Minister backs SMEs in drive to boost defence

A GOVERNMENT minister has said the drive to ramp up defence spending will benefit smaller companies in regions like the North East.

- GRAEME WHITFIELD

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard was speaking as he visited the Cook Defence Systems plant at Stanhope, County Durham, to announce a multimillion-pound extension of the firm's contract to make parts for UK armoured vehicles.

The contract will help support around 125 jobs at the Stanhope plant, which is also making parts to support the Ukrainian armed forces in its war against Russia. Mr Pollard's visit came as high-level talks took place in Washington DC over the Ukrainian war, highlighting the more uncertain geopolitical situation that has developed in recent years.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged to spend 5% of the UK's GDP on national security by 2035. At the same time, Sir Keir said that spending should also benefit former industrial areas around the country by increasing spending with UK defence and engineering firms.