Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with defence manufacturers on skills levels in that sector.

The Ministry of Defence is working closely with the defence industry to ensure we have the skilled workforce we require across the defence sector and this is an important focus in the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.

We will continue working with industry, including through the newly established Defence Industrial Joint Council, to ensure the sector has access to the skilled workforce it requires now and into the future.