Defence Ramp-Up, Exports Boost Define Commons Day

High-Level Summary

The House began with condolences for victims of the Bondi Beach attack before holding extensive Defence Questions on industry, spending plans and NATO commitments. Ministers announced new drone and counter‑drone funding, progress on regional defence growth deals, and reiterated timelines for the Defence Investment Plan while confirming talks with the EU on SAFE had ended without agreement. Urgent questions followed on NHS winter pressures, violence against women and girls, Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, and the conviction of British citizen Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong. MPs then rejected Lords amendments to the Employment Rights Bill in a division, and the Government’s Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill passed Second Reading to expand support limits for industry and export finance. The day concluded with an adjournment debate on sudden cardiac death in young people, with Ministers committing to a screening evidence review and outlining CPR/defibrillator training and genomics plans.

Detailed Summary

Speaker’s statement on Bondi Beach attack

The Speaker conveyed the House’s sympathy following “the appalling attack at Bondi Beach” and said he had written to Australia’s Speaker to offer condolences: “My thoughts are with the Australian people, and with the Jewish community in Sydney and beyond” [ref: c599.1/1]. No decision was required.

Defence Questions: Defence investment, industry and the Defence Investment Plan

The Defence Secretary highlighted a £770 million defence industrial strategy and a new £50 million defence technical excellence colleges competition, stating, “The defence dividend is already boosting British industry, British jobs and British communities” [ref: c599.10/2]. He announced that “in its first year, UK Defence Innovation will invest over £140 million in new drone and counter-drone systems” [ref: c600.1/1]. On regional growth, he said a Wales defence growth deal is being developed—one of five growth deals backed by £250 million this Parliament—with a focus on drone autonomy [ref: c600.3/1], and noted that “86% of defence investment has gone to British-based businesses” in the last year [ref: c600.5/1]. On procurement policy, he confirmed consultation on introducing offsetting—“We think offsetting has an important role” with announcements after the new year [ref: c601.6/1]. On the defence investment plan’s timing, he twice replied that they were “working flat out between now and the end of the year to finalise” it [ref: c602.3/1, c602.6/1]. On EU SAFE, he said, “SAFE needed to be good value… It did not meet those tests” and the UK could not reach a deal [ref: c603.3/1]. Next steps include finalising the investment plan and publishing the offsetting consultation outcome in the new year.

Defence Questions: NATO spending targets

The Secretary of State confirmed that “the UK joined all other 31 NATO nations in agreeing the new NATO benchmark of 5% spending on national security by 2035” [ref: c604.1/1]. He reiterated plans to hit “2.6% by 2027” and an ambition for “3% in the next Parliament” [ref: c604.3/1, c604.5/1], and described wider reforms including a strategic defence review and defence housing investment [ref: c605.0/1]. No division; commitments were restated.

Defence Questions: Uncrewed systems and regulation

Minister Alistair Carns said the MOD is buying “up to 5,400 drones” in 2024, moving to “8,000 in 2026,” and will launch a drone centre of excellence later this year [ref: c605.5/1]. Acknowledging fragmented regulation, he pledged to convene regulators and “double down over the next 12 months” to cut friction—“Enough is enough when it comes to regulation; we need to get on with it” [ref: c606.0/1]—and confirmed talks with the Department for Transport to “unlock legislation” for maritime and air testing [ref: c606.2/1]. Outcome: ministerial commitment to coordination and legislative solutions.

Defence Questions: Women veterans and wider veterans’ support

Minister Louise Jones announced, “we will specifically be taking forward plans to establish a new women veterans forum and an oral history project” [ref: c606.6/1]. On RFA maternity and postings, she said consecutive shore postings were never Defence policy but flexibilities exist and offered to meet the MP [ref: c607.0/1]. She outlined veterans support: a £50 million Valour programme and £12 million for reducing veterans’ homelessness [ref: c608.4/1], stressing, “one veteran on the streets is one too many” [ref: c609.1/1]. On LGBT veterans, she said, “the Government have now delivered 48 of the 49 recommendations made in Lord Etherton’s independent review” [ref: c619.2/1]. No votes; programme delivery and meetings offered.

Defence Questions: NATO and European security

Minister Carns said the Government is “putting NATO first” and had met US, German and Estonian counterparts, noting recent deals including a frigate contract with Norway and Typhoons for Turkey [ref: c610.5/1]. He reaffirmed support for Ukraine—“we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes” [ref: c610.7/1]—citing £4.5 billion this year and £21.8 billion total commitments. He highlighted RAF Marham investments and F‑35 procurement [ref: c611.0/1], and said NATO is integrating “economic security such as supply chain resilience” into defence planning [ref: c611.2/1]. He announced the launch of the Military Intelligence Services to better deter and defeat threats [ref: c612.5/1]. Ongoing commitments; no decisions.

Defence Questions: Service chiefs and the Defence Investment Plan

Minister Luke Pollard said, “The forthcoming defence investment plan has been informed by a range of inputs and perspectives, including those of service chiefs” and will implement the strategic defence review [ref: c613.3/1]. He reiterated the aim to reach “3% of GDP in the next Parliament” and described work with the Treasury and a defence investors advisory group reporting in the new year [ref: c613.5/1, c614.1/1]. No decisions; plan awaited.

Topical Defence Questions: Key announcements and answers

The Secretary of State set out the year’s delivery—“the largest increase in defence spending since the end of the cold war” and new agreements and technologies—while wishing the armed forces a safe Christmas [ref: c615.2/1]. He confirmed the EU SAFE talks ended without agreement but said the UK would continue working with EU partners [ref: c616.2/1], agreed the UK must do more on integrated air and missile defence [ref: c617.4/1], and stated, “we have allocated £1.5 billion to create six new energetics munitions factories. The first will start construction next year” [ref: c617.6/1]. He added export licences to Israel are restricted where there is a risk of IHL breaches in Gaza [ref: c618.0/1], and said he will co‑chair the 50‑nation Ukraine defence contact group to “step up” support [ref: c621.3/1]. He reaffirmed rising defence budgets and that the 2035 5% pledge is shared with all allies [ref: c622.6/1], and backed cadet growth to 180,000 by 2030 [ref: c622.8/1].

Urgent Question: NHS winter preparedness and industrial action

The Health Secretary said a “wave of super flu” was creating a “worst-case scenario” and condemned the timing of BMA‑led resident doctors’ strikes, appealing to doctors to work this week [ref: c623.2/2, c623.2/5]. He outlined plans: “investing almost £450 million into UEC this winter,” 500 ambulances, expansion of same‑day emergency care and urgent treatment centres, discharge improvements, and enhanced GP access [ref: c624.0/4]. He labelled the strike timing “unconscionable” and “unnecessary” [ref: c626.2/1], endorsed an evidence‑based, locally led approach to face masks [ref: c629.3/1], and acknowledged distribution problems but “no shortage of the [flu] vaccine,” offering to resolve cases [ref: c630.2/1]. Eligibility and access will be reviewed by the JCVI in the usual way [ref: c627.2/1, c628.1/1]. No vote; operational measures reiterated and continued appeals to avert strike impacts.

Urgent Question: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy

Home Office Minister Jess Phillips said the Government treats VAWG as a national emergency and confirmed the strategy “will be published this Thursday, 18 December,” acknowledging delays and adding, “the delay… is my fault” because she wanted greater ambition [ref: c641.2/1, c642.0/2]. She highlighted recent actions including new stalking protections, domestic abuse protection orders, and increased refuge and helpline funding, and announced “refuge funding of £499 million over the next three years,” plus “an extra £19 million” for statutory housing duties [ref: c641.2/2, c644.2/1]. She promised measurable metrics and cross‑government delivery, with further work on perpetrators, commissioning, Clare’s law practice, and ending the presumption of contact. Outcome: strategy due for publication; no division.

Urgent Question: Sudan humanitarian situation

FCDO Minister Chris Elmore described Sudan as “the most severe humanitarian crisis of the 21st century,” condemned a drone strike that killed six UN peacekeepers, and noted new UK sanctions on RSF commanders [ref: c655.2/3, c655.2/4]. The UK has committed an additional £21 million, taking total aid to £146 million this year, and is pressing at the UN for access, a truce and mediation [ref: c655.2/5, c655.2/6]. He said there is “no evidence in recent reporting of UK weapons or ammunition being used in Sudan,” while keeping further sanctions “under constant review” [ref: c656.1/2, c658.0/2]. Next steps: the UK to co‑host UN discussions and sustain diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.

Statement: Jimmy Lai conviction in Hong Kong

The Foreign Secretary condemned the “politically motivated prosecution” of British citizen Jimmy Lai, said the Chinese ambassador had been summoned, and called for his “immediate release” [ref: c667.1/3]. She noted that Hong Kong authorities continue to refuse UK consular access [ref: c667.1/8] and stressed the UK’s strengthened response to state threats and the BNO route [ref: c667.1/10]. Asked about cancelling visits and blocking China’s embassy upgrade, she said engagement would continue and that planning decisions are independent, while the UK will press the case with partners and directly with China [ref: c676.2/1]. Outcome: diplomatic pressure escalated; no vote.

Employment Rights Bill: Lords message and Commons insistence

Business Minister Kate Dearden urged rejection of Lords amendments that would have retained the cap on unfair dismissal compensation, arguing they undermined an agreement with business and unions and that the cap creates incentives for complex discrimination claims; removing it could speed tribunal outcomes. She said, “The median average award for unfair dismissal in 2023-24 was £6,746” and promised, “An economic assessment will be published” [ref: c687.2/1, c687.1/1]. After debate, the House divided and agreed to insist on its disagreement with the Lords, Ayes 311, Noes 96 [ref: c702.1/1‑2]. A Reasons Committee was appointed to communicate to the Lords [ref: c702.1/5‑11]. Next steps: Commons reasons sent; Bill proceeds on that basis.

Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill: Second Reading

Trade Minister Chris Bryant introduced a short Bill to raise ceilings for support to industry and exports. It increases Industrial Development Act assistance to £20 billion, raises the UK Export Finance commitment limit to £160 billion, allows future increases by secondary legislation in £15 billion steps, and expresses the limit in sterling rather than SDRs [ref: c709.0/1, c709.0/3]. He stressed SME support—“the vast majority of the companies… are SMEs—88%” [ref: c708.4/1]—and cited uses from clean energy to aerospace. The Bill was read a Second time without division and programme and money motions were agreed [ref: c722.0/13‑14, c724.3/3‑4]. Next steps: Committee of the whole House, with proceedings time‑limited by the programme motion [ref: c724.1/6‑8].

Public petition: Radcliffe‑on‑Trent to Cotgrave Greenway

James Naish presented a petition urging the reopening of a greenway between Radcliffe‑on‑Trent and Cotgrave, damaged by unauthorised works, calling for clarity on costs and timelines and prioritisation in the 2026/27 budget [ref: c725.6/1‑7]. Petitions are recorded; no immediate action required.

Adjournment debate: Sudden cardiac death in young people

Christopher Vince highlighted cases of sudden cardiac death and called for screening pathways, ECGs for 14‑18 year‑olds, and equitable access. Health Minister Ashley Dalton said she supports a national screening programme “as long as the experts agree,” noting the National Screening Committee will review evidence and open a public consultation “in early 2026” [ref: c733.1/3]. She reported NHS training on CPR and defibrillators—35,800 trained over 13 years and 2,134 this year [ref: c734.0/1]—and set out a genomics vision including whole‑genome sequencing for every newborn within a decade and a £650 million life sciences boost [ref: c734.1/3‑5]. Outcome: commitment to consider screening after evidence review; ongoing training and genomics plans.