We need a fully thought through and funded plan for skills across the nuclear sector, says Prospect

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, responding in advance of the publication of the government's command paper on defence nuclear, said

"If this is new funding for the defence nuclear enterprise it will be welcome, but this major endeavour won't be successful without a fully thought through and funded plan for skills across the sector.

"In the meantime, all organisations also need the freedom on pay to compete in a sector where there are significant shortages of highly skilled workers.

"The wider funding issues facing the defence sector cannot be ignored too and must be properly addressed, with more resources and an end to the effective MoD recruitment freeze the immediate priorities."