UK: Defense minister dismisses trade union claims over borders

British defense minister Ben Wallace dismissed the claims made by trade unions that the strikes are making the country’s borders. Wallace stressed that the United Kingdom’s borders are secure.

Speaking to reporters at Manchester Airport on Thursday, Wallace dismissed the claims by trade unions over the borders that are currently being manned by military personnel rather than the border force staff. The trade unions alleged that the country’s borders are not as safe and secure because of the military personnel in the area rather than border force staff, which are currently on strike demanding better pay and working conditions.

“Our borders are safe and secure,” said Wallace, adding that those who are helping out as the strikes are taking place “are carrying out a very straightforward function and of course backed up by computer systems and scans…that allow us to identify people of worry coming into the country.”

New Trades Union Congress General Secretary Paul Nowak said that the reason why the borders were operating more smoothly when military personnel stepped in was that they had no authority to stop people.

“The reason why people are going through our border so easily is because those military personnel don’t have the powers to stop people at our borders and effectively the government has decided it’s going to open the borders,” Nowak told Sky News.

Nowak also separately accused the government under Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of blocking the efforts by unions to reach pay deals.

On Friday, Wallace issued a statement announcing that the UK has provided Ukraine with over 1,000 metal detectors and 100 kits to deactivate bombs in order to clear minefields in the latest support the UK has given Ukraine as it pushes back against Russian aggression.

“Russia’s use of landmines and targeting of civilian infrastructure underline the shocking cruelty of Putin’s invasion,” said Wallace in the statement. “The latest package of UK support will help Ukraine safely clear land and buildings as it reclaims its rightful territory.”

The defense ministry said that the metal detectors could help Ukrainian troops clear safe routes on roads and paths by removing explosive hazards.