Rishi Sunak visits Dunkeswell on general election campaign

He toured the manufacturing facility near Honiton, which is responsible for making armoured vehicles for the Ministry of Defence and other high mobility vehicles, and sat in one vehicle with the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Taunton and Wellington, Rebecca Pow, and the candidate for Honiton and Sidmouth, Simon Jupp.

Mr Sunak also threw his support behind both conservative candidates fighting to retain their seats at the general election on July 4.

On a day trip to Devon and Cornwall, Mr Sunak told reporters that his plans for a new national service and 100,000 new apprenticeships, as well as tax cuts taxes for working people and the elderly  “will transform the country and deliver a secure future for everyone.”

He then fielded questions from workers about supporting apprenticeships, supporting veterans and his campaign to sign up 18-year-olds for national service. 

He then took questions from regional and local press. He was asked about affordable homes in Devon, NHS waiting lists and sewage spills at beaches in East Devon.

Mr Sunak had previously been in Cornwall, where visited Redruth and Penzance, before travelling to Dunkeswell at around 4pm this afternoon.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “It was a pleasure to join Rebecca Pow and Simon Jupp, fantastic Conservative candidates, at Supacat in Dunkeswell today to meet the company’s hardworking apprentices and talk about our plan to expand apprenticeship places across the country.

“Devon is a vital hub for the UK's defence industry and Simon has a great record of championing the area in Parliament and delivering for local people.

“As part of the Conservatives' clear plan for the country, he has helped to secure Cullompton’s new railway station, a new school to replace flood-prone Tipton St John Primary and up to £30 million from South West Water to upgrade Sidmouth’s water infrastructure.

“I know Simon will continue to build on that success and help secure a brighter future with more opportunities for everyone.”

Mr Jupp said: “It was fantastic to welcome the Prime Minister to Dunkeswell to discuss the Conservatives’ plan to deliver thousands of new apprenticeships per year.

“By closing down university courses which don’t give young people the skills they need to succeed, we can create more specialist apprenticeships like those offered by Supacat, where their apprentices are building military vehicles for our defence.

“I’ll always stand up for local defence jobs and brilliant local businesses like Supacat who play a major role in our nation’s security.

“In a world of increasing threats, the Conservatives have a bold plan to deliver a brighter, more secure future for the country and our part of Devon.”