Union leader challenges defence spending

Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union, called on Labour to invest in climate change, education and housing instead of boosting defence spending.

Grady speaks at TUC conference

At the Trades Union Congress annual conference in Brighton on Wednesday, Grady said defence contracts don't make people feel safer and every pound on weapons is a pound not spent on schools, housing or healthcare.

“Our lives don't feel more secure because BAE Systems is getting another multi-billion-pound contract.”

Arms race doesn't increase security

Grady argued that a global arms race does not make people safer and that defence spending crowds out funding for homeless services, schools, hungry children and the struggling NHS.

“A global arms race does not make us feel safer.”

War could arrive within five years

Defence officials have warned that war could arrive on Britain's shores within five years, putting pressure on Labour to commit to higher defence spending.

NATO chief to pressure Burnham

NATO head Mark Rutte was expected to meet with Andy Burnham on Wednesday to personally pressure him to boost defence investment.

Unite union backs defence spending

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said Labour must commit to spending three percent of GDP on defence by 2030, arguing the UK has neglected defence for too long.

“the UK has been 'running our hand across our mouth in defence for ages'”

Defence industry as reindustrialisation

Graham said the defence industry must form part of a proper plan for reindustrialising Britain, positioning military spending as an economic development strategy.

Wages Not Weapons campaign

Grady urged TUC members to adopt a motion called Wages Not Weapons that would redirect spending from defence to workers and public services.

Jobs argument doesn't hold up

Grady acknowledged that some argue defence spending creates jobs, but said proper investment in education and other sectors would deliver skilled workers and employment.

Afghanistan and Iraq left soldiers traumatised

Grady pointed to Britain's military losses in Afghanistan and Iraq, where more than 600 troops died, and said surviving soldiers returned traumatised and wounded.

Personal experience with military trauma

Grady said many young men she knew enlisted in the Army and came back traumatised and wounded, never the same again, illustrating the human cost of military conflict.

“I don't need macho men defending me.”

Criticism of US and Israel

Grady also criticised the US and Israel for their war of aggression against Iran, broadening her critique beyond British defence policy.

Motion calls for conflict prevention

The Wages Not Weapons motion calls for the TUC to promote conflict prevention, diplomacy, international cooperation, human rights and respect for international law.

Right to conscientious objection

The motion also seeks to raise awareness of the right to conscientious objection and opposition to compulsory military service in the UK.

Labour under sustained pressure

Labour faces pressure from both sides: defence officials and NATO pushing for higher spending, while unions like the UCU push for prioritising public services and climate action.

Dwindling cash reserves at stake

Britain's dwindling cash reserves mean the government must choose between defence spending and investment in climate, education, housing and healthcare.

Leadership requires imagination

Grady argued that true leadership requires the bravery to imagine a new world and deliver it, rather than defaulting to traditional defence spending patterns.

“We have to imagine a new world and we have to deliver it.”