Economy set to suffer if our fleet is cut back to the bone
THE government has been warned Britain's economy faces 'untold damage' if it decides to make deep cuts to the navy.
Defence experts, Admirals and campaigners say an unstable world without a strong naval force will affect the cost of international shipping and threaten tens of thousands of jobs in the UK.
Government ministers say the final outcome of its Strategic Defence and Security Review later this month is yet to be decided.
There are fears the navy will bear the brunt of the damage as leaders try to plug a 38bn hole in the Ministry of Defence's budget. The maritime sector brings in 56bn to the UK every year, charity Seafarers UK says.
More than 90 per cent of trade goods and fuel travels to the UK by sea and the Royal Navy plays a key role in making sure it arrives by protecting it from piracy and maritime terrorism.
Experts warn a weaker naval presence around the world will lead to increasing costs for fuel and goods.
Dan Lewis, chief executive of think tank Economic Policy Centre, said: The cost of an even further diminished Royal Navy are subtle but compounded over time, very significant to British citizens, consumers and taxpayers; higher shipping insurance, elevated terrorism risk and less clout at the diplomatic and economic negotiating tables.'
Lord Alan West, First Sea Lord from 2002 to 2006, said: 'There is a lot of concern about what impact this defence review will have. The role of the Royal Navy must not be underestimated. It's a force that prevents war. It is an enabler for us as an island nation. We are among the six richest nations in the world and we are more dependent on global stability for our wealth than any other nation. This government will inflict untold damage to our economy if we do not maintain a strong Royal Navy.'
The UK's shipbuilding industry - regarded as the most technologically advanced in the world - is driven by Royal Navy procurement.
Campaigners fear tens of thousands of jobs would be lost if the government drastically cuts the navy. James Smith, ancestor of Admiral Nelson's dear friend Captain Thomas Hardy, said: 'The government needs to make the right call. Otherwise, all the money they may save will just go into paying benefits for the thousands of people they leave unemployed.'
OUR RESPONSE
THE government is looking to make deep, devastating cuts to the Royal Navy.
In response, The News has launched a Hands Off Our Navy campaign.
We do not think the Royal Navy should be immune from any cuts. We recognise difficult decisions will have to be made.
Neither do we think the Royal Navy should be spared over other armed services.
What we want is for the government to halt this hasty review and take more time to consider its defence options based solely on strategic needs, rather than letting the Treasury intervene.
Too few politicians appear to understand the important role the navy plays in maintaining our way of life. That's why all this week we are running features on what the Royal Navy does around the world.
Next Monday, we will deliver an open letter to 10 Downing Street, with a dossier of evidence spelling out the important role of the Royal Navy and why it must remain a strong force for good.
We'll take your views to the prime minister
WE want readers to get involved with the Hands Off Our Navy campaign.
There are four ways to get in touch with us.
Join our Facebook group and leave a comment.
Find the page by searching for Hands Off Our Navy on facebook.com.
Email us at newsdesk@thenews.co.uk.
Write to us at: Hands Off Our Navy, Editorial, The News Centre, Hilsea, Portsmouth, PO2 9SX. Call us on (023) 9262 2137.
We will include your views in the dossier presented to 10 Downing Street next week.
If supporters would like to come and make their feelings known to the government about the defence cuts, please call Michael Powell on (023) 9262 2137.
We will be going to Downing Street at 4pm on Monday.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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