Prospect, a union representing thousands of defence workers in
both the public and private sectors has responded to the
announcement of the UK government's Integrated Review of
security, defence, development and foreign policy.
Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary said:
“This review underlines the need for a steady drum beat of
defence orders to support the economy, jobs and national defence.
“As the government puts this new strategy in to practice it must
focus on research, design, manufacturing and maintenance, taking
place in the UK and supporting jobs. By supporting defence
spending increases we will invest in our sovereign capacity and
capability to keep us all safe.
“At the same time the government can and must deliver on the
economic benefits for local communities that sit alongside this
spending.
“Investment needs to be in conventional capability, as well as
emerging threats such as cyber, and new and emerging
capabilities. The pivot to China should not distract us from
other threats and challenges from Russia and in the Middle East.
Dealing with all of these challenges, as well as others like
terrorism, will need a full spectrum of skills and capability.
“The Public Accounts Committee report is a timely reminder of
what has happened to defence spending under austerity. So any
injection of new spending is welcome - but it should be realistic
in terms of outputs and not based on illusory efficiencies.”
