New Medium Helicopter Contract

Lord Spellar Excerpts

Wednesday 14th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

We are in constant discussions with Leonardo about this particular contract. However, the noble Lord will have heard what I said: the final decision in respect of the contract with Leonardo will be part of the defence investment plan. He makes the point that other noble Lords have made, including the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie, that alongside that we are doing all we can with the additional money that we are spending to support British industry and promote British jobs. That is part of the policy of the Government, and it is what we are doing.

[Lord Spellar (Lab)]

My Lords, I hope the Minister will have got the message that he has support from right across the House to get across to the Treasury that a flow of funds is needed to ensure that orders come through. There is great pressure not only on Leonardo—which is, of course, also a major partner in the GCAP project—but on companies in its supply chain, which actually have to employ people to order new equipment. They do not have the same resilience and financial reserves. They need those orders so that they can start planning. Can the Minister get that message across to people across Whitehall?

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

We are certainly making those points—with respect not only to the importance of the main contract but to the impact on the supply chain that is dependent on these contracts—to the Treasury, not just on the important Leonardo discussions but on the many other contracts the Government are signing with British industry.