Britain to ‘get ready for war' as review calls for defence overhaul
Britain
plans a new fleet of attack submarines, a £15 billion overhaul of its nuclear weaponry and a 'home guard' volunteer force to protect infrastructure such as airports, as UK prime minister
Keir Starmer
promised to get his nation ready for war.
The promise came as the British government on Monday published a strategic defence review (SDR) led by former
Nato
chief
George Robertson
. It said Britain must prepare to fight a war in Europe or the Atlantic and made sweeping recommendations to upgrade its forces.
'We are moving to warfighting readiness,' said Mr Starmer, as he launched his government's response to the SDR on Monday morning at a Glasgow shipyard, in advance of the formal publication of the document in Westminster later in the afternoon.
'The threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War,' the prime minister told Britons, as he cited potential threats from
Russia
,
cyber attacks
and 'new nuclear risks'.
READ MORE
Mr Robertson, meanwhile, warned the 'only effective, affordable' option for Britain was to stick with a 'Nato-first' approach, despite worries within the US-led military alliance that Washington's commitment could wane under president
Donald Trump
.
The SDR, which was ordered by the UK's Labour government when it took power 11 months ago, made more than 60 recommendations to counter a 'new era of threat' for Britain. It cited an 'immediate and pressing' danger from Russia and the 'sophisticated and persistent challenge' posed by
China
.
As part of its response to the threats outlined in the review, the UK government has promised to build a dozen nuclear-powered, conventionally armed attack submarines that would begin to enter service from the late 2030s. Its current fleet of nine submarines includes five attack vessels, but some of these are due to exit service.
It is believed that Britain may also seek to acquire fighter jets capable of firing nuclear weapons from the sky; its current nuclear arsenal is sea-based. The shift to jets was not detailed in the report but was briefed to some UK media by officials in Westminster.
The SDR also recommended further investment in drone attack technology, as well as a volunteer force to protect against aerial attack by enemy drones in Britain. The UK is also believed to be planning fresh investment in its missile defence systems.
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At a briefing for journalists in Westminster, a spokesman for 10 Downing Street said Britain was not planning to bring back military conscription, after reporters queried remarks by Mr Starmer for 'every part of society' to get involved in protecting Britain. The spokesman said the prime minister meant there should be a 'whole of society' approach involving, for example, British scientists and engineers to boost innovation.
The focus on the SDR chimed with a growing sense of anxiety in Britain over the military threats its government believes the nation faces. The Conservatives and even the Liberal Democrats have criticised the
Labour government
for not acting with sufficient urgency to rebuild the UK's armed forces.
Hovering over the debate, however, are growing fiscal restraints that threaten to hobble the Labour government's plans to renew the UK's public services.
Britain currently spends 2.3 per cent of its GDP on defence, and has promised to boost this to 2.5 per cent by 2027/28. Mr Starmer has stated an aspiration to boost this further to 3 per cent by the end of the next parliament – an aim that the SDR suggested was essential to 'establish the affordability' of the recommendations in the review.
The London-based Institute of Fiscal Studies, however, suggested that 'chunky' tax rises would be necessary to meet those commitments, which some of the UK's Nato allies in Europe have already hinted may not be enough.
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Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, June 5th: On immigration, trade union dues and red squirrels
Sir, – Michael McDowell (' EU cannot ignore what's happening in Poland and the Netherlands ,' Opinion, June 4th) presents a cynical view of so called 'EU fragility' in the face of populism. The real threat to European stability is not migration, but far-right nationalism and the failure of democrats to sufficiently oppose it. EU immigration policy is being misrepresented by people like Mr McDowell. According to Eurostat, more than 72 per cent of non-EU immigrants of working age in the EU are employed, a figure that exceeds employment rates in many native-born populations. These individuals are not a burden; they are essential to keeping European economies functioning, particularly in care, construction, and the service and transport industries. READ MORE Instead of platforming opposition to immigration, European leaders should be articulating an opposition to fascist ideologies now resurgent across the world. The lesson of the 1930s was that appeasement emboldens extremists. Migration scapegoating is nothing less than cowardice in the face of this new fascism. The EU faces a demographic crisis. Eurostat projects that by 2050 the EU's working-age population will shrink by nearly 50 million. Without inward migration, welfare systems will become unsustainable. The only viable path forward is a managed migration system that upholds European values while addressing real economic needs. Poland and the Netherlands may be warning signs, but not for the reasons Mr McDowell suggests. The real crisis is not federalism, but the failure to confront the anti-democratic forces undermining it from within. – Yours, etc, DECLAN DOYLE, Kilkenny. Whither the weather? Sir, – In this time of world chaos and such turmoil, I was comforted in my bed early this morning listening to the weather forecast to hear that the showers heading in our direction in the Northwest were organised as opposed to scattered as predicted elsewhere in the country. We always knew we were different up here in Donegal and as regards the weather can we speak urgently with the organiser? – Yours, etc, JOHN O'CONNELL, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Paying trade union dues Sir, – The trade union Fórsa has called on the Government to 'require workers who benefit from salary deals . . . to pay dues or subscriptions [to trade unions] even if they are not members' in order to prevent them from 'free-riding' on the benefits of those deals (' Public sector union calls for non-members benefiting from salary deals to be forced to pay dues ,' June 2nd). The obvious question is, if the Government was to effectively force workers to join trade unions, then why stop there? Should people also be forced to donate to Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, to prevent them from 'free-riding' on government decisions which they benefit from? Or what about forcing people to join a church and contribute to it, to prevent them from 'free-riding' on the prayers of others? The possibilities are endless. Would Fórsa also support these outcomes? Thankfully, we have a Constitution which protects freedom of association and prevents the State from forcing anyone to join or contribute directly to any private organisation. The general secretary of Fórsa is paid €186,000 per annum, three times the average salary of the public sector workers who they want to force to fund its operations. The suggestion that the Oireachtas should enforce some form of 'closed shop' to pay for this harks back to a time decades ago when trade unions expected, as of right, a 'cut' of any benefits gained by workers. – Yours etc BARRY WALSH, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Miracle required Sir, – Stephen O'Sullivan reflects on the unhappy fate of 'people who have borne the title of 'tsar' in its myriad linguistic variations' (Letters, June 3rd). Among those he lists is Karl I of Austria-Hungary. While his fate at the end of the first World War was indeed unfortunate, it seems that he enjoys the very best of what the afterlife has to offer, having been beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004 – and the cause for his canonisation is active. Another miracle is required for his canonisation. Maybe we should pray to him to solve the housing crisis in Ireland. Interceding with him for that miracle would likely be more efficacious than appointing a 'housing tsar'. – Yours, etc, FELIX M LARKIN, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. Funding the arts Sir, – The recent controversy surrounding the Arts Council's €6.6 million spend on a failed IT project invites a deeper conversation – not only about financial oversight, but about how arts funding is structured in this country. Too often, when additional money flows into the sector, it's accompanied by a parallel growth in consultancy, compliance, and oversight roles. These positions are not always filled by those with lived artistic experience, and are rarely held to the performance standards expected in sectors like tech or finance. The result? Those around the arts often prosper more reliably than those who actually make it. While artists are frequently required to demonstrate tangible outcomes or community impact – sometimes before the work even exists – those in administrative or consultancy roles tend to operate with far less visible scrutiny. Much of the current funding model treats art as product, not provocation or inquiry. The application process is often invasive, time-consuming, and artistically irrelevant – better designed to reward those fluent in institutional language than those pushing creative boundaries. The hoops increasingly serve funders more than artists. One wonders whether Joyce or Stravinsky would have made it through. If we are serious about supporting artistic excellence, we must start by trusting artists – with funding, time, space, and mentorship – and by acknowledging that not all valuable outcomes can be measured in neat reports or footfall figures. If a growing share of arts funding is funnelled into administrative structures and underperforming consultancy contracts, while artists continue to struggle for basic support, then we're not just failing artists – we're failing taxpayers too. Public investment in the arts should enable creation, not bureaucracy. – Yours etc, YVONNE O'REILLY, Terenure, Dublin. Killings in Gaza Sir, – Just when we thought it could not get any worse, it does. Killing people who are desperate to secure food for themselves and their families is absolutely appalling and inhuman. One can only assume that this is the plan of the Israeli government, regardless of how they try to justify their behaviour. There is no justification for what they are doing and the international community needs to demand they stop and then hold the Israeli government to account. I suspect that the vast majority of the Israeli people would not support what is happening in Gaza. Unfortunately, they do not see what we see on a daily basis. Of course, we all condemn what happened on October 7th 2023 and we want all the remaining hostages to be released. However, what happened does not and cannot justify what the Israeli government is doing. The US also needs to step up in defence of innocent children, women and men. Their silence is deafening and it is giving the Israeli government the support they need to keep doing these terrible and inhuman acts. – Yours, etc, PAULA MOLLOY, Dublin 13. Use of word 'mongrels' Sir, – I would like to respond to your online headline of Saturday, May 31st, which quotes Prof Bríona Nic Dhiarmada – 'We Irish were never homogeneous. Always hybrids, always mongrels'. The first settlers of Ireland, Western European hunter-gatherers from approximately 8000 BC, were few and were eventually absorbed by Neolithic farmers arriving from 6000 years ago. That small population was in turn replaced by Bronze Age settlement starting around 2500 BC. There is genetic evidence to suggest the farmers were overwhelmed by the metallurgists. Around 80-85 per cent of Irish males carry the R1b-M269 haplogroup from this Bronze Age settlement. This is a simplified example from the hugely complex area of study on genetic variation in Ireland, but nonetheless it is true. Later invasions by Vikings, Anglo-Normans, the English plantations, and normal migration have had modest effects on genetic continuity from the 4500-year-old Bronze Age settlements of Ireland. Distinct ancestral genetic contributions noted among the Japanese population, or the Egyptian population, as random examples, would not lead, I hope, to their people ever being described as mongrels. A wholly homogeneous tribe would be extremely rare on earth, but that doesn't stop us recognising and respecting other people's tribal ethnicities. While the Irish have happily welcomed many to our land, it must be noted that geographical placement and low ancestral mobility has meant that, contrary to the rather startling descriptors used in your headline, we have been for at least four millennia a relatively homogenous, indigenous people. – Yours, etc, DEIRDRE CALLERY, Blacklion, Co Cavan. Sir, – As an Irish woman, I am deeply offended and appalled by the use of the derogatory term 'mongrels' in reference to the Irish people. This language is not only disrespectful but entirely inaccurate. The author of the article in question appears to have a misguided understanding of Irish history. Attempting to portray the Irish as 'mongrelised' – whether as a verb or adjective – is an unacceptable distortion of our heritage. This kind of narrative constitutes a form of historical revisionism that seeks to manipulate public perception and undermine national identity. I strongly urge you to retract this article and replace it with an accurate and respectful representation of Irish history. Our people deserve to have their past told truthfully and with dignity. – Yours, etc, NIAMH HEVERIN, Co Mayo. Forensics and fires Sir, – Your article on the tragic deaths in a Connemara house fire ('Former US death row inmate dies in Connemara House Fire ', June 4th), refers to 'a forensic examination being carried out'. Also included is 'the results of the postmortems, along with the findings of the technical examination, will determine the course of the Garda investigation'. This would appear to relate to a possible criminal investigation. But what if there was no criminality involved? Will the public ever be informed of the cause of the fire so that preventive measures can be taken to avoid any recurrence? 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We are inordinately proud of the women in the family, including both Mary and The Liberator's grand mother, Mháire Ní Dhuibh O'Donoghue, and their own contributions to Irish history as well as my mother, Dr Una O'Connell, who was an early pioneer as a female consultant in the NHS. I have a great deal of respect for Justine's journalism and her many excellent articles. However, it would have been preferable not to use a family grave for an article about respect of women, however commendable such an objective. I was also surprised that the Liberator's active promotion of women's rights was not mentioned but that is for another (soon) day. – Yours, etc, DANIEL O'CONNELL, Great, great, great grandson of the Liberator, Co Kerry. Squirrel spotting Sir, – Noting recent correspondence about red squirrels, one place where they may be found is the churchyard of St Luke's in Formby, near Liverpool, which is also the burial place of Percy French. Visiting his grave, I have often sat quietly on a bench and watched them - far more appealing than their ubiquitous grey relatives. – Yours, etc , PAUL GRIFFIN, Liverpool.
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Sir Keir Starmer blasts ‘appalling' Gaza strikes and warns Netanyahu over deaths near food centres
SIR Keir Starmer said Israel's recent military action in Gaza was appalling — as he again called for a ceasefire. 3 PM Sir Keir Starmer said Israel's recent military action in Gaza was appalling 3 The PM said Benjamin Netanyahu's approach was counterproductive, as he hinted more sanctions would be imposed Credit: Reuters It came after at least 27 Britain has already suspended talks with Israel over a free trade deal. Three MPs raised the situation at Prime Minister's Questions yesterday. Sir Keir said one MP was 'absolutely right to describe these as dark days'. READ MORE ON ISRAEL And he went on: 'Israel's recent action is appalling and, in my view, counterproductive and intolerable.' Yesterday, Israel issued a warning to Greta Thunberg's so-called Freedom Flotilla as the climate activist aimed to sail into Gaza. The Swede was pulling a dangerous stunt after leaving from Catania, Italy, on Sunday aboard the Madleen. The boat, carrying 11 pro-Palestine protesters, sailed south of Crete and aimed directly for the terror hotbed with only a "symbolic" amount of aid. Most read in The Sun The young campaigners said they were hoping to 'break the siege' and raise 'international awareness' of the humanitarian crisis on the Gaza Strip. Thunberg, 22, posted on social media with a Palestine flag and wearing a keffiyeh scarf while on the pointless journey. Israel is prepared to raid the ship, IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said. Israel issues warning to Greta's 'Freedom Flotilla' as eco-pest SAILS to Gaza 3 It came after at least 27 Palestinians were killed in shootings near Gaza's food distribution centres Credit: AFP
Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on ECB interest rates: getting near to their floor
The European Central Bank (ECB) is widely expected to cut interest rates again at today's meeting, encouraged by figures earlier this week showing euro zone inflation at 1.9 per cent, just below its 2 per cent target. A quarter point cut in its key deposit rate is expected by the financial markets and any other outcome would be a big surprise. However, what will be particularly closely watched are new forecasts for inflation from the ECB and any comments from its president, Christine Lagarde, about the outlook. Another cut in interest rates looks justified at a time when inflationary pressures and the euro zone economy both appear weak and investment sentiment is hit by uncertainty, mainly related to the policies of US president Donald Trump. But indications from the ECB of what happens next may be limited, with Lagarde likely to stick to the line that it all depends on the data in the months ahead. While pointing to limited inflationary pressures, the ECB's forecasts are also likely to caution about the difficulties of forecasting and remaining price pressures in some areas. Were the EU to respond to Trump's tariffs with similar moves of its own on US imports, this could also push up inflation in the euro zone. The rapid fall in ECB interest rates since they peaked at 4 per cent also means there may not be much further to go in terms of reductions. Borrowing costs may now be around what is called a neutral level, in other words one which neither stimulates nor restricts economic activity. More hawkish members of the policy-making governing council had already been cautioning about reducing interest rates further, even before today's meeting. Their real target was probably to underline that after the deposit rate reaches 2 per cent, convincing reasons would be needed to reduce it further. READ MORE The financial markets continue to anticipate further gradual reductions, albeit limited in scale. In a volatile economic environment, it is impossible to be certain, but ECB interest rates may now be coming close to their floor.
