Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Defence Sector

Wednesday 28 April 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Government spending supports the defence industry in Scotland.
  • Ministry of Defence spent 2.7 billion with Scottish industry in 2019 and 2020.
  • Royal Navy shipbuilding programme sustains jobs and skills in Scottish shipyards.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Antony Higginbotham
Defence Scotland
Context

No specific incident prompted this question, but it is part of a broader discussion about government spending and industrial impact.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support the defence sector in Scotland. The defence industry in Scotland benefits from sustained UK Government spending and close relationships with the armed forces.

Answer from Alister Jack

The defence industry in Scotland is strong, thanks to sustained UK Government spending. My Department has a close, positive relationship with the industry and the UK armed forces in Scotland, including on the implementation of the recent integrated review: defence Command Paper and the defence and security industrial strategy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify concrete steps or measures taken to support the sector, only mentioned general support.

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Q2 Mark Menzies Con
Defence Employment Scotland
Context

The question builds upon the previous discussion about supporting the defence sector, focusing on job creation and infrastructure sharing.

Question

Shared expertise and infrastructure are key to supporting jobs across our United Kingdom. What estimates does my right hon. Friend make of the positive impact the UK Government's defence manufacturing has on job opportunities for the people of Scotland? The question refers to specific sites in Warton and BAE Systems site at Clyde.

Answer from Alister Jack

The Royal Navy shipbuilding programme will provide a pipeline of work and sustain valuable jobs and skills for shipyards around the United Kingdom, including those in Scotland. The Ministry of Defence has spent £2.7 billion with Scottish industry in 2019 and 2020 alone, supporting 12,400 jobs.

Answered
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Q3 Antony Higginbotham
Defence Scotland
Context

The integrated review highlighted the importance of expertise and skills sharing for future investments, particularly focusing on Scottish contributions.

Question

Our strongest asset is the capabilities, expertise and skills we have across the United Kingdom. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is the same expertise and skills, shared across the country, that has enabled us to spend billions of pounds over the next decade on shipbuilding in Scotland? The integrated review's findings are referenced.

Answer from Alister Jack

Yes; I wholeheartedly agree. We saw a fine example of Scotland's contribution to the UK's defences this week with the deployment of our new aircraft carrier strike group, which was built in yards around the United Kingdom but constructed in Scotland. Her Majesty's Ship Queen Elizabeth will fly the flag for global Britain right around the world.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific estimates or figures regarding future investments, only a general agreement and example of past achievements.

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