UK Defence Contractors Pledge 50,000 Annual Youth Jobs by 2035

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting announced a commitment from UK defence contractors to create 40,000 annual apprenticeships, jobs, and work experience placements for 18- to 24-year-olds by 2030. The target will increase to 50,000 annual opportunities by 2035. Streeting described the initiative as a response to a "moral emergency" involving nearly 1 million young people who are not in education, employment, or training.

Major industry signatories, including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and Airbus, agreed to a "no wrong door" approach to ensure unsuccessful applicants are directed toward other opportunities within the defence supply chain. The program aligns with the Labour government's plan to raise defence spending to 2.7% of GDP next year, a move funded in part by reductions in overseas aid.

Chancellor John Healey, who previously served as defence secretary, had advocated for a 3% GDP spending target by 2030. However, a final decision on that specific figure has been postponed until the spending review scheduled for next year.