UK’s new submarine production deal harms workers: Analyst
The British government’s plan to build four new nuclear submarines using French material would harm UK workers, says a political analyst in London.
Chris Bambery made the comments on Wednesday regarding the commencement of the submarine production, under a £31 billion contract with the British arms manufacturer BAE Systems.
The steel-cutting ceremony for the new submarines, dubbed the “Successors,” was held in the northern English town of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, with UK Defense Minister Michael Fallon as an attendee.
The news drew outrage from the British public after it was revealed that BAE Systems would use French steel to make the hulls of the submarines.
According to the Mirror, at least 1,000 jobs would have been protected had the government opted for British steel instead.
Referring to recent closures of steel plants across Britain, Bambery told Press TV on Wednesday that the new development would threaten the workers’ jobs at a time when the British steel industry is collapsing because of cheap imports and rising energy costs.
“This is, I would say, a time when steel production… there is overcapacity globally and where Western countries are blaming China particularly for cutting costs and selling cheap imports possibly at loss.”
“The other problem that remains in Britain is a real lack of investments; the steel industry has been run down in Britain. It has been privatized and sold off,” he added.
Babmbery said the faltering steel industry in Britain “says something” about the country’s industrial capacity.
The Mirror reported that at least two UK firms planned a joint bid to supply required steel plates for the new subs.
According to the British daily, the UK government has used foreign metal for various military projects over the years, turning a blind eye on the domestic steel industry which is crumbling due to cheap imports and soaring energy costs.
BAE, which is already under fire for its major deals with countries blacklisted by the country’s foreign office for rights violations, said the contract did not stipulate using British material.
The deal comes shortly after the UK signed an £18 billion deal with France for the construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset, South West England.
"This is a betrayal of British steelworkers,” said Roy Rickhuss, head of steelworkers’ union Community.
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