The UK’s security industry plays a vital role in supporting Britain’s national security and prosperity, says the defence and security sector trade body ADS in a ‘2016 Security Sector Outlook’.
In 2015 alone, turnover in the sector rose by 5 per cent £9.1 billion, with security exports growing to £4 billion, the trade association says. Growth in the sector has been driven by exports in the European Union, North America, and the Middle East.
The security industry is supporting more than 121,000 jobs, saw direct employment rise by over 5,000 during the year, and supports more than 2,100 apprentices.
While according to the report recent political developments have brought a degree of uncertainty to export relations, the 2016 report says that over half of UK security companies are expecting to grow by 10pc or more in the next 12 months.
Looking back on 2016, ADS says that it worked with Government and industry on the policy landscape of the sector. Government policy saw the release of the National Cyber Security Strategy, the Investigatory Powers Bill received Royal Assent, and the refreshed version of the counter-terror strategy Contest nearing its release – is expected in 2017.
For the full 16-page report visit the ADS website: https://www.adsgroup.org.uk/uk-security-outlook-report-2016/.
