Keir Starmer must deliver on promise that increase defence spending will rebuild UK industrial base and benefit workers
 
Following reports that the Defence Investment Plan has been delayed due to spending concerns from Number 10, Unite, the UK’s leading union, which represents tens of thousands of defence workers, is demanding that the prime minister delivers on his promise that increased defence spending will benefit UK workers.
 
Unite has concerns over jobs associated with the new Typhoon aircraft for the RAF, an order for medium lift helicopters, the purchase of military transporter planes and the UK’s military satellite programme. Contracts in all areas are understood to be reliant on the decisions made in the ministry of defence’s, Defence Investment Plan.
 
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The UK’s increased defence budget must be used to boost jobs, growth and sovereign capability here in the UK.
 
“The prime minister has promised that increased defence spending will do that. He now needs to deliver on that promise without delay.
 
“Far too many defence workers are looking over their shoulders wondering where the next order will come from while the government sits on its hands. This uncertainty must end.”
  
Despite the prime minister’s positive words there has been no commitment yet on key UK defence industry orders. Unite is also concerned that the highly strategic Defence Industry Joint Council (DIJC), which replaced the Defence Suppliers Forum, has recently been handed over to a junior minister.
 
In recent weeks it has become apparent the UK’s military space programme is under threat due to the government’s decision to open up competitive tenders for the Skynet 6 miliary satellite programme. American defence conglomerate Lockhead Martin is bidding for the contract. For over two decades UK military satellites have been provided by Airbus and produced at factories in Stevenage and Portmouth, involving hundreds of highly skilled workers.
 
Meanwhile, Airbus workers at Filton, in South West England are heavily reliant on the government confirming the order of six A400m military transporter planes. A decision on their purchase has been delayed.
 
Hundreds of workers employed by Leonardo in Somerset need the government to confirm that it will give the green light to the new medium lift helicopter programme for the army. Leonardo became the only bidder for the contract in August 2024 but the order has not progressed since then.
 
Unite is also campaigning to ensure that the RAF purchases new Typhoon aircraft to replace the existing fleet of the aircraft which is ageing. The purchase of the new Typhoons will also ensure that British jobs and skills are retained for sixth generation Tempest production.
 
ENDS
 
Notes to editors
 
As part of the UK’s government decision to increase defence spending, the prime minister has repeatedly promised to ensure that investment is spent in the UK. Keir Starmer has said: “This investment is not just about maintaining our defence capabilities; it is about boosting our economy and demonstrating that British engineering remains at the heart of our national renewal.”
 
“Our task now is to seize the defence dividend, felt directly in the pockets of working people – rebuilding our industrial base, creating the jobs of the future, the skills for the next generation."