Council champions defence jobs and investment at Westminster
Thousands of new jobs could be created in Telford as part of ambitious plans which would see the area designated a Defence Growth Zone in a move which would reinforce the Borough’s position as a national leader in defence innovation and advanced manufacturing.
Thousands of new jobs could be created in Telford as part of ambitious plans which would see the area designated a Defence Growth Zone in a move which would reinforce the Borough’s position as a national leader in defence innovation and advanced manufacturing.
Telford & Wrekin Council Leader, Councillor Lee Carter, and Telford MP Shaun Davies, met with Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence along with other senior representatives from Central Government to reinforce Telford’s position as a national hub for defence.
The meeting highlighted Telford’s ambition to be central to national plans for future investment in Defence. This forms part of a wider strategy to deliver cutting-edge defence facilities, ensuring the area remains at the heart of the UK’s defence capability.
Councillor Carter emphasised the Council’s commitment to working with Government and industry partners to unlock investment opportunities, strengthen supply chains, and deliver high-spec facilities that support national security and economic growth. These plans build on recent milestones, including the establishment of Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) at Telford Business Park, which will manufacture Challenger 3 tanks and Boxer armoured vehicles under a £950m contract, creating hundreds of highly skilled jobs locally.
Councillor Lee Carter, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council said: “Telford is a Borough of makers with a proud track record in advanced manufacturing and defence. Today’s discussions reaffirm our shared ambition to modernise MOD Donnington, strengthen our defence cluster, and deliver thousands of new jobs for local people.
“The conversations were supported by Telford MP Shaun Davies and were all very constructive and positive. I was also delighted to follow up conversations with Steve Reed MP following his recent visit to Telford, to discuss potential future investment opportunities for the Borough.
As part of the visit to Westminster, Councillor Carter also spent time with Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The meeting was a follow-up to the Mr Reed’s recent visit to Telford with chancellor Rachel Reeves, when they chose Telford as the location to launch the new Pride in Place initiative which will see £20m of Government money invested in Telford, which the Council will boost with a further £10m to support local communities. The follow-up meeting in London allowed the Leader of the Council to discuss and pitch for further investment in Telford and Wrekin to unlock opportunities and create more jobs in the Borough.