The UK has a great deal of expertise on space, including on regulatory issues. We continue to collaborate internationally— for example, at the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space—to shape and uphold standards, regulations, norms and agreements on best practices to define the in-orbit regime across the globe.

The UK has a great deal of expertise on space, including on regulatory issues. We continue to collaborate internationally— for example, at the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space—to shape and uphold standards, regulations, norms and agreements on best practices to define the in-orbit regime across the globe.

The first vertical-launch spaceport to receive planning consent was at Sutherland, in the far north of Scotland. However, Orbex, the private entity in the equation, suspended construction of Sutherland’s spaceport in December 2024, with only six months to go until the infrastructure would have been completed. Given the announcement of £1.5 billion in funding for national space programmes, what progress has now been made towards supporting the completion of the spaceport, which has already attracted interest from a number of potential launch providers? At a time when sovereign launch capability is becoming increasingly important, this infrastructure is vital not only for job creation and regional regeneration but for strengthening the UK’s space and defence capabilities. Would the Minister be willing to meet with me and key stakeholders to discuss how this project might be taken forward and how the Government can support its timely delivery?

The first vertical-launch spaceport to receive planning consent was at Sutherland, in the far north of Scotland. However, Orbex, the private entity in the equation, suspended construction of Sutherland’s spaceport in December 2024, with only six months to go until the infrastructure would have been completed. Given the announcement of £1.5 billion in funding for national space programmes, what progress has now been made towards supporting the completion of the spaceport, which has already attracted interest from a number of potential launch providers? At a time when sovereign launch capability is becoming increasingly important, this infrastructure is vital not only for job creation and regional regeneration but for strengthening the UK’s space and defence capabilities. Would the Minister be willing to meet with me and key stakeholders to discuss how this project might be taken forward and how the Government can support its timely delivery?

As I set out in my speech last week, assured access to space is one of the four priorities of the Government’s space policy. As I also set out then, we are pursuing our ambition of assured access to space. Last week, I announced a further £20 million of investment over the spending review to accelerate launch from Scotland. I will be working with industry and international partners to ensure that the UK has assured launch options.

As I set out in my speech last week, assured access to space is one of the four priorities of the Government’s space policy. As I also set out then, we are pursuing our ambition of assured access to space. Last week, I announced a further £20 million of investment over the spending review to accelerate launch from Scotland. I will be working with industry and international partners to ensure that the UK has assured launch options.

My Lords, is my noble friend the Minister aware of the space department at Northumbria University? If not, would she accept an invitation to visit it and see its extraordinary, cutting-edge research?

My Lords, is my noble friend the Minister aware of the space department at Northumbria University? If not, would she accept an invitation to visit it and see its extraordinary, cutting-edge research?

Absolutely. One of the great pleasures of covering civil space is the enormity of expertise in our universities and companies. Almost everybody you meet is doing something ground-breaking and impressive. I would be very happy to meet the people suggested by my noble friend.

Absolutely. One of the great pleasures of covering civil space is the enormity of expertise in our universities and companies. Almost everybody you meet is doing something ground-breaking and impressive. I would be very happy to meet the people suggested by my noble friend.

My Lords, events in Ukraine and Iran are showing the growing military defence importance of satellite communication, navigation and earth observation systems. Given our strengths here in the UK in satellite manufacture and space data services, does the Minister agree that the UK space sector is particularly well suited to dual-use applications that support both economic growth and defensive capability? If so, is now the moment for the Government to look for further ways to promote investment in our satellite manufacturing sector?

My Lords, events in Ukraine and Iran are showing the growing military defence importance of satellite communication, navigation and earth observation systems. Given our strengths here in the UK in satellite manufacture and space data services, does the Minister agree that the UK space sector is particularly well suited to dual-use applications that support both economic growth and defensive capability? If so, is now the moment for the Government to look for further ways to promote investment in our satellite manufacturing sector?

The noble Viscount makes an important point. The two priorities of our space policy are economic growth and national security; they are priorities for the whole of government and are central to our approach to space. I co-chair the Space Ministerial Forum with my colleague from the Ministry of Defence, bringing that whole-of-government approach to this important issue. In the speech I made last week on our four priorities, satellite communication was one of them; it is a real priority for the Government.

The noble Viscount makes an important point. The two priorities of our space policy are economic growth and national security; they are priorities for the whole of government and are central to our approach to space. I co-chair the Space Ministerial Forum with my colleague from the Ministry of Defence, bringing that whole-of-government approach to this important issue. In the speech I made last week on our four priorities, satellite communication was one of them; it is a real priority for the Government.

My Lords, following on from the previous question, there is a clear and urgent strategic demand for a robust, Europe-based polar satellite constellation. This is an area where the UK should be taking a lead, but at the moment it is not. This requires urgent action and sufficient investment. Will the Government undertake to give this area a real boost?

My Lords, following on from the previous question, there is a clear and urgent strategic demand for a robust, Europe-based polar satellite constellation. This is an area where the UK should be taking a lead, but at the moment it is not. This requires urgent action and sufficient investment. Will the Government undertake to give this area a real boost?

I very much agree with the noble and gallant Lord that the UK’s geography can provide particular advantages to the whole of Europe and to NATO. We are very committed to supporting the development of spaceports. Last week, I announced a further £20 million to support the development of spaceports in Scotland, so that is something we are pursuing with vigour.

I very much agree with the noble and gallant Lord that the UK’s geography can provide particular advantages to the whole of Europe and to NATO. We are very committed to supporting the development of spaceports. Last week, I announced a further £20 million to support the development of spaceports in Scotland, so that is something we are pursuing with vigour.

My Lords, I strongly support what my noble friend said about SaxaVord. I was very pleased to consent to the CAA’s regulatory approval when I was the Transport Secretary. I want to press the Minister a little more on the market size that will potentially be available to the UK with that vertical launch capability at SaxaVord. What specific steps will the Government take to ensure that we have that capability in the years to come?

My Lords, I strongly support what my noble friend said about SaxaVord. I was very pleased to consent to the CAA’s regulatory approval when I was the Transport Secretary. I want to press the Minister a little more on the market size that will potentially be available to the UK with that vertical launch capability at SaxaVord. What specific steps will the Government take to ensure that we have that capability in the years to come?

The noble Lord makes two important points. On the regulatory framework, the CAA has been doing some excellent work in supporting the development of a space regime that allows the UK to be a very attractive place for all sorts of space activity, including launch. The space indemnities Act is supportive of that, so I do agree with the noble Lord. As I mentioned, the £20 million that I announced last week was to accelerate the development of spaceports in Scotland for vertical launch.

The noble Lord makes two important points. On the regulatory framework, the CAA has been doing some excellent work in supporting the development of a space regime that allows the UK to be a very attractive place for all sorts of space activity, including launch. The space indemnities Act is supportive of that, so I do agree with the noble Lord. As I mentioned, the £20 million that I announced last week was to accelerate the development of spaceports in Scotland for vertical launch.

Tabled by

Viscount Stansgate

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the UK space economy.

Tabled by

Viscount Stansgate

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the UK space economy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the level of funding for astronomy and space science.

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the level of funding for astronomy and space science.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the establishment of a Space Skills Taskforce.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the establishment of a Space Skills Taskforce.

I am making this statement to bring to the House’s attention the following Machinery of Government change.

I am today announcing that overarching policy and response responsibilities for Severe Space Weather will move from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The...

I am making this statement to bring to the House’s attention the following Machinery of Government change.

I am today announcing that overarching policy and response responsibilities for Severe Space Weather will move from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The...

My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister has made the following statement:

I am making this statement to bring to the House’s attention the following Machinery of Government change.

I am today announcing that overarching policy and response responsibilities for Severe Space Weather will move from the Department for Energy Security and...

My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister has made the following statement:

I am making this statement to bring to the House’s attention the following Machinery of Government change.

I am today announcing that overarching policy and response responsibilities for Severe Space Weather will move from the Department for Energy Security and...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2025 to Question 93242 on Military Alliances: Space, what is included under the banner of space services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2025 to Question 93242 on Military Alliances: Space, what is included under the banner of space services.