Ministers have defended the UK’s decision not to join the EU’s Security Action for Europe programme after SNP MP Kirsty Blackman questioned whether staying outside the scheme risked weakening long-term support for Ukraine and European defence cooperation.
Speaking during the Commons debate on Ukraine, Blackman highlighted the human impact of the war in Scotland and pointed to the findings of the Defence Committee on the importance of European unity.
“We are thinking of all Ukrainians today, particularly the around 2,500 who found sanctuary in Aberdeen; they will be spending Christmas worried about their friends and family who remain in Ukraine,” she told the House.
Blackman said the Defence Committee had concluded that “the most effective way to ensure long-term security for Ukraine and the strongest possible European defence framework is to have strategic unity with our European allies”, and asked ministers to explain why the UK had declined to participate in SAFE.
Responding, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard began by recognising the contribution of communities across the UK that have taken in Ukrainians fleeing the war.
“I thank the hon. Lady for putting on record the Ukrainians who are in the UK because they found sanctuary with families up and down the country,” he said. “They will continue to receive our support.” Pollard said the Government had entered talks on SAFE constructively but ultimately concluded that the terms on offer were not acceptable.
“We entered into negotiations with our European friends around SAFE in good faith,” he said. “We wanted to secure a deal, but we were also clear from the start that we would not accept a deal that was not in the best interests of our taxpayers or the British defence industry.” He told MPs that the sticking point had been cost-sharing. “Sadly, we were not able to find a fair financial measure for inclusion. We were happy to pay our fair share, but we were not willing to pay above that,” Pollard said.
The minister stressed that the UK was not stepping back from European defence cooperation, pointing to continued industrial access and bilateral agreements.
“British companies can participate in SAFE arrangements up to 35%,” he said, adding that the Government would continue to pursue alternatives “through bilateral arrangements, such as the Trinity House agreement we signed with Germany and the frigate deal with our friends in Norway.”
Pollard argued those arrangements would have tangible benefits for the UK, including Scotland. “That will benefit Scotland considerably,” he said, while acknowledging that broader European defence cooperation still had further to go. “There is more to do across Europe, and we will continue to do it, whether we are in SAFE or not,” he told the House.
