MOD releases defence spending figures for 2018/19

Homeland February 3, 2020

The MOD has released figures from 2018/19 showing how defence spending contributed to public expenditure in the UK.

The defence spending figures put overall 2018/2019 expenditure at £19.2billion. In Scotland, MOD expenditure rose by 4.6 per cent, making Scotland the only region to see a year-on-year increase in total expenditure since 2013/14, with an average yearly increase of 4 per cent.

The South West continues to lead in employment, followed closely by the South East. The South West is a notable defence hub with helicopter manufacturing in Yeovil and Rolls Royce engine manufacturing in Bristol.

Ben Wallace, Defence Secretary, said: “Defence continues to provide security and prosperity for the UK as we see billions invested in every corner of the country and the subsequent hundreds of thousands of jobs.”

“As we continue to innovate and improve the defence enterprise, it is essential that we recruit and retain the best of British skills and talent to ensure we meet our goals.”

MOD: Official partner of DPRTE 2020.

An average of £290 is being spent on defence for each person living in the UK. This figure has stayed consistent over the past three years after adjusting for inflation.

Wales saw an 11 per cent rise in overall expenditure, the highest of all areas. In Scotland, MOD expenditure rose by 4.6 per cent, making Scotland the only region to see a year-on-year increase in total expenditure since 2013/14, with an average yearly increase of 4 per cent.

MOD expenditure on shipbuilding continued to increase, rising by a further 2 per cent since 2017/18. Shipbuilding in the North West now accounts for 60 per cent of the region’s MOD investment, up from 53 per cent in 2017/18.

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Defence spending Economy jobs MOD shipbuilding UK Government Wales