Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Defence Industry Employment

Monday 5 July 2021 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • MOD expenditure supports more than 200,000 jobs in the UK defence industry.
  • The Government continues to invest in the Typhoon export programme and other defence projects.
  • RAF Waddington is set to remain a key centre for remotely piloted air systems and intelligence, with investment in Protector systems.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jacob Young
Defence Employment
Context

The questioner is concerned about employment support for the UK's defence sector.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support employment in the defence industry throughout the UK?

Answer from Ben Wallace

MOD expenditure supports more than 200,000 jobs. The investment of £88 billion in the equipment plan over four years will contribute to further economic growth and prosperity through the defence and security industrial strategy.

Answered
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Q2 Mark Menzies Con
Defence Business & Trade
Context

The MP welcomes the Minister for exports to BAE Systems and seeks details on supporting defence manufacturing export success.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend outline what is being done to support our world-class defence manufacturing export success, and will he commit to the continuation of the Typhoon export programme?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The Government supports defence and security exports through the strategy. BAE Systems leads opportunities in Finland, with continued investment in Typhoon, including European Common Radar System Mark 2 radar and MBDA's Meteor and SPEAR weapons.

Answered
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Q3 Karl McCartney Con
Defence
Context

The MP seeks assurance for RAF Waddington's long-term role and steps to preserve critical skills.

Question

Will the Secretary of State assure me not only that RAF Waddington will play an active role in our nation's defence for many decades to come, but that he recognises that recently announced changes are a concern? What steps are being taken to preserve those with critical skills?

Answer from Ben Wallace

RAF Waddington remains in our plans as it becomes a national and international centre for remotely piloted air systems and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The MOD invests in Protector remotely piloted air systems and the Red Arrows will be based there.

Answered
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Q4 Scott Benton
Defence Employment
Context

The MP highlights the importance of the Type 26 frigates for employment and asks about job figures.

Question

Can the Secretary of State outline how many jobs that programme will support?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The Type 26 frigate programme sustains some 1,700 jobs at BAE Systems in Scotland alone and 4,000 jobs across the wider UK maritime supply chain until 2035.

Answered
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Q5 Jacob Young
Defence Business & Trade
Context

The MP invites the Secretary of State to visit local British businesses that contribute to military equipment and supplies.

Question

May I invite the Secretary of State to Teesside to visit these great local British businesses and see for himself the high-quality military equipment and supplies?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The Secretary of State would be delighted to come over to Redcar to visit his hon. Friend's constituency, highlighting the importance of the supply chain in any defence product.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment on visiting or discussing military equipment and supplies was given beyond a positive response to an invitation.

How: Deflection

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Q6 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Defence
Context

The MP thanks the Secretary of State for his remarks and asks about the proportion of the £19 billion defence equipment budget that goes to US suppliers.

Question

What proportion goes not to Britain, but to US suppliers?

Answer from Ben Wallace

While some projects involve international components, many have significant UK-made elements: for example, over 65% of Boxer vehicle's components are UK-made. International components help in selling abroad and maintaining economic strength.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact proportion going to US suppliers was not provided.

How: Deflection

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Q7 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Defence
Context

The Defence Secretary has been criticised for defence budget allocation to US suppliers, which have increased from 10% five years ago to 31%. The UK-built Brimstone missile was recently rejected in favour of a US alternative.

Question

The highly authoritative Defence Analysis reports that 31% of Britain's defence budget now goes to US suppliers, up from 10% only five years ago. Despite this trend, Britain can make the best, but it requires Government backing. Recently, the Defence Secretary has rejected the world-leading UK-built Brimstone missile in favour of US alternatives. Is it true that Ministers are making big promises to UK industry while the big money still goes abroad?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The right hon. Gentleman does not seem to understand defence procurement or how things are manufactured. For example, 15% to 20% of the global components for all 3,000 F-35 aircraft—the rear part—are made in Lancashire. Many complex and expensive defence projects are international collaborations; Typhoon is a joint effort between Spain, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. When mentioning 'supplier', he confuses it with job numbers or business ownership within the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific question about whether Ministers are making big promises to UK industry while significant funding goes abroad was not directly addressed.

How: Confusing 'Supplier' With Job Numbers

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