Photo: The plutonium storage vault at Sellafield.
Government Policy latest news
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Safety risks reach red at Ministry of Defence
Top-level Ministry of Defence (MoD) reports from the Admirals responsible for the UK's military nuclear safety reveal that a lack of adequate and resources and suitably competent staff may place safety and the environment at risk in the medium term.
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Watch out for stealth spending on Trident replacement
Greenpeace UK and CND have been doing some sterling work to establish how much money will be spent on the Trident replacement programme before Parliament decides whether to give the final go-ahead for the programme after the next general election.
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The case against CASD
Events organised by the Global Strategy Forum are always worth attending, and the Forum's recent lunchtime seminar on nuclear non-proliferation and arms control was definitely on my 'must go' list. With former Defence Secretaries Des Browne (now Lord Browne of Ladyton) and Sir Malcolm Rifkind discussing the question 'Can we really count down to zero', the meeting certainly promised the fresh thinking and active debate that the Forum was set up to provide.
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Labour’s new line-up – no change on Trident?
Following the Labour Party Conference and elections for party Leadership and Shadow Cabinet posts, Labour is now beginning the process of reshaping itself and reviewing its policies ready to fight the next general election. How far will this review see a re-evaluation of the dedicated support shown by the party over the past two decades for retaining and replacing UK's nuclear weapons?
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An Appropriate Contribution?
NIS researcher Steven Hendry on how the UK can best direct shrinking military resources at a time of spending cuts
This week has seen the release of both the National Security Strategy (NSS) and publication of the results of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). The NSS describes the threats that the UK faces in the coming years, whilst the SDSR sets out how the armed forces will counter these threats whilst cutting just under 8% from their budget.
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NIS videoblog: Making sense of the Strategic Defence and Security Review
Our new video blog shows an interview with NIS Director Peter Burt about key recent government announcements on defence, nuclear weapons, and government spending: the Strategic Defence and Security Review; the National Security Strategy; and the Comprehensive Spending Review.
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Delay to Trident replacement programme and cuts in nuclear warhead numbers announced in Strategic Defence and Security Review
- Defence spending to fall by 8% in real terms.
- Life of current Trident submarines to be extended.
- Stockpile of operational nuclear weapons to be reduced from less than 160 to less than 120.
- No cuts to troop numbers in Afghanistan.
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The National Security Strategy in a nutshell
The government today published its new National Security Strategy: 'A Strong Britain in an Age of Uncertainty'. The strategy outlines the threats that the government considers Britain faces over the next 20 years, and outlines a set of tasks that will be undertaken to address these threats.
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Blair on Trident: ‘There was a case either way’
Here's what Tony Blair has to say in his book 'A Journey' on the 2007 decision to replace the Trident nuclear weapon system:
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NIS Update: August – September 2010
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Osborne: no extra cash for Trident
How the 'Sun' portrayed the dispute between Liam Fox and George Osborne