Oral QuestionWomen and Equalities

“If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.”

Tabled: 25 June 2018Answered: 28 June 2018

Answering Minister

the Minister for Women and Equalities

Answer from Hansard

The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard)

The role of west midlands SMEs in support of our armed forces is vital for our national security. The Ministry of Defence has just published our regional breakdown of defence spending in the west midlands, where we spend £1.7 billion. That is the highest on record, supporting 7,900 jobs, but it is not enough. We will spend an additional £2.5 billion extra with SMEs by 2028, helping to reinforce that defence can be an engine for growth.