Emma Lewell
Main Page: Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)Department Debates - View all Emma Lewell's debates with the Ministry of Defence
(2 days ago)
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Wes Streeting
I refer the hon. Gentleman to page 11 of “The Defence Investment Plan”. I also urge him to understand why, after the catastrophic misconduct of the Government of Liz Truss, we take a rather more prudent approach to the management of the public finances, and do not set out spending commitments without showing how we will pay for them.
Emma Lewell (South Shields) (Lab)
The north-east has the highest rate of NEETs—those not in education, employment or training—and remains the region with the lowest level of Government defence investment. As the defence youth participation and employment pledge is signed by primes, and the north-east defence industry is largely based on small and medium-sized enterprises, can my right hon. Friend assure me that we will see some tangible support from that pledge for our region?
Wes Streeting
I can give my hon. Friend that commitment. Indeed, in front of the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee last week, I highlighted my dissatisfaction with investment in the north-east. The Government have already taken steps since the general election to increase defence spending in the north-east, as the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry reported, but we can and will do more, including through the employment pledge.