Latest news with #LiberalDemocrats
Saudi Gazette
16 hours ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
UK to build up to 12 new attack submarines
LONDON — The UK will build "up to" 12 new attack submarines, the prime minister will announce, as the government unveils its major defense review on Monday. The new conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines will replace the seven-strong Astute class from the late 2030s onwards. The review is expected to recommend the armed forces move to "warfighting readiness" to deter growing threats faced by the UK. The prime minister is also expected to confirm the UK will spend £15bn on its nuclear warhead program. Sir Keir will say that, alongside the UK's nuclear-armed submarines, the new vessels would keep "Britain and Nato safe for decades". The threat posed by Moscow has been a key part of the government's pitch ahead of Monday's review, led by ex-Labour defense secretary Lord Robertson, which was commissioned by Labour shortly after it took office last July. The report will make 62 recommendations, which the government is expected to accept in full. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme ahead of its publication, Sir Keir said the danger posed by Russia "cannot be ignored" and the "best way" to deter conflict was to prepare for it. The government has committed to increasing UK defence spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of national income by 2027, a move welcomed by opposition parties amid a growing consensus on boosting military expenditure. But the run-up to the review's release has been dominated by a political row over when UK spending should hit the next milestone of 3%. The government says it has an "ambition" to hit the target by 2034 at the latest, after the next general election, but the Conservatives say the move - which would hike spending by around £20bn a year - should be met by the end of the decade. Sir Keir said he would only commit the government to a timescale when he knew how it could be paid for, adding a date would otherwise be "performative". Shadow defense secretary James Cartlidge said Labour's review should be "taken with a pinch of salt" unless the government showed there would be enough money to pay for it. The Liberal Democrats have said Labour's 2034 timeline is "far too late" and have suggested an earlier date should be found in cross-party talks. The party's defense spokesperson Helen Maguire called for a "concrete commitment" on funding to back up the submarines announcement, adding that Labour had left "serious questions" over how the project would be financed. PA Media Image shows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a white shirt and glasses, speaking to workers during a visit to Glass Futures in St Helens, Merseyside, on 29 May, 2025PA Media Other announcements in the review will include: Commitment to £1.5bn to build six new factories to enable an "always on" munitions production capacity Building up to 7,000 long-range weapons including missiles or drones in the UK, to be used by British forces Pledge to set up a "cyber and electromagnetic command" to boost the military's defensive and offensive capabilities in cyberspace Extra £1.5bn to 2029 to fund repairs to military housing £1bn on technology to speed up delivery of targeting information to soldiers Defense Secretary John Healey has signaled he is not aiming to increase the overall size of the Army before the next general election. On Sunday, he said his "first job" was to reverse a decline in numbers with a target to return to a strength of 73,000 full-time soldiers "in the next Parliament". The Astute class is the Royal Navy's current fleet of attack submarines, which have nuclear-powered engines and are armed with conventional torpedoes and missiles. As well as protecting maritime task groups and gathering intelligence, they protect the Vanguard class of submarines that carry the UK's Trident nuclear missiles. The sixth submarine in the current Astute series was launched last October, with the seventh, the final one in the series, currently under construction. The next generation of attack submarines that will replace them, SSN-AUKUS, have been developed with the Australian Navy under a deal announced in 2021 under the previous Conservative government. Meanwhile work on modernizing the warheads carried by Trident missiles is already under way. The £15bn investment into the warhead program will back the government's commitments to maintain the continuous-at-sea nuclear deterrent. In his announcement on Monday, Sir Keir is to repeat a Labour manifesto commitment to deliver the Dreadnought class of nuclear-armed submarines, which are due to replace the aging Vanguard fleet from the early 2030s onwards. The MoD's Defence Nuclear Enterprise accounts for 20% of its budget and includes the cost of building four Dreadnought class submarines. — BBC
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM Starmer: warns UK must prepare for war to prevent it
In a significant strategic shift, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the United Kingdom's military is entering a phase of 'war-fighting readiness,' unveiling a long-term defence posture that prioritises deterrence amid global instability and rising threats from Russia. Speaking in Glasgow, Starmer revealed that the UK would "innovate and accelerate at a war-time pace," pointing to Russia's aggression and global tensions as reasons to invest heavily in military capabilities. 'We cannot ignore the threat Russia poses,' he said. 'To deter war, we must be prepared for it.' National security and economic security go hand in hand. In a more dangerous world, with rising cost of living, we'll bolster British defence. We will build new weapons factories, creating skilled jobs and supporting working people across the — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 1, 2025 Central to the strategy is a pledge to boost defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2034, though the Prime Minister refused to commit to an earlier deadline. 'I don't believe in performative fantasy politics,' Starmer told reporters, in a veiled criticism of calls to expedite defence funding amid increasing NATO pressure. The newly conducted strategic review, led by former NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson, has focused on the UK's readiness to respond to escalating global tensions. It includes plans for new submarines, expanded munitions manufacturing, and reaffirmed NATO-first commitments. The full review will be made public later, with Defence Secretary John Healey expected to present further details. Opposition voices have emerged swiftly. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has challenged the adequacy of Starmer's budget timeline, while the Liberal Democrats argue the UK must move faster and spend more immediately. Yet Starmer remains focused on stability, signalling a pragmatic approach in balancing fiscal caution and military urgency.
South Wales Guardian
17 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Calls for changes at supermarkets to combat 'shrinkflation'
The Liberal Democrats want government legislation amended to legally require large supermarkets to inform shoppers when the quantity of goods within a pre-packaged product has decreased thereby increasing the price per unit of measurement. Details of the changes would need to be attached or placed alongside the product for a 60-day period, according to the amendment tabled to the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill. Digestive biscuits, butter, crisps and chocolate bars were among the items found to have decreased in size while their unit cost increased, according to 2024 research by Compare the Market. MPs could be asked to vote on the Lib Dem proposal on Wednesday when the Bill returns to the Commons for its report stage. The Bill as a whole gives powers to ministers to regulate the marketing and use of goods in the UK after Brexit. It was previously amended in the House of Lords to provide protections to the imperial pint measure to ease fears over its future. The changes accepted by the Government would bar ministers from preventing or restricting the use of the pint in relation to draught beer, cider or milk in returnable containers. It also provides a definition of a pint as 0.56826125 cubic decimetres. Lib Dem trade spokesman Clive Jones said: 'The scourge of shrinkflation needs to be exposed. 'Shoppers have been hammered during a cost-of-living crisis all while massive companies and big supermarket chains are forcing them to pay more for less to protect their bottom lines. 'They need to be called out on it and for shoppers to know when they are at risk of being ripped off. 'The Government should accept this Liberal Democrat amendment so that we can help protect shoppers and their already stretched household budgets from another round of shrinkflation.' A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said: 'We're committed to protecting consumers from unfair commercial practices and making sure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions on purchases. 'That's why we're bringing in strict new laws next year to make sure businesses use clearer labelling for prices on supermarket shelves, and retailers show all unit prices in either kilograms or litres to improve clarity for shoppers.'
Western Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Calls for changes at supermarkets to combat 'shrinkflation'
The Liberal Democrats want government legislation amended to legally require large supermarkets to inform shoppers when the quantity of goods within a pre-packaged product has decreased thereby increasing the price per unit of measurement. Details of the changes would need to be attached or placed alongside the product for a 60-day period, according to the amendment tabled to the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill. Digestive biscuits, butter, crisps and chocolate bars were among the items found to have decreased in size while their unit cost increased, according to 2024 research by Compare the Market. MPs could be asked to vote on the Lib Dem proposal on Wednesday when the Bill returns to the Commons for its report stage. The Bill as a whole gives powers to ministers to regulate the marketing and use of goods in the UK after Brexit. It was previously amended in the House of Lords to provide protections to the imperial pint measure to ease fears over its future. The changes accepted by the Government would bar ministers from preventing or restricting the use of the pint in relation to draught beer, cider or milk in returnable containers. It also provides a definition of a pint as 0.56826125 cubic decimetres. Lib Dem trade spokesman Clive Jones said: 'The scourge of shrinkflation needs to be exposed. 'Shoppers have been hammered during a cost-of-living crisis all while massive companies and big supermarket chains are forcing them to pay more for less to protect their bottom lines. 'They need to be called out on it and for shoppers to know when they are at risk of being ripped off. 'The Government should accept this Liberal Democrat amendment so that we can help protect shoppers and their already stretched household budgets from another round of shrinkflation.' A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said: 'We're committed to protecting consumers from unfair commercial practices and making sure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions on purchases. 'That's why we're bringing in strict new laws next year to make sure businesses use clearer labelling for prices on supermarket shelves, and retailers show all unit prices in either kilograms or litres to improve clarity for shoppers.'
Rhyl Journal
19 hours ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Calls for changes at supermarkets to combat 'shrinkflation'
The Liberal Democrats want government legislation amended to legally require large supermarkets to inform shoppers when the quantity of goods within a pre-packaged product has decreased thereby increasing the price per unit of measurement. Details of the changes would need to be attached or placed alongside the product for a 60-day period, according to the amendment tabled to the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill. Digestive biscuits, butter, crisps and chocolate bars were among the items found to have decreased in size while their unit cost increased, according to 2024 research by Compare the Market. MPs could be asked to vote on the Lib Dem proposal on Wednesday when the Bill returns to the Commons for its report stage. The Bill as a whole gives powers to ministers to regulate the marketing and use of goods in the UK after Brexit. It was previously amended in the House of Lords to provide protections to the imperial pint measure to ease fears over its future. The changes accepted by the Government would bar ministers from preventing or restricting the use of the pint in relation to draught beer, cider or milk in returnable containers. It also provides a definition of a pint as 0.56826125 cubic decimetres. Lib Dem trade spokesman Clive Jones said: 'The scourge of shrinkflation needs to be exposed. 'Shoppers have been hammered during a cost-of-living crisis all while massive companies and big supermarket chains are forcing them to pay more for less to protect their bottom lines. 'They need to be called out on it and for shoppers to know when they are at risk of being ripped off. 'The Government should accept this Liberal Democrat amendment so that we can help protect shoppers and their already stretched household budgets from another round of shrinkflation.' A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said: 'We're committed to protecting consumers from unfair commercial practices and making sure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions on purchases. 'That's why we're bringing in strict new laws next year to make sure businesses use clearer labelling for prices on supermarket shelves, and retailers show all unit prices in either kilograms or litres to improve clarity for shoppers.'
