Latest news with #Marham
Euronews
2 hours ago
- Business
- Euronews
UK to buy 12 fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons
The UK will buy 12 F-35A fighter planes that can carry nuclear warheads in the biggest strengthening of the country's nuclear deterrent for a generation, the British government has said. The move, which was announced to coincide with the NATO summit in the Netherlands, will give Britain's Royal Air Force a role in the UK's nuclear programme for the first time since the 1990s, when defence cuts were made following the end of the Cold War. Currently, the country's nuclear deterrent is limited to a fleet of four nuclear-armed submarines. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer explained that the decision to purchase the US-built warplanes was both a boost to the country's national security and a sign of its commitment to NATO at a time of 'rising nuclear risks'. 'In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for granted, which is why my government is investing in our national security,' Starmer said. 'The UK's commitment to NATO is unquestionable, as is the alliance's contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure, but we must all step up to protect the Euro-Atlantic area for generations to come,' he added. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte 'strongly' welcomed the announcement. 'This is yet another robust British contribution to NATO,' he said. It is not immediately clear when the UK will purchase the jets, which will allow the UK to contribute to NATO's dual-capable aircraft (DCA) capability. Only a small number of NATO members, including Belgium and Germany, currently have the required jets and training to carry US-provided nuclear weapons. Britain's decision to bolster its air force comes as part of a European drive to increase defence spending, amid threats from Russia and concerns that the US will play a reduced role in the continent's security. To appease US President Donald Trump, many European countries are expected to agree to spend 5% of their GDP on defence by 2035. However, some nations have expressed unease, with Spain calling the deadline 'unreasonable'. Belgium has also indicated that it is unlikely to reach the target. Britain's new F-35A planes will be housed at RAF Marham, an air base in Norfolk, the UK government said.
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
RAF pilots will get NUCLEAR bombers for first time in 30 years as Keir Starmer says UK must prepare for threat of war
RAF Top Guns will get nuclear bombers for the first time in 30 years — after PM Sir Keir Starmer said we must prepare for possible war. The F-35As will be based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, which housed Britain's air-launched nuclear weapons until 1998. 4 That was the year then— PM Tony Blair scrapped Britain's air-launched bomb, the WE-177. The new B-61 bombs, made by US -firm Lockheed Martin, can take out small areas — unlike Trident 2 missiles on Britain's submarines which can obliterate whole cities. The F-35As can also carry conventional weapons. The announcement came as a new National Security Strategy warned: 'For the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario.' The Government said the jets would support Nato's nuclear mission. Ahead of today's Nato summit in The Hague, Sir Keir said: 'In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for granted, which is why my Government is investing in our national security.' The strategy highlighted Russia's invasion of Ukraine as the most pressing example. It added: 'Some adversaries are laying the foundations for future conflict, positioning themselves to move quickly to cause major disruption to our energy and/or supply chains, to deter us from standing up to their aggression.' The new plan focuses on three areas — protecting the UK at home, working with allies to strengthen global security, and rebuilding Britain's defence industries and technological capabilities. RAF planes SABOTAGED by protesters in 'grotesque' security breach at UK military base The F-35 deal supports more than 20,000 UK jobs, with British firms making 15 per cent of the supply chain. The UK is expected to buy 138 F-35s in total from the US government, with the A variant offering savings of up to 25 per cent per aircraft compared to the B models already in service. Nato chief Mark Rutte called the announcement 'yet another robust British contribution to Nato'. The UK is also building 12 new nuclear submarines, and investing £15billion in Britain's sovereign nuclear warhead programme. Ministers yesterday also said they will send 350 air defence missiles to Ukraine using £70million from seized Russian assets. The ASRAAMs can be fired from UK- supplied Raven launchers. Sir Keir is facing pressure to explain how we will meet the Nato target of spending five per cent of GDP on national security by 2035. 4 4 Prez praised By Martina Bet DONALD Trump was showered with praise by Nato boss Mark Rutte for the 'extraordinary' US raids on Iran, leaked messages reveal. Mr Rutte wrote: 'Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action. 'That was truly extraordinary and something no one else dared to do. It makes us all safer.' The former PM of the Netherlands also thanked the US President for forcing allies to promise to ramp up defence spending. He wrote: 'Europe is going to pay in a big way, as they should, and it will be your win.' The private text was shared by Mr Trump on his Truth Social platform.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
We live in UK's new ‘Toxic Town' where water is ‘riddled with poisonous chemicals' – we've taken action to protect kids
TERRIFIED families living near a top RAF fighter base say they're afraid they're living in a new real life version of Netflix show Toxic Town. The hit drama that gripped the nation has become a reality for residents near the site, who told The Sun their drinking water has been "contaminated with toxic chemicals". RAF Marham in Norfolk is now under investigation after a damning report by pollution experts revealed the presence of potentially poisonous so-called 'forever' chemicals that are resistant to treatment. It's feared the chemicals, which can increase the risk of developing certain cancers and can cause fertility issues and liver damage, may have leached into the ground and contaminated nearby water sources. The poisons are also known to cause permanent damage to the environment. And many civilians who are housed on the estates in Marham, just a stone's throw away from the RAF base, say they are seriously worried about their health after the survey carried out by a water-protection group. I won't let my two young children drink water from a tap. A lot of families in the village are the same and won't use tap water to drink or for cooking. Michaela Musgrove-Smithresident The study identified a group of synthetic chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are dubbed 'forever' substances because they are very difficult to break down. They are found in many substances, including firefighting foams like those used by the RAF at Marham for years, and some of the PFAS have now been banned from firefighting foam by the Government. But many families living near the base are refusing to drink the "murky" tap water and even cook using bottled water out of fear that the chemicals have leached into the supply from the base. 'I won't let my kids drink water' Michaela Musgrove-Smith, 27, who lives in Marham, said: "I won't let my two young children drink water from a tap. "A lot of families in the village are the same and won't use tap water to drink or for cooking. "We are so concerned that they even use bottled water when they clean their teeth. 'My three-year-old was having seizures until I stopped giving him tap water – and since then, he has been a lot better, as has everyone else in the family." Inside Britain's 'Toxic Town' where mass poisoning scandal left Brit kids dead and born without limbs Some studies revealed that "forever chemicals" can lead to neurotoxicity - adverse effects on the structure of the body's nervous system. While another, published in America's National Library of Medicine, has suggested that exposure to low levels of PFAS at an early age could be linked to ADHD symptoms. Michaela added: 'Anyone getting ill in the village suspects there is a problem with the tap water – Facebook is full of people who live here who are very worried. 'The water suppliers must investigate, and something must be done. 'We would like regular checks made and a reassurance that there is nothing toxic in the water that comes out of our taps.' Residents of Marham are afraid that their town will become a new real life Toxic Town. The hit drama was released in February and follows residents of Corby who, in the 80s and 90s, were exposed to toxic chemicals during the demolition of a steelworks in the town. 14 14 14 Toxic waste was driven from the demolition site through populated areas with airborne dust and sludge spilling from trucks, damaging locals' health. Pregnant women were exposed to the chemicals, which were ruled to have caused deformities in their newborn children. The case went to the High Court in 2009, where evidence was submitted by 18 families affected by Corby Council's mismanagement of the waste. 'Danger to health' Marham local Rebecca Sharpe, 31, said: "We have lived here for five years and the drinking water is not good – it sometimes comes out murky. "We pay £19 a month for water rates, but it is terrible. We always have bottled water in the house because we know that it is safe to drink.' Katherine Saunders, 30, said: "Tap water round here is vile – they use it to give to children in the nursery but it is not nice to drink. "There have been calls to use chemicals to clean it up, but as it was almost certainly chemicals that caused the problem in the first place, I don't think that is a good idea.' Kirsty Phillips, 37, who has lived in Marham for eight years, said: "Water from the tap just doesn't taste right and it's awful to think that it might be a danger to health. 'We have been here for eight years and found the water was metallic-tasting from the start. "We bought two-litre bottles of water and are still not drinking tap water.' 14 14 14 Local MP Labour's Terry Jermy said: "This may be a historic issue but it needs an immediate and thorough inquiry. 'If nothing is done to tackle these chemicals, the health, environment and economy of generations of families will suffer for years to come.' Despite the concerns from locals, Anglian Water, which is responsible for detecting the chemicals in the public supply, claims that to date there have been no breaches. But it is also urging the Government to ban the controversial chemicals. A spokesman from Anglian Water said: "There is currently no ban on them being used in manufacturing processes – it cannot be eradicated by water treatment, but there have been no breaches in the standards of drinking water.' 'Firefighters used foam' The local parish council acting clerk, Mike Inder, who by coincidence served in the RAF for almost 40 years and was stationed at Marham, saw for himself how crews tackled fires with water hoses. He said: "We had Tornado aircraft up until six years ago when the F-35s arrived. "Firefighting practice involved water and foam, which was said to contain a harmful chemical. "But our drills always made sure that any pollution was contained and if any fuel was ever spilt, it would instantly have been cleaned up.' The MoD is now working with the Environment Agency to determine if there is a threat to the residents of sleepy Marham. A Government spokesman told The Sun: "There is no evidence that the current levels in the drinking water are unsafe. "The MoD investigation is on-going and we are working with the Environment Agency. 'Our review will look at the risks posed by these substances and how best to tackle them in order to deliver out legally-binding targets to save nature.' Effects of PFAS on the human body PFAS, or "forever chemicals," are man-made substances that accumulate in the environment and our bodies, potentially causing health issues. Found in everyday items like non-stick cookware and food packaging, they pose several concerns. One major impact is on the immune system. PFAS can weaken the body's ability to fight infections and respond to vaccines, making individuals more susceptible to illness. They can also disrupt hormone levels by interfering with the endocrine system, affecting growth, development, and reproduction. Elevated cholesterol levels have also been linked to PFAS exposure, increasing the risk of heart disease. The liver, responsible for filtering toxins, can suffer damage, potentially raising the risk of liver cancer. Furthermore, PFAS exposure is associated with specific cancers, including kidney and testicular cancer. Research suggests these chemicals contribute to their development. Pregnant women face risks, as PFAS can cross the placenta, affecting the foetus's growth and potentially causing low birth weight and other infant health problems. Children are especially vulnerable due to their developing bodies, with PFAS exposure potentially disrupting their immune system, hormones, and overall development. While ongoing research seeks to fully understand long-term effects, current evidence indicates PFAS can negatively impact human health. Reducing exposure is crucial for public health. Efforts are underway to regulate PFAS and develop removal technologies, while individuals can minimise exposure by being mindful of product choices and water consumption. The MoD has said that there is no evidence of PFAS in Marham's water supply, but the site was one of three locations being investigated. Commenting on possible PFAS at other sites an MOD spokesperson said: 'Ensuring the safety of our staff and personnel is our number one priority and that's why we are complying with the relevant legislation and regulations. "As understanding of these chemicals has changed, we have responded accordingly. "For instance, we have prioritised a programme of investigation of our sites, which has been agreed with the Environment Agency.' A spokesperson for the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk said: "This is an ongoing issue which we will continue to liaise with the lead agencies and provide further updates when additional information is available."
