UK defence contractors to offer 40,000 apprenticeships, placements and jobs

Labour's Wes Streeting announced that UK defence contractors aim to provide 40,000 apprenticeships, work experience placements, and jobs for young people annually, with the goal of reaching 50,000 by 2035. Streeting, who leads a "ministry for growth," emphasized that increased defence spending will create UK jobs and help address the issue of 1 million 16-to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neet).

Defence contractors, including BAE Systems, MDBA, and Rolls-Royce, committed to offering these opportunities to 18- to 24-year-olds by 2030, with the potential to increase to 50,000 by 2035. The pledge includes a "no wrong door" approach, directing unsuccessful applicants to other defence supply chain opportunities. Streeting sees the defence spending increase as an opportunity to re-industrialise the UK, as most defence spending takes place outside London and the southeast.

Labour aims to increase defence spending to 2.7% of GDP from next year, funded partly by cuts to overseas aid, with the target of 3% by 2030. Defence secretary John Healey has not yet committed to this target, with the decision pending a spending review. Analysts believe that hitting the 3% target may require tax increases due to tight spending plans across other Whitehall departments.

The defence jobs initiative precedes the release of former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn's final report on Neets, which highlights the importance of work experience in preparing young people for jobs and the potential of defence as an industry to provide such opportunities.