Labour is today boosting student places and strengthening the UK defence industry in the South East as University of Winchester, University of Southampton and University of Surrey are awarded part of £11,360,135 figure to help students gain the skills to protect the UK through rewarding defence innovation and industry careers.
- Labour turns tide on Tory failure to fund defence with new student and education investment as government delivers on pledge to boost defence talent pipeline by more than £180m.
- 3 University’s in the South East have today been awarded £11,360,135 to offer more places to students on key defence courses and support their learning.
- Move comes as government delivers on pledge to boost defence talent pipeline by more than £180m and announces new steps to Back British based industry in the defence sector.
- Today’s new funding part of wider investment in the South East to boost the regions skills for defence careers of the future.
The three university’s are amongst 24 universities and colleges across England awarded a share of £80 million to boost student places and improve facilities for defence-related courses vital to national security and defence industry requirements.
The grants will help thousands of young people to equip themselves with the skills needed for a career in the defence sector and Labour’s announcement delivers on its pledge to boost the defence talent pipeline by more than £180m announced in the landmark Defence Industrial Strategy. Funding is focused on engineering and computer science, including cyber security, robotics, autonomous technology, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing, where defence has some of its greatest skills needs.
Labour’s investment turns the tide on the last Tory government’s abject failure to properly fund defence and strengthen national security, and will ensure the defence sector has the workforce it needs for the future. It comes as John Healey MP, the Defence Secretary, announced a “Backing British” pledge to see Ministry of Defence investments deliver into communities, boosting skills, innovation and productivity at the GMB conference in Blackpool.
The funding also delivers on the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation to boost the pipeline of skilled workers who can contribute to the UK’s national security. The MOD is the largest provider of apprenticeships in the UK, supporting over 24,000 apprenticeships last year.
Labour has committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027 – and today’s announcement comes after the Labour government invested record quantities into defence readiness in the last Parliament.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said: “This Labour government is creating more opportunities for young people across the UK to learn new skills and secure good, well-paid jobs in defence. This funding will see 24 superb universities and colleges, offer more students places to learn these skills of the future.
“For too long the last Conservative government failed to take the necessary steps to invest in defence and bolster this country’s national security, overseeing a hollowed out and underfunded armed forces at their smallest since Napoleon.
“That is changing under Labour. Our outstanding Armed Forces are only as strong as the industry that stands behind them, and through this investment we’re strengthening our national security and helping drive defence as an engine for growth.”
Amanda Martin, Labour Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North, said: “The defence sector doesn’t just keep British people safe; it drives growth and unlocks opportunities for young people to learn skills and pursue a brilliant career. I am proud that this government has pledged to Back British to see defence investments delivering for ordinary people in our communities.
“This Labour government is putting skills at the centre of our plan to make the country safer and boost jobs across the UK. This is the Labour way: advancing the working people of this country, offering hope for the future, and putting defence at the heart of our industrial strategy.”
