Region's jobs at risk as nuclear deterrent debate goes to wire

Martin Slack

UNCERTAINTY over the future of Britain’s nuclear deterrent could have a devastating impact on South Yorkshire manufacturing firms, according to two of the region’s MPs.

Labour’s Denis MacShane, who represents Rotherham, and his parliamentary colleague Clive Betts, of Sheffield South East, have claimed hundreds of jobs could be at risk.

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The MPs said that about 30 firms are currently involved in building the new Astute submarines, which are under construction for the Royal Navy in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria.

It is feared that if a deal to replace the ageing Vanguard submarine fleet, which carries the Trident missile, is postponed, firms will see orders dry up and be forced to lay off staff.

Some of South Yorkshire’s biggest manufacturing names have been involved in the Astute programme, including Doncaster’s Bridon, Rotherham’s Lowe Group and Qualter, Hall and Co in Barnsley.

Sheffield Forgemasters, which recently suffered the cancellation of a 80m Government loan, is also involved, and could see orders fall as a result of any cancellation.

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Mr MacShane rounded angrily on the coalition Government, and said Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg were playing “fast and loose” with Britain’s security interests.

He added the debate over submarine replacement was dangerous, and said: “In their rush to axe spending for ideological reasons, Cameron and Clegg will directly damage employment in Rotherham.

“Nick Clegg seems to have an obsession with Sheffield Forgemasters. His decision to cut the 80m loan is now followed up by cutting money going for core defence work.

“It is another blow to South Yorkshire's engineering skill base and the region's future as a modern industrial European centre. The Barrow MP, John Woodcock, is leading an effective campaign to keep submarine building in the region.

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“He needs support on a nationwide basis as South Yorkshire’s workers will also be hit if Cameron and Clegg cut back on core defence spending to find money to cut taxes for their fellow-millionaires,"

Mr MacShane has been supported in his call for action by Mr Betts, and both have spoken in the House of Commons over their concerns.

Mr Betts said: “The reality is that there are thousands of highly-skilled jobs in the South Yorkshire area which are dependent on defence expenditure. A huge number of large and small companies, including about 30 in our area, make up the supply chain for the Astute submarines currently being built in Barrow-in-Furness.

“Of course, it should never be the case that the prospects for the local economy should determine our defence policy. That would be ridiculous.

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“However, when the Government is making decisions about future defence policy, it would be negligent if it did not acknowledge the implications of its decisions for the economic prospects for local companies and the job prospects for hundreds of skilled workers in South Yorkshire.”

David Cameron insisted last week that he was still committed to maintaining a full-time nuclear deterrent amid growing concern from Tory backbenchers.

But the Prime Minster admitted that it was right to explore how to get the best “value for money” when replacing the ageing Trident system.

Tories had expressed alarm at reports that the Government could put off the final decision on whether to go ahead with the replacement of the four missile-carrying submarines – due to be announced in 2014 – until after the election in 2015.