'Delivery of the UK’s nuclear deterrent would be unaffected'

Staff at AWE in Aldermaston and Burghfield could go on strike.

Workers at the nuclear bomb factory will be ballotted next week in a dispute over pay.

The Prospect union said its members were offered a five per cent increase, along with an additional lump sum payment averaging £780 – which they said amounted to a real time pay cut.

An AWE spokesperson said: "AWE continues to engage with its trade unions in working towards reaching a satisfactory resolution for all parties."

A Government spokesperson said: "The safety and security of AWE sites are of the highest priority and in the event of industrial action pre-planned contingency measures would be implemented to ensure the continued safety of operations.

"Delivery of the UK's nuclear deterrent would be unaffected."