This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6205174.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
UK nuclear weapons plan unveiled UK nuclear weapons plan unveiled
(20 minutes later)
Tony Blair is addressing MPs about his plans for the future of the UK's independent nuclear weapons system. Tony Blair has told MPs it would be "unwise and dangerous" for the UK to give up its nuclear weapons.
He is set to back a new generation of submarines to carry Trident missiles, although there is likely to be a cut in the number of submarines, and warheads. The prime minister outlined plans to build a new generation of submarines to carry Trident missiles.
He said submarine numbers may be cut from four to three, while the number of nuclear warheads will be cut by 20%.
Mr Blair said although the Cold War had ended the UK needed nuclear weapons as no-one could be sure another nuclear threat would not emerge in the future.
In a world that's becoming increasingly uncertain... it seems crazy for us to say we will have one-sided disarmament Liam FoxShadow defence secretary Send us your comments
He said the options of changing to a land-based, or air-based nuclear weapons system had been considered and ruled out.
Mr Blair also said the new submarines would be built in the UK.
A number of Labour MPs oppose the plan, but the Tories say it would be "crazy" not to have UK nuclear weapons. The Lib Dems want a decision put back to 2014.A number of Labour MPs oppose the plan, but the Tories say it would be "crazy" not to have UK nuclear weapons. The Lib Dems want a decision put back to 2014.
MPs will vote on the plans in the new year after a three month consultation.MPs will vote on the plans in the new year after a three month consultation.
In a world that's becoming increasingly uncertain... it seems crazy for us to say we will have one-sided disarmament Liam FoxShadow defence secretary href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4881&edition=1&ttl=20061204084916" class="">Send us your comments Consultation
The lifespan of the current Trident system is said to end in 2024 and ministers have said a decision is needed now to ensure the replacement is ready by then. The current Trident system is due to reach its scheduled end in the early 2020s and Mr Blair said a decision was needed now to ensure the replacement is ready by then.
TRIDENT MISSILE SYSTEM Missile length: 44ft (13m)Weight: 130,000lb (58,500kg)Diameter: 74 inches (1.9m)Range: More than 4,600 miles (7,400km)Power plant: Three stage solid propellant rocketCost: £16.8m ($29.1m) per missile Source: Federation of American Scientists How Trident works
Critics say there should have been consultation before the decision was announced in the white paper published on Monday.Critics say there should have been consultation before the decision was announced in the white paper published on Monday.
'Nuclear club'
But Mr Blair's official spokesman said it was "one of the most serious decisions any government can take... it's right and proper that the government takes on itself the duty to put a firm proposal to Parliament and for Parliament to vote on that".But Mr Blair's official spokesman said it was "one of the most serious decisions any government can take... it's right and proper that the government takes on itself the duty to put a firm proposal to Parliament and for Parliament to vote on that".
Mr Blair says the system - 64 Trident missiles based on four Vanguard-class submarines nuclear submarines - is an essential part of Britain's ability to defend itself.Mr Blair says the system - 64 Trident missiles based on four Vanguard-class submarines nuclear submarines - is an essential part of Britain's ability to defend itself.
TRIDENT MISSILE SYSTEM Missile length: 44ft (13m)Weight: 130,000lb (58,500kg)Diameter: 74 inches (1.9m)Range: More than 4,600 miles (7,400km)Power plant: Three stage solid propellant rocketCost: £16.8m ($29.1m) per missile Source: Federation of American Scientists How Trident works
Defence chiefs are understood to have ruled out basing a new weapons system on land or planes.
Instead Mr Blair is expected to say, as he unveils the white paper to MPs in the Commons, that he backs a new generation of submarines able to carry both the existing Trident missiles and any successor missile.
Officials have dismissed reports that the new generation of missiles would be built abroad.
Critics argue that a Trident-type system is outdated now that the Cold War is over. The issue has divided Labour MPs.
Former defence minister Peter Kilfoyle told the BBC it was a "very inopportune moment" to replace Trident, adding: "We don't need to rush to some kind of decision over the next few months as appears to be the government's wish."
'Crazy'
Critics believe the estimated £10-25bn cost would be better spent elsewhere - saying Trident was designed for the Cold War era, not the current threats to the UK such as international terrorism.Critics believe the estimated £10-25bn cost would be better spent elsewhere - saying Trident was designed for the Cold War era, not the current threats to the UK such as international terrorism.
It's hard to see what the point of the Cabinet's discussion was... BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
Kate Hudson, from the anti-nuclear pressure group, CND, told BBC Five Live: "If we go ahead with developing new nuclear weapons, we can be absolutely certain that many other countries will proliferate nuclear weapons and we are going to end up with a situation of nuclear war."Kate Hudson, from the anti-nuclear pressure group, CND, told BBC Five Live: "If we go ahead with developing new nuclear weapons, we can be absolutely certain that many other countries will proliferate nuclear weapons and we are going to end up with a situation of nuclear war."
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell wants the number of UK warheads halved to 100 - a move he said could help kickstart multilateral disarmament.Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell wants the number of UK warheads halved to 100 - a move he said could help kickstart multilateral disarmament.
It's hard to see what the point of the Cabinet's discussion was... BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
But for the Conservatives, shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said: "In a world that's becoming increasingly uncertain - where countries like North Korea are developing nuclear weapons - where countries like Iran are trying to develop nuclear weapons - it seems crazy for us to say we will have one-sided disarmament."But for the Conservatives, shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said: "In a world that's becoming increasingly uncertain - where countries like North Korea are developing nuclear weapons - where countries like Iran are trying to develop nuclear weapons - it seems crazy for us to say we will have one-sided disarmament."
He said the decision was about protecting the UK from 2025 to 2050: "We don't know what we will face at that time. One thing we know is that you can't suddenly conjure up a nuclear deterrent if you require it."He said the decision was about protecting the UK from 2025 to 2050: "We don't know what we will face at that time. One thing we know is that you can't suddenly conjure up a nuclear deterrent if you require it."