Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions has he held with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space on the potential merits of enhanced UK-EU cooperation under Security Action for Europe.

The UK is committed to a broad and constructive relationship with the EU. We are working to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit and build on our landmark Security and Defence Partnership – which includes taking forward discussions on a bilateral participation agreement for enhanced cooperation under the EU’s Security Action For Europe (SAFE) instrument. As part of these efforts, the Defence Secretary continues to work constructively with all of our European allies, including with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, to enhance Europe's defence industrial capacity and production and to deliver the critical capabilities to support Ukraine.

We will not pre-empt the outcome of discussions with our European partners, this Government has been clear that we would only agree to a deal if we were satisfied it provided value to the UK and UK industry.