The UK’s security and resilience sector faces a dynamic year ahead in 2024, shaped by a shifting domestic policy agenda, rapid technological change, as well as new and emerging international security challenges.
The sector directly employs 148,000 skilled individuals in the UK with a growth of more than 105% over the last 10 years. Turnover continues to increase year on year, reaching £23.4bn in 2023 with a growth of 189% over the last 10 years. Along with that exports are up to £10.5bn with capabilities split between digital and physical.
This report sets out the continued growth aspirations and opportunities ahead for the UK security and resilience sector, which is well positioned to succeed at home and overseas.
In 2023, the UK’s security and resilience sector delivered £12.2 billion in value add to the UK economy, equating to 165% growth over the last ten years. The latest figures from ADS highlight that exports have increased by 228% in the period 2013-2023, now totaling £10.5billion.
At 148,000 direct employees, the UK’s security and resilience sector employment has more than doubled in the last ten years (2013-2023) growing 105%, according to the trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors.
“The security and resilience sector, while impacted by a shifting domestic policy agenda, rapid technological change, and emerging international challenges, continues to underpin much of our economic prosperity – and national security,” said Jon Gray, Director of the Security and Resilience sector at ADS.
“With growth in exports increasing 228% over ten years, a doubling of the UK’s highly capable workforce in this area, and turnover of more than £23.4billion, the security and resilience sector delivers UK advantage at home and overseas.
Securing whole-of-UK advantage
Alongside headcount increases, the UK Security and Resilience Outlook also highlights the enhanced productivity of the sector to reach £82.7k output per worker – increases of 25% over the last five years.
“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,” said Aimie Stone, Chief Economist at ADS Group.
To secure our national security, the sector requires a renewed focus on the physical, digital and collaborative spheres
ADS’ UK Security and Resilience Outlook reasserts the need for a continued focus on physical and digital capabilities alongside continued international collaboration.
“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,” said Gray.
