CND's Press Round-Up - 27th April 2021

Posted: 27th April 2021

Dear all,

Please find today’s press round up below. Thank you to all for their continued help and support.

Nuclear Weapons

A retired admiral has produced a reported on the grave problems Scottish independence would pose to the UK’s nuclear weapons programme whilst talks on the Iran nuclear deal are due to resume today in Vienna. 

UK Nuclear Weapons Siting
 
A new report published by a former admiral responsible for the UK’s nuclear-armed submarines has suggested that the Trident system could be moved to France or even the U.S. if Scotland were to become independent. The Guardian reports John Gower concludes that, from the viewpoint of the government of the continuity UK, a leasing arrangement at Faslane and Coulport would be the best option. The idea to locate the UK’s nuclear weapons overseas is described as ‘highly speculative’ albeit without ‘absolute blocks’. Alternative sites like Milford Haven, Falmouth and Devonport are located in densely populated areas, are likely to face intense local option and would take years to make the relevant adaptions. A 2013 report by Scottish CND is referenced and quoted in the piece. The full report by retired Rear Admiral John Gower can be found here.
 
Iran Nuclear Talks
 
Talks in Vienna on reviving the JCPoA are expected to recommence today, after various officials returned to their home countries for guidance late last week, according to Reuters.
In additional positive news, the Biden administration has been briefing that an Israeli delegation which visited the White House yesterday will not ‘sway’ its view on the merits of restoring U.S. participation in the Iran deal. The delegation included the director of Mossad and the Israeli National Security Adviser.
Meanwhile, Iran has said that U.S. sanctions on named individuals should be removed as part of efforts to bring back a meaningful JCPoA, according to Al Arabiya. The remarks by the Deputy Foreign Minister come after meetings between Ministry officials and the Iranian parliament, seen by some as a hotbed of opposition to restoration of the deal.

Anti-war 

International spending on militaries has increased even in 2020’s pandemic year and the UK plans to sent an aircraft carrier into the South China Sea.

Global Military Spending
 
In spite of pandemic conditions, global military spending rose to almost $2 trillion last year, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, in its annual report on the subject. This was a rise of 2.6% on the 2019 figure. By way of contrast, total global GDP shrank by 4.4%. Britain was the fifth largest military spender in the world, beaten only by the U.S, China, India and Russia. Whilst some countries re-allocated military spending to their pandemic response, this decrease was counterbalanced by increases in U.S. and Chinese military spending.
 
UK Overseas Military Deployment
 
The UK is to send an aircraft carrier to East Asia, with stops in South Korea and Japan. Al Jazeera reports that the statement by the British Embassy in Tokyo on Monday says the purpose of the voyage, which will pass through the South China Sea, is to bolster security co-operation in East Asia, though many will see it as an assertion of UK military power in the face of China. The ship will also stop in at India and Singapore.

Nuclear Power

Unions have warned of job losses in the nuclear fuels industry whilst a new fusion testing plant is planned for Yorkshire.

Nuclear Power-UK
 
Trade unions have said up to 120 jobs may be at risk at Springfield Fuels, which manufactures fuels for British nuclear power plants, according to local press. The Salwick-based site currently employs around 700 people. Trade unions have said uncertainty over the scale of the UK’s future nuclear power plant programme is responsible for the threat to jobs.  
 
UK Nuclear Fusion
 
A testing machine for nuclear fusion components is being constructed on the edge of Rotherham, according to local press. The £22 million Fusion Technology Facility is being assembled under the supervision of the Atomic Energy Authority and is expected to open in 2022. Its aim is to assist British companies in bidding for building work for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project in southern France.  
 

With best wishes,

Michael Muir

Press and Communications Officer
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament