In the section...
Some good news to report. The stats below show a really positive move in defence investment and recruitment.
Key points worth noting:
Investment and procurement
- Since July 2024, over 1,000 major defence contracts have been signed, with 86% going to British companies
- Defence spent £31.7 billion with UK industry in 2024/25 – equivalent to around £460 per person in the UK
- £250 million in Defence Growth Deals is being invested across Plymouth, South Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to support local defence industry ecosystems
- £182 million is being put into a skills package, including five new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges and regional STEM initiatives
Recruitment – a genuine turnaround
- For the year ending 30 September 2025, intake exceeded outflow for the first time since December 2021
- Both the Royal Navy/Royal Marines and RAF saw strength increases (1.1% and 0.8% respectively)
- The largest military pay rise in 22 years has been delivered, with new recruits receiving a 35% increase
These figures support the broader narrative around defence as an engine for growth and the government's commitment to backing British jobs and industry.