Skip to main content
The Morning Star Shop
New report reveals deeply-entrenched influence of arms industry on government policies
Trade unionists and protesters form a blockade outside weapons manufacturer BAE Systems in Rochester, Kent, in protest over the Israel-Gaza conflict and calling for an immediate ceasefire to halt the killing of civilians in Palestine, November 10, 2023

ARMS companies are perverting British government policy through unprecedented influence on ministers and officials, a new report has revealed.

The result is arms export decisions which sustain war crimes, human rights abuses and blatant corruption, with rules are regularly bent in favour of the industry, it claims.

Over 10 years, ministers and top civil servants met with arms executives an average of 1.64 times every day, shows the report by Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) and the World Peace Foundation.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) is greeted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, India, October 9, 2025
Britain / 9 October 2025
9 October 2025
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party Conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex, October 8, 2025
The Tories / 8 October 2025
8 October 2025
Robert Jenrick holds a judge's wig at the Conservative Party Conference, October 7, 2025. Photo: Neil Terry Photography
Tory Party / 7 October 2025
7 October 2025
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacts to the speech by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the Labour Party conference, September 30, 2025
Politics / 7 October 2025
7 October 2025
Similar stories
A general view showing the BAE Systems plant in Newcastle
Britain / 3 March 2025
3 March 2025
Defence Secretary John Healey leaves 10 Downing Street, Lond
Britain / 2 December 2024
2 December 2024
Campaigners blockade BAE Systems’ Glascoed site
Britain / 27 November 2024
27 November 2024