Government must buy British to boost British jobs and relax fiscal rules to deliver

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Media speculation today, and the prime minister’s statement at the Munich Security Conference this weekend, surely indicate that the government is done with dithering on defence. At last. 

“The delays on the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) have already put thousands of UK defence jobs in jeopardy. The chancellor could use her Spring Statement to relax the so-called fiscal rules to borrow to invest in British defence and British jobs. 

“The German government is already taking action on these lines. Our workers have the skills and experience to deliver for the British economy. Treasury ‘bean counting’, which is blocking action, must be ditched now. It’s time for decisive action to back Britain’s defence workers. Further delay will prove disastrous.”

Unite represents thousands of workers in defence across the UK. The union has been in numerous discussions with government over many months outlining the need to put words into action.

Last month, senior defence Unite representatives at Leonardo and other key defence sites wrote directly to Keir Starmer calling for him to act swiftly and decisively in order to ensure that jobs and skills are not lost.

ENDS

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065. 

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.