Britain’s nuclear defence programme is projected to cost nearly £51bn over the next decade and there is a significant risk that the figure could increase further, according to Whitehall’s spending watchdog. The National Audit Office found that the Ministry of Defence faces a £2.9bn black hole in its finances as it seeks to produce and maintain the submarines that carry Trident missiles and their warheads. Auditors said the fragility of the programme could destabilise the entire MoD equipment plan unless the “affordability gap” was addressed. The findings will intensify the debate over the UK’s nuclear deterrent and whether it is worth the money. This year alone it will cost the government £5.2bn – 14% of the MoD’s budget.
Guardian 22nd May 2018 read more »
Independent 22nd May 2018 read more »
Telegraph 22nd May 2018 read more »
Mirror 22nd May 2018 read more »
With cyber-enhanced “hybrid warfare” beginning to redefine the battlefield, Spotlight asks whether the world’s most dangerous weapons can be compromised.
New Statesman 7th May 2018 read more »
Concerns have been raised about the readiness of council staff to deal with any potential accidents affecting nuclear warheads being transported through the Borders. Such convoys routinely go through the region carrying nuclear warheads from England to the nuclear submarine based at Faslane on the Clyde, but Scottish Borders Council is unprepared to tackle any possible emergencies that might befall them, according to Green Party Mid Scotland and Fife list MSP Mark Ruskell. He has asked local authorities including Scottish Borders Council whether they have completed risk assessments but was told they hadn’t. South Scotland Labour list MSP Claudia Beamish said: “My colleague Mark Ruskell highlighted that generic risk assessments are relied upon by local authorities and information on managing hazards is only provided to the public near the Clyde naval base but not to residents living near the route. “Military and civilian partnerships have to be well interlinked to ensure our emergency services and local authorities can respond to any accidents, yet it appears there is not a joined-up strategic plan and that they may not even be informed when a convoy is travelling.
Southern Reporter 21st May 2018 read more »
Safety mishaps during nuclear bomb convoys rise to record high.
Ferret 21st May 2018 read more »