Securing Scotland’s Future: Defence Skills and Jobs

Meg Hillier Excerpts

Monday 26th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Patricia Ferguson]

If all of Northern Ireland has the ingenuity that the hon. Member has in weaving his constituency into every debate, we will be doing really well. We have not looked at Northern Ireland in particular. I know Thales, because it used to be based in my constituency; it has since moved to another part of the country. However, he is right. It is very important, and it is wonderful to see so many young women working in skills that were traditionally thought to be for men only.

[Dame Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/Co-op)]

As my hon. Friend highlights, there has been long been a skills deficit in this area. Does the Committee plan to revisit this work to hold the Government to account on the promises made? Over the years, we have heard promises from Governments about apprenticeships, but if we have a stop-start approach we do not get that long-term investment in skills that the defence industry so desperately needs.