Oral Answers to Questions

John Milne Excerpts

Monday 19th May 2025 Commons Chamber

[John Milne (Horsham) (LD)]

2. If he will make it his policy to negotiate a defence and security agreement with the EU.

[Alison Bennett (Mid Sussex) (LD)]

15. If he will make it his policy to negotiate a defence and security agreement with the EU.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)]

This is a Government delivering for defence. Today we have agreed a new bespoke and ambitious security and defence partnership between the United Kingdom and the European Union. The SDP will strengthen NATO, the cornerstone of the UK’s defence, and it will grow the economy. It allows us to step up more effectively together on European security against growing Russian aggression and the increasing threats that we face.

[John Milne]

The ill-advised decision to leave the EU in 2016 saw us leave the European Defence Agency at the same time. With defence expenditure rising at record rates across Europe in response to the invasion of Ukraine, the EDA has a vital role to play in our national security. What plans do the Government have to secure a more effective working relationship with Europe’s defence procurement strategy and to form stronger links with the EDA?

[John Healey]

Quite simply, the answer to both the hon. Gentleman’s first question and his second question is exactly the partnership deal that we have signed this afternoon.