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Defence: National Security

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 17 March 2025UIN 36428

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average time taken was for the issuing of security clearances by his Department for businesses in the defence sector in the latest period for which data is available.

Answered by Maria Eagle

UKSV (Cabinet Office) is the sole provider of National Security Vetting and is responsible for issuing security clearances. Ministry of Defence (MOD), including Defence suppliers accredited by MOD to act as a sponsor for National Security Vetting, is a customer of UKSV.

There have been no changes to the process of issuing security clearances to representatives of Defence businesses since 5 July 2024.

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