Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of GDP is accounted for by (a) UK and (b) overseas defence sales.

Defence plays a significant role in providing a secure and stable environment, which is the foundation of the UK's economic growth. This was recognised by the right hon. Member for Ludlow' s independent report 'Growing the Contribution of Defence to UK Prosperity'.

National economic data is not sufficiently detailed to identify the amount of GDP that is supported by defence sales as defence-related activities are captured in other data categories, such as different types of manufacturing activity, and some goods used by Defence are also used for civilian purposes. In 2017-18 Ministry of Defence's expenditure with UK industry and commerce was just under £19 billion; and in 2017 the UK won defence exports orders worth £9 billion. Over a rolling ten-year period the UK remains the world second largest global defence exporter.