Vote Promised on Ukraine Force as Government Wins Debates

High-Level Summary

Proceedings opened with the Speaker’s tribute to long‑serving House staff member Karen Hodsden. Northern Ireland questions covered funding, legacy legislation, veterans’ protections and the UK’s commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights. At Prime Minister’s Questions, the Prime Minister confirmed a Paris declaration of intent on a multinational force for Ukraine, with any UK deployment only after a ceasefire and subject to a prior debate and vote. Two Opposition Day debates followed: proposed reforms to criminal courts and a wide rural agenda; in each case, the Government amendment was agreed. A Defence statement outlined UK support to a US operation against a sanctioned tanker and set out next steps on Ukraine security guarantees.

Detailed Summary

Speaker’s Statement

The Speaker paid tribute to Karen Hodsden, a House staff member who served for nearly 30 years, noting her roles across the Estate and extending condolences: “I want to pay tribute to Karen Hodsden… My thoughts are with Karen’s family, friends and colleagues.” [ref: a243.1/1] No decision was required.

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland

Ministers highlighted financial support and inter‑governmental work. The Minister said, “We have provided a record settlement of £19.3 billion for Northern Ireland” [ref: a243.7/2], adding it was not just “cutting a cheque” but sharing best practice [ref: a243.9/1]. On legacy, the Secretary of State said he meets veterans, political parties and victims, and confirmed families can refer cases to the commission to seek answers [ref: a245.4/1, a245.8/1]. He said all Northern Ireland parties that opposed immunity “have welcomed the fact that immunity will go” under the Government’s legislation [ref: a246.2/1]. On the ECHR and the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, he said the Government is committed to the ECHR [ref: a248.1/1] and argued that leaving would be “extremely irresponsible” [ref: a248.5/1]. On the economy, he cited low unemployment and growth outpacing the rest of the UK, and noted the Executive’s draft three‑year budget [ref: a250.3/1, a250.5/1]. Ministers referred to the Local Growth Fund (£45.5 million per year) [ref: a251.0/1] and additional Budget funding of £370 million for Northern Ireland, with the decision to lift the two‑child benefit cap “widely welcomed” [ref: a251.5/1, a251.7/1]. On veterans, the Secretary of State said the Government is introducing six protections for Operation Banner veterans involved in legal processes [ref: a252.3/1]. Commitments included writing with an update on antimicrobial reforms and GP demand [ref: a245.0/1]. No divisions occurred.

Prime Minister’s Questions

The Prime Minister reported on the Paris meeting on Ukraine security, confirming a political declaration of intent on a multinational force and parliamentary control of any UK deployment: “I will put that matter to the House for a vote” [ref: a252.11/3]. He said any deployment would be “only after a ceasefire” and subject to a prior debate and vote [ref: a253.4/2]. He reiterated that Greenland’s future is for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark [ref: a259.0/1], and said recent plans represent “the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war” [ref: a255.2/2]. Other exchanges covered leasehold reform, business rates, suicide prevention, vaccination policy and Northern Ireland legacy legislation. No decisions were taken during PMQs.

Bill Presented — Deprivation of Citizenship (Promotion of Terrorism or Violence) Bill

A presentation Bill was introduced to require the Secretary of State to deprive a person of citizenship if they have been convicted of a national security offence and subsequently promote terrorism or violence in public; it was read a First time, with Second Reading set: “to be read a Second time on Friday 16 January” [ref: a265.2/3].

Ten Minute Rule Bill — Student Finance (Review of Payment Schedules)

Luke Charters proposed a review of undergraduate maintenance payment scheduling, including exploring monthly maintenance payments (as in Scotland) and earlier access before tenancy deposits fall due. He argued monthly payments “needs to be explored for England and Wales” [ref: a266.2/5] and that termly payments create cash‑flow pressures [ref: a266.2/6]. The House granted leave; the Bill was read a First time, with Second Reading scheduled for Friday 16 January [ref: a268.3/2, a268.3/6].

Opposition Day — Jury Trials

The Opposition motion opposed abolishing jury trials for cases where the anticipated sentence is three years or less, arguing it would barely reduce the backlog and threaten a core liberty. Robert Jenrick called it “wielding a constitutional axe” [ref: a269.3/3], urged publication of modelling [ref: a271.4/2], and cited legal bodies’ objections, including the Law Society calling it an “extreme measure” [ref: a274.2/4]. He proposed practical fixes such as more sitting days and better case management, noting, “This week alone, 241 sitting days have been missed because of closed courtrooms” [ref: a274.2/2]. For the Government, Sarah Sackman said the system must evolve, that jury trials for the most serious offences will be preserved, and pledged transparency: “we are not scrapping jury trials” [ref: a280.1/1] and “I will make a commitment to publish an impact assessment… when we bring forward… legislation” [ref: a283.6/1]. Outcome: the Opposition motion was defeated (Ayes 182, Noes 290) and the Government amendment carried; the House resolved to support taking forward reforms based on Sir Brian Leveson’s review and to publish an impact assessment in due course [ref: a324.1/1, a324.1/7]. Next steps include the introduction of legislation and subsequent scrutiny.

Opposition Day — Rural Communities

The Opposition criticised Government policies on taxation, farm viability, rural funding and a proposed trail hunting ban, and urged scrapping the “family farm tax” [ref: a332.2/2]. The Government’s amendment highlighted support for farmers via Environmental Land Management schemes, rural buses and gigabit broadband, and confirmed revised inheritance tax thresholds: “increasing the inheritance tax threshold from £1 million to £2.5 million… Couples can now pass on up to £5 million” [ref: a340.1/4]. Angela Eagle said the rural and wildlife crime strategy helped recover “more than £12.7 million‑worth of stolen farm machinery” [ref: a339.9/2] and confirmed consultation on trail hunting implementation [ref: a335.9/1]. Outcome: the Opposition motion was defeated (Ayes 105, Noes 332) and the Government amendment agreed; the House resolved to endorse the Government’s rural package as set out in the amendment [ref: a377.2/1, a377.2/7].

Statement — Ukraine and Wider Operational Update

The Defence Secretary reported UK support to a US operation to intercept the stateless, sanctioned tanker Bella 1 in the north Atlantic, authorising UK bases and RAF/Royal Navy assets: “I authorised the use of UK bases” [ref: a382.1/3]. He said the action aimed to enforce counter‑Iran sanctions, curb shadow shipping aiding Russia and “reinforce British homeland defence” [ref: a382.1/4]. He outlined sanctions pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet: “we have imposed sanctions on 544 vessels” and forced “200 ships off the seas”; Russia’s oil revenues were “down 27% compared to October 2024” [ref: a382.1/8]. On Ukraine, he confirmed a Paris “declaration of intent” for a multinational force to deploy only after a ceasefire, to deter aggression and regenerate Ukrainian forces: “plans to deploy units… after a ceasefire” [ref: a382.1/18]. He reiterated parliamentary control: “I would put that matter to the House for a debate beforehand and for a vote” [ref: a382.1/18]. In questions, he declined to disclose troop numbers and emphasised deployment “only if there is a ceasefire” [ref: a386.0/4], restated that Greenland’s future is a matter for Greenland and Denmark [ref: a386.0/2], and set out defence funding ambitions towards higher NATO‑aligned targets [ref: a389.0/5]. No division followed. Next steps include continued sanctions enforcement and travel to Kyiv for further discussions [ref: a382.1/21].

Delegated Legislation and House Business

The draft Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025 were put and the Division was deferred to 14 January [ref: a409.7/2]. The Corporation Tax Act 2010 (Part 8C) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 were approved [ref: a410.1/2]. Bobby Dean was appointed to the House of Commons Commission in place of Marie Goldman [ref: a410.3/2].

Adjournment Debate — Bletchley Railway Station: Eastern Entrance

Callum Anderson argued for a new eastern entrance at Bletchley station to reconnect the railway to the town centre, spur regeneration and improve access, saying, “What should be a gateway instead acts as a barrier” [ref: a411.2/6]. The Minister pointed to wider East West Rail investment and said an eastern entrance is not required for forecast demand but could proceed with third‑party contributions; the Government has funded an outline business case and the promoter “will be consulting on these proposals” later in the year [ref: a415.1/4‑6]. No decision was taken; next steps include completing the business case and local engagement.