The defence industry remains at the heart of Plymouth’s economy and provides more than 10 per cent of the city’s full time employment, Council leader Tudor Evans has told an influential House of Commons committee.
Councillor Evans was giving evidence to the Defence Committee as part of its inquiry into the MOD’s defence industrial and procurement policies in relation to UK prosperity and its impact on the defence supply chain.
The committee heard that defence is worth £685m in GVA to the city – 14 per cent of the city’s total GVA. It also supports 369 suppliers in the defence supply chain.
Thanking Councillor Evans for his evidence, Defence Committee chair Tobias Ellwood MP said: “The passion in which you have spoken today is very evident indeed and it has been very helpful, giving us an insight and a case study looking at Plymouth.”
Watch Councillor Evans giving evidence to the committee: