To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Q128 of the oral evidence given by the Chief Executive, Defence Equipment and Support, to the Public Accounts Committee on 22 January 2024, HC 451, what steps he is taking to increase the number of master welders in defence manufacturing.

It is generally the responsibility of industry to develop and employ the skilled workforce they need to win and deliver Defence contracts. However, as identified in the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS) and more recently the Defence Command Paper Refresh (DCPR), the Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that it can help industry by being as transparent as possible about future requirements, thereby providing confidence for workforce planning and investment. To this end, the Department publishes its future pipeline of work via the Equipment Plan, Defence Capability Framework, Acquisition Pipelines, and sector strategies such as the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the Land Industrial Strategy.

The MOD is engaged with the Engineering Council and with the Professional Engineering Institutes, including The Welding Institute, to enhance Defence's reputation as a lead employer for Professional Registration. The Head of Profession for Defence Engineering is engaged with the Defence Suppliers Forum and Defence Equipment and Support to consider the career proposition for young technicians and engineers within the defence sector. The Defence Engineering Profession is also working alongside the Professional Engineering Institutes to further standardise the recognition of training and engineering skills.