CAMPAIGN AGAINST ARMS TRADE

To: Vince Cable

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Dear Vince Cable, Congratulations on your new job, a post that gives you a real opportunity to take action on arms exports. As you know, not only has the UK failed to stop military sales into regions of conflict, to governments which abuse human rights and to countries where there are significant development needs, but the Government has actively promoted them, in particular through the UKTI Defence & Security Organisation. This has a devastating impact on the millions of people whose lives are damaged by the international arms trade. It also threatens our own security as the UK has little control over how weapons are used once they have been sold. There is no credible economic justification for this. The support given to arms industry in entirely disproportionate. UKTI devotes 180 staff to promoting arms sales, whereas the specific support provided to ALL non-arms sectors amounts to 142 staff - despite arms being only 1.5% of total UK exports. Add to this the fact that the arms industry already receives heavy subsidies - in the range of £500 million to £1 billion. Even at the lower end this would mean that each arms export job was subsidised by £9,000 each year. As long as arms promotion is seen as the business of government there is no prospect of meaningful arms control. Instead of helping BAE and the other arms companies peddle their wares around the globe, the limited Government resources would be better spent on tackling real threats to our security, such as climate change - a move that would also create new jobs and boost the economy. You have the chance to make this change. I hope you will take it. Best wishes,