Tag: national

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Budget reality check: some grand-sounding claims – but do they stack up?

By Sharon Black

Guardian writers test the validity of some of the key assertions made by George Osborne in his budget speech “We’ve seen more people in work than ever before – including a record number of women. A quarter of a million fewer workless households than two years ago. And the unemployment rate is lower than when we came to office” Unemployment was at 7.8% of the workforce when the coalition was elected in May 2010 – and is back at that figure now

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Britain to announce closer military co-operation with Libya

By Sharon Black

New defence links with Somalia and Burma will also be revealed as part of shift in military strategy Britain will announce it is has agreed closer military co-operation with Libya, as well as establishing new defence links to Somalia and Burma, as the armed forces begin a significant shift in strategy. The hope is that fostering better relations in areas where the UK has security and business interests will head off future conflicts, prevent terrorism and give Britain a better foothold in north Africa and the Horn of Africa over the next 20 years. The UK has agreed to help train the Libyan military, especially its navy and air force, and will also help to establish bomb disposal and defence language schools

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Service personnel awarded for outstanding gallantry

By Sharon Black

The National Army Museum in Chelsea hosted the latest Operational Honours and Awards ceremony (List Number 39) yesterday, where 21 of the 106 servicemen and women being honoured were praised by the Adjutant General, Lieutenant General Gerald Berragan.

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Defence Secretary responds to report on Major Projects

By Sharon Black

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has said, following the National Audit Office’s publication today of a report analysing the cost, time and performance of the MOD’s 15 largest military equipment projects, that the Department has got a grip on its equipment programme.

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Operations in Libya to continue as long as necessary

By Sharon Black

Following yesterday’s announcement by Libya’s National Transitional Council that the country has now been fully liberated, UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has said that NATO operations there will continue for as long as necessary, but not a moment longer.

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Diving with the sappers

By Sharon Black

A group of highly specialised soldiers – Royal Engineer divers – have been honing their skills on a six-week advanced diver course at the National Diving and Activity Centre in Chepstow.

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Dr Liam Fox responds to Defence Committee report on SDSR

By Sharon Black

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox and Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir David Richards have responded to today’s publication of the House of Commons Defence Committee’s report into the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) and the National Security Strategy (NSS).

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Injured troops take to the ice

By Sharon Black

An ice sledge hockey squad made up of injured Service personnel took to the rink yesterday following a year’s worth of preparation to get them ready to compete in the national ice sledge hockey league.