MoD considers region as site for arms plant

TEESSIDE is in the running for a munitions and explosives factory being planned by the Ministry of Defence to both keep the UK safer and create hundreds of jobs.

- By GRAEME WHITFIELD

A total of 13 sites across the UK have been identified for new factories, with Defence Secretary John Healey expecting the arms industry to break ground at the first plant next year.

Mr Healey said the "new era of threat" presents an economic opportunity with at least 1,000 new jobs to be created.

He said the need to increase defence spending following the war in Ukraine and other threats to the country could result in high quality jobs for British workers in the UK's 'industrial heartlands'