Red Arrows future not under threat, says defence secretary
Defence Secretary John Healey has said there is "no threat" to the future of the Red Arrows.Speaking at RAF Waddington on Friday, he made clear his support for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.Healey said: "It's a proud British institution, it trains some of the best pilots in the world and sets standards for other air forces. "There is no threat to the Red Arrows, we want them to fly for the future and continue to set new standards."
The jets, based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, cost almost £80,000 a day to run and their future was raised by Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty in Parliament last month.Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who accompanied Healey on the visit, was asked about plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027.Reeves said: "The world has changed and we can see that before our eyes. With the threats that we see within Europe means we need to up what we spend on defence."Earlier this month, Maria Eagle, the Minister for Defence Procurement, stated the Red Arrows' Hawk T1 aircraft would go out of service in March 2030 and the annual cost to maintain the aircraft was £27.7m.Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
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Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Nigel Farage's vow to reopen mines in Wales 'a backward-looking vision'
Nigel Farage's vow to reopen mines in Wales 'a backward-looking vision' The Reform UK leader was in Port Talbot on Wednesday where he vowed to reopen the town's steelworks and bring coal mining back to the Welsh Valleys Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Reform UK chief Nigel Farage has outlined a series of proposals including the abolition of the default 20mph speed limit, prioritising "Welsh people" for housing queues and reinstating coal mining in Wales. Wales Online readers are, on the whole, not convinced. Moreover, he has declared his party's aim to "reopen Port Talbot's steelworks". Despite Tata Steel currently owning the operational steelworks, the remaining blast furnaces were shuttered in 2024 with plans to construct an electric arc furnace for steel recycling. This transition is resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs. At a press conference in Port Talbot, when pressed about the funding for reigniting the blast furnaces - an idea deemed unfeasible by industry specialists - he acknowledged that the total cost would be "in the low billions", meaning it would need substantial investment from the UK Government. Farage, in a WalesOnline article, mentioned that Reform UK's would "allow coal, if suitable, to be mined in Wales". When asked if people would actually want to work down mines, he responded that they would if they were paid enough. The latest opinion poll in Wales indicates that his party is on track to secure its first seats at the Senedd in the forthcoming May 2026 election. Currently, the party's presence in Wales is limited to councillors, yet a recent YouGov/Barn Cymru survey for the election for the Welsh Parliament next May places Reform UK as runner-up with 25% of the vote. They are trailing narrowly behind Plaid Cymru, who are forecasted to receive 30%, and passing Labour which stands at 18%. Moreover, Reform said they would stop any properties from being used as accommodation for asylum seekers, will end funding for the Welsh Refugee Council, and will abolish the Welsh Government's "Nation of Sanctuary" policy. Article continues below He further pledged to establish an Elon Musk-inspired department aimed at reducing costs. He said: "A Reform UK Senedd will also save hundreds of millions each year by cutting bureaucracy, waste and bad management. The establishment of Welsh DOGE will help us uncover where there is woke and wasteful spending and we will make sure those funds are redirected to frontline services." Commenter Shane1976 says: 'I cannot believe how gullible people are. Where is the money coming from to [reopen] the steel works and the mines? Where are the miners coming from? This man promised the world with Brexit and Welsh voters believed him and Wales is worse off for it.' Ironside agrees: 'It was Mr Farage's idea to leave the EU in the first place when he was with UKIP and the Brexit Party. He fooled the British people, including myself, that leaving the EU would make things better instead Brexit has been a total disaster for the UK and Wales." Thebear2025 adds: 'I honestly do not believe him. He is just saying what he thinks the people of Wales want. While I think Labour definitely have to go, I don't think Reform is the answer to our prayers and will backtrack once in power the same as the other parties do.' Tigerbay replies: 'Reform will do well in Wales, but only because of the mess the other parties are making!' Exess60 wonders: 'As far as the steel works goes, do the good long suffering people of Port Talbot really want to revert to the filthy fog that blemished their environment and caused so much ill health for over a century? Surely that was yesterday, not the future!' DaisyDD writes: 'We want mining again in the Valleys. Our lads need work and it kept our communities together. Face it we are getting ready for war and need to be more self-sufficient for our steel. Opening Port Talbot's blast furnaces with coal again is a great idea. It should never have been allowed to close.' Numbersontheleft replies: 'I am not a Reform supporter but there are a lot of really good points in Farage's speech. It's simply wrong that steel will no longer be made in Wales. "Getting rid of the nation of sanctuary, blanket 20mph and the extra 36 MSs are policies any sane party should be supporting. And who wouldn't support improved efficiency and reduced waste in our public sector. The other parties are trying their best to rubbish Reform, but they are clearly worried that Farage is saying the things their voters want them to be saying.' Robo78 believes: 'It sounds like Nigel Farage wants to give us the jobs that no one else wants to do; this will enlarge our brain drain, not tackle it. What we need in Wales is a coherent, long-term strategy that links skills training to meaningful local employment. "Proposals like Farage's often present a narrow, backward-looking vision: one focused on recreating large-scale, traditional industrial jobs that are no longer economically viable, rather than planning for how these vital skills can be integrated into a modern, diverse Welsh economy.' Numbersontheleft retorts: 'So you think steel making, welding, plumbing, robotics, electrical trades, and industrial automation are jobs nobody else wants to do? Whilst in the real world, Wales and Britain desperately need construction trades to build homes and infrastructure. Also manufacturing the things we use, instead of importing goods manufactured in other countries.' Article continues below Would you like to see heavy industry back in the South Wales Valleys? Is Reform the answer to Wales' woes? Have your say in our comments section.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow travellers 'not to travel' to Middle Eastern country
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated travel advice on Sunday, June 15, to advise 'against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories'. David Lammy has said that the safety of British nationals 'remains our top priority'. Israel and Iran, both in the Middle East, continued to exchange fire overnight, after Sir Keir Starmer said that the UK was sending more RAF jets to the region amid the increasing hostilities. Glasgow travellers told not to travel to Middle Eastern country - Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (Image: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA Wire) The FCDO website warns that 'travel insurance could be invalidated' if people travel against the advice, and describes the current status as a 'fast-moving situation that poses significant risks'. Earlier on Sunday, Rachel Reeves said that sending more jets to the region 'does not mean' the UK is at war. Additional refuelling aircraft have been deployed from UK bases, and more fast Typhoon jets will be sent over, it is understood. The Chancellor also indicated that the UK could 'potentially' support Israel, but declined to comment on 'what might happen in the future'. Asked whether the announcement from the Prime Minister means the UK is at war, Ms Reeves told Sky News: 'No, it does not mean that we are at war. 'And we have not been involved in these strikes or this conflict, but we do have important assets in the region, and it is right that we send jets to protect them, and that's what we've done. 'It's a precautionary move.' READ MORE: Glasgow holidaymakers warned after earthquake in Turkey READ MORE: Glasgow holidaymakers travelling to Thailand warned READ MORE: Glasgow travellers heading to South America warned of muggings Oil prices surged on Friday, June 13, after Israel's initial strikes against Iran's nuclear programme, sparking fears of increasing prices in the UK. The Chancellor told the BBC that there is 'no complacency' from the Treasury on the issue and 'we're obviously monitoring this very closely as a government'. Sir Keir has declined to rule out the possibility of intervening in the conflict entirely, and the Chancellor indicated on Sunday that the UK could 'potentially' support Israel in the future. Britain last announced it had deployed fighter jets in the region last year, when the Government said British aircraft had played a part in efforts to prevent further escalation. Asked whether the UK would come to Israel's aid if asked, the Chancellor told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: 'We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in. 'I'm not going to comment on what might happen in the future, but so far, we haven't been involved, and we're sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies.' Pushed again on whether the UK would deploy assets in support of Israel if asked, she said: 'What we've done in the past is help protect Israel from incoming strikes. 'So a defensive activity.' She added: 'I'm not going to rule anything out at this stage, it's a fast-moving situation, a very volatile situation.' The FCDO advises against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. British nationals should continue to follow the advice of local authorities. — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) June 15, 2025 In a statement on X, the UK's FCDO said: "The FCDO advises against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. "British nationals should continue to follow the advice of local authorities."
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
More jets does not mean UK ‘at war' says Reeves, amid Israel-Iran conflict
The Chancellor also indicated that the UK could 'potentially' support Israel, but declined to comment on 'what might happen in the future'. The two nations continued to exchange fire overnight, as the region braced for a protracted conflict. Sir Keir Starmer confirmed on Saturday that more RAF planes are being deployed, amid the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. Additional refuelling aircraft have been deployed from UK bases and more fast Typhoon jets will be sent over, it is understood. Asked whether the announcement from the Prime Minister means the UK is at war, Ms Reeves told Sky News: 'No, it does not mean that we are at war. 'And we have not been involved in these strikes or this conflict, but we do have important assets in the region and it is right that we send jets to protect them and that's what we've done. 'It's a precautionary move.' Oil prices surged surged on Friday after Israel's initial strikes against Iran's nuclear programme, sparking fears of increasing prices in the UK. The Chancellor told the BBC that there is 'no complacency' from the Treasury on the issue and 'we're obviously, monitoring this very closely as a government'. Sir Keir has declined to rule out the possibility of intervening in the conflict entirely, and the Chancellor indicated on Sunday that the UK could 'potentially' support Israel in the future. Britain last announced it had deployed fighter jets in the region in last year, when the Government said British aircraft had played a part in efforts to prevent further escalation. Asked whether the UK would come to Israel's aid if asked, the Chancellor told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: 'We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in. 'I'm not going to comment on what might happen in the future, but so far, we haven't been involved, and we're sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies.' Pushed again on whether the UK would deploy assets in support of Israel if asked, she said: 'What we've done in the past (…) is help protect Israel from incoming strikes. 'So a defensive activity.' She added: 'I'm not going to rule anything out at this stage (…) it's a fast moving situation, a very volatile situation.' It comes after Iranian state media said Tehran had warned it would target US, UK and French bases in the region if the countries help Israel thwart Iran's strikes, according to reports on Saturday. Conservative shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride has backed the Government's decision to send further RAF jets to the region, telling the BBC it is the 'right thing' to do. He told the BBC: 'We've got assets out there in the UAE, Oman, Cyprus, they need to be protected given that Iran has suggested they may be under threat.'
