Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Defence Expenditure: Supply Chain

Wednesday 2 April 2025 · 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 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Luke Myer inquired about strengthening economic ties between Teesside and Northern Ireland through increased defence spending.
  • Johanna Baxter asked the Secretary of State to outline support measures for the defence sector in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  • Gavin Robinson noted that Northern Ireland receives a lower defence spend compared to the UK average and welcomed specific commitments for Harland and Wolff.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Luke Myer Lab Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Defence Northern Ireland
Context

Teesside has strong historical ties with Northern Ireland, including economic links. The late Mo Mowlam's legacy is acknowledged.

Question

Teesside has strong and enduring ties with Northern Ireland: we remember the contribution of the late Mo Mowlam and her legacy, as well as the economic ties. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Government’s historic uplift in defence spending can deepen those ties and ensure jobs and growth across the UK?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

I do indeed agree, because it is an opportunity for UK defence businesses, including in Northern Ireland, to take advantage of the increased defence expenditure. I have already indicated to the House two examples, in Thales and in Harland and Wolff, where the Government are investing in Northern Ireland already.

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Q2 Johanna Baxter Lab Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Defence Northern Ireland Scotland
Context

The UK defence industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, representing manufacturing excellence.

Question

The UK defence industry supports hundreds of thousands of good jobs and represents UK manufacturing at its best. Will the Secretary of State outline what the Government are doing to support the defence sector in Scotland and in Northern Ireland?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

The most important thing that we are doing is increasing defence expenditure, which will provide the opportunities to which I referred a moment ago. I also very much welcome the Ministry of Defence’s announcement of a new hub for small and medium-sized enterprises to allow them better access to the defence supply chain. The MOD has also committed to setting a target by July this year for spending on SMEs.

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Q3 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Defence Northern Ireland
Context

Northern Ireland receives one fifth of the UK average spend on defence. Previous government commitments are mentioned.

Question

The Secretary of State might recall that two years ago I launched a report that highlighted that Northern Ireland receives one fifth of the UK average spend on defence. That incorporates the commitment for Harland and Wolff, which I worked on and greatly welcome. I also welcome the announcement of a £1.6 billion contract for Thales. However, does he accept that the previous Government committed to a thorough and thoughtful publication of how they would support continued growth in Northern Ireland’s defence sector? Will he similarly commit to doing so?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

The Ministry of Defence has agreed to deliver precisely that “Safeguarding the Union” commitment through its defence industrial strategy, which will look at how the UK’s defence, technological and industrial base can contribute to the Government’s growth mission, including in Northern Ireland.

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