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Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Con)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 16 June 2025

Debate

Defence Industrial Base

Contribution

My Lords, the Prime Minister’s EU reset supposedly opens the door for the United Kingdom to participate in the European Union’s €150 billion defence procurement fund. However, there were reports over the weekend that France is now insisting that any beneficiary of that fund—any project—will have to have 85% EU content. That would be a disaster for UK industry. Can the Minister reassure your Lordships’ House that the Government will seek cast-iron guarantees that before they put any money into the fund, it will be a level playing field without artificial restrictions so that UK industry can compete fairly against its EU counterparts?

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