Statement on the SIPRI military expenditure figures for 2013.

To mark the Global Day of Action on Military Spending, Action AWE signed this statement:

The latest world military expenditure figures show that spending is an enormous $1.75 trillion. One of the nations continuing to spend the most is the UK, which plans to spend £38 billion in 2014/15. This shows the backwards priorities of a government that is protecting its overblown military budget, at the same time as it is subjecting vital public services to drastic spending cuts.

For too long we have lived with the myth that high military spending maintains peace, creates jobs and combats terrorism. This myth is promoted by governments and the multinational arms companies that benefit from the global arms trade politically and economically.

The money and skills which are currently being wasted on needless and destructive weapons like the Trident nuclear weapons system would be far better spent on strengthening vital services and tackling the real challenges affecting our society; such as poverty, health inequality and environmental problems.

Nick Dearden, Director, World Development Movement

Sarah-Jayne Clifton, Director, Jubilee Debt Campaign

Andrew Smith, Campaign Against Arms Trade

John Rees, Stop The War Coalition

John Hilary, Executive Director, War on Want

Kate Hudson, General Secretary, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Dave Webb, Chair, CND

Bruce Kent, Movement for the Abolition of War

Pat Gaffney, General Secretary, Pax Christi

Stuart Parkinson, Executive Director, Scientists for Global Responsibility

David McCoy, Chair, Medact

Chris Cole, Drone Wars UK

Millius Palayiwa, Director, Fellowship of Reconciliation

Claire Poyner, Network for Peace

Jill Gough, National Secretary, CND Cymru

Dr Paul Dorfman, Founder, Nuclear Consulting Group

Hannah Brock, Action AWE

Robin Bowles, Acting Co-ordinator, Northern Friends Peace Board

Helen Drewery, General Secretary, Quaker Peace & Social Witness

Fr Peter Hughes, Coordinator, Columban JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation)

Anne Scott, Secretary, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Scottish Branch

Brian Larkin, Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre

Frank Jackson, Vice-President, Uniting for Peace

Tony Simpson, Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation

Anne Peacey, National Justice & Peace Network

Jane Tallents, Trident Ploughshares

Ken Loach

“Spending £100 billion on replacing Trident is a catastrophic folly. I’m sure I am one of many who support the those, like Action-AWE, who campaign actively and imaginatively against it”

– Ken Loach

John Hurt

".....the government has pledged to rebuild a new generation of British nuclear weapons at enormous cost and at a time when social services budgets including those for health and education are being drastically cut. Having nuclear weapons doesn't make us safer, it just brings the possibility of nuclear conflict ever closer. We need to protect this planet not put it at even more risk of destruction. We all have a voice so please use yours and join me in supporting ACTION AWE." John Hurt
For full quotes from people who've given personal messages of support to Action AWE, please click here!

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