Committees

Securing Scotland’s Future: Defence Skills and Jobs

Inquiry

The UK Government has committed to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, with plans to reach 3% in the next Parliament. Given Scotland’s significant role in the UK’s defence sector, this inquiry will explore how Scotland’s economy and job market can benefit, particularly through the creation of highly skilled jobs. The Committee will examine existing skills gaps in the sector, how they can be addressed to maximise the economic impact of investment, and the UK Government’s role in supporting the creation and retention of the skilled jobs needed to grow the defence industry. It will also consider how Scotland can support the delivery of the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Ministry of Defence’s engagement with Scottish SMEs, which dominate the Scottish private sector, as well as the use of local supply chains.

Read the call for evidence for more details about the inquiry.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was 5:00pm on 12 December 2025.

Upcoming events

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No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Wednesday 24 June 2026
9:00am Private
9:30am Public
Securing Scotland’s Future: Defence Skills and Jobs - Oral evidence 24 June 2026
9:30am
  • Luke Pollard MP (Minister of State (Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry) at Ministry of Defence)
  • Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC RM (Naval Regional Commander Scotland & Northern Ireland at Ministry of Defence)
  • Calum Taylor (Deputy Director Industry Skills and Place at Ministry of Defence)
Room 5, Palace of Westminster
Tuesday 9 June 2026
2:00pm Private
3:00pm Public
Securing Scotland’s Future: Defence Skills and Jobs - Oral evidence 9 June 2026
3:00pm
  • The Rt Hon. the Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT
Room 5, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 22 April 2026
9:00am Private
9:30am Public
Securing Scotland’s Future: Defence Skills and Jobs - Oral evidence 22 April 2026
9:30am
  • John Howie MBE (Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Babcock)
  • Neil Holm (Chief Operating Officer at BAE Systems Naval Ships)
  • Mark Stead (SVP Radar & Advanced Targeting at Leonardo)
  • Cathy Kane (LTPA Portfolio Director at QinetiQ)
Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 18 March 2026
9:00am Private
9:30am Public
Securing Scotland’s Future: Defence Skills and Jobs - Oral evidence 18 March 2026
9:30am
  • Gavin Donoghue (CEO at Colleges Scotland)
  • Jim Metcalfe (Principal and Chief Executive at Fife College)
  • Professor Chris Turney (Deputy Principal Research and Impact at Heriot Watt University)
  • Professor James Hopgood (CDT SPADS Lead at The University of Edinburgh)
10:30am
  • Kirsti Godson (Head of Skills and Social Impact at Thales UK)
  • Steve Owens (Head of Operations at Glasgow Science Centre)
  • Susan Scurlock (CEO at Primary Engineer)
Room 6, Palace of Westminster

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