Portsmouth MPs Stephen Morgan and Amanda Martin have hosted a ‘Defence is an Engine for Growth’ Roundtable with local businesses and trade unions to contribute to the Labour Government’s defence policy plans.
Mr Morgan said that “the roundtable was a brilliant opportunity to ensure our local defence industry’s views are at the heart of the Labour Government’s future defence plans.”
Under Labour’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, UK-based defence firms will be prioritised for government investment to drive economic growth, boost British jobs, and strengthen national security.
Boosting long-term UK investment and seizing new technology are at the centre of the new strategy.
The roundtable was attended by the city MPs, Portsmouth Naval Base Commander as well as leading figures from organisations including Airbus, BAE Systems, Novatech, Griffton Hover Travel and more.
Representatives from trade unions also participated in the discussions on backing British businesses, growing the economy, and keeping the UK safe.
The Portsmouth MPs agreed to continue working with local businesses and unions to ensure Portsmouth receives the investment it deserves and defence jobs continue to come to the city.
At the Spring Statement, the Chancellor announced a further £2.2 billion funding increase for defence from April, as she warned that Britain has to “move quickly in a changing world”.
The investment will help fund upgrades to infrastructure at His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth, securing its ability to support Royal Navy operations into the future.
Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
“As the heart and home of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth has for centuries played a leading role in our nation’s defence, and recent investment by the government has ensured this will remain the case long into the future.
“That’s why we were keen to bring together our local defence industry to agree on how our country can build a Defence Industrial Strategy that strengthens our security while driving economic growth and boosting jobs in our city.
“Today’s discussion will help ensure our city’s voice is heard when it comes to our country’s defence investment strategy, and we will continue to work together to make Portsmouth an engine for growth to improve local people’s lives.”
Commenting, Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin said:
“Today’s roundtable has been crucial in ensuring that the voices of our local defence industry are heard loud and clear.
“This government is prioritising investment in Portsmouth, we’ve not only secured jobs for our community and secured the future of the dockyard, but are also reinforcing our commitment to a robust defence strategy.
“Together, we can harness the potential of the defence sector to drive growth, innovation, and good jobs for local people.”
The Defence Secretary John Healey has set an ambition to increase defence sector jobs in “every nation and region of the UK”.
The Government is seeking to address some of the problems of the past which have held back growth in the defence sector, including inefficient spending, skills shortages, a lack of focus on exports and long-term partnerships.
