The NHS and armed forces should be ordered to “buy British” to protect jobs and strengthen our national security, a top Tory warned. Sir John Hayes called for the public sector to "lead by example" by supporting British businesses.

The senior Conservative MP hit out at globalisation which he said was hitting companies in the UK. Sir John, who has been the MP for South Holland and The Deepings since 1997, made the comments as he backed the Daily Express's It's Time to Buy British campaign.

Writing in the Express, he said: "British institutions, funded by British taxes, should be mandated to buy British.

"Our public sector; from government departments to local councils; from the armed services to the NHS, should lead by example, supporting local economies by purchasing British goods, so ensuring food security, traceability, and adherence to the highest quality standards.

"Globalisation, fed by a stubborn commitment to unfair so-called ‘free’ trade, certainly benefits greedy multinational corporations, only to the detriment of British industries and British workers. To make our kingdom secure we must prioritise our own businesses.

"By ensuring the Government routinely purchases British goods, we could rebuild the foundations of our economy and support British workers, so securing the prosperity of our manufacturing towns and our rural counties. Now, more than ever, we must back Britain by buying British."

It comes amid global trade tensions after US President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on goods entering America.

Earlier this month, Sir John called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use government procurement to back British jobs and British products in the Commons.

But Ms Reeves said a "buy British" campaign would be "inward looking" and was "not the way forward" in response to calls by the Lib Dems.

In 2023, 86% of public sector procurement spending was with British suppliers, according to public procurement experts Tussell.

The remaining 14% is spent largely with companies based or owned in France, the US and Germany.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch kicked off our campaign earlier this month as she hit out at Labour's national insurance raid on employers.

The Conservative leader said she believes in “always” buying British and where possible “buy local”.

She added: “But we can’t buy British if British jobs are going and if British companies are closing because of the jobs tax and because of the terrible decisions that Labour is making on the economy, inflation is up, growth has halved and, business confidence is down, and that’s what really worries me, that we won’t be able to buy British because of what is happening to our economy.”

Environment Secretary Steve Reed declared that Britain should be "proud" of UK goods and produce as he backed the crusade.