Latest news with #DanKitwood
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Government plan to build munitions factories to ‘better deter our adversaries'
The Government has pledged £1.5 billion as part of the strategic defence review (SDR) to set up at least six factories, and will support the procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons. The announcement responds to the SDR's call for an 'always on' munitions production capacity that could be scaled up quickly. Mr Healey said: 'The hard-fought lessons from (Russian president Vladimir) Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine show a military is only as strong as the industry that stands behind them. 'We are strengthening the UK's industrial base to better deter our adversaries and make the UK secure at home and strong abroad. 'We will embrace the strategic defence review, making defence an engine for economic growth and boosting skilled jobs in every nation and region as part of our Government's plan for change.' According to the Ministry of Defence, the new funding will see UK munitions spend hit £6 billion during this Parliament. It will support around 1,800 jobs throughout the country. Defence Secretary John Healey is shown an air-to-air combat simulation at the MBDA Storm Shadow factory (Dan Kitwood/PA) Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'A strong economy needs a strong national defence, and investing in weaponry and munitions and backing nearly 2,000 jobs across Britain in doing so is proof the two go hand-in-hand. 'We are delivering both security for working people in an uncertain world and good jobs, putting more money in people's pockets as part of our plan for change.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer launched the SDR last year, with its recommendations due to be published in the coming days. A missile display in the reception area at the factory (Dan Kitwood/PA) In addition to its call for an 'always on' munitions production capacity, the Ministry of Defence will be urged to lay the industrial foundations for an uplift in munitions stockpiles to meet the demand of 'high-tempo' warfare. Also as part of its response to the SDR, the Government has unveiled more than £1.5 billion in extra funding for military homes. The cash will be spent on urgent repairs such as fixing boilers and roofs, and other issues including tackling damp. 'Our forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe and to serve this country and yet for years, we've forced their families to live in substandard homes,' Mr Healy said on a visit to military accommodation in Cambridgeshire. The Conservatives criticised the investment in munitions factories as too slow. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: 'It's a bit rich of Labour to talk about 'always on' munitions production when procurement has been largely switched off for the past year. 'Rachel Reeves has deliberately used the SDR to put an effective freeze on new orders for the kit our military needs. 'Of course, we welcome investment in new munitions factories, but we don't know when they will be ready, only that these orders should have been placed months ago. 'Ultimately, we need to see greater ambition for the pace and scale of rearmament our armed forces require, given the threats we face and the need to replace inventory gifted to Ukraine. 'That means 3% of GDP by the end of this parliament, and Labour properly prioritising defence spending – instead of seeking to outspend Reform on welfare.'
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Government plan to build munitions factories to ‘better deter our adversaries'
The announcement responds to the SDR's call for an 'always on' munitions production capacity that could be scaled up quickly. Mr Healey said: 'The hard-fought lessons from (Russian president Vladimir) Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine show a military is only as strong as the industry that stands behind them. 'We are strengthening the UK's industrial base to better deter our adversaries and make the UK secure at home and strong abroad. 'We will embrace the strategic defence review, making defence an engine for economic growth and boosting skilled jobs in every nation and region as part of our Government's plan for change.' According to the Ministry of Defence, the new funding will see UK munitions spend hit £6 billion during this Parliament. It will support around 1,800 jobs throughout the country. Defence Secretary John Healey is shown an air-to-air combat simulation at the MBDA Storm Shadow factory (Dan Kitwood/PA) Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'A strong economy needs a strong national defence, and investing in weaponry and munitions and backing nearly 2,000 jobs across Britain in doing so is proof the two go hand-in-hand. 'We are delivering both security for working people in an uncertain world and good jobs, putting more money in people's pockets as part of our plan for change.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer launched the SDR last year, with its recommendations due to be published in the coming days. A missile display in the reception area at the factory (Dan Kitwood/PA) In addition to its call for an 'always on' munitions production capacity, the Ministry of Defence will be urged to lay the industrial foundations for an uplift in munitions stockpiles to meet the demand of 'high-tempo' warfare. Also as part of its response to the SDR, the Government has unveiled more than £1.5 billion in extra funding for military homes. The cash will be spent on urgent repairs such as fixing boilers and roofs, and other issues including tackling damp. 'Our forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe and to serve this country and yet for years, we've forced their families to live in substandard homes,' Mr Healy said on a visit to military accommodation in Cambridgeshire. The Conservatives criticised the investment in munitions factories as too slow. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: 'It's a bit rich of Labour to talk about 'always on' munitions production when procurement has been largely switched off for the past year. 'Rachel Reeves has deliberately used the SDR to put an effective freeze on new orders for the kit our military needs. 'Of course, we welcome investment in new munitions factories, but we don't know when they will be ready, only that these orders should have been placed months ago. 'Ultimately, we need to see greater ambition for the pace and scale of rearmament our armed forces require, given the threats we face and the need to replace inventory gifted to Ukraine. 'That means 3% of GDP by the end of this parliament, and Labour properly prioritising defence spending – instead of seeking to outspend Reform on welfare.'
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Government plan to build munitions factories to ‘better deter our adversaries'
The Government has pledged £1.5 billion as part of the strategic defence review (SDR) to set up at least six factories, and will support the procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons. The announcement responds to the SDR's call for an 'always on' munitions production capacity that could be scaled up quickly. Mr Healey said: 'The hard-fought lessons from (Russian president Vladimir) Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine show a military is only as strong as the industry that stands behind them. 'We are strengthening the UK's industrial base to better deter our adversaries and make the UK secure at home and strong abroad. 'We will embrace the strategic defence review, making defence an engine for economic growth and boosting skilled jobs in every nation and region as part of our Government's plan for change.' According to the Ministry of Defence, the new funding will see UK munitions spend hit £6 billion during this Parliament. It will support around 1,800 jobs throughout the country. Defence Secretary John Healey is shown an air-to-air combat simulation at the MBDA Storm Shadow factory (Dan Kitwood/PA) Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'A strong economy needs a strong national defence, and investing in weaponry and munitions and backing nearly 2,000 jobs across Britain in doing so is proof the two go hand-in-hand. 'We are delivering both security for working people in an uncertain world and good jobs, putting more money in people's pockets as part of our plan for change.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer launched the SDR last year, with its recommendations due to be published in the coming days. A missile display in the reception area at the factory (Dan Kitwood/PA) In addition to its call for an 'always on' munitions production capacity, the Ministry of Defence will be urged to lay the industrial foundations for an uplift in munitions stockpiles to meet the demand of 'high-tempo' warfare. Also as part of its response to the SDR, the Government has unveiled more than £1.5 billion in extra funding for military homes. The cash will be spent on urgent repairs such as fixing boilers and roofs, and other issues including tackling damp. 'Our forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe and to serve this country and yet for years, we've forced their families to live in substandard homes,' Mr Healy said on a visit to military accommodation in Cambridgeshire. The Conservatives criticised the investment in munitions factories as too slow. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: 'It's a bit rich of Labour to talk about 'always on' munitions production when procurement has been largely switched off for the past year. 'Rachel Reeves has deliberately used the SDR to put an effective freeze on new orders for the kit our military needs. 'Of course, we welcome investment in new munitions factories, but we don't know when they will be ready, only that these orders should have been placed months ago. 'Ultimately, we need to see greater ambition for the pace and scale of rearmament our armed forces require, given the threats we face and the need to replace inventory gifted to Ukraine. 'That means 3% of GDP by the end of this parliament, and Labour properly prioritising defence spending – instead of seeking to outspend Reform on welfare.'
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Government plan to build munitions factories to ‘better deter our adversaries'
The Government has pledged £1.5 billion as part of the strategic defence review (SDR) to set up at least six factories, and will support the procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons. The announcement responds to the SDR's call for an 'always on' munitions production capacity that could be scaled up quickly. Mr Healey said: 'The hard-fought lessons from (Russian president Vladimir) Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine show a military is only as strong as the industry that stands behind them. 'We are strengthening the UK's industrial base to better deter our adversaries and make the UK secure at home and strong abroad. 'We will embrace the strategic defence review, making defence an engine for economic growth and boosting skilled jobs in every nation and region as part of our Government's plan for change.' According to the Ministry of Defence, the new funding will see UK munitions spend hit £6 billion during this Parliament. It will support around 1,800 jobs throughout the country. Defence Secretary John Healey is shown an air-to-air combat simulation at the MBDA Storm Shadow factory (Dan Kitwood/PA) Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'A strong economy needs a strong national defence, and investing in weaponry and munitions and backing nearly 2,000 jobs across Britain in doing so is proof the two go hand-in-hand. 'We are delivering both security for working people in an uncertain world and good jobs, putting more money in people's pockets as part of our plan for change.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer launched the SDR last year, with its recommendations due to be published in the coming days. A missile display in the reception area at the factory (Dan Kitwood/PA) In addition to its call for an 'always on' munitions production capacity, the Ministry of Defence will be urged to lay the industrial foundations for an uplift in munitions stockpiles to meet the demand of 'high-tempo' warfare. Also as part of its response to the SDR, the Government has unveiled more than £1.5 billion in extra funding for military homes. The cash will be spent on urgent repairs such as fixing boilers and roofs, and other issues including tackling damp. 'Our forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe and to serve this country and yet for years, we've forced their families to live in substandard homes,' Mr Healy said on a visit to military accommodation in Cambridgeshire. The Conservatives criticised the investment in munitions factories as too slow. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: 'It's a bit rich of Labour to talk about 'always on' munitions production when procurement has been largely switched off for the past year. 'Rachel Reeves has deliberately used the SDR to put an effective freeze on new orders for the kit our military needs. 'Of course, we welcome investment in new munitions factories, but we don't know when they will be ready, only that these orders should have been placed months ago. 'Ultimately, we need to see greater ambition for the pace and scale of rearmament our armed forces require, given the threats we face and the need to replace inventory gifted to Ukraine. 'That means 3% of GDP by the end of this parliament, and Labour properly prioritising defence spending – instead of seeking to outspend Reform on welfare.'
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Russian captain denies manslaughter in North Sea collision as he faces U.K. trial
Published May 30, 2025 • 1 minute read Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in England. Photo by Dan Kitwood / AP LONDON — The Russian captain of a cargo ship that collided with a U.S. tanker in the North Sea pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of one of his crew at a U.K. court hearing on Friday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Vladimir Motin, 59, from St. Petersburg, appeared by video link from prison for the pretrial hearing at London's Central Criminal Court. Assisted by a Russian interpreter, he denied a charge of gross manslaughter over the death of 38-year-old Mark Angelo Pernia. Motin was ordered detained until his next hearing, and his trial was set for Jan. 12. The Portugal-flagged cargo ship Solong was traveling at about 15 knots (17 mph or 28 kph) when it hit the anchored tanker MV Stena Immaculate about 12 miles (19 kilometers) off the coast of northeast England on March 10, sparking a fire that lasted nearly a week. The tanker was transporting jet fuel for the U.S. military. Rescuers saved 36 people from both ships. Pernia, from the Philippines, is missing and presumed dead. U.K. authorities have said that there's nothing to indicate that the collision was connected to national security. Environmental damage from the collision was far less than initially feared, though thousands of pellets used in plastics production, known as nurdles, from the ruptured containers on the Solong have since washed up along England's east coast. Conservationists say the nurdles aren't toxic, but can harm animals if ingested. Crime Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto Raptors Toronto Maple Leafs
