Written question asked by Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative) on Friday, 17 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 October 2025. It was answered by Luke Pollard (Labour) on Monday, 27 October 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Defence: Manufacturing Industries

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 21 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, what recent steps he has taken to increase the competitiveness of the defence sector.

Answer: The Defence Industrial Strategy, published on 8 September 2025, sets out our vision to make the UK defence sector more competitive, integrated, innovative and resilient. To do this, we are backing UK based businesses (Section 4), fixing defence procurement (Section 7) and putting the UK at the leading edge of defence innovation (Section 5), to make defence an engine for growth. Recent steps include the launch of UK Defence Innovation, the launch of an offset regime consultation, and progress towards the establishment of the Defence Office for Small Business Growth in Spring 2026. The Defence Investment Plan will include economic growth considerations and offer long-term procurement signals to encourage investment.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 83083
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth
Monday, 8 September 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Subjects: Defence Manufacturing industries Trade competitiveness
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk