Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Irene Campbell and Luke Pollard

Monday 15th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Irene Campbell (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab)]

T8. Until the 1980s, my constituency of North Ayrshire and Arran was home to one of the world’s largest explosives factories, in Ardeer, Stevenston, which in its heyday provided employment for around 15,000 people. I welcome that Ayrshire has been identified as one of the 13 potential sites across the UK for new munitions and energetics factories. We would very much welcome another opportunity to support defence, either by expanding the munitions site at Beith or by welcoming a new facility. Can the Secretary of State confirm when the outcome of the successful sites will be announced?

[Luke Pollard]

I thank my hon. Friend for her interest in this issue. We are moving towards an always-on munitions strategy, and we have allocated £1.5 billion to create six new energetics munitions factories. The first will start construction next year. I am happy to meet her to further discuss the potential options in Scotland.