In February 2020 the Government confirmed the existence of a replacement warhead programme for its nuclear deterrent. A decision on replacement has been long-awaited, with work on possible options underway since 2006.
Replacing the UK's nuclear deterrent: the long-awaited warhead decision (125 KB , PDF)
Since 2006 work has been underway on several programmes that will maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent beyond the life of the current system. Much of the focus in that time has been on the delivery of the new Dreadnought class submarines, which are expected to enter service in the early 2030s. However, a decision on replacing the UK’s Mk4/A nuclear warhead has also been long-awaited and work on possible options has been ongoing. After an initial deferral in 2010, a decision was widely expected to be taken as part of the Government’s Integrated Defence and Security Review.
In February 2020, however, a US official disclosed the existence of a UK replacement warhead programme, which the Government subsequently confirmed in a Statement to the House. That revelation prompted widespread criticism that a decision appeared to have been taken without an official Government announcement or appropriate parliamentary scrutiny. Questions over the independence of the UK’s nuclear deterrent have once again risen to the fore.
Replacing the UK's nuclear deterrent: the long-awaited warhead decision (125 KB , PDF)
The Queen’s Speech in May 2021 announced a new bill to provide the security services with the tools they need to tackle the threat from hostile activity by states. The Government subsequently published a consultation on proposals for legislation to counter state threats which closed in July 2021. This briefing paper examines the background to these proposals and concerns about the implications for press freedom.
A Westminster Hall debate on the 'Impact on Anglo-Chinese relations following the AUKUS pact' has been scheduled for Wednesday 20 October 2021 from 9.30-11:00am. The debate has been initiated by Daniel Kawczynski MP.
For the first time since 2013, the UK will not meet the UN target of spending 0.7 percent of Gross National Income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance (ODA). This briefing sets out how UK aid spending compares to previous years, the Government’s objectives for UK aid, and what is known about the spending reduction’s impact on specific aid and humanitarian programmes and on countries.
