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Defence Industries: West Midlands
19 March 2025
Lead MP
Sarah Edwards
Tamworth
Lab
Responding Minister
Luke Pollard
Tags
DefenceTaxation
Word Count: 4612
Other Contributors: 8
At a Glance
Sarah Edwards raised concerns about defence industries: west midlands in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
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.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
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.
Alex Ballinger
Lab
Halesowen and Rowley Regis
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.
Tania Mathias
Con
Brecon and Radnorshire
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.
Jacob Collier
Lab
Burton and Uttoxeter
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.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
He discussed the involvement of local businesses in the defence supply chain, mentioning GE Vernova, which supplies propulsion systems for Royal Navy vessels.
Josh Newbury
Lab
Cannock Chase
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.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
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.
Sarah Edwards
Con
Tamworth
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 Pollard
The Minister for the Armed Forces
Government Response
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.