Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 7 of his department’s Defence Industrial Strategy, published 8 September 2025, what progress has been made on supporting members of the Armed Forces and workers in other industries to move into the defence sector.

The £182 million Defence Industry Skills package contains a number of initiatives that can support members of the Armed Forces and workers in other industries to move into the defence sector.

This includes scoping a Defence Skills Passport, which would create a digital record of an individual’s skills that will help to support smoother movement into and within the defence sector. Defence Apprenticeship Units will help those at the mid-career stage to upskill in specific areas relevant to jobs in the defence sector. The Destination Defence campaign, meanwhile, will raise awareness of the breadth of career opportunities within the defence sector.

The MOD continues to work cross-government and with industry to develop and progress these initiatives.