VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Nuclear Weapons: Parliamentary Scrutiny

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 8 September 2025UIN 70759

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 35 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, what steps he plans to take to enhance parliamentary scrutiny of the nuclear deterrent.

Answered by Luke Pollard

In May this year, this Government published an update to Parliament on the major programmes in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and, in July, provided a guide to Parliamentarians on the work underway to maintain and renew the nuclear deterrent. These publications are available at the following locations:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-nuclear-enterprise-2025-annual-update-to-parliament/defence-nuclear-enterprise-2025-annual-update-to-parliament

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6880af493f770776241204e7/The_UK_s_nuclear_deterrent_-_the_National_Endeavour_Explained.pdf

We will continue to update Parliament on how investment in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise is contributing to national security and economic prosperity. The Government will keep under review mechanisms for reporting and accountability to Parliament.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim