28 Feb 25. European security inquiry: Defence Cttee focuses on challenges facing the UK’s industrial base
Evidence Session: The UK’s contribution to European security
Tuesday 4 March 2025, 10.30, Committee Room 16
Watch on parliamentlive.tv
The Defence Committee will hold an evidence session on the UK’s contribution to European security at 10.30, on Tuesday 4 March. The Committee will speak to industry experts from ADS Group, Make UK Defence and techUK.
The session will focus on the UK defence industrial base and the challenges it faces, including to the resilience and security of its supply chain. Members are likely to discuss the role of the industrial base in deterrence, how the UK compares to its Allies and partners in terms of the scale and breadth of its defence industry, and whether there are any national models the UK could learn from.
The session is likely to explore the role that NATO and the EU play in the European defence industrial base and how the UK can best engage with the EU to ensure that Europe is able to deter threats and defend itself from attack.
10.30, Tuesday 4 March:
- Kevin Craven – Chief Executive, ADS
- Andrew Kinniburgh – Director-General, Make UK Defence
- Julian David OBE – CEO, techUK
25 Feb 25. Chair comment: Defence and Security Statement. Defence Committee reacts to the Prime Minister’s statement on defence. The Defence Committee has reacted to the Prime Minister’s statement on defence. Chair of the Defence Committee, Tan Dhesi MP, said: “This is a dangerous moment for the UK’s defence and security – a moment where we must come together as a nation. I welcome the Prime Minister’s statement today committing to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027, with the ambition that it will rise to 3%. We must be clear-eyed about the threats we face. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an attack on peace, prosperity and the democratic principles that underpin our way of life. We must also consider the wider challenges to our security which will require both policy and action. It is now evident that Europe must play a greater role in the defence of Ukraine and in guaranteeing the future security of our continent, and the UK Government must demonstrate leadership. Today’s commitment to increasing spending is an important, and very welcome, first step. But this isn’t just a matter of how much we spend, but how well we spend it. Over the coming months and years, the Defence Committee will scrutinise this commitment, and continue to ask difficult questions of this Government.”