Wes Streeting has been forced to delay the publication of a plan to get more young people into defence industry jobs after pushback from trade unions, the Guardian understands.
The defence secretary had been due to announce the proposals on Thursday, but some unions in the sector are understood to have reacted angrily to the plans, accusing the government of bypassing their members and minimising their roles in job creation.
The delay risks derailing a planned series of government announcements to tackle the youth jobs crisis, with ministers stating on Monday that jobs plans in business services, construction, technology and defence would be published this week.
Streeting is expected to visit Telford on Thursday to unveil a major new gun production facility run by German defence giant Rheinmetall, after promising that the defence jobs plan would “help deliver thousands of opportunities for young people, including an increase in the number of people supported through apprenticeship programmes in the defence sector to at least 14,000 annually by 2035”.
But the Guardian understands that unions representing workers in the sector were shown the plan just before publication, and told ministers that they would not support it, forcing the 11th-hour delay.
Sources at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the delay, but played down the role of unions in the hold-up, stating there were issues that still had to be worked through, but that it would be published “in due course”.
Union leaders are understood to have told ministers that the plan was weak and did not acknowledge the role of unions in promoting “build British” defence policies and the creation of jobs for young people, especially apprentices. Further meetings between the ministers and union representatives are “imminent”, said one source.
“Wes Streeting has to recognise that unions have a vital role to play in developing good jobs in the defence industry, but this plan lacked a union voice and the voice of workers who are meant to be at the heart of it,” said a union source. “Any union representing people in this industry can see that this plan doesn’t do the job, and they will have to go back to the drawing board.”
A MoD source said that the department had a positive relationship with the affected unions, and downplayed reports of a rift. “This department is looking to create thousands of jobs in defence and a comprehensive plan will be published in due course.”
A spokesperson for the MoD said: “The defence jobs plan continues to be developed and will be published when ready. We work closely with trade unions and are committed to our mission to create thousands of well-paid, unionised defence jobs in every part of the country.”
The delay will come as a blow for Streeting, who last month said he was overseeing a “ministry for growth”, adding that he was determined the defence industry should play its part in tackling what he called the “moral emergency” of almost 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neet).
Labour, which is coming under increasing pressure to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP, has been keen to demonstrate that the rapid increase in spending will result in jobs in the UK.
Last month defence contractors promised to create 40,000 apprenticeships, work experience placements and jobs for young people each year. “I think we have a responsibility, as we’re investing more in the defence of the realm, to do so in a way that boosts British jobs, British industry, and helps to deal with this moral emergency,” said Streeting at the time. “I want the Ministry of Defence to be a ministry of growth and a ministry of opportunity, and that’s how we’re going to direct our defence spending.”
The defence jobs plan was due to be published before the publication of former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn’s final report on Neets, which is now expected next month after a delay.
Reacting to the pledge made by defence industry players last month, Milburn said the industry had shown “what is possible when employers step up,” adding: “Defence is one of our great industries – it has both the scale and the opportunity to give young people the experience, skills and confidence they need to build a career.”
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