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NIS Update: November - December 2011

2011-12-03 15:41

The latest NIS update includes news about release of the Trident Alternatives Review following a Freedom of Information request, the ending of the naval submarine reactor programme at HMS Vulcan, and moves to introduce new planning controls for development around nuclear sites. News from the Atomic Weapons Establishment includes details of the latest planning application for AWE Aldermaston and of the costs of new developments at AWE.

£2 billion and rising: the cost of redeveloping the Atomic Weapons Establishment

2011-11-27 20:58

The Ministry of Defence has pledged at least £2 billion of spending on new developments at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), according to new information released in response to a Parliamentary Question from Caroline Lucas MP.

The answer, which exposes the true scale of development at AWE, gives a breakdown of the costs for a number of new-build projects which are intended to keep the current Trident warhead in service and, if a future government so decides, allow the development of a new warhead in years to come.

Ministry of Defence submarine dismantling consultation begins

2011-10-28 15:27

Photo credit: Ministry of Defence

A sixteen week public consultation by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on options for dismantling submarines that have left service with the Royal Navy starts today (28 October 2011).

Full details of how to participate in the consultation process and consultation documents are available on the MoD's Submarine Dismantling Project web site. The consultation closes on 17 February 2012.

NIS Update: October 2011

2011-10-23 22:52

This month's NIS Update contains news about the forthcoming Ministry of Defence consultation on submarine dismantling, risks posed to the defence equipment programme by spending on the Trident replacement programme, and the new Nuclear Liabilities Management Strategy published by the Ministry of Defence. There's also news from the Atomic Weapons Establishment about new planning applications which will shortly be submitted to West Berkshire Council, and safety vulnerabilities revealed following the Weightman Review of nuclear safety.

Revealed: the £700 million price of AWE's new uranium facility

2011-10-05 16:25

The full costs of 'Project Pegasus', the proposed new enriched uranium facility at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston, have been revealed to Nuclear Information Service following a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

Secrecy over military equipment costs 'makes a mockery of Government openness claims'

2011-09-20 20:33

The costs of some of the most expensive and controversial military procurement programmes are to remain shrouded in secrecy despite a government promise to disclose spending on all contracts valued over £25,000.

High cost, high risk projects such as the programme for replacing Trident nuclear weapons and construction of the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers – already nearly £2 billion over budget - have been declared exempt from a government pledge to disclose spending on all contracts by the Cabinet Office at the request of the Ministry of Defence.

NIS Update: August - September 2011

2011-09-05 20:50

This month's NIS Update newsletter contains stories about the fragile state of Ministry of Defence finances; costs of infrastructure projects at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, and the Office for Nuclear Regulation's new corporate plan.

Report warns that MoD nuclear safety is deteriorating

2011-09-02 09:09

The safety of the MoD's nuclear programmes is under threat in the medium term from a lack of finance and suitably competent staff, according to the Defence Nuclear Environment and Safety Board (DNESB), which oversees nuclear and radiological safety and environmental protection in the MoD.