Oral Question·Ministry of Defence
“What steps he is taking to help increase investment in jobs and skills in the defence sector in the North East.”
Tabled: 13 October 2026Answered: 19 October 2026
Asked by
Mr Jonathan Brash
Labour — Hartlepool
Answering Minister
the Secretary of State for Defence
Answer from Hansard
The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard)
The north-east plays a vital role in supporting the UK’s defence sector. I am delighted that our increased defence spending means that in the north-east spending rose from £187 million in 2024-25 to £198 million in 2025-26, supporting around 2,000 jobs, and 49% of our spending goes to the region’s small and medium-sized enterprises.