Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

High North 2026-07-06

Monday 6 July 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 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK is conducting military exercises with NATO allies in the High North.
  • The UK highlights the importance of a strong defence industrial base for national security.
  • Concerns raised about the transition from Type 45 destroyers to new vessel types and systems.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Katrina Murray Lab
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about protecting British interests in the Arctic region due to increasing geopolitical tensions.

Question

What steps he is taking to protect British interests in the High North. We are seeing increased activity and competition from other nations, which demands a robust response. The UK needs to be proactive in ensuring our security and influence in this strategic area.

Answer from Louise Jones

The UK is committed to security in the High North. The Royal Marines have conducted cold weather training in Norway, ranger exercises with Sweden and Finland, and air policing operations are ongoing. The UK plays a key role in NATO's Arctic Sentry initiative and deployed our carrier strike group to the High North this year.

Answered
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Q2 Katrina Murray Lab
Defence
Context

The MP highlights that protecting interests in the Arctic requires a strong defence industrial base, especially given the presence of skilled defence and engineering businesses in her constituency.

Question

Protecting our interests in the High North depends not only on our armed forces but also on a resilient defence industrial base. Constituencies such as mine are home to highly skilled defence and engineering businesses that play an important role in supporting national security. How is the Department ensuring that UK industry has the investment and skilled workforce needed to sustain these capabilities into the future?

Answer from Louise Jones

My hon. Friend is quite right to highlight the High North, and the defence investment plan positions our armed forces to focus on its protection, alongside our allies in NATO and the JEF. The Scotland defence growth deal and our intention to launch two defence technical excellence colleges are continuing to support Scotland's defence industry and provide it with the highly skilled workforce required.

Answered
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Q3 Mike Martin Lib Dem
Defence Science & Technology
Context

The MP is concerned about the replacement timeline for Type 45 destroyers and questions whether there will be a gap in air defence capabilities in the High North.

Question

Protecting British interests in the High North requires a strong Royal Navy. Under the current DIP, the Type 45s will go out of service in 2035 and be replaced by some CCVs and other uncrewed systems that currently exist only on PowerPoint. The idea that it will be nine years from PowerPoint to power projection stretches credibility somewhat, so will the Minister stake her personal credibility on confirming that these systems will be delivered on time and that we will not have a gap in our air defences in the High North?

Answer from Louise Jones

I am sure the hon. and gallant Member will agree that the changing nature of warfare means that we must change to meet it. A focus on uncrewed systems and AI is critical, and I welcome the vision set out by the First Sea Lord.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner sought a commitment regarding timely delivery but received acknowledgment without specific commitments or timelines.

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