Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Lewer Excerpts

Monday 21st October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con)]

8. What steps his Department is taking to maintain the capabilities of UK defence manufacturing.

[Andrew Lewer (Northampton South) (Con)]

10. What steps his Department is taking to maintain the capabilities of UK defence manufacturing.

[Mrs Maria Miller (Basingstoke) (Con)]

18. What steps his Department is taking to maintain the capabilities of UK defence manufacturing.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Wallace]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on being appointed engineering envoy by the Government. Engineering is incredibly important, which is why we support the “Engineering: Taker a Closer Look” campaign, which will form part of that legacy and focus on STEM youth engagement, targeting not only young people but the gatekeepers, such teachers and parents. We are fully supportive of the campaign objective, which is to increase consideration of a career in engineering with a specific focus on 11 to 16-year-olds, especially among under-represented groups, such as girls and black and minority ethnic groups.

[Andrew Lewer]

What steps is the Department taking to ensure key industries maintain sovereign capability?

[Mr Wallace]

To keep skills and innovation here the Government have been determined to invest in home-grown innovation. It is the best way to sustain UK capability in the long term. That is why the defence and security accelerator, launched in 2016, is so important, as is the defence innovation fund, under which £800 million will be spent in that sector over the next 10 years.