Latest news with #Aldermaston
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
AWE Aldermaston: 9,000 jobs safe after investment
9,000 jobs have been secured after the government announced a £15 billion investment in its nuclear warhead said it would be adding to the UK's defence systems, with upgrades coming to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in Aldermaston including 12 new attack move comes as the Government publishes the outcome of its Strategic Defence Review, to "protect the UK's national security against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical threats".Secretary of state for defence John Healey said that he celebrated the "essential and unique work" done by AWE. In a statement, AWE said "The UK Defence Spending Review, announced by the Prime Minister, outlines significant investment in nuclear security, including the modernisation of infrastructure at AWE."AWE's nuclear warhead programme features some of the most advanced and sensitive science, engineering and manufacturing facilities in the UK."The Prime Minister said the world had changed and there was greater instability and the UK needed to respond to those added: "We have seen what's happened in Ukraine... Russia has shown in recent weeks it is not serious about peace and we have to be ready." The Labour MP for Aldermaston, Olivia Bailey, said that the £15bn investment will be "crucial for national security" and "transformational for Reading West and Mid Berkshire"."The investment will include billions for the modernisation of infrastructure at the Aldermaston site ... in addition to thousands of jobs in the defence supply chain in Reading West and Mid Berkshire and across the UK", she Bailey said: "I am proud to represent a constituency that is so vital to this country's national security, with thousands of people working in the defence sector to keep us safe."This is a significant investment in this country's national security and reinforces my constituencies' place at the very forefront of the UK defence sector." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Britain to ‘send message to Moscow' with 12 new nuclear-powered submarines
Britain plans to build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack Submarines amid rising global threats, according to an upcoming defence review by Sir Keir Starmer. The Ministry of Defence will allocate £15bn to develop new warheads for the UK's nuclear deterrent as part of a broader effort to enhance the country's war readiness. Defence Secretary John Healey emphasised the need to confront Russian aggression and ensure Britain 's security, highlighting daily cyber attacks from Russia targeting the UK's defence systems. On Sunday, Mr Healey described the review as a 'message to Moscow '. The 130-page defence review, expected to be published on Monday, includes 62 recommendations and aims to boost investments in shipbuilding, drone technology, and cyber defence, potentially creating tens of thousands of skilled jobs. The nuclear investments are projected to support 30,000 skilled jobs across the UK and will necessitate significant infrastructure upgrades at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston.
