Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Integrated Procurement Model ensures equitable access for small and medium-sized enterprises in the defence supply chain.

Good progress has been made on design and implementation of the key features of a reformed model, which are part of the wider defence reforms announced by the Defence Secretary in October.

The Ministry of Defence has a long-standing commitment to improve its engagement with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to broaden and strengthen its supply base. The recently published Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent recognises our intention to foster a more diverse community of suppliers, and will prompt a refresh of our SME Action Plan.