Security Strengthened as Commons Curbs Foreign Influence

High-Level Summary

The Commons opened with tributes to Sir George Howarth, then moved to Defence oral questions centred on Russia’s threat, capability modernisation, and the Defence Investment Plan. An Urgent Question scrutinised legal options to deport the Rochdale grooming gang ringleader, followed by a statement accepting all recommendations of the Rycroft review on foreign financial influence. Ministers reported on police leadership reform, serious failures in civil service pension administration, and advanced legislation and SIs: adopting Lords amendments to the National Security (State Threats) Bill, tightening waste‑crime regulation, updating infected blood compensation, and renewing the engineering construction training levy. The day concluded with an adjournment debate on patient‑safety reforms and the future of HSSIB.

Detailed Summary

Speaker’s Statement: Tribute to Sir George Howarth

The Speaker paid tribute to Sir George Howarth, noting his long service and offering condolences: “our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Julie, his wider family, and his friends”. No decision required.

Oral Answers – Defence: Russia: Level of Threat to UK

The Defence Secretary said Russia poses a “serious and persistent threat to UK and European security in every domain… including its multiple reckless overflights of our aircraft carrier”. He highlighted investment against hybrid and drone threats, including “more than £750 million to provide short-range drone protection”, and confirmed action against the ‘shadow fleet’: “we interdicted the Russian shadow vessel… and we will not hesitate to take further action”. Ahead of the NATO summit, he called recent Russian actions “completely unacceptable” and reiterated that defence is the No.1 spending priority at the next review to meet “our commitment to spending 3.5% of GDP by 2035”. Outcome: updates and assurances; no decisions.

Oral Answers – Defence: Operation Valour

The Minister said Valour is improving veterans’ service co‑ordination and announced operational progress: “I opened the first Valour centre on Thursday… The first Valour field officers are already in post”. He added that “Expressions of interest for the second round of Valour development funding are currently being assessed”. Outcome: progress updates; no decisions.

Oral Answers – Defence: Veterans’ Homelessness

The Minister said, “One veteran rough sleeping is one too many,” confirming “an additional £12 million to the reducing veteran homelessness programme” and that “Op Fortitude has helped more than 1,000 veterans into housing”. Outcome: programme updates; no new decisions.

Oral Answers – Defence: Royal Navy Surface Fleet

The Minister set out plans for “a more lethal and larger Royal Navy… the world’s first hybrid Navy of crewed, uncrewed and autonomous vessels” and said NATO commitments are being met. He dismissed unfunded prior concepts as “PowerPoints” and focused on a common combat vessel approach with skills partnerships in Scotland. Outcome: strategy reaffirmed; no decisions.

Oral Answers – Defence: Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems

The Minister highlighted “£790 million for integrated air and missile defence” and steps to strengthen homeland counter‑drone capability. She stressed future‑proofing through “£5 billion to uncrewed systems” and training personnel for counter‑UAS. Outcome: updates; no decisions.

Oral Answers – Defence: Defence Investment Plan

The Defence Secretary said the Government has committed “£298 billion in defence over the next four years” and added £15 billion to spending power. On accommodation, he restated “£9 billion over the next 10 years” and pledged to refurbish “another 2,000 homes… in the next 12 months”. He said the plan will “create up to 60,000… jobs” and that financing options, including bonds, would be examined with allies. Outcome: no decisions; commitments restated.

Oral Answers – Defence: MOD–NHS Collaboration (Richmondshire)

The Minister confirmed the Catterick integrated care centre opens later this year as “a joint MOD and NHS initiative, the first of its kind” serving military and civilians. Outcome: ongoing liaison with local partners; no decisions.

Oral Answers – Defence: Support for Veterans

The Defence Secretary cited the veterans strategy and said the £50 million Valour programme will give veterans “easier access to the care and support that they deserve”. On Northern Ireland legacy, he pledged new, “legally compliant” primary legislation that “recognises our veterans’ interests” and avoids granting immunity to terrorists. Outcome: commitments; no decisions.

Topical Questions – Defence

Ministers previewed attendance at the NATO summit and thanked personnel on HMS Prince of Wales. On amphibious lift, the UK–Netherlands “ambition is for the first ship to enter service in the 2030s”. On submarines, the plan is to buy “up to 12 SSN‑AUKUS submarines,” subject to productivity improvements. On Israel, licences are suspended where items “might be used in military operations in Gaza” and kept under review. On spending, Ministers reiterated delivering “3.5% of GDP by 2035”. Outcome: updates; no decisions.

Urgent Question – Rochdale Grooming Gang: Offender Deportation

The Minister explained Shabir Ahmed cannot presently be deported due to section 7 of the Immigration Act 1971, and said “all options are on the table” to change the law or otherwise resolve the case. He underlined public‑protection measures: “very, very stringent conditions have been placed on this individual” with recall for breaches. He said, “In this situation, there are no other people” with the same legal status. Outcome: no immediate change; ministers to explore legislative vehicles and diplomatic engagement, with pace recognised as vital.

Statement – Foreign Interference in UK Politics (Rycroft Review)

The Minister announced the Government accepts “all of Mr Rycroft’s recommendations”. Measures include: a £100,000 annual cap on donations from overseas electors and a minimum UK residency period (retrospective from 25 March); a moratorium on cryptocurrency donations; a post‑tax profits test for corporate donations; donor declarations and stronger ‘know your donor’ rules; enhanced Electoral Commission powers and information‑sharing; strengthened enforcement and work on online transparency. The Home Office Permanent Secretary will lead cross‑government co‑ordination. Opposition parties supported tighter rules but criticised a lack of prior consultation and retrospective elements. Next steps: Government to table amendments to the Representation of the People Bill “next week”.

Statement – Police Leadership Commission Report

The Minister said the commission found that “the policing profession has not consistently had the excellent leadership it needs” and identified concerns around capability, consistency and culture. She is considering 27 recommendations, including a senior constable rank, a leadership fast stream, targeted direct entry, and stronger national standards via a new national police service. Immediate steps include a new senior appointments panel and promotion reforms. Outcome: Government to consider all recommendations and respond in due course; reforms continue.

Statement – Civil Service Pensions Administration (Capita)

The Paymaster General said Capita missed recovery targets, leaving “more than 6,700 quotations… outstanding for past retirement dates, and more than 4,100 bereavement cases” by end‑June. He confirmed £9.9 million withheld, the appointment of independent auditors and a remedial adviser “at Capita’s expense”, and consideration of insourcing under a new public interest test from April 2027. He added, “if I could insource this operation today, I would do so” and promised an October update. Outcome: sanctions and remedial action; bereavement cases prioritised, with clearance aimed for July–August.

National Security (State Threats) Bill – Lords Amendments

Ministers supported amendments adding a statutory defence for legitimate humanitarian activity and a reasonable‑excuse defence for receiving information, to avoid a chilling effect on NGOs and journalists while maintaining powers against state threats. The House agreed Lords amendments 1–6 (Ayes 394, Noes 85). Next steps: Bill proceeds with amendments.

Environmental Protection – Waste Controlling/Transporting Regulations 2026

The Minister said the Government is “scrapping the broken waste system” for carriers/brokers/dealers, moving to environmental permitting with identity, tax and criminal‑record checks to tackle waste crime “at its source”. She highlighted digital waste tracking and tightening abused exemptions, and said the EA’s waste‑crime enforcement budget is being doubled with “an additional £45 million over the next three financial years”. Outcome: Regulations approved.

Payment Scheme – Infected Blood Compensation (Amendment) Regulations 2026

The Paymaster General said offers exceed £2.7 billion and payments £2.1 billion (plus £1.4 billion interim). He outlined changes reflecting consultation feedback: a new interferon injury award; removal of the 25% deduction for past care; a 50% uplift to autonomy awards for those infected under 18; increased unethical research awards (e.g., £60,000 for Treloar’s attendees); SCM awards backdated to 2017 and clarified exceptional‑loss provisions. Outcome: Regulations approved.

Employment and Training – ECITB Industrial Training Levy Order 2026

The Minister said levy rates are unchanged and strongly supported by employers, projecting £137.9 million to fund skills from 2026–28. A consultation on potentially unifying ECITB and CITB is under way, with no decision prejudged. Outcome: Order approved.

Delegated Legislation – Multiple Instruments

The House approved several SIs (e.g., electronic communications, companies, constitutional law, criminal law) and deferred divisions on others (e.g., education, health and safety, town and country planning) to 8 July.

Adjournment Debate – Patient Safety Review (Dash) and HSSIB

Bernard Jenkin questioned the Dash review’s case for abolishing HSSIB, warning it misunderstands HSSIB’s remit, risks ‘safe‑space’ protections, and compares poorly with costly public inquiries. The Minister said the aim is to streamline a “cluttered” system and strengthen the link between investigation and implementation, with HSSIB’s functions moving into the CQC while maintaining safe‑space standards and autonomy to investigate and recommend. Outcome: No decision; Government stands by reforms while engaging stakeholders.