The Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt. Hon. Gavin Williamson MP, visited Stoke-on-Trent today to visit local factories making parts and equipment for the defence industry.

The Secretary of State was invited to visit by Stoke-on-Trent South MP Jack Brereton, who joined him at Goodwin International in Newstead, where parts are made for the naval and aerospace defence industries supplying the armed forces of the United Kingdom, and also those of allied countries.

Gavin Williamson said, “It’s great to be here at Goodwin’s and it goes to show how important investing in defence is, creating jobs here in Stoke-on-Trent and right around the country.

“By investing in defence what we are seeing is many local companies really benefiting, investing in technology, investing in skills, and creating jobs.”

Jack said, “High-tech manufacturing is one of our biggest strengths in Stoke-on-Trent. The engineers and products at Goodwin’s are a fantastic example of what we can do here.”

“I was proud to be able to show the Secretary of State what we can do, and to push for more of the equipment for our wonderful armed forces to be made here in Stoke-on-Trent.”