Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about the Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS), the roll-out of Operational MGS Employment Contracts (OMEC) and the related campaign by Unite the Union.

As well as paying tribute to the men and women of the armed forces, who have done so much to help the country through the pandemic, it is important to recognise all those who work in our UK defence sector. As key workers, the MOD Guard Service has continued to protect MOD sites across the country throughout this difficult time.

I appreciate that Unite fears OMEC could be a step towards privatisation of MGS. I have long opposed privatisation of the MOD guard service. The outsourcing of public services frequently results in lower levels of staffing, less continuity, less training and less vetting. This is particularly significant given that MGS was set up in the wake of the 1989 bombing of the Royal Marines building at Deal and the identification of failures by a private security firm. It is important that the Government should recognise the sensitivity of the work done by the MOD guards when making decisions.

I know an independent report commissioned by Unite shows that the new OMEC contracts significantly increase the risk of fatigue. The Government has said in the past that no decisions on the MGS will be made that would compromise the security of personnel or physical assets. It continues to be pressed in Parliament on its plans for MGS and I hope this pressure results in an update from Ministers. I hope there can be meaningful engagement between the MOD and the union to find a mutually beneficial way forward.

A subcommittee of the Defence Select Committee is currently holding an inquiry into the treatment of contracted staff for the MOD’s ancillary services, including the MOD Guard Service. This has been an important opportunity for unions to put forward their concerns and the outcome could prove significant.

Over the course of the pandemic, trade unions have stood up to protect workers across our country. As ever, when it came to protecting millions of jobs and keeping people safe at work, it was the union movement that stood up.

I believe it is important to support that fight to protect jobs, incomes and working conditions at this time of national crisis.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP,