Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Defence Industrial Strategy 2025

Wednesday 11 February 2026 · 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 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Minister met with businesses, the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and universities to discuss the defence growth deal for Northern Ireland.
  • The Minister supports apprenticeships in the defence sector, noting that apprentices can be more than 100,000 better off over four years.
  • The Minister is working on steps to ensure that more contracts are awarded to Northern Ireland through the defence growth deal.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Slinger Lab Rugby
Defence Northern Ireland
Context

The defence industrial strategy aims to boost the UK's defence capabilities and economy.

Question

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the defence industrial strategy 2025 on Northern Ireland?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

The defence of our country is always the first duty of any Government. Last week I met businesses big and small, the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry and representative bodies, as well as our great universities, to discuss how the defence growth deal for Northern Ireland can pack the biggest punch possible. With £250 million across five deals, including one in Northern Ireland, there is a huge potential here, and I am determined that we will seize it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a detailed assessment of impact but discussed opportunities and meetings with businesses.

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Q2 Alice Macdonald Labour (Co-op) Norwich North
Defence Employment
Context

Apprenticeships in the defence industry offer opportunities for young people.

Question

Will the Minister join me in celebrating apprentices throughout our United Kingdom, and will he explain how we will support the next generation of skilled workers in this vital industry?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

I am happy to join my hon. Friend in doing that. Just last week I visited Mallaghan, where four apprentices were being given incredible opportunities as a result of taking up their jobs, and I am sure they would agree with my hon. Friend's assessment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific plans to support the next generation of skilled workers but mentioned meeting apprentices.

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Q3 Kevin Bonavia Lab Stevenage
Defence Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The defence industry sector is well-established and can contribute to economic growth.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the defence industrial strategy presents a huge opportunity for businesses in constituencies throughout the country, including Stevenage and most certainly Northern Ireland?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

My hon. Friend is right. The strategy is not just about the defence of the realm; there are economic opportunities that come with it. The defence growth deal on which we are working in Northern Ireland will take advantage of that, and will ensure that small businesses in particular can benefit.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific agreements or commitments for Stevenage but acknowledged the economic opportunities.

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Q4 John Slinger Lab Rugby
Defence
Context

GE Vernova and Rugby college are ramping up their apprenticeship schemes.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the Government must go further to support apprenticeships in the vital defence sector?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

My hon. Friend is entirely right. Some of the apprentices whom I met just last week told me that, over four years, they were more than £100,000 better off as a result of taking their apprenticeships. It is good for them, good for businesses and good for the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to doing more but highlighted benefits of existing schemes.

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Q5 Sammy Wilson DUP East Antrim
Defence Northern Ireland
Context

Northern Ireland benefits minimally from defence contracts.

Question

What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that more contracts are awarded to Northern Ireland?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

This Government are supporting businesses in Northern Ireland. The work that I am doing with them on the defence growth deal is designed specifically to ensure that this will benefit them and all their supply chains, and I will continue to do that work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps but highlighted ongoing efforts through the defence growth deal.

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Q6 Katie Lam Con Weald of Kent
Defence Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

Veterans facing legal challenges post-service.

Question

What assessment has the Minister made of the impact on the military and the defence industry of the Government's decision to allow our veterans who served in Northern Ireland to be dragged vindictively through the courts?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

I reject that characterisation. The immunity that was offered by the last Government was false. We do not agree with that in principle, and the veterans we speak to do not want immunity under the law; they want equality before it. It was this Government who gave our armed forces the largest pay rise in over two decades. This Government are backing our armed forces.

Not addressed: Did not provide an assessment of impact but defended government policy on immunity and legal challenges.

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Q7 Alex Easton Ind North Down
Defence Northern Ireland
Context

Northern Ireland firms need more inclusion in UK defence supply chain.

Question

Does the Minister agree that there is a clear need for a stronger role for Northern Ireland firms in the UK defence supply chain?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

I absolutely accept that we can do even more to support such companies. The companies I have been meeting in relation to the defence growth deal have said that the opportunity to showcase the talent and expertise that exists in Northern Ireland is really important, and I want to support them in doing that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific commitment but acknowledged potential for more inclusion.

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