Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Defence Sector: Skills and Training

Wednesday 26 November 2025 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions on Defence Sector: Skills and Training took place on 2025-11-26
  • Richard Baker inquired about the recruitment of new apprentices at Methil yard in Fife
  • David Mundell asked for assurance on the promotion of a new UK munitions factory shortlisted for his constituency

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Baker Lab Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Defence Employment
Context

The MP highlights the recruitment of 14 new apprentices at Methil yard, which was saved from bankruptcy by the Labour Government. He contrasts this with the SNP's failure to support apprenticeships in the defence sector.

Question

The recruitment of 14 new apprentices at the Methil yard in my constituency, which was saved from bankruptcy by this Labour Government protecting 200 skilled apprenticeships, is in stark contrast to the failure of the SNP on apprenticeships in the defence sector. That means that many companies struggle to recruit skilled workers locally. Will my right hon. Friend work with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence to promote Methil as a prime location for future defence contracts so that Navantia UK can create more new apprenticeships at the yard and work successfully with a Scottish Labour Government at Holyrood?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)

I met with Navantia management in Fife on Monday, and I met with the Minister responsible for defence procurement yesterday. There are huge opportunities thanks to my hon. Friend’s powerful advocacy of the workforce in Methil and the work that we can do together.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not explicitly commit to working with MOD colleagues on promoting Methil for future defence contracts or creating more apprenticeships.

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Q2 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Defence Scotland
Context

The MP mentions the shortlisting of his constituency's site in Eastriggs for a new UK munitions factory. He notes its long history in munitions and the MOD ownership.

Question

I was delighted when Eastriggs in my constituency was shortlisted for a new UK munitions factory. The Secretary of State will know about its long history in munitions and the fact that the Ministry of Defence already owns the site. Will the Scotland Office continue to promote the project and join me in facing down the Scottish Government’s anti-defence-industry stance?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)

I can offer the right hon. Gentleman the assurance he seeks in relation to facing down a Scottish Government who are dithering on defence. I pay tribute to him for his passionate advocacy of the site he speaks of in Dumfriesshire, and I assure him that we in the Scotland Office will continue to work with our colleagues in the MOD as we ensure that we have the factories we need to keep our country safe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not explicitly commit to promoting Eastriggs for a new UK munitions factory but rather focused on facing down the Scottish Government’s stance on defence.

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