Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Astute Submarine Programme Under Review

Details

Published on Tuesday, 16 September 2008 14:15

BAE Systems has started a review of its troubled Astute nuclear submarine programme after discovering problems that could further delay the Royal Navy taking charge of the first vessel. The £3.8bn project to design and build the first three attack submarines has for years been overshadowed by rising costs and was the subject of a huge rift between BAE and the Ministry of Defence  But the two sides have presented a united front , saying that they had launched a review "to determine how best to minimise the impact on the programme. A formal announcement will be made at the appropriate time."

It is understood the difficulties relate to a series of issues, including electrical faults and delays getting components. But BAE, which is constructing the vessels at Barrow-in-Furness, has also faced severe workforce skill shortages.

The company, Europe's largest defence business, was "confident" that the first Astute would meet its timetable of 2009, but admitted there was no certainty of this until the review was complete.

A People's Budget for Peace

Details

Published on Monday, 26 January 2009 14:59

While the Government has been squandering billions on overseas wars and nuclear weapons, Scotland’s for Peace has asked organisations and individuals to suggest how they think this money should be spent. A wide range of proposals have been received for the People’s Budget for Peace. Amongst those who have submitted ideas are: Article 12 in Scotland, Campaign Against the Arms Trade (Edinburgh), Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, Church & Society Council of the Church of Scotland, Communist Party of Scotland, Educational Institute of Scotland, Iona Community, Jubilee Scotland, Justice & Peace Scotland, Midlothian Trades Council, Oxfam Scotland, Quakers Scotland, Scottish Islamic Council, Scottish Refugee Council, Socialist Labour Party and T&G (Unite).

MPs Attack £3bn Cost Overruns on Defence Projects

Details

Published on Tuesday, 27 June 2006 15:10

Plaid Cymru Boycott Submarine

Details

Published on Tuesday, 09 September 2008 15:00

Plaid Cymru councillors have rejected an invitation to visit Llanelli's adopted naval submarine in a protest against nuclear arms.

Members of the town council declined to board HMS Trenchant, the nuclear submarine which has been affiliated to the town since the days of the borough council. They made the stand on grounds it sanctions a policy to which they are fundamentally opposed.

Councillor Dyfrig Thomas said accepting the invitation would be nothing more than an endorsement of national hypocrisy.

"We are asking nations around the world not to indulge in nuclear arms, but the UK is quite happy to do so itself," he said.

Hypocrisy in Geneva

Details

Published on Tuesday, 24 February 2009 15:44

The recent Non Proliferation Treaty Prepcom in Geneva confirmed the hypocrisy that lies at the heart of British foreign policy.

DEADLY CARGO

Details

Published on Tuesday, 24 February 2009 15:40

a DVD by Nukewatch and Camcorder Guerillas

At CND's global summit at London's City Hall in February, activists and experts explored the options for a nuclear weapon-free world, the two strands often interweaving and overlapping.

UK's Lack of Civil Defence

Details

Published on Tuesday, 19 August 2008 15:05

The diplomatic brinkmanship between Russia and the West over Georgia has brought back memories of the dark days of the Cold War. But the return of tension has raised disturbing questions over the preparedness of Britain's civil defence system, which was all but scrapped after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The country once had a network of thousands of underground bunkers kept in a constant state of readiness by trained volunteers in the Royal Observation Corps (ROC) and governed by a complex command structure. Most have been mothballed, sold to private owners to become tourist attractions, or left to crumble into disrepair.

The network of sirens designed to provide the famous "four-minute warning" has been dismantled and the ROC was finally stood down in 1995. Since decommissioning its last air-launched nuclear missiles in 1998, Britain has only a single nuclear deterrent in the form of four Vanguard-class submarines each equipped with up to four Trident missiles.

Experts say that, while the risk of a missile attack on Britain is low, the country may still be faced with a serious threat.

Moderator and Cardinal say Trident is immoral

Details

Published on Thursday, 22 June 2006 14:13

Peace Activist On Terrorism Charge

Details

Published on Tuesday, 20 June 2006 14:37