A lobby of Parliament today (Wednesday 26 February) of Unite
defence workers has demanded that the governments words are
backed up by action. To protect national security and British
jobs, we must buy UK made defence equipment.
In his statement to parliament yesterday prime minister said: “We will translate
defence spending into British growth, British jobs, British
skills and British innovation”. Unite is committed to ensuring
that pledge is fully delivered.
Unite is pushing the case for the government to make the decision
to buy UK Typhoons to replace the ageing RAF Fleet and not US
F35s. This decision is being made imminently and failure to do
the right thing will result in a weakened defence industry and an
erosion of critical skills. Not only do the Typhoons ensure that
British jobs and skills are retained for sixth generation
Tempest production but they also ensure a secure UK supply chain
at a time of global uncertainty. British sovereign-strike
capability is retained without relying on third party
manufacturing.
Speaking at the lobby, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham
said: “Whilst we welcome the increase in defence spending to 2.5
per cent and the PM's promise around investment, growth, jobs and
skills, this needs to be matched with action.'
‘There is an immediate decision to be made on the replacement of
aging RAF fighter jets with British made Typhoon's. This decision
needs to made in the UK's favour.
“Any thought of wooing Donald Trump by selling our defence jobs
abroad and replacing the RAF fleet with US made F35s will be
resisted and would be an act of self-harm.
“We simply can't find ourselves in a situation where Trump wakes
up in a bad mood and locks us out of using our own fighter
jets.
“Every other partner country involved with the Typhoon, is buying
more Typhoons for their own defence. How can we expect other
countries to buy British Typhoons if we are not buying them
ourselves?
“The Typhoon is a world class fighter jet, its range and air
defences are better than the F35. Right now RAF Typhoons are
defending NATO borders.
‘The government has made the hard decision, the money Is
available, now is the time to back Britian.”
As part of the lobby of parliament a delegation of the workers
will be taking Unite's message directly to defence secretary
at a meeting later today.
Unite is also highlighting the need for the government to sign
the contract for the new medium-lift army and RAF helicopter that
is to be produced by Leonardo in Taunton.
