Luke Pollard reappointed as UK Defence Readiness and Industry Minister

Luke Pollard has been reappointed as Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry following this week’s government reshuffle, the minister confirmed.

Pollard announced the news in a series of posts on X, stating that the Prime Minister had asked him to stay in the role. He has held the readiness and industry brief since September 2025, having previously served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces from July 2024. He set out that his job over the past two years had been to boost the UK’s warfighting readiness, procure new equipment for the armed forces and make defence an engine for growth, and said the reappointment would allow that work to accelerate.

I’m grateful to the Prime Minister for reappointing me and allowing this work to accelerate with increased defence spending. I look forward to working with Wes Streeting to keep our nation and our allies safe in more dangerous times. — Luke Pollard MP (@LukePollard) July 22, 2026

“Following this week’s reshuffle, I am delighted that the Prime Minister has asked me to stay in my position as Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry,” Pollard wrote. He added: “My job for the past two years has been to boost the UK’s warfighting readiness, buy new kit for our forces and make defence an engine for growth. I’m grateful to the Prime Minister for reappointing me and allowing this work to accelerate with increased defence spending. I look forward to working with Wes Streeting to keep our nation and our allies safe in more dangerous times.”

His retention had appeared uncertain in the immediate aftermath of the reshuffle. Speaking at the Aerospace Global Forum’s Defence Summit at Farnborough the morning after Streeting’s arrival, Pollard addressed the audience as a minister not yet confirmed in his place, joking that he had left his phone on loud in case the Prime Minister called.

One senior figure in the UK defence industry, speaking to UK Defence Journal on condition of anonymity, was supportive of the decision, talking about the value of continuity in the role. The individual noted that keeping an established minister in post avoids the disruption that comes when a successor has to absorb a complex portfolio from scratch, and that Pollard’s time in the brief means he already understands the programmes underway and the relationships across the sector.

“Continuity here counts for a great deal,” the source said. “You have someone who has built up real experience with the programmes in train and knows the industry, and that familiarity keeps momentum behind the work rather than pausing it while a new minister finds their feet.”

Pollard’s reappointment comes as the government presses ahead with the Defence Investment Plan. The readiness and industry portfolio has taken on added prominence as the UK responds to a deteriorating security environment in Europe, sustains support to Ukraine and pursues efforts to rebuild domestic manufacturing capacity across areas including artillery, munitions and shipbuilding.