Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Peter Kyle and Douglas McAllister

Wednesday 26th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Douglas McAllister (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab)]

3. What plans his Department has to support a UK space launch.

[The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)]

Being a leader in the new space race is vital to protecting the UK’s security and delivering on our mission for growth. The Government have invested in a range of launch capabilities, including spaceports in Cornwall and Scotland and also launch vehicles. Most recently, we invested £20 million to enable the UK rocket manufacturer Orbex to complete the construction of its launch vehicle.

[Douglas McAllister]

What work is the Department doing to ensure that the UK space sector is a launch pad for innovation and investment, and creates skilled jobs—both commercial and in the defence sector—across Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole?

[Peter Kyle]

We have space skills across the UK, but we have particular expertise in Scotland. I enjoyed visiting Glasgow recently to see how every part of its economy supports the space sector, especially the small satellite manufacturing sector. Several launch operations, including Orbex, are targeting orbital launches from SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland this year. That is a testament to the innovation taking place throughout the UK and specifically in Scotland.