Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Defence Industrial Strategy on regional growth.

The Defence Industrial Strategy commits £250 million to five Defence Growth Deals in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Plymouth and South Yorkshire, alongside a £182 million defence industry skills package. These measures are designed to build on local industrial and dual-use strengths to attract investment, support skilled jobs and strengthen supply chains, supporting long-term regional growth.

The Deals’ performance will be assessed against their objectives to determine their contribution to regional growth and the UK’s defence supply chain.