‘Buying British’: What Streeting told the BBC on defence plans this morningpublished at 09:58 BST
09:58 BST
Image source, Reuters
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting is due to speak at the Labour Party conference shortly, but he’s already been doing the morning media rounds.
The cabinet minister said it was too early in the investigation into an incident at RAF Fairford at the weekend – five men have been arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences – for him to share details or speculate.
Chancellor John Healey is expected to say today that three new floating docks at HM Naval Base Clyde, Faslane, will be constructed by UK industry. Streeting praised it as good for both jobs and national security.
“Today we’re putting our money where our mouth is, quite literally, backing Britain by buying British,” Streeting told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
The “default” government position previously would have been for an international procurement process, he said, adding that could have seen taxpayers’ money going overseas “creating jobs somewhere else, for someone else”.
Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith said the plans were “reheated announcements” with “no clarity on where the money is coming from”.