year —I lost my own father nearly 10 years ago. The right hon. Member for East Ham (Sir Stephen Timms), now the Minister for Social Security and Disability, said just four years ago that the UK needed to move faster to align to standards in the EU that are now significantly higher. I raise this matter because I would like the UK to improve its asbestos resilience, which is critical if we are to save lives.

Answer from Angela Eagle

I certainly empathise and sympathise with the right hon. Gentleman's loss. The loss of a parent in similar circumstances has been felt in many other households because of the toll taken by the legacy of asbestos on our public buildings and our buildings generally—not least this one. I take the point that he has made. We always need to be looking at how we can improve our response to mitigate the very real threat that the remaining asbestos in our buildings leaves people dealing with.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer empathizes but does not provide specific actions or commitments for improving asbestos resilience.

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Q3 John Glen Con Salisbury
Defence
Context

The MP speaks to ambassadors from various nations who are planning for dual-use infrastructure in response to potential future conflicts. The question focuses on the UK's thinking regarding similar approaches.

Question

Having spoken to ambassadors from various nations, such as the Scandinavian and Baltic states, as well as to the high commissioner of Canada, I understand that so many of these countries are now planning for dual-use infrastructure, for instance by expanding the width of motorways so that they can be considered for use by military aircraft in future conflict. Will the Minister update the House on our thinking in that domain?

Answer from Angela Eagle

Dual-use infrastructure is an important part of how we do planning, and my hon. Friend is right that we have to be much smarter and more forward thinking than perhaps has been the case, knowing that we face a very volatile and rapidly changing series of threats ahead.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges the importance but does not provide an update on specific plans or commitments for dual-use infrastructure.

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Q4 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The MP discusses a recent incident where a canal embankment collapsed, leading to concerns about the safety and water resilience of canals as critical national infrastructure.

Question

Water resilience is very much on people's minds this week. When a canal embankment collapsed in Whitchurch in my constituency just before Christmas, I found out that the canal network is used for drinking water, and that millions of gallons of drinking water will be being pumped over the breach every single day until it is repaired. Canal embankments are often 200 years old and largely made of sand, yet they are critical national infrastructure. Is the Minister satisfied that the Government are doing enough to retain the canal network in a safe state, not only to keep people safe but to protect our water resilience?

Answer from Angela Eagle

When I was first in government in 1997, I discovered that I was the Minister for Canals, which was a particularly enjoyable part of the brief, so I understand what the hon. Lady is saying. My previous Department, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, does a lot on this issue, so I will contact the Water Minister. We can liaise, and I will be in touch with the hon. Lady.

Not addressed: The answer avoids addressing whether the government is doing enough to ensure canal safety and resilience by promising to liaise with other departments.

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