i morning briefing: Rishi goes nuclear
Welcome to Monday’s Early Edition from i.
Just over a month ago Britain’s defence establishment faced embarrassment on a global scale. The New York Times headline read: “A British Nuclear Missile Test Fails, Again” after a failed Trident missile launch. Reports at the time suggested the missile “went plop” into the sea close to the site of its launch, off the Florida coast, instead of flying 3,800 miles into the middle of the Atlantic ocean. The Associated Press said the system had “failed dramatically” and that UK politicians were “seeking reassurances” about Britain’s nuclear deterrent. It’s not the first time, either. Six years ago, an unarmed Trident II ballistic missile launched from another submarine, HMS Vengeance, flew in the wrong direction. The latest failure prompted fresh warnings about the state of Britain’s defences. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon wrote: “If Putin perceives Trident is a dud, and we do not ensure Ukraine prevails this year, we may be fighting Russia in Europe with the few Challenger tanks we still have.” More alarm bells rang over the state of Britain’s defence spending when earlier this month, two serving ministers broke cover by writing a letter critical of the Government’s defence funding, saying: “It’s clear to us that the UK needs to lead the way in increasing our own domestic defence and security spending commitments to 2.5 per cent and beyond. Now we need growth”. Yesterday, Jeremy Hunt said Moscow terror attack, in which at least 137 people have died, was a reminder that the UK must be “on our guard” and “vigilant”. There are also concerns about how Vladimir Putin will respond following the terror attack. Today, Rishi Sunak will unveil new plans to boost the UK’s nuclear deterrent. What are the plans, and what’s the response? We’ll take a look, after the headlines.
Today’s news, and why it matters
Schools will be plunged into “crisis” unless they quickly receive more cash to fix crumbling buildings and help plug teacher shortages, unions and headteachers are warning. Primary school children are being taught in “sheds” and there is no money for replacement classrooms or to fix roofs that leak in the rain, they say.
The personal details of 40 millions voters were allegedly accessed in a cyber attack by China, ministers are expected to say today. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is expected to tell Parliament that Beijing is behind a wave of state-backed interference, which also targeted a group of 43 people including senior MPs and peers.
Women who say they lost out financially because of major changes to the state pension age are demanding that MPs hold a vote on compensation. Women Against State Pension Inequality has written an open letter to Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt – urging the minister to “urgently” set aside time for a vote on the issue.
The Government is set to meet sub-postmasters convicted and sacked during a second IT scandal at the Post Office so their voices “can be properly heard”, i can reveal. Postal affairs minister Kevin Hollinrake and Carl Cresswell, the senior civil servant overseeing compensation schemes, have agreed to meet former sub-postmasters in person to discuss Capture, a piece of accounting software rolled out in the 1990s.
Conspiracy theories and misinformation are leaving people unable to determine the truth, BBC director-feneral Tim Davie will warn, following outlandish online speculation over the Princess of Wales. In a major speech setting out the corporation’s future, Mr Davie will argue that the BBC’s “impartial” news and verification techniques will play a vital role in challenging digital forces that threaten to undermine democracy itself.
Three questions on today’s nuclear announcement:
What’s being unveiled today? The PM will announce more than £760m extra funding over the next decade, including £200 new money from the Government, for the nuclear industry. On a visit on Monday to Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria – the home of UK nuclear submarine-building – Rishi Sunak will pledge a “national endeavour” to boost the nuclear industry workforce. The Government will spend £20m a year over the next decade, while private firms including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, EDF and Babcock will pledge £563m for the same period, to spend on skills, jobs and education in the civil and defence nuclear industries. The Government portion of the money will not come from the Armed Forces budget, meaning it will not require cuts to allow the funding. The PM will say: “In a more dangerous and contested world, the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent is more vital than ever. And nuclear delivers cheaper, cleaner home-grown energy for consumers.” The aim is to create 40,000 new jobs by 2030 – doubling the number of nuclear apprentices and graduates, and quadrupling the number of specialist science and nuclear fission PhDs. Read more here.
Does Labour also have a plan? Sir Keir Starmer isn’t spending today on nuclear matters, but he is vowing to commit to a plan that would “get Putin’s boot off our throat”. The Labour leader is in north Wales to renew the party’s commitment to a publicly owned clean energy company, Great British Energy, which will be created if the party wins power in the general election. Starmer will also accuse the Conservatives of being “frankly unpatriotic” for opposing plans for Great British Energy. He will pledge to “turbocharge jobs and growth” for Wales with GB Energy, a plan to boost homegrown green power including wind farms and carbon capture.
What do critics say? Not everyone is happy with the Government’s plans. SNP defence spokesperson Martin Docherty-Hughes yesterday said Sunak’s announcement would “waste another £200m” on nuclear. He also accused both main parties of focusing on “the wrong priorities”. “It is grotesque to throw another £200m down the drain when the Tories and Labour Party both claim there is no money to improve our NHS, to help families with the cost of living or to properly invest in our green energy future,” he said.
Around the world
Four suspects in the Russia concert hall attack have been charged at a Moscow court after at least 137 people were killed on Friday. The men were led blindfolded into Moscow’s Basmanny district court and charged with committing an act of terrorism after Friday’s deadly attack at Crocus City Hall.
How Biden is beating Trump, the ‘billionaire’ with a cashflow problem. The incumbent is currently out-fundraising his beleaguered “billionaire” foe, who faces seizure of his assets if he cannot pay a $464m bond due today, writes Simon Marks.
Simon Harris has been confirmed as the new leader of Fine Gael following the resignation of Leo Varadkar this week, paving the way for the 37-year-old to become the nation’s youngest premier. Ireland’s further and higher education minister described his leadership win as “the absolute honour of my life” as he was announced as Fine Gael’s new leader in Athlone, Co Westmeath on Sunday afternoon.
Astronomers are calling for the urgent protection of sites on the moon that are rated the best spots in the solar system for advanced instruments designed to unveil the secrets of the universe. The spots, known as sites of extraordinary scientific importance, are in danger of being ruined by a wave of missions such as lunar navigation and communications satellites, rovers and mining operations.
Saudi Arabia has announced it will build a theme park based on the famed Japanese animated series Dragon Ball, sparking mixed reactions from fans. The park is said to include a roller coaster inside the dragon modelled after Shenron, a wish-giving dragon that features in the franchise.
Watch out for…
Donald Trump, who today faces a deadline to post his $454m bond in a civil case in New York.
Thoughts for the day
Labour’s economic plan just doesn’t add up. Wishing for a higher rate of growth does not make it happen, writes Vernon Bogdanor.
Lime bikes aren’t the city’s biggest problem – it’s those who ride them. Everyone seems to have a problem with the eco-friendly bikes. What if we really have a problem with each other, asks Emily Watkins.
The ‘slimmed down monarchy’ is no longer possible. We’ve got a royal labour shortage and the subs’ bench is sparse – it’s the perfect moment for the part-timers to show their skills, suggests Anne McElvoy.
Culture Break
Move over Star Wars – the era of highbrow sci-fi is here. From Netflix’s new series 3 Body Problem to Dune: Part Two, cerebral science fiction is back, writes Ed Power.
The Big Read
In your 30s and 40s? Say goodbye to ever retiring. At 36 years old, Vicky Spratt is realising her sunset years might not look quite as her grandparents’ did. What can be done about it?
Sport
England have a full-back crisis brewing ahead of Euro 2024. England’s full-backs were once the envy of world football. Now Gareth Southgate is left scraping the barrel for options amid injury concerns.
Something to brighten your day
The free smartphone app that can help you halve your alcohol consumption. After six months of using the app, participants had more than halved their consumption, writes Tom Bawden.
