Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Kane Excerpts

Monday 19th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Lauren Edwards (Rochester and Strood) (Lab)]

16. What steps he is taking to improve skills in the defence workforce.

[Chris Kane (Stirling and Strathallan) (Lab)]

19. What steps he is taking to improve skills in the defence workforce.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Wes Streeting)]

Before I begin my answer, I pay tribute to Major Paul Wilks, who was sadly killed in a road traffic accident in Ukraine last month. I know the whole House will join me in sending heartfelt thoughts and condolences to all his family, friends and colleagues, particularly his wife and children.

There has never been a better or more important time to join defence. I am determined to ensure that we give people from all backgrounds opportunities to succeed, while creating the skills and talent that keep our country safe. As part of the defence industrial strategy, we are investing £182 million to improve science, technology, engineering and maths skills for young people and increase capacity in the education system, as well as backing defence technical excellence colleges in England with £50 million, with the ambition and intention to see that expand to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We have got to strengthen our defence industrial skills base to provide opportunities for the next generation; this Government, with this investment, will certainly do that.

--- Later in debate ---

[Wes Streeting]

Recently, I chaired an industry roundtable with Alan Milburn, who is leading work for the Government in that area. I strongly believe that with the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the cold war, we can not only strengthen our national defence but ensure that we have a country that is worth fighting for by investing here in Britain: backing Britain, buying British, investing in the next generation and tackling the scourge of the 1 million or so young people who are not in education, employment or training. I am delighted that the defence industry has responded to calls to help us.

[Chris Kane]

Stirling was home to Army headquarters Scotland until 2021; like communities across the UK, we retain skills and defence heritage but our direct connection has been weakened by the distance from defence jobs. A student from Bannockburn should have the same opportunities as one from Rosyth but will have additional costs and challenges in accessing them. Will the Secretary of State ensure that our ambition for growth in every postcode translates into practical action from the Ministry of Defence and its suppliers to build outreach and clear routes into defence careers in communities beyond their existing defence centres? Will he visit my constituency to explore our defence links, including at Queen Victoria school in Dunblane—a military boarding school owned and operated by his Department?

[Wes Streeting]

I would certainly like to visit my hon. Friend’s constituency at the first available opportunity. With our investment in two defence technical excellence colleges, we will be able to widen the availability of skills, jobs and opportunities across Scotland. We would like to work with the Scottish Government to achieve that, which is why I welcome the fact that, albeit belatedly, the Scottish Government have finally decided to match fund the initiative, which has been available to them since March this year.