Nuclear defence programmes support thousands of skilled jobs so parties’ commitment is welcome

The Labour Party has committed to the continuous at sea nuclear deterrent and to building a new generation of submarines and warheads.

This follows a similar commitment from the Conservative Party. Prospect has thousands of members in the defence and nuclear industries across the UK.

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, said:

“As programmes which take many decades to deliver, the clear commitments from the two main parties to the defence nuclear enterprise is welcome. These programs support thousands of highly skilled, unionised jobs in communities right across the UK.

“Unfortunately over the last decade the hollowing out of the Ministry of Defence, including large real terms pay cuts, has led to huge struggles in recruiting and retaining the very best skills, which is what these programmes need.

“This election should be a turning point for our nation’s defence workers, making sure that this vital sector is properly supported in future, given the ever more uncertain and dangerous world that we live in.”