Local Member of Parliament Antony Higginbotham has called for a greater focus on supporting people into jobs within the defence sector following the decision to base the UK’s National Cyber Force in the Ribble Valley.
Speaking in the House of Commons Antony said:
Thanks to this Secretary of State for Defence, Lancashire is home to the newest part of the armed forces in the National Cyber Force. This brings huge opportunities to our county, including not only thousands of armed forces personnel who will eventually be stationed there, but also the cyber security companies that we hope will cluster around the site in the years ahead.
To really seize the opportunity, we need to ensure that we're giving local people the skills they need to join NCF or those in the cyber security businesses.
So, would the Minister meet with me to discuss what steps we can take to ensure the MOD is supporting the growth of a cyber cluster centered on the NCF and the links between the NCF and local educational providers?
Responding the Minister for Defence Alex Chalk MP said:
I thank the honourable gentleman for his question, indeed, for the close interest he's paid in the establishment of the National Cyber Force in Samlesbury which has cemented the north west position as a key UK cyber cluster.
My honourable friend will also be aware that last week we announced a trilateral international partnership between the UK, Japan and Italy to develop next generation Tempest fighters, which will also benefit the north west.
But he's absolutely right. In terms of skills, we need to encourage the creation of local partnerships between government, industry and universities. And I'm pleased to note that Lancaster University has announced a £19 million investment in data and cybersecurity research, teaching and innovation. I will, of course be delighted to meet him.
The National Cyber Force as part of the Minister of Defence will enable an offensive capability to combat security threats, hostile states, terror groups, extremism, hackers, disinformation and election interference. It will be based in Samlesbury and will bring high wage, high skill jobs to Lancashire.
Commenting after the debate, Antony Higginbotham MP said:
Defence is already a major part of our local economy with thousands of residents employed in the hundreds of aerospace business across Lancashire, centred around BAE Systems and Rolls Royce. And as the National Cyber Force gets established here in Lancashire, I want to do the same thing with cyber security.
That’s what I raised with the Minister, as given our proximity to the new headquarters I want to see Burnley and Padiham become home to a cluster of growing cyber security businesses, particularly as we are already one of the UK's top towns for the growth of our digital sector.
Succeeding in this mission won't just bring high skill and high paying jobs; nor will it just bring enormous benefits to UCLan and Burnley College; it will mean we in Burnley are continuing to punch above our weight in securing the UK and its allies against new and emerging threats - just as we have done for decades.
