Prospect defends and hails ‘invaluable contribution’ of UK defence sector at TUC Congress

Prospect has spoken out against a controversial ‘wages not weapons’ motion debated at TUC Congress in Brighton on Tuesday, 9 September, and responded with a passionate rejoinder in support of the defence sector and its invaluable contribution to the UK.

Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary, speaking at TUC Congress 2025

Defending our members working in defence, Prospect gave the unequivocal message that the sector is a critical part of the UK’s public infrastructure; one that is paramount for our national security, and which supports local communities with thousands of highly skilled, unionised jobs.

The motion, brought by the University and College Union, called for the TUC to reverse its policy of ‘support for immediate increases in defence spending’ and to recognise that ‘actively campaigning for ever-higher spending on arms risks signalling approval of a wider drive to war, in the dangerous context of renewed great-power rivalry.’

However, Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy, speaking in opposition to the motion, told Congress:

“We’ve heard a lot already in the last few days, quite rightly, about solidarity; about being together when workers are under challenge, or worse. But it does sound like to me that this doesn’t apply to defence workers.

“You can say that this motion is not designed to increase insecurity, or to reduce opportunity in a whole range of communities who value the defence assets that exist there, and have long worked in these industries. But in reality, changing Congress policy, as this motion does, does exactly that.”

He warned that the motion risked stoking divisions within the trade union movement, and continued:

“The reality is that there are dreadful events around the world. Russian aggression in Ukraine, the humanitarian disaster in Palestine. But that doesn’t mean that defence workers do not make a vital contribution as a part of the public good.

“We can say that the recent announcements, the money that’s going to go into defence should be used elsewhere, but the reality is that many citizens agree with this government’s policy that we need to rearm in the face of new threats.

“I say clearly, that Prospect, and I’m sure other trade unions, are proud of their members in defence. There are really difficult issues geopolitically, but defence workers are workers. They’re entitled to the collective bargaining that we want for others. They’re entitled to the personal representation we give day in, day out and they are a vital part of our national infrastructure.”

The motion, which was also opposed by Unite and GMB, was narrowly carried in a card vote.

Watch Mike’s address to TUC Congress, speaking in opposition to the motion, on Prospect’s Bluesky account.

Speaking afterwards, Mike Clancy said:

“Prospect is proud to be a defence union, representing people working in the service of our nation and our allies. It is hugely disappointing that a group of trade unions, which do not represent defence workers brought a motion to Congress seeking to reverse the TUC’s position in favour of defence investment, and even more disappointing that it passed.

“Prospect will continue to speak out against those who seek every opportunity to devalue the contribution the defence industry makes to our society and our communities, while having no understanding of the huge economic benefits it brings.

“This motion in no way changes our stance and I will continue to stand up for our defence members and for all measures which enhance our national security and deliver good quality unionised jobs.”

The 157th annual TUC Congress in Brighton runs from 7-10 September.