Starmer's Farewell PMQs as Commons Hardens Security

High-Level Summary

The House sat for PMQs, Scotland Office questions, an Urgent Question on electricity system resilience, a general debate on Iran, and formal business approving new national security regulations. Keir Starmer delivered his final PMQs, receiving cross‑party tributes and citing the new Hillsborough law and work on protecting democracy. Ministers confirmed an external investigation into whistleblower allegations at the National Energy System Operator (NESO) while stressing that the grid remained stable and customers were not disconnected. The House approved regulations designating the IRGC, the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, and Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps under the National Security Act 2023; an adjournment debate examined A1 safety in North Northumberland, with Ministers ruling out a cancelled dualling scheme but detailing targeted safety works.

Detailed Summary

Oral Answers: Scotland

Questions covered regeneration, defence skills, youth support, the constitution, devolution, energy and nuclear, city region deals, and livestock. On regeneration, the Minister said Pride in Place is “investing up to £480 million in 24 Scottish neighbourhoods over 10 years” and that the impact fund is investing “£12 million in eight Scottish local authorities… includ[ing] £1.5 million for Glasgow City”. On defence skills, the Secretary of State highlighted “£5 million for the Arrol Gibb Innovation Campus at Rosyth… build[ing] on an earlier £340 million investment in the Rosyth dockyard”.

On young people, Ministers referred to a GB‑wide youth guarantee and the new youth jobs grant offering “a £3,000 incentive for employers to recruit eligible young people aged 18 to 24 who have been on universal credit for six months”, and said “This Government have committed more than £1.5 billion to support nearly 1 million young people and create up to 50,000 opportunities”. On the constitution, asked about talks with the First Minister on a second referendum, the Secretary of State replied: “Still none.”, and later affirmed a manifesto position “opposing a further referendum”. On devolution, he criticised “centralisation of decision making… at Holyrood”. On nuclear energy, he said a study finds Scotland has “high potential for new nuclear development” with the prospect of “significant investment and thousands of… skilled jobs”. City region and growth deals were described as having a “visible and transformative impact… built on more than £1.5 billion of UK Government investment”. On livestock, Ministers said they recognise that “food security is national security”.

Prime Minister’s Questions (including Speaker’s statement)

The Speaker welcomed the New Zealand Speaker and noted this was the final PMQs with Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. In opening remarks, the Prime Minister expressed condolences on the murder of Ann Widdecombe and suggested, “I believe it would be fitting for the House to consider a similar tribute to Ann”. He highlighted the Hillsborough law as “a law for everyone, delivered by a Labour Government”.

Exchanges included unity against antisemitism and anti‑Muslim hatred—“Antisemitism and anti‑Muslim hatred are a poison… we invested a record £250 million to protect our Jewish communities”—and support for Ukraine: “We have stood united… and we have taken that approach on”. He addressed leadership transition—“I will give my wholehearted support to my successor”—and referenced domestic policies, stating “we banned social media for under‑16s” and reported “Small boat crossings are down 40%… we deported 70,000 people”. He closed, “I leave the country in a better shape than I found it”.

Urgent Question: National Energy System Operator (NESO) – blackout risk allegations

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the Government had engaged with NESO and Ofgem following whistleblower allegations and that NESO “has now appointed an external legal firm to conduct a full investigation… [with] a report… to Ofgem in the coming weeks”. He added that during extreme heat “the Great British grid remains stable. No customers were impacted by tight electricity margins”. The shadow Secretary of State set out allegations including breach of security standards, interference by corporate affairs in operational decisions, and inadequate record‑keeping.

The Minister cautioned it was “irresponsible” to imply imminent blackouts, confirmed the published terms of reference and that control room staff would be interviewed, and reiterated that “electricity supplies were maintained… No customer demand was subject to disconnection”. He further stated, “at no time were we close to disconnecting anyone… let alone to a potential blackout”. Next steps included the independent investigation reporting to NESO’s board and Ofgem, Ofgem’s formal review of the June heatwave events, and a commitment to share the report with the House.

Message from the King

The House received a Message requesting consideration of financial support for His Majesty and the Royal Household, and the arrangements for the continuation of such support in future reigns, alongside His Majesty’s desire that hereditary revenues be placed at the disposal of the House of Commons for any period for which such support is provided.

Legislation and House business: Royal Assent, divisions and bills presented

Royal Assent was signified to four Acts, including the Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Act 2026 and the Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Act 2026. The House approved by deferred Division two instruments: the draft Trade Unions (Permissible Means of Voting)… Order 2026 and the draft Code of Practice on Electronic and Workplace Ballots, each by Ayes 330, Noes 109. Several Bills were presented and read the First time, including the Energy and Digital Infrastructure (Planning) Bill and the Members of Parliament (Prohibition of Second Jobs) (Motion) Bill, with Second Reading dates set out in the transcript.

Ten Minute Rule Motion: Registration of Stillbirths (England and Wales) Bill

Jim McMahon proposed permitting remote registration of stillbirths to reduce trauma for bereaved parents, describing it as “a modest proposal… making a small change… that would make a meaningful difference”. He cited the pandemic precedent when “deaths and stillbirths [could] be registered remotely” and noted cross‑party support. Leave was given and the Bill was read the First time, with Second Reading set for 4 September.

General Debate: Iran

Opening for the Government, the Minister thanked UK forces serving in the region—“We say thank you to every member of our military in the middle east”—condemned “Iran’s reckless attacks this week on commercial shipping”, and noted deployments including “HMS Dragon” for air defence and maritime security. He said UK services had “tracked more than 20 potentially lethal Iran‑backed plots on British soil”, and referenced sanctions on the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right after UK attacks. On the nuclear file, he cited IAEA findings that Iran’s 60% enriched uranium stockpile exceeded “10 IAEA significant quantities”.

Responding for the Opposition, the Shadow Minister condemned attacks on shipping and called for clarity on objectives: “Full freedom of navigation must be restored in the strait of Hormuz”. The debate concluded with the House resolving, “That this House has considered Iran”.

National Security Act 2023 (Designated Bodies) Regulations 2026

The Minister moved to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR) and Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps, explaining this first use of a new power to address foreign power threat activity. She noted that supporting a designated body can carry “imprisonment for up to 14 years”, and highlighted that the IMCR claimed seven UK attacks, including the antisemitic arson on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green. The Opposition supported the measures and the regulations were approved by the House. She added that platforms should not host state‑threat propaganda and that the Government would act where necessary.

Adjournment Debate: A1 in North Northumberland

David Smith set out safety and capacity concerns, stating that “since the beginning of May, six people have died on the A1” with many serious accidents. He highlighted numerous at‑grade turnings—“my office counted 140 such turnings from Morpeth to Berwick”—and congestion “double the national average around Berwick”. He pressed for RIS4 investment under updated Green Book rules.

Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said the cancelled Morpeth–Ellingham dualling represented weak value for money amid wider fiscal pressures, but a safety study is advancing “improved road signs and markings… speed management measures and junction improvements”. He ruled out reversing the cancellation but said future proposals may be considered in RIS4, subject to evidence and funding.

Petitions

Two petitions were presented: on faster adoption of infrastructure on new estates in Mid Cheshire, and on pedestrian safety measures on Wimborne Road in Mid Dorset and North Poole.