To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what support his Department has provided to satellite manufacturing and space technology businesses based in Glasgow since July 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what support his Department has provided to satellite manufacturing and space technology businesses based in Glasgow since July 2024.

Lords motion to take note of the report of the UK Engagement with Space Committee on The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out (HL 190 2024-26). Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to take note of the report of the UK Engagement with Space Committee on The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out (HL 190 2024-26). Agreed to on question.

My Lords, it is with great pride that I introduce this debate on the report The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out. The title was chosen to capture the urgency with which the committee believes government and others should act. I am sure this overarching message will be reinforced...

My Lords, it is with great pride that I introduce this debate on the report The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out. The title was chosen to capture the urgency with which the committee believes government and others should act. I am sure this overarching message will be reinforced...

My Lords, I congratulate the committee on an excellent report, which is a magisterial review of the issues in space policy that also brings out the opportunities for us. I declare an interest as chair of SaxaVord spaceport, which has already been referred to. Before that, as chair of the...

My Lords, I congratulate the committee on an excellent report, which is a magisterial review of the issues in space policy that also brings out the opportunities for us. I declare an interest as chair of SaxaVord spaceport, which has already been referred to. Before that, as chair of the...

My Lords, it was a privilege to be a member of the UK Engagement with Space Committee, served so well by its two clerks, Sabrina Asghar and Steph Coulter, and expertly chaired by the noble Baroness, Lady of Ashton of Upholland. I realised that she was going to be a...

My Lords, it was a privilege to be a member of the UK Engagement with Space Committee, served so well by its two clerks, Sabrina Asghar and Steph Coulter, and expertly chaired by the noble Baroness, Lady of Ashton of Upholland. I realised that she was going to be a...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Ashton of Upholland, and the whole committee for this extremely enthusiastic report. I suspect I will be taking a different perspective from every other speaker in this debate because I am going to start from down here on solid earth—a planet that...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Ashton of Upholland, and the whole committee for this extremely enthusiastic report. I suspect I will be taking a different perspective from every other speaker in this debate because I am going to start from down here on solid earth—a planet that...

My Lords, it is a great pleasure to follow the noble Baroness and to participate in this debate, as indeed it was a pleasure to be part of the committee under the superb chairmanship of the noble Baroness, Lady Ashton. We are able to say that, for a sessional committee,...

My Lords, it is a great pleasure to follow the noble Baroness and to participate in this debate, as indeed it was a pleasure to be part of the committee under the superb chairmanship of the noble Baroness, Lady Ashton. We are able to say that, for a sessional committee,...

My Lords, it is a pleasure to contribute to this debate on the report of the UK Engagement with Space Committee. Before turning to the substance of the report, I pay tribute to our chair, the noble Baroness, Lady Ashton of Upholland, my fellow committee members and our wonderful clerks,...

My Lords, it is a pleasure to contribute to this debate on the report of the UK Engagement with Space Committee. Before turning to the substance of the report, I pay tribute to our chair, the noble Baroness, Lady Ashton of Upholland, my fellow committee members and our wonderful clerks,...

My Lords, what a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness and to take part in this debate. I thank my noble friend Lady Ashton for the masterful way she introduced the report; she made every single point that I had jotted down to say myself.

I want to thank all my...

My Lords, what a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness and to take part in this debate. I thank my noble friend Lady Ashton for the masterful way she introduced the report; she made every single point that I had jotted down to say myself.

I want to thank all my...

My Lords, by the time you get to your feet and nine people have already spoken, an awful lot of things that you would want to say have already been covered. I repeat again that it was a delight and fun to be on the committee, which was charmingly chaired,...

My Lords, by the time you get to your feet and nine people have already spoken, an awful lot of things that you would want to say have already been covered. I repeat again that it was a delight and fun to be on the committee, which was charmingly chaired,...

My Lords, it was a great pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Shamash, and to serve alongside him and all the other very enthusiastic members of the space committee—and, indeed, to serve under the excellent chairmanship of the noble Baroness, Lady Ashton of Upholland. I congratulate her not just...

My Lords, it was a great pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Shamash, and to serve alongside him and all the other very enthusiastic members of the space committee—and, indeed, to serve under the excellent chairmanship of the noble Baroness, Lady Ashton of Upholland. I congratulate her not just...

My Lords, as a former member of the committee—all of us, I suppose, could be described as space cadets—I warmly thank the noble Baroness, Lady Ashton of Upholland, for her superb chairing of the committee and for her inspiring introduction today. I join her and other members of the committee...

My Lords, as a former member of the committee—all of us, I suppose, could be described as space cadets—I warmly thank the noble Baroness, Lady Ashton of Upholland, for her superb chairing of the committee and for her inspiring introduction today. I join her and other members of the committee...

My Lords, I too begin by thanking the noble Baroness, Lady Ashton of Upholland, and every member of the committee for this powerful and timely report, although I must say that my principal reaction is one of envy—I rather wish I had been on the committee. The report makes the...

My Lords, I too begin by thanking the noble Baroness, Lady Ashton of Upholland, and every member of the committee for this powerful and timely report, although I must say that my principal reaction is one of envy—I rather wish I had been on the committee. The report makes the...

My Lords, I am pleased to respond for the Government. I thank my noble friend Lady Ashton of Upholland for securing this debate and for her committee’s important report on this matter. I also thank the chair for her expert leadership on the very thorough and seemingly enjoyable work that...

My Lords, I am pleased to respond for the Government. I thank my noble friend Lady Ashton of Upholland for securing this debate and for her committee’s important report on this matter. I also thank the chair for her expert leadership on the very thorough and seemingly enjoyable work that...

Before the Minister sits down, at several points in the Government’s response to the Select Committee’s report, they say that more detail will come forward in the “spring space publication”—not my language, the Government’s. The Minister has not said when we might expect to see that important spring space publication.

Before the Minister sits down, at several points in the Government’s response to the Select Committee’s report, they say that more detail will come forward in the “spring space publication”—not my language, the Government’s. The Minister has not said when we might expect to see that important spring space publication.

I set out earlier this year, in a speech to the Space-Comm Expo, a number of elements that are important for taking forward the measures envisaged in the space strategy, which include the £500 million of funding. We have taken action in many other areas set out in that report,...

I set out earlier this year, in a speech to the Space-Comm Expo, a number of elements that are important for taking forward the measures envisaged in the space strategy, which include the £500 million of funding. We have taken action in many other areas set out in that report,...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who participated in this debate and my noble friend the Minister for her response. It is clear from everything that has been said that we have real opportunities in economic growth, world leadership and resolving problems, both in space and on earth. It...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who participated in this debate and my noble friend the Minister for her response. It is clear from everything that has been said that we have real opportunities in economic growth, world leadership and resolving problems, both in space and on earth. It...

To ask His Majesty's Government whether a UK-made rocket being launched from a licensed UK spaceport in 2026 is still a priority for the Government.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether a UK-made rocket being launched from a licensed UK spaceport in 2026 is still a priority for the Government.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they commissioned an audit of Orbex; if so, whether they will publish the results of that audit; and whether the Government provided support to Orbex to enable its Prime rocket to be launched from spaceports in the United Kingdom.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they commissioned an audit of Orbex; if so, whether they will publish the results of that audit; and whether the Government provided support to Orbex to enable its Prime rocket to be launched from spaceports in the United Kingdom.

Lords third reading. Bill passed.

Lords third reading. Bill passed.

Moved by

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Moved by

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

My Lords, I congratulate John Grady MP, who introduced the Bill in the House of Commons, where he secured all-party support. I thank all those who supported the Bill in this House as it made its way through Second Reading. Every Member who participated at Second Reading supported the Bill.

I...

My Lords, I congratulate John Grady MP, who introduced the Bill in the House of Commons, where he secured all-party support. I thank all those who supported the Bill in this House as it made its way through Second Reading. Every Member who participated at Second Reading supported the Bill.

I...

My Lords, I will not detain the House, because, as we all know, there is important business ahead. However, I congratulate and thank the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, for her work on the Bill and for having brought it to the stage where it is poised on the brink of...

My Lords, I will not detain the House, because, as we all know, there is important business ahead. However, I congratulate and thank the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, for her work on the Bill and for having brought it to the stage where it is poised on the brink of...

My Lords, this is the second Bill this week that, in effect, transfers risk or cost away from private investors to the taxpayer or the fare payer, to help put Britain on the path to industrial success in the future. I say to the Minister, who supports the Bill, that...

My Lords, this is the second Bill this week that, in effect, transfers risk or cost away from private investors to the taxpayer or the fare payer, to help put Britain on the path to industrial success in the future. I say to the Minister, who supports the Bill, that...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their contributions to and support for the Bill. I offer particular thanks to the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, for steering the Bill through this House and to John Grady for bringing forward this short but important Bill in the other place.

The Government...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their contributions to and support for the Bill. I offer particular thanks to the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, for steering the Bill through this House and to John Grady for bringing forward this short but important Bill in the other place.

The Government...

Lords second reading. Agreed to on question. Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

Lords second reading. Agreed to on question. Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

My Lords, I am grateful for the opportunity to present this Bill to the House today. It was guided through the House of Commons by John Grady MP, whom I congratulate for his work, and it received cross-party support.

The Bill seeks to amend the 2018 Space Industry Act in a...

My Lords, I am grateful for the opportunity to present this Bill to the House today. It was guided through the House of Commons by John Grady MP, whom I congratulate for his work, and it received cross-party support.

The Bill seeks to amend the 2018 Space Industry Act in a...

My Lords, it gives me great pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, and to congratulate her on having outlined so clearly

the purpose of the Bill, and for the skill with which she did so. She did it so well that I hope it has given the House...

My Lords, it gives me great pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, and to congratulate her on having outlined so clearly

the purpose of the Bill, and for the skill with which she did so. She did it so well that I hope it has given the House...

My Lords, the topic of space makes us think about rockets, astronauts and faraway places, but one of the great things about being a Member of your Lordships’ space committee has been learning that there is a UK space economy. It is vital to so many industries on earth and,...

My Lords, the topic of space makes us think about rockets, astronauts and faraway places, but one of the great things about being a Member of your Lordships’ space committee has been learning that there is a UK space economy. It is vital to so many industries on earth and,...

My Lords, I very much welcome this Bill, which has already received support from across the House. Looking around at noble Lords here this afternoon, I welcome the House of Lords UK Engagement with Space Committee investigation. We should listen to the wise advice we are already getting from members...

My Lords, I very much welcome this Bill, which has already received support from across the House. Looking around at noble Lords here this afternoon, I welcome the House of Lords UK Engagement with Space Committee investigation. We should listen to the wise advice we are already getting from members...

My Lords, I commend the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, and the honourable John Grady in the other place for introducing this Private Member’s Bill. I welcome the Bill, which is short in text but highly significant in impact. It addresses a crucial point of clarity; by changing one word from...

My Lords, I commend the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, and the honourable John Grady in the other place for introducing this Private Member’s Bill. I welcome the Bill, which is short in text but highly significant in impact. It addresses a crucial point of clarity; by changing one word from...

My Lords, I support the Bill and the efforts of the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, and others in bringing it forward. This legislation is not simply about the space sector and risk management; it is also about our national ability to participate fully in the next wave of technological progress....

My Lords, I support the Bill and the efforts of the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, and others in bringing it forward. This legislation is not simply about the space sector and risk management; it is also about our national ability to participate fully in the next wave of technological progress....

My Lords, it gives me great pleasure to follow my noble friend Lord Ranger. We have become used to playing tag team on Friday debates; he followed me last time round, so it is my turn to go second today. I also thank

the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, for bringing...

My Lords, it gives me great pleasure to follow my noble friend Lord Ranger. We have become used to playing tag team on Friday debates; he followed me last time round, so it is my turn to go second today. I also thank

the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, for bringing...

My Lords, given the strong connection between AI and space technology, I declare an interest as an adviser to DLA Piper on AI

regulation and policy. I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, on bringing this Bill forward and the original sponsor, John Grady MP, on taking it through the...

My Lords, given the strong connection between AI and space technology, I declare an interest as an adviser to DLA Piper on AI

regulation and policy. I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, on bringing this Bill forward and the original sponsor, John Grady MP, on taking it through the...

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for introducing this Bill, which, although a Private Member’s Bill, received the support of the previous Conservative Government; I understand that it has the support of the current Government as well.

I do not want to sound the slightest bit grinchy in the midst...

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for introducing this Bill, which, although a Private Member’s Bill, received the support of the previous Conservative Government; I understand that it has the support of the current Government as well.

I do not want to sound the slightest bit grinchy in the midst...

My Lords, I am delighted that this short but crucial Bill has come before your Lordships’ House, and I join all noble Lords in thanking the noble Baroness for bringing it forward. I am pleased to confirm that she has the full support of the Government. I thank all noble...

My Lords, I am delighted that this short but crucial Bill has come before your Lordships’ House, and I join all noble Lords in thanking the noble Baroness for bringing it forward. I am pleased to confirm that she has the full support of the Government. I thank all noble...

My Lords, I am very grateful to all those who have participated today and for the way in which noble Lords have expressed cross-party support for the Bill. It is right not only to congratulate noble Lords on showing the way forward that the Bill could produce, which would mean...

My Lords, I am very grateful to all those who have participated today and for the way in which noble Lords have expressed cross-party support for the Bill. It is right not only to congratulate noble Lords on showing the way forward that the Bill could produce, which would mean...

The Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill is a private member’s bill, supported by the government, that would amend the Space Industry Act 2018 to require all spaceflight operator licences to specify a limit on a licence holder's liability for damage or loss. This is intended to encourage investment in the UK space industry by ensuring that operators are not subject to unlimited liability.

The Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill is a private member’s bill, supported by the government, that would amend the Space Industry Act 2018 to require all spaceflight operator licences to specify a limit on a licence holder's liability for damage or loss. This is intended to encourage investment in the UK...

Report stage. No amendments on consideration. Third reading. Agreed to on question. Bill passed.

Report stage. No amendments on consideration. Third reading. Agreed to on question. Bill passed.

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.

I will start with a short summary of the Bill. Which will amend two sections of the Space Industry Act 2018 to provide legal certainty that all spaceflight operator licences must include a limit on the amount of...

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.

I will start with a short summary of the Bill. Which will amend two sections of the Space Industry Act 2018 to provide legal certainty that all spaceflight operator licences must include a limit on the amount of...

My hon. Friend just talked about the importance of the space sector to so many of us and, indeed, to the whole of the UK. Will he join me in welcoming this Labour UK Government’s investment in the space sector in Scotland?

My hon. Friend just talked about the importance of the space sector to so many of us and, indeed, to the whole of the UK. Will he join me in welcoming this Labour UK Government’s investment in the space sector in Scotland?

Yes. The UK Government have invested in Orbex, in Forres in the north of Scotland. It remains important to give grants to earlier-stage companies because they cannot get the equity and debt funding that more advanced companies can, so I welcome that important investment.

The space sector and satellites are central...

Yes. The UK Government have invested in Orbex, in Forres in the north of Scotland. It remains important to give grants to earlier-stage companies because they cannot get the equity and debt funding that more advanced companies can, so I welcome that important investment.

The space sector and satellites are central...

I am sure my hon. Friend will be aware of the role that the Starlink system has played in Ukraine in enabling the frontline operations of the Ukrainian army. For a very long time, GPS was the main determinator of whether Trident could arrive at its destination. It strikes me...

I am sure my hon. Friend will be aware of the role that the Starlink system has played in Ukraine in enabling the frontline operations of the Ukrainian army. For a very long time, GPS was the main determinator of whether Trident could arrive at its destination. It strikes me...

My hon. Friend makes an important point. The UK Government have committed to investing in defence and in advances in tech defence. As we develop defence, investing in space is utterly critical and central to that. It is a matter of some regret that Scottish companies that invest in military...

My hon. Friend makes an important point. The UK Government have committed to investing in defence and in advances in tech defence. As we develop defence, investing in space is utterly critical and central to that. It is a matter of some regret that Scottish companies that invest in military...

Does my hon. Friend agree that the space sector gives our country—and indeed to the world—a sense of possibility and innovation? He talks about the four words in the Bill—Buzz Lightyear provides us with another four words to take inspiration from: “To infinity and beyond!”

Does my hon. Friend agree that the space sector gives our country—and indeed to the world—a sense of possibility and innovation? He talks about the four words in the Bill—Buzz Lightyear provides us with another four words to take inspiration from: “To infinity and beyond!”

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point, as she does regularly. The space sector creates enthusiasm for young people. When I met young students at the University of Strathclyde, I could see that it had engendered excitement about the future, and that is a good thing.

1.30 pm

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point, as she does regularly. The space sector creates enthusiasm for young people. When I met young students at the University of Strathclyde, I could see that it had engendered excitement about the future, and that is a good thing.

1.30 pm

I draw Members’ attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I speak on this Bill as the chair of the all-party parliamentary group for space. I congratulate the hon. Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) on having such a massive effect on the UK space industry...

I draw Members’ attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I speak on this Bill as the chair of the all-party parliamentary group for space. I congratulate the hon. Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) on having such a massive effect on the UK space industry...

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) for bringing the Bill forward. I also thank the hon. Member for Wyre Forest (Mark Garnier) for chairing the all-party parliamentary group for space and for his promotion of the sector.

As the MP for Portsmouth North, I strongly...

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) for bringing the Bill forward. I also thank the hon. Member for Wyre Forest (Mark Garnier) for chairing the all-party parliamentary group for space and for his promotion of the sector.

As the MP for Portsmouth North, I strongly...

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) for bringing forward this important Bill. It is fantastic to see space made in today’s programme to debate it. Many of the contributions have been out of this world. [Interruption.] I am sorry, Madam Deputy Speaker.

The Bill is...

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) for bringing forward this important Bill. It is fantastic to see space made in today’s programme to debate it. Many of the contributions have been out of this world. [Interruption.] I am sorry, Madam Deputy Speaker.

The Bill is...

I am enjoying my hon. Friend’s speech on space. I must declare that I prefer to have my feet firmly on planet Earth, but none the less I am enjoying his contribution. I have been advised that men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Where does my hon....

I am enjoying my hon. Friend’s speech on space. I must declare that I prefer to have my feet firmly on planet Earth, but none the less I am enjoying his contribution. I have been advised that men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Where does my hon....

I am sure they are working hard in their constituencies right now.

I am sure they are working hard in their constituencies right now.

Where they are from, not where they are.

Where they are from, not where they are.

Where they are from, I do not know, but I am sure they are working hard in their constituencies right now. I will keep the collegiate relationship we have here today, but I thank my hon. Friend for that comment.

I was talking about international impacts. As the chair of the...

Where they are from, I do not know, but I am sure they are working hard in their constituencies right now. I will keep the collegiate relationship we have here today, but I thank my hon. Friend for that comment.

I was talking about international impacts. As the chair of the...

I will try to keep my remarks brief. I start by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) on making many fine contributions today and still managing to find time to pass his own Bill.

This is an area of personal interest to me. I made the...

I will try to keep my remarks brief. I start by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) on making many fine contributions today and still managing to find time to pass his own Bill.

This is an area of personal interest to me. I made the...

It is a great pleasure to speak again on the Bill. It is a short Bill—it replaces just two words—but one with substantial implications. The meat of the Bill, if I can call it that, is to replace “may” with “must”.

I will briefly refer to some of the excellent contributions....

It is a great pleasure to speak again on the Bill. It is a short Bill—it replaces just two words—but one with substantial implications. The meat of the Bill, if I can call it that, is to replace “may” with “must”.

I will briefly refer to some of the excellent contributions....

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) for promoting this short but important Bill. I wanted to get further into Newcastle United’s Inter-Cities Fairs cup win in 1969, but I do not think today is the day.

I thank all who have contributed to the debate....

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow East (John Grady) for promoting this short but important Bill. I wanted to get further into Newcastle United’s Inter-Cities Fairs cup win in 1969, but I do not think today is the day.

I thank all who have contributed to the debate....

The Minister talks about economic growth. I recently met a Mongolian lady working at the Satellite Applications Catapult, which exists to grow the UK space sector. We have heard about Buzz Aldrin and Buzz Lightyear—I am afraid I have a pun coming. With that in mind, will the Minister set...

The Minister talks about economic growth. I recently met a Mongolian lady working at the Satellite Applications Catapult, which exists to grow the UK space sector. We have heard about Buzz Aldrin and Buzz Lightyear—I am afraid I have a pun coming. With that in mind, will the Minister set...

Today is 4 July and there will be fireworks across the pond, but we want rocket boosters under our space industry. Most of Europe is landlocked—or I should say space-locked—which provides the UK with a unique opportunity to be a launchpad for satellites produced all around Europe. That is the...

Today is 4 July and there will be fireworks across the pond, but we want rocket boosters under our space industry. Most of Europe is landlocked—or I should say space-locked—which provides the UK with a unique opportunity to be a launchpad for satellites produced all around Europe. That is the...

I will keep my remarks short. I thank all Members for their support today, on Second Reading and in Committee. I also thank the Department for Transport civil servants who assisted me. The Clerk of Private Members’ Bills puts in a lot of work to help us all with our...

I will keep my remarks short. I thank all Members for their support today, on Second Reading and in Committee. I also thank the Department for Transport civil servants who assisted me. The Clerk of Private Members’ Bills puts in a lot of work to help us all with our...