Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of warming in the Arctic on (a) UK national security interests and (b) geopolitical activity in the region.

As it warms, the Arctic is becoming increasingly contested, increasing the threats to UK national security. We collaborate closely with likeminded partners to better understand the impact of climate change in the Arctic, and the Foreign Secretary announced new funding to support UK polar scientific collaboration on his recent visit to the region. The melting ice is attracting growing global interest in the Arctic's economic resources, with implications for the UK's security. The Strategic Defence Review recognises the need to step up its efforts to respond to this in order to defend our national values and interests at home and overseas.

I set out the UK's approach in my visit and speech to the Arctic Circle Assembly on 18 October 2024 and have established a new cross-Whitehall Polar Ministerial Group.