PwC reacts to the publication of the Defence Industrial Strategy

Ian Hillier, UK Defence Leader at PwC, said:

“The Strategy reflects the critical role of the private defence industry to our national security – and the acute importance of innovation and agility to the UK’s military readiness.

“With tens of thousands of jobs to be created by the uplift in defence spending, availability of talent is one of the most significant challenges to the development of a world-leading advanced defence industry, capable of developing and producing new technologies at scale.

“The new funding for the Defence Technical Excellence Colleges will be welcomed by industry, increasing the availability of relevant skills and improving the sector’s innovation and productivity through the attraction and development of new talent. This intervention, coupled with investment in the whole defence supply chain to enable a greater use of data exploitation, more agile supply chains and closer collaboration will further support the industry.

“The DIS also recognises the transformational effect of investment in defence hubs like Plymouth and Sheffield – places identified in our Good Growth for Cities research launched this week as performing strongly for the availability for skills, but below average on income. Well-paid defence roles and improved routes into employment, developed in partnership with local government, education providers and industry have the potential to create a much wider, knock-on benefit for regional economies.”