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: Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 52 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, what recent progress he has made in establishing the Defence Office for Small Business Growth.

Answer

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that SMEs seeking to work in defence face unique challenges. The department is committed to simplifying access to UK defence for SMEs removing unnecessary barriers and making it easier for small businesses to find the right support and guidance.

Work on delivering the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth is well underway, and MOD has consulted widely with small businesses and across UK industry to ensure that the new service meets defence SMEs needs.

The exact detail of how the Office for Small Business Growth will operate, including the scope of services is being developed in close consultation with industry but will include more coherent access to existing supplier development programmes and a range of direct services to SMEs enabling them to better navigate the UK defence environment.

Initial operating capability will be achieved in the spring of 2026

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 83129
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
Grouped for answer: Yes
Subjects: Defence Industry Small businesses
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Defence: Industry

Secondary information

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