Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Defence Sector: Innovation

Monday 8 September 2025 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Minister of State agreed to meet Dr Allison Gardner to discuss the creation of a sovereign capability for ceramic matrix composites in north Staffordshire.
  • The Government has established an SME support centre and ringfenced 400 million to help small and medium-sized enterprises access defence contracts.
  • The Secretary of State thanked Rheinmetall Defence and Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land for the new engineering jobs created in Shropshire through the Boxer programme.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Allison Gardner Lab Stoke-on-Trent South
Defence Science & Technology
Context

The advanced ceramics industry in north Staffordshire is a key creator of unique ceramic materials required for HM's fighting capability. There is an opportunity to create sovereign capability for the development and supply of ceramic matrix composites.

Question

The growing advanced ceramics industry in north Staffordshire creates unique armour materials for defence, ultra high-speed munitions, and communications security. Will the Minister meet me to discuss creating a sovereign capability for ceramic matrix composites, enhancing resilience of the UK's defence supply chain?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)

I know that the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, will be pleased to meet my hon. Friend. She recognises the need for a strong British defence industry that is resilient and capable of supporting businesses, jobs, and innovation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Meeting request not explicitly confirmed

How: Will Be Pleased To Meet

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Q2 Katrina Murray Lab Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch
Defence
Context

Stewart-Buchanan Gauges, an employee-owned business in the constituency, supplies high-quality gauges and valves for clients globally including SpaceX. It exemplifies world-class small and medium-sized enterprises that drive the economy and support the defence sector.

Question

Will the Secretary of State outline what steps the Government are taking to ensure that firms such as Stewart-Buchanan Gauges are included in defence innovation initiatives and remain integral to UK supply chains?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)

I take my hat off to the firm in my hon. Friend’s constituency—it is exactly those sorts of businesses that are the backbone of a strong British defence industry. We have set up an SME support centre dedicated to making it easier to access Government contracts, and we will ringfence £400 million of direct defence investment going to SMEs, growing each successive year.

Answered
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Q3 Mark Pritchard Con The Wrekin
Defence
Context

Boxer programme has taken on new engineers and employees. The constituency is a defence hub with links between local universities, colleges, and the defence supply chain.

Question

Will the Secretary of State put on record his thanks for all the work of the men and women—the new engineers—taken on for the Boxer programme since March by Rheinmetall Defence and Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land? Shropshire is a defence hub, and I ask the new ministerial team whether the Government will continue to invest in Shropshire?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)

Far from being the reserve, the right hon. Gentleman is first up for the Opposition this afternoon, and I welcome that and the investment in Shropshire. The Government will continue to support that. We pay tribute to the workforce in his area.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Investment commitment not explicitly detailed

How: Welcome That And The Investment

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Q4 Ian Roome Lib Dem North Devon
Defence Business & Trade
Context

Recent news about Norway's purchase of Type 26 frigates and speculation about Denmark potentially ordering the Type 31.

Question

Following recent news that Norway will purchase Type 26 frigates, with Denmark potentially placing a significant order for the Type 31, can the Secretary of State soon give the UK additional good news?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)

This is the biggest British warship deal ever, with Norway’s biggest ever defence contract. When the Prime Minister of Norway announced it, he said that Britain was their best strategic partner and built the best warships. We hope to ensure this leads to other export contracts that will bring jobs and a future to British industry.

Answered
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