To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Government backing future British defence unicorns published on 19 May 2026, what steps he is taking to ensure fair competition between established firms and defence unicorns.

The defence unicorns were selected by the Defence Secretary through the Commercial X function to deliver specific projects which align strongly with the objectives of the Defence Industrial Strategy, including the need to innovate at wartime pace, grow the United Kingdom (UK) industrial base, and position the UK at the leading edge of defence innovation. The firms were also selected based on their potential to grow significantly in the coming years. Any future contract awards will be subject to procurement regulations as well as assessments of frontline need, technical and operational capability and defence investment priorities.

The Defence Office for Small Business Growth is working in parallel to remove or reduce barriers for small businesses in the defence sector, from lengthy procurement cycles, to disproportionate terms and conditions, all with a view to strengthening our national resilience and driving localised growth.