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Brown move to cut UK nuclear subs Brown move to cut UK nuclear subs
(29 minutes later)
The prime minister is to tell the United Nations that he is willing to cut the UK's fleet of Trident missile-carrying submarines from four to three.The prime minister is to tell the United Nations that he is willing to cut the UK's fleet of Trident missile-carrying submarines from four to three.
Gordon Brown will make the offer at a meeting of the UN Security Council on halting the spread of nuclear weapons and reducing existing stockpiles.Gordon Brown will make the offer at a meeting of the UN Security Council on halting the spread of nuclear weapons and reducing existing stockpiles.
The proposed cuts come as the government searches for ways to reduce the massive deficit in public finances.The proposed cuts come as the government searches for ways to reduce the massive deficit in public finances.
However Number 10 said keeping the UK's nuclear deterrent was "non-negotiable".However Number 10 said keeping the UK's nuclear deterrent was "non-negotiable".
At the UN meeting, Mr Brown will call for all nations to come together to achieve the long-term ambition of a nuclear-free world.At the UN meeting, Mr Brown will call for all nations to come together to achieve the long-term ambition of a nuclear-free world.
Nuclear warheadsNuclear warheads
He will say: "If we are serious about the ambition of a nuclear-free world we will need statesmanship, not brinkmanship."He will say: "If we are serious about the ambition of a nuclear-free world we will need statesmanship, not brinkmanship."
BBC defence correspondent Nick Childs said Mr Brown would hope it will be seen as an important gesture in a much bigger global disarmament deal but the key to the process would be the actions of the United States and Russia.
US President Barack Obama is chairing the meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday as part of the process of drawing up a replacement for the Non-Proliferation Treaty, designed to stop countries developing nuclear weapons.US President Barack Obama is chairing the meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday as part of the process of drawing up a replacement for the Non-Proliferation Treaty, designed to stop countries developing nuclear weapons.
Mr Obama has said he will try to negotiate with Moscow to reduce US and Russian nuclear warheads - which make up 95% of the world's total - from 2,000 each to 1,500.Mr Obama has said he will try to negotiate with Moscow to reduce US and Russian nuclear warheads - which make up 95% of the world's total - from 2,000 each to 1,500.
Clegg: 'It's an important development'Clegg: 'It's an important development'
The UK government says it has cut its stockpile of Trident warheads from 200 to 160 but many Labour MPs would like it to scrap the weapons altogether.The UK government says it has cut its stockpile of Trident warheads from 200 to 160 but many Labour MPs would like it to scrap the weapons altogether.
But the Liberal Democrats are the only party to say they would not seek a "like for like replacement" for Trident - which is due to need replacing by 2024.But the Liberal Democrats are the only party to say they would not seek a "like for like replacement" for Trident - which is due to need replacing by 2024.
Officials travelling with the prime minister warned that reducing the number of submarines, which are based at Faslane on the Clyde, from four to three would not result in a 25% cut in cost.Officials travelling with the prime minister warned that reducing the number of submarines, which are based at Faslane on the Clyde, from four to three would not result in a 25% cut in cost.
Estimates for the cost of replacing Trident vary - the government puts it at between £15bn and £20bn but Greenpeace says it could cost £34bn, once extra costs like VAT and exchange rates are taken into account.Estimates for the cost of replacing Trident vary - the government puts it at between £15bn and £20bn but Greenpeace says it could cost £34bn, once extra costs like VAT and exchange rates are taken into account.
Costs 'unclear'Costs 'unclear'
Greenpeace and the Lib Dems say the overall cost - including the lifetime running costs of the system - amount to nearly £100bn.Greenpeace and the Lib Dems say the overall cost - including the lifetime running costs of the system - amount to nearly £100bn.
Professor Ron Smith, a defence economist at Birkbeck College, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that going from four to three submarines would probably have little effect on Britain's nuclear capability.Professor Ron Smith, a defence economist at Birkbeck College, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that going from four to three submarines would probably have little effect on Britain's nuclear capability.
"The idea of having four of them is essentially you have got one spare as insurance," he said."The idea of having four of them is essentially you have got one spare as insurance," he said.
As President Obama said in Prague, this is a very long-term goal which may outlive his children, not just himself David MilibandForeign SecretaryAs President Obama said in Prague, this is a very long-term goal which may outlive his children, not just himself David MilibandForeign Secretary
He added that the cost of replacing Trident was "very unclear" but working on the MoD's estimate of £20bn, losing one submarine would only save "a couple of billion" in about 2020 as there were a lot of fixed costs upfront and each boat cost less to build than the last one.He added that the cost of replacing Trident was "very unclear" but working on the MoD's estimate of £20bn, losing one submarine would only save "a couple of billion" in about 2020 as there were a lot of fixed costs upfront and each boat cost less to build than the last one.
Downing Street says maintaining an independent nuclear weapon system is "non-negotiable".Downing Street says maintaining an independent nuclear weapon system is "non-negotiable".
Foreign Secretary David Miliband added: "We reject unilateral nuclear disarmament for ourselves precisely because the world cannot end up in a situation where responsible powers get rid of their weapons, but the danger of nuclear proliferation by other powers remains.Foreign Secretary David Miliband added: "We reject unilateral nuclear disarmament for ourselves precisely because the world cannot end up in a situation where responsible powers get rid of their weapons, but the danger of nuclear proliferation by other powers remains.
"As President Obama said in Prague, this is a very long-term goal which may outlive his children, not just himself.""As President Obama said in Prague, this is a very long-term goal which may outlive his children, not just himself."
'Useless weapons''Useless weapons'
The Liberal Democrats have pointed out that Mr Brown does not appear to be proposing reducing Britain's total number of warheads.The Liberal Democrats have pointed out that Mr Brown does not appear to be proposing reducing Britain's total number of warheads.
But leader Nick Clegg said it was still an important development. He told the BBC: "I really do welcome that finally the dam has burst on this.But leader Nick Clegg said it was still an important development. He told the BBC: "I really do welcome that finally the dam has burst on this.
"It's just unrealistic for us to believe that we can foot the £100bn like-for-like replacement costs for Trident over the next 25 years."It's just unrealistic for us to believe that we can foot the £100bn like-for-like replacement costs for Trident over the next 25 years.
"I think the strategic context in which that decision is taking place is very different as well - we're not facing the Cold War threat in the same way that we once were.""I think the strategic context in which that decision is taking place is very different as well - we're not facing the Cold War threat in the same way that we once were."
Kate Hudson, chairwoman of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), said the proposals were "a serious and positive first step towards the scrapping of both the current Trident nuclear weapons system and its replacement".Kate Hudson, chairwoman of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), said the proposals were "a serious and positive first step towards the scrapping of both the current Trident nuclear weapons system and its replacement".
But she said the ultimate goal should be total disarmament.But she said the ultimate goal should be total disarmament.
STRATEGIC NUCLEAR WARHEADS AROUND THE WORLD All numbers are estimates because exact numbers are top secret. Strategic nuclear warheads are designed to target cities, missile locations and military headquarters as part of a strategic plan. Israel Israeli authorities have never confirmed or denied the country has nuclear weapons. North Korea The highly secretive state claims it has nuclear weapons, but there is no information in the public domain that proves this. Iran The International Atomic Energy Agency reported in 2003 there had been covert nuclear activity to make fissile material and continues to monitor Tehran's nuclear program. Syria US officials have claimed it is covertly seeking nuclear weapons.STRATEGIC NUCLEAR WARHEADS AROUND THE WORLD All numbers are estimates because exact numbers are top secret. Strategic nuclear warheads are designed to target cities, missile locations and military headquarters as part of a strategic plan. Israel Israeli authorities have never confirmed or denied the country has nuclear weapons. North Korea The highly secretive state claims it has nuclear weapons, but there is no information in the public domain that proves this. Iran The International Atomic Energy Agency reported in 2003 there had been covert nuclear activity to make fissile material and continues to monitor Tehran's nuclear program. Syria US officials have claimed it is covertly seeking nuclear weapons.