To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Military Aircraft: Manufacturing
Thursday 29th January 2026

Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to maintain combat aircraft manufacturing and assembly capacity in the UK.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Industrial Strategy recognises combat air as a priority national security sub-sector, requiring a degree of autonomy in the UK. The Defence Industrial Strategy underlines this government's commitment to maintaining sovereign capabilities across the Defence enterprise. The United Kingdom already has a world-class combat air production and manufacturing ecosystem, supported through large-scale international partnerships as well as targeted domestic investment.

Steps taken to maintain this capacity include the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), supporting export campaigns of Typhoon aircraft, upgrading our own combat aircraft, and continuing our investment in the global F-35 programme.

Division Vote (Lords)
28 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Spellar (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 88 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 16 Noes - 92
Division Vote (Lords)
28 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Spellar (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 140 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 231 Noes - 147
Division Vote (Lords)
28 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Spellar (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 156 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 255 Noes - 183
Division Vote (Lords)
28 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Spellar (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 151 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 67 Noes - 191
Written Question
Defence: Industry
Tuesday 27th January 2026

Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the security risk and the impact on the resilience of the defence industry of the construction of vessels in China or Vietnam for the Defence Maritime Next Generation Service program.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The construction locations of vessels being procured as part of the Defence Marine Services Next Generation In-Port Services contract do not present a risk to the security of the United Kingdom. Future maintenance of the vessels will take place in the UK.

The Government is stepping up its support for sovereign shipbuilding capabilities. The Procurement Act 2023 provides greater scope to strengthen supply chain visibility and drive social value. All options in and around this legislation are being explored to support the UK shipbuilding industry. In addition, the forthcoming Shipbuilding and Maritime Technology Action Plan will describe the new approach to oversight of ship and boatbuilding programmes across the strategic breadth of Government procurement.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 26 Jan 2026
Grass-roots Music Venues

"My Lords, can the Minister take back to Whitehall the very clear message on the importance of the music industry, including for Britain’s place in the world, that he has identified? No one starts their career playing the O2; they learn their trade—particularly how to relate to an audience—by playing …..."
Lord Spellar - View Speech

View all Lord Spellar (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Grass-roots Music Venues
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 22 Jan 2026
Number Plates Intended to Defeat Enforcement Cameras

"My Lords, I echo the comments from my noble friend Lord Snape regarding the Member of Parliament for the neighbouring seat to my old one, Sarah Coombes in West Bromwich, but I also highlight the point that this is linked to lots of other crime. It is linked to petrol …..."
Lord Spellar - View Speech

View all Lord Spellar (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Number Plates Intended to Defeat Enforcement Cameras
Division Vote (Lords)
21 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Spellar (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 114 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 53 Noes - 116
Division Vote (Lords)
21 Jan 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Spellar (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 134 Labour No votes vs 3 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 261 Noes - 150