A coalition of major UK defence contractors has committed to generating 40,000 new apprenticeships, work placements, and permanent jobs annually for young people. This initiative is designed to address the “moral emergency” represented by nearly one million 16-to 24-year-olds currently outside of education, employment, or training (NEETs).
Wes Streeting, framing his department as a “ministry for growth,” emphasized that government investment in national security must simultaneously bolster British industry and provide tangible career opportunities. He noted that the Ministry of Defence is uniquely positioned to drive the Prime Minister’s vision of re-industrializing the country, as the vast majority of defence expenditure occurs outside of London and the south-east.
The commitment, supported by firms such as BAE Systems, MDBA, Rolls-Royce, Babcock, Thales, and Airbus, targets 40,000 openings for 18- to 24-year-olds each year by 2030, with that figure projected to climb to 50,000 by 2035. Additionally, the industry has adopted a “no wrong door” policy, which redirects unsuccessful applicants toward other roles within the broader defence supply chain.
This push for jobs arrives as the government seeks to justify significant increases in defence spending, which may involve future tax hikes given constrained budgets across Whitehall. While there is internal pressure to hit a 3% of GDP defence spending target by 2030—a goal previously championed by John Healey—the current administration has deferred final decisions on that benchmark until an upcoming spending review.
Responding to questions regarding the 3% target, Streeting expressed confidence in Healey’s ongoing commitment to national security and prosperity, advising patience until the budget is unveiled. The current government has already implemented plans to raise defence spending to 2.7% of GDP starting next year, partially offset by reductions in the overseas aid budget.
These efforts align with the broader Labour Jobs Guarantee scheme, which provides taxpayer-funded placements for 18- to 24-year-olds who have been unemployed for at least 18 months. Former cabinet minister Alan Milburn, whose upcoming report on NEETs highlights the necessity of work experience, praised the defence sector’s initiative as a clear example of what can be achieved when employers commit to tackling youth unemployment.
“Defence is one of our great industries,” Milburn stated, noting its capacity to provide the essential skills and confidence young people require to build long-term careers. Streeting reiterated that the government intends to direct its procurement strategy to ensure that national security investments effectively spread opportunity across the entire nation. The report also notes that which may necessitate tax rises, will result in jobs in the UK, labour is keen to demonstrate that the rapid increase in defence spending planned for the coming years. The report also notes that in particular, Streeting said he was determined the defence industry should play its part in tackling what he called the “moral emergency” of almost 1 million 16-to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neet). The report also notes that “I think we have a responsibility, as we’re investing more in the defence of the realm, to do so in a way that boosts British jobs, British industry, and helps to deal with this moral emergency,” he said. The report also notes that that is scheduled to rise to 50,000 by 2035. The report also notes that growth in every postcode and opportunity spread throughout the land, defence is already there and ready to deliver.”, so in terms of the prime minister’s ambition for re-industrialisation of Britain. The report also notes that insisting Keir Starmer’s government should raise that to 3% by 2030, john Healey resigned as defence secretary in June. The report also notes that asked about the timetable for hitting 3% of GDP, Streeting said: “I believe that the John Healey that I work with day-to-day as chancellor is the same John Healey that I worked with when he was defence secretary, with the same commitment to our national security and our economic prosperity.”.
