MPs Demand Fairness at Home, Resolve Abroad

High-Level Summary

Westminster Hall debates covered defence procurement, energy billing, science engagement, foreign relations and rural road safety. MPs scrutinised the Ajax armoured vehicle programme; a Defence Minister outlined multiple investigations, medical monitoring and that all options remain under consideration. Members urged fairer pricing for communal electricity, stronger Ofgem oversight and reform of resale and broker markets. The role of Science and Discovery Centres (SDCs) in STEM skills and public trust was highlighted, with Ministers committing to meet the sector. Further debates marked a reset in UK–France relations across security, migration, energy and culture, and pressed for stronger education and enforcement to protect horses and riders on rural roads.

Detailed Summary

Future of the Ajax Programme

Ben Obese‑Jecty detailed long‑running technical, contractual and governance failures, and questioned how Initial Operating Capability (IOC) was declared, citing assurances that Ajax was “demonstrably safe to operate” before a renewed training pause [ref: a365.1/17]. He quoted NAO findings that the contract “incentivised GDLS‑UK to prioritise production milestones over the quality and performance of the capability” [ref: a366.1/4], and pressed for clarity on injuries, payments, export prospects, factory jobs, and how Ajax and Ares will be used across armoured formations.

Armed Forces Minister Alistair Carns said 35 soldiers reported symptoms during Exercise Titan Storm; nine returned to duty, two cases were unrelated and 24 are being monitored [ref: a391.0/3]. He confirmed four investigations, 45‑point inspections and further testing, and that ministers would “update the House… next week” [ref: a391.0/4]. He added that “all Ajax activity—training, exercise and trials—has been paused” and that “there is no predetermined outcome… all options are absolutely on the table… we must either back it or indeed scrap it” [ref: a393.1/7; a391.0/9]. The debate concluded with the resolution: “That this House has considered the future of the Ajax Programme.” [ref: a394.0/5]

Factored Energy Arrangements: Pricing

Graham Leadbitter highlighted that residents in factored or managed blocks are often billed business tariffs for communal electricity despite domestic use, noting that 1,000 kWh would cost “roughly £380” on a domestic tariff versus “around £1,465” on a business tariff—“an excess cost of approximately £1,100 per meter every year” [ref: a395.2/5]. He cited Ofgem guidance that classification should be based on how energy is used rather than who holds the contract [ref: a396.2/2], and evidence that some suppliers “override the domestic classification if the usage is for a communal area managed by a business entity” [ref: a396.2/3; a396.2/4]. He sought licence changes, enforcement, Ombudsman access and a timetable for reform.

Energy Minister Martin McCluskey said Ofgem will “look again at standard licence condition 6” [ref: a398.1/2] and has begun a review of the Maximum Resale Price, with a “policy consultation in summer 2026” [ref: a398.1/9]. He flagged forthcoming regulation of third‑party intermediaries “through upcoming legislation” [ref: a398.1/10] and the start of Ofgem regulation for heat networks on 27 January [ref: a398.1/1]. Linking long‑term bill cuts to clean power by 2030, he said this is “the way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets” [ref: a398.1/11]. The motion was agreed without division [ref: a398.1/16].

Science and Discovery Centres

Steve Witherden set out the reach and pressures on Science and Discovery Centres (SDCs), describing them as “trusted anchor institutions” and asking for a departmental lead, formal recognition in funding streams and a £19.5 million match‑funded capital programme [ref: a403.4/2]. He requested a ministerial meeting and a four‑nation approach, arguing, “Solutions must work across all four nations” [ref: a407.1/2].

Science Minister Kanishka Narayan praised SDCs as cultural and STEM assets within an £86 billion R&D commitment, noting their reach of “over 5.2 million visitors” in 2024 [ref: a420.1/3; a420.1/10]. He pledged cross‑Government engagement and said, “I am… delighted to commit to a meeting with… the Association for Science and Discovery Centres” [ref: a422.1/4], while cautioning, “I have neither the power, nor… the willingness to commit to particular sources of funding” at this stage [ref: a422.1/5]. The House resolved that it had considered the topic [ref: a424.0/4].

UK–France Relations

Chris Murray argued that UK–France relations are back on track and central to security, migration control, energy and economic goals. He highlighted the reaffirmed Northwood declaration that the UK and France “do not see situations arising in which the vital interests of either… could be threatened without the vital interests of the other also being threatened” [ref: a426.5/3; a426.5/4], and joint leadership supporting Ukraine, including preparedness to contribute ground forces in support of a future peace settlement [ref: a427.0/3; a427.0/4]. He also cited bilateral work on migration and nuclear energy.

Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer said the Prime Minister and President Macron “co‑chaired a meeting of the coalition of the willing… [and] signed a declaration of intent on deploying forces to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal” [ref: a431.3/4]. He referenced commitments from the 37th UK–France summit, collaboration on migration, energy and nuclear co‑operation, and the UK’s re‑association to Erasmus+ in 2027 [ref: a431.3/6; a431.3/7]. The motion was agreed without division [ref: a431.3/9].

Horse and Rider Road Safety

Lee Dillon urged stronger protections for horses and riders, citing “more than 3,000 road incidents” in 2024, with “Fifty‑eight horses” killed and 97 injured [ref: a434.1/3; a434.5/2]. He argued that “Eighty‑one per cent of incidents… occur because drivers pass too closely or too quickly” [ref: a435.1/4], called for better driver education, equestrian representation on the new road safety board and recognition of riders’ trauma in the victims’ code [ref: a437.0/2; a436.0/4].

Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood reaffirmed the 2022 Highway Code changes and said “we are considering options to improve the safety of both riders and their horses” and will work with the British Horse Society [ref: a450.1/2]. She reported that “there were 63 collisions involving ridden horses” in 2024 and set a target to “reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured… by 65% by 2035” [ref: a450.3/4; a450.3/5]. The House resolved that it had considered the matter [ref: a452.0/4].