The BBC has reported that the Main Gate decision on the Trident replacement programme will be put back from 2014 to 2015, beyond the next general election. However this does not mean that Trident is on hold. A different decision, the Initial Gate, is imminent. This is due to be taken by the end of 2010 and will authorise billions of pounds of expenditure on replacing Trident over the next 4-5 years.

Alan Mackinnon, Chair of Scottish CND, said:

"Any delay to the Trident replacement programme is to be welcomed. But we should not lose sight of the fact that David Cameron is about to nod through the next phase of the programme. The Initial Gate decision is due to be taken at the end of 2010. There have been no leaks saying that this will be delayed. It looks as if the Prime Minister will sacrifice jobs in the public sector and in defence to pay for Trident. Over the next four years, he is set to squander billions on Weapons of Mass Destruction while slashing benefits for the most vulnerable in society."

MoD projects go through two hurdles. The Initial Gate and the Main Gate. In the case of Trident replacement the Initial Gate (due 2010) will authorise design work and the procurement of long lead items. The main gate (now 2015) will authorise the full contracts for submarine construction. There is a danger that in 2015 the Government will argue that so much money has already been spent that it would be foolish not to continue with the new submarines.

This week CND launched a new report "Trident, jobs and the UK economy" at TUC Congress. This illustrates the impact that replacing Trident is likely to have on jobs and the potential for diversification.

(short version: www.cnduk.org/tridentjobs2 Full report: www.cnduk.org/tridentjobs)