Defence Sector Support for UK Companies 2022-12-12
2022-12-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is about the steps being taken to support UK defence companies.
What steps he is taking to support UK companies in the defence sector?
The defence and security industrial strategy is helping to retain onshore critical industries for our national security and our future. The Ministry of Defence supports the development of a more productive and competitive UK defence sector. With a significant footprint across the UK and the procurement pipeline, the MOD is well placed to contribute to economic growth and levelling up.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer provided general principles without specific steps or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Navantia is the prime contractor for the fleet solid support ships, and there are concerns about the guarantee of building these boats in the UK.
May I take the Minister back to the subject of the fleet solid support ships? The prime contractor is Navantia. What guarantees have they obtained that the boats will be built in the United Kingdom—especially the first in class—and in respect of the numbers of apprenticeships that would ensure capacity for the future?
The award is of £1.6 billion to deliver three vessels, and this will be a British ship built to a British design in a British dockyard, mostly with British steel. It also means £70 million for a British dockyard.
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Q3
Partial Answer
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The Tempest programme is important for UK combat air industrial capabilities.
I welcome recent developments in the Tempest programme. Having our own combat air industrial capabilities is incredibly important, and ensures that we are not dependent on the Americans, but what is the MOD doing to ensure that all the enablers for modern combat are built here and bring real industrial value to the UK?
This provides a capability that will ensure that we stay one step ahead of our adversaries, and it will be a collaboration with Japan and Italy. This can lead to opportunities for exporting expertise.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific actions by MOD to secure industrial capabilities.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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The AUKUS agreement involves collaboration among the UK, USA, and Australia on security matters.
I welcome Friday's announcement about the UK, Italy and Japan working closely together on the next generation of combat aircraft. This sits alongside the partnership of the UK, the United States and Australia—AUKUS—and shows that such partnerships are important not only for our national security and the security of the Indo-Pacific, but for UK companies and UK jobs. Does my hon. and learned Friend agree?
This is about investing in capability to ensure that expertise remains in the UK, leading to opportunities for exporting capabilities such as Typhoon.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific agreements or commitments related to AUKUS and jobs.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The question challenges the opposition's view on supporting UK defence companies being crucial to national security.
Does the Minister agree that, contrary to the Opposition's claim, supporting UK companies in the defence sector not only makes good economic sense, but is critical to ensuring that the sector is aligned with the Department's national security objectives?
So many of these collaborations lead to direct investment into British shipyards, and defence jobs are paid 15% higher than average wage.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not directly address the alignment with national security objectives.
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The question challenges the Minister about guarantees for British jobs and apprenticeships.
Contrary to the drivel we have just been listening to, there are absolutely no guarantees about British jobs and British apprenticeships in British yards. At what point are Ministers going to stop talking about it and actually use procurement to deliver and secure the future of British yards?
These ships will be built, integrated and assembled in the United Kingdom. Appledore and Harland & Wolff will get work; there will be investment and jobs in those shipyards.
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Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
Ascent Flight Training at RAF Valley has been awarded a £175 million contract to expand pilot training.
Ascent Flight Training at RAF Valley on Ynys Môn has been awarded a £175 million contract to expand pilot training, with four new Texan T6 aircraft, a new simulator, 11 additional flying instructors and nine new engineering roles. From 2024, RAF Valley will be responsible for training 53 student pilots, up from 36. Will the Minister pay tribute to Ascent Flight Training, to the whole force and to all those who support RAF Valley for playing their part in keeping us safe?
Absolutely pay tribute to Ascent Flight Training, the whole force and all those supporting RAF Valley for their role in keeping us and the next generation safe.
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The National Audit Office has found the defence equipment plan to be outdated and based on optimistic assumptions.
The National Audit Office has found the defence equipment plan to be already outdated on its publication and based on optimistic assumptions. With inflation out of control and with foreign currency fluctuations, does the Minister expect defence companies to bear the brunt of this turmoil, and if so, will this ultimately lead to the loss of British jobs?
This Government are committed to ensuring that those capabilities remain, including Type 26, Type 31, future combat air system, Poseidon and so much other equipment.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address if companies will bear the brunt or lead to job losses.
Response accuracy