Oral QuestionMinistry of Defence

What steps he plans to take through the Defence Industrial Strategy to increase support for defence sector SMEs.

Tabled: 19 December 2024Answered: 6 January 2025

Asked by

Alan Strickland

LabourNewton Aycliffe and Spennymoor

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Defence

Answer from Hansard

The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry (Maria Eagle)

We are delivering for defence, boosting spending by £3 billion in real terms this coming financial year. I hope that more of our procurement spend can go to SMEs. The defence industrial strategy will set the conditions to unlock the full potential of SMEs, to seize future opportunities and ensure the growth and resilience of our defence manufacturing base, providing more good jobs in every nation and region.