Extracts from Lords
debate on Armed Forces
(LD):...So far so good. He gave an extensive commentary on Iran
but failed to mention that Israel has
a nuclear arsenal, and nor did he mention that India, Pakistan
and North Korea have not signed up to the NPT. We are signing a
trade agreement with India; we should remind it that signing the
NPT is essential...
(LD):...Turning to
manning levels, in a Written Answer to me in June, the noble
Baroness disclosed that 28% of combined military and civilian
personnel were civilian—in other words, 60,000. Indeed, over the
last five years, that number has risen from 58,000, despite a
reduction in service personnel, a reduction in bases and major
advances in communication systems such as videoconferencing. It
is difficult to think of any other similar large employer that
has not reduced headcount during this period. Compared with our
28%, the figure in France is only 23%. So is it not time to bring
in a very senior and experienced external team to look at our
procurement processes and seemingly bloated civilian manning
levels? I do not believe that the MoD can or will do the
necessary itself. The Defence Select Committee looked
at Israel
admittedly a more modern nation starting from scratch. It
noted:
“The Israeli system, which places a premium on
efficient use of manpower, by effective use of contractors,
manages to achieve similar outcomes … but with far fewer
people”.
Turning to resources and defence priorities, I expect virtually
all participants in today’s debate to support increased defence
spending given our very dangerous world, with so many flashpoints
apart, of course, from the appalling conflict in Ukraine. But, in
a nation that has lived above its means for years, all
departments argue for more spend. Thus we must ruthlessly focus
on defence priorities and, sadly and inevitably, employment
considerations writ large. Would have given approval for our
new carriers were Scottish jobs not involved? Should we really be
planning the next generation of manned fighter aircraft given the
rapid growth of unmanned vehicles in the air and at sea? I
suggest that we have been behind the curve in the development of
UAVs, well behind the USA and Israel
probably also Turkey and maybe even Iran. Just look at drone
usage in Ukraine. Are we building up our capability and stocks as
fast as we should? Where to spend defence cash is never easy.
Looking back, I do not criticise the decision to reduce our tank
numbers. It was not an unreasonable assumption that a major
European land war was very unlikely. Who foresaw a Russian
invasion say five years ago?
Extract from Commons
statement on the Horizon Programme
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
():...It means British
scientists and businesses can co-operate with researchers not
just in the EU, but in Norway, New Zealand and Israel
expanding the reach and impact of British science and technology
to every corner of the globe. With Korea and Canada looking to
join these programmes in the future, we are opening the doors to
further pioneering, international collaboration with a growing
group of countries...
Written statement on
Business and Trade update
The Minister for International Trade (): Since Parliament
adjourned for summer recess, the Department for Business and
Trade has been carrying out a significant amount of activity in a
number of areas. We are updating the House today on progress in
these areas.
UK-India trade negotiations
The 11th round of UK-India free trade agreement (FTA)
negotiations began on 5 July and concluded on 14 July in London.
The 12th round of talks took place in Delhi from 8-31 August.
Both rounds were conducted in a hybrid fashion.
During round 11, India’s Minister for Commerce and Industry,
Piyush Goyal, visited London. Discussions covered the status of
the negotiations, as well as wider trade and investment
opportunities for the UK and India. Shri Sunil Barthwal, India’s
Commerce Secretary, also visited the UK during the round to meet
with senior UK trade officials and take stock of progress made in
the round.
During round 12, between 24-26 August, the Secretary of State
visited India to attend the final trade and investment working
group of the Indian G20 Presidency. During her visit, she again
met with Minister Goyal. Their discussions focused on goods,
services and investment. We agreed to hold round 13 in
September.
UK-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) trade negotiations
The fourth round of UK-Gulf Cooperation Council free trade
agreement (FTA) negotiations began on 17 July and concluded on 28
July in London. The round was held in a hybrid fashion.
Technical discussions were held across 23 policy areas over 44
sessions. Good progress was made and both sides remain committed
to securing an ambitious, comprehensive and modern agreement fit
for the 21st century.
UK-Israel trade negotiations
The third round of United Kingdom-Israel free trade
agreement (FTA) negotiations began week commencing 23 July. The
round was held in a hybrid fashion—UK officials travelled to
Jerusalem for negotiations and others attended
virtually.
We focused primarily on trade in services and
procurement, which are key areas not covered by our current
trading arrangements under the trade and continuity partnership
agreement. Negotiators held text-based and technical discussions
across 10 policy areas and 32 sessions in Jerusalem. Both sides
continue to work towards an upgraded modern agreement and the
fourth round of negotiations will take place in due
course.
Smarter regulations
We intend to introduce legislation to further extend recognition
of the CE mark in Great Britain for regulations managed by the
Department for Business and Trade when parliamentary time
allows.
Government have engaged extensively with industry to understand
concerns about the requirement to use the UKCA mark on many
products from December 2024. We have heard that the planned
transition to UKCA poses challenges and costs for businesses. We
have listened and we are taking action.
Businesses will have the flexibility and choice to use either the
UKCA mark or the EU’s CE mark to place goods on the GB market.
This approach is designed to minimise additional regulatory
compliance costs for businesses while ensuring consumers can
continue to access safe products. We will engage with industry to
develop our proposed approach to product markings and CE
recognition in a way that benefits both British businesses and
consumers.
Departmental responsibility transfer update
Following machinery of Government changes, responsibility for the
pre-existing provision for covid loan guarantees and the
pre-existing Post Office working capital facility has transferred
from the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy to the Department for Business and Trade.
Following review, it has been noted that at the Department for
Business and Trade’s main estimate for 2023-24 Government
officials did not include the cash required to meet payments for
these pre-existing arrangements. Parliamentary approval for
additional cash of £3,659,625,000 will be sought in a
supplementary estimate for the Department for Business and Trade.
Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at
£3,659,625,000 will be met by repayable cash advances from the
contingencies fund. The cash advance will be repaid upon
receiving Royal Assent on the Supply and Appropriation Bill.
Shipbuilding credit guarantee scheme (SCGS)
Today the Secretary of State is laying a departmental minute
describing a contingent liability arising from the launch of a
shipbuilding credit guarantee scheme (SCGS) before
Parliament.
The scheme is a finance instrument which will provide guarantees
to banks in respect of loans made to vessel owners and operators
seeking to place orders at UK shipyards. The shipbuilding credit
guarantee scheme (SCGS) will guarantee a portion of the value of
eligible loans, sharing the risk with lenders to encourage offers
of finance to UK vessel owners and operators.
The SCGS is one of a number of targeted interventions being taken
as part of over £4 billion of Government investment planned
through the Government’s national shipbuilding strategy refresh,
to encourage UK ship owners and operators to place new orders and
upgrade their existing fleets with world-leading shipyards that
are based up and down the UK. HM Treasury has approved the
arrangements.
