Defence union: Vital that increased defence spending drives jobs and growth in the UK

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect union, commenting on the announcement by Rishi Sunak that the government will increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, said:

"For years Prospect has been campaigning for more defence spending and for more of that spending to deliver skilled UK jobs. It is welcome that we now have the two major parties committed to spending 2.5% of GDP.

“The UK has a world-leading defence sector workforce, and our expertise in the area generates jobs and growth for communities the length of the country.

"It is vital that this increase in spending is accompanied by a pledge to spend more of it here at home, to maximise the benefits to our economy and our sovereign capabilities." 

ENDS

Note to editors

• Prospect published a report in 2023 arguing for fundamental reform of defence procurement, setting out how to change the rules and regulations governing procurement to make it more effective and prioritise the promotion and protection of the UK's sovereign capabilities in defence. The report, Design, Build and Maintain: Effective Defence Procurement, can be read here: https://prospect.org.uk/news/prospect-launches-report-on-effective-defence-procurement-with-panel-of-expert-contributors