Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential long-term impact of increasing UK defence spending on (a) economic growth, (b) innovation and (c) job creation in the defence sector.

The Government recognises the vital role Defence plays not only in our national security but also in delivering economic growth to all nations and regions of the United Kingdom.

Peace and security are the essential preconditions of long-term economic growth. Added to this, Ministry of Defence (MOD) expenditure with industry supports over 200,000 jobs across the United Kingdom, many of which are outside London and the South East. Overall, 68% of MOD UK industry spending goes to areas outside London and the South East. The £2.6 billion spent on R&D in 2023-24 will also contribute to innovation that both keeps the country safe and leads to spillovers into the wider economy.

The Ministry of Defence will bring forward a Defence Industrial Strategy that ensures Defence contributes fully to the Government’s number one mission to drive economic growth.