The MP described AWE employees as people who “have devoted their entire working lives [to] tending our nuclear defence and to whom promises were made during privatisation”.

He called on the Prime Minister “to review the situation to ensure that those promises are being kept”.

In reply, David Lidington MP, the Leader of the House who was standing in for the Prime Minister, said he would ensure the Prime Minister is informed about this matter.

He added that the Secretary of State for Defence is “carefully considering recent developments to see what else might be done”.

Peter Lewis, a member of Prospect’s AWE branch council and a constituent of Kit Malthouse MP, said: “I’m delighted that my MP has raised this issue at the highest level. I have met Kit Malthouse a number of times to discuss the situation at AWE and he fully understands the frustration and anger that employees feel, particularly in relation to the past promises on pensions that have not been kept.”

Richard Tabbner, Prospect negotiator added: “While AWE is a private company, the Government is its only customer and has a formal role in the governance of the pension scheme.

“The Secretary of State for Defence can and should step in to ensure the situation is resolved fairly and in the interests of all stakeholders,” Tabner concluded.

* See the exchange at: http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/353f9224-e34b-4f1b-ab00-5d4c09c7a28d?in=12:28:21