To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many jobs are (a) directly and (b) indirectly linked to munitions production.

This Government recognises the vital role defence plays not only in our national security but also to the economic prosperity and growth of the United Kingdom.

The most recent estimates show that in 2021-22, MOD spent £950 million in the Weapons and Ammunition industry which supported an estimated 5,200 industry wide jobs in the UK. This included 2,700 direct jobs specifically in the Weapons and Ammunition sector and a further 2,500 indirect jobs across all industry sectors to deliver end products and service requirements. Updated jobs figures for 2022-23 will be published later this year.