LONDON, April 13 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
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New Defence Growth Dealto boostskills, research and development and supply chainsacross South Yorkshire.
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Investmentwill supporthundreds ofwell-paid jobsand makedefence an engine for growth.
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Yorkshire and the Humberbenefits fromalmost£1billiona year indefence spending,supporting3,200 jobs.
South Yorkshire willbenefitfrom a£50 million investmentto createhighly-skilledjobs and strengthen UK national security.
A new Defence GrowthDeal, which Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP discussed with industry today at the University of Sheffield, willhelpdefence companies and boost skills by expandingcutting-edgedefence research in South Yorkshire.
Thetargeted funding is part of theSouth Yorkshire Defence Growth Dealandwill catalysegrowthacross the region byboosting innovative R&D capacity andreinforcingthe supply chains defencecompaniesneed to equip our ArmedForces.
The region is alreadyadefenceindustryhotbed,with3,200 jobs in Yorkshire and the Humber directly supported by almost £1 billionof defence spending each year,drivingdefence as an engine for growth.
Major facilities such asthe MOD-owned SheffieldForgemastersandBAE Systems'advanced artilleryfactorycomplementdefenceSMEs,contributingto growth in the region and producingvital kit which keeps Britain safenow and in the future, such as howitzer gun barrelsand steel fortheDreadnought-class next generation ofsubmarines.
Luke Pollard MPmetwithMayor of South Yorkshire Oliver CoppardattheUniversity ofSheffield'sAdvanced Manufacturing Research Centre,whichconducts crucial research to develop hi-tech innovative defence equipment of the future.
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said:
This £50 million investment willmeanSouth Yorkshire'ssuperbdefence companiescandevelop innovativenewtechnology, helping strengthen our Armed Forces and keep Britain safein this new era of threat.
With government, industry and academia - such as the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre - working hand in hand we are making sure this supportis really targeted where it will have the biggest impact.
Through this Defence Growth Deal our government is backing British, and backing South Yorkshire. We're harnessing the proud industrial base in this area to make defence an engine for growth, delivering new jobs and skills for local people.
Today's discussion included establishinga South Yorkshire Defence Board,deepeningcollaborationbetweenthe government, South Yorkshire'smayoralauthority,industryand academia,workinghand-in-handon makingtheGrowth Deal as effective as possiblewhileattracting long-term public and private investment.
South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard said:
In an ever more dangerous world, South Yorkshire has a significant role to play in the defence and security of the United Kingdom and our allies.
The £50 million Defence Growth Deal we have been awarded by the government doesn't simply recognise the expertise and assets we have here today, it will help us to build the technologies and innovations of the future.
That Deal will mean we can continue making things, creating secure, well‑paid jobs, giving people across South Yorkshire the opportunity to stay near and go far. All while helping to keep the UK and our allies safe, secure and protected.
This£50 million boostdirectly responds to the Strategic Defence Review's commitment tosupportingthe UK'sdefenceindustry'sinnovation,andwill help make defence an engine for growth by powering investment and jobs across SouthYorkshire.
The UK is delivering the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, hitting 2.6% of GDPfrom2027.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
