Oral Answers to Questions

Allison Gardner Excerpts

Monday 8th September 2025 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Dr Allison Gardner (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Lab)]

1. What steps he is taking to increase innovation in the defence sector.

[Katrina Murray (Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch) (Lab)]

17. What steps he is taking to increase innovation in the defence sector.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)]

I am sure that the House will want to offer its sympathies to His Majesty and the royal family on the passing of the Duchess of Kent.

The world is more dangerous and less predictable that ever, and as a result we need a strong British defence industry that is capable of innovating ahead of our adversaries. Our defence industrial strategy, launched later today, will meet that challenge. It will create jobs, grow skills, and drive innovation. It will make defence an engine for growth in every region and nation of the UK, and it will put Britain at the leading edge of innovation within NATO.

[Dr Gardner]

The growing advanced ceramics industry in north Staffordshire is a key creator of the unique advanced ceramic materials that are required for His Majesty’s fighting capability, including unique armour materials for defence, ultra high-speed munitions, and the detection and security of our communications. There is a time-based opportunity to create a sovereign capability for the development and supply of ceramic matrix composites that our UK defence forces need, and so enhance the resilience of our defence supply chain. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the creation of that sovereign capability, and visit my constituency to see for himself the range of companies and skills on offer?

[John Healey]

I know that the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport (Luke Pollard), will be pleased to meet my hon. Friend. She recognises the truth at the heart of the need for a strong British defence industry that is resilient and capable of supporting the businesses, jobs and innovation that we need to develop here in Britain. Gone will be the days when we let contracts in the defence field without worrying where the jobs, businesses, and long-term investment will go.