SEAFARERS have torpedoed the Tory government’s commitment to boost defence spending by the end of the decade after suffering a 30 per cent real-terms pay cut over 14 years.

Nautilus International members at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) criticised the government today after overwhelmingly voting for industrial action for the first time in its history last month.

RFA vessels provide the Royal Navy with vital logistic and operational support including humanitarian operations around the world.