House of Commons
19 October 2026
Contents updated on 19 Oct 2026
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Actual start House of Commons
Follow its sittings34:35 - 34:40
Speaker 2
Order. We start with questions to the Secretary of State for Defence. Mr Jonathan Brash.
34:40 - 34:42
Speaker 1
Number one, Mr. Speaker.
34:42 - 34:43
Minister.
34:43 - 35:06
Speaker 4
Mr. Speaker, the North East plays a vital role in supporting the UK's defence sector, and I'm delighted that our increased defence spending means that in the North East, spending rose from 187 million in 24-25 to 198 million in 25-26, supporting around 2,000 jobs, of which 49% of our spending goes to the region's small and medium-sized enterprises.
35:06 - 35:31
Speaker 5
Jonathan Brash. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I welcome the investment outlined by the Minister, but as a North East MP, I always want to see more. And one way that that can be achieved is by supporting our small, medium enterprises navigate the procurement system. So Steel Benders UK is a- is making a major investment in Hartlepool and is keen to understand how it can play a greater role in the defence supply chain.
35:31 - 35:51
Speaker 3
I've recently written to the Secretary of State about this, as their managing director, Tanya Cooper, also sits on the steering committee of the North East Regional Defence and Security Cluster. Will the Minister meet with me and representatives of the company to discuss how Hartlepool businesses can contribute to growing our sovereign defence manufacturing capability?
35:51 - 36:19
Speaker 4
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I may be a South West MP, but I'm a North East MP for increasing defence spending, just as the honourable gentleman is. I want to see more spending in the North East. I'm very happy to meet with the honourable gentleman to discuss how Steel Benders UK can access more of that increased defence spending. And I'd like to promote the work that the Defence Office of Small Business Growth does in making a single door for small businesses to access more defence contracts, helping to create more jobs, growth, and opportunities in every single part of the UK, including the North East.
36:19 - 36:22
Speaker 7
Question number two, Mr. Speaker.
36:23 - 36:50
Speaker 8
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I begin, I'd like to pay tribute to Major Paul Wilks, who was sadly killed in a road traffic accident in Ukraine last month. I know the whole House will want to join me in sending our heartfelt thoughts and condolences to all his family, friends and colleagues, particularly his wife and children. With permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to answer questions 2, 16 and 19 together. There's never been a better or more important time to join defence.
36:50 - 36:58
Speaker 9
I'm determined to make sure that we give people from all backgrounds opportunities to succeed while creating the skills and talent that keep our country safe.
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