Defence review lacks strategy
19 October 2010
Bernie Hamilton, Unite's national officer for Aerospace and
Shipbuilding said: "The government's strategic defence review looks
devoid of any strategy whatsoever. These decisions will cost
thousands of skilled jobs and have long term consequences for the
UK's manufacturing base. This review is about cost cutting
and backroom deals between the Tories and the Lib Dems for the sake
of the coalition not the country.
"Given that the project is virtually complete, scrapping the
Nimrod MRA4 makes no sense whatsoever. Its cancellation will
mean the early closure of BAE's site at Woodford, leading to the
loss of the engineering jobs at BAE and on site at RAF
Kinloss.
"The decision to complete the two aircraft carriers is welcome
news, but a carrier that carries no planes is bizarre. Any further
reductions to the surface fleet will cause major concerns across
the workforces at Portsmouth, Rosyth and Devonport dock
yards.
"David Cameron leaves many questions unanswered. We have no
details on numbers of joint strike fighters and Typhoon Tranche
3B aircraft which leaves workforces across the UK feeling
uncertain about their futures."
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
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