Select Committee · Scottish Affairs Committee
Securing Scotland’s Future: Defence Skills and Jobs
Status: Open
Opened: 27 Oct 2025
The UK Government has committed to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, with plans to reach 3% in the next Parliament. Given Scotland’s significant role in the UK’s defence sector, this inquiry will explore how Scotland’s economy and job market can benefit, particularly through the creation of highly skilled jobs. The Committee … Show more
Oral evidence sessions
| Date | Witnesses | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Jun 2026 | Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC RM · Ministry of Defence, Calum Taylor · Ministry of Defence, Luke Pollard MP · Ministry of Defence | View ↗ |
| 9 Jun 2026 | The Rt Hon. the Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT, The Rt Hon. the Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT · Robertson of Port Ellen, Lord | View ↗ |
| 22 Apr 2026 | Cathy Kane · QinetiQ, John Howie MBE · Babcock International, Mark Stead · Leonardo, Neil Holm · BAE Systems Naval Ships | View ↗ |
| 18 Mar 2026 | Gavin Donoghue · Colleges Scotland, Jim Metcalfe · Fife College, Kirsti Godson · Thales UK, Professor Chris Turney · Heriot Watt University, Professor James Hopgood · The University of Edinburgh, Steve Owens · Glasgow Science Centre, Susan Scurlock · Primary Engineer | View ↗ |
| 14 Jan 2026 | Andrew Kinniburgh · Make UK Defence, Warrick Malcolm · ADS Scotland | View ↗ |
Who gave evidence
| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Kinniburgh · General Director | Make UK Defence | 1 |
| Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC RM · Naval Regional Commander Scotland & Northern Irel… | Ministry of Defence | 1 |
| Calum Taylor · Deputy Director Industry Skills and Place | Ministry of Defence | 1 |
| Cathy Kane · LTPA Portfolio Director | QinetiQ | 1 |
| Gavin Donoghue · CEO | Colleges Scotland | 1 |
| Jim Metcalfe · Principal and Chief Executive | Fife College | 1 |
| John Howie MBE · Chief Corporate Affairs Officer | Babcock International | 1 |
| Kirsti Godson · Head of Skills and Social Impact | Thales UK | 1 |
| Luke Pollard MP · Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry | Ministry of Defence | 1 |
| Mark Stead · SVP Radar & Advanced Targeting | Leonardo | 1 |
| Neil Holm · Chief Operating Officer | BAE Systems Naval Ships | 1 |
| Professor Chris Turney · Deputy Principal Research and Impact | Heriot Watt University | 1 |
| Professor James Hopgood · CDT SPADS Lead | The University of Edinburgh | 1 |
| Steve Owens · Head of Operations | Glasgow Science Centre | 1 |
| Susan Scurlock · CEO | Primary Engineer | 1 |
| The Rt Hon. the Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT | — | 1 |
| The Rt Hon. the Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT · N/A | Robertson of Port Ellen, Lord | 1 |
| Warrick Malcolm · Director | ADS Scotland | 1 |
Correspondence
| Date | Direction | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Jun 2026 | — | Correspondence from Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industr… |
| 21 May 2026 | — | Correspondence from QinetiQ following up from 22 April session, dated 8 May 2026 |
| 4 Mar 2026 | — | Correspondence with MAKE UK Defence, regarding follow up from 14 January sessi… |
Meetings & visits
| Date | Type | Detail | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 2026 | Formal meeting (private meeting) | Defence skills and jobs – ROUNDTABLE - Session 2 · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House | |
| 26 Nov 2025 | Formal meeting (private meeting) | Defence skills and jobs – Private briefing · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House |