Brexit Ministers have met with the UK’s defence industry leaders to discuss key issues ahead of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
Minister for Exiting the European Union David Jones and Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin took part in the roundtable with leading defence companies such as BAE Systems, Babcock and Lockheed Martin to explore Britain’s next steps on tariffs and customs arrangements; skills and movement of employees; research and development funding; and common standards – with an aim of exploiting the opportunities provided by Brexit.
The defence sector employs 142,000 people and is worth around £9.4Bn to the UK economy annually, exporting £7.7Bn of goods and services per year.
Minister for Exiting the European Union, David Jones, said: “The UK is a leader in defence technology and one of the world’s largest defence exporters. We are determined that this industry, which is worth more than nine billion pounds to the UK each year, will continue to thrive after our departure from the EU.
“Today’s meeting has been an excellent opportunity to engage with some of the leading defence industry figures and to discuss opportunities, and priorities, ahead of the EU withdrawal negotiations.”
The event organised by the ADS Group and hosted by Rolls Royce is the latest in a series of roundtables and other engagement activities the government is having with business leaders and key stakeholders to make sure the UK is well placed to take advantage of new opportunites arising from Brexit.
Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin, said: “Supported by our rising defence budget and £178Bn Equipment Plan, defence businesses deliver highly skilled, high wage jobs and drive innovation across the UK. We are determined that the UK defence industry will continue to thrive after we leave the EU.”
For further information and to book your place, please click here.
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