Defence and Security Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Defence and Security

John Cooper Excerpts
Tuesday 25th February 2025

(1 day, 20 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
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The industrial strategy and steel within it are vitally important, as my hon. Friend and the House will know. Steel and our ability to manufacture it are vital to our security, and we must do everything to ensure that is preserved into the future.

John Cooper Portrait John Cooper (Dumfries and Galloway) (Con)
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Scotland wants to play its full part in this great national endeavour at this moment of peril, yet, almost incredibly, tomorrow the Scottish Parliament will discuss stripping defence companies of state funding. It is remarkable. The measure may not pass, of course, and I certainly hope it does not. Will the defence industrial strategy take into account what is happening in Scotland, where certain elements seem to be siding with other national interests, so that we can protect our defence industry and this great country?

Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
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Across the country, it is important that we stand by our defence sector and enhance our defence sector. We should thank those who work in it for what they are doing. Today’s announcement will mean that there is more yet to do.