House of Commons · Westminster Hall
19 March 2025 · 8 other contributors · 4,612 words
Opened by Sarah Edwards Lab Tamworth
Responding minister: Luke Pollard
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Sarah Edwards raised concerns about defence industries: west midlands in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The upcoming defence industrial strategy must prioritise British businesses, including SMEs, ensuring investment creates jobs and strengthens national security. There is a need for longer-term funding models to provide certainty and drive innovation.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Global threats are evolving, making defence investment more critical. The west midlands and UK have major players like Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems, but skill shortages and supply chain volatility risk holding back the sector. Nearly 18,000 people work in defence SMEs in the West Midlands, with £1.6 billion spent annually by the Ministry of Defence.
Visited Somers Forge in his constituency, an SME with a long history of supplying defence equipment. Agreed that the industrial strategy will help SMEs access investment and boost businesses like Somers Forge. Ballinger raises the challenge faced by Somers Forge in his constituency regarding European supply chains and trade barriers, questioning if the Minister will push for greater market access.
Discussed the importance of aligning goals for maximum impact, suggesting a technical liaison officer model similar to that used by the US to support companies through complex procurement processes.
He agreed that as we look at the defence industrial strategy, we have to ensure that we are backing British business and that all companies can make a contribution to our shared national defence.
Welcomed the Government’s commitment to increase defence spending, highlighting the importance of ensuring all parts of the UK can benefit from security, economic growth, jobs, and opportunities in the defence sector.
He discussed the involvement of local businesses in the defence supply chain, mentioning GE Vernova, which supplies propulsion systems for Royal Navy vessels.
He highlighted engineers at Briggs Equipment in his constituency who have extended the operational life of RAF's fleet of bespoke air-transportable forklift trucks by at least 10 years, stressing the importance of such local businesses to the wider defence supply chain.
Acknowledged the pride shown by constituents in the Armistice Day parade. Agreed that the west midlands should be proud of its contribution to national defence and look forward to more people benefiting from skills and training.
Asked how parliamentarians can showcase different ways people contribute to or could work in the defence industry and promote recognition of transferable skills.
Government Response
Luke PollardThe Minister for the Armed Forces
Acknowledged the debate's focus on SMEs and investment in skills, emphasizing the need for more flexible procurement processes to unlock potential among suppliers. The Government plans to launch a defence industrial strategy to increase economic benefits and access to innovation.