Defence Technical Excellence Colleges: joint letter to UK Government Ministers

To: Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, UK Government, and Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Scotland

From: Stephen Flynn MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, and Alyn Smith MSP, Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education

15 October 2026

Dear Luke and Douglas,

We are writing to confirm the Scottish Government's commitment to match fund £10 million towards the Defence Technical Excellence Colleges (DTECs) in Scotland.

The defence sector is of significant strategic importance to Scotland's economy, supporting investment, innovation, manufacturing capability and highly skilled employment. Our Programme for Government commitment to a responsible Defence Industrial Growth Programme demonstrates the Scottish Government's support for the sustainable growth of Scotland's defence sector. The development of DTECs would represent an important next step in delivering that ambition, strengthening the skills pipeline needed to underpin future industrial growth and competitiveness.

Officials will now work together to develop the detailed business case and the necessary public finance appraisal and approvals processes, as set out in Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM).

We look forward to our continued collaboration as the proposal is taken forward.

Yours sincerely,

Stephen Flynn MSP

Alyn Smith MSP