Oral Answers to Questions

Jonathan Brash Excerpts

Monday 19th October 2026 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mr Jonathan Brash (Hartlepool) (Lab)]

1. What steps he is taking to help increase investment in jobs and skills in the defence sector in the north-east.

[The Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Luke Pollard)]

The north-east plays a vital role in supporting the UK’s defence sector. I am delighted that our increased defence spending means that in the north-east spending rose from £187 million in 2024-25 to £198 million in 2025-26, supporting around 2,000 jobs, and 49% of our spending goes to the region’s small and medium-sized enterprises.

[Mr Brash]

I welcome the investment outlined by the Minister, but as a north-east MP, I always want to see more. One way that can be achieved is by helping our small and medium-sized enterprises to navigate the procurement system. Steel Benders UK is making a major investment in Hartlepool and is keen to understand how it can play a greater role in the defence supply chain. I have recently written to the Secretary of State about that, as its managing director, Tania Cooper, also sits on the steering committee of the north-east regional defence and security cluster. Will the Minister meet me and representatives of the company to discuss how businesses in Hartlepool can contribute to growing our sovereign defence manufacturing capability?

[Luke Pollard]

I may be a south-west MP, but I am a north-east MP when it comes to increasing defence spending, just as my hon. Friend is. I want to see more spending in the north-east. I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss how Steel Benders UK can access more of that increased defence spending. I would like to promote the work of the Defence Office of Small Business Growth in providing a single door for small businesses to access more defence contracts, helping to create more jobs, growth and opportunities in every part of the UK, including the north-east.