Keir Starmer 'picks money man RAF chief to head UK Armed Forces' as he launches push to get Britain 'war-ready'
Keir Starmer has lined up the 'defence bureaucrat' head of the Royal Air Force as the new professional head of Britain's Armed Forces as he seeks to make the country 'war ready'.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, an RAF engineer, is reportedly in line to be the next Chief of Defence Staff.
He is said to be be known as the 'money man' because of his ability to keep an eye on military finances.
It comes as the Prime Minister launches a major investment in the UK's defences amid a growing threat from Russia and China.
This week he committed to spend 2.5 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) on defence from April 2027, with a goal of increasing that to 3 per cent over the next parliament, a timetable which could stretch to 2034.
However, Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte is thought to be pushing for allies to commit to spending 3.5 per cent on the military, with a further 1.5 per cent on defence-related measures, as the alliance responds to Russian President Vladimir Putin 's actions in Ukraine.
The Times reported that an official announcement is expected shortly.
The Strategic Defence Review published earlier this week recommended a greater focus on new technology, including drones and artificial intelligence.
The Ministry of Defence announced a £5 billion investment in the 'kit of the future', after the publication of the review on Monday.
The funding includes £4 billion for drones and autonomous systems, and an extra £1 billion for lasers to protect British ships and soldiers.
In addition to investment in drones and AI, the Government has announced an additional £1 billion for the development of 'directed energy weapons' (DEWs) during the current Parliament.
This includes the DragonFire laser scheduled to be fitted to the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers from 2027, with a similar system provided for the Army by the end of the decade.
DragonFire and other DEWs are intended to provide a lower-cost form of air defence against targets including drones, costing just £10 per shot compared with the thousands of pounds it costs to fire existing weapons.
The current CDS is Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who has been in the role since 2021.
According to his biography on the Government website, Sir Richard joined the RAF in 1989 as a university cadet, and served as deputy chief of the defence staff from 2019 to 2022.
The Ministry of Defence said: 'This is speculation. The appointment process is ongoing and any announcement will be made in the usual way.'
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The Independent
28 minutes ago
- The Independent
‘It feels good to say I'm Irish': How second passports grant readers post-Brexit travel freedom
As Brits grapple with the post-Brexit reality of restricted EU access, many Independent readers have been sharing why they've pursued second citizenship – and how it's reshaped their identity, freedom, and sense of belonging. Jessica Furseth's article struck a chord with those determined to reclaim their right to freedom of movement through ancestral ties, even if it meant wrestling with red tape. Her piece captured the reality of a growing trend: UK-born citizens pursuing second passports not for novelty, but necessity, reestablishing the rights they feel were stripped away by Brexit. Our readers described frantic searches through family records, cross-border paperwork marathons, and bittersweet awakenings to long-dormant heritage. Irish citizenship was the most popular route, but many also explored their Polish, German and Italian heritage. While a few wrestled with feelings of imposter syndrome, most said the outcome was worth it – not just for smoother holidays or easier work permits, but to feel connected to Europe again. The overarching view was that Brexit took something personal – and that this wave of passport reclamation isn't just administrative – it's emotional: about agency, identity, and quietly defying the walls that went up. Here's what you had to say: Jus sanguinis Husband asserted his right to Italian citizenship on the basis of jus sanguinis, or bloodline, unbroken through his mother's family. Took about two weeks after getting a codicil on his birth certificate, as a result of which my daughter has done the same (found herself frozen out of jobs otherwise) and my son should have got around to it, having studied in Italy for six years. I will be applying on the grounds of marriage, only slightly more complicated. All of this became an issue solely because of Brexit, and I'm so annoyed that the doors have been slammed in the faces of Britons who valued EU membership. Wonderful to still have my European citizenship As someone who, years after his hair became grey, became truly interested in his Irish heritage, I can only say it's wonderful to still have my European citizenship. I can see my daughter in Holland as I please – no 90 days nonsense. I can cross any Schengen border as a true European citizen. This, as we go, for example, as a family to the Christmas fair in Oldenburg (Germany). But as we pass Mr Farage and his German-speaking family doing their Christmas shopping in Germany too, it's good to know that more people have found this loophole! Brad It feels good to say I'm Irish I can relate to Tom Harrison. My father told me many years ago that I could claim Irish citizenship because his father was Irish, but I never saw the need. But post-Brexit, I wanted to remain an EU citizen, so I went for it, and it's a much simpler task now with the advent of the internet. Despite visiting family and friends and having many holidays in Ireland over the years, I do feel a bit of a fraud. That said, I am immensely grateful to the Irish government for allowing it. I sometimes feel a little uncomfortable telling people that I'm British, but it feels good to be able to say that I'm Irish. Bionicpants Travel is what the EU is about These people are pro-EU for the right reasons: the freedom to travel, work and live all over Europe. That is what the EU is about, the Ever Closer Union. You may notice, they don't mention the nice side effects, like frictionless trade, no additional roaming, or certain subsidies. They embrace the Euro and the Schengen area. Should the UK want to join, they have to embrace the principles of the Ever Closer Union as well. It helps if you focus on what that means, instead of repeating the economic benefits. As said, those are just nice side effects. Orval Can we please have Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Grealish back? As an Irish person, it's very satisfying to hear these stories of people with Irish heritage benefiting from getting an Irish passport. Can we please have Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Grealish back as a sign of appreciation? All very pleasant chaps too from what I can see. AnonyMousse Fast lane My mother is an immigrant from an EU country, and I got an EU passport about three years ago, as a result. Interestingly, I went to Spain recently, and when spotted with my EU passport getting off a flight from Britain, they ushered me and my friend (with her British passport) through EU passport control. She went via the EU fast lane because she was with me. Prenst Switch nationality mid-flight After having lived in the UK for 18 years, Brexit made it necessary for me to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. When I now travel to my native Germany, I have to leave the UK on my British passport and arrive in Frankfurt on my German passport. As per German law, I have to use my German ID to enter/leave Germany. I could, of course, enter any other EU country on my British passport, but this would mean queuing and getting an entry stamp and then an exit stamp. When returning to the UK, I then 'switch' nationality again in mid-flight from being a German in the EU to being a Brit in the UK. On one occasion, I flew from Tenerife to London... as a German from Tenerife to Madrid and as Brit from Madrid to London. Baldrick's Plan Legal technicalities My mother is a French citizen, as is all her side of the family, with French government certificates back to the 14th century, but I am refused citizenship (despite also living and paying taxes in France for eight years). Reason: a legal technicality called desuetude. You may want to do some research before handing over a few grand to the lawyers! Frankx33 You can't complain about being considered a foreigner Britain's approach to the EU always was a "what can I get in return" one... called it cakeism. What matters is being in the slow lane, no longer being able to live and work, etc. Britain would have loved to retain all EU perks without committing. You can't complain about being considered as a foreigner while being one and expecting the same rights as EU citizens.... Europeancitizen I don't know what I would have done with just a UK passport Got my precious Irish passport a couple of years ago, thanks to my grandfather, who was born in Ireland. This has allowed me to move from Italy back to France following retirement without any issues. I don't know what I would have done with just a UK passport, as there is no mechanism for UK passport holders to move from one EU place of residence to another. Farage, Johnson, Gove, etc, should be imprisoned for the lies they told. I cannot believe that Farage is still so popular, says a lot for the intelligence of a good percentage of the UK population. Very sad. YaketyYak Keep the family in one piece with my Irish passport My father was born in Ireland in 1916. I was born in England in 1944. He was an RAF pilot. I ended up marrying a German and lived happily in Solingen (which my father's squadron bombed!) until that swine Farage stirred up his sleazy chauvinism. Thanks to my father, I was able to keep the family in one piece with my Irish passport. I am immensely grateful. And to the Germans, too, who have made me very welcome Kenhubert Heartening It is heartening to read the stories of the people who have been able to reclaim the EU citizenship stripped from them by the disgusting and mendacious Brexiteers, who have yet to apologise to the rest of us for stripping us of our rights. Sturluson Not just the young It's not just young people. Us older folk are also going for dual passports after Brexit cut off our travel freedom. My Irish grandfather has now continued to be very useful after his death! JustMeHere Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day's top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click 'log in' or 'register' in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.
Wales Online
30 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Violence erupts for third night in UK town as rioters set leisure centre on fire
Violence erupts for third night in UK town as rioters set leisure centre on fire Homes have been evacuated and a leisure centre housing migrants has been set alight A third night of civil unrest has unfolded in Ballymena, NI (Image: Getty Images ) A third night of violence has ensued in a UK town in what has been described as "anti-immigration riots." Videos circulating online show a number of projectiles being launched at police in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, including petrol bombs and fireworks in another night of rioting which has seen violence, arrests and a number of people injured. The riots began on Monday after two teenage boys appeared in court accused of attempted rape. They had confirmed their names and ages through a Romanian interpreter and denied the charges against them. By Monday afternoon, a social media post advertising a planned protest at 7.30pm that evening had been widely circulated and despite it being planned as peaceful, violent attacks were launched on places known to house migrants. Since then there have been three nights of violence and vandalism with people reportedly afraid to leave their homes, multiple arrests and dozens of police officers injured. On Wednesday masked youths attacked Larne Leisure Centre by smashing windows and setting fires. They are believed to have targeted the building after social media posts had suggested that those moved out of Ballymena homes were being housed there. Article continues below It is understood that there was no one inside the Leisure Centre during the attack. Emergency services created blockades with vehicles and a water cannon was also used in an effort to disperse the crowds that gathered close to Clonavon Terrace. Police used water jets to disperse the crowds (Image: Getty Images ) DUP politician Gordon Lyons posted a message to Facebook on Wednesday: "A number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Lesiure Centre... following disturbances in Ballymena. "It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne. "Protesting is of course a legitimate right but violence is not and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful." The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the 'mindless attacks which has been described by senior police officers as "racist thuggery." Article continues below Some Ballymena residents have put British and Irish flags in their windows so that their homes are not targeted. Many locals have said they are too afraid to leave their homes.
BBC News
33 minutes ago
- BBC News
Adult education centres to shut across Derbyshire
Several adult education centres are set to close this summer across Derbyshire, with uncertainty over whether courses offered within them will centres such as the Eco Centre in Wirksworth, and centres in Alfreton, Ashbourne, Matlock, Shirebrook, Long Eaton and the Toolbox in Glossop will cease to offer adult education courses at the end of July, Derbyshire County Council Reform UK-run authority said it was part of a review into adult education services and was "based on changing priorities of the funding bodies that pay for our community adult education service".The authority said it was looking into whether courses could be run in alternative venues, or "if we run them at all in the future". No final decisions have been council receives funding for the centres predominantly from central government and the East Midlands Mayoral Combined this year the government cut the adult skills budget by about 6%.The council has sought to move a number of services away from bricks and mortar bases in recent years incorporating more home-based models in areas like social care, or deploying more use of digital technology. 'Extremely disappointing' Alan Squires is a member of a weekly pottery group at the Eco Centre in Wirksworth, which has been given a six-week notice to pack up its clay and glazes, potter's wheels, kilns and other kit and said: "It's very sudden - it's not the end of the next financial year, it's next month and we're out on our ear."There's a lot of people that rely upon the centre for mental wellbeing."People will be lost. It performs a crucial role in all sorts of aspects and other centres do things like teaching basic English and maths and essential skills for life."People need to be made aware of what's now being cut way beyond the bone in terms of functions of the county council."Derbyshire's Conservative group leader Alex Dale said the decision was "extremely disappointing" and pointed the finger at funding cuts from central said: "We will be pushing to ensure, at the very least, that alternative venues can be found for as many courses as possible in those communities affected."Adult education plays a vitally important role and it's essential that it remains accessible to all."The BBC has contacted the Department for Education and the East Midlands Mayor's office for comment.
