Unite, the UK’s leading union, which represents thousands of
members in the defence industry, has called on the government to
ensure that there is strategic investment in UK jobs, research
and development as well as manufacturing, following the
publication today (Tuesday 16 March) of the Integrated
Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.
Unite assistant general secretary for manufacturing Steve Turner
said: “The defence of the nation must be linked with the defence
of our national economy and the retention of the UK’s ability and
freedom to operate independently, whether on land, at sea, in the
air or online.
“Meeting the growing challenges from cyber and digital disruption
while utilising improving technologies in the field of autonomous
platforms require investment in people as well as software.
“The government’s integrated defence review must be linked to
strategic investment in UK jobs and the retention of skills and
knowledge as well as supporting research, design and UK
manufacturing of equipment.
“The review, which is attempting to refocus the UK’s position in
global affairs, also needs to urgently assess and improve how
defence procurement is undertaken.
“Concerns about ensuring the security of cutting edge defence
equipment can best be ensured by developing the technology
alongside design and engineering excellence here in the UK,
supported by a strong and resilient manufacturing base.
“The UK already has the skills, capabilities and the ambition to
be developing the cutting edge technology that the UK needs to
meet both today's and future challenges. The only thing holding
it back is a lack of vision, ambition and support from
government.”
Unite is concerned that there are a large number of shovel ready
defence contracts, which have been delayed, threatening the
future of UK jobs and skills.
This includes the order of three fleet solid support ships (FSS),
which are crucial for the smooth operation of the Royal Navy.
Unite believes that the procurement process for these ships not
only needs to be accelerated but that the contracts for the block
building of the vessels must be guaranteed to UK shipyards.
This would help preserve jobs in the UK’s shipyards including
Cammell
Laird in Birkenhead which recently announced redundancies due to
a lack of confirmed projects in its order books.
Mr Turner added: “The government needs to dramatically improve
its procurement policy to maintain the UK’s cutting edge defence
industries. The current haphazard policy of feast and famine is
not conducive to either developing products or skills and neither
will it secure employment in a sector reliant on government
funding.”
Unite is further concerned that the money identified in the
review needs to be spent wisely and this includes properly
investing in staff who are currently facing a pay freeze. The
union has also warned that the Ministry of Defence’s obsession
with outsourcing is not a guaranteed path to providing either
cost savings or a quality service.
