Commons Chamber

Wednesday 29th October 2025

(began 3 hours, 30 minutes ago)

Share Debate
Watch Live
Skip to latest contribution
11:34
11:34
None Portrait Q1. What discussions she has had with farmers in Wales on the potential impact of planned changes to Inheritance Tax relief on the agricultural sector. (905986)
-

Question number one, Mr. Speaker.
11:34
11:35
11:36
11:36
11:37
11:38
11:38
11:39
11:40
11:40
None Portrait Q2. What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on increasing economic growth in Wales. (905987)
-

Question number two, Mr. Speaker, sir.
11:40
11:41
11:42
11:42
11:43
11:43
11:44
11:44
11:45
11:46
11:47
11:47
11:48
11:48
11:48
11:49
11:50
11:50
Jo Stevens Portrait Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP, The Secretary of State for Wales (Cardiff East, Labour)
-
-
Select Committee is absolutely right. Our Pride in Place programmes, the Local Growth Fund, the City and Growth deals, the investment zones and our freeports are all the result of having two Labour governments working together for the benefit of everyone across Wales and taken together, they will boost the economy, drawing further investment, create thousands of jobs and raise living standards across Wales. They demonstrate this government's commitment to growth. Practical, visible, long term investment that empowers local communities and delivers real

**** Possible New Speaker ****

benefits for them. And David. Question number four, please,

**** Possible New Speaker ****

speaker. Mr. speaker, overhead lines are much cheaper to build. much cheaper to build. Undergrounding costs an estimated four and a half times more than overhead lines, according to the overhead lines, according to the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Overhead lines are also quicker to build, cause less environmental damage and are much environmental damage and are much easier to maintain. The cost of building this infrastructure is borne by electricity bill payers borne by electricity bill payers and provides policy on undergrounding will not only increase bills but suffocate the

**** Possible New Speaker ****

increase bills but suffocate the economic potential of Wales's green industrial revolution. David John.
11:51
11:52
11:53
11:53
11:54
11:54
11:55
None Portrait Q5. What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the adequacy of accommodation for asylum seekers in Wales. (905991)
-

Rebecca Smith number five.
11:55
11:55
11:56
11:56
11:57
11:58
11:59
11:59
None Portrait Q6. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve cross border rail connectivity between Wales and England. (905992)
-

party's government. Catherine Fookes Mr. Speaker.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

The sixth Minister.
12:00
12:00
12:00
12:01
12:01
12:02
12:02
Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
-
-
Please, Mr. Speaker. destruction emerging from Jamaica are truly shocking. Both the Foreign Secretary and I have been in close contact with Jamaican counterparts in recent days to offer the UK's full support. Mr. speaker, I can update the House that HMS Trent and specialist rapid deployment teams are pre-positioned in the region and we stand ready to provide humanitarian support. Mr. Awaab Ishak died five years ago from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to black mould in his flat in Rochdale.

He was just two years old. No child should grow up without the safety and security of a decent home. For far too long, millions of people have lived at the mercy of rogue landlords and insecure contracts. Labour is ending that. Despite the best efforts of the Tories and Reform who voted against it, our renters' rights Act is now law, including Arabs law, fighting for working people. That's the difference a Labour government makes. And on that issue, Mr. Speaker, this government has secured the biggest deal to manufacture typhoon fighter jets in this country for almost 20 years.

We secured that deal because the UK is back as a leading and trusted member of NATO. A timely reminder for the Green Party, whose policy is to take us out of NATO, the Putin friendly Reform Party would have no standing with NATO. And for the leader of the opposition, you don't win NATO deals by not turning up to NATO summits. Mr. speaker, this morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House. I shall have further such meetings later

**** Possible New Speaker ****

today. Nick Smith Mr.
12:04
12:05
12:05
12:06
12:06
12:06
12:07
12:09
12:10
12:10
12:10
12:11
12:11
12:13
12:13
12:14
12:14
12:15
12:16
12:17
12:18
12:18
12:19
12:20
12:20
Gavin Robinson Portrait Rt Hon Gavin Robinson MP (Belfast East, Democratic Unionist Party)
-
-
Gavin Robinson Mr. speaker, Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has a

**** Possible New Speaker ****

deep understanding of policing in. Northern Ireland. And the importance. Of it. He knows about the on going national security threat. Indeed, he knows about the additional costs of dealing with the legacy of our past. dealing with the legacy of our past. And he knows that the PSNI has been underfunded. He knows that the Northern Ireland Executive have Northern Ireland Executive have rightly brought forward a stability programme for them. He knows that they are under strength because New decade, New Approach in 2020 suggests that there should be 7500 police officers in Northern Ireland.

Today there are 6200. But does he know that the Treasury did not look favourably upon a request to draw favourably upon a request to draw upon the reserves for a data breach cost of £120 million? Does he cost of £120 million? Does he recognise it in Treasury terms? That incident was unpredictable. It That incident was unpredictable. It was unforeseeable. It's unaffordable. It matches the criteria that the Treasury have to criteria that the Treasury have to set aside that money. An year would be 10% of the overall PSNI budget.

be 10% of the overall PSNI budget. It is not affordable. Can I ask him engagement with The Chancellor to think about this issue again, and think about this issue again, and to ensure that our Police Service of Northern Ireland and the national security threat that they

**** Possible New Speaker ****

face is not hampered by in-year financial rules? Well, can I thank him for raising this important issue? And I know it is a real concern to him. Can I reassure him that I am in Can I reassure him that I am in regular contact with the Chief Constable, John Boucher, and the PSNI on this very issue, as he PSNI on this very issue, as he would expect? As he's aware, we provided a record settlement for provided a record settlement for the executive £19.3 billion per year on average.

We also invested £113 million in additional security million in additional security funding for the PSNI to help address specific security challenges. Now, whilst it's for challenges. Now, whilst it's for the executive to set the PSNI budget, I want to reassure him that our commitment is to keeping people our commitment is to keeping people safe in Northern Ireland.
12:22
Keir Starmer Portrait Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
-
-
Alan Strickland thank. on behalf of my constituents, Shannon and Tyler, who lost their two year old son, Hudson, earlier two year old son, Hudson, earlier this year. Worried about their son and calling one on one, they were told he had gastroenteritis. In told he had gastroenteritis. In fact, Hudson had a twisted bowel and a few days later, after being rushed to hospital, tragically died. rushed to hospital, tragically died. Mr. speaker, Shannon and Tyler are full of praise for the NHS medical staff who worked so hard to save staff who worked so hard to save their son's life.

They just just wish they'd been offered an in-person appointment sooner, which in-person appointment sooner, which might have given a more accurate diagnosis. They want Hudson's legacy to be better access to face to face NHS appointments for children under five, so other families don't face this tragic situation. And their online situation. And their online petition on this matter has gained over 80,000 signatures. Will the Prime Minister join me in sending Prime Minister join me in sending the best wishes of this House to Hudson's family? And will he ensure they meet a health minister to they meet a health minister to discuss their courageous campaign here? Can I thank him for raising this, this tragic case? And I'm sure I speak for the whole House in saying we send our sympathies and thoughts to Hudson's parents, Shannon and Tyler.

And I'll make sure that they get the meeting that he's asking for. This is exactly why we're working to improve access to face to face appointments for those that want one, and to enable that, we've delivered the largest cash uplift for GPS in a decade, put over 2500 GPS into general practice, and

**** Possible New Speaker ****

we're upgrading 1000 surgeries to deliver 8 million more appointments. James McMurdock thank you. Mr. Speaker.
12:24
12:24
12:25
12:26
12:27
12:27
12:27
12:29
12:29
12:30
12:30
12:31
12:31
12:32
12:32
12:33
12:33
12:34
12:34
12:35
12:35
12:36
12:36
12:37
12:38
12:38
12:40
None Portrait Urgent question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs if she will make a statement on the actions to be taken to secure the elimination of Hamas from Gaza and the preservation of the ceasefire
-

Right. Right. We Right. We now Right. We now come Right. We now come to Right. We now come to the Right. We now come to the Urgent Question Dame Priti Patel.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Mr. speaker, to ask the Secretary of State for Fcdo if she'll make a statement on the
12:40
12:40
Hamish Falconer Portrait Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)
-
-
Minister. aware of events over the last 24 hours in Rafah, including reports that Israeli strikes took place last night. Estimates of the death toll vary, but suggest that up to 100 people in Gaza have been killed. We understand these strikes followed an attack yesterday afternoon where responsibility remains unclear. As the Prime Minister said earlier, we echo the Americans and calling for urgent de-escalation and on all parties to keep the commitments they have made in the ceasefire agreement.

We are clear that Hamas must release the bodies of all remaining Israeli hostages. The immediate priority is to ensure unrestricted flow of aid into Gaza. The Israeli government must urgently lift restrictions on aid entering, and international NGOs must be permitted to operate in Gaza to provide the scale of support that is needed. Civilians cannot wait. This government is working closely with our partners to do everything we can to support the transition from the ceasefire to phase two of the peace plan.

This includes the disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of a ceasefire monitoring mission, an international security force, and the implementation of transitional governance arrangements in Gaza. We are clear there can be no role for Hamas in the future governance of the strip. In recent days, the Foreign Secretary has spoken to the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordination, Tom Fletcher, the Egyptian Foreign Minister and the Israeli Foreign Minister, about the importance of opening more crossings and removing restrictions on aid.

And as I told the House yesterday, Mr. Speaker, both she and I will be heading to the region shortly. On the 13th to 15th of October, I co-hosted with the Egyptian government and the Palestinian Authority the first conference to look at how we can leverage sustainable support to Gaza's reconstruction. Britain will continue to play our full part in support of the ceasefire and the wider peace initiative. There is not a moment to lose to get relief at scale to those in need, and to

**** Possible New Speaker ****

make progress on the pathway to a lasting peace. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The situation in Gaza is fragile and we all want the ceasefire to hold and
12:42
Priti Patel Portrait Rt Hon Priti Patel MP (Witham, Conservative)
-
-
all want the ceasefire to hold and endure and for it to be to transition into a sustainable end to the conflict. But that requires the terms of the ceasefire being adhered to. The scenes of masked Hamas gunmen carrying out summary executions is sickening. Their continued hoarding and disruption of aid to starve Gazans is shocking. Their refusal to disarm is disturbing, and their failure to return bodies of the deceased hostages is distressing. They and their families deserve the dignity and deserve dignity of a proper burial.

Their loved ones have already been through terrible, terrible pain and suffering. No more coffins should be released with the wrong remains. And this is a disgusting game that has to end immediately. So, can the minister explain what pressure is being exerted on Hamas by the UK government? So they comply with the full terms of the agreement and release all deceased hostages? Yesterday, it was reported that Hamas gunmen killed an IDF soldier violating the ceasefire, leading to the targeted IDF action in response.

What is the minister's assessment of the threat Hamas poses, and what practical steps is the UK taking to support the disarming and elimination of Hamas and the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza? Yesterday, the Secretary of State said and told the House the UK has been proposing different ways to help in the process of decommissioning and disarming Hamas, using expertise we've built up over many years. So can the minister now say what is Britain's specific role, as? This is a unique situation that we see regarding Hamas with terrorist infrastructure and threats funded by Iran across the region? What action is the government taking to rebuild its relationship with Israel, given the important partnership that we have with Israel and on aid, what steps are being taken to increase getting aid into Gaza? And given the remarks by the US Secretary of State about Unwra and its role in Gaza, what discussions have taken place with the United States administration about UNRWA's future and the implication for the UK, following the government's decision to give it to millions of pounds, despite knowing some of these risks.
12:44
Hamish Falconer Portrait Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)
-
-
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would say at the outset that we track events in Gaza incredibly carefully. I do not intend to give the House a running commentary on each and in each and every individual incident that takes place. The situation remains very volatile and very messy. I hope not to disappoint honourable members if I avoid giving very specific answers on very specific instance. There are structures now being put in place, including the Cmcc, the Civilian Military Coordination Centre, which is playing a role in seeking to verify the facts on the ground where we can.

That work obviously takes some time. The UK is making a contribution to it, but I won't wish to get ahead of that process from the despatch box. What I will say is we have been absolutely clear on the threat that Hamas pose to Palestinians, to Israelis and to the wider world. That's why they're sanctioned as a terrorist organisation here. We are taking a range of measures with our partners to work through the very complicated but necessary steps, whether it's about transitional governments in Gaza, the security arrangements that need to follow the international security force and a whole range of other questions.

I can assure the shadow Foreign Secretary that we are deep in those discussions. We have been having them over the last few days, and we will have them in the region, too. This is an incredibly complex piece of work and we remain very focussed on it. Mr. Speaker, just very quickly on aid, I would like to inform the House that there has been what appears to be quite a of a in particular through Kerem Shalom, which is very welcome. Therefore flow in the volumes that we would wish to see them, and we continue

**** Possible New Speaker ****

to work with all our partners to try and see them reopen. Blackburn Mr. speaker, welcome. The.
12:46
12:47
12:47
12:49
12:49
12:50
12:50
12:51
12:52
12:53
12:53
12:54
12:54
12:55
12:55
12:56
12:56
12:57
Hamish Falconer Portrait Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)
-
-
Madam speaker, since the ICJ advisory opinion that's been referred to, I wouldn't want the House to have the impression that the British government has done nothing. We have. At the centre of that advisory opinion is the question of the status of the occupied Palestinian territory. We have been clear subsequently in recognising the state what the status of that territory is. He raises important questions about the trade with goods, trade of goods, with settlements. We do not accept trade with settlements on the same basis that we do trade with Israel.

It is where British companies are doing so. They are in breach of the trading arrangements. HMRC will take an interest they need to ensure that they know who they are trading with and in which territory. It is obviously difficult as a whole range of nations and states have found to ensure that if in settlements, people wish to falsely label where the thing is produced, it is very difficult for others to then be able to determine. And I know he follows these issues very closely.

He will no doubt be interested in the efforts of the Irish government in order to try and pass exactly the kind of legislation that he is describing and the very many difficulties that they have encountered in so doing, we are not in breach of our international obligations. If the honourable member would like to pass me to some point, me to some legislation which does what he says, which is in operation, I'd be grateful to see it. But I think this is one of those questions where we need to continue to work with our partners to ensure that the status of the occupied Palestinian territory, part of a Palestinian state, is understood by all Greg Smith.
12:59
13:00
13:00
13:01
13:01
13:01
13:02
13:03
13:04
13:05
13:05
13:06
13:06
13:06
13:07
13:08
13:08
13:08
13:09
13:10
13:10
13:11
13:11
13:12
Hamish Falconer Portrait Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)
-
-


**** Possible New Speaker ****

Madam Deputy Speaker, if you permit me, I might just say a little bit about the wider evacuation operations they have continued, including on Monday and continued, including on Monday and Tuesday of this week, when both students, as my honourable friend, has been so doughty in pursuing, but also those children who are highly medically vulnerable and who can benefit from UK support that work. Indeed, alongside my colleague from the Health Ministry continues, we have been able to help many people get to the UK to transform their lives, to get the vital medical assistance and educational opportunities, which I hope will provide for all of those people to make a real contribution to the future of Palestine.

These have been incredibly complex operations, not least given the closures of getting people in and out of Gaza. Under the most recent period we have, I'm afraid, very strict limits on how many dependents anyone can bring out. We have made an update to our policy in relation to those students who are fully funded, in which we can support a very small number of dependents to leave. I know many in the House with an interest have engaged with me directly on these questions.

I would, I'm afraid, reiterate that these operations remain incredibly complex. I'm happy to talk to all members with an interest. There is not a there is neither infinite capacity in the UK to support, nor is there, even with our partners, unlimited capacity to get people out. So we have made an announcement and I pay tribute to the work of my honourable friend and many others across this House on those questions, but I wish to keep people's expectations suitably focussed on the very many constraints that remain on these operations.
13:13
13:14
13:15
13:16
13:16
13:17
13:17
13:18
13:18
13:19
13:20
13:20
13:20
13:21
13:21
13:22
13:23
13:23
13:24
13:24
13:25
13:26
13:26
13:26
13:27
13:28
13:28
13:29
13:30
13:31
None Portrait Urgent question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make a statement on the planned use of MoD barracks to house asylum seekers
-



**** Possible New Speaker ****

Urgent Question Angus MacDonald. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and thank you.
13:31
13:31
Alex Norris Portrait Alex Norris MP, The Minister of State, Home Department (Nottingham North and Kimberley, Labour )
-
-
Madam Deputy Speaker. The use of hotels to House asylum seekers is a disgrace as members on all sides will know, it is a practice that became widespread long before this government entered office, and it is one of the clearest indicators of the shambles that we inherited last summer. People across the country are frustrated, if not furious, and we wholeheartedly agree. And that is why, since the general election, we've been working to address the chronic issues that have been allowed to build up in the asylum system over several years, at peak, under the previous government, there were 400 hotels in use.

Now this number is around 200 and this reduction has been achieved despite what the Home Affairs Select Committee has called a dramatic increase in demand. Under this government, decisions on asylum applications are up, as are asylum related returns. Meanwhile, system costs are down. However, as my right honourable friend the Home Secretary has made clear, we must go further and faster. That means moving at pace to fulfil the government's commitment to close every asylum hotel. Work to facilitate this exit is ongoing and the Asylum Accommodation Task Force is working across government to deliver alternative asylum accommodation.

And I can confirm to the House that plans are underway regarding the temporary use of Ministry of Defence sites at Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough Training Ground, East Sussex, for the purpose of asylum accommodation. Under these plans, a total of around 900 people will be housed across both sites. These two sites are among a number of options being looked at as we seek to alleviate the pressure on the system and to drive down hotel use. And while this is a complex and fast moving operating environment, there is a strong understanding within the Home Office about the importance of local engagement.

My officials have been engaging directly and regularly in advance of this with the Scottish Government, with the relevant councils and with local service providers, and will continue to do so. Whatever decisions are made regarding specific locations, we are clear that the impacts on communities must be minimised. The safety and security of people living and working in the surrounding areas is paramount. Madam Deputy Speaker, a crisis of this scale we were left with was always going to take time to correct. But we know the British people are impatient for change, as are we, and do whatever it takes to end hotel use, fix the broken asylum system and secure our

**** Possible New Speaker ****

borders. Angus MacDonald. Thank you and thank you Minister,
13:33
Angus MacDonald Portrait Mr Angus MacDonald MP (Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, Liberal Democrat)
-
-


**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you and thank you Minister, for that. I got a call yesterday at 710 in the morning from the BBC and 710 in the morning from the BBC and they said, what is your comment on the Cameron Barracks being taken over to use housed migrants? Now, I know that place well because I was based there in the army. It is residential. It is surrounded by housing, very, very close. And what's more, it's only ten minutes from the Inverness city centre. I asked for a briefing from the Home Office and got one, which was wonderful.

What I learned is there's going to be up to 309 males. They're single, there are single asylum seekers and they'll move in at the end of November. I have a few questions from that. Why was I not engaged in any sort of discussion about this? Why was the Scottish Government not engaged in conversation, and why were the Highland Council and other authorities just informed they were not engaged? Which word? You you used? The second question I have is there the Home Office officials actually consider the fact that it was a city centre before they agreed to take it on.

Why is it OK to close town centre migrant hotels in the south of England, yet planned to House 300 migrant men in army quarters in Inverness city centre? It's effectively the same thing. And would the minister meet me to discuss the Home Office halting the plan to utilise Cameron Barracks to House migrants? Thank you.
13:34
Alex Norris Portrait Alex Norris MP, The Minister of State, Home Department (Nottingham North and Kimberley, Labour )
-
-
Thank you. honourable gentleman conveys there. I am sorry that he heard in the way that he did. I, of course, will have that meeting with him. It can be difficult to sequence this correctly. We live, as all colleagues know, in an age of mis and disinformation and trying to sequence who hears what and when is or can be sticky, but nevertheless he should not. He should not have heard in the way that he did. And similarly I would recognise, because of course, you can't take part in these proceedings.

The Right Honourable Member for Sussex Weald, whose duties as Deputy Speaker preclude her. But also the same is true for her, and I would recognise the strength of feeling that she has conveyed to me in no uncertain terms about her views and the views of her constituents and their opposition, and I will continue to engage with him. I will continue to engage with her, and I would encourage her local authority to to also do so. I recognise the strength of feeling on his other questions and of course, that consideration has been made.

We're looking at all sites in that regard, be they a hotel, be they dispersed accommodation always. The local context is considered. I would gently say that, of course, both sites would have been used recently for the Afghan resettlement scheme. So there is, you know, there is a clear understanding across government of the capabilities of those sites and of course those locations as well. But I want to be very clear what's at stake here, because the honourable gentleman talks about closures of hotels. Now, we know that hotels are an exceptionally challenging issue in this country.

Too many people come to this country being sold a dream that they will be housed in a hotel, and they'll be able to work illegally in our economy. Today, we have announced that we have had our best ever year for illegal work raids, with 1000 people deported as a result. But we have to break the model that says you'll get to live

**** Possible New Speaker ****

in a hotel and work illegally. And this is a really important part of that. Shadow Minister.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Shadow Minister. Thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker. Since this government came to
13:37
Matt Vickers Portrait Matt Vickers MP (Stockton West, Conservative)
-
-


**** Possible New Speaker ****

Since this government came to crisis. Has. worse. On every front. The number of.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

The number of. People arriving. In the country illegally is up. up.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

More than. 50% when compared to the same period before the election. Before the election, the number of the election, the number of migrants staying in hotels had fallen by 47%. It's now gone up and less of those people breaking into this country illegally by a small boat are now being removed. We are now in a position where the government is putting forward a proposal which, when in opposition, the described as an admission of failure. A defence minister is unable to say whether the plan will save us money or cost us more.

Also, we hear this proposal will involve accommodation on a site directly next to the homes of provided to families of our brave armed forces personnel. Have they consulted these families on this plan? It demonstrates that we need much stronger proposals than the weak efforts the government are presiding over. That is why we have put forward the borders plan, which goes beyond tinkering with the system. If we want to stop the use of this accommodation, we need to completely change how we approach this problem and ensure that all illegal immigrants are removed within a week.

This is a comprehensive plan based on our proposals to leave the ECHR, reform our asylum system operates and remove the blockages which have stopped the removal of illegal entrants. This is a proposal which is not only practical but fair, as those who come to the UK illegally should not be housed at the taxpayer's expense in ever greater numbers. People need to know that if they break into this country, they will be detained and they will be deported. That is how we solve this crisis.

Therefore, I finish by asking the question. We are all wondering when will the asylum hotels close? Will the government

**** Possible New Speaker ****

commit to closing all asylum hotels within a year? Minister thank you, Madam Deputy
13:38
Alex Norris Portrait Alex Norris MP, The Minister of State, Home Department (Nottingham North and Kimberley, Labour )
-
-


**** Possible New Speaker ****

Minister thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. What an optimistic effort by the honourable gentleman who invites us to believe that a system invites us to believe that a system that he and his colleagues broke over a period of 14 years, they have worked out how to fix in 14 months. I think the British public saw through that last July. I July 2024. I suspect they will see through it again. He talks about removals of removals are up now over 35,000 since we took office.

But of course, when it comes down to the to why we have hotels in the first place, where is the original sin? Of course the original sin is that colleagues opposite stopped assessing claims. That's why we have hotels. That's why we've made the efforts we have to shift that backlog. The reality is it's a broken system. We have a very simple equation. There is a complicated issue with a simple equation. We are a very popular country for people to want to come to.

Of course, we are the greatest country in the world with our brilliant institutions, but it's also because people are sold a dream that you can come here, live in a hotel, and work illegally until and unless you do, you attack those two fundamental truths. Nothing will change. But we know, Madam Deputy Speaker, we know that the party opposite do not oppose our plans today because after all,

**** Possible New Speaker ****

they did two military sites of their own. Wow, Chris Murray. Thank you.
13:40
13:41
13:42
Max Wilkinson Portrait Max Wilkinson MP (Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat)
-
-


**** Possible New Speaker ****

Max Wilkinson. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. We share the. Minister's concern about the approach of the. Official opposition. Clearly,

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Official opposition. Clearly, they left us with this. Mess and now. They feign outrage. Madam Deputy. Speaker.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

It appears. This government's. Proposal, however, is to decant. Asylum seekers from. One kind of unsuitable and. Costly accommodation.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

accommodation. should. Be tackling. The real issue. Speeding up. Asylum decisions so those with no right.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

no right. To stay are. Returned and. Those with a valid claim can work. Pay, tax. And integrate.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Pay, tax. And integrate. I will pick. Up the Minister's. Point about the difficulty of sequencing communications. As a Member of Parliament who's had an Member of Parliament who's had an asylum hotel opened in his constituency, I was informed several weeks in advance. I actually offered a much better form of accommodation alternative somewhere else nearby. I found out that the Home Office was determined to open a hotel because that alternative was not taken up. It would have been more appropriate and my constituency feels let down now.

The government has promised to end the use of hotels by 2029, yet has put forward no credible plan to achieve it. The Lib Dems have set out a plan for ending hotel use in just six months by declaring a national emergency and setting up Nightingale processing centres to bring down the backlog. So will the Home Secretary match the Lib Dem plan by declaring that national emergency today? And will the Minister confirm whether the plan that he's put forward means speeding up decisions and returning those with no right to stay? Or does it mean simply shifting large numbers of asylum seekers from one form of accommodation to another? Will the Minister share what assessment has been made of the relative merits of army barracks in or next to urban areas, as opposed to those in rural areas? And finally, will the will the minister concede that cutting overseas development spending will drive more people away from conflict zones? To seek safety in Europe and

**** Possible New Speaker ****

onward onto boats unsafely in the English Channel? Minister.
13:43
Alex Norris Portrait Alex Norris MP, The Minister of State, Home Department (Nottingham North and Kimberley, Labour )
-
-


**** Possible New Speaker ****

Minister. I recognise the the spirit with which the honourable gentleman and his colleagues speak and I share, his colleagues speak and I share, and indeed I think we can demonstrate through our actions our zeal with regards to speeding up decisions. That's why we've made such a significant increase into decision making. Similarly, I think it is a matter of record that our, our our commitment to speeding up removals. That's why we've seen so many people with no right to stay, well over 35,000 now removed since we took office.

What I gently say to him is that in doing that, you still have a situation where there is a significant cohort of people. As we deal with the backlog left by colleagues opposite that that will that need to be housed and accommodated while their claims are processed. Similarly, there is an attraction. We see that, of course, in the numbers who seek to cross the channel to come here and until and unless you address that element, that alone. The suggestions from the honourable gentleman alone will not make that deterrent.

What we offer today is a significant and real deterrent to break that pull factor. And on the point on overseas development, of course, the honourable gentleman will know the commitment made by the Prime Minister. We want to return that to 0.7% as soon as we can, because it

**** Possible New Speaker ****

makes a huge impact across the world, and we want to continue to do that. Chi Onwurah thank you, Madam
13:45
13:46
13:46
13:47
13:47
13:48
13:48
13:49
13:50
13:50
13:51
13:51
13:52
13:53
13:53
13:54
13:55
13:55
13:56
13:57
13:57
13:58
13:59
13:59
14:00
14:01
14:02
14:02
14:03
14:04
14:05
14:05
14:06
14:06
14:07
14:07
14:08
Luke Pollard Portrait Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
-
-


**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. With your permission. I would like to update. The House on. The. UK Turkey deal to buy 20 British

**** Possible New Speaker ****

UK Turkey deal to buy 20 British built typhoon fighter jets. On Monday, the Prime Minister travelled to Ankara with the Defence Secretary, where he Defence Secretary, where he finalised an agreement with President Erdogan for Turkey to purchase 20 British built typhoon fighter jets. This is a deal worth £8 billion and is our biggest fighter jet export contract since 2007. Madam Deputy Speaker, this is a massive boost for our defence industry, for our economy and for our country. It confirms that defence is an engine for growth.

This deal will support 20,000 jobs across 330 British companies UK wide. And in particular, our deal supports jobs in Lancashire, Bristol, Luton and Scotland for many years to come. It includes nearly 6000 jobs directly supporting typhoon program at BAE systems sites, particularly at Warton and Salisbury. More than 1100 jobs in the south west, for example at the Rolls-Royce facility in Bristol, producing modules for the Ej200 jet engines that will power these new typhoon jets and over 800 jobs in Scotland, including at Leonardo in Edinburgh.

Manufacturing cutting edge radar systems. These are high value, well-paid, good, unionised jobs, the kind of jobs that puts money in working people's pockets, that help revitalise communities and that help deliver on defence as an engine for growth. This deal also preserves our sovereign skills which underpin our national security and prosperity, so they can be handed down to new generations. But mandatory Speaker. This deal goes far beyond the procurement of typhoon jets alone. It represents the leading edge of our enhanced strategic partnership between the UK and Turkey.

This agreement between our two countries is emblematic of a growing defence and industrial partnership, and will serve as a springboard for deeper collaboration in the future. Turkey is a key NATO ally in a strategically critical part of the world, and the gatekeeper to the Black Sea by equipping it with the top of the range typhoon fighter jets, the best fourth generation all round fighter in the world. This deal strengthens NATO's collective deterrence in a crucial region. It boosts interoperability between our air forces and makes us all safer and more prosperous.

This deal comes weeks after Norway chose the UK to supply it with at least five type 26 frigates in a £10 billion deal, the biggest ever warship export deal by value in our history. That contract alone secured 4000 jobs, including more than 2000 in Scotland, and supports over 400 British companies right across our supply chain. Both deals, worth a combined £18 billion, are proof positive that other countries want to invest in Britain by allies choosing our capabilities that directly leads to greater interoperability and invests back into our technology to achieve warfighting readiness.

And there are clear evidence that this government's defence industrial strategy is delivering, because here's what we are doing differently. This government is going further and faster to back British industry, British jobs and British innovation. We're working more closely with our allies around the world to strengthen our collective security. We're bringing forward the biggest sustained increase in UK defence spending since the Cold War, to make Britain secure at home and strong abroad. £5 billion extra in the defence budget this year, 2.5% of GDP by April 2027 and 3% in the next Parliament.

And we're making defence an engine for economic growth for the next decade and well beyond driving renewal and opportunity up and down the country. And as we set out in our defence industrial strategy, our armed forces are only as strong as the industry that stands behind them. We are fortunate in this country to have a world class industry and a world class supply chain, but we're making it even stronger by opening up defence to innovators, by overhauling our procurement system, cutting contracting time and by increasing foreign direct investment in our defence sector by more than eight times over the past year.

Last week, before I visited BAE systems in at Warton and Salisbury, I launched a consultation on an offset policy which will ensure that every pound spent on defence will make our armed forces stronger and our British public better off. These proposals means that when the UK buys from international partners, the winning contractor will be required to create jobs, know how and investment opportunities here in the UK. Strengthening the UK economy. But Madam Deputy Speaker to the workers, managers and apprentices I met last week at Warton and Salisbury.

But to all those as well in Bristol, Edinburgh and across the UK, let me say this this government promised that we would have your backs and we are delivering on that promise with this deal. Your hard work, dedication and commitment helped deliver this deal just as much as diplomacy and negotiation. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The UK and Taqiyah may be positioned at opposite ends of Europe, but our partnership is helping protect the continent at a time of rising threats.

And the deal we've announced this week only reinforces that partnership for the future. Work on the new typhoon jets begins immediately. The first new British built typhoon for tequila will be delivered in just five years time, so the benefits will be felt immediately. Two more jobs for working people, more investment in the supply chain. More confidence in the UK economy. Defence as an engine for growth, security at home, strength abroad. And that is what this government is delivering. And that's why I commend this statement to the House.



**** Possible New Speaker ****

The shadow. Secretary of State. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I'm grateful to the Minister for providing advanced sight of his statement. I strongly welcome this very important news for UK fighter production and combat. Air has historically been the largest component of UK defence exports. Few nations can hope to sustain such an advanced industrial base such an advanced industrial base purely on domestic sales. I stress. Throughout my time as Minister of Defence Procurement the critical importance of exports and this deal is very positive for the workforce in Warton, but also, as the in Warton, but also, as the Minister said, in Bristol, Edinburgh and elsewhere in the UK, for the wider SME supply chain, for for the wider SME supply chain, for our NATO ally Turkey and for the Royal Air Force, which requires a domestic base of highly skilled domestic base of highly skilled workers to maintain our ability to deliver sovereign competitiveness in the air domain.

Now, Madam in the air domain. Now, Madam Deputy Speaker, in the very well attended GCap event in Mr. attended GCap event in Mr. Speaker's estate rooms, I said then that defence exports were like a baton passed between administrations. The biggest deals take years to pull off and require teamwork within and across teamwork within and across administrations. As with Norwegian Norwegian frigates, there was a massive and concerted effort under the previous government to engage constantly with Turkey in support of typhoon exports and in my time as a minister, typhoon exports were a top priority in the Mod, and I chaired a weekly cross-government committee focussed in particular on persuading our German allies to change their long standing position of opposing typhoon sales to Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

That work irrefutably helped pave the way for this deal. Now noting how the Trinity House agreement with Germany, which I welcome, builds on the proposal I initiated from scratch to restore large calibre barrel production to the UK. Does the Minister agree that Germany's change of position on typhoon exports underlines the strength of our bilateral relationship with them, and the welcome stiffening of their military disposition? More broadly, given the common threat we face, of course, we should also recognise the important role of other long standing defence export partners in this announcement.

I
14:17
James Cartlidge Portrait James Cartlidge MP (South Suffolk, Conservative)
-
-
note that the deal involves Qatar and Oman, giving Turkey what has been reported as up to 24 existing been reported as up to 24 existing typhoons. Can the minister confirm if either will be buying replacement typhoons, noting the replacement typhoons, noting the option on 12 which Qatar has, which I understand is still is still outstanding in terms of KSA, can outstanding in terms of KSA, can the minister update us on progress with typhoon exports, which of course brings in the very relevant course brings in the very relevant matter of GCap, the programme which develops typhoons? Successor.

Madam Deputy Speaker, I have previously Deputy Speaker, I have previously spoken of how GCap is effectively like Aukus two pillars, the Tempest platform being pillar one and then pillar two. The critical elements such as loyal wingman and electronic warfare with significant potential benefit to the RAF's potential benefit to the RAF's immediate lethality. Appreciating the complications in inviting new nations to join pillar one and nations to join pillar one and giving strong and given strong hints about the German position in relation to their partnership with relation to their partnership with France, has the Minister considered inviting Germany to be a pillar tomb partner of GCap, and does the tomb partner of GCap, and does the deal include any movement on complex weapons for integration into typhoon, given our own into typhoon, given our own industrial strength in that area? Now, Madam Speaker, on our own RAF typhoons, the Mod has now retired.

Some 30 RAF tranche one typhoons. Does the Minister plan to order any further typhoons for the RAF to replace those, and if so, when on ECHR radar led by Leonardo in Edinburgh for the RAF's typhoons, this has now been successfully developed, but no production orders have been placed. I've previously urged ministers to accelerate this procurement to boost the lethality of our existing typhoon fleet. When will E7 radar be in service for the RAF? The typhoon needs an associated electronics upgrade, known as P4, to fully exploit the capabilities of Eastbourne radar, but I understand no contract for that has been placed yet either.

So when is P4 intended to be on contract? Finally, Madam Deputy Speaker, it would be wrong of me not to welcome the Minister to his newly named position as the Minister for defence, Readiness and Industry. Now, personally, I think it's a shame that there is no longer a minister for Defence Procurement. But perhaps I shouldn't be surprised given how little procurement is going on in the Mod, because isn't the reality that for all the boasts about defence spending right now, Labour are prioritising penny pinching in the Mod and forcing a deep freeze in procurement.

So specifically, can he confirm or deny reports from the Telegraph that he is demanding that the armed forces make in-year

**** Possible New Speaker ****

cuts this year of £2.6 billion? Yeah. Minister.
14:18
Luke Pollard Portrait Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
-
-


**** Possible New Speaker ****

Well, I was nearly going to say I've warm welcome for all the honourable gentleman's remarks at the end. I'm afraid that the good news has to be tempered with a little bit of partisan attack. But let me, first of all, welcome his welcome for this deal. It shows, I think, that when there is good cross-party work, we can achieve things. Well, I'm very proud that it is this government that has landed this deal. We know that when we took office, there was a substantial amount of work required to improve the export offer that the Mod had, and we have undertaken that work.

It has shown benefits in the Norway deal and now the Turkish deal, and we are working on a number of other contracts with our allies that I hope will produce similar type of good news for workforces up and down the country in due course. The hon. Gentleman asks about the approvals from our allies, and I can confirm that all Eurofighter nations have indeed signed off this export, including Germany. It's right that he raised Trinity House. The agreement that was signed between this government and Germany that provides a huge amount of opportunity.

And last week, marking the one year anniversary of the signing of that deal, Boris Pistorius and our very own Defence Secretary were in a jet flying from RAF Lossiemouth, underlining the commitment that we have for German P-8s to fly from Lossiemouth and for German air crews to be participating with our RAF jets in a really important international mission that flies from Lossiemouth. GCap is an essential part of our future combat air offer. It is something that was reinforced in the Strategic Defence Review that we published earlier this year, and this typhoon order for Turkey helps fill a gap in the production line between our typhoon orders that currently exist and the production of GCap platforms.

In the future, he will know that all our spending announcements will be made as part of the Defence Investment Plan towards the end of this year. I would say to him, I think the radar that he mentions is an incredible piece of technology and it's not only a benefit potentially to the RAF, but also to other typhoon nations as well. And I would just gently point out to him that since taking office a year, just over a year ago, we have signed 1000 major deals as part of the Mod.

We continue to procure not just traditional aspects, but cyber drones and other capabilities for our armed forces, and we'll continue to work with our allies because the change that we need in our armed forces is not just renewing the kit and equipment for our forces, but buying equipment alongside our allies, cutting R&D costs, increasing interoperability, moving towards interchangeability, and strengthening our warfighting resilience. But I welcome his support for this deal, and I hope he will also join me in thanking all the workers for their tireless effort in supporting our national

**** Possible New Speaker ****

security and those of our NATO allies. Jayne Kirkham. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
14:21
14:21
14:22
Calum Miller Portrait Calum Miller MP (Bicester and Woodstock, Liberal Democrat)
-
-
Liberal Democrat spokesperson Calum Miller. advance sight of his statement. So let me begin by warmly welcoming the announcement of this deal. It will generate jobs for a skilled and dedicated workforce here in the UK and much generate much needed growth, while it will also contribute to the security and deterrence capability of the NATO alliance, the government is right to see Turkey as a key strategic partner on the Black Sea and as a NATO member and an essential partner in our collective efforts to contain Putin's imperial ambitions, defending our eastern flank.

Yet, even as we recognise our shared security interests, we must be clear on Ankara's actions when they depart from our values and standards. The continued detention of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, widely believed to be politically motivated, remains egregious and speaks to an alarming trend of democratic backsliding in Turkey. So can the minister confirm whether he or the Prime Minister raised concerns about Mayor Imamoglu's continued detention while concluding this deal? And if not, will the Minister call on the Foreign Secretary to raise this with the Turkish counterpart at the earliest opportunity? This deal speaks to the strategic imperative of deepening ties with our security partners across Europe and our alliance network.

In May, the government trumpeted its new security framework with the European Union, a move which the Liberal Democrats welcomed. However, five months on, it's not clear what progress, if any, the government has made to flesh out the substance of this framework. So can the Minister please provide an update on what steps have been taken since May to strengthen security ties with the EU, and in particular, will he commit the UK to membership of the European Defence Agency to support a joined up approach to collective rearmament with our European allies?
14:24
14:25
14:26
14:27
14:28
14:29
14:29
14:30
Andrew Snowden Portrait Mr Andrew Snowden MP (Fylde, Conservative)
-
-


**** Possible New Speaker ****

Andrew Snowden. Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. And ever since I've been elected, pushing for securing been elected, pushing for securing typhoon orders at the site has been absolutely critical. Part of my work, given not only the impact it would have on jobs across Fylde and Lancashire, but also in our sovereign capability to build our. Own military aircraft. So I massively welcome this announcement and the work that has gone on, on both the government benches and on

**** Possible New Speaker ****

the opposition benches, from from. Former ministers. I was very. Touched that the. Minister did actually invite me

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Minister did actually invite me to join him on his visit. To BAE systems last week. The Prime Minister, however, didn't seem to Minister, however, didn't seem to want to invite me to the announcement yesterday in my own constituency. Maybe he's been taking my PMQs too personally. We don't know. But it is a welcome deal. But what it does leave is the deal. But what it does leave is the fact that we are now the only major partner in the Eurofighter project partner in the Eurofighter project that is not ordering the aircraft that we are trying to sell to other countries.

We are trying to sell countries. We are trying to sell aircraft abroad that we ourselves are not buying. And it would be, are not buying. And it would be, I'm sure, a great aid to future export deals to get that extra 20 over the line further down the line, over the line further down the line, to look at Saudi and other places where we're trying to sell these, but equally to maintain and but equally to maintain and continue to boost our own sovereign capability in military aircraft jobs right across our country.

If jobs right across our country. If we place that order for the RAF for some more typhoons, and I will

**** Possible New Speaker ****

some more typhoons, and I will happily heap praise on the Minister should he do so. I thank him for that. I am
14:32
Feed Live - Click to view video
Return to start of debate - Return to top of page