Arms companies have long enjoyed a close relationship with the Government, giving them immense influence over government decision-making. This influence is a key reason why arms exporters have enjoyed disproportionate financial and political support from successive UK governments.
There are many opportunities for arms companies to gain access to and influence the Government, including employing former government ministers and civil servants, using lobbying companies, giving sponsorship and donations, and utilising a web of high-level advisory bodies and their day-to-day involvement with the MoD and UK Trade & Investment.
The revolving door
The revolving door is a key feature of the relationship between the Government and military industry: no other industry has attracted such a large number of high-ranking government staff while at the same time seconding many of its own employees to the same government department, the MoD.
The numbers of MoD staff seeking employment in arms companies have been so high that they amount to a "traffic" according to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, which regulates such moves. Amongst many striking examples is that of Sir Kevin Tebbit. He was the MoD's top civil servant from 1998 until November 2005. A few months later he joined the Board of Finmeccanica UK, which owns helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland, and he is now the company's Chair.
High-level advisory bodies
The arms industry is heavily represented on a web of high-level government advisory bodies, raising urgent questions about accountability and favourable access.
UK Trade & Investment
The arms industry has its own sales section within government, staffed by civil servants and armed forces personnel. It is part of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and commands disproportionate support compared with other industries. About 160 staff are in the UKTI Defence & Security Organisation (UKTI DSO), coordinating arms sales support, as against around 130 UKTI dedicated to all other industrial sectors combined.
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