Prospect: Worrying that the government doesn’t have a credible plan to deliver on our defence capabilities

Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect union, responding to the Public Accounts Committee report on defence spending, said:

“At a time of enormous global instability, it is worrying that the government doesn’t have a credible plan to deliver on our defence capabilities. Though in relation to the escalating cost of funding the nuclear deterrent, it’s right that all of our essential defence capabilities should be funded to meet the high standards we expect to ensure the UK’s security.  

“Intelligent procurement and spending have long been a problem in the department, characterised by a failure to get either value for money, or to spend in a way which actually boosts our own sovereign capability.   

“The issue is compounded by the ongoing critical recruitment shortfall in MoD meaning skills and knowledge are not being replaced, and morale among workers is at rock bottom.

“With a credible plan to invest properly in the civilian workforce, and to procure in a way which boosts skills and local economies in the UK, we could be a global leader. Instead we are reliant on allies to provide the essentials a modern armed forces need.”