Ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has published a new manifesto, calling on Scotland’s political parties to prioritise good animal health and welfare and support veterinary education by including a number of key asks in their party manifestos.
The manifesto calls on Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to ensure that veterinary education is properly funded and supported by removing financial barriers for universities and students, so that more homegrown talent, particularly from rural areas, can enter the profession.
The organisation is also urging the new Scottish Government to implement legislation on vital animal welfare issues, such as a complete ban on the sale and use of electric shock collars for dogs and cats and improving the welfare of farmed fish.
Launching the manifesto, BVA Scottish Branch President Vivienne Mackinnon said:“We know that there is already strong political and public backing for many of the welfare priorities we’ve set out — including a complete ban on aversive training devices like shock collars.
“The removal of financial barriers for universities and students to encourage more homegrown talent to enter the veterinary profession is vital to address the current shortage of vets in Scotland. We’re eager to work with all parties on these important issues and are urging candidates to speak with vets in their constituencies to gain a better understanding of veterinary workforce and animal welfare issues.
“Vets play a vital role in keeping pets healthy, protecting both animals and the public from disease, and ensuring high standards across the food supply chain. Our manifesto highlights the key animal welfare and workforce issues that matter most to our members across the Scottish veterinary community and calls for cross-party commitments to take meaningful action”
BVA is urging the veterinary community in Scotland to read the manifesto, share it with their networks, and engage their local MSP on veterinary education funding, shock collar ban, and five other key calls to action:
Improve the welfare of farmed fish- Implement legislation based upon the principles of humane slaughter of farmed fish as set out by the Animal Welfare Committee. As an interim measure, we welcome the new statutory guidance issued by the Government under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.
Teach children about animal welfare- Make animal welfare and sentience part of the national curriculum. Children should learn about animals’ needs, duty of care, and the meaning of sentience so they grow up treating animals and people with compassion and respect.
Support the veterinary workforce– Streamline the visa/sponsorship process for international vets to attract and support veterinary talent from overseas and sustain the vital roles they contribute to in Scotland, including public health.
Tighten the regulation of fireworks- Implement the recommendations of the Fireworks Review Group as soon as possible and ensure effective application of Firework Control Zones across the country.
Champion the veterinary voice in farming policy- The veterinary profession should be recognised as a key partner in shaping agricultural policy. The new Government must commit to maintaining the current level of resource spent on the scanning surveillance network to safeguard both animal and public health.
BVA is the leading body representing vets in the UK, with around 19,000 members, including nearly 2,500 in Scotland.
SNP GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS OVER 30,000 VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN EDINBURGH
The SNP Government is supporting 31,810 disabled people in Edinburgh through the Adult Disability Payment, according to new figures from Social Security Scotland.
As of July 2025, 17,865,375 Adult Disability Payments had been made across Scotland, including 1,122,265 in Edinburgh. A total of 484,055 people are receiving support this way.
The Payment, distributed by Social Security Scotland, goes to those with a long-term disability or health condition that impacts their everyday life. It can amount to up to £110 a week.
Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “In government, the SNP has built a social security system rooted in dignity, fairness and respect.
“This had made an enormous difference to people across Edinburgh, with 1,122,265 payments issued and 31,810 vulnerable adults supported to live fulfilled lives.
“Every person who needs support should be able to access it, and the SNP will keep delivering that.
“I encourage everyone in the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency and the wider city who thinks they could be eligible to check and ensure they get the support they are entitled to.”
TODAY (Friday 19 September), the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee will visit Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow in Inverclyde, as well as XLCC, a subsea cable manufacturer, and Peel Ports Group in North Ayrshire.
Taking their scrutiny out of Holyrood, the Committee will be hosted by Ferguson Marine for an overview of the shipbuilding operations, an update on the progress of delivery of Glen Rosa and a meeting with the Senior Leadership Team, including the new chief executive, Graeme Thomson, who took up the position on May 1, 2025.
The Committee has taken a long-term interest in monitoring the much delayed and over-budget delivery of the Glen Rosa (Hull 802), as well as its sister ship the Glen Sannox (Hull 801), which finally went into operation earlier this year. The Committee continues to receive quarterly progress updates.
The delegation will then travel to North Ayrshire to visit XLCC Hunterston to learn more about their new subsea cable manufacturing facility.
Members hope to gain a broader understanding of how renewable energy can be transmitted over long distances, including from offshore wind farms and international interconnectors.
The Committee’s final meeting will be at Fairlie with Peel Ports Group, the UK’s second largest port operator. The Committee hope to learn more about the Hunterston Port and Resource Centre (PARC), a large deep-water industrial port campus owned by the Group, which is being made into a multi-industry energy and marine campus.
The Committee will take the opportunity to discuss the Peel Ports owned Ardrossan Harbour redevelopment project, which aims to upgrade both marine and landside infrastructure to improve ferry services to the Isle of Arran.
Committee Members attending are Convener Edward Mountain MSP, Deputy Convener Michael Matheson MSP and Monica Lennon MSP. Irene Campbell, Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran will also be attending the North Ayrshire portion of the visit.
Convener of the Committee, Edward Mountain MSP said:“This visit will begin with us hearing first-hand from FMPG about progress in getting the Glen Rosa fit for launching next year.
“Ferry users on the Firth of Clyde – residents in Arran in particular – have been waiting a long time and want reassurance that the timetable will not slip any further.
“We look forward to hearing about the Glen Rosa’s completion from FMPG’s management and workers and about their hopes and plans for the yard’s future.
“Later when we travel to Hunterston, we’ll have a chance to put questions to Peel Ports about the prospects for the Brodick service being restored to Ardrossan.
“We’re also interested to hear from Peel Ports about their plans to transform Hunterston PARC into a green economic hub and bring skilled employment opportunities to the area. These include exciting opportunities in subsea cable manufacturing and the role this can play in connecting renewable energy to where it’s needed most. We look forward to hearing from XLCC about their cabling project.
“Scrutiny doesn’t just happen at Holyrood. Getting out and about, engaging directly with industry and local stakeholders is an important way of our being able to better understand sectors under our remit.”
A landmark Bill to place victims and witnesses at the heart of the justice system has been passed by Parliament.
The Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill contains historic reforms to transform victims’ and witnesses’ experience of the justice system and ensure they are treated with compassion, while continuing to safeguard the rights of the accused.
Key reforms include abolishing the ‘not proven’ verdict in all criminal trials to help create a clearer, fairer and more transparent decision-making process. The jury majority required for a conviction will move from a simple majority to at least two-thirds to ensure fairness and balance.
The Bill will see trauma-informed practice embedded across the system to avoid victims being re-traumatised by the legal process. It will improve the Victim Notification Scheme and establish an independent Victims and Witnesses Commissioner for Scotland to champion their rights.
The legislation also includes significant new measures to meet the needs of survivors of sexual offences by:
establishing a specialist Sexual Offences Court to enable complainers to give their best evidence while minimising the potential for re-traumatisation
protecting the dignity of victims of sexual offences through an automatic lifelong right of anonymity
providing an automatic right to independent legal representation for complainers in sexual offence cases when an application is made in court to lead evidence of the complainer’s sexual history or character
creating a legal right for victims in rape and serious sexual offences cases to access transcripts of the court proceedings free of charge.
The Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill represents one of the most significant reforms of Scotland's justice system since devolution.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “This historic legislation will put victims and witnesses at the heart of a modern and fair justice system.
“By changing culture, process and practice across the system, it will help to ensure victims are heard, supported, protected and treated with compassion, while the rights of the accused will continue to be safeguarded.
“This legislation, which builds on progress in recent years, has been shaped by the voices of victims, survivors, their families and support organisations, and it is testimony to their tireless efforts to campaign for further improvement.
I am grateful to those who bravely shared their experiences to inform the development of this legislation and pave a better, more compassionate path for others.”
UK Government has announced over £1.25 billion of inward investment from US finance companies, creating 1,800 jobs
New US investments will create 1,800 jobs from Belfast to Edinburgh and boost benefits for millions of customers.
Total of over £1.25 billion of private US investment committed to the UK’s world-leading financial services sector including PayPal, Bank of America, Citi Bank, and S&P.
Demonstrates the enduring strength of the UK-US ‘golden corridor’ in financial services, with British banks expanding operations into the US and booming cross-border investment flows reinforcing that working with America is best for Britain.
Deal lines up £20 billion in trade between the two nations – including an expected £7 billion commitment from BlackRock to grow in the UK.
London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester are set to benefit from a wave of new US investment into the financial services sector, reinforcing the strength of the UK-US economic partnership ahead of next week’s Presidential State Visit.
The Westminster government says working with America is best for Britain — and today’s announcement proves it. A total of over £1.25 billion in private sector commitments from leading US firms — including PayPal, Bank of America, Citi Bank, and S&P Global — will support job creation, drive innovation, and deliver improved services for consumers in the UK.
US giants are capitalising on Britain’s leadership in financial services – expanding operations and opening new offices across the nation, with London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester set to gain from a wave of skilled job creation.
Bank of America is set to create up to 1,000 new jobs in Belfast, marking its first-ever operation in Northern Ireland — a major milestone that underscores the region’s growing role in global financial services.
Citi Group today confirms it is investing £1.1 billion across its UK operations, including a further commitment to growing its presence in Northern Ireland where the bank is already one of the top employers in Belfast now employing over 4,000 people — firmly establishing Belfast as a major technology powerhouse.
BlackRock are celebrating the opening of their new Edinburgh office this week, which will see their 800-strong footprint nearly double, as part of their multi-billion dollar investment into the UK.
In Manchester, S&P Global are investing over £4 million into their Manchester offices which will support 200 permanent jobs to boost their nearly 3,000-strong UK workforce.
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Today’s announcements reinforce the UK’s position as the world’s leading investment destination. Our financial services sector is at the heart of a modern, dynamic Industrial Strategy.
“Strengthening ties with the US boosts our economy, creates jobs, and secures our role in global finance, delivering on our Plan for Change.
“These investments reflect the strength of our enduring ‘golden corridor’ with one of our closest trading partners, ahead of the US Presidential State Visit.”
This marks a significant vote of confidence in the UK’s position as a global financial hub and in the government’s plan to make Britain the best place in the world to invest — a vision underpinned by the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, which is driving investment into priority sectors like financial services.
These investments highlight the enduring value of the transatlantic relationship — a cornerstone of shared prosperity that supports millions of jobs and drives growth in every region.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “This commitment from America’s leading financial institutions demonstrates the immense potential of the UK economy, our strong relationship with the US and the confidence global investors have in our Plan for Change, which is making the UK the best place in the world to invest and do business.
“These investments will create thousands of high-skilled jobs from Belfast to Edinburgh, kickstarting the growth that is essential to putting money in working people’s pockets across every part of the United Kingdom.”
Broadridge is making major investments into their new London office, further strengthening its UK presence and deepening transatlantic ties in financial services.
As part of the UK’s expanding fintech and digital innovation sector, PayPal is announcing a £150m investment in product innovations and growth that will benefit customers throughout the UK, reinforcing Britain’s position as a key market for the brand globally.
Jane Fraser, Citi Group CEO said:“Citi’s commitment to the UK runs deep. This is home to many of our most senior leaders and nearly 14,000 colleagues across London, Belfast, Edinburgh and Jersey.
“We’re proud to be serving 85% of the FTSE 100 and to have stood beside UK companies through every market cycle, raising capital, financing growth and helping them compete on the world stage.
“The UK isn’t simply one of our largest markets; it is core to Citi’s foundation as a truly global bank.”
The UK-US investment relationship has never been stronger, with over £1.2 trillion invested in each other’s countries at the end of 2023.
These new investment announcements are accompanied by new significant commitments by financial companies to ramp up their commercial activity and capital flows between our two economies in the coming years.
Blackrock is expecting to allocate over £7 billion to the UK market next year on behalf of clients, and is investing £500 million into enterprise data centres across the country.
Rothesay is planning to double its investment in the US (by £7 billion) over the next few years, and OakNorth is committing to increased capital and lending of over £3.5 billion to support its US operations.
British banks are expanding their US footprint; Barclays alone has deployed over $2 trillion in capital across the US in 2024 and continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening UK-US investment ties. The bank has an ambition to double this amount over the next decade, expanding its footprint and supporting growth across sectors.
All in all, that will see investment and capital commitments of over £8 billion coming to the UK, and over £12 billion going the other way, creating jobs and opportunity in both countries.
Earlier this year, the Chancellor launched the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, which included financial services as a high growth sector, signifying the UK’s commitment improving financial regulations and driving investment and skilled jobs into the UK.
The UK and US agreed an Economic Prosperity Deal which secured major tariff reductions for key sectors and protected jobs in the automotive and aerospace sector. Discussions continue with the US on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, strengthen supply chains and boost access for our world-leading services companies.
BlackRock will open their new Edinburgh offices on 18 September, which shows their ongoing commitment to the area – this new home will allow Blackrock to grow from 800 to 1,400. Once complete, two of the top five largest BlackRock offices will be in the UK.
Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, said: “As the largest asset manager in the UK, BlackRock is proud to serve over 13 million British people who are saving for retirement. Today we are announcing an investment of half a billion pounds into enterprise data centres across the country, advancing digital infrastructure for British-based businesses.
“In addition, over the last year our clients around the world invested over £7bn into UK public equity and fixed income securities. We expect this trend to continue, supporting jobs, growth and innovation across a wide range of British industries.”
Gordon Macdonald MSP has welcomed new proposals laid before the Scottish Parliament which will see unpaid carers in Edinburgh receive greater financial support, including a brand-new annual payment worth up to £520 for those who care for more than one person.
The Carer Additional Person Payment is expected to benefit around 18,000 people across Scotland and will form part of the SNP Scottish Government’s new Carer Support benefit package. This marks another milestone in Scotland’s distinct approach to social security, built on the SNP’s principles of dignity, fairness and respect.
Other measures include extending the Young Carer Grant to 19 year olds, widening access to Carer Support following the death of the cared-for person, and easing rules around breaks in caring responsibilities.
Commenting, Gordon Macdonald MSP said:
“Unpaid carers make an enormous contribution in communities across the city, supporting family, friends and neighbours with dedication and love. The SNP is once again showing it recognises that contribution by putting money directly into the pockets of those caring for more than one person.
“This new payment, alongside the existing Carer Support Payment and Carer Supplement, will provide vital help at a time when so many carers are juggling even more financial pressures with the demands of looking after loved ones because of Labour’s austerity measures and cost of living crisis.
“This is another clear example of the SNP doing everything we can with the powers we have to deliver a fairer social security system for Scotland – one rooted in compassion and respect, and that improves lives where Westminster has failed carers for far too long.”
I, Dhruva Kumar, Former MP Candidate for Glasgow South, write with great concern about the publication of the latest Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) report.
At present, it doesn’t paint a pretty picture, with a fiscal deficit of £26 billion in 2024-25, equivalent to nearly 12% of Scotland’s GDP. The UK figure is larger in cash terms, unsurprisingly, but significantly smaller in relative terms at around 5% of GDP.
Once again, we are treated to the annual ritual of the GERS figures, paraded as though they were a true reflection of Scotland’s finances. The reality is very different.
Every year, the GERS report is wheeled out to suggest Scotland is running a deficit too large for independence. But GERS doesn’t measure the finances of an independent Scotland—it measures Scotland under Westminster rule.
GERS is not an account of what an independent Scotland would look like. It is a snapshot of Scotland under Westminster control. The figures are compiled largely by the UK Treasury, riddled with estimates and assumptions, and loaded with spending on projects that bring no benefit to Scots – from HS2 in England to Trident nuclear weapons on the Clyde.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s vast revenues from oil, gas, whisky, renewables, and exports are understated, or simply swallowed up into UK-wide accounts. The result is a manufactured “deficit” that is then used to tell us we are “too poor” to be independent.
If Ireland had listened to London’s version of its accounts in 1922, it would never have left the Union. Today, Ireland is more prosperous than the UK. The lesson is clear: the only deficit Scotland truly suffers is the deficit of self-government.
We will not accept Westminster’s rigged figures as gospel. Scotland is one of the most resource-rich nations in Europe. With independence, we can build an economy designed for our people, instead of living with a balance sheet designed to keep us in our place.
‘IS OUR SAFETY REALLY A PRICE WORTH PAYING FOR THIS KIND OF GESTURE POLITICS?‘
Scotland Against Antisemitismhas delivered an open letter to First Minister John Swinney, warning that the Scottish Government’s recent announcement on Israel risks inflaming antisemitism and further endangering Scotland’s Jewish community.
The letter has already gathered almost 3000 signatures, including lawyers, politicians, educators, clergy, students, and concerned citizens across Scotland and beyond, with numbers continuing to rise.
Scotland’s Jewish community numbers around just 5,000 people — 0.093% of the population — yet were victims of 17% of all religiously motivated hate crimes last year. The letter warns that language from government risks legitimising this hostility, emboldening extremists, and deepening the isolation of Jewish Scots.
Leah Benoz, Founder and Director of Scotland Against Antisemitism, said: “The Scottish Governmenthas no power over foreign policy, and the proposed funding cuts are tiny and will have no effect on events in the Middle East.
“Not one Palestinian life will be saved by these measures, but Jewish life in Scotland will be put further at risk. Our question to Mr Swinney is simple; is our safety really a price worth paying for this kind of gesture politics?”
The letter calls on the government to:
• Retract inflammatory language, particularly around “genocide”
• Engage with the Jewish community in Scotland
• Commit to concrete measures to protect Jewish safety
THE LETTER READS:
Dear First Minister Swinney,
We at Scotland Against Antisemitism write with grave concern following yesterday’s announcement from the Scottish Government regarding Israel.
As you are no doubt aware, our small and increasingly vulnerable community is living in an extraordinarily hostile environment, one that has only worsened since October 7th. We number around 5,000 people, just 0.093% of Scotland’s population, yet we were the victims of approximately 17% of all religiously motivated hate crimes last year. That figure alone should be a matter of national shame.
The human suffering in Gaza is real and cannot be understated, nor is it our intention to do so. But we must be absolutely clear with you about the real-world impact of the measures your government has announced.
The accusation of genocide is one of the gravest under international law. It requires an exceptional standard of proof that can only be met in a court of law by producing irrefutable evidence of intent. Neither viral propaganda nor the claims of discredited UN figures such as Francesca Albanese, who denies proven sexual atrocities and is accused of misrepresenting her legal credentials, or Tom Fletcher, author of the immediately debunked “14,000 dead babies” allegation, are sufficient. For the Scottish Government to endorse this modern-day blood libel will not save a single innocent life in Gaza, but it will embolden those who now use the language of genocide to justify the harassment and intimidation of Jews here in Scotland.
The Scottish Government holds no power over foreign policy and no meaningful influence over the State of Israel. The decision to pull a tiny amount of funding from a handful of commercial projects will not impact the Israeli government or change the course of the war. In short, the only people this announcement will materially affect are Scottish Jews who are already under siege.
We believe, with sorrow and outrage, that this decision was made to appease a small, extremist, and increasingly aggressive fringe of the activist class,a group whose support is being courted for political reasons. It appears the government has calculated that the cost of alienating Scotland’s Jews will be outweighed by electoral rewards.
But in the very week that yet more members of our community are leaving Scotland for Israel out of fear, we ask you plainly:
Is our safety really a price worth paying?
We call on the Scottish Government to retract its inflammatory language and meet with the Jewish community to discuss how the government plans to protect us — not just in words, but in action.
Ian Murray MP has accepted a new role following his dismissal from the post of Scottish Secretary on Thursday.
The Edinburgh South MP has been appointed Minister of State jointly in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Minister Angela Rayner is now complete.
The new cabinet including junior ministerial appointments is:
Rt Hon David Lammy MP as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. He will also be Deputy Prime Minister
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. He will remain Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister
Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP as Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP as Secretary of State for the Home Department
Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP as Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade
Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Emma Reynolds MP as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP as Secretary of State for Scotland
Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip). He is a member of Cabinet
Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP as Lord President of the Council, and Leader of the House of Commons. He will attend Cabinet
Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP and Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP have left the Government.
Jason Stockwood as Minister of State (Minister for Investment) jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury
Dan Jarvis MP as Minister of State in the Cabinet Office. He will remain Minister of State for the Home Department
Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern as Minister of State (Minister for Skills) in the Department for Work and Pensions. She will remain Minister of State (Minister for Skills and Minister for Women and Equalities) in the Department for Education
Lord Vallance KCB as Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. He will remain Minister of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Michael Shanks MP as Minister of State jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Alison McGovern MP as Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP as Minister of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP as Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions
Sarah Jones MP as Minister of State for the Home Department
His Majesty has also been pleased to signify His intention of conferring a Peerage of the United Kingdom for Life on Jason Stockwood.
Baroness Gustafsson CBE, Jim McMahon MP, and Daniel Zeichner MP have left the Government.
Anna Turley MP as Minister of State in the Cabinet Office (Minister without Portfolio). She will attend Cabinet
Alex Norris MP as Minister of State in the Home Department
Sir Chris Bryant MP as Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade
Luke Pollard MP as Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence
Georgia Gould MP as Minister of State in the Department for Education
Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP as Solicitor General
Lucy Rigby MP as Parliamentary Secretary (Economic Secretary to the Treasury) in HM Treasury
Maria Eagle MP and Catherine McKinnell MP have left the Government.
Rt Hon Ian Murray MP as Minister of State jointly in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Chris Ward MP as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office
Seema Malhotra MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. She will remain as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) in the Department for Education
Mike Tapp MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Department
Louise Jones MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence
Baroness Levitt KC as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Samantha Dixon MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Dr Zubir Ahmed MP as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care
Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Catherine West MP, Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, and Lord Khan of Burnley have left the Government.
Unprecedented UK defence sector growth with more than £1.4 billion in foreign direct investment committed in just 12 months.
More than 1,700 new jobs being created across the UK, delivering on this Government’s Plan for Change.
Ministers saw British innovation and investment in action with visits to Greenford and Farringdon.
More than 1,700 new jobs are being created as the UK’s defence sector drives unprecedented growth across the country, following at least £1.4 billion foreign direct investment being announced since July 2024.
This success reflects the Government’s commitment to making defence an engine for economic growth across the UK. The increase in annual foreign direct investment from international companies demonstrates the confidence that companies feel to invest in the UK, alongside the Government’s historic uplift in defence spending, providing a significant boost to the UK economy and showing more countries are choosing to invest in facilities in Britain.
The increased investment is supporting the UK’s defence industrial base, with thousands of new jobs created and supported across the country, including manufacturing, engineering, and business service roles. Recent investments include an expanded drone manufacturing facility in Hampshire, shipbuilding secured in Belfast, and the investment in artillery systems manufacture in Telford.
The soon to be published Defence Industrial Strategy will set out how the UK will further strengthen its defence industrial base and supply chains, enhance sovereign capabilities, and position Britain as a global leader in defence technology whilst creating high-skilled jobs and driving economic growth across the country.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP, said: “This record new investment is a confirmed vote of confidence in Britain.
“In a new era for defence, I am backing British industry, British innovators and British jobs.
“A strong defence industrial base helps keep Britain safe and makes defence an engine for growth.”
Ministers showcased this momentum yesterday with visits highlighting new British defence innovation sites.
The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, opened Ultra Maritime’s new £20 million manufacturing facility in Greenford, London, which will employ 100 staff including 35 new manufacturing and testing roles focused on producing cutting-edge sonobuoys for anti-submarine warfare systems.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, said: “Ultra Maritime’s innovative work supports the Royal Navy to help keep the UK safe, whilst backing dozens of skilled manufacturing jobs.
“By deepening their investment in state-of-the-art facilities, it is another demonstration of the confidence defence firms have in growing their companies in the UK.”
The Defence Industrial Strategy will ensure we continue to attract world-class companies to the UK, creating high-skilled jobs and cementing Britain’s position as a global defence technology leader.
The Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, opened Arondite’s new Farringdon office, celebrating a British defence-tech company building AI software to connect autonomous systems. Veteran-founded Arondite announced a £100 million investment in advanced R&D, expanding its UK footprint and creating 100 new high-skilled jobs.
Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, said: “Arondite’s expansion represents exactly the kind of British innovation and entrepreneurship that exemplifies Defence as an engine for growth – combining cutting-edge AI technology with job creation and sovereign capability development.
“As outlined in the SDR, we are creating a new partnership with business and making it easier for SMEs to do business with Defence. Through our Defence Industrial Strategy, we’re backing brilliant British companies like veteran-founded Arondite to scale up, create careers, and keep our nation secure in an increasingly complex world.”
These developments build on the Government’s delivery of the Strategic Defence Review, which provided the strategic framework for strengthening Britain’s defence capabilities to meet the new era of threat, whilst harnessing the Prime Minister’s historic defence investment to create jobs and opportunity in communities nationwide.
