Oral Answers to Questions

Fred Thomas Excerpts

Wednesday 4th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Louise Haigh]

The right hon. Gentleman will understand that I am not going to comment on a live police investigation. The major problem facing Northern Ireland right now is, as he will agree, the absence of a budget. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is looking at how we can ensure that there is more political and financial accountability, and he will continue engaging with all Northern Ireland parties about how we move forward. Ultimately, we want calm heads to prevail and power sharing to succeed, and we want to enhance the resilience of the political institutions in Northern Ireland. We are willing to work with all parties on that, and I know that the right hon. Gentleman will play his full part in getting a budget agreed.

[Fred Thomas (Plymouth Moor View) (Lab)]

Q4. Satellite capabilities and AI are essential to our security and economy, yet Britain still relies on allies and a handful of extremely expensive sovereign satellites. With advancing technologies and growing threats, these are increasingly vulnerable to disruption, no matter who we contract to deliver them. There is another way: a British-owned constellation with hundreds of cheap, commercially built satellites in low earth orbit using AI to analyse data in space. This would support our space sector, add resilience to our national security and drive growth. Combining artificial intelligence with real-time satellite data, Britain could develop its own planetary intelligence. Will the First Secretary meet me to discuss this capability?

[Louise Haigh]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The UK can be a world leader in this industry, which is why our space strategy set out over £7.8 billion of investment to strengthen our national security and resilience. I can assure him that our decisions will always prioritise economic growth and jobs here in the UK and the enhancing of our sovereign capabilities, and I am sure that my hon. Friend the Space Minister will be very happy to meet him to discuss this.