PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak was joined by his party’s candidate for Taunton and Wellington on a visit to a military vehicle manufacturer in Dunkeswell.

Rebecca Pow, who had been the MP for Taunton Deane until Parliament was dissolved last week, joined the PM to support his pledge to deliver 100,000 more apprenticeships each year if re-elected.

The new places would be made possible, Mr Sunak said, by changing the law to shut down badly performing university courses.

The Prime Minister also used the occasion to talk up his party’s commitment to Defence spending, which they have pledged to increase to 2.5 per cent of GDP.

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

“The Southwest is a vital hub for the UK's defence industry and Rebecca 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, she has helped to secure Wellington’s new railway station, secured the future of 40 Commando at Norton Manor Camp in Taunton and secured an upgrade for Musgrove Park Hospital.

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

Ms Pow pledged to 'fight hard for every single vote' in the general election campaign
Ms Pow pledged to 'fight hard for every single vote' in the general election campaign (Edward Massey/CCHQ)

Rebecca Pow, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Taunton and Wellington, said: “I was thrilled to welcome the Prime Minister to Supacat in the Blackdown Hills where many constituents work with the company’s test track being located in the Taunton and Wellington constituency at Culmhead. The main focus of the Prime Minister’s visit was to discuss our strong record on apprenticeships and our bold plan to deliver thousands more to upskill the next generation.

“The last nine years serving as the MP for Taunton Deane, where I live and where I have brought up my family, have been the biggest privilege of my life. I have worked determinedly to deliver on a wide-range of areas including seeing the £87m surgical centre being built; retaining the Royal Marines at Norton Manor Camp; restoring the Wellington Monument; £20m for the Tonedale development; upgrading Taunton Rail station; and hugely progressing a Wellington Rail Station. Also, as the former Water Minister, working with Government to secure bathing water status for French Weir in Taunton.

“Crucially to see my campaigns for the Wellington Rail station and the complete upgrade of Musgrove Park Hospital come to fruition, I need to be returned as our MP together with a Conservative Government.

“Throughout this campaign, I will be out and about across Taunton and Wellington every day fighting hard for every single vote, backing the Conservative’s bold plan to deliver a brighter future for the country and fighting to finalise these vital projects for our area.”

It comes after the Prime Minister committed to boosting Defence spending, to counter "an axis of authoritarian states."