Responding to prime minister Keir Starmer's speech on defence at the Munich Security Conference today (14 February), Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

"Keir Starmer is right that we are facing threats to national security and that the UK must be prepared to defend itself. But this cannot happen without strong investment in UK defence jobs and the government backing our skilled workers by buying British-made kit.

"Definitive leadership is needed now. Keir Starmer's words need to be put into action, beginning with the much-delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP). The government’s dithering on DIP is leaving thousands of UK defence jobs at risk. Not to mention future capability. It's now time to deliver.”

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 enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org