Establishing an EU rapid deployment capacity
One of the flagship proposals of the Strategic Compass adopted in March 2022 is the creation of a new rapid reaction force for responses to crises outside the EU.
Defence policy
European Peace Facility: State of play as of 31 March 2023
The European Peace Facility (EPF), an off-budget instrument made up of yearly contributions from Member States in proportion to their gross national income, initially had a financial ceiling of €5.7 billion (in 2021 prices, or €5 billion in 2018 prices) for 2021-2027. The EPF was set up by Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 of 22 March 2021 and entered into force on the same day.
UK expected to ban TikTok from government mobile phones
Ban on Chinese owned video-sharing app marks U-turn from previous relaxed position Britain is expected to announce a ban on the Chinese owned video-sharing app TikTok on government mobile phones imminently, bringing the UK inline with the US and Europe…
UK quietly shifts China policy as trust between countries erodes
British stance edges closer to the US, but many MPs want government to go further and designate China as a threat1,100 scientists and students barred from UK amid China crackdownWhile Britain’s conflict with Russia is playing out on the battlefield of …
UK refuses to say if it investigated reports of Syria drone strike casualties
MoD refuses to say whether it has looked into claims civilians were injured in December strikeBritain’s Ministry of Defence is refusing to say whether it conducted an investigation into reports of civilian casualties after an RAF drone strike conducte…
Biden confirms plan to mark Good Friday agreement anniversary in Belfast
US president said he intended to visit Northern Ireland and Irish Republic in meeting with Rishi SunakJoe Biden has confirmed he plans to visit Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement.He wa…
Size of UK’s nuclear submarine fleet could double under Aukus plans
First of new vessels expected to be seaworthy by the end of 2030s, with Australia receiving theirs in early 2040sThe UK’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet could double in size as plans were revealed for the new “Aukus” vessels to be based on a British d…
‘Danger, disorder and division’: defence review refresh sees a more hostile world
Reworking of policy marks Britain’s changed view of its position in light of tilt to authoritarianism and volatilityBritain’s refresh of its defence and foreign policy may mark the moment when the UK sobers up about its place in a world that it now des…
Labour accuses government of failing to reverse cuts in defence spending
Opposition says no provisions made to plug reduction of 10,000 service personnel or replace Hercules planesLabour accused the government of failing to reverse cuts in armed forces as the government unveiled a £5bn increase in defence spending over the …
Labour’s attempt to block illegal migration bill defeated in Commons – live
Opposition amendment to stop the government barring small boat arrivals claiming asylum defeated by 312 votes to 249Junior hospital doctors in England started a 72-hour strike this morning. My colleagues Denis Campbell and Aubrey Allegretti have the st…