Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether British manufacturers will be given priority in new defence infrastructure contracts.

The additional investment in defence announced by the Prime Minister on 25 February 2025 will both protect UK citizens from threats and create a secure and stable environment in which businesses can thrive, supporting the Government’s number one mission to deliver economic growth. This includes maximising jobs, growth, skills and innovation in the UK.

This Government is committed to supporting UK based manufacturers and will bring forward a new Defence Industrial Strategy later this year to align the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy. Defence infrastructure projects already make extensive use manufacturers based in the UK, but do also source materials and equipment to be used in contracts from overseas. Allowing sourcing from overseas helps maintains the competitive advantage of UK businesses and can provide better value for money.