ADS reveals growth in employment in the UK’s security and resilience sector
James Thorpe
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In 2023, the security and resilience sector in the UK delivered £12.2b in value to the economy, marking a remarkable 165% growth over the past decade, reports ADS.
According to recent data from ADS, exports surged by 228% between 2013 and 2023, reaching a total of £10.5b.
ADS’ findings
Furthermore, the sector’s employment has seen substantial growth, with direct employees now totalling 148,000 – an increase of over 105% over the last decade (2013-2023), as reported by the trade association representing the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors.
Jon Gray, Director for the Security and Resilience sector, ADS commented: “The security and resilience sector, while impacted by a shifting domestic policy agenda, rapid technological change and emerging international challenges, continues to underpin our national security and economic prosperity.
“With growth in exports increasing 228% over ten years, a doubling of the UK’s highly capable workforce in this area and the value add of more than £12.2b, the security and resilience sector delivers UK advantage at home and overseas.”
In addition to the rise in headcount, the UK Security and Resilience Outlook underscores the sector’s improved productivity, reaching £82.7k output per worker – marking a significant 25% increase over the past five years.
Digital and physical opportunities
Aimie Stone, Chief Economist, ADS Group added: “More than half of jobs in the security and resilience sectors are found outside of London and the South-East, with average earnings of £45.3k almost one third (29%) higher than the UK average.”
ADS’ UK Security and Resilience Outlook emphasises the importance of refocusing on both physical and digital capabilities, while also stressing the significance of ongoing international collaboration.
Gray concluded: “Ongoing inflationary and budgetary pressures on governments and businesses alike are creating pressures on public and private sector expenditure on security.
“The sector’s ultimate trajectory will be shaped by how it responds to challenges and opportunities in the digital sphere, the physical world and the UK’s international partnerships.”
Read the full report here.
