Barrow and Furness MP, Michelle Scrogham, has hosted a summit for local defence industry leaders to feed into the Government’s new Defence Industrial Strategy.
In the face of global insecurity, the Labour Government is developing a new Defence Industrial Strategy that will be published later this year. The strategy will help drive economic growth, boost British jobs, and strengthen national security.
UK based defence firms will be prioritised for government investment under the strategy and comes as billions of pounds are injected into the UK defence sector.
Barrow in Furness is at the centre of that vision and Ministers had asked local organisations to play their part in shaping the strategy. The meeting was an opportunity for representatives of local companies, trade unions and other organisations to have their say on the strategy’s six priority areas:
- Prioritising UK businesses.
- Creating partnerships.
- Delivering certainty and stability.
- Seizing the future by increasing the pace of procurement and defence research, and innovation.
- Spreading prosperity.
- Ensuring the strategy not only delivers the equipment our service people need but also enhances the credibility of our deterrence against aggression.
Michelle Scrogham MP said, “This Government will address the problems of the past which have held back growth in the defence sector. For too long we’ve seen inefficient investment, skills shortages, and a lack of focus on innovation, and long-term partnerships.
“Under the Government’s plans UK-based defence firms will be prioritised for government investment to drive economic growth, boost jobs, and strengthen national security. Boosting long-term UK investment and seizing new technology are at the centre of the new strategy.
“Barrow and Furness is at the centre of the Government’s ambitious vision for the UK defence sector. The roundtable was a brilliant opportunity to ensure our local defence industry’s views are shaping the Government’s future defence plans and delivering what we need locally.”
The Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry said:
“Barrow is at the heart of UK defence – and will play a central role in shaping the Government’s new Defence Industrial Strategy. Our commitment to the nuclear deterrent which keeps us all safe 24/7 is unshakeable.
“Labour’s new Defence Industrial Strategy will ensure defence is an engine for economic growth in Barrow and across the country, boost British jobs, and make us secure at home and strong abroad.”