Please see the below words from the Prime Minister, delivered
earlier this afternoon at a careers fair event hosted at Downing
Street. This was attended by representatives from SMEs in the
defence industry, along with apprentices and students, to
highlight the value of investing in defence for the economy and
supporting jobs.
"Hello to all of you.
It's really fantastic to be able to welcome you to Downing Street
today.
To meet some of the businesses, and just looking around the room,
to see some of the great names of businesses that are working in
the defence sector.
And to say upfront thank you for playing your part in keeping our
nation safe.
Because defence and security is an all-nation, all-society
effort. Yes, there are those on the front line, bravely fighting,
bravely doing their part, and we are very proud of what they do.
But there's everybody who sits behind them as well and that's
represented in this room. So thank you for the part that you are
playing in keeping our country safe and secure.
And it's really fantastic to have the opportunity to meet so many
young people here, who are excited about the possibility of
playing their part in the security of our country. I'm very much
looking forward to that.
Because the first priority of this government is the security and
safety of the British people. It is the first priority; it
is the first duty of the Prime Minister and it's a duty and
responsibility that I take extremely seriously.
Particularly, of course, in these volatile times.
That's why I went to the US to meet President Trump last week,
that's why I hosted European leaders here in London over the
weekend to work together for the security of the UK, of Ukraine
and the world.
And that is also why last week, I announced the biggest sustained
increase to defence spending since the Cold War.
That is an extra 13.4 billion pounds year on year, and that is
what is central to what we are discussing here today.
Because that means more money for companies here in Britain, and
that's really important.
We've got a Strategic Defence Review coming up, an Industrial
Strategy, which will set out how we plan to spend this uplift on
British defence – overhauling our procurement processes and
supporting new technologies, and working with partnerships with
some of our key national suppliers like BAE Systems and Airbus.
And supply chain opportunities across the UK, which will benefit
family-owned Tier 1 suppliers, like JJ Churchill who we have got
with us here, and support those creating new cutting-edge
capabilities like AI and cyber.
So today, we are announcing more support for SMEs in the defence
sector.
This is really important because our SMEs do fantastic work. This
is a real opportunity because it boosts investment in small firms
across the whole of the UK.
So for those of you thinking about a career in defence, in this
industry, I hope students feel inspired by what they see here
today, the opportunities before them and the possibilities for
their own future.
Because this isn't just about security for Britain – it's about
security for working people as well.
The next generation of good, secure, well-paid jobs, and the
pride and purpose of knowing your work keeps the nation
safe.
I've seen this across the country myself – because secure,
skilled jobs: that is what sits behind this sector.
That is what we want to encourage. And that is why it's so
important that young people are here to see what the
possibilities are.
And everybody, of course, wants a secure, well-paid job and quite
right, too. But in this sector, when it comes to defence and
security, there is a real bursting pride that comes with it
And I've seen this in workplaces across the country.
That sense – that you're going to work not just for secure pay,
well-paid, skilled work, which of course is important, but also
that you are contributing to the security and defence of your
country – is an incredible pride and quite right too.
There's something special which sits behind this, over and above
any other jobs that might be done.
And so we're investing in our security, but we are also investing
in peace.
We're investing in British pride.
And I promise you this – we will step up together to lead the
world in the challenges in this era.
This government will put Britain first – every step of the w: the
next generation of this country, the businesses that are the
backbone of our economy.
We will make sure you have the opportunities you deserve in the
secure Britain that you've helped to build.
Thank you very much indeed."
