Last week I was asked to serve as the Minister for Defence Procurement in the Ministry of Defence. The responsibilities of the role include delivery of the MOD equipment plan, science and technology, defence exports and nuclear enterprise.
It’s a complex brief, and I’m conscious of course that I am taking it on at an important time for national and international security. I will serve to the best of my ability, and I look forward to doing so alongside my many Cheltenham constituents who already play such a central role in keeping our country safe.
Defence spending is having to rise to reflect growing threats. In 2020/21, expenditure with UK industry stood at £20.5 billion. That is a five per cent increase on 2019/20, after adjusting for inflation. And the multi-year financial settlement announced in November 2020 represents the biggest investment in Defence since the Cold War.
This funding will deliver jobs in areas such as R&D and infrastructure across our country, from Rosyth to the Brecon Beacons, helping to reinforce the Union. Defence is now directly supporting 141,000 jobs and indirectly supporting many more – including here in Gloucestershire.
As well as at GCHQ, thousands of people in Cheltenham, Gloucester and beyond are employed by major businesses including BAE Systems, GE Aviation, Ultra Electronics, Raytheon and CDS Defence & Security.
In our own town Government investment has a particularly important impact. The Government’s massive financial backing for the Golden Valley Cyber Hub and the £3m development of the Advanced Digital Academy at GlosCol in Hesters Way, is already creating opportunities for young people for rewarding and fulfilling careers.
Now more than ever, with finances tight, we need to ensure that every pound of taxpayers’ money goes as far as possible – and that means helping to drive the local economy at the same time as keeping the nation safe. We can only have national security with economic security, and spurring on successful private enterprise is how we secure our prosperity and safety in the long run.
Thank you to those who have emailed with such kind words. It will be an honour to serve alongside so many of you.
[Column first published in the Glos Echo]
