Defence Minister focuses on Scottish business, skills and innovation

Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin focused on UK investment, innovation and support for Scottish jobs and skills when she visited two leading employers near Edinburgh.

The MOD spent £1.5 billion with Scottish businesses last year and supports 9,700 jobs across Scotland, with the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth Carriers being built in Rosyth and new Offshore Patrol Vessels under development in Govan and Scotstoun ahead of this year’s Type 26 Frigate steel cut.

Baldwin met Scottish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the Defence Suppliers Forum in Edinburgh. The Forum builds relationships between businesses and Government through face-to-face meetings and candid discussion.

Baldwin said: “Scotland is on the front line defending the United Kingdom from growing threats on land, air, and sea; and the Government is listening to Scottish business and building skills to keep the UK safe, secure, and prosperous. This is yet more evidence of our unquestionable commitment to defence and industry in Scotland, as our rising defence budget and £178 billion equipment plan supports Scottish business, jobs, and skills far into the future.”