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<p>The space sector is important for the UK, adding £7 billion to the economy in 2022.
In that year, the sector employed 48,800 people, increasing from 47,000 the previous
year. Many of these jobs work on a range of activities, both civil and military, for
governments and a range of other customers. Defence accounts for an estimated 10.2%
of total space industry income in 2022 and continues to be a significant part of government's
support to the sector. The Skynet secure satellite communications programme, where
we are investing £5 billion over the next decade, has provided a significant boost
to the UK space sector. In the initial stage of the next generation of Skynet alone
we have created up to 600 jobs. Defence has also committed £1.4 billion over 10 years
to deliver cutting edge space technology, including a multi-satellite system known
as ISTARI which is supporting high tech jobs in the UK as a world leader in science.
We will continue to support growth in the space sector, including through the upcoming
plan for the space sector which will be published in the coming months by the Department
for Science, Innovation and Technology in close consultation with Defence, which will
increase growth and resilience for this vital part of the economy.</p><p> </p>
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