Oral QuestionTreasury

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.

Tabled: 2 April 2025Answered: 8 April 2025

Asked by

Catherine Atkinson

LabourDerby North

Answering Minister

the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Answer from Hansard

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

The first duty of any Government is to keep the nation safe. That is why we are increasing defence spending as a share of GDP to 2.5%—the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the cold war. Derby has a vital role to play within the UK’s defence sector, particularly in nuclear engineering and aerospace, as demonstrated by the landmark £9 billion deal with Rolls-Royce, which will create up to 1,000 jobs in the city and protect thousands more.