Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the economic effect on the UK of the (a) F-35 Programme including the UK’s Programme of Record and (b) Tempest initiative; and if he will make a statement.

UK industry provides approximately 15% by value of every F-35 aircraft built, generating significant revenue for the country, creating and sustaining high-skilled jobs in the aerospace sector.

The UK has already invested some £2 billion in the Future Combat Air System Technology Initiative. The Prime Minister's Comprehensive Spending Review announcement highlighted Future Combat Air Strategy (FCAS) and our aerospace sector as a particular area for investment.