Report shows military spending hikes will cut jobs
Posted: 6th July 2026
As Starmer announces huge increases in military spending – including over £64 billion for nuclear weapons - a new report shows the Defence Investment Plan will actually result in job losses.
Research by the Transition Security Project shows that, while 10,000 extra jobs would be created by hikes to military spending by the year 2029/30, the impact of the cuts to critical public services to pay for it will cost twice that number.
Khem Rogaly, the co-author of the report, said: “The idea that military spending can provide a defence dividend is misleading: job losses will result from this latest funding settlement while the opportunity cost of military spending is sharp.
“Far more jobs are created when investing in public needs like health, education and addressing the climate crisis. This latest data suggests that the turn towards autonomous weapons and AI could also mean that military spending creates even fewer jobs per pound than before.”
Not a single element of the government’s nuclear programme has been cut from the Defence Investment Plan. In fact, spending on nuclear weapons is increasing as a share of the MoD budget. We say invest in people not Nukes!
Effects of a nuclear attack on Faslane – CND joint webinar, 23 July
What would be the effects of a strike on a British nuclear base and what would it mean for the public in Britain? CND and Scottish CND invite you to a joint webinar on 23 July, where we will be joined by scientist Hugh Irvine to discuss his new study on the impact of a nuclear attack on the Clyde naval base at Faslane.
Hugh’s research examines the potential scale of the devastation, loss of life and the spread of radioactive fall-out. With the growing threat of nuclear weapons being used in war it is critical that we raise awareness about the reality of these deadly weapons of mass destruction and build the movement for their abolition.
- Thursday, 23 July
- 7:00pm to 8:30pm
- Online, register here
Hugh Irving will be joined by Scottish CND Chair Lynn Jamieson and CND General Secretary Sophie Bolt. More speakers to be announced.
NATO in crisis: Join tonight’s online counter-summit
NATO leaders will meet in Turkey next week amid an unprecedented drive to rearm and expand nuclear capabilities across Europe. In the same week that Keir Starmer announced a £15 military spending hike, it was revealed that NATO bases in Britain, like RAF Lakenheath, will receive multi-billion dollar upgrades.
Join the No to NATO Network tonight, for the first of its counter-summits.
- Tonight, 3 July
- 6:00pm (UK)
- Online, register here
Speakers include: Laetita Plance (France); Michael von der Schulenburg MEP (Germany); Oleg Bodrow (Russia); Paul Murphy TD (Ireland); Firuze Taner, No to NATO (Turkiye); Anu Chenoy, Professor, Political Analysts; Reiner Braun, No to NATO. Moderated by Kate Hudson, CND Vice-President and Kristine Karch.
Another post-summit event will take place on 11 July, more details here.
Tell the New PM: No to War / End the Genocide / Sanctions Now’ – National march for Palestine, Saturday 18 July
As Britain prepares for a new Prime Minister, the Palestine Coalition has called for a national march to make sure this issue remains a priority. Save the date and join us in Central London on Saturday, 18 July. More details to be announced.