Security risks to VIPs as minicabs being used instead of security cleared drivers

A dozen civil servants who work as drivers within the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have renewed their strike action over workplace treatment, management practices and leadership accountability.

This comes after an engagement process intended to resolve longstanding issues failed to deliver meaningful progress.

Strikes will now take place on 6 and 7 October and a further wave of a strike action on 13 and 14 October 2026. There will be picket lines outside the MoD Main Building in Westminster on all strike days from 09:30 until 13:00.

Members of the Unite union suspended planned industrial action in July in good faith to allow further discussions with management. However, drivers say a meeting held under the oversight of the Army Engagement Team failed to address the key concerns at the heart of the dispute.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

"Instead of genuinely attempting to address the concerns and grievances of a skilled workforce, the MoD has instead buried its head in the sand and tried to ignore them and hope they would simply go away.

"Faced with the ostrich-like behaviour of management, our members have been left with no choice but to renew their strike action to demand improvements in workplace relations."

The VIP chauffeur drivers operate nationwide, providing discreet, secure, and highly professional transport for senior government principals. Drawn from highly skilled backgrounds, including former military personnel and former police officers, these drivers possess advanced driving qualifications. In addition to transporting senior officials safely and efficiently, they are entrusted with the secure movement of sensitive and classified government material.

For more than five years, staff have raised concerns regarding the conduct, capability, and decision-making of immediate line management. Despite repeated attempts to resolve these matters through informal discussions, formal grievance procedures and union engagement, employees say meaningful progress has not been achieved.

Drivers have also raised serious concerns over security risks to senior government principals. Principals have reportedly been required to use private hire vehicles for official journeys that should have been undertaken by departmental drivers which raises significant questions regarding security, operational resilience, and value for money to the public purse.

Unite Regional Officer Keith Henderson added: "It is unacceptable that workers continue to spend years pursuing matters through grievance procedures and trade union processes to secure outcomes that should have been applied correctly from the outset.

"The suspension of industrial action was intended to create an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and resolution. Our members do not believe that opportunity has been taken, and they remain determined to secure the improvements they have been seeking for many years."