Publication

This report re-examines the economic arguments for the Government’s support for arms exports, and calculates what that level of support is costing the taxpayer. In doing so, we are not calling for the defence industry to be closed down, an accusation that is frequently made whenever commentators question Government support for particular arms exports. Rather, the contention is that as there is no intrinsic economic benefit in exporting defence equipment, and as the current relationship between domestic and export markets can lead to poor procurement decision-making, taxpayers’ money should not be used to provide a discount to foreign buyers of UK-sourced arms on the grounds that it protects particular jobs or benefits the economy in general.