Anti-nuclear campaigners have responded to a National Audit Office report into the cost of Trident replacement.
Kate Hudson, CND General Secretary, said:
“This report confirms that Trident replacement is bankrupting the MoD.
“Last week the government signed contracts worth hundreds of millions, as part of spending towards Trident replacement submarines, and today we learn that spending on the Nuclear Enterprise – which includes designing, producing and maintaining submarines, nuclear warheads, and providing the necessary estate, people and support – will lead to a £6 billion black hole in the MoD budget.
“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.
“MoD spending has run out of control and the government must be called to account for its profligate and irresponsible spending. The £205 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.”