Defence: Scotland
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to support defence-related job creation in Scotland.
Answered by Ian Murray
I have regular discussions with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on supporting Scotland's defence sector, which makes a vital contribution to the economies of both Scotland and the UK.
In 2022/23, the MoD supported 11,200 direct jobs in Scotland through expenditure with industry, and supported 25,600 civilian and military jobs. Under the new Defence Industrial Strategy, UK-based defence firms, including those in Scotland, will be prioritised for government investment.
I maintain regular dialogue with Scotland's defence, aerospace, and security sectors and recently hosted a defence industry roundtable to discuss sector priorities and opportunities, including regional economic development and employment.
Additionally, as part of Brand Scotland, I have been promoting the Scottish defence industry in Norway and in South-East Asia, where I visited HMS Spey, constructed by BAE Systems on the Clyde.
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