Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure his Department's spending is benefits the economy of each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) spent £19.2 billion with UK industry and commerce in 2018-19, directly supporting 119,000 jobs across every region and nation of the UK and indirectly supporting many thousands more.

The MOD is committed to supporting the UK defence industry. Since 2015, we have published a National Shipbuilding Strategy, launched the Combat Air Strategy and refreshed our Defence Industrial Policy. Our Defence Prosperity Programme, set out to Parliament in March 2019, aims to grow Defence's contribution to UK prosperity, including by working to sustain and develop an internationally competitive and productive UK Defence sector.

The MOD is also leading a review of the UK's defence and security industrial sectors, which will enhance our strategic approach to best support a competitive, innovative and world-class industrial base that drives investment and prosperity across the Union, which can then underpin national security now and in the future.