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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Trident 'demands skilled workers' | Trident 'demands skilled workers' |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Ministers have been warned by MPs that the skills base for building a new generation of nuclear submarines in the UK is at a "critical level". | Ministers have been warned by MPs that the skills base for building a new generation of nuclear submarines in the UK is at a "critical level". |
| The Commons defence select committee said the shortage of engineers was a "cause of serious concern". | The Commons defence select committee said the shortage of engineers was a "cause of serious concern". |
| Tony Blair has outlined plans - currently being consulted on - to spend up to £20bn on a new generation of submarines for Trident missiles. | |
| Defence officials said they would study the MPs' recommendations carefully. | Defence officials said they would study the MPs' recommendations carefully. |
| Committee members said the UK must work to keep its "world class" skilled workforce. | Committee members said the UK must work to keep its "world class" skilled workforce. |
| 'Huge undertaking' | 'Huge undertaking' |
| They added that any future decisions must be based on the "strategic defence needs of the country, not on industrial and employment factors". | They added that any future decisions must be based on the "strategic defence needs of the country, not on industrial and employment factors". |
| Replacing the current Vanguard submarine would be a "huge undertaking" and require a "uniquely skilled and specialist workforce". | Replacing the current Vanguard submarine would be a "huge undertaking" and require a "uniquely skilled and specialist workforce". |
| Committee chairman Conservative James Arbuthnot said: "If we are to build a new generation of Trident submarines here in the UK, as the government's white paper suggests, we will have to work to sustain our manufacturing and skills base. | |
| "The skilled workforce we have at Barrow, Devonport, Derby and Aldermaston are truly world class. | "The skilled workforce we have at Barrow, Devonport, Derby and Aldermaston are truly world class. |
| "If we lose them, we will lose our capability to design and build nuclear submarines." | "If we lose them, we will lose our capability to design and build nuclear submarines." |
| A number of Labour MPs oppose the government's plan, but the Tories say it would be "crazy" not to have UK nuclear weapons. The Lib Dems want a decision put back to 2014. | A number of Labour MPs oppose the government's plan, but the Tories say it would be "crazy" not to have UK nuclear weapons. The Lib Dems want a decision put back to 2014. |
| The lifespan of the current Trident system is set to end in 2024 and ministers have said a decision is needed now to ensure the replacement is ready by then. | The lifespan of the current Trident system is set to end in 2024 and ministers have said a decision is needed now to ensure the replacement is ready by then. |
| Critics believe the estimated £10-25bn cost would be better spent elsewhere and that Trident belongs in the Cold War era, not a time of threats to the UK such as international terrorism. | Critics believe the estimated £10-25bn cost would be better spent elsewhere and that Trident belongs in the Cold War era, not a time of threats to the UK such as international terrorism. |
| The Ministry of Defence said the committee's report would "provide a useful contribution to the forthcoming debate and vote in the House of Commons". | The Ministry of Defence said the committee's report would "provide a useful contribution to the forthcoming debate and vote in the House of Commons". |