It comes as the Labour Government publishes a new ‘UK Defence Footprint’ publication, showing the government’s defence investment with UK industry increased by 6% above inflation in Labour’s first year in government, supporting 3,900 jobs in Wales.
The UK Labour Government has announced the largest increase in defence investment since the end of the Cold War, making Britain safer in a more insecure world and are delivering a ‘defence dividend’ from this record investment – supporting good jobs and thriving businesses across the UK’s nations and regions.
Today’s new publication confirms the government invested £340 per person in the Wales in defence last year. This included £42m with Small and Medium Sized businesses.
Dame Nia Griffith MP said:
“The first job of any government is to keep our people and our country safe and secure. With everything that is going on around the world, that is now the case more than ever.”
“Increasing investment in our defences must also equate to increasing investment in home grown British businesses and expertise. I am pleased to see these figures confirm that is happening and that the benefits of the additional funding continues to be spread across the country including here in Wales.”
Labour’s Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said:
“Our Labour government’s record uplift in defence investment will ensure our forces have the kit they need to fight, ensuring we are secure at home and strong abroad.
“By making defence an engine for growth across the country and supporting the Government’s Plan for Change, our defence dividend is being felt in jobs, communities and businesses throughout Wales.
“Wales’ excellence in armoured vehicles and cyber in particular puts it at the heart of Britain’s defences, creating thousands of skilled careers that underpin our national security.”
The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) published last month is a plan to strengthen UK security and grow our economy. It is a plan to create British jobs, boost skills and drive British innovation. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set out our plan to make Britain safer: secure at home, strong abroad. The DIS will ensure that we have the industry we need, and the procurement processes in place, to make that a reality.
Pic – A Type 23 frigate, HMS Monmouth (F235) underway – by Hans Toom (Pixabay).
Discover more from Carmarthenshire News Online
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
