Defence Manufacturing Jobs 2026-02-25
2026-02-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP questions the steps being taken to support jobs within Scotland's defence manufacturing sector.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support jobs in the defence manufacturing sector in Scotland?
Scotland is at the heart of keeping the UK secure at home and strong abroad. Just last week I visited Australia, New Zealand and Singapore working to strengthen our defence partnerships and increase export opportunities for the Scottish defence industry. That defence dividend has already delivered record orders worth £10 billion for the Clyde shipyards, new investments of £340 million in Rosyth and £250 million in Faslane, and a contract of £453 million for Leonardo in Edinburgh.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questions the threat posed by an SNP Government to Scottish industry, young people, and national security.
This Government's increase in defence spending is delivering £2 billion a year for Scotland as well as 12,000 jobs. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the greatest threat to my constituents is an SNP Government who are playing student politics with defence and will not use their existing powers to back Scottish industry, young people and our national security?
Not for the first time, I find myself in agreement with my hon. Friend. The UK Labour Government have committed to the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war, totalling £270 billion in this Parliament alone. In contrast, the SNP-led Scottish Government's position on public funding for defence is risking jobs, skills and investment in Scotland. Despite record funding provided by the UK Government, they are weak on defence and dismal on further education.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about agreement was acknowledged but not explicitly confirmed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP discusses the personal connection to Glasgow shipyards and asks about Labour's support for a strong Scottish defence sector.
Labour's defence industrial strategy will strengthen our security across the whole United Kingdom and deliver an unprecedented growth deal for Scotland that includes £250 million of UK-wide investment and £182 million for skills. For me, this is personal. My grandfather worked in the Glasgow shipyards, part of a proud tradition that has served the whole UK. Does my right hon. Friend agree that a strong Scottish defence sector delivered by a UK Labour Government strengthens all of us?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. My own grandfather worked as an engineer in Glasgow, so I appreciate the proud heritage of which he speaks. The Government's defence industrial strategy will deliver a record boost for Scotland's economy, creating highly skilled jobs for years to come.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about agreement was acknowledged but not explicitly confirmed.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asks about the contradictions between UK and Scottish government statements on defence spending and seeks details of support.
Many of my constituents work in the Leonardo factory, which the Secretary of State mentioned. They contribute hugely to this economy, but they are concerned about the contradiction between what the UK Government say and what the Scottish Government say about defence spending. Can he detail exactly how the Government will support them going forward?
I had the chance to visit the Leonardo facility with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in recent weeks and saw for myself the transformation it had witnessed since it was originally Ferranti, with the strong support of the UK Government behind it.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about detailed support measures was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questions the opportunities presented by increased defence orders and asks about potential benefits for Northern Irish companies.
Does the Secretary of State agree that increased defence orders in Scotland have the potential to strengthen the defence industry and the industrial base across the whole of the United Kingdom, and will he make an assessment of the opportunities that that presents, in particular for Northern Ireland companies?
I find myself in agreement with the hon. Gentleman. With that biggest sustained increase in defence expenditure since the cold war—not simply in Scotland, where defence supports about 12,000 Scottish jobs, but in Northern Ireland, Wales and England—there are real opportunities for a defence dividend.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about an assessment of opportunities was not provided.
Response accuracy