Andy Burnham with apprentices at the Submarine Academy for Skills and Knowledge at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness in July. Photograph: Chris Furlong/PA View image in fullscreen Andy Burnham with apprentices at the Submarine Academy for Skills and Knowledge at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness in July. Photograph: Chris Furlong/PA Apprenticeships UK defence contractors to offer 40,000 apprenticeships, placements and jobs Wes Streeting says he leads a ‘ministry for growth’ as Labour seeks to show more defence spending will create UK jobs
Prefer the Guardian on Google Defence contractors have promised to create 40,000 apprenticeships, work experience placements and jobs for young people each year, as Wes Streeting claimed to be overseeing a “ministry for growth”.
Labour is keen to demonstrate that the rapid increase in defence spending planned for the coming years, which may necessitate tax rises, will result in jobs in the UK.
In particular, Streeting said he was determined the defence industry should play its part in tackling what he called the “moral emergency” of almost 1 million 16-to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neet).
“I think we have a responsibility, as we’re investing more in the defence of the realm, to do so in a way that boosts British jobs, British industry, and helps to deal with this moral emergency,” he said.
“I want the Ministry of Defence to be a ministry of growth and a ministry of opportunity, and that’s how we’re going to direct our defence spending.”
The defence secretary was speaking before a roundtable with leaders from large contractors, including BAE Systems, MDBA and Rolls-Royce .
The firms have signed up to a series of pledges aimed at opening up more opportunities for young people.
They have promised to offer 40,000 18- to 24-year-olds each year an opportunity in the sector by 2030 – whether via work experience, an apprenticeship or a permanent role. That is scheduled to rise to 50,000 by 2035.
The industry has also pledged to implement a “no wrong door” approach, signposting unsuccessful applicants to opportunities elsewhere in the defence supply chain.
Other signatories include Babcock, Thales and Airbus. Streeting said he saw the projected increase in defence spending as an opportunity to pursue Andy Burnham’s goal of re-industrialising the UK.
“The overwhelming majority of defence spending takes place outside London and the south-east. So in terms of the prime minister’s ambition for re-industrialisation of Britain, growth in every postcode and opportunity spread throughout the land, defence is already there and ready to deliver.”
Labour has already set out plans to increase defence spending to 2.7% of GDP from next year, funded in part by sharp cuts in the UK’s overseas aid budget.
John Healey resigned as defence secretary in June, insisting Keir Starmer’s government should raise that to 3% by 2030. As chancellor, however, he has made clear he is not ready to commit to that target , with the decision postponed until a spending review planned for next year.
Asked about the timetable for hitting 3% of GDP, Streeting said: “I believe that the John Healey that I work with day-to-day as chancellor is the same John Healey that I worked with when he was defence secretary, with the same commitment to our national security and our economic prosperity.”
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