May, 14 2018, 12:00am EDT
Trident Replacement is Bankrupting the MoD - Call the Government to Account
Anti-nuclear campaigners have responded to Gavin Williams' spending announcement.
Kate Hudson, CND General Secretary, said:
"Today's announcement by Gavin Williams - that the government is signing contracts with BAE Systems to the tune of PS930 million for Trident replacement submarines - is another indication of our government's gross irresponsibility.
WASHINGTON
Anti-nuclear campaigners have responded to Gavin Williams' spending announcement.
Kate Hudson, CND General Secretary, said:
"Today's announcement by Gavin Williams - that the government is signing contracts with BAE Systems to the tune of PS930 million for Trident replacement submarines - is another indication of our government's gross irresponsibility.
"The MoD is facing a PS21 billion budget deficit and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has already reported that the MoD has run out of money and 'simply does not have enough money to buy all the equipment it says it needs.'
"Business as usual cannot be an option - the consequences for other defence sectors and wider public spending are just too serious. In writing blank cheques for Trident replacement - ring-fencing an amorphous budget no matter what the impact on other areas of spending - it is bankrupting the MoD and putting the security of Britain at risk.
"In light of the PAC findings, we demand an inquiry into the cost of Trident replacement and its impact on wider spending. The government must be forced to come clean about the full cost of replacing Britain's nuclear weapons system.
"MoD spending has run out of control and the government must be called to account for its profligate and irresponsible spending. The PS205 billion Trident replacement scheme must be scrapped. The money should be spent instead on addressing the real security threats we face, like terrorism, climate change and cyber warfare."
CND campaigns non-violently to rid the world of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction and to create genuine security for future generations. CND opposes all nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction: their development, manufacture, testing, deployment and use or threatened use by any country.
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