Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the news story entitled PM secures new agreement with EU to benefit British people, published on 19 May 2025, what estimate he has made of the annual cost of participation in the EU's Security Action for Europe defence fund in each of the next four years.

The Security and Defence partnership (SDP) agreed with the EU at the UK-EU Summit on 19 May 2025 demonstrates that this Government is delivering on our manifesto pledge to strengthen European security, support growth, and reinforce NATO.

This is a legally non-binding instrument that sets a framework for deeper cooperation on key issues like Ukraine, defence industry and peace building and crisis management; opening up the potential possible opportunity to engage with the EU’s proposed €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism.

We are in discussion with the EU on implementation and the future modalities of cooperation. We would only agree to future financial contributions to EU programmes that provide value to the UK taxpayer.

I would refer to the Prime Minister’s statement and answers on 20 May, regarding the role of the European Court of Justice. However, I can confirm that the SDP is clear that our participation in defence initiatives will be in accordance with our respective legal frameworks.