The British Media

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British Broadcasting Corporation


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Transfer Window Closes
The Sun, January 31st 2015

In one of the most exciting Transfer Deadline Days for a number of years a record amount was spent by English Clubs. Surpassing the record set by the 2011 window where transfers such as Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll resulted in £225 million being spent by English clubs. Many experts believed this was unlikely to be surpassed for a number of years with the new UEFA legislation regarding the losses of clubs competing in Europe's top competitions. However deadline day resulted in a shock that saw Liverpool's starman Jordan Henderson move to rivals, Manchester City in a deal thought to be worth around £74 million, a British record. Despite widespread rumours over the 24 year old future, no deal was thought to have been arranged until Liverpool supporters were shocked to hear of the former Sunderland players transfer request around 10.30pm. Just over an hour later Manchester City confirmed the signing had been finalized with a fee finally accepted and personal terms agreed.
Henderson has become the linchpin of both Liverpool and England's midfield since his signing in 2011 and had become a fan favourite with the Kop. The England star moves to a club percieved to be in crisis with rumours of the sacking of their Italian manager, Roberto Mancini. The Champions Manchester City currently sit third in the league behind arch rivals Manchester United and Chelsea, both of whom spent big in the transfer window also. Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho splashed the cash on Danish Superstar, Christian Eriksen while Chelsea purchased Stephan Sessegnon, from Sunderland and French midfielder Yann M'Villa. A total of £245 million was spent over the transfer window and with the title race hotting up it is thought that Manchester United's push to regain their title for a 21st time is within their grasp.

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'Toughest General Election of our Time'
BBC, February 4th 2015

Since the announcement of the deal that saw PM David Cameron and Deputy PM Nick Clegg form a coaltion government in 2010 we knew the exact date of the next General Election, 7th May 2015. The Fixed-term parliament act 2011 resulted in stopping any current PM from calling an election at a time of their choosing, a policy widely seen to give the governing party a distinct advantage. This legislation supported by both the LibDems and Labour, forced upon the Tories with the deal that resulted in the coaltion has widely been regarded as a step forward for British politics. Another key change has seen the number of seats in the House of Commons reduced to 600 from 650 a target for all the major parties prior to the last election and following the Sixth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies the new boundaries have been establised.

A recent Sun Poll gave the Labour Party, under the helm of David Milliband following the shock resignation of his brother last year, a distinct advantage in the election with a lead of 8%. The Tories have seen their reputation suffer during the last 5 years highlighted by the BSkyB scandal as well as the forced resignation of Chancellor George Osbourne in January over an alleged affair with his secretary. However the Liberal Democrats who seemed destined to take a step up with their place among government have seen polls place them below UKIP for the first time. This has has been as a result of the Student Protests as well as the rift between Vince Cable and his party leader. UKIP leader, Nigel Farage has seen his party recieve a small decrease in the opinion polls, but for the first time sees his party as 3rd something they will hope to capitalize on with their first ever seat in the House of Commons.

In Scotland the SNP look set to defend their 3 seats in the Commons from their main rival, Labour but many political commentators believe they may gain 1 seat in Argyll and Bute but are likely to lose their seats in Dundee East and Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Western Isles). The Conservatives looks set to take heavy losses in Wales likely to lose both to Plaid Cymru and the Labour Party. Sinn Fein and the DUP look set for a battle in Northern Ireland but the DUP is expected to retain its position within the country.

The three party leaders, with just one new face from that of the 2010 election in David Milliband are expected to again take part in three debates in the weeks prior to the election. The first hosted by Cardiff University and ITV will focus upon Domestic Affairs on the 16th April. The second hosted by Sky News in Manchester will see International affairs covered primarily while the third hosted by the BBC will be held in London and an location not yet finalised and will focus on the economy. With the issue of the economy set to dominate the election it is also thought that the issue of a resurgent Russia will be brought up as well as the issue surrounding the Falkland islands.

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Prison Numbers Beginning to Drop

With the passing of the Prisons Act 2013 following real worries of the size of the prison population in England and Wales, Her Majesty's Prison Service has today announced that the contract to operate 3 new prisons in Newcastle, Birmingham and Bolton has been awared to G4S who will operate the prisons under the supervision of HMPS. The Prisons Act 2013 gave further responsibility to Private Companies over the running of Prisons, an attempt to reduce the pressure upon the government. Critics in recent years have suggested that Judges were being pressurized into givin sentences not including Prison sentences in an attempt to decrease the population. The government responded with the prisons act supported by the Secretary of State for Justice, Kenneth Clarke 2 years ago and it appears as if the real test is about to begin. With the coalition looking for some success in 2015 in the run up to the election this could be the first real victory for them.

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Clegg calls for no Tuition Fees

Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister has today pledged at a visit to the University of Birmingham that his party if it retains its position in government will only agree to do so if Tuition Fees are scrapped. This has been met by a mixed reaction by many with a leading Student Newspaper, Redbrick headlining 'Backstabber Returns'. This was a reference to the way in which the LibDems in 2010 were percieved to have turned their back on their student voters when entering the coalition as no real push was ever made in the deal for tuition fees to be scrapped. Many students believed that if their vote had resulted in a Tory led government then they simply would have not voted in that way. However with this renewed claim of scrapping the fees some hope that Clegg may actually keep his word on this occasion. However Political Editor for the BBC, Nick Robinson believes that this will make little difference, 'The Labour Party are miles ahead at the moment and with the Tories luck looking not to improve anytime soon I think the chances of the Coalition continuing are pretty slim. What with the demise of the LibDems it is perhaps likely that the Tories and Conservatives wouldnt be able to make a majority even together.

Tuition fees in Scotland were scrapped in 2001 following the Devolution and creation of the Scottish Parliament and replaced by Graduate Endowment. Fees in England were increased to a maximum of £9,000 a year starting from graduates beginning in 2012 despite widespread opposition and Student protests. 64 Universities in England currently charge this amount to their students and it is thought that this number will increase with the financial strain being placed upon Universities. The Liberal Democrats currently sit below UKIP in the opinion poll with some believing that failures in the Coalition have been unfairly placed upon the LibDems on occasions.

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Naval Procurment Project

The Ministry of Defence today announced that the Royal Navy was to increase its orders for the advanced, Type 45 Air Defence Destroyers. A further 4 Destroyers will be ordered. The MOD has also confirmed the number of Type 26 Frigates will be 18, 2 to complete building each year from 2021. Prior to its development an initial figure of 12 Destroyers was ordered but following the Economic Crisis the order was eventually dropped to 6. With the improvements in the economy as well as the obvious need for an increased military with the threat of Argentina over the Falklands, as well as increasing hostility in the Middle East and the Far East the MOD confirmed that an order for a further 4 Destroyers has been made with a building time of roughly 6 years. The Type 45 Destroyer also known as the Daring class are built by BAE Systems Surface Ships and are widely accepted as being the most advanced Destroyer on earth. The Ships are believed to begin construction upon the completion of the UXV Combatant also know as the Attlee Class of which 4 are being built, the first of which to be commissioned in 2020.

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Students Heading Abroad for University Education

Reports published today by the Universities and Science Minister, David Willets has suggested that an increasing number of British students are heading abroad for their University education with initial figures suggesting that applications for foreign universities are up 14% from last year with a large majority heading to the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Numerous Universities across the globe in recent years are beginning to teach numerous courses in English and this is one of the likely causes for the increase. 'One of the Key hurdles in heading abroad for eduction was the language gap in previous years but far many especially in Europe are teaching courses in English now and so this transition into living and learning in a foreign country doesnt quite seem so intimidating' explained Dr Peter Kerr from the University of Birmingham. However Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has suggested that the increase in the tuition fees has also resulted in this educational migration out of the UK. Figures have shown a drastic increase since tuition fees were increased for undergraduates beginning in 2012.

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Royal Navy Future Carrier Fleet Reassessed

In the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010, numerous decisions were made by the Conservative-Liberal Coalition concerning the Carrier Fleets of the Royal Navy but much of this was to be reviewed earlier this year. Today the MOD announced significant differences from the original review including the full deployment of both Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers to active service. Original plans were to have the second carrier placed into extended readiness but following a significant reassessment following the percieved Isolationist policy of the United States, as well as a more aggressive foreign policy pursued by both Russia and the People's Republic of China has led to a belief that the UK would perhaps require a more capable and quicker response to any situation that could potentially develop. HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected to enter service in 2016 after undergoing sea trials following its launch in Janurary this year and its sister ship the HMS Prince of Wales is expected to be launched later the same year but not be commissioned until 2018. The Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers will make the Royal Navy only the second on earth after the United States to operate supercarriers. This is not the only change announced by the Royal Navy and MOD concerning carriers as plans have been announced that HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious will be considered for sale to a friendly foreign military. British will of course request that the bulk of any modifications will be made in the UK to continue attempts to reinvigorate the Shipbuilding Industry.

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Sierra Leone, 15 Years On

For many it seem like yesterday that the British Military was deployed to the former colony of Sierra Leone, inorder to save the UN Mission to the county so to stop a decade long Civil War which had engulfed the small African nation. The first fighting began in 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front supported by Liberian President and War Criminal, Charles Taylor attempted to seize control. The RUF was initially pushed back by the Sierra Leone Army and then for a second time by the South African Mercenary Group, Executive Outcomes. However the RUF proved continually resurgent and it was not until 1999 that the UN attempted to step in but this did not change the outcome. It was not until the British Military deployed to the small African nation in 2000 did an end of hostilities come around. Operation Palliser commanded by Brigadier (Now General, Sir) David Richards resulted in the deployment of 1,200 British Ground Forces supported critically from both the Air and Sea which turned the tide of the Civil War back into favour of the Government supported by the UN. It has been 15 years since the British force was deployed to Sierra Leone and the BBC had this week been visiting the country to see just how much it has changed since then.

British Forces are still to this day deployed albeit in a much smaller role. Training of the Army is considered a vital part of the British role in the country today and many believe the country would be far more able to defend itself if a similar situation were to arise. The Diamond Industry, once the key in the fighting during the Civil War now makes the nation far more revenue and it considered the economic base of the country but according to the UNAMSIL surveys of mining sites, "more than 50 per cent of diamond mining still remains unlicensed and reportedly considerable illegal smuggling of diamonds continues". Dispite a bloody history, Sierra Leone today is considered one of the most religiously tolerant nations on earth dispite a Muslim majority and an influential Christian minority with religious violence considered very rare. Poverty like with many African nations remains a problem with just under 70% of the population considered to be living in poverty. The Capital, Freetown was rebuilt and today is one of the primary ports in the Atlantic and to many returning here it seems as though the place is on the up.

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First Debate a Major Success for Milliband

Labour Leader, David Milliband will leave Cardiff University the happiest of the three party leaders this evening after a viewer’s poll declared him the winner of the first debate. Cardiff University had the prestigious honour of hosting the event in cooperation with ITV becoming only the second British University to do so after the University of Birmingham in 2010. The first debate was split into two sections with the first focusing on domestic affairs such as the NHS, Education, Immigration and Law and Order and the second on general issues. The debate hosted by ITV News Reporter, Alastair Stewart began with the leaders questioned on their policies concerning the National Health Service. All three promised protection of the NHS and its funding, while David Milliband accused the coalition of attempting to privatise the NHS as well as endangering the high the standard of care that the NHS provided. This seemed to sit well with the audience with live opinion polls suggesting 74% of the room agreed with what he was saying. The next subject which the leaders were put under scrutiny was education and again David Milliband’s position seemed to sit well with the public. The declining number of Primary Schools as a result of cuts has been a particular concern for voters in the run up to the election with Clegg and Milliband effectively ganging up on Cameroon at one stage during the debate. Immigration and Law and Order were far better subjects for the Prime Minister with voters perceiving his responses as being the most favourable. The Labour record in regards to Immigration prior to 2010 was a sore point for David Milliband who seemed to come off worse in the exchanges. Law and Order was neither a loss or victory for Cameroon and Milliband with all the leader responses receiving positive reactions.
The first debate of the 2010 General Election seems a long time ago for Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg whose party is widely expected to perform badly in the election, as the public seemed to take a shine to the leader as a positive alternative to the two party dominance of Labour and the Conservatives but this did not result in a real improvement in the party’s election results. Now the dust has settled following the first debate of the 2015 General Election its appears as though opinion polls leading into it will have no real change with David Milliband perceived as winning the debate with current PM David Cameroon coming second and Clegg third. The next debate to be hosted in Manchester by Sky News will cover International Affairs with the recent Spratley Island Conflict, US Isolationism and Russia’s resurgence thought to be up for discussion.

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Second Debate ends in Deadlock

The Second Prime Minister Debate hosted in Manchester by Sky News today ended in a percieved deadlock with voters unable to put much distance between Labour leader and election favourite David Milliband and Conservative Leader and current PM David Cameron. The debate which primarily focused on International affairs covered the issues of American Isolationism, Russia's resurgence and the crisis in the Spratley Islands. There was little to choose between the three leaders with the issues at hand with very little difference in opinions throughout. David Milliband did play with the concept of the EU as a whole taking the place of America as the World’s Policeman while David Cameron claimed the UK itself could fill at least some of the gap left behind from the United States. All three leaders agreed over the issue concerning the Spratley Islands with them calling the Chinese invasion of almost all the islands an act of unnecessary aggression. When Sky News presenter, Adam Boulton put an end to proceedings the opinion polls were not particularly good reading for any of the leaders with Cameron believed to have 38% of the viewers on his side and Milliband getting 37% and Clegg 25%. PM David Cameron and his party must know that despite a slight victory the gap in overall polls is considerably in favour of the Labour Party. Milliband on the other hand would be disappointed he could not build on his success in the first debate and perhaps put an end to any predictions of the overall election victory. With the BBC preparing to hold the third and final debate next week, excitement is really building for voters in preparation for Election Day on the 7th May.

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Prince Phillip Passes Away
Prince Phillip, consort to Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh today passed away in the King Edward VII Hospital after a 3 year battle with cancer. The Prince is believed to have ‘passed away peacefully in his sleep’ in the early hours of the morning with the Queen and the two Prince’s Harry and William at his side. Other members of the Royal Family have since visited the ward on which the Prince spent his last hours. The Duke of Edinburgh was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2012 and despite the best efforts of the finest healthcare around was unable to continue battling. Since the time of the diagnosis, Queen Elizabeth has had little exposure in public with those close to the family revealing earlier this month that the Queen was suffering and was at the Prince’s side every day fighting each battle with him.

A member of the Danish-German House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, Prince Philip was born in Greece into the Greek royal family, but he and his family found himself exiled at an early age. After being educated in Germany and Britain, he joined the Royal Navy at the age of 18 in 1939, the same year he began corresponding with the 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth, his third cousin and the eldest daughter and heiress presumptive of King George VI, whom he had first met in 1934. After the war, Philip was granted permission by George VI to marry Elizabeth. Prior to the official engagement announcement, he abandoned his Greek and Danish royal titles, converted from Greek Orthodoxy to Anglicanism, and became a naturalized British subject. He married Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was granted the style of His Royal Highness and the title of Duke of Edinburgh by the King, his father-in-law. He became a Prince in 1957 and went onto father four children with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

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Premier League Season Final Day Drama

Manchester United clinched their 21st League Title on a dramatic final day of the Premier League season. The European finalists scored four times in the last 10 minutes to overturn a two goal disadvantage against rivals, Liverpool and finish 1 point ahead of second place, Manchester City. The previous holders, Manchester City found themselves facing an out of form, Stoke City on the final day and easily beat the Midlanders with a late goal. Manchester United clear favourites after last week’s drubbing of relegated West Bromwich Albion, 7-0 looked dead in the water with 10 minutes remaining facing a 2 goal deficit to their biggest rival, Liverpool. A penalty within the first 8 minutes by Liverpool Captain Luis Suarez put the away side in the lead before a quality counter attack 49 minutes in was scored by midfielder, Jonjo Shelvey putting the potential champions in a serious crisis. In scenes reminiscent of Manchester City's turnaround in 2012, United began their magnificent comeback in the 81st minute with a free kick from Wayne Rooney. A foul by Daniel Agger 30 yards out resulted in a wonderful shot by the former Everton strike curling around the wall and into the top corner. Just five minutes later Manchester United equalised following an Ashley Young delivery from a corner onto England Captain, Phil Jones’s head which he brilliantly glanced into the bottom corner. Scenes of near bedlam followed with United leading the league table by a single point before cheers was replaced by silence when news of a Manchester City goal rocked Old Trafford. At the Brittania, City favourite Sergio Aguero had completed a well worked move to place the ball past the keeper resulting in Manchester City leading the table by 2 points. At Old Trafford the onslaught of Manchester United continued with Mourinho’s side looking to score again and did so in the 88th minute following a sublime cross from left back Fabio into the path of Mexican Star Striker Javier ‘Chicarito’ Hernandez whose touch beat the flailing Pepe Reina. With the Old Trafford crowd in raptures the incredible ending was capped by a counter attack from a Liverpool free kick which was finished by Top Scorer, Wayne Rooney. Old Trafford was a red explosion of joy and relief in an outpouring of 4 years of frustration as Hernandez wheeled his shirt above his head in celebration and Mourinho, who cut an increasingly frantic figure as time ran out, raced on to the pitch accompanied by backroom staff in ecstasy. For supporters who have suffered watching the successes of neighbours City under Mancini in recent years, this was the perfect moment of redemption.

F.A. Cup Final Result

Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea

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Third and Final Debate

The Third and Final Debate of the 2015 General Election was brought to a close today after a close fought battle between the three candidates. The final debate which focused on the economy was hosted in BBC London Studios by Jeremy Paxman with 35% giving victory to Labour Leader David Milliband. Critics have accused David Cameron of consistently blaming the issues with the economy on the previous Labour Government with many believing that is about time the Conservatives moved on and began to create their own economic policy rather than having a policy of blaming the previous government. The economic debate was not as influential as its equivalent 5 years ago when the economic crisis was at its peak but despite this viewing figures for this debate were the highest of the three by a large margin giving a clear indication that many believe the economy to be a key issue. It is now just under two weeks before polling stations across the country are opened for voting with many believing the result is already clear.

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Election Results

UK - National Seats at a Glance
Need 301 to win

Party - Seats - Votes -
Labour - 324 - 12,453,752
Conservative - 222 - 7,490,005
Lib Dem - 27 - 4,842,097
Democratic Unionist Party - 8 - 172,580
Scottish National Party - 5 - 434,826
Sinn Fein - 5 - 169,403
Plaid Cymru - 3 - 169,037
Social Democratic and Labour Party - 3 - 114,083
Green - 1 - 486,982
Alliance Party - 1 - 47,843
UKIP - 1 - 1,754,982 -

Turnout - 67%

The United Kingdom general election of 2015 was held on Thursday 7th May 2015 to elect members to the House of Commons. The election took place in 600 constituencies across the United Kingdom under the first-past-the-post system. The Labour Party gained enough seats needed for an overall majority. David Milliband is expected to form a government in the coming days.

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Labour Wins Historic Election

David Milliband and the Labour Party today pulled off an historic victory and promised to respond "sensibly and wisely" to the result. David Cameron's Conservative Party put up a good challenge but in the end it was not enough to build on their 2010 result after a series of controversies, most notably the resignation of Chancellor, George Osborne after details of an affair with his secretary was revealed by the Sunday Times. The Liberal Democrats suffered in the results ending with just 27 seats with Political Experts believing they are still suffering from their decision to enter the coalition with the Conservatives 5 years ago. He told supporters at a celebration in the National Portrait Gallery in London: "We have got to listen to the people and respond wisely and sensibly." Mr Milliband left their home at 11am for a 30 minute audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace - the private meeting where she asks him to form a new government. This will be the Queen’s first act since the death of her husband, Prince Phillip just 9 days ago. Earlier, Mr Milliband told party activists in his South Shields constituency that Labour, which looks set to have won 324 of the 600 seats in the House of Commons with a 61% turnout, had to "focus on the things that matter" such as the NHS, the Economy, jobs and law and order. Conservative leader David Cameron congratulated Mr Milliband on Labour's win but said it was time for him to deliver on his promises. "I am proud of the campaign we have fought and the 5 years we had. We have taken a stand on the things that really do matter to the people of this country. We have reduced the debt and put the economy back on track’’ said the former PM David Cameron. The new Prime Minister is expected to announce his cabinet in the coming days.

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Cabinet Announced

The new Prime Minister, David Milliband today officially announced his cabinet with little suprises resulting from its announcement with the former shadow cabinet all appointed to their positions in the government.

Deputy Prime Minister: Harriet Harman MP
Chancellor of the Exchequer: Vince Cable MP
Foreign Minister: Ed Milliband MP
Home Secretary: Ed Balls MP
Defence Secretary: Douglas Alexander MP
Health Secretary: Andy Burnham MP
Lord Chancellor: Sadiq Khan MP
Energy Secretary: Yvette Cooper MP
Education Secretary: Carlonine Flint MP

Vince Cable who switched to the Labour Party after falling out with Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg and then PM, David Cameron was unsuprisingly appointed as the Chancellor of the Exchequer with Mr Cable clearly the public's choice for the role after winning 60% of the vote in the Chancellor's debate. The controversial Ed Balls was appointed as Home Secretary while Douglas Alexander was confirmed as the Defence Secretary and is expected to announce numerous changes to the former governments military strategy in the coming weeks.

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Nick Clegg Resigns

Following a poor election for the Liberal Democrats and weeks of speculation over his future, the former Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg today announced his resignation as leader of the Liberal Democrats. In a statement at Lib Dem HQ, Mr Clegg said he had been "inundated" with support from party members since the election and felt a large proportion of the party wished for him to remain as leader. Mr Clegg said he had enormously appreciated the messages of support received from grassroots members. "However, it is clear now, that such support is not reflected strongly enough across the party in the House of Commons itself," he said. "In all of this the interests of the party have to come first. That is where my personal, political and constitutional duty lies." He said he was standing down as leader "with immediate effect". A leadership election is expected in the next few weeks with candidates expected to be Ed Davey MP, Michael Moore MP and Danny Alexander MP.

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Conservative Leadership Election

With the failings of the Conservative Party in the recent General Election it became clear that the current leader and former Prime Minister, David Cameron could no longer continue to be leader of the party and as was expected his resignation came just hours after the elections results were finalised. Numerous candidates have put their name forward to stand as the leader of the Conservative Party including the former Home Secretary, Theresa May. Michael Gove and the newly elected MP, Sayeeda Warsi are also standing to be the new leader.

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Ed Davey New Lib Dem Leader

Former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey was today confirmed as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats. It has been just a few weeks since the former Deputy PM, Nick Clegg announced his resignation after a dismal showing by the party in the General Election with many blaming Mr Clegg for many of the failings of the coalition to carry out any of the policies promised by the Liberal Democrats in their pre-election manifesto. Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton was previously the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills before the resignation of Chris Huhne led to his ministerial appointment for the Coalition government holding onto the role until the election defeat this year. Mr Davey has been an MP since 1997 and previously won a Royal Humane Society bravery award and commendation from the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police for rescuing a woman who had fallen onto the train line in the face of an oncoming train at Clapham Junction station. Davey faced opposition from Michael Moore MP and Danny Alexander MP for the role of leader of the party but came away with more than 60% of the vote of the delegation.

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Defence Review

Defence Minister, Douglas Alexander today finalised the Strategic Defence and Security Review II with a series of u-turns on the initial review made by the coalition government in 2010. Most prominent of which was plans for the full commissioning of both Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers. HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales will be commissioned in 2016 and 2018 respectively and while the original review planned for HMS Prince of Wales to be placed on reserve in extended readiness but these plans have now been scrapped and the Prince of Wales is set to be fully commissioned into active service. The planned personnel reduction to 30,000 will still go ahead with the majority of reductions coming from Office workers and Administrators. The replacement of the nuclear deterrent which was delayed until 2014 and then until after the election will again be delayed for at least 2 years. Mr Alexander also confirmed that the recent decision to increase the order of both the Type 26 Frigates and Type 45 Destroyers will not be cancelled or changed. The first of the Attlee Class Multirole Combatants will have its building schedule stepped up in front of the first Type 26 Frigate and is now expected to enter service in 2018 rather than the previous expected commission date of 2020. Military experts believe the ship will be commissioned earlier so that the Navy can measure their effectiveness prior to the building of others in its class.



The Royal Air Force will have its manpower reduction reduced by the previously planned 5,000 to just 3,000 leaving 35,000 in the Air Force by 2020. Preparations will begin to deliver a replacement for the Boeing Chinook fleet that has served the nation for many decades with the new aircraft planned to enter service by 2025. The RAF will also continue to focus on the development and construction of UAVs recognising their clear importance for the operations of the armed forces in the future.



The army will continue its plan to leave Germany by 2020 with construction of new facilities to house the homecoming units well under way and expected to be completed by 2018. One undesignated base will be potentially retained as an RAF base depending on the acceptance of the Germans. Remaining Challenger 2 tanks will be due upgrades as will the FV 510 Warrior. Preparations for the Warriors future replacement will also begin.

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General Gives Damning Report

A recently retired leading general of the military today gave a damning review on the state of the British Armed Forces claiming that the cuts of the coalition government has resulted in the military being unable to fully defend itself. General Sir John Nicholas Reynolds Houghton did confess however that the decline in the overall ability of the military to defend itself has been occuring for many decades.The former General served as Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, the deputy to the Chief of the Defence Staff, the head of Britain's Armed Forces

General Houghton explained the fragility of the UK's home defences. The UK has no defence against missile attack (unlike Japan, several Gulf states and Israel); no long range anti-aircraft missiles (they went 30 years ago); no diesel submarines able to protect the home islands (these were scrapped in the 1990s); only enough minesweepers to keep one of its major ports open; no long range maritime patrol aircraft (binned in the SDSR); there is frequently no frigate or destroyer available for home defence; and the number of RAF interceptors that are fully operational is barely adequate.

Of course the UK can still rain nuclear destruction with Trident missiles, sustain a deployment of several thousand troops overseas or one of two dozen or so combat aircraft. Its capabilities in this last respect have eroded even since last year's Libyan operation. The MoD can still offer certain niche capabilities that foreign allies - principally the US - still value, but these can be counted on the fingers of one hand, including special forces, precision bombing, and minesweepers. The General urged more spending to be directed towards the armed forces comparing the current political and economic climate with the 1930s and claimed the rise of China and the resurgence of Russia as the biggest threats on top of Global Terrorism.

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Scottish Referendum

Plans have been announced by the government today over plans for a Scottish vote on independence to be held in June this year. The Scottish National Party who have fought for Scottish Independence for a number of decades remain in power in Holyrood although as a minority, meaning any attempt at Independence can be blocked by the other parties. However negotiations between the SNP and David Milliband's Labour Government have resulted in an agreement over a referendum and this will now take place on April 9th of this year with results published on the 10th. The 'Yes' and 'No' campaigns have both broadcast their first ads on BBC Scotland yesterday evening before and after the 6 Oclock News. A survey taken by the Sun Newspaper reported that just 41% of Scots would support independence whereas 53% of those in England claim they would support Scottish Independence.

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Snow Storm Hits Much of Britain

Scotland and large parts of England and Wales were today literally white washed with record snow falling across much of Great Britain. Scotland saw a record amount of snow fall in a single day, the heaviest for 24 years. Motorways were closed due to appalling conditions with the M9 and M90 expected to remain closed for at least another 48 hours. Emergency services have been called out to assist a number of drivers who had been left stranded in their cars after snow hit while paramedics have been struggling to reach a lorry which has overturned due to the conditions. Motorists are being warned to drive with care after freezing conditions led to a series of accidents. Around 9,000 homes across the country have been left without power with emergency repair teams attempting to reconnect those cut off. The suppliers have claimed the problem was caused by wet snow freezing on power lines as well as high winds. Around 85% of schools in Scotland have been closed while numerous others in England have also taken the same measure. Snow is expected to continue for another 72 hours.

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UXV Combatant Order Cancelled

The Royal Navy and BAE have today announced that following recent trials of the Attle Class Multirole Combat Ship, of which the first HMS Attlee was recently completed and will undergo sea trials before being placed in active service in early 2018, that the order of others in the class will not begin construction after leading members of the Ministry of Defence concurred with military experts over the usefulness of the ships. Experts believe that they fit some aspects of the role for a state which cannot afford one. BAE designed the class for exportation before the previous coalition government ordered the Attlee Class for use in the Royal Navy. Defence Minister, Douglas Alexander has criticised his predecessors for the order which seems to have wasted upto £3.5 billion. Alexander did confess that HMS Attlee will be placed into a state of active readiness before option are considered such as the sale of the ship to a foreign state. Mr Alexander also confessed that further cuts made be made with many expecting the order of Type 26 Frigates and Type 45 Destroyers to be cut.