🚀 Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill

Commons Chamber

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The Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill aims to boost investment in the UK’s space sector by amending the Space Industry Act 2018 to mandate a limit on the liability of space flight operators to the government. This change is expected to encourage more investment by providing legal certainty and aligning the UK with international standards, where other nations cap such liabilities. MPs highlighted the sector’s importance to the economy, national security, and daily life, emphasizing its role in creating high-skilled jobs across the UK, from Scotland to Cornwall. The Bill, described as a small but crucial legislative step, was fully supported by the government and passed its second reading, moving forward to a Public Bill Committee.

Summary

  • Introduction of the Bill: John Grady, MP for Glasgow East, introduced the Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill. The Bill aims to amend the Space Industry Act 2018 by making it mandatory for all space flight operator licences to include a limit on the operator’s liability to the Government under section 36 of the Act.

  • Purpose of the Bill: The proposed changes seek to provide legal certainty for space flight operators, encouraging more investment in the UK’s space sector. By limiting liability, the Bill aims to reduce the financial risk for investors, making the UK a more attractive location for space-related activities.

  • Significance of the Space Industry: The space sector is crucial to modern life, supporting daily activities such as navigation, communication, and even financial transactions. The industry is worth approximately $50 billion in Europe alone, with significant economic opportunities for the UK.

  • Economic Opportunities: The Bill is expected to boost the UK economy, as the space sector currently contributes around £17.5 billion to £20 billion annually and supports between 48,000 and 52,000 jobs directly, with over 100,000 jobs in the supply chain.

  • National Security and Defence: The space industry is vital for national security, with the Ministry of Defence investing heavily to ensure the UK can launch and operate its own satellites. This capability is seen as critical given the increasing geopolitical instability and expansion of warfare into space.

  • UK’s Space Sector Capabilities: The UK has made significant strides in space, including licensing vertical launch spaceports and conducting its first orbital launch attempt from UK soil. Scotland, particularly Glasgow, is noted as a hub for small satellite manufacturing and innovation in the space industry.

  • Support for the Bill: The Bill received widespread support in the House, with MPs from various regions highlighting the potential benefits for their constituencies, from job creation to technological advancements. It was also noted that the Bill aligns with international standards and could enhance the UK’s competitiveness in the global space market.

  • Government’s Position: The Government, through the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Simon Lightwood, expressed full support for the Bill, recognizing its importance in driving growth within the sector and ensuring the UK remains a leading spacefaring nation.

  • Next Steps: The Bill was read a Second time and is set to be further considered in a Public Bill Committee.

Divisiveness

The transcript of the parliamentary session for the Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill shows a high level of agreement across the board with no significant disagreements highlighted. Each speaker from both the Labour and Conservative parties expressed supportive views towards the Bill and its objectives.

  • John Grady (Lab) introduced the Bill with an expansive and positive speech, emphasizing the need for the amendment to stimulate investment in the UK’s space sector. He highlighted the economic and defense benefits, mentioning various UK regions and specific examples of the space industry’s impact, without any opposition.

  • Dr. Scott Arthur (Lab) praised the Bill as reaching ‘for the stars,’ emphasizing its benefit to Scotland’s space industry. He had a minor humorous disagreement with John Grady about historical landmarks in Glasgow, but this was not related to the Bill itself and was resolved amiably.

  • Kanishka Narayan (Lab), Alex Ballinger (Lab), Rachel Hopkins (Lab), Mr. Richard Quigley (Lab), James Naish (Lab), and Jerome Mayhew (Con) all expressed full support for the Bill. They highlighted its consistency with governmental goals, the importance of legal certainty for investors, and the broader benefits to the UK economy and defense capabilities.

  • Katrina Murray (Lab) and Martin Rhodes (Lab) further supported the Bill, focusing on its impact on Scotland’s burgeoning space industry and the importance of investing in advanced engineering jobs.

  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Simon Lightwood, explicitly stated that the Bill has the full support of the Government. His concluding statement, drawing parallels to ‘Star Trek,’ underscored a unified and ambitious vision for the space industry without reservation.

The session is characterized by a collaborative spirit and a focus on the mutual benefits the Bill is expected to bring. The only minor disagreement that surfaced, mentioned by Dr. Scott Arthur regarding the presence of a castle in Glasgow, was a light-hearted exchange unrelated to the Bill’s substance.

Given this highly cooperative environment with no material opposition to the Bill, a disagreement rating of 1 is appropriate.