Committee publication · Correspondence · 4 March 2026 · HC 1442
Correspondence with MAKE UK Defence, regarding follow up from 14 January session, dated 20 January & 24 February 2026
From: Scottish Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Securing Scotland’s Future: Defence Skills and Jobs
Summary
Correspondence between the Scottish Affairs Committee and MAKE UK Defence following a 14 January 2026 evidence session on defence skills and jobs. MAKE UK Defence Director General Andrew Kinniburgh responds to the Committee's question about incentivising prime contractors to engage with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the defence supply chain, providing four recommendations for government and industry action.
Key findings
- Current procurement practices favour large orders to prime contractors, blocking SMEs from making private investments in people, infrastructure and innovation
- MOD commercial teams, primes and tier 1 suppliers should jointly engage SMEs through industry-led Meet the Buyer events
- Prime contractors should provide timely responses and feedback to SMEs, even negative responses, rather than leaving inquiries unanswered
- Engineers and buyers should be encouraged to engage directly with SMEs to identify and understand capabilities within the SME community
- MAKE UK Defence emphasises Scotland has a 'fantastic defence industry' that needs proper support through these mechanisms
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Andrew Kinniburgh, Patricia Ferguson MP, MAKE UK Defence, Scottish Affairs Committee, Douglas McAllister MP, UK MOD
Notable line
“… primes could be encouraged to work more with SMEs. I would be interested in hearing how that should be done and in particular what you think the UK Government …”
Key Quotes
“… by ship, which also blocks SMEs from making their own private investments in people, infrastructure and innovation.”
“Primes should ensure responses to SMEs in a timely manner and provide feedback – even if it's to say 'No'”
“… you mentioned that primes could be encouraged to work more with SMEs. I would be interested in hearing how that should be done”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗