Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Defence Sector

Wednesday 22 April 2026 · 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 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK is investing 270 billion in defence spending over the current Parliament.
  • The UK Government's defence growth deal in Wales aims to drive innovation and create high-skilled jobs.
  • The Minister criticized the previous Conservative government for hollowing out the armed forces and failing to develop a proper plan for the defence industry.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Defence Wales
Context

The UK's defence capabilities are under scrutiny, with a focus on the role and readiness of the defence sector in Wales.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the defence sector in Wales on the UK's defence capabilities?

Answer from Anna McMorrin

We are delivering the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war, investing £270 billion over this Parliament. Our £50 million defence growth deal in Wales puts us front and centre to lead the way in 21st century autonomous defence technology.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assessment of impact on UK's defence capabilities was not provided.

How: Deflection

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Q2 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Defence Wales Business & Trade
Context

The UK's readiness and vulnerability to global threats, particularly the role of Welsh defence sector in strengthening capabilities.

Question

What steps is she taking to ensure her Department works with the Ministry of Defence in prioritising British firms in Wales over foreign suppliers so that we strengthen British capabilities and skilled Welsh jobs?

Answer from Anna McMorrin

To be quite frank, the hypocrisy is astounding. It is—

Not addressed: The question was not addressed; instead, it was met with a personal attack.

How: Personal Attack

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Q3 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Defence Wales

Question

The Welsh Affairs Committee has a great interest in the future of the defence manufacturing industry in Wales, because the defence sector is such a major driver of Wales’s manufacturing economy and provides many well-paid jobs, including at General Dynamics in Oakdale in my constituency. The sector is also central to maintaining the UK’s national security, so will the Minister indicate how the Government plan to help to grow this vital sector in Wales?

Answer from Anna McMorrin

I thank my hon. Friend for the important work that her Committee does. Our Wales defence growth deal will drive innovation and create thousands of high-skilled jobs right across Wales. While the Opposition parties hollowed out and dismantled our armed forced for 14 years, play with Putin or plot to leave NATO, this Government are taking action and investing in defence, ensuring that Wales is leading the way on future defence technology.

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Q4 John Cooper Con Dumfries and Galloway
Defence

Question

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I do not know whether to stand at the Dispatch Box or on it.<br/>For want of a horseshoe nail, the kingdom was lost. The defence of our country today rests on modern nail-makers—the small and medium-sized enterprises supplying small but vital parts for frigates and fighter jets and for our fighting men and women. The endless delay in this Labour Government’s defence investment plan means that companies have no certainty about orders, and good jobs hang in the balance, from Pembrokeshire to Prestatyn. What pressure is the Secretary of State bringing to bear on Cabinet colleagues in the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury to keep Welsh jobs, and indeed this United Kingdom, from being lost?

Answer from Anna McMorrin

Again, the cheek of the Conservatives! They had 14 years in power, and what did they do? They hollowed out our armed forces and defences and failed to develop any proper plan for our defence industry. This Government are taking action, delivering the biggest sustained increase in spending since the cold war. We are working at pace to finalise our defence investment plan, ensuring that it is robust and supports the development of current and future capabilities. As opposed to the Conservatives in their 14 years in power, we are investing in our defence.

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